Niger Becoming New Boko Haram Target: Analysts

People hold hands as they take part in a march 'against' Islamist group Boko Haram (AFP Photo/Boureima Hama)

Niger is increasingly becoming a target for Boko Haram attacks, as the Islamists come under sustained military pressure in Nigeria while reeling under a leadership struggle, analysts said Thursday.

Airlines On The Brink, As Aviation Sector Crisis Worsens

Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika

*Industry losing ₦500m per day – Operator

Airline operators in the country are facing tough times as combined effects of the ongoing recession, poor funding, indebtedness, fuel scarcity, low passenger rates and unfavourable government policies threatens to force many of them out of business.

Buhari To Sanction Aides Over President’s Plagiarism Of Obama’s Speech

President Muhammadu Buhari Photo: AFP

The Presidency has issued the statement below admitting that the speech read by President Muhammadu Buhari contained insertions plagiarized from a 2008 speech by U.S. President, Barack Obama.

More Than 1 Million Refugees Have Now Fled South Sudan

Most refugees are women and children, the United Nations’ refugee agency said

More than 1 million refugees have fled South Sudan, the United Nations’ refugee agency announced Friday.

South African DJ Launches Campaign To Reduce Internet Data Costs

South African Television & Radio Presenter and Entrepreneur, Tbo Touch (real name Thabo Molefe)

The high cost of broadband in the country has led to a campaign by South Africans to bring down the prices.

Former Burkina PM Charged With Murder: Prosecutor

Former PM Luc Adolphe Tiao (pictured) spent a year-and-a-half in exile in Côte d'Ivoire but returned to Burkina Faso last weekend after questioning of members of his former cabinet who remain in the country ©Ahmed Ouoba (AFP)

Luc Adolphe Tiao, the last prime minister of former Burkinabe president Blaise Compaoré, has been detained and charged with murder over unrest that saw the latter unseated in 2014, the Supreme Court prosecutor general said Friday.

FOR THE RECORD: NUC: Online Degrees Still Not Accepted In Nigeria

The National Universities Commission (NUC) has said that online degrees remain unacceptable in Nigeria.

2-IN-1 STORY: Funding Nigerian Oil Cash Calls From Debt Key For Economy; Why Buhari Wants Emergency Economic Powers — Minister

Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun

Nigeria must get out of paying so-called cash calls to joint ventures with oil and gas companies to stand a chance of pulling its ailing economy out of recession, Finance Minister Kemi Adeosun said on Friday.

Brass Gas Project: Police Probe Withdrawal Of US$3.2bn Cash

CURTESY CALL: Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State (L), and the Managing Director, Brass LNG, Mr. Vincenzo di Lorenzo, during a meeting at the Government House, Yenagoa

The police have begun investigations into the depletion of a US$3.7bn account of the Brass/Liquefied Natural Gas Company.

African Giants Etoile, Mazembe In Cup Showdown

Roger Assale (R) is among a number of foreigners in a 19-man Mazembe squad chosen by coach Hubert Velud to take on Etoile Sahel in a CAF Confederation Cup semi-final ©Kazuhiro Nogi (AFP)

An African club football classic is on the cards this weekend when Etoile Sahel of Tunisia host TP Mazembe of the Democratic Republic of Congo in a CAF Confederation Cup semi-final.

Namibia Wins First Ever Paralympic Gold

Getty Images

Namibian sprinter Ananias Shikongo has bagged his country's first-ever Paralympic gold medal by winning the 200m race in the T13 category, for people with a visual impairment, in Rio.

Why The US Is A Major Roadblock For Oil Output Freeze

Oil facility in the Khark Island, Golf Shore

The price of oil has been caught in one of its most volatile couple of weeks in months after OPEC and rival Russia hinted they may discuss a possible output freeze, as demand slows and a global surplus becomes more entrenched.

‘We Robbed Onazi’s Father To Enjoy Eid-el-Kabir’

The suspects paraded by the police…yesterday

The five-man gang, who raided and robbed the Jos, Plateau State home of Ogenyi Onazi, defensive midfielder for the Super Eagles, yesterday told newsmen that their quest for an enjoyable Sallah celebration pushed them into the criminal act.

300 Houses Affected By Kaduna Tremors — NEMA

Multiple earth tremors were recorded in three locations in Jaba Local Government Area of Kaduna State over the weekend.

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said on Thursday that over 300 houses were affected by the earth tremor that hit Kwoi in Kaduna State last week.

Guinea's World-Famous Dance Troupe Fades Into Uncertain Future

Once the pride of Africa's dance scene, Guinea's Les Ballets Africains is now left with ageing acrobats and singers to train a new generation facing an uncertain future ©Cellou Binani (AFP)

For years, Guinea's main dance company brought glory to the west African state, touring the globe for sell-out performances. Today, ageing and forgotten, it struggles to train a new generation of dancers facing a very uncertain future.

Once lauded on Broadway the National Ballet of Guinea has no dedicated performance space, no financing and has not worked outside of the country in years ©Cellou Binani (AFP)

Wing Flap Found In Tanzania Confirmed To Be Part Of MH370

The wing flap was found in Pemba in June AFP

A wing flap that washed ashore on an island off Tanzania has been identified as belonging to missing Malaysia Airlines Flight 370, Australian officials said Thursday.

UN To Establish Aviation Security Training Institutes In Nigeria

Secretary General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-Moon

The United Nation has unveiled plans to set up two aviation security training schools in Nigeria as part of measures aimed at supporting the nation’s over-all counter-terrorism.

Kukah To Buhari: Stop Blaming Jonathan, Solve Current Problems

Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Bishop Matthew Kukah

The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Bishop Matthew Kukah, has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to stop agonizing about the past administration but to tackle the challenges facing the country.

Kenyan Jailed For 100 Years For Abusing Girls In Church

Kinyua is said to have locked the girls inside the church as they were returning chairs that had been borrowed to be used in a funeral/FILE

A 20-year-old man has been sentenced to 100 years in jail for sexually abusing three girls in a church in the village of Kangaru in central Kenya.

Buhari, Ministers Hold Emergency Retreat Over Economy

Retreat with cabinet members discussing the state of the nation’s economy and strategies to get the country out of recession include Minister of Science & Technology Barr. Adebayo Shittu and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami, Minister of Finance Kemi Adeosun, Minister of State Budget & National Planning Zainab Ahmed, Minister of Women Affairs Aisha Alhassan, Minister of State Environment Ibrahim Ismail Jibril, FCT Minister Muhammadu Bello, Minister of Budget & National Planning Udoma Udo Udoma.

President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo are currently in a retreat with cabinet members discussing the state of the nation’s economy and strategies to get the country out of recession.

Fuel ‘Too Dirty For Europe’ Sold To Africa Instead

BP shipped high-sulphur diesel to Ghana, according to data shared with the Guardian by Public Eye. Photograph: Melanie Stetson Freeman/Getty Images

A new report by Swiss-based non-governmental organization, Public Eye has criticized commodity-trading firms in Switzerland for their links to the trade of fuel to African countries, which has toxin levels that would be illegal in Europe.

Legal sulphur levels differ greatly between African countries as shown by the map above: Somalia, Congo-Brazzaville, Tunisia and Egypt (all in red) have the highest legal sulphur levels Image source: UNEP

Orji Breaks New Records To Win Nigeria’s 8th Gold Medal

Reuters

Josephine Orji won a gold medal in women power-lifting’s +86 kg category for Nigeria’s 8th gold medal at the Rio Paralympics Games on Wednesday.

11 Oil Blocks To Expire This Year As PIB Delays Licensing Round

FPSO moored in Nigerian waters

• Govt fails to hold bid rounds for 31 marginal fields two years after

Hopes that the Federal Government would hold any licensing round for oil blocks this year is dim due to the delay in the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB).

FOR THE RECORD: Obama Lifts Economic Sanctions From Côte d'Ivoire, Citing Progress

U.S. President Barack Obama on Wednesday lifted economic sanctions that were placed on Côte d'Ivoire more than 10 years ago during a civil war, citing a successful presidential election last year and progress on fighting illegal trafficking of natural resources.

FOR THE RECORD: Buhari To South East, Niger Delta Corps Members: Tell Your Kinsmen To Forget Biafra

President Muhammadu Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday urged Nigerian youth to remain focused in life, pursue their dreams and reject those fanning embers of discord and disintegration of Nigeria.

NCC Discovers 41 Illegal ISPs

Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) has discovered 41 fake and unlicensed service providers.

ExxonMobil Resumes Export Three Months After Force Majeure

Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited, a unit of ExxonMobil, will resume shipment of Qua Iboe crude, Nigeria’s largest grade of crude oil in October, three months after the company had declared force majeure on the exports of the grade.

Arik Air To Resume Flights After Shutdown

Arik Air is one of the largest carriers in West Africa. Boeing handout

Nigeria's largest airline carrier Arik Air is to resume flights this morning after operations were suspended yesterday because of problems with its insurance policy.

UK’s Priti Patel Vows To Stop Foreign Aid Being Stolen Or Wasted

UK’s Priti Patel pledged to change the global aid system so that it would serves the world's poorest people and deliver value for money for taxpayers

Too much of Britain's foreign aid budget is being "stolen or wasted on inappropriate projects", the International Development Secretary has warned.

South African Park Kills 350 Hippos, Buffalos Amid Drought

AFP

Rangers in South Africa's biggest wildlife park are killing about 350 hippos and buffalos in an attempt to relieve the impact of a severe drought.

Kruger sign

WADA Fury As Russian Hackers Release Williams', Biles Data

Olivier Niggli, Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel of the World Anti-Doping Agency speaks on June 20, 2016 ©Adrian Dennis (AFP)

The World Anti-Doping Agency on Tuesday slammed Russian hackers who breached its database and published confidential records of US Olympic gymnast Simone Biles and tennis stars Venus and Serena Williams.

UEFA Confirm Aleksander Ceferin As New President As Slovenian Chief Replaces Michel Platini

Ceferin has been confirmed as the new UEFA president

Aleksander Ceferin has been confirmed as the new UEFA president. The Slovenian beat Dutchman Michael van Praag in the election, by 42 votes to 13.

In New Video, Boko Haram Remains Defiant, Threatens To Capture Buhari

In a new video by the Boko Haram, suspected members of the sect said they were plotting to capture President Muhammadu Buhari.

Former Nigerian International, Mutiu Adepoju To Promote Spain's La Liga In Nigeria

World Cup Finals, 1998, Nantes, France, 13th JUNE 1998, Spain 2 v Nigeria 3, Nigeria's Mutiu Adepoju stumbles after a challenge from Spain's Guillermo Amor

Former Nigeria World Cup star Mutiu Adepoju has been appointed to help raise the profile of Spain's Le Liga in his home country.

BVN Enrollment Hits 46.39m

Central Bank of Nigeria, Abuja

Enrollment of Bank Verification Number (BVN) for savings, fixed and current accounts in Nigeria has climaxed 46.39 million.

Rocky Relocation: EPL’s West Ham's Stadium Move Hits Problems

West Ham United's Michail Antonio, center no. 30., celebrates scoring against Watford with teammates during the English Premier League soccer match at the London Stadium, London, Saturday Sept. 10, 2016. (Nick Potts/PA via AP)

West Ham United was supposed to have hit the jackpot with its relocation to the UK Olympic Stadium used for London 2012.

2-IN-1 STORY: Nigeria’s Satellite Can’t Detect Quelea Birds; Food Crisis Looms As Quelea Birds Attack Northern Farms

Red-billed Queleas

The multi-billion naira satellite launched into the orbit by the federal government has no capacity to detect movement of thousands of red-billed quelea birds and locusts that travel thousands of miles to destroy crops in the country.

Aviation Crisis Deepens As Arik Suspends Operations • FG May Intervene, Says Ministry Official

Hundreds of passengers of Nigeria’s biggest airline, Arik Air, were left stranded at airports across the country and beyond on Tuesday because of suspension of flight operations by the carrier.

Nigeria Refuses Petrol Price Rise Despite Crude And Currency Crises

Barrels of crude oil

Nigeria will not increase its gasoline prices, President Muhammadu Buhari told his oil minister and state oil firm head, summoned to his villa last week, sources at the compound said.

South Sudan Corruption Report Is 'Rubbish': Government

Former first Vice President Riek Machar and President Salva Kiir

A report commissioned by actor-activist George Clooney alleging massive corruption and war profiteering by leaders of South Sudan, the world's newest nation, is "completely rubbish", the government said Tuesday.

After Ebola, Ban On Pregnant Pupils Sours Return To School In Sierra Leone

In 2010, Sierra Leone banned visibly pregnant girls from attending school. Schools were shut down for nine months during the Ebola outbreak, but reopened again on April 14, 2015, with the ban still in place. Image source: brogenproject.org

Beaten at home by her parents and unable to go to school due to the Ebola outbreak which devastated Sierra Leone, 15-year-old Rugiatu Conteh had nowhere to go, and no one she could turn to.

Sultan Says Killer Herdsmen Are Foreign Terrorists, CAN Disagrees

Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Jama’atul Nasir Islam, Sa’ad Abubakar lll

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, in his Eid-el-Kabir message on Monday said armed herdsmen perpetrating violence in the country were foreign terrorists.

FOR THE RECORD: FG Takes Action To Improve Education Quality

From right: Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, Minister of State, Professor Anthony Anwukah and Permanent Secretary Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan during the presentation of draft ministerial strategic plan to stakeholders in Abuja Photo: Ministry

The Federal Government recently presented a draft of education reform plan tagged ‘Education for change; a ministerial strategic plan (2015-2019)’ to stakeholders and development partners in Abuja, in an attempt to improve the quality of education output.

Team Nigeria Grabs Two More Gold, Breaks Another World Record

Handout image supplied by OIS/IOC showing Nigeria’s Lauritta Onye, Gold Medal winner in the Women’s Shot Put – F40 Final in the Olympic Stadium, during the Paralympic Games, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on September 11, 2016. Photo by Thomas Lovelock for OIS/IOC via AFP.

Nigeria yesterday continued its impressive form at the on-going Rio 2016 Paralympic Games when it won two more gold medals and a bronze to bring the country’s tally to five gold, two silver and a bronze medal.

Second Tremor Hits Kaduna In 24 Hours

Map of Kaduna State

Residents of Sambang Dagi in Jaba Local Government of Kaduna State witnessed another earth tremor in the early hours of Monday.

Hajj Goes High-Tech For Bloodless Eid Sacrifices

The more than 1.8 million pilgrims from around the world participating in the hajj have the option this year of computerized coupons to order a sacrifice on the Muslim holidays marking the end of the hajj, without seeing the animal ©Khalil Mazraawi (AFP)

Thanks to computer technology and SMS messaging, Muslims at the annual hajj pilgrimage to Mecca were able Monday to make their Eid al-Adha sacrifice without getting blood on their hands.

Protests Over Water Supplies Hit India's Tech Hub Of Bangalore

Protesters shout slogans and burn an effigy of Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa in Bangalore on September 12, 2016

Violent protests have broken out in the southern technology hub of Bangalore over a Supreme Court order to divert water from reservoirs to a neighbouring state.