Mali Records New Ebola Case, Linked To Dead Nurse

Mali has recorded a new case of Ebola in the capital Bamako after the
friend of a nurse who died of the hemorrhagic fever earlier this month
tested positive for the disease, health and medical officials said on
Saturday.

The nurse contracted the disease after treating an imam from
neighboring Guinea, who died after being incorrectly diagnosed with
kidney problems. This allowed Ebola to spread to five other people in
the West African nation's second outbreak.

"Of two suspected cases tested, one was negative and the other
positive. The latter was placed in an isolation center for intensive
treatment," a statement from the health ministry said, adding that
another 310 contact cases were being monitored.

Two Malian medical officials, who asked not to be named, confirmed the
relationship between the new case and the deceased nurse.

A total of 5,459 people have died in the worst Ebola outbreak on
record, according the World Health Organization (WHO). Guinea, Sierra
Leone and Liberia account for all but 15 of them.

Of the six previously known cases of the disease in Mali, all have
died, the WHO said on Friday.
--Reuters

Kenyans Rally For Woman Stripped Naked In Nairobi

Kenyans took to the streets of Nairobi in protest to send a message to
men to stop attacking women because of the way they dress. They also
took the protest to Social Media using the hashtag #mydressmychoice.

The protests followed the latest incident of a woman stri*ped unclad
in the capital by a group of men who accused her of "indecent"
dressing. The attack captured on video last week prompted outrage on
social media under the hashtag #mydressmychoice.

Protesters marched through downtown carrying placards that read "My
dress, my choice" while others donned mini-skirts, the same attire the
unidentified woman wore when she was attacked. Some men wore dresses
to show their support.

Others joined the march to rally against the protests, chanting "don't
be unclad" and "wear clothes."

This is not the first time a woman has been undressed for purported
indecent dressing in the East African nation, which has a Christian
dominated population.

Such incidents sporadically happen in other major cities, including
Nakuru and Mombasa.

In the footage posted on YouTube and shown on local television, the
woman is confronted by her attackers at a bus stop. She looks
terrified as she is pushed and shoved by a group of men, who
eventually strip her unclad. In the background, attackers yell "Toa" --
Swahili for "take it off!" as they tug at her clothes.
--CNN

Chidinma Reveals Why She Cannot Marry An Entertainer

In a recent interview, Kedike crooner Chidinma Ekile revealed that
marrying an entertainer might be 'too mad'.

In her own words:

"Personally, I wouldn't want to, except God has another plan for me.
Some people might disagree with me on this one, but I just feel that
after the madness in the industry, I just want to go back home to
sanity.

"You'll just want to go back to being cool and having your peace,
rather than going back to someone who's also in that same madness. I
was talking to someone and the person said:

"Chidinma, I don't agree with you because I think the person will
understand you and understand that this is what you do." But I still
don't think I want to do that.
--infonaija

Gov. Shema's 'Cockroach' Statement Extremely Dangerous, Unacceptable --European Union

The European High Commission on Thursday in Abuja condemned a
statement credited to Katsina State governor, Ibrahim Shema, urging
his supporters to attack his political opponents and treat them as
"cockroaches".

Reacting to the statement in a chat with journalists yesterday, the
Head, EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Michael Arrion, said that
Mr. Shema's call to his supporters to "kill" and "crush" political
opponents was "extremely dangerous and unacceptable".

"If it is confirmed, that kind of statements are I'm sorry to say,
extremely dangerous and unacceptable", Mr. Arrion said.

Mr. Shema was seen in an amateur video posted on the internet
encouraging his supporters to retaliate any provocation by the
opposition and to crush them like "cockroaches".

Painting a scenario of what to do if they found cockroaches in their
houses, the excited crowd screamed in unison, "kill them!"

Re-echoing their response, the governor added, "kill them!". Giving
the crowd of supporters the go-ahead not to let any act of provocation
by the opposition go without reprisal, Mr. Shema said the days of PDP
playing the victim was over.

Referring to Rwanda's 1994 pre-genocide statements made by Hutus
against the Tutsis, Mr. Arrion said politicians must desist from using
such hateful words and comments.

He also said the EU will be giving financial aid to the Independent
National Electoral Commission, INEC.

According to him, a team of EU observers will be arriving Nigeria at
the beginning of 2015 to ensure a smooth election process.

The team unlike their predecessors, he said will be spending four
months in Nigeria - this, he said, would enable "the long term
observers" monitor the election and post-election processes.

The observers will also be saddled with the responsibility of
monitoring technical issues, voters turn out, percentage of Nigerians
given the opportunity to vote, legal frameworks among others.

"We are going to have a few dozens of observers, we cannot have
observers at all polling units", he said.

7 Urine Colours That Can Tell You Important Things

Everyone knows that normal, human urine is yellow in color, but many
have often wondered what it means when the liquid they are expelling
is a completely different color.

Discoloration, murkiness and even blood can cause panic and alarm at
the thought that there is something physically wrong with your body.
If you're curious about what you can learn just by looking at your
urine, then read on.

What is Normal Urine Supposed to Look Like?

The normal color of urine can range from a translucent yellow to
amber. It is a sterile liquid that is expelled from the body and is a
product of cellular metabolism. The appearance of your urine can be
affected by certain foods you eat, beverages you drink and diseases
that you may be afflicted by. The yellow to amber color that normal
urine has is due to a pigment called urochrome. When your urine is
darker (amber), this usually is a sign you aren't getting enough
fluids. If your urine is on the darker spectrum of what it should
normally look like, there's typically no cause for alarm. All you need
to do is get more fluids in your body, preferably water.

Why is My Urine Clear?

Typically, the clearer your urine is, the healthier you should be.
Light yellow to clear colored urine is a sign that your body is
properly hydrated, and is typical of those who regularly drink water.
However, clear urine can also appear in those who are taking in too
much water, and may be dangerously close to overhydration, or water
intoxication. An increase in urination, especially clear urine,
without adequate water intake can be a sign of diabetes.

Some may often wonder why their urine turns clear after excessively
drinking alcohol. The amount of liquids your body took in is one
reason for increased urination, but the other reason is alcohol is a
diuretic, which means it increases the rate you have to pee. Because
alcohol forces an increase in urination, your body is required to
extract water from other organs since you're peeing all that water
down the drain, along with other important electrolytes in your body.
This is why too much alcohol makes you sick and leaves you with a bad
headache.

Abnormal Urine Colors

Sometimes your urine will take a dive completely off the light yellow
to amber gold color chart. If this is the case, here are several
possible urine colors you might be seeing and what they mean:

Green or blue urine: this is typically caused by something you
ingested. Certain foods and beverages and medications have the ability
to make your urine these colors, especially if they contain a blue
dye. Asparagus has not only been known to make your urine appear
greener, it can also affect your urine's odor.

Red or pink urine: certain foods that are naturally red can cause
these color changes in your urine. Laxatives and some prescription
drugs can also be the cause of red urine. In some cases, blood in your
urine stream can be a sign of a medical condition like an enlarged
prostate, bladder stones or even kidney cancer.

Murky urine: this can be a sign of a urinary tract infection (UTI) or
kidney stones. For men, semen left in the urinary tract can also cause
urine to be cloudy or murky.

Orange urine: blackberries, beets, rhubarb and certain medications
with dyes can cause this. Medical issues that can cause orange urine
include jaundice and dehydration.

Foamy urine: this doesn't affect the color or your urine. Instead, it
accompanies urine at certain times, which may be cause for alarm.
Excessive foam in your urine is typically a sign of ingesting too much
protein.

Seeking Medical Attention

Often times, a drastic change in urine color is caused by something
you ingested. Take note of any color changes, and record when and how
often they occur. If you can rule out food or medication as possible
causes for your change in urine color, you should contact your
physician. Also think about any other possible symptoms you may be
experiencing that are related to a major health issue:

Are you urinating more frequently than usual?

Is urination painful for you?

Are you having trouble urinating? Has urinating become more infrequent
than usual?

Are you urinating only small amounts at a time?

Do you wake up frequently at night to urinate?

Are you producing more urine than usual?

Are you leaking or dribbling urine uncontrollably?

While it is best not to panic at the first signs of abnormal urine
color, you should not ignore it either. Consult a physician to ensure
you aren't suffering from something serious. If a change in urine
color is accompanied by any of the above symptoms, notify your doctor
immediately.

Marathon Runner Flees Police On Foot, Runs 5 Miles

Police in New Jersey has said that a marathon runner had no need for a
getaway car when he fled police on foot and eventually ran five miles
to his home. The name of the suspect was given as Eric Kipkemei
Chirchir, 31, from Kenya. Read more according to UPI.

The Bogata Police Department said Eric Kipkemei Chirchir, 31, a
marathon runner from Kenya, fled police at the Bogota Golf Center Nov.
15 and ran the five miles to his home.

"He's fast," Detective Sgt. Jon Misskerg told NJ.com. "This is one of
the world's elite marathon runners."

Police said they had been called by a 15-year-old girl who accused
Chirchir of entering the women's locker room and touching her
inappropriately.

Miss kerg said Chirchir was found hiding in his 6-year-old daughter's
bedroom closet at his home.

Bogota police Capt. James Sepp told NorthJersey.com Chirchir, an
employee of the golf club, was arrested on charges of criminal s*xual
contact, endangering the welfare of a child, resisting arrest and
obstruction of justice.

Sepp said U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement put a detainer on
Chirchir following his arrest, meaning he could also be facing
prosecution for violating immigration laws.

Did Anambra Governor's Wife Slap The Deputy's Wife?

(Photo: Governor Willie Obiano and his wife, Chief Ebere Obiano)

Anambra State government has denied a rumour making rounds that the
wife of the governor, Mrs. Ebelechukwu Obiano slapped the wife of the
deputy governor, Mrs Oby Okeke. The government said it never happened
and blamed the false information on those trying to create tension in
the state.

The special assistant to the deputy governor on media, Mrs. Stella
Igboka, in a statement released on Friday said that the two women have
a cordial relationship and therefore urged the people of the state to
take the story being circulated on social media with a pinch of salt.

"Our attention has been drawn to a publication on the Internet
alleging that Her Excellency, the wife of the Deputy Governor of
Anambra State Mrs Oby Okeke was slapped by Her Excellency, the wife of
the State Governor, Chief Mrs Ebelechukwu Obiano at a function in Awka
on Sunday last week.

"Her Excellency, Mrs Oby Okeke, had initially dismissed and ignored
the purported allegation as a mere figment of imagination of rumour
mongers, but having been pestered with calls and enquiries from
friends and well meaning Ndi Anambra, It became necessary to set the
record straight in order not to mislead the citizens into believing
such a fabricated, unfounded and baseless story.

"There is no iota of truth in the said story, the publication is
malicious and whoever concocted that does not mean well for Anambra
state and should not be taken seriously.

"Those peddling propaganda only want to create unnecessary friction
where non exists between the wives of the Governor and his deputy who
are enjoying a cordial relationship and working harmoniously in
supporting their husbands in their statutory obligations of moving the
state to an enviable height.

"While assuring the citizens of Her Excellency's Mrs Oby Okeke's
unflinching loyalty and support to the wife of the State Governor,
Chief Mrs Ebelechukwu Obiano (Osodieme) there is need to state
equivocally that no level of smear campaign or calumny would distract
the amiable wives of the Governor and his deputy from working as a
formidable team in support of their husbands for peace and progress of
Anambra State," the statement read.
--infonaija

"I Don't Plan To Have Kids Now" --Blessing Okagbare

The award winning athlete just became a wife a few weeks ago but she
isn't in a hurry to be a mother.

Nigerian track/field athlete and world medalist Blessing Okagbare got
married to her Nigerian soccer heartthrob Igho Otegheri in Sapele,
Delta State few weeks ago.

Surprisingly, Blessing jetted back to her base in Los Angeles and she
says that she has no plans of starting a family now.

She tells TC mag: -

"A family, hahaha, I am not planning about that now. At the moment I
have goals that must be accomplished and other things to be achieved
professionally, so starting a family immediately after my wedding is
actually not in the schedule for me right now, no way. Honestly, we
have already talked about it and my hubby knows what I do for a
living. We have talked about it and he knows there are things I must
get done in my career which are very important to me.

Having kids now is out of it, there are things in my career that must
be accomplished before we start thinking of building a family. After
my wedding the next agenda is to accomplish all the things I have set
out to achieve and that is it, not having babies, this will surely
come later."

On what attracted her to her husband Blessing reeled off: -
"(Laugh) Well, he is God fearing that is very important to me. He is
also a gentleman. I mean a true gentleman all in all.Whatever you can
think of, so that was what attracted me to him. Of course I love him,
when you meet people you actually get to understand them. When we met
he was not a perfect man, but with time he was reborn to my taste and
I found out some other good things about him I cannot say right now
publicly."

APGA To Adopt Jonathan As Presidential Candidate

The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) will on December 17, 2014
hold a Special National Convention where the appointment of the
Anambra State Governor Chief Wiliie Obiano as its leader and Chairman
of the Board of Trustees (BOT) will be ratified.

While at the convention, the party will also adopt President Goodluck
Jonathan as its presidential candidate. It will also approve and adopt
the amended Constitution of the party.

The former governor of Anambra State, Dr Peter Obi had defected to the
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) while he was waiting for his position
as APGA BoT chair to be ratified.

While it seemed like the party's delay in ratifying his position as
party leader made him defect, it is believed in the party, that Obi
defected to the PDP because he anticipated a ministerial appointment.
The former governor has also always enjoyed a cordial relationship
with the presidency.

With Obiano being Obi's protege, the decision of APGA to ratify his
appointment soon, is seen as a smart move, and a decision that is key
to the continued existence of the party.

The party's adoption of Jonathan as its candidate for the 2015
election may however be an indication that the ties between the PDP
and APGA while Obi was governor of Anambra may still be intact.

"I Have 125 Pairs Of Sunglasses, 200 Pairs Of Shoes" --Jim Iyke

Well, I know a lot of you are probably thinking and saying 'Who
cares', but a lot of people actually do; and trust me that is a lot of
glasses too.

The controversial actor and reality TV star has spoken of his fondness
for sunglasses, stating he has an incredible number of them.

Jim Iyke who is still dating Ghanaian movie star, Nadia Buari told
Punch in a recent interview that he has about 125 pairs of sunglasses
and over 200 pair of shoes.

'I am not brand crazy. The designer labels cost a lot of money but
there is a healthy competition; which is why I find the fashion market
very interesting. I have been to factories that make goods for Gucci.
These are people working on a smaller scale and these are the ones I
hire to make my clothes and they give me what I want. However, I
always buy what I know I would look good in,'he said.

Speaking further, the Last Flight to Abuja star added:'I have about
125 pairs of sunglasses. I think I own about 200 pairs of shoes and
sneakers and it is not something to brag about. I like shoes and I
collect them. I get shoes that are much branded and are limited
edition. For, me it is not just about making a fashion statement
anymore, it is art.'

Adebayor Denies Evicting His Mother Over Juju

Adebayor denies evicting his mother over Juju:
'I'm not a pastor, I cannot point out a witch'

The culturally bewildering story of the day is that of Spurs' striker
Emmanuel Adebayor fearing witchcraft is being practiced upon him by
family members.

Adebayor has responded to the wild rumour, and spoke to Peace FM,
denying that he kicked his mother out the house in Togo, saying she
left of her own volition.

He says he cannot identify who is the witch carrying out the practice
on him, as he's not a pastor, but he does firmly believe it is taking
place.

Adebayor believes it is a hanger-on, a woman claiming to be his sister
who spends time with his mother.

The striker is audibly distressed in the interview, and it's clear
that this baggage is a massive burden to both his private life and
career.

'Obviously I'm not a pastor, I am a footballer so I cannot point out a witch...

"..I never sacked my mum from the house; she decided to leave the
house...But how am I going to be in touch with my mum if my mum is the
one telling everyone that my work will not go forward, so I will just
be on my side and do my thing.'

"They should stop talking talking,they should stop doing Juju on me;
they should leave me alone...The one talking there and calling herself
my sister I bought a house in East Legon for $1.2m...can you imagine
that sister went to rent the house without my knowledge?"

Adebayor also said that the responsibility to look after his mother
should be shared between all the siblings, and the burden shouldn't be
on him just because he's a footballer:

"They shared my houses, they shared my cars, they say if he dies this
car is for you, this house is for you, can you imagine?"

"Right now they don't need money...If they claim I am not looking after
my mother, we are seven in the family, and so why can't the rest do
it?"

South-East PDP Guber Aspirants Undergo Screening In Enugu, With Highest Number From Imo

Peoples Democratic Party governorship aspirants in the South East on
Saturday appeared before a screening panel in Enugu.

The event, which held at the PDP South East zonal office, was attended
by all the governorship aspirants in Enugu, Imo, Ebonyi and Abia
states.

Imo State had the largest number of aspirants with about 18
gubernatorial hopefuls, including the Deputy Speaker of the House of
Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha.

Another member of the House of Representatives, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, who
has been selected as the consensus candidate, also appeared before the
panel alongside his rivals, including the chairman of the Senate
Committee on Works, Senator Ayogu Eze, Chinedu Onuh, Anayo Onwuegbu
and the Speaker of Enugu State House of Assembly, Eugene Odo.

Like Enugu State, Abia State also has about six governorship aspirants.

Earlier, Eze had promised to run an inclusive government if elected as
the governor of Enugu State in 2015.

The Senator made the pledge while addressing supporters who came to
receive him shortly before he attended the screening exercise.

The Senator said every resident of Enugu State, including
non-indigenes, would be carried along by his administration.

According to him, non-indegenes have contributed immensely to the
development of the state and as such are entitled to the same measure
of public service as the indigenes.

Assuring that he is open to consultations, the gubernatorial hopeful
said his phone numbers would be available to members of the public.

Promising that he would establish an enabling environment for job
creation, Eze said justice and equity would be the watchword of his
administration.

Eze further promised to change the face of Enugu State and ensure that
it re-assumes its status as the capital of the old Eastern region.
--PUNCH

EPL: Costa, Hazard Shine As Chelsea Go 12 Unbeaten

Chelsea's strong start to the season continued on Saturday with a 2-0
win over Westbrom at Stamford Bridge.

Diego Costa set the ball rolling on 11 minutes with a nice chest and
volley after being picked out by Oscar.

Eden Hazard then doubled the lead for the blues following a short
corner by Cesc Fabregas as Jose Mourinho's Chelsea side ran out
comfortable winners.

Despite missing the international break with Spain through injury,
both Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas were considered fit to start in the
game and the move paid off.

In other games, Leon Osman scored the winner as Everton defeated West
Ham 2-1, Leicester City and Sunderland battled to a goalless draw,

Manchester City came from a goal down to beat Swansea 2-1 at the
Etihad with Yaya Toure bagging the winner, Newcastle edged Queens Park
Rangers 1-0, while Burnley went to the Britannia to get all 3 points
with 2-1 win over Stoke City.

Three months into the English Premier League 2014/15 season, Chelsea
remains the only team.

UNILAG Undergraduate Tells How She Was Defiled By Ndi Okereke's Cousin

A cousin of former DG of the Nigerian Stock Exchange Ndi
Okereke-Onyuike, and actress Stephanie Okereke's cousin, Prince Daniel
Okereke, 37 (pictured above), has been arrested for allegedly raping a
22 year old UNILAG undergraduate named Arinola. And she didn't keep
quiet. She fought back by first destroying his property, then she got
him arrested. She tells her story after the cut.

"When we got to his house, I told him that I was not interested in
having sex with him, he called two of his security guards to help him
to tie me up and seal my mouth. He then brought out his belt and
started flogging me," says Arionla, a 300 level student who alleged
that she was raped by a man, later identified as the cousin of former
Director-General of the Nigerian Stock Ex-change(NSE), President, Ndi
Okereke-Onyuike.

The suspect, Prince Daniel Okereke, 37, was alleged to have lured her
into his home at Mende, Maryland, Lagos, subdued her with the aid of
his security guard before he pounced on her and raped her sev-erally.

Saturday Sun learnt that after the several rape sessions which lasted
for more than 30 minutes, Prince Daniel ordered Arionla to pick her
bags and get out of the house. Abused and bitter, Arionla was said to
have started destroying the property in his house and also flinging
same out of the compound. In the process, the car that belonged to one
of the neighbours was destroyed.

Not aware of what could have led to the fracas, the angry neighbour
alerted the police attached to Area F, Ikeja who arrested Arionla and
accused her of as-sault. On listening to both sides and overwhelming
bruises on Arionla's body, a case of attempted rape was established
and Prince Daniel was arrested and later released on bail while
Arinola was rushed to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital,
Ikeja for examination and treatment.

Saturday Sun further gathered that when Arinola and her family
discovered that the case was as good as closed by the police attached
to Area F Command, Ikeja, she reported the matter to the State
Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti that ordered his
re-arrest, having sighted the original copy of the lab test which
proved that she was forcefully defiled and the cause of the wound on
her body.

Still recovering from the scars that had disfigured her beautiful
body, Arinola, 6ft tall, and who can be best described as a model,
claimed that she saw Prince Daniel as a harmless elder brother who
cared about her ailing health.

According to Arinola, 22, and a student of Univer-sity of Lagos,
Akoka, she met Prince Daniel through an online dating site, early last
month. "We became friends online and I gave him my number. He kept
calling requesting to see me in school and I kept giv-ing him one
excuse or the other. He actually said that he wanted me to be his
friend and I declined that I am a student and should be allowed to
face my studies.

"On November 6, 2014, he called me that he was in my school compound.
I was sick and told him that I was about to head to the pharmacy to
get drugs. He volunteered to drive me to the pharmacy. I was impressed
and grateful for such a kind gesture. Af-ter buying the drugs, we
drove to the fast food and bought food. He asked me to join him to a
seat out joint where I can relax and eat the food. I was sur-prised
when he drove straight to his house at Mende, Maryland."

He said that I will be the one to the bear the shame since the world
will ask what I was doing in his house when I was supposed to be in
school," Arinola narrated.

"When it dawned on her that the prince is a beast in sheep's clothing,
Arionla stopped struggling and parted her legs for the Prince. "He
raped me severally till he was satisfied. He later removed the ropes
and ordered me to get out of his house. I was in pains and knew that
since the law will finally release him because of his sta-tus, I
needed to destroy anything within reach. It was the neighbours whose
car was destroyed that alerted the police at Area F, Ikeja.

"I wrote my statement and went to the hospital for examination. I was
not sur-prised when I was told that he was granted bail the same day.
My family had to report the matter to Panti and he was re-arrested."

Still dressed in his royal white dress as at press time, Prince
Daniel, a businessman, who is also related to Nigerian actress,
Stephanie Okereke, blamed the devil for the act. "I am so ashamed of
myself. We are family of professionals whom you know very well. I
don't know what got into my head. I am sorry and plead for
forgive-ness," Daniel, who said he was single and still searching,
pleaded.

Robbers Hijacks Red Cross Vehicle In Guinea. Stole Suspected Ebola Patients Blood Sample

Robbers in Guinea hijacked a taxi transporting a cooler
containingblood samplesfrom suspectedEbolapatients, a seniorRed
Crossofficial said on Friday.

The carjackers held up the vehicle near the town of Kissidougou. The
taxi was carrying the samples from central Kankan prefecture to the
test center about 165 miles away in southern Gueckedou.

The blood was stored in tightly wrapped vials and safely tucked in a
sealed container. The samples were being escorted by four Red Cross
officials when three bandits on a motorbike flagged them down.

Reports said the robbers forced the passengers out, stole their mobile
phones, cash and jewelry, and fired into the air as they demanded the
handover of the cooler bag. No one was injured in the incident.

Youssouf Traoré, head of the Red Cross delegation in Guinea, said the
thieves may thought the cooler contain something valuable to them.

Traoré said the robbers would probably dump the cooler once they found
it did not contain cash, gold or diamonds.

Guinea authorities publicly appealed to the unidentified thieves to
hand over thestolen blood samples.

Dr. Barry Moumie, who heads patient care for the national Ebola
response coordination committee, said security services have been
notified about the incident and the danger the samples may pose to the
thieves.

He assured thatsample-transportation proceduresinEbola-stricken
countrieswill now be strengthened to avoid such incidents.

Guinea Red Cross press officer Faya Etienne Tolnoexplained that
theGuinea Red Crossdid not have their own vehicles for transport that
is why it commissioned a taxi.

Dr. Hans Rosling, who is advising Liberia on its Ebola response, noted
the difficulties of transporting such samples, saying countries and
groups like the United States and the United Nations have rules about
moving suchhazardous materials.

In Liberia, he said they use specifically allocated motorbikes and
cars. But Rosling said there is no way that authorities can secure
transport in all of these areas and mishap such as in Guinea can
happen.

According to the World Health Organization, more than 5,000 people
have died in Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Liberia in the worst outbreak
of the Ebola virus on record.

Poo-Powered Bus Takes To The Streets Tn Britain

Buses now run on poo in Great Britain. The sewage company behind
Britain's first ever poo-powered Bio-Bus said the vehicle can run up
to 186 miles on one tank of fuel from food and human waste. UPI has
more.

GENeco, a subsidiary of Wessex Water, said the fuel for the 40-seat
Bio-Bus is produced at the Bristol sewage treatment works, where human
waste and food unfit for consumption are put through a process to
create biomethane.

Mohammed Saddiq, general manager of GENeco, said the company is also
producing biomethane for the country's natural gas network.

"Through treating sewage and food that's unfit for human consumption
we're able to produce enough biomethane to provide a significant
supply of gas to the national gas network that's capable of powering
almost 8,500 homes as well as fueling the Bio-Bus."

It takes the annual waste from about five people to create one tank of
biomethane for the bus, officials said.

The Bath Bus Company is running the Bio-Bus on the 20-mile A4 route
between Bath, England, and the airport in Bristol, England.

Lagos Has Emerged As 4th Most Visited City In Africa 2014 --MasterCard Index

According to the index, 1.3 million international overnight visitors
are expected to visit Lagos this year, up 5.8 percent from the 1.25
million international visitors who visited the city in 2013. Lagos
ranks ahead of Casablanca (989,219), Durban (890,178), Accra (842,414)
and Nairobi (619,506) among others in terms of forecasted
international overnight visitors.

International visitors to Lagos are expected to spend US$710 million
in 2014, up 3.8 percent from last year's US$684 million. The city
ranks fifth in Africa in terms of overall visitor expenditure below
Johannesburg (US$3.20 billion), Cape Town (US$2.25 billion), Cairo
(US$804 million) and Casablanca (US$737 million).

"The impacts of travel are very significant from a business, social,
and cultural perspective. International visitor spending constitutes
an increasingly important source of business revenue in leading cities
around the world, encompassing the hospitality, retail, transport,
sports and culture industries, among many others, and Lagos welcomes
its growth," says Omokehinde Ojomuyide, Vice President and Area
Business Head, MasterCard in West Africa.

Now in its fourth year, the MasterCard Index of Global Destination
Cities ranks 132 cities in terms of the number of their total
international visitor arrivals and the cross-border spending by these
same visitors in the destination cities. It also gives visitor and
passenger growth forecasts for 2014. The 13 African cities ranked in
the Index are Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Cairo, Casablanca,
Accra, Nairobi, Beira, Dakar, Kampala, Lagos, Maputo and Tunis.

As the largest economy in Africa, Nigeria continues to attract
international investment from companies in diverse sectors. Lagos,
which is the most populous city in Africa, is listed as the second
most attractive destination on the continent for retail sector
investors, according to the 2014 Africa Retail Development Index.

"Nigeria's recent GDP rebasing reveals that the country is the largest
economy in Africa, and the 26thlargest in the world, with a GDP of
$510 billion. The increase in international visitors signals income
generation for Lagos, and is becoming a major economic growth engine,"
adds Ojomuyide

South African cities Johannesburg and Cape Town come in at first and
second place as the most popular destination cities by international
overnight visitors, attracting 4.2 million and 1.6 million visitors in
2014. Cairo in Egypt (1.35 million) and Casablanca in Morocco (982,219
million) occupy third and fifth place on the index in terms of
international visitor numbers.

The world's top destination cities
For the third time in four years, London is the destination of choice
for travellers. London will receive 18.7 million international
visitors in 2014, followed by Bangkok (16.4 million), Paris (15.6
million), Singapore (12.5 million) and Dubai (11.9 million).

These cities are benefiting from the surge in international travel
fuelled by an expanding middle class, innovations in luxury travel and
the rising need for business travel.

"The global travel sector has been supported by the significant
developments in the electronic payments sphere, and we see more
consumers taking advantage of programs and offers that make
international travel more achievable and hassle free. MasterCard
continues to work with partners to bring travellers secure and
convenient payment options and contribute towards the development of a
transformative electronic payments ecosystem to facilitate this,"
Ojomuyide says.

See The Full Text Of Oshiomhole's Statement That Got Fayose Mad

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Peter Okhiria,
Governor Adams Oshiomhole said;

"We find it utterly laughable and as the height of political
childishness for the Ekiti State Governor to hide behind his media
aides and seek to drag the name of the Governor of Edo State, Comrade
Adams Oshiomhole, into his crude gangster tactics which he has
re-introduced into Ekiti politics less than two months after assuming
office.

"If the Ekiti Governor is too lazy to read and too politically
illiterate to know what is happening in Edo State House of Assembly,
we expected his psychedelic media aides to simply shut their loud
mouths rather than behave like capering neophytes." Continue..

"For the purpose of education, the Ekiti Governor and his media aides
should be informed that there is no crisis in Edo State House of
Assembly. Fifteen members of the 24-member Assembly are members of the
All Progressives Congress, while nine are members of the opposition
PDP. Of the nine PDP members, three are on suspension while the seat
of one member has been declared vacant. So, effectively, the PDP has
five members in the Edo State House of Assembly.

"Even a kindergarten knows that 15 is greater than 5. So if five PDP
members decide to sit with three suspended members and another whose
seat was declared vacant in a chamber which is undergoing renovation,
then we can at best regard that as the height of crass legislative
irresponsibility".

"It is ridiculous to even contemplate that the Ekiti Governor and his
media aides do not know that 15 is greater than five! For sure, they
seem engrossed with their stomach infrastructure mantra, such a
dubious contraption which can only be contrived by an ideologically
clueless and gluttonous administration".

"But for the kind of democracy we practice in Nigeria, where the PDP
promotes and condones all manners of illegalities, inanities and
shenanigans which have become the second nature of that party, Ayodele
Fayose would have been cooling off his heels in gaol rather than
brandishing the appellation of being a Governor.

"We are thoroughly ashamed that Ekiti, hitherto known as the fountain
of knowledge, is being reduced to a mindless bubble by a man running
her affairs without a discernible direction like a drowning man
clutching desperately at flotsam.

"We advise Fayose to restrict his gung-ho area boy tactics to Ekiti
state and stop dropping the name of Governor Adams Oshiomhole to shore
up his jaded image. Governance comes with decorum, respect and
responsibility. If Ekiti people with all their avowed sophistication
and intellectuality have elected to present a political rascal as
their number one citizen, so be it; but they must understand that
there is a huge difference between character and infamy"

Emmanuel Adebayor Accuses Mum Of Witchcraft. Ejects Her

Togo and Tottenham Hotspurs striker, Emmanuel Sheyi Adebayor is
reported to have accused his mother and relatives of plotting 'juju'
(witchcraft) against him aimed at bringing his career to a premature
end.

He is said to have sent his mother packing from his house over a year
ago and has not set eyes or spoken with her since. Adebayor's sister
called Maggie told a radio station in Accra that the footballer has
abandoned their mother and family and won't even respond to calls from
his mother whom he has not seen in over a year.

"As at now, our mother is selling polythene bags, padlocks and other
things on the (Ghana/Togo) border. Our mother has not seen him for
more than a year and he rejects her calls anytime. Our mother is not
calling him for his money, she just wants to see him because she loves
him very much," Adebayor's sister told Peace FM.

Telling his own side of the story, Adebayor said: "At the airport my
mum said, 'Go to France so you can change the way this family lives.'
She knew that if I succeeded in football we could have a better life
and finally get out of poverty. At 15 I wasn't just playing for my own
glory, I was playing for the sake of my family," Emmanuel Adebayor
once told the Daily Mail in an interview back in 2009.

It's all a different story nowadays as a now matured and wealthy Sheyi
Adebayor has strongly defended his decision to stay away from his
family by accusing his mother of using witchcraft to attack him, the
mother he once hailed as the best in the world and went with to
receive the Africa footballer of the year award.

Adebayor confirmed to the same radio station this morning that he has
neglected his mother and is out of touch with her and his siblings
because they have an evil agenda against him.

Asked when was the last time he spoke to his mother, Adebayor replied,
"How can I talk to a mother who together with my sisters have been
plotting juju against me?"
--infonaija

How Beyoncé Saved Sister, Solange's Wedding Day

It is said that no wedding would be complete without a bit of drama to
shake up the bride's nerves, and Solange Knowle's nuptials this past
weekend in New Orleans well didn't fail in that regard. Here's the
story of how Beyonce saved Solange's Wedding Day.

Sometime in between the bride and groom's bike ride through town on
vintage, cream-colored bicycles, Solange broke out in swollen, pale
red bumps covering her face. This was captured by prying paparazzi
lenses and splashed up on TMZ's home page, but seemed to have
disappeared by the time of the reception. And in a new interview, the
mother of the bride, Tina Knowles, explains what caused the momentary
outbreak and how Solange's sister came to the rescue.

"[Solange] went through the wedding and the sit-down dinner and she
was just fine," Tina Knowles told Entertainment Tonight, "and then
they had a second line in the streets of New Orleans and she was
dancing so hard, I think she just got overheated," Knowles explained.

Another possible factor in the outbreak: the couple's decision to dine
on traditional New Orleans cuisine including seafood. "I think she had
a reaction to it," Tina added.

Rather than panic, Beyoncé--apparently as much of a superhero in
medical situations as musical--"took [Solange] back to the hotel and
gave her Benadryl and cortisone creams. She took a shower and in two
hours, she showed up at the reception and did the dance with her son
and just had a ball." The bride also maintained a sense of humor about
the subject, later tweeting a "Shout out to Benadryl."

Because of Beyoncé's quick thinking, Solange was able to celebrate
well into the night, even continuing on to an after-party where the
aforementioned mother-son dance took place. And Tina Knowles was
careful to note that all children, including Bey and Jay Z's daughter,
Blue Ivy, were banned from the late-night festivities. "[Blue Ivy]
didn't get to come to the after party," Tina said. "[Solange's son]
only got to come and do the dance and then he had to leave. Had to go
to bed. It was a grown folks party."

Supreme Court Fires Taraba Acting Governor, Reinstates Impeached Deputy

Former Deputy Governor of Taraba State, Alhaji Sanni Danladi, who was
impeached by the state House of Assembly in October 2012 under
questionable circumstances has been reinstated as the new governor of
the state by the Supreme court of Nigeria. Alhaji Danladi served as
the deputy governor of the state under Dambaba Suntai who is now very
ill.

Delivering its judgement today, the Supreme Court led by Justice
Sylvester Ngwuta, ruled that the impeachment panel set up by the House
of Assembly to investigate all the allegations leveled against Danladi
did not give him fair hearing as he was not given any opportunity to
speak for himself during any of the panels proceedings.

The panel also failed to honor a court injunction secured by the
deputy governor challenging its composition.

The Supreme court held that there seemed to be conspiracy between both
the Taraba State High Court and the impeachment panel. The court ruled
that be immediately reinstated as Governor.

Marc Anthony Can't Take His Eyes And Mouth Off New Wife

Looks like Marc Anthony loves being married. He's gotten married three
times in the last 14 years... to beautiful women. First to Miss Universe
Dayanara Torres, then to Jennifer Lopez and now to beautiful
Venezuelan model Shannon de Lima, who at 26 is 20 years younger than
Marc.The couple who got married on November 12th in Dominican Republic
made their red carpet debut as newlyweds at the Latin Grammy Awards in
Las Vegas last night and throughout, Marc couldn't stop touching or
kissing his wife. Hope this is the last bus stop for him.

Marc Anthony Can't Take His Eyes And Mouth Off New Wife

Looks like Marc Anthony loves being married. He's gotten married three
times in the last 14 years... to beautiful women. First to Miss Universe
Dayanara Torres, then to Jennifer Lopez and now to beautiful
Venezuelan model Shannon de Lima, who at 26 is 20 years younger than
Marc.The couple who got married on November 12th in Dominican Republic
made their red carpet debut as newlyweds at the Latin Grammy Awards in
Las Vegas last night and throughout, Marc couldn't stop touching or
kissing his wife. Hope this is the last bus stop for him.

Nigeria Police Release Statement On Why They Invaded The National Assembly

Nigeria Police have released a statement explaining why they invade
the National Assembly this morning, preventing lawmakers from gaining
access into the Assembly ground.

"Following an intelligence report of a likely invasion of the House of
Representatives by hoodlums and thugs, the Nigeria Police Force
promptly deployed its personnel to the premises to prevent a breakdown
of law and order.

"Consequently, the Police condoned the area and began screening of all
members and visitors alike.

"In the course of this lawful exercise, Alh. Aminu Tambuwal CFR,
arrived the venue with a motley crowd, who broke the cordon, assaulted
the Police and evaded due process and the Police had the duty to
restore order and normalcy, using lawful means

"The IGP seizes this medium to warn all political actors and their
followers to respect constituted authority and due process and to
desist from the use of thugs to pursue their agenda.

"The Nigeria Police shall continually apply all lawful means to
prevent a breakdown of law and order in all segments of the society
and shall apply the full weight of the law on any political actor who
violates the peace and security of the nation.

Ag. CP EMMANUEL C. S. OJUKWU, psc
FORCE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER
FORCE HEADQUARTERS

Justin Bieber Spends 3 Hours Praying With Rabbi In Los Angeles

Justin Bieber continued his alleged 'self-proclaimed mission to learn
how to spread the word of God' in Los Angeles Wednesday.

Justin reportedly spent three hours meeting with a rabbi inside the
Westside Jewish Community Center.

The two-time Grammy nominee - who was raised Christian - was seen
ducking into his Rolls-Royce alongside three members of his entourage.
--DailyMail

Indonesian Police Force Female Recruits To Undergo 'Virginity Tests'

Do you all know that to be a police officer in Indonesia, you have to
be a virgin? I know it's none of your business but it's interesting to
read.

According to Human Rights Watch, the organization fighting to get the
practice abolished - female police recruits who make only 3% of the
country's police force, are being forced to take 'virginity test'
before they begin training.

The Indonesia police recruitment website says, 'All women who want to
become policewomen should keep their virginity."

The female police officers who have undergone this test, which
examines them to make sure their hymens are still intact, say its
'painful, traumatic and really upsetting' and are asking that it be
stopped.

"I feared that after they performed the test I would not be a virgin
any more. It really hurt. My friend even fainted because ... it really
hurt, really hurt.' a recruit told HRW

Human Rights Watch say they are working with the government to get rid
of the practice as its 'discriminatory and a form of gender-based
violence'.

Read What Vincent Enyeama Has To Say About Super Eagles Losing Out Of 2015 AFCON

Super Eagles Captain Vincent Enyeama has apologised to Nigerians for
their disastrous 2-2 draw to South Africa, a result that ensured that
we won't be hoisting our flag in Equatorial Guinea next year.

He refused to hide behind any excuses as he bravely fronted up and
says they will get back up.

"The race is not swift,the battle is not to the strong.we were neither
swift nor strong.but we thank #SUPERGOD for HIS sufficient grace
throughout the ill fated afcon qualifying
campaign.#WEARENIGERIA.#PROUDLYNAIJA#nomatterwhatloseorwin.#I want to
say a big thank you to every fan,supporter,critics.without you guys,we
couldn't have made it this far.we will get back up and push towards
the glory land.

Floyd Mayweather's Son Calls His Father A Coward Over Domestic Violence

It isn't a word usually associated with an undefeated professional
boxer who has won championship titles across five weight divisions.
But for a son who was a witness to his father's beating of his mother
four years ago, "coward" is an apt term to describe Floyd Mayweather
Jr.

In an article published on USA Today, Koraun Mayweather, the fighter's
eldest son with former partner Josie Harris, recalls the night his
mother was attacked by the boxer in 2010.

"(My dad) said to lock my door and stay in my room," said Koraun, who
is now 15 years old. "I sat there and thought about what I was going
to do next. Just for like a minute."

Harris was asleep when Mayweather arrived with an associate, James
McNair, at around 4 a.m. The boxer, agitated by the fact that his
former partner was dating another man, beat her in front of their then
11-year-old son.

"I ran and I tried to go through the front door to go to the
(security) gate," Koraun said of his actions during that night. "But
then his friend (McNair) came through the door and blocked off the
stairway for me to go through."

The boy then went back to his room, locked the door, and got out of
the house through his bathroom to call for help.

"I just told (the guard) that my mom was getting hurt and to call the
ambulance and the police," he said.

Four years later, Koraun is still seeing his father every once in
while. Mayweather recently gifted him a golf cart for his birthday,
but the boy said he is still coming to terms with what his father did,
especially with the boxer's continuous denial.

"He is a coward," he said.
After everything he had seen, Koraun, now 15 years old, has no plans
of taking after his father's footsteps in the boxing world.

"I find (boxing) boring. It is just like how people sit in the ring
and fight for 12 rounds and it gets boring after a while," he said.
"Sometimes they run."

Tension In Imo APC As Party's Primaries Hold Friday At Concorde Hotel Owerri

Confusion and frustration have taken over the camp of the All
Progressives Congress APC Imo State Chapter following a mock primary
slated for Friday at Concorde Hotel Owerri, Imo State.

According to sources from the party, the exercise is to reduce the
number of Aspirants jostling for positions in 2015 general election.

Trumpeta learnt that the Aspirants under APC platform are kicking
against the mock primaries, which they described as part of the ploy
by the State Executive to continue to milk the Aspirants dry.

Trumpeta sources told our Reporters that APC Aspirants have been
lamenting over the exercise of extortions from the Party Executives
who now see the Aspirants as their Oil Blocks that must be drilled
every day, until they go bankrupt before the main election.

Aspirants who spoke to Trumpeta under anonymity said they had paid
before for the mock primaries, which the party later stopped, and
asked all the Aspirants to go ahead and purchase the Party forms for
the main election, and therefore wondered the reason for another mock
election two weeks to the original primaries which comes on December 1
2014, after they had funded their structures till now.

The worst, the Aspirants confided in Trumpeta, is that the party asked
that Delegates should be transported to Concorde Hotel from the
various Wards and LGAs to Owerri, by these Aspirants for the mock
primaries holding from Friday to Saturday.

Most of the angry Aspirants pointed accusing fingers at the direction
of the Imo APC organizing secretary, Dr Clement Anozie (Omeremba) as
the ring Leader of the Cabal that has been using all manners of ploys
to deal with the Aspirants.

The Aspirants threatened to boycott the so called mock primaries, as
they believe it is nothing but the usual method of collecting the
little funds they are reserving to execute the 2015 election. The
Aspirants told Trumpeta that most of them have already gone broke even
before the election proper commences.
--Trumpeta

Collection Of Civil Service Job Forms: 3 Applicants Collapse At State Secretariate

Last Tuesday, it was a fanfare of credential exhibition as over five
thousand Imo State Youth applicants thronged the state Civil Service
Commission at the state secretariat, Owerri, to pick and complete the
form CSCI which the commission is issuing to Imo applicants
preparatory to employment following the lifting of ban on employment
by the Okorocha-led government.

At the Commissions notice board, Trumpeta saw over sixty-five
advertised vacancies of various cadres pasted on it. The applicants
where struggling to have a glimpse at the notice board so as to know
where they fall.

Right inside the block housing the commission, the applicants
"littered" everywhere struggling to assess the forms which were issued
out by staff of the commission operating behind a door protector of
the commission's conference hall. The applicants besieged every window
of the hall.

Some pregnant applicants and those cuddling their babies were seen
standing aloft and watching helplessly from their vantage positions
while the females who are "freer" and the male counterparts fight for
the forms.

At about 2pm, three of the applicants collapsed because of the
intensity of the sun but were quickly revived by some good Samaritans.

There was another stampede some hours later when an aggrieved
applicant started sprinkling the pure water sachet he was drinking
following a message which spread like wild fire that only those who
had the "Youth Must Work" appointment letters or NYSC discharged
certificate would benefit from the exercise.

The stampede culminated into a near riot as the applicants embarked
upon destruction spree breaking doors and windows, tables and chairs
when it was discovered that a lady had started suffering miscarriage
as a result of the struggle. The youths became more aggrieved when
officials of the commission started asking for money before issuing
out the CSCI forms.

Some of the applicants who spoke to Trumpeta under strict anonymity
wondered why the forms CSCI were not sent to the "Youth Must Work"
beneficiaries in their places of deployment for them to fill and
return to the commission.

Others who spoke described the entire exercise as political gimmick
Governor Okorocha is using to lure the youths to vote for him come
2015. They wondered the rationale behind the lifting of ban on
unemployment few months to election since he condemned the 10,000 job
opportunities Ohakim gave to Imo youths through an organized process.

Meanwhile, an inside source in the commission told Trumpeta that
political appointees have hijacked the forms for distribution to some
youths who would assist them come 2015.

The source revealed that the exercise at the commission was just a smoke screen.

No Going Back On Jan 2015 LGA Election In Imo --ISIEC

Imo State Independent Electoral Commission Boss Barrister Amaechi
Nwoha has declared that the local government election in Imo must take
place on 31st Jan. 2015.

He made this known in a meeting with representatives of all the
political parties held yesterday at the ISIEC office along Orlu road
Owerri.

While at the meeting, the ISIEC chairman and former Speaker of Imo
State House of Assembly, RT Hon Amaechi Nwoha said that there is no
court impediment or order restricting the council polls. He explained
that various political parties in the state have been meeting with
ISIEC officials on the issue.

According to him, the council polls was rescheduled based on appeal
made by the political parties. He said the parties before now claimed
that they were not prepared for the election when it was initially
announced.

The ISIEC Boss insisted that to fulfill the demand of the people and
that of the law, election must be held in the state to usher in
Council Executives. He announced that the time tables for the election
have been sent out adding that all the political parties should submit
their flag bearers and constitutions including party leaders on or
before the 28th of November, 2014 to avoid sanction.

He also assured them that there will be a level playing ground during
the election, adding that the only way to avoid rigging is for parties
to present credible candidates.

Barrister Nwoha insisted that all the ISIEC rules and regulations must
be observed.

He narrated that on the 10th of November 2014 ISIEC wrote to INEC to
furnish it with the list of registered political parties and their
officials

He added that the government has given him go ahead order to conduct
the election.

In reactions, the opposition parties condemned the attitude of the
ISIEC Boss by taking them unaware for LGA polls.

They also pleaded that the date should be shifted to enable them
create more awareness to their members.

Barrister C Osuji Deputy Chairman of the political parties and leader
of Labour Party Imo State Chapter in his speech condemned in strong
term the idea of fixing election date without consulting the political
parties involved. He argued that ISIEC should have come in agreement
with parties involved before taken any decision.

Hon Prince Ugochukwu Nzekwe, state Deputy chairman of APC Imo State
wing said in his own reaction that ISIEC has the sole power to conduct
the election without having series of meetings with parties "it can
only inform the parties on the guidelines, date and nothing more", he
said.

Meanwhile, the PDP had said that the election is illegal since the
matter is still in court.
--Trumpeta

Irate Mob Attacks School Teacher In Imo For Cautioning Female Student Over Indecent Dressing

A female Teacher, Mrs Oguezuonu Mary Ann is now in danger list at a
Hospital in Owerri, Imo State, following injuries she sustained after
being beaten up by her students at Obosima Technical Secondary School,
Oahji/Egbema LGA, for cautioning a female student.

Narrating the incident, the husband of the embattled teacher, who is a
nursing mother, Mr Frances Moore, incurred the wrath of the male
students of the school, for questioning a female who wore short school
dress to class which apparently showed her inner pants.

Trumpeta reports that during a morning lesson, the JSS2 Female teacher
noticed a female student of hers wearing a school uniform too short to
behold by the eyes.

The Teacher was said to have confronted the girl and asked why she
wore such a short dress, when she knew she is in a mix school that has
both male and female students.

The girl told the teacher that as far as she was concerned the dress
was not too short, which warranted the Teacher to ask her to pick
something from the ground, and the girl refused because if she did her
pant would be exposed to the entire class.

Therefore, the Teacher pulled her to one side of the class and wanted
to discipline her, when suddenly a male student jumped into the class
room through the window and began questioning the Teacher.

At this juncture other staff intervened and dragged the irate Boy to
the staff room where he was flogged.

Mrs Oguezuonu returned to the class and continued with the day's job
when suddenly again the student named Chimaobi Agu came back with a
group of boys and started matcheting the woman who is nursing a five
month old baby.

She fell down in a pool of her own blood and her attackers took to
their heels while her fellow Teachers mobilized and sped her off to a
hospital in Owerri where she is presently still under intensive care
following the massive matchete cuts she sustained.

The Husband, Mr Frances Moore, who hails from Umulewe, in Ideato South
LGA said he has reported the matter to the police who have since made
arrests, but the ring leader Chimaobi Agu is said to still be at
large.
--Trumpeta

Boko Haram Steps Up Attacks In Cameroon

Nigerian Islamist extremists Boko Haram are intensifying attacks in
neighbouring Cameroon, targeting new villages with increasingly
sophisticated weapons, as the army fears more violence in the
approaching dry season.

(Cameroonian soldiers patrol on November 12, 2014 in Amchide, northern
Cameroon, 1 km from Nigeria. The city was raided by Islamists from
Nigeria's Boko Haram, killing eight cameroonian soldiers and leading
the population to flee on October 15, 2014, before another six
coordinated attacks that killed at least three civilians in the remote
north of the country, on November 9, 2014. Boko Haram's five-year
insurgency in neighboring Nigeria has left thousands dead, and the
Islamists have occasionally carried out attacks over the border.
Cameroon has deployed more than 1,000 soldiers in the extreme
northeast of the country to counter the Islamist threat. AFP PHOTO)

"We're convinced that the establishment of a 'caliphate' (by Boko
Haram) is aimed not only atNigeriabut also at Cameroon," Leopold Nlate
Ebale, commander for an elite battalion in the border zone, told AFP.

Boko Haram's leader, Abubakar Shekau, has said he wants to set up a
Nigerian caliphate -- recalling the actions of the Islamic State
militant group which has taken over parts of Iraq and Syria.

Until recently, Boko Haram had focused its attacks on several
Cameroonian border posts across from towns it controls in the Nigerian
state of Borno.

It has also been using Cameroon as a place to rest and stock up with
arms and food.

But its attacks are now spreading further south into the country.
Members of the group have slit the throats of market-goers in broad
daylight near the northern city of Mokolo, according to Cameroon's
army.

Meanwhile, rivers between the west African nations are evaporating as
the dry season approaches.

Dry weather "will increase Boko Haram's capacity for harm," said
colonel Jacob Kodji, a regional army chief in northern Cameroon.

"They will no longer have to cross over bridges. They will be able to
cross anywhere over the border, at any time, by any means."

- Troops trained by Israelis -

The Islamists have taken some 20 towns in Nigeria and amassed a
weapons stockpile seized from Nigerian army bases.

They now use armoured vehicles and landmines as well as kalashnikovs
and rocket launchers.

Cameroon's military is increasingly concerned as Boko Haram fighters
approach major cities like Maroua, the capital of the Far North
region, which the group is suspected of infiltrating.

Cameroon has deployed around 2,000 soldiers in the northern region and
registered 32 deaths since the start of the operation.

Despite the losses, the government says its soldiers are beating back
the Islamists.

The authorities regularly announce the killing of hundreds of
Islamists during skirmishes, though it is impossible to verify the
figures.

Cameroon has some 4,000 elite soldiers, trained by Israeli soldiers,
but observers are sceptical about the capabilities of the regular
army, particularly in the face of bigger attacks.

"Until now, the military presence has endured major skirmishes. But if
Boko Haram decided to launch a major offensive, they could break
through Cameroon's lines without too much difficulty," said a source
close to the country's intelligence services, requesting anonymity.

The army's successes up to now were partly due to the fact that the
insurgents were sending young, inexperienced recruits to Cameroon,
rather than hardened fighters from Nigeria, he said.

"The Boko Haram fighters we're dealing with are trained in three
weeks: the first week they're given money and drugs, the second week
they learn to put together and strip down a kalashnikov, and the
third, they're sent to the frontline," said a Cameroonian officer,
declining to be named.

The army, initially criticised for its inaction, also feels
increasingly isolated in its fight against the Islamist group.

Hundreds of Nigerian soldiers have fled to Cameroon on several
occasions in response to Boko Haram attacks, yet the two countries
"share information but nothing more", according to Cameroon's defence
ministry.

A regional force -- with 700 soldiers each from Chad, Cameroon, Niger
andNigeria-- is due to be deployed by the end of November, but will
mainly concentrate on the area around Lake Chad, in the far north of
both countries.

Police Arrests NYSC Member Over Illegal Registration Of Voters

Men of the Edo State Police Command have arrested two adhoc staff of
the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), over alleged
involvement in an illegal registration of people at the residence of a
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader in Oredo Local Government
Council of the state.

According to reports, the All Progressives Congress (APC) youths in
the state, led by Osakpanwa Eriyo, on hearing that the PDP leader had
INEC machines and staff at his residence, and was registering people
illegally, they stormed the place on Tuesday in the company of
security operatives.

The NYSC ad-hoc staff and another staff of the commission, as well as
the suspect all took to their heels on sighting the APC youths. The
police however caught up with the adhoc staff who were later arrested.

Items such as bags containing laptops, 58 temporary voter cards, ID
cards of the NYSC member identified as Nnamdi, were recovered. The PDP
leader is on the run.

Edo State Police Commissioner, Mr. Adebanjo Foluso confirmed that two
adhoc staff of INEC had been arrested, He said investigations were
ongoing.

Imo Indigenes Berate INEC's CVR And PVC Distribution Exercise

Indigenes of Imo State have berated the Independent National Electoral
Commission (INEC) for the inability of numerous indigenes of the state
to partake in the Continuous Voters Registration exercise before its
closing date.

This came after the closure of the third phase of the Continuous
Voters Registration exercise on November 19.

Residents of Imo State who anticipated the continuation of the
exercise on Thursday were disappointed as no INEC officials showed up
at the centres.

Residents said that the INEC officials had complained of technical
faults from their machines which has slowed down the process.

They said that many people were yet to register and many who had
registered had not collected the registration slips.

They called on INEC to extend the date or better still make it a
continuous process and also decentralize the process so that many
people can register at their different polling units.
--ChannelsTV

Buffon And Chiellini Extend Juventus Contract

Gianluigi Buffon and Giorgio Chiellini have signed new contracts with
Juventus keeping them at the Serie A club until 2017 and 2018
respectively.

Buffon's deal was due to expire by the summer of 2015, but his new
contract has added 3 more years to his initially 13 years career for
his club.

Chiellini, 30, had a contract until the end of this season, too, and
has agreed a new deal that would keep him at the club for three
additional years.

Club President, Andrea Agnelli, indicated that their leadership was
key as their stay with Juventus has been helpful in bringing the club
to the top.

"The fact that it will be my last contract was a factor, but I'm not
worried about that: I feel energised. As both parties wished to
continue, it was the natural choice to extend my contract for another
two years. I'll need energy and courage to make my career last even
longer," Buffon said.

Chiellini also showed his satisfaction by vowing to keep giving his
all for the club

Buffon has won five Serie A titles with Juventus, plus two which were
taken off the club as part of the 2006 match-fixing scandal.

Amodu Shuaibu Named NFF Technical Director

Former Nigeria head coach Shuaibu Amodu has been named as the
technical director of the Nigeria Football Federation while the
current director of technical, Emmanuel Ikpeme will now be the deputy
general secretary of the Nigeria football house.

This decision was taken at the Venue Hotel and Suites, Uyo on
Wednesday shortly after the Super Eagles failed to qualify for the
2015 Africa Cup of Nations after been forced to a 2-2 draw by South
Africa's Bafana Bafana.

Shortly before announcement, the executive committee apologized to the
federal government as well as Nigerians following the Super Eagles'
failure to reach Equatorial 2015.

In the meeting, the body set up an nine-man panel to look into
proposals for amendment of the NFF statutes, one of which is to allow
the south-east zone produce one more regular member for the present
NFF executive committee.

The body is headed by Barr. Seyi Akinwunmi while other members are
Olaleye Adepoju, Oswald Atuake, Yusuf Ali Fresh, Ibrahim Gusau,
Mohammed Saidu, Chidi Okenwa, Ephraim Chukwuemeka and Joshua Onoja who
is the secretary.

Also, a technical study group was named, a body which will be focused
on getting talented Nigerian players into the developmental Leagues in
Europe for the purpose of creating a pool of future Super Eagles
players.

Chairman of the group is Augustine Okocha, with Benedict Akwuegbu,
Celestine Babayaro, Michael Obiku, Darlington Omodiagbe, Finidi
George, Taribo West, Tijani Babangida, Kashimawo Laloko, Henry Nwosu,
Peter Rufai, Dominic Iorfa, Nwankwo Kanu, Dahiru Sadi, Gbenga
Ogunbote, Mutiu Adepoju, Florence Omagbemi, Mercy Akide-Udoh, Ann
Chiejine, Eucharia Uche, Salisu Yusuf, Alloy Agu and Benedict Iroha as
members.
--Goal.com

Don Jazzy Set To Perform At General Assembly Of The United Nations

It's good to see that Nigerian celebrities are being recognized
globally with each day that passes.

The next star to eclipse the global scene is Mavin CEO -- Don Jazzy.

Don Jazzy shared pictures of himself rehearsing for his performance at
the General Assembly of the United Nations for the UNICEF Imagine
Campaign.

He captioned,'Would be performing alongside some great world musicians
at the UN-GA tomorrow, for the UNICEF #Imagine campaign.'
--infonaija

David Mark Shuts Down National Assembly Till Next Week

The National Assembly has been shut down after all hell broke loose at
the premises following the decision by policemen and other security
operatives to stop the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr.
Aminu Tambuwal, from gaining access.

The House of Representatives reconvened to deliberate on the request
by President Goodluck Jonathan to extend the State of Emergency in the
three north east states ravaged by Boko Haram.

Though the Speaker eventually gained entrance into the complex, other
lawmakers had to scale a fence to get into the complex.

Thursday's resumption was to deliberate on a single agenda, which is
"Consideration of Mr.President's request for extension of the existing
State of Emergency", according to an earlier statement by the Speaker.

However, there was an alleged attempt to bar the Speaker's entrance,
as his media adviser tweeted, via @imamdimam, that security
operatives had dispensed tear gas as well.

Meanwhile, the Senate President, David Mark has asked that the
National Assembly be shut down till next week Tuesday.

The Inspector General of Police has also been summoned to explain the
action of the security operatives.
--Channels

House Rejects Jonathan's Request For Emergency Extension

An executive session of the House of Representatives members have met
and thrown out the emergency extension request from the Nigerian
President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan.

This decision was taken at a closed door meeting, which held after the
Senate President, David Mark, pronounced National Assembly shut until
Tuesday.

Briefing newsmen later, the House Spokesman, Zakari Mohammed advised
President Jonathan to invoice section 81 of the 1999 Constitution and
order massive deployment of troops rather than wait for extension of
emergency.

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, had directed
the House to reconveneafter it adjourned sitting of its plenary on
28th of October to 3rd December 2014 to allow members of the House
carry out pre - budget oversight activities in preparation for the
2015 budget and also to meet the political calendar of all the
political parties.

The Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal, in a statement said he "received a
communication from the President, Commander-in- Chief of the Armed
Forces, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan GCFR, requesting for the extension
of the existing State of Emergency in Adamawa , Borno and Yobe States
by the House of Representatives.

"Pursuant to the powers conferred on me by Section 305 ( 2 ) of the
Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, which requires
me to "forthwith convene or arrange a meeting of the House" and in
order to treat the extension before the expiration of the current
State of Emergency in accordance with Section 305 (6) (c) of the
Constitution, I hereby reconvene the House of Representatives,
currently on Recess."

The Speaker said that the Thursday resumption has a single agenda
which is "Consideration of Mr.President's request for extension of the
existing State of Emergency.
--ChannelsTV