Somali: 12 dead in Car Bomb Blast

A suicide car bomb has exploded in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, killing at least 12 people near the security service headquarters.

The bomber targeted a security vehicle. Three members of the security forces were among the dead, witnesses say.

The al-Qaeda-linked al-Shabab group has been waging an insurgency in Somalia to overthrow the UN-backed government.

It has not commented on the bombing, but correspondents say it bore the hallmarks of the group.

"A suicide car bomb targeted a national security car passing along these tea shops," police officials Abdullahi Hassan told Reuters news agency.

He added that several civilians had been killed.

There has been an increase in violence in Mogadishu in recent weeks, including night-time mortar raids and daytime clashes between the security forces and al-Shabab.

Last week, the group carried out a car-bomb attack outside the presidential palace in Mogadishu, killing officials and guards.

Al-Shabab was driven out of Mogadishu in 2011 but it still controls many smaller towns and rural areas of the country and stages periodic attacks in Mogadishu.

Some 22,000 African Union troops are helping the government battle al-Shabab.

Source: BBC

Somali: 12 dead in Car Bomb Blast

A suicide car bomb has exploded in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, killing at least 12 people near the security service headquarters.

The bomber targeted a security vehicle. Three members of the security forces were among the dead, witnesses say.

The al-Qaeda-linked al-Shabab group has been waging an insurgency in Somalia to overthrow the UN-backed government.

It has not commented on the bombing, but correspondents say it bore the hallmarks of the group.

NEITI Says NNPC Didn't Disclose $22.8bn in Audit Report

Barely a day after the House of Representatives ad hoc committee commenced investigation of the report of the Swiss-based Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Berne Declaration, involving the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and Swiss-based companies, another weighty revelation by the Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), has revealed that the sum of $22.8 billion was not disclosed by the NNPC in NEITI's audited financial statement on the corporation through alternative funding arrangement with its joint venture partners.

The Executive Secretary of NEITI, Mrs. Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed, disclosed this to the committee yesterday, explaining that the amount not captured in the report was, according to NEITI audit report of 2009 to 2011, supposed to be part of the corporation's financial statements through alternative funding arrangement with its joint venture partners.

She debunked NNPC's denial that it did not connive with some Swiss oil dealers to deprive the federal government of oil revenue of $6.8 billion that should have accrued to it as a result of the crude oil lifting contract the corporation granted the companies.

Ahmed further revealed that from 2009 to 2011, the country lost N98.3 billion to NNPC in exchange rates compared to Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) official exchange rate in the year under review.

She corroborated the subsisting allegation by the Bernes declaration report, which was the precursor of the ongoing investigation, saying: "There is similarity in NEITI audit report and the Bernes Declaration report. The report (Bernes Declaration report) has a lot of substance in it.

"If it is taken for what it is, then what we need to do is bring greater transparency and better disclosures. Then it will be a useful process."
She even offered that her organisation "go back and link the Bernes declaration report with NEITI audit report.

"Non-cash call items totalling $1.73 billion were financed from the CBN/NNPC/JP Morgan Chase Cash Call Dollar Account. This reduced the amount available for funding JV operations with the attendant implications of NNPC seeking alternative funding arrangements to fund cash call shortfalls."

She, equally basing her submission on NEITI audit report of 2009-2011, picked holes in NNPC's allocation of 445, 000 barrels per day to local refineries.
"The 445,000 barrels per day allocation should be reviewed to the actual refining capacity of the refineries," she suggested.

Ahmed, who also alleged that $1.73 meant for Joint Venture cash calls have been diverted by NNPC, urged the federal government to consider the privatisation of refineries and ensure that pipeline security is enhanced.

In his submission, the Managing Director of the Pipelines and Product Marketing Company (PPMC), Mr. Haruna Momoh, debunked the claim that the nation  is losing $8 billion annually through swap arrangement, saying the deal was in the best interest of the country.

He insisted that the deal was transparent and temporary. 
“It will soon be phased out once the refineries are operating in full capacity and when new refineries come on board," he noted.

The Deputy Governor, Operations of the CBN, Kingsley Moghalu,  told the committee that the bank would check it books to see if it can find any transaction relating to the $6.8 billion allegation.

He said: "We take note of the Berne Declaration; we will look at our records and see if there's anything relating to it and get back to the committee.”

In his submission to the committee, the Managing Director of the PPMC Momoh, rejected media reports that the nation was losing $8 billion annually through swap arrangement of crude oil between NNPC and some foreign oil companies.
The hearing has been adjourned till March 25.

Hon. Muraina Ajibola, who announced the adjournment, also ruled that the Minister of Petroleum Resources; Director, Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), acting Governor of CBN,  Executive Secretary of Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) among others, should appear before the panel on the adjourned date.

The Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) yesterday said it had not approved any increase in the pump price for petrol, warning that it would not hesitate to shut down any filling station found hoarding products or selling above the official price.

It assured Nigerians that the official pump price for the product is still N97 per litre.
In statement signed by the Executive Secretary of the agency, Mr. Farouk Ahmed, the PPPRA said the clarification became necessary because of the reports by some petroleum marketers are hoarding the fuel in anticipation of fuel price increase.

The agency directed petroleum marketers to release for sale products in their tanks and depots at the officially approved pump price.
It warned that to ensure compliance, the PPPRA and the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), would work closely to monitor the situation at all retail outlets in the country.

The statement read: “ PPPRA wishes to further assure the Nigerian public that there are sufficient PMS in the country to guarantee uninterrupted fuel supply and motorists are therefore advised to shun panic-buying, as loading of the products has been uninterrupted in all NNPC deports across the country.

“PPPRA hereby directs all petroleum marketers to release for sale products in their tanks and deports and at the officially approved pump price. To ensure compliance, the PPPRA and the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), shall be working closely to monitor the situation at all retail outlets and shall not hesitate to shut down any filling station found hoarding products or selling above the official price.”

Source: Thisday

NEITI Says NNPC Didn't Disclose $22.8bn in Audit Report

Barely a day after the House of Representatives ad hoc committee commenced investigation of the report of the Swiss-based Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Berne Declaration, involving the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and Swiss-based companies, another weighty revelation by the Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), has revealed that the sum of $22.8 billion was not disclosed by the NNPC in NEITI's audited financial statement on the corporation through alternative funding arrangement with its joint venture partners.

The Executive Secretary of NEITI, Mrs. Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed, disclosed this to the committee yesterday, explaining that the amount not captured in the report was, according to NEITI audit report of 2009 to 2011, supposed to be part of the corporation's financial statements through alternative funding arrangement with its joint venture partners.

She debunked NNPC's denial that it did not connive with some Swiss oil dealers to deprive the federal government of oil revenue of $6.8 billion that should have accrued to it as a result of the crude oil lifting contract the corporation granted the companies.

What I expect of my successor, by Fashola

Governor Babatunde Fashola

Governor Babatunde Fashola, has said he is interested in who succeeds him next year, towards advancing the cause of the state. 

When asked on who he prefers to succeed him, Fashola said: “I prefer a successor that would surpass my achievements in office and advance the cause of Lagos State.”

The governor who said this during an interactive session with State House Correspondents, at the State House Marina, stressed that he was concerned about who would be the next governor of the state.

Fashola, also added a caveat that he was not praying to be the best governor the state would ever produce but expected his successor to carry on the transformation agenda without further delay.

He said:  “In terms of policy sustainability, we are fortunate that over the years, the government of Lagos state is becoming more institutionalized therefore it is becoming easier for every successor to improve on what his predecessor has done.

“I am not worried about the person who will succeed me, but I am concerned because I will be involved. I really hope that the person who will take over after me will be a lot better than me.

“I hope that the person can do in four years what it has taken us eight years to do. That I know will be beneficial to all of us. My interest in the next election is Lagos. Who will be the best to guide and advance the course and interest of Lagos.”

Harping on steps his government had taken in the area of transportation in the state, he said  the government is currently proffering solutions  in different areas , saying there was nowhere in the world where regional government had embarked on such massive transportation works his government had embarked on.

Fashola said: “I don’t know any state in the world that is building roads like the 60kilometre Lagos- Badagry expressway;  50kilometre  Lekki-Epe expressway; 20 kilometre Mile12-Ikorodu road; a light rail train of 27 kilometres; four major jetties and terminals and also partnering to install a cable car system – all at the same time.

“Only national governments do what we are doing. That is what is emboldening us to build more homes in Ikorodu, more homes in Agbowa, in Epe and Badagry because we know that by the time they are completed, any journey from there to the city center will be a maximum of 45 minutes to one hour.”

Source: Vanguard

What I expect of my successor, by Fashola

Governor Babatunde Fashola

Governor Babatunde Fashola, has said he is interested in who succeeds him next year, towards advancing the cause of the state. 

When asked on who he prefers to succeed him, Fashola said: “I prefer a successor that would surpass my achievements in office and advance the cause of Lagos State.”

The governor who said this during an interactive session with State House Correspondents, at the State House Marina, stressed that he was concerned about who would be the next governor of the state.

Fashola, also added a caveat that he was not praying to be the best governor the state would ever produce but expected his successor to carry on the transformation agenda without further delay.

He said:  “In terms of policy sustainability, we are fortunate that over the years, the government of Lagos state is becoming more institutionalized therefore it is becoming easier for every successor to improve on what his predecessor has done.

Court Refuses Sanusi’s Application for Reinstatement

A Federal High Court in Abuja Wednesday refused an application byMallam  Sanusi Lamido Sanusi to be reinstated as the central bank governor.

Justice Gabriel Kolawole refused the ex parte motion brought before it by Sanusi on the grounds that it would be unfair to grant such an application without affording the respondents a hearing.

Sanusi had filed the application on Monday asking the court to make an order of interlocutory injunction restraining the defendants from obstructing, disturbing,
stopping or preventing him in any manner whatsoever, from performing the functions as the governor of the CBN and enjoying in full, the statutory powers and privileges attached to the office.

Urging the court to expeditiously grant his interlocutory application, he maintained that any delay might cause irreparable and serious damage and mischief on him in the exercise of his statutory duties as the CBN governor.

But Justice Gabriel Kolawole in refusing the application said he was of the view that the court had not only the judicial powers to declare the suspension unlawful, but to order that the plaintiff be returned to perform his duties as the governor of the CBN.

He also said the court could also, even where the tenure had lapsed order the defendants to pay the plaintiff such remunerations and allowances on the basis that the plaintiff's suspension also carried with it the stoppage of his remuneration and allowances.

According to the trial judge, it is unsafe, judicially speaking, to embark on far-reaching interim orders, which have all the attributes of a mandatory injunction without according the defendants a hearing.

Pondering on the reliefs sought, the trial judge said he felt hesitant and constrained to grant the plaintiff’s motion ex parte.

The judge said another issue he would like to raise when the defendants have been duly served with the originating summons and motion on notice was whether in the light of the third alteration Act number 20 of the Constitution of Nigeria, 1999, as amended, whether the Federal High Court still has the jurisdiction to entertain issues dealing with employment, notwithstanding the questions the plaintiff had set down for determination in his originating summons.

In the light of the views expressed and the analysis, the court refused the plaintiff’s motion ex parte and directed that the motion be served on the defendants.

The judge further ordered the plaintiff to effect service of the originating summons on the defendants together with the motion on notice.
The court then adjourned the matter to March 12, 2014.

Source : Thisday

Court Refuses Sanusi’s Application for Reinstatement

A Federal High Court in Abuja Wednesday refused an application byMallam  Sanusi Lamido Sanusi to be reinstated as the central bank governor.

Justice Gabriel Kolawole refused the ex parte motion brought before it by Sanusi on the grounds that it would be unfair to grant such an application without affording the respondents a hearing.

Sanusi had filed the application on Monday asking the court to make an order of interlocutory injunction restraining the defendants from obstructing, disturbing,
stopping or preventing him in any manner whatsoever, from performing the functions as the governor of the CBN and enjoying in full, the statutory powers and privileges attached to the office.

Urging the court to expeditiously grant his interlocutory application, he maintained that any delay might cause irreparable and serious damage and mischief on him in the exercise of his statutory duties as the CBN governor.

YOBE MASSACRE: How my mates were killed – Survivor

Credits: Vanguard

“I was shot on my left leg, while I was sleeping.  When I woke up, I could not walk and was later taken to the girls hostel where the insurgents gathered us with the female students. They selected some of the female students and went away with them, while they left some of us groaning in pain from gun shot”.

Those were the words of 14-year-old Ibrahim Musa Lampo, a JSS 2 student of Federal Government College, FGC, Bunu Yadi, Yobe State who was one of the lucky survivors of the Boko Haram massacre on Tuesday, which claimed the lives of 43 students. The insurgents also burnt the hostels, classrooms and more than 40 houses during the attack.

Ibrahim who recounted his experience while groaning in pains was receiving treatment for gunshot injuries at the General Sani Abacha Specialist Hospital, Damaturu.

His mother, Hajiya Hauwa Lampo, who was sitting beside him on the hospital bed lamented the inability of government to protect the lives of the innocent students. The mother passionately appealed to the Federal Government to “provide adequate security for all unity schools in Nigeria, particularly in the north eastern region of the country by constructing a fence that will shield the students from intruders.

 And if the government can not deploy adequate security personnel, they should despatch sniffer dogs into the schools to patrol every nook and corner and this will go a long way in curbing the insurgency.”

Ibrahim’s father, Mallam Musa Lampo, an immigration officer was still in shock over the incident and simply said: “I have committed everything into the hands of God.”

Boko Haram attacks

Thousands of Nigerians from the troubled North eastern states are fleeing into Niger Republic as the Boko Haram attacks heightens fears in the region.

A source in the North-East, yesterday, said tens of thousands of people have gone to Niger Republic to escape a wave of attacks and bombings by Islamist sect Boko Haram, which is fighting to carve out an Islamic country from the northern states.

The government in Niamey has granted them refugee status, but United Nations workers say it has also banned the construction of formal camps, fearing any structures could encourage an even bigger influx — or even bring fighters over the border.

“We’re living on the charity and hospitality of locals and aid organizations,” said 28-year-old Umara. “It’s difficult to feed my family. We eat once a day, twice at best.”

A spokesman for Niger’s Interior Ministry was not immediately available for comment. But Hassane Ardo Ido, General-Secretary of Diffa province, said authorities feared militants might infiltrate the camps and use them as bases. “We are trying to handle the situation and stop any act that could hurt our security,” he said.

The United Nations High Commission for Refugees, UNHCR, country representative in Niger, Karl Steinacker, said Niamey was particularly worried because most of the refugees came from the Kanuri ethnic group, a stronghold of Boko Haram.

“The authorities are worried the Nigerian insurgency might spill over into Niger,” he said.

Meanwhile, condemnations have continued to trail the massacre of the students.

Culled from Vanguard

YOBE MASSACRE: How my mates were killed – Survivor

Credits: Vanguard

“I was shot on my left leg, while I was sleeping.  When I woke up, I could not walk and was later taken to the girls hostel where the insurgents gathered us with the female students. They selected some of the female students and went away with them, while they left some of us groaning in pain from gun shot”.

Those were the words of 14-year-old Ibrahim Musa Lampo, a JSS 2 student of Federal Government College, FGC, Bunu Yadi, Yobe State who was one of the lucky survivors of the Boko Haram massacre on Tuesday, which claimed the lives of 43 students. The insurgents also burnt the hostels, classrooms and more than 40 houses during the attack.

Ibrahim who recounted his experience while groaning in pains was receiving treatment for gunshot injuries at the General Sani Abacha Specialist Hospital, Damaturu.

Champions League Results: Galatasaray 1-1 Chelsea

The Blues blew a golden opportunity this evening after being held to a draw by Galatasaray despite early goal from Fernando Torres.

Here is the summary of the match from soccernet:

Chelsea may well be frustrated not to leave Turkey victorious but Fernando Torres' away goal in Galatasaray's cauldron of noise gives Jose Mourinho's men a 1-1 draw and a decent chance of reaching the Champions League quarterfinals.

Having seen Manchester United follow Arsenal and Manchester City in losing their last-16 first-leg ties 2-0, the west Londoners refused to wilt under the intense pressure brought by the raucous Turk Telecom Arena crowd.

Chelsea had looked on course for victory after Torres netted in a dominant first-half display, only for Roberto Mancini's side to produce a much improved performance after the break as poor defending allowed Aurelien Chedjou to strike home.This was a match of many a sub-plot, varying from Chelsea favourite Didier Drogba facing his former club for the first time to former Manchester City boss Mancini coming up against Mourinho, the man who succeeded him at the Inter Milan helm.

However, the build-up focused on trouble in Istanbul as anti-government protests followed a night in which Chelsea confirmed their fans were involved in two incidents, with police warning the 1,300 travelling contingent that it was "not safe" for them to use the Metro to and from ground. It was far from the ideal preparation -- nor was the leaking of private comments from Mourinho on Samuel Eto'o and his strikers - although those that made the trip could have few complaints about the manner in which Chelsea started.

Mourinho named an attack-minded line-up and was rewarded after just nine minutes when fine play down the left ended with Fernando Torres sweeping home Cesar Azpilicueta's measured cross.It was the first goal by an English side in Europe since Dec. 12 and one Burak Yilmaz thought he had cancelled out as half-time approached, only for his strike from a quickly-taken throw-in to be disallowed as there were two balls on the pitch.

The other was under John Terry's arm and the Chelsea captain was booked for his part in the bizarre incident, which saw him booed off the pitch at half-time by the irate home support.

Galatasaray's fanatical support would soon be thanking Terry, though. Minutes after Selcuk Inan hit the post, the Blues centre-back let Aurelien Chedjou out of his sights as he fired the hosts level to see the tie level when the teams resume battle in three weeks.

Champions League Results: Galatasaray 1-1 Chelsea

The Blues blew a golden opportunity this evening after being held to a draw by Galatasaray despite early goal from Fernando Torres.

Here is the summary of the match from soccernet:

Chelsea may well be frustrated not to leave Turkey victorious but Fernando Torres' away goal in Galatasaray's cauldron of noise gives Jose Mourinho's men a 1-1 draw and a decent chance of reaching the Champions League quarterfinals.

Having seen Manchester United follow Arsenal and Manchester City in losing their last-16 first-leg ties 2-0, the west Londoners refused to wilt under the intense pressure brought by the raucous Turk Telecom Arena crowd.

UEFA CHAMPIONS RESULTS: Shalcke 04 1-6 Real Madrid

Real Madrid is half-way into the champions league quarter-finals with a stunning 6-1 demolition of Schalke. 

Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema humbled  Schalke into submission with each scoring twice in the game. 

Here is the summary of the game from goal.com: 

Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema pummelled Schalke into submission as Real Madrid planted one foot in the Champions League quarter-finals with a 6-1 win on Wednesday.

The Blancos opened the scoring in Germany early on when Bale's ball was flicked through die Knappen's defence by Ronaldo for Benzema to pounce and bury in the back of the net, before the Welshman grabbed a goal of his own, weaving into the box then finishing in the bottom corner. 

Ronaldo had plenty of chances to add his name to the scoresheet but struggled to find the net, but finally slammed one his shots home as the second half plodded along, with Benzema converting from a tight angle on a Madrid counterattack shortly afterwards. 

Sergio Ramos carved open Schalke's decimated defence with 20 minutes still remaining and Bale duly delivered the visitors a fifth at the Veltins Arena, burying the ball neatly into the back of the net. Ronaldo capitalised on lackadaisical Schalke defending by waltzing in a sixth for Madrid with a minute left on the clock, although Klaas-Jan Huntelaar bagged the goal of the night by volleying home an absolute beauty in stoppage-time for the hosts. 

The comfortable victory sees Jens Keller's men facing almost-certain elimination from Europe at the last 16 stage and eases any pressure on Carlo Ancelotti's side - who hade only won one of their last 25 visits to Germany in Uefa competition - ahead of the return leg at the Santiago Bernabeu on March 18.Keller had spoken in the build-up about the Germans' need to be "brave" against a side he ranks as arguably the second best in the world - behind Schalke's Bundesliga rivals Bayern Munich - but there was little his side could do about Madrid's opener. 

Ronaldo's flicked pass was deflected into the area for Benzema and the Frenchman coolly slotted past Ralf Fahrmann to give the visitors a perfect start.Schalke should have levelled a minute later, however. Draxler darted in behind the visitors' defence to direct Jefferson Farfan’s right-wing cross past Casillas, but the Spaniard launched himself across goal to palm it away, before Meyer blazed the rebound over. 

Madrid made the most of that let-off and doubled their lead 21 minutes in, with Bale showing his class.After cutting in from the right, the Welshman cleverly slalomed his way between Felipe Santana and Sead Kolasinac before squeezing a shot into the bottom-right corner, capping a wonderful solo run.Ronaldo almost made it 3-0 just after the half-hour mark, but after jolting past Kolasinac and shooting from 20 yards, his low drive came back off Fahrmann’s right-hand post. 

Ronaldo finally got a deserved goal in the 52nd minute and he netted in style as the Ballon d'Or winner dazzled Joel Matip with three stepovers before charging into the area and rifling in a left-footed effort.A fourth arrived just five minutes later as Benzema doubled his tally for the match, passing into an empty net after playing a one-two with Ronaldo and bursting around Fahrmann, but things soon got even worse for the hosts. 

With 21 minutes remaining, Bale raced on to an intricate throughball from Ramos and confidently caressed the ball past the goalkeeper with his left foot. The visitors added a sixth for good measure as Ronaldo latched on to Benzema's pass, skipped past Fahrmann and passed home. 

There was still time for Schalke to get a consolation as Huntelaar fired in a superb volleyed effort from the edge of the area, but Real had already long since killed off the tie.

UEFA CHAMPIONS RESULTS: Shalcke 04 1-6 Real Madrid

Real Madrid is half-way into the champions league quarter-finals with a stunning 6-1 demolition of Schalke. 

Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema humbled  Schalke into submission with each scoring twice in the game. 

Here is the summary of the game from goal.com: 

Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema pummelled Schalke into submission as Real Madrid planted one foot in the Champions League quarter-finals with a 6-1 win on Wednesday.

The Blancos opened the scoring in Germany early on when Bale's ball was flicked through die Knappen's defence by Ronaldo for Benzema to pounce and bury in the back of the net, before the Welshman grabbed a goal of his own, weaving into the box then finishing in the bottom corner. 

ASUP strike: Protest will not be called off unless our demands are met – Spokesman

The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) in Yola on Wednesday said it would continue with its six months old strike unless the Federal Government met its demands.

ASUP National Public Relations Officer, Mr Clement Chirman, told newsmen it was unfortunate that the Federal Government had not demonstrated enough will to accede to the teachers’ demands.

Chirman said the union had, therefore, decided to solicit the support of the members of the public in pressing home its demands.

“The attitude of government is a clear manifestation of government’s estimation of the importance of polytechnic education.

“It is this same perception that acerbated the discrimination and marginalisation of the sector and its graduates by both the public and private sectors of the economy,’’ he said

He blamed the country’s slow technological development on government’s insensitivity to polytechnic education.

“We make bold to say that the critical state of the polytechnic sector today has significantly been encouraged by government’s attitude and approach to issues concerning it,’’ he told newsmen.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the issues in contention, included the migration of the lower cadres on the CONTISS 15 salary scale.

ASUP is also seeking the release of the White Paper on the Visitations to Federal Polytechnics and the commencement of the Needs Assessment of Nigerian Polytechnics, among others.

Source: Dailypost

ASUP strike: Protest will not be called off unless our demands are met – Spokesman

The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) in Yola on Wednesday said it would continue with its six months old strike unless the Federal Government met its demands.

ASUP National Public Relations Officer, Mr Clement Chirman, told newsmen it was unfortunate that the Federal Government had not demonstrated enough will to accede to the teachers’ demands.

Chirman said the union had, therefore, decided to solicit the support of the members of the public in pressing home its demands.

“The attitude of government is a clear manifestation of government’s estimation of the importance of polytechnic education.

“It is this same perception that acerbated the discrimination and marginalisation of the sector and its graduates by both the public and private sectors of the economy,’’ he said

UK soldier’s killers bag life, 45-year jail terms

Michael Adebolajo, left, and Michael Adebowale

A man convicted of murdering the British soldier Lee Rigby in a street in London is to spend the rest of his life behind bars, while his fellow killer was jailed for a minimum of 45 years.

Michael Adebolajo, 29, was handed a full life sentence on Wednesday, while Michael Adebowale, 22, his accomplice, received a minimum term of 45 years.

The defendants were found guilty of Rigby’s murder on December 19, but their sentencing was delayed because the judge wanted to wait for clarification about Britain’s position on life sentences.

The country’s Court of Appeal last week said domestic laws on whole-life prison sentences were compatible with European human rights laws, even though the European Union disagrees.

Adebolajo and Adebowale deliberately hit Rigby with a car, stabbed him multiple times and tried to cut his head off in broad daylight outside an army base in the London suburb of Woolwich last May. Jurors on the case watched mobile phone footage of Adebolajo with his hands covered in blood, attributing the attack to “an eye for an eye”, in a video taken from the attack in May of 2013.

They also saw a video of Adebolajo’s police interview, during which he said, “between us we decided that the soldier is the most fair target because he joins the army with kind of the understanding that your life is at risk when you join the army. So we sat in wait and it just so happened that he was the soldier that we spotted first.”

Adebolajo was detained by Kenyan police in Mombasa before being deported to the UK in 2010. He was accused of seeking training with the al-Qaeda-linked group al-Shabab in Somalia.

Rigby’s family attended the court for Wednesday’s sentencing.

A small group of protesters from the group the English Defence League scuffled with police outside.

Source: al-jazeera

UK soldier’s killers bag life, 45-year jail terms

Michael Adebolajo, left, and Michael Adebowale

A man convicted of murdering the British soldier Lee Rigby in a street in London is to spend the rest of his life behind bars, while his fellow killer was jailed for a minimum of 45 years.

Michael Adebolajo, 29, was handed a full life sentence on Wednesday, while Michael Adebowale, 22, his accomplice, received a minimum term of 45 years.

The defendants were found guilty of Rigby’s murder on December 19, but their sentencing was delayed because the judge wanted to wait for clarification about Britain’s position on life sentences.

The country’s Court of Appeal last week said domestic laws on whole-life prison sentences were compatible with European human rights laws, even though the European Union disagrees.

5 illegal miners found dead in South Africa

Police said on Wednesday in Johannesburg that the bodies of five illegal miners had been found laid near an abandoned mine in western Johannesburg.

It said the five were confirmed dead after paramedics rushed to the scene.

It is believed the bodies were brought to the surface by other illegal miners, however it was still unclear when and how they died as the police  are launching an investigation.

It said miners regularly risk their lives by illegally excavating in dangerous abandoned mines in South Africa to make money.

It said a corpse was recovered from the same mine on Sunday, while two bodies were found in a deserted mine in eastern Johannesburg last week.

On Saturday the National Union of Mineworkers warned the spread of illegal mining would lead to big disasters if the practice could not be curbed.

Susan Shabangu, Minister of Mineral Resources, promised on Friday that the government would do more to crack down on illegal mining in the country.

It said mining had become one of the main drivers in South Africa’s growing economy in recent years.(Xinhua/NAN)

5 illegal miners found dead in South Africa

Police said on Wednesday in Johannesburg that the bodies of five illegal miners had been found laid near an abandoned mine in western Johannesburg.

It said the five were confirmed dead after paramedics rushed to the scene.

It is believed the bodies were brought to the surface by other illegal miners, however it was still unclear when and how they died as the police  are launching an investigation.

It said miners regularly risk their lives by illegally excavating in dangerous abandoned mines in South Africa to make money.