Nepal earthquake: More than 100 dead, many injured

More than 100 people are known to have died in a powerful earthquake that struck Nepal, wrecking many historic buildings, officials have said.

The quake measured 7.9 and struck an area between the capital Kathmandu and the city of Pokhara, the US Geological Survey said.

Tremors were felt across the region, as far afield as Pakistan, Bangladesh and neighbouring India.

A Nepali minister said there had been "massive damage" at the epicentre.

"We need support from the various international agencies which are more knowledgeable and equipped to handle the kind of emergency we face now," said Information Minister Minendra Rijal.

Bodies have been pulled from the rubble of collapsed buildings in Kathmandu.
Media caption Minister Minendra Rijai says there has been "massive damage" around the epicentre of the quake

Among those wrecked was the landmark Dharahara tower, with many feared trapped in its ruins.

After the earthquake struck, concerned residents came out into the streets. Mobile phones and other communications have been disrupted.

There are also reports of damage to the airport in the capital. Injured people have been brought to the main hospital.

"It was very scary. The earth was moving... I am waiting for treatment but the [hospital] staff are overwhelmed," a labourer who injured his arm in a collapsing wall told AP.

With little known about the extent of the damage around the earthquake's epicentre, there are fears the death toll could rise.
Rescuers are searching through rubble for survivors
Historic landmarks were wrecked in the earthquake

Aftershocks continued to ripple through the region hours after.

Mountaineer Alex Gavan tweeted that the quake caused an avalanche on Mount Everest.

Casualties have also been reported in Bangladesh and India.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has held meeting with ministers to review the situation. Pakistan's Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif, has pledged help for the Nepalese authorities.

It is the worst earthquake to strike Nepal since one in 1934 which all but destroyed Kathmandu.
Kathmandu is a warren of tightly-packed houses and narrow streets
Dozens have been injured in the earthquake

Xenophobia: When hard work, entrepreneurship, romance ignite hatred

The anti-immigrant riots have left at least six people dead, more than 5,000 displaced, and shops looted and razed.

According to the Nigerian Consul-General in South Africa, Ambassador Uche Ajulu-Okeke, the loss by Nigerians in the attacks included looted shops, burnt shops, two burnt mechanic shops, 11 burnt cars and two stolen cars among others.

The attacks stem from a perception that immigrants, mainly from other African countries, are taking jobs at the expense of South Africans in a country with high unemployment.

Though many immigrants have left the country since riots began, more are still behind. Much of the violence are concentrated in the port city of Durban, in the KwaZulu-Natal Province, especially the poor sections, generally called setllements.

According to Mr. Nwangaga, many successful African migrants feel safe in other major towns like Johannesburg, Cape Town and Port Elizabeth, mostly in highbrow sections, and in other towns across the country. ‘So, it is not as if every immigrant has been attacked, which is exactly what I try to tell my people back home.’

But not every successful Nigerian living in South Africa will agree with Mr. Nwangaga.

Mr. Idah Peterside, Nigerian ex-international and Super Sports football analysts has a different story to tell. He says in a telephone chat that returning home one evening during the heat of the riots last week, he sighted two or three menacing youths close to his house at Sandton, a highbrow suburb of Johannesburg. They were armed. He had to drive past his own house. Driving back, he quickly used his remote-controlled key to open the gate, drove in and quickly controlled the lock before the merchants of brutalities realised what happened. They had guns. That only goes to show no foreigner was completely safe.

Xenophobic society

Seeking reasons for the xenophobia will not lead too far. South Africa’s status as a country with one of the most unequal societies in the world is not far-fetched, a violent legacy of racial apartheid.

There have been frequent explosions of xenophobic violence over the past few decades, notably in 2008, when 62 people, including 21 South Africans, were killed and more than 150,000 displaced.

Prior to 2008, at least 67 people died between 2000 and March 2008, in what were identified as xenophobic attacks. ‘Buyelekhaya’ (go back home) campaign has frequently been used to justify these xenophobic actions, blaming foreigners for unemployment, crime, illicit drugs and the spread of HIV/AIDS.

The recent eruption of xenophobic violence was allegedly instigated by Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini, who reportedly told a cheering crowd on March 22 that foreigners should ‘pack their bags’ and leave, and that they were ‘lice’ who should be ‘plucked out and left in the sun’. He added, ‘I won’t keep quiet when people who have no say are playing with this country. We ask that immigrants must pack their bags and go back where they came from.’

These comments by the king were made in a province that President Jacob Zuma and the governing African National Congress (ANC) rely on to keep political power. Rather than being condemned by other influential figures in the country, they were only fueled when Mr. Edward Zuma, the president’s son seemed to support the king by claiming that ‘foreigners were taking over the country’, and raised the suspicion of a coup.

Furthermore, ANC Secretary General, Gwede Mantashe, suggested that all undocumented migrants would have to be moved to refugee camps.

If the violence was instigated by elite comments, the commoners easily bought into it with their mindset.

“Our citizens took action because they (immigrants) wouldn’t leave and they were being told they must leave”, says Mr. Nana Mkhonde, 29, a resident of Bottle Brush, Durban’s impoverished informal settlement. They came with nothing, they can go with nothing as well. I feel bad because they left crying, but we have no choice.”

The governing African National Congress has condemned the violence but Mkhonde, an unemployed single mother, responds: “The government says it’s wrong because when they give jobs they help themselves. If you don’t have friends in the ANC, you get nothing. What about us? Our government is doing nothing for us. The reason we’re fighting foreigners is because of our government.”

Police minister, Nathi Nhleko, describes the attacks as examples of ‘Afrophobia’, not xenophobia. “What you don’t see is you don’t see Australians being chased on the streets, Britons being chased on the streets and similar demands being placed on them that they should leave the country and so on,” he says.

“What you effectively see is largely Africans against one another in a sense now. That’s why I’m saying it represents a certain type of political problem that has got to be dealt with by ourselves as South Africans. In a sense, what we are witnessing are actually Afrophobic kind of activities and attacks, resembling all elements of self-hate among Africans.”

Hard work, entrepreneurship

Immigrants are known to be more hard working than locals, explains Barr. Ben Owem, a Lagos-based legal practitioner. He posits that immigrants are mostly chased out of their countries by war, poverty, unemployment and other social problems. “These make them to fight to survive. They have to work, whatever work and at whatever rate, to survive. Every penny is of great value and it is put to good use – no wastefulness. These form the driving force which local South Africans have found in African immigrants which they term stealing their jobs. Jobs South African will not do, and rates they will not accept.”

“We have to work to survive’, explains Mr. Adolphus Abu, a Nigerian who was once in South Africa and presently based in Ghana. “It’s the spirit of hustling. That is what the these black South Africans find fascinating. Where does a black South African travel to? They lay back in their country and complain of no job. But other Africans will come, do those menial jobs, save from the jobs and start a trade. Then when they see Nigerians, Malawians, Zimbabweans, Ethiopians and other African migrants prosper, they tell you their jobs are being stolen.”

Many black South Africans whim about the government not making education readily affordable for them, providing this as one of the reasons why they are unemployable. Mr. Nwangaga disagrees: “That’s the talk of a lazy man. I, personally, don’t have a university degree, but I came to South Africa and started work as a marketer, from where I saved to start my own business. While education guarantees a good job, lack of it is no hindrance to do something meaningful”.

But Mr. Mkhonde, the South African resident of Bottle Brush, Durban insists: “They (migrants) should go because we have no jobs. I’m a citizen and I want to work for 150 rand a day but foreigners will do it for 70 rand a day. In the kitchens and the factories they are taking over our jobs. They bring cheap goods and we don’t know where from. They leave their countries with a lot of skills and we have nothing. Our education is not good enough.”

The successes accomplished by these immigrants could generate envy and jealousy in some South Africans, which could lead to the violent attacks. Mrs. Toni Mazwembe, a resident of Johannesburg agrees: “Yes, one can’t overlook that aspect. Today, you see a Nigerian, Mozambican, or Zimbabwean arrives with almost nothing, tattered and hungry looking. In a few months’ time, you see him looking well fed and well-dressed, then you begin to wonder what he did that you had never done before his arrival. And this is your country.”

Did he ever have the feeling of being envied by South Africans while in South Africa? “Yes”, Mr. Abu reveals. “I noticed such feelings. Though it’s natural, I don’t see it as reason enough to want to kill your fellow human or ask him to leave your country. Success through hard work is supposed to be admired and imitated, but not be revolted against.”

Successful Nigerians are reputed for big spending, especially where women are involved. Could this have generated envy in male South Africans, that immigrants are stealing their women from them too, and played a role in instigating them to take to violence? “One can’t overlook that factor”, Mr. Abu laughs.

He expatiates: “Of course, you know we Nigerians. It’s an open secret that the average South African woman would rather have a relationship with a Nigerian man than her countryman. The reason for this is not far-fetched. Traumatised by long years of war and repression, most South African men do not have the patience to woo a lady. They often have no time to waste and would rather go straight to the point. Women, however, want a man who would care for them, devote attention and time which their men are often too impatient to provide. Little wonder then that South Africa has one of the highest cases of rape in the world.

“While on the other hand, Nigerian men living in South Africa are known to be flamboyant and they spend time on women.

“As a matter of fact, in some night clubs, South African men are not allowed entry because they don’t have the financial wherewithal to buy drinks. This in turn makes the Nigerian men more attractive to the womenfolk as they see them as more willing and capable of taking care of their needs”

What an irony. Nigerian women claim that their men are not romantic. But to South African ladies, Nigerian men are simply good in treating women nicely. Abu continues:

“Another factor is that South African girls dream of marrying Nigerian boys, so the South African guys hate us because of that.”

Does Mrs. Mazwemba agree with this view? “I’m happily married with kids, please’, she says with a wry smile. “I’m not interested in men. But I think Nigerian men are romantic, going by the few I know.”

But not every South African is proud of the evil actions of their fellow citizens though. Ms. Sue Clark, 50, from a property company that gathered donations for victims of the attacks via a Facebook post, muses: ‘At the beginning of the week I was saying I’m no longer proud to be South African, but now I’m saying I’m truly proud to be South African.

“This is hope. Just so many people want to make a difference.”

African response

If the world is a global village, the South African youths who traded in violence did not realise it. Every country hosting a foreigner equally has its nationals in other countries.

Leaders and countrymen of killed, maimed and displaced African immigrants have followed the riots live back home. They have decided to teach the South African a lesson or two. Protests have been held at various South African embassies across the continent during the week, and several South African musicians have been forced to cancel concerts abroad. A group of about 200 Mozambican protesters this week blockaded the Southern Lebombo border and stoned South African vehicles, refusing to allow cars with South African registration plates to pass. Sasol, an energy and chemical giant, evacuated 340 South Africans from Mozambique over fears for their safety. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has also condemned the ‘barbaric, criminal and xenophobic murder of innocent foreigners.’

Back home, protesters have stormed the South African High Commission in Abuja, threatening to shut down South African companies in Nigeria if the killings and arson are not stopped and suspects brought to justice. Protesting youths have also stormed MTN office in Benin City, Edo State.

And dreaded Islamic group, Boko Haram, late last week, ironically gave Pretoria 24 hours to halt the attacks or face the consequences. In a brief YouTube video message, the group threatened to export its terror to South Africa if Pretoria does not contain the situation.

Remorse

It has turned out the South African violent rioters, like their government, did not realise the gravity of the destruction and the implications for South African immigrants and their investments in other African countries. Goodwill Zwelithin, the Zulu King who allegedly sparked off the violent riots with his inciting comments, has since denied making them, claiming he was quoted out of context.
Xenophobia

President Jacob Zuma cancelled his state visit to Indonesia early this week to frontally attend to the crisis. He visited a camp for displaced African immigrants in Chatsworth, South of Durban, where he promised ‘to stop the violence’, and assured foreigners of their safety in the country.

The South African Defence Force was sent to the streets mid this week to contain the riots, and four South African men suspected of killing Mozambican national Emmanuel Sithole in Alexandra township in an apparent xenophobic attack, have been arraigned this week at the Wynberg Magistrate Court in Johannesburg.

What next?

The streets of South Africa are now almost calm, returning to normal. The violence leaves scares, many shallow, others deep, so deep they will take time to heal. Some immigrants have left to return no more. Some may return. And those who remained behind, keeping with memories of the haunting and beatings, of looting and torching and general anarchy will hurt for long. South Africa has had a history of xenophobic riots and violence. Will this be the last in recent times? It is hoped that President Jacob Zuma will not only stop the violence but also begin to reduce the factors that triggered off violence – make young black South Africans employable and employed.

Police recover guns, ammunition inside secondary school ceiling in Kogi

Kogi State Police Command said it has recovered some arms and ammunition from a secondary school, in Adavi Local Government area of the State.

The State Commissioner of Police, Adeyemi Ogunjemilusi who disclosed this to newsmen yesterday while briefing on the effort of the command in the past months said the guns and other weapons were hidden inside the ceiling of one of the classrooms of the secondary school.

He said the police were able to recover the weapons after a tip-off from an informant who revealed that some hoodlums have been visiting the school for a while and planing to foment trouble during the last election in the State.

Ogunjemilusi revealed that the police were stunned to find out that two AK47 rifles, 4000 rou0nds of live ammunition, cutlasses, charms and other dangerous weapon were hidden inside classroom ceiling.

The command also paraded 30 suspects who were arrested for different offences of kidnapping, armed-robbery, culpable homicide amidst other crimes.

He stated that the command also recovered three stolen vehicles, three AK 47 rifles, six locally made pistols, cartridges, IED explosives and detonators, cutlasses, ammunition, charms from the suspects as well as the rescue of seven kidnapped victims.

Syria war: 'Chlorine' attack video moves UN to tears

 Members of the UN Security Council were moved to tears after they were shown a video of an apparent chlorine gas attack in north-west Syria last month.


The footage shows the unsuccessful attempts of doctors to revive three children all aged under four.

US ambassador to the UN Samantha Power described the meeting as "very emotional" and said those responsible will be held accountable.

The Syrian government denies it was responsible for the attack in Idlib.

Syrian doctors, confirming what activists reported after the attack on 16 March, told the UN Security Council that helicopters were heard flying above the village of Sarmin.

There was then a thud and an overpowering smell of bleach before dozens of people began arriving at the local hospital with breathing difficulties.

The video showed the desperate attempts by doctors to revive the three children, aged one, two and three, their grandmother and parents.

Speaking to the BBC, Zaher Sahloul, President of the Syrian American Medical Society, who attended the meeting, said UN delegates were affected by what they saw.

"Some of them were crying. Clearly they were affected by what they have seen in the videos and what they have heard, many of them spoke outside the diplomatic language and many of them have said that this is outrageous and the perpetrators should be brought to justice.

"Many of them suggested that the OPCW [Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons], should have a prompt and serious investigation."
The Syrian military denied the accusations, describing them as propaganda

Samantha Power, who also told reporters "if there was a dry eye in the room I didn't see it", said such testimony was being collected so that those responsible could be held to account.

"The long arm of justice is taking more time than any of us would wish right now, but this documentary record will be used at some point in a court of law," she said.

The attack on Sarmin came just days after the UN Security Council approved a resolution that condemned the use of toxic chemicals such as chlorine in Syria, and threatened military action in case of further violations.

The US and other council members have long blamed the government of Bashar al-Assad of carrying out chemical weapons attacks.

They say that the Syrian military is the only party to the conflict that have helicopters, which were heard in Sarmin and in other chemical attacks.

But Russia, an ally of Syria and a veto-wielding member of the UN Security Council, has always maintained there is insufficient evidence to lay the blame solely with Damascus.

The Orekoyas should forgive me for causing them so much pain—nanny

Police have arrested the housemaid who kidnapped the Orekoya three children, 24 hours after she was employed last week at Lawanson Road, Itire area of Surulere, Lagos.

She blamed her kidnap activities on her husband.

Her true name is Funmilayo Adeyemi, a mother of four, and not Mary Akinloye as she claimed and she is 35 years old, against the 23 she claimed.

The suspect allegedly masterminded the kidnap of the three children (Demola, 6; Adedamola, 4, and Aderomola, 11 months) with the aid of her husband, Waheed Kareem, her brother in-law, Akeem Kareem and her brother in-law’s wife, Joke Oseni, who are currently on the run.

Preliminary investigation also revealed that her syndicate was responsible for the kidnap of two children last December in Magodo area of the state.

She reportedly kidnapped the children, Raphael and Michael, four days after she applied for the job of nanny through OLX , an online sales portal.

To cover up for their shady deal, her husband, a film producer with the business name Global G Entertainment, reportedly employed his wife, his younger brother, and his sister in-law as markers.

Arrested

She was arrested by operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARs, Wednesday, barely 24 hours after the release of the kidnapped Orekoya children at Coker Estate, Shasha.

Arrested alongside Adeyemi, an Ordinary National Diploma holder in Land survey from Osun State Polytechnic, was a teenager later discovered to have been held hostage since November last year.

The teenager, Henrietta Odili, was reportedly lured through a job advert posted on OLX, only to be forced into the syndicate.

Odeyemi pleaded passionately for the Orekoyas in particular and Nigerians in general to forgive her, claiming that she was forced into kidnapping by her husband and her brother in-law.

Her story

She said: “My husband led me into this. This is my second attempt. The first was the kidnap of two children in Magodo. I had applied through OLX and four days later, I went away with their two children— Michael and Raphael.

“They were kept in our apartment in Ajah for four days until a ransom of N2 million was paid out of which I got N30,000. We relocated from Ajah to Shasha after the kidnap.

“After I took the Orekoyas children, my husband did the negotiation and I did not know how much was paid as ransom.

“While I was hiding at a hotel, an electrician who repaired a fan for me called and I asked him to wait at a spot and he did. I did not know he was with the police. As they were carrying me way, I saw my husband watching.

“My appeal goes to the Orekoyas. They should forgive me for causing them so much pain. The woman in particular is a nice woman.”

Odili’s story

Sixteen-year-old Henrietta Odili, who was arrested alongside Odeyemi, disclosed that she applied for the job of a house help on OLX, only to be invited from Benin, Edo State, by Odeyemi’s brother in-law.

She said on arrival, her phone was taken from her for three months and when they gave it back, it was without its SIM card. She claimed that the family pampered her.

Odili said: “When she brought in the Orekoya children, she said they were Waje’s (a popular singer). I never knew they were kidnappers.

“I helped the family to sell CDs. The name of their company is Global G Entertainment.

CP’s remark

Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Kayode Aderanti, said: “After the kids were rescued, I gave further instruction that the brain behind the act must be apprehended at all cost.

“We tracked her down through her phone. We are in pursuit of the other members of the syndicate.

“We learned that within 24 hours of her applying for the job via OLX, she was accepted into their home and they left the whole house, including the children, in her care. Somebody you never knew. It is very surprising.

“OLX will hear from us very soon because they cannot use their portals to endanger lives.”

How my administration will tackle Boko Haram - Buhari

President-elect Gen. Buhari in an opinion article published on New York Times yesterday April 14th, wrote on how his administration will tackle the terror group, Boko Haram. Read below...

    When Boko Haram attacked a school in the town of Chibok, in northeastern Nigeria, kidnapping more than 200 girls, on the night of April 14, 2014, the people of my country were aghast. Across the world, millions of people joined them in asking: How was it possible for this terrorist group to act with such impunity? It took nearly two weeks before the government even commented on the crime. This lack of reaction was symptomatic of why the administration of President Jonathan was swept aside last month – the first time an incumbent president has been successfully voted out of office in the history of our nation.

For too long they ruled, not governed, and in doing so had become so focused on their own self-interest and embroiled in corruption that the duty to react to the anguish suffered by their citizens had become alien to them. My administration, which will take office on May 29, will act differently – indeed it is the very reason we have been elected. This must begin with honesty as to whether the Chibok girls can be rescued.

Currently their whereabouts remain unknown. We do not know the state of their health or welfare, or whether they are even still together or alive. As much as I wish to, I cannot promise that we can find them: to do so would be to offer unfounded hope, only to compound the grief if, later, we find we cannot match such expectation. But I say to every parent, family member and friend of the children that my government will do everything in its power to bring them home.

What I can pledge, with absolute certainty, is that from the first day of my administration, Boko Haram will know the strength of our collective will and commitment to rid this nation of terror, and bring back peace and normalcy to all the affected areas. Until now, Nigeria has been wanting in its response to their threat: With our neighbours fighting hard to push the terrorists south and out of their countries, our military was not sufficiently supported or equipped to push north. As a consequence, the outgoing government’s lack of determination was an accidental enabler of the group, allowing them to operate with impunity in Nigerian territory.

That is why the answer to defeating Boko Haram begins and ends with Nigeria. That is not to say that allies cannot help us. My administration would welcome the resumption of a military training agreement with the United States, which was halted during the previous administration. We must, of course, have better coordination with the military campaigns our African allies, like Chad and Niger, are waging in the struggle against Boko Haram. But, in the end, the answer to this threat must come from within Nigeria. We must start by deploying more troops to the front and away from civilian areas in central and southern Nigeria where for too long they have been used by successive governments to quell dissent.

We must work closer with our neighbors in coordinating our military efforts so an offensive by one army does not see their country’s lands rid of Boko Haram only to push it across the border onto their neighbors’ territory. But as our military pushes Boko Haram back, as it will, we must be ready to focus on what else must be done to counter the terrorists. We must address why it is that young people join Boko Haram. There are many reasons why vulnerable young people join militant groups, but among them are poverty and ignorance.

Indeed Boko Haram – which translates in English, roughly, as “Western Education Is Sinful” – preys on the perverted belief that the opportunities that education brings are sinful. Promise of food If you are starving and young, and in search of answers as to why your life is so difficult, fundamentalism can be alluring. We know this for a fact because former members of Boko Haram have admitted it: They offer impressionable young people money and the promise of food, while the group’s mentors twist their minds with fanaticism. So we must be ready to offer the parts of our country affected by this group an alternative.

Boosting education will be a direct counterbalance to Boko Haram’s appeal. In particular we must educate more young girls, ensuring they will grow up to be empowered through learning to play their full part as citizens of Nigeria and pull themselves up and out of poverty. Indeed, we owe it to the schoolgirls of Chibok to provide as best an education as possible for their fellow young citizens. Boko Haram feeds off despair. It feeds off a lack of hope that things can improve.

By attacking a site of learning, and kidnapping more than 200 schoolgirls, it sought to strike at the very place where hope for the future is nurtured, and the promise of a better Nigeria. It is our intention to show Boko Haram that it will not succeed. My government will first act to defeat it militarily and then ensure that we provide the very education it despises to help our people help themselves. Boko Haram will soon learn that, as Nelson Mandela said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”

Ramadi could fall as ISIS militants lay siege, Iraqi official warns

Fierce fighting has engulfed Ramadi, which lies only about 70 miles (113 kilometers) west of Baghdad and is the capital of Anbar province, Iraq's Sunni heartland.

Essawi, the deputy head of the Anbar Provincial Council, told CNN from inside the city Wednesday that it's unclear how much longer government troops can hold their front lines against the ISIS offensive.

The politician said he was on a front line himself, armed with a machine gun. Security was "collapsing rapidly in the city," and he begged the Iraqi government for reinforcements and the U.S.-led coalition against ISIS for air support.

"This is what we warned Baghdad of what's going to happen," Essawi told CNN by phone, referring to the Iraqi government at the capital. "Where is Baghdad? Where is al-Abadi?"

His plea for help comes the day after Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi met with U.S. President Barack Obama in Washington to seek more support for the fight against ISIS.

"Just Allah knows if we will survive this," Essawi said.

The extremist group's offensive in Ramadi shows its resilience despite months of U.S.-led airstrikes and its recent defeat by Iraqi forces in the northern city of Tikrit.

ISIS squeezing Ramadi

ISIS fighters have Ramadi under pressure from several angles.

Essawi said ISIS militants made significant advances Wednesday in three areas east of Ramadi: Albu Soda, Albu Ghanem and parts of Soufia, which leads to central Ramadi.

Over the weekend, the militants seized control of areas north of Ramadi. Routes south of the city were taken some months ago.

That leaves only areas to the west of Ramadi in the hands of government forces, but those positions are under threat, Essawi warned.

The recent fighting has driven a steady stream of refugees out of the city. On Wednesday, some residents packed what they could into metal carts as they prepared to flee on foot.

People also were fleeing the areas where ISIS was advancing east of Ramadi.

A CNN team met with three families that had fled an ISIS assault in the Albu Ghanem area. Those families said Iraqi security and military forces withdrew from Albu Ghanem after a battle with ISIS, which took over the area quickly.

One fleeing Albu Ghanem resident, Abu Ahmed, paused to talk to CNN as he and his family walked east toward Baghdad, crossing a bridge over the Euphrates River. He said four ISIS militants had entered his house and set up a sniper position on his roof.

Abu Ahmed said he, his wife and four children walked away from the home with his elderly mother while the ISIS fighters were busy setting things up there. He said his family left everything behind.

His family was using a cart to carry his mother, who couldn't walk. While talking about the fighters' takeover of his home, his wife started crying and asked God to help the rest of the families who are stuck in Albu Ghanem.

Ramadi has seen intense and persistent fighting for months. ISIS took over parts of the city in the first half of last year, placing it at the heart of a deadly tug of war ever since.

The U.S. military has carried out multiple airstrikes against ISIS targets near Ramadi in recent weeks.    
   

EU accuses Google Shopping of search 'abuse'

  
Google pitches its shopping service as a "matchmaker" between products and customers

The European Union has filed a complaint against Google over its alleged anti-competitive behaviour.

The competition commissioner said she had issued a "statement of objections", stating that the firm's promotion of its own shopping links amounted to an abuse of its dominance in search.

Margrethe Vestager said Google now had 10 weeks to respond.

The firm said it "strongly disagreed" with the allegations and looked forward to making its case.

Ms Vestager also revealed that she had launched an investigation into whether the way Google bundled apps and services for its Android operating system was unfair.

And the commissioner said the EU would continue to monitor other activities by Google that its rivals had complained about.


It follows a five-year investigation into the company and marks the start of a formal legal process that could ultimately lead to billions of euros of fines.

Google accounts for more than a 90% of EU-based web searches.
'Preferential treatment'

The European Commission has investigated the antitrust allegations - made by Microsoft, Tripadvisor, Streetmap and others - since 2010.

Among their complaints was an objection to Google placing adverts from its Shopping service ahead of others' links in relevant searches.
The EU has objected to the way Google promotes results from its own shopping service

Ms Vestager said the Commission's preliminary findings supported the claim that Google "systematically" gave prominence to its own ads, which amounted to an abuse of its dominant position in search.

"I'm concerned that Google has artificially boosted its presence in the comparison shopping market with the result that consumers may not necessarily see what's most relevant for them, or that competitors may not get the the commercial opportunity that their innovative services deserve," she told a press conference in Brussels.

Ms Vestager said that she was not seeking a wider redesign of Google's search results or asking it to change its algorithms.

But she added that the case could set a precedent that would determine how the EU handled other complaints about Google favouring its own mapping, hotels and flights services.

Google has rejected the idea its Shopping service distorts the market.

"While Google may be the most used search engine, people can now find and access information in numerous different ways - and allegations of harm, for consumers and competitors, have proved to be wide of the mark," wrote its search chief Amit Singhal on the firm's blog.

"It's clear that: (a) there's a ton of competition - including from Amazon and eBay, two of the biggest shopping sites in the world and (b) Google's shopping results have not the harmed the competition.

"Any economist would say that you typically do not see a ton of innovation, new entrants or investment in sectors where competition is stagnating - or dominated by one player. Yet that is exactly what's happening in our world."

Many of Google's rivals welcomed the EU's action.

"Google's abuse of dominance distorts European markets, harms consumers, and makes it impossible for Google's rivals to compete on a level playing field," said lobbying group Icomp.

"We see this statement of objection as a crucial first step towards ensuring that European consumers have access to vibrant and competitive online markets."
Google suggests that services including eBay ensure it does not distort the shopping search market

Android inquiry

The EU has also launched a separate investigation into Google's Android operating system, used by smartphones and tablets, which will focus on three topics:

    claims that Google requires or incentivises manufacturers to pre-install its own search engine, apps and other services and exclude rival products
    allegations that Google unfairly insists its services are bundled, meaning some cannot be pre-installed without including the others
    complaints that the firm is hindering manufacturers from developing alternative versions of Android, which is open source. These are commonly known as "forks", with Amazon's Fire OS and Xiaomi's Mi being two examples

"These issues are distinct from the Google comparison shopping case and the investigations will of course be different," Ms Vestager said.
Google says the way it distributes its apps ensures that Android smartphones offer a "great" experience

In response, Google stressed that Android devices could be offered without its services.

"It's important to remember that [our partner agreements] are voluntary - you can use Android without Google - but provide real benefits to Android users, developers and the broader ecosystem," said lead engineer Hiroshi Lockheimer.

"Our app distribution agreements make sure that people get a great 'out of the box' experience with useful apps right there on the home screen. This also helps manufacturers of Android devices compete with Apple, Microsoft and other mobile ecosystems that come preloaded with similar baseline apps."
Complex subject

Google could ultimately face huge fines and be ordered to reshape its business in Europe because of the shopping complaint.
Some searches cause Google Shopping's ads to be offset to the side of the screen

In recent years, the Commission has imposed antitrust penalties on other tech giants, ordering Intel to pay €1.1bn (£793m; $1.2bn) in 2009, and Microsoft €516m in 2013.

However, Ms Vestager said she was "open" to Google's response, and would listen to its case before deciding how to proceed.

One independent expert said that the matter could take years to resolve.

"I can't see that this will be a fast process given the complexity of the subject matter, what's at stake and the likely level of the fine," said Paul Henty, a lawyer at Charles Russell Speechlys who has previously worked for the European Commission.
International inquiries

The EU's investigation is not the only one Google is facing.

Investigators at India's Competition Commission delivered a report last week after carrying out a three-year probe into claims of unfair business practices.

Their counterparts in Russia, Brazil, Argentina, Taiwan and Canada have also opened investigations.

However, the US Federal Trade Commission dropped its own probe at the start of 2013 after Google made several non-binding commitments.
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Military to liberate Sambisa Forest before May 29 — Dasuki

The National Security Adviser (NSA) retired Col. Sambo Dasuki promised yesterday that Sambisa Forest, the fortress of Boko Haram terrorists and one of their last remaining camps will be stormed and liberated before the May 29, 2015 presidential hand-over date.

Dasuki Sambo

The NSA, in a statement issued on the anniversay of the abduction of over 200 secondary school girls from Chibok, Borno State also gave an assurance that the Federal Government was making every effort to ensure that the girls with every other Nigerian abducted by terrorists are rescued.

“Right now, all Boko Haram camps, except Sambisa Forest have been destroyed,” the NSA said.

According to him, the forest would have since been liberated but for the unfavourable weather condition prevailing in the area as all needed reconnaissance activity and necessary deployment of troops have been made for the operation.

“Every movement of the terrorists is being monitored and every necessary detail is being taken care of to rid the country of the last bastion of terrorists’ infestation”, Sambo Dasuki disclosed.

He insisted that government is concerned about the welfare of every single Nigerian including the girls adding “aside the Chibok girls, other Nigerian girls, boys, men and women were abducted by the terrorists and all efforts are being made to rescue them all.”

While appealing for a little more time to complete the routing of terrorists, Dasuki recalled that before elections were postponed in February, over 20 local governments were occupied by Boko Haram and that most Nigerians were pleasantly surprised that so much was achieved against insurgency within six weeks.

While commending President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan on the successful conduct of the 2015 round of elections, the security adviser however, noted that nobody pressured the President into conceding defeat in the presidential election.

“President Jonathan had already given his words to all the security and service chiefs before the election that he would abide by the decision of Nigerians. At the meeting, he also told them to perform their duties professionally during the polls.

“While we anticipated that he would congratulate his opponent if the result is announced in favour of opposition candidate, he gratuitously without prompting of anyone conceded defeat to the surprise of all.

“By that singular gesture he had saved the security agencies and the nation of unnecessary tension and stress in maintaining law and order and curtailing excesses of likely protesters.”

While commending the fairness of media in the coverage of elections, he nevertheless urged them to be conscious of malicious reports being sponsored by vested interest.

He denied a report that he was at any polling units during the last governorship election and was never involved in any meeting with judicial officers to truncate any democratic process.

Immediately after the postponement of elections in February this year, Sambo Dasuki had assured Nigerians and international community that all known terrorists’ camps would be destroyed while most of the occupied communities under Boko Haram in three states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe would be liberated to allow for peaceful conduct of elections and collection of more voters cards by the electorates.

He said: “All known Boko Haram camps will be taken out. They won’t be there. They will be dismantled. In addition to the acquisition of more sophisticated armaments and training of our troops in guerrilla warfare the new military co-operation agreed to between Nigeria and its neighbours will prove decisive against Boko Haram.”

Drogba dismisses retirement talk

Chelsea veteran Didier Drogba insisted Monday he intended to play for at least one more season.

The 37-year-old Ivory Coast forward is out of contract with the Premier League leaders at the end of the current campaign, having returned to Stamford Bridge after two seasons abroad.

Drogba, asked if he had decided on his future, said: “Yes I have and it’s not going to be my last season.”

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho said last week he had still to speak to Drogba regarding his future.

“We have a lot of talks to do,” Mourinho said. “I don’t know what he wants.

Drogba

“There are people who, during their careers, earn the right and the power to make decisions and not wait for others to make decisions for them.

“What he did at this club for so many years puts him in a great position.”

Mourinho, then in his first spell as Chelsea manager, signed Drogba from Marseille in 2004.

The powerful forward scored 157 goals in his initial eight-year stint with Chelsea, including the winning penalty in the 2012 Champions League final shoot-out victory.

However, Drogba has been largely a squad player this season and made just his fourth league start of the season in Sunday’s 1-0 west London derby away to Queens Park Rangers after injuries to Diego Costa and Loic Remy.

Drogba could start against Manchester United this Saturday as Chelsea look to move one step closer to clinching the English top-flight title.

“It’s difficult when you don’t play and then have to go into these kind of games,” he said. “But I always try to give my best.

“I tried to give the best of my physical capacity against QPR, so if the manager needs me against United and Arsenal, I’m ready.”

Alaska Airlines plane 'flew with worker trapped in cargo hold'

An Alaska Airlines plane declared an emergency and made a priority landing in Seattle after taking off with a worker trapped in the cargo hold.

The pilot of flight 448, bound for Los Angeles, was alerted by the sound of banging "from beneath the aircraft", an Alaska Airlines statement said.

Once back on the ground, the baggage handler emerged from the pressurised hold, saying he had fallen asleep.

He "appeared OK" but went to hospital as a precaution, the airline said.

Alaska Airlines later said the worker had passed a drugs test and been released from hospital.

The Boeing 737 aircraft had taken off from Seattle with 170 passengers on board, and was airborne for 14 minutes.

According to Alaska Airlines, the worker's team leader had noticed that the man was missing before the plane took off.

The team leader had called into the cargo hold and rung the worker's mobile phone but did not get an answer.

"His co-workers believed he finished his shift and went home," the airline said.

The airline said the worker, employed by Menzies Aviation, started work at 05:00 local time and was due off at 14:30, but fell asleep in the cargo hold. The compartment was pressurised - so survivable at altitude - and was temperature-controlled.

One passenger, Marty Collins, told a local Seattle TV station that passengers had not heard the banging.

She said: "Nobody on the plane heard anything like that, nobody knew why we were turning around. They just said we were fine and we weren't in any danger."

Later, Ms Collins said passengers were told "there was someone in the cargo hold and he's been escorted off and taken away".

The flight later left for Los Angeles.

Presidential transition c’ttee promises smooth hand-over on May 29

The Presidential Transition Committee says it will ensure smooth transition of power between President-elect Muhammadu Buhari and President Goodluck Jonathan on May 29.

Its Chairman and Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Anyim Pius Anyim, disclosed this to State House correspondents at the end of the committee’s inaugural meeting yesterday in Abuja.

According to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the meeting, presided over by Vice President Namadi Sambo, was attended by the Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr Mohammed Adoke.

Others at the meeting were the Ministers of Police Affairs and Transport, Jelil Adesiyan, and Idris Umar, respectively as well as the Director-General of NAFDAC, Dr Paul Orhii.
Anyim said that the committee would collect handover briefs from the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), analyse them and prepare the President’s handover notes before May 29.

“Ours is to prepare the hand over briefs, and prepare the President’s handover note. By the time we are ready, then we will interface with the president-elect’s transition committee.
“Whatever clarification they need to know from our own briefs, we will provide those clarifications and then bring them at the same page with us.”

Anyim said the terms of reference of the committee include “to collect from all the MDAs the handover briefs, prepare them and interface with the in-coming administration’s transition committee. We will then prepare the president’s handover note”.

He explained that the Federal Government committee is aware that the in-coming administration also has its transition committee and promised that both groups will collaborate and harmonise their positions for a smooth handover exercise.

“After we have collected our own briefs from the ministries, we will put it together and interface with the other committee so that whatever clarifications they want, we will be able to address them,” he said.

The SGF said everything about the transition committee’s mandate would be executed and completed before the inauguration of the president-elect on May 29.

Bakare denies leading screening c’ttee

Meanwhile, Serving Overseer of the Latter Rain Assembly, Pastor Tunde Bakare has denied being appointed by the President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari as head of his transition committee.

When Vanguard called Bakare on phone, he simply said “You are the one informing me, I do not know anything about it.”
Asked if he would accept the offer if he was called to head the committee, he said “you are the one informing me, don’t ask questions on the information you are giving me. Thank you.”
Bakare was Buhari’s running mate in the 2011 presidential election.

Buhari reportedly said at the weekend that only credible, patriotic and knowledgeable Nigerians would make up the transition committee, as part of the first steps to chart an entirely new path for the country.

Epic tragedy: 800,000 Nigerian kids displaced by Boko Haram, violence

Story highlights

    More than 1.5 million people are displaced, including 800,000 children, UNICEF says
    The kidnappings that inspired #BringBackOurGirls were a year ago this week
    UNICEF is launching a #bringbackourchildhood campaign
 

The abduction of more than 200 schoolgirls a year ago this week captured global attention and inspired the hashtag #BringBackOurGirls, but the horrors for Nigeria's children are widespread.

"Around 800,000 children have been forced to flee their homes as a result of the conflict in northeast Nigeria between Boko Haram, military forces and civilian self-defense groups," UNICEF said Monday.

The "number of children running for their lives within Nigeria, or crossing over the border to Chad, Niger and Cameroon, has more than doubled in just less than a year."

UNICEF released a report on the crisis titled "Missing Childhoods."

It also launched a social media campaign using the hashtag #bringbackourchildhood. The campaign has "leading Snapchat artists" sharing images based on drawings from children in Nigeria, Chad, Niger and Cameroon. Artwork can also be seen on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Tumblr.

More than 1.5 million people have fled their homes due to the violence, UNICEF said. About 1.2 million are displaced internally, while others have crossed into Cameroon, Chad and Niger.

"The vast majority of the displaced -- more than 880,000 -- are staying with host communities with little access to humanitarian support, putting additional strains on already stretched health, education and social services," it said.

The April 14, 2014, kidnappings at a girls school in Chibok by the Islamist group Boko Haram "is only one of endless tragedies being replicated on an epic scale across Nigeria and the region," said Manuel Fontaine, UNICEF regional director for West and Central Africa.

"Scores of girls and boys have gone missing in Nigeria -- abducted, recruited by armed groups, attacked, used as weapons, or forced to flee violence. They have the right to get their childhoods back."

Kids are being used by Boko Haram as combatants, cooks, and lookouts, UNICEF said. "Young women and girls are being subjected to forced marriage, forced labor and rape," it said. At least 196 teachers and 314 schoolchildren were killed in 2014, and more than 300 schools were damaged or destroyed.

33 Moroccan athletes die in auto crash: AFN condoles with Morocco

The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) on Monday condoled with the Moroccan Athletics Federation on the death of its 33 athletes who were killed in a bus crash on April 10. The condolence is contained in an email by Commodore Omatseye Nesiama, AFN Technical Director and member, Confederation of African Athletics (CAA).



The AFN condolence was addressed to the President of the Moroccan Athletics Federation and made available to newsmen in Lagos. “I am shocked by the sad news of the fatal accident involving a good number of your athletes and officials that resulted in several deaths.  “It is a tragedy not only to your country but to the whole of Africa.

“I therefore, wish on behalf of the Athletics family in Nigeria, ‎to offer our deepest condolences to the Moroccan Athletics Federation. “It is our prayer that God would repose their souls,’’ the statement quoted Nesiama as saying.  A bus carrying a delegation of young Moroccan athletes collided with a petrol tanker resulting in the death of the athletes.

No fewer than 9 persons were injured after the tanker exploded and spread fire.  According to Morocco’s Ministry of Sport, the fatal accident occurred along the road between the capital, Rabat and Laayoune.  Moroccan media had said the young athletes were school students participating in a national sports competition.

They were said to have gone to the competition to represent their schools. The athletes were on their way back when their bus collided with the petrol tanker.

Man City slump my responsibility says Manuel Pellegrini

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini took full responsibility for his side's alarming slump but refused to discuss his long-term future.

United ended a run of four derby defeats with a convincing 4-2 win at Old Trafford that left City with their sixth loss in their last eight games.

Pellegrini, 61, said: "It is my responsibility and the only way we can change this is by winning games.

"I am not talking about my position. It is not important."

City won the Premier League title last season and were level on points with leaders Chelsea in January, nine points above rivals United.

But they are now four points below United in fourth and face being dragged into a fight to secure Champions League football next season as Liverpool could close the gap to just four points with victory against Newcastle United at Anfield on Monday.

Pellegrini added: "The only way to explain our run is that we don't have the results. We lost many points, not only in this game which was a very difficult one, but in others too.
Juan Mata and Chris Smalling

Juan Mata and Chris Smalling both scored as City lost their fourth straight away game in the Premier League

"We played very well for 20 minutes but we must not play just for 20 minutes, we must play for the whole game in the same way.

"We are concerned but now we must try to win the next game at home to West Ham. We have been first or second the whole year and now we are fourth but United and Arsenal have to play against Chelsea. We have 18 more points to play for. We must not be dramatic."

City faded after taking the early lead through Sergio Aguero and Pellegrini conceded that United's stirring comeback may have affected his team's fragile spirit.

"Maybe it is something we can be concerned by," he said. "It is easy when you are two goals in front to play with more trust than the team that is two goals behind.

"We made important mistakes for the second goal and the third was offside but the result was a fair one."

My victory changes 60yrs of Lagos history —Ambode

Lagos State governor-elect, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, yesterday said his victory at the April 11 polls has changed 60 years history of the state, even as it marked the commencement of social and moral contracts.
Ambode Celebrates his victory at APC Campaign office in Ogba



Ambode, in his acceptance speech made after the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC declared him winner of the 2015 Lagos State governorship election, noted that no one would be victimized for voting against him at the polls.

He stated that the victory was an outstanding feat, saying “By affirming your faith in the APC and in me, you have, for the first time in 60years, married progressive governance at the national level with progressive government at the state level.

“I am humbled that you have placed your trust and faith in me. The love of this state and our common belief in what we can accomplish, our belief in what this state already is, and in what it is destined to become binds us together in a social and moral contract of high purpose.

“I shall honor that contract with every fiber of my being.  This day I pledge to you that I shall devote myself to bringing even greater prosperity, growth and development to every inch of this state, that I shall build on the legacy and progress of the Bola Tinubu and Babatunde Fashola administrations, I shall bring the best of Lagos into my government and I shall make you proud and glad that you chose me as your next governor.’’

APC sweeps gov polls, wins 19 states, leading in four others

LAGOS — WITH ferocious intensity, the All Progressives Congress (APC), yesterday, swept into its kitty most of the 29 governorship seats contested at the weekend. The huge victory has catapulted the party to the enviable position of the dominant party in Nigeria.

With the results announced at press time, the APC won in 19 states and was leading in Plateau and Kebbi states while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) won in Akwa Ibom, Ebonyi, Gombe and Enugu and was coasting home to victory in Rivers, Delta and Taraba.

This came as the PDP made in-road to the Lagos State House of Assembly winning six seats for the first time as APC’s Mr Akinwunmi Ambode won a tightly contested governorship election beating PDP’s Jimi Agbaje.

Meanwhile, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, yesterday, broke the re-election jinx, which has dogged Oyo State politics since 1983 by winning the governorship polls after fencing off Senator Rasheed Ladoja of the Accord Party; Christopher Alao Akala of the Labour Party and Teslim Folarin of the PDP among others.

States where the APC won the governorship are Kaduna, Sokoto, Niger, Borno, Adamawa, Lagos, Kwara, Katsina, Bauchi, Kano, Yobe, Zamfara, Oyo, Ogun, Benue, Imo, Nasarawa, Jigawa and Benue (see table).

Umahi wins Ebonyi in landslide victory

Ebonyi State Deputy Governor and PDP Governorship candidate, Engr Dave Umahi won the April 11 governorship election after scoring 289,867 votes to beat his closest rival, Edward Nkwegu of the Labour Party, who polled 124, 817 votes. The governorship candidate of APC, Senator Julius Ucha came third with 27, 583 votes.



Dave Umahi

Announcing the result at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC’s) headquarters in Abakaliki, the State Collation Officer and Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Prof. Joseph Ahaneku declared that Umahi had met all the constitutional requirements and returned elected.

Meanwhile, the state governor, Chief Martin Elechi was defeated in his home town in Ikwo Local Council, as he was unable to deliver his preferred candidate, Nkwegu.

APC’s Abubakar wins in Bauchi

In Bauchi State, Mr Mohammed Abubakar of the APC won the governorship election.

Abubakar scored 654,934 votes to beat his main challenger, Auwal Jatau of the PDP who scored 282,650 votes across the 20 local councils of the state.

Abubakar won in 19 local councils while Jatau, who won only in Bogoro local government area of the state where he polled 16,980 votes as against the APC which had 9,914 votes.

The Bauchi State returning officer, Mohammed Kabiru Faruk, a Professor and Vice Chancellor of the Federal University, Kashere, Gombe State who announced the results at the INEC office in Bauchi returned Abubakar as the winner after meeting all the requirments.

El-Rufai prevails in Kaduna as Yero concedes defeat



Kaduna State Governorship candidate of the APC, Mallam Nasir El Rufai emerged winner of the contest, beating his main rival,incumbent Governor Mukhtar Ramalan Yero of the PDP.

Governor Yero conceded defeat even before the final announcement of the results in favour of the former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.

El-Rufai tweeted that Governor Yero had called to congratulate him.

El Rufai tweeted at 3:20pm yesterday saying, “I just received a phone call from Gov. Mukhtar Yero congratulating me for winning the Kaduna guber election. I thanked him too”.

Meanwhile, the returning officer for Kaduna state Gubernatorial election, Prof. Jafar Makau Kaura, declared Mallam Nasir El Rufai of the APC as the governor elect of Kaduna State at 6.20 p.m.

APGA sweeps Assembly polls in Anambra

Results of 25 out of the 30 House of Assembly seats in Anambra State have been declared by the INEC, with the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, in the state winning all.

The state Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, Mr. Edwin Nwatarali, who gave details of the Saturday’s polls in the state, said that there would be elections on April 18, 2015 in four state constituencies where the exercise was inconclusive.

The result of Anambra West state constituency was still being collated at the time the REC was briefing reporters.

Areas where there were inconclusive polls include Aguata 1 constituency (where election will be repeated at Uga ward), the whole of Ekwusigo constituency where a chieftain of one of the political parties led thugs to cart away election materials before the commencement of the exercise on Saturday, as well as in Anaocha 1 constituency, where there would be repeat election in five polling units at Adazi Ani, one polling unit at Adazi Nnukwu and Agulu Wards 1, 2, 3 and 4.

In Anaocha 11 constituency, there would be a repeat exercise at Nri Wards 1 and 2.

The 25 constituencies already declared for APGA were Aguata 2, Ayamelum, Anambra East, Awka North, Awka South 1, Awka South 2, Dunukofia, Idemili North, Idemili South, Ihiala 1, Ihiala 2, Njikoka 1 and Njikoka 2.

Others were Nnewi North, Nnewi South 1, Nnewi South 2, Ogbaru 1, Ogbaru 2, Onitsha North 1, Onitsha North 2, Onitsha South 1, Onitsha South 2, Orumba North, Orumba South and Oyi.

Oyo: Ajimobi breaks re-election

Governor Abiola Ajimobi has become the first governor to govern Oyo State twice.

He defeated two other former governors in the state to clinch victory in a keenly-contested election.

This came as Accord Party refused to sign the result sheets saying he was directed by his party not to sign.

The secretary of the party, Nureni Adisa, said the mandate of his party had been stolen.

The former governors who contested with the incumbent governor are Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala of Labour Party and Senator Rashidi Ladoja of Accord.

At press time, Ajimobi had won 20 out of the 33 local governments in the state leaving Ladoja with only seven and Akala with six.

Ambode wins Lagos gov poll



Akinwunmi Ambode

Akinwunmi Ambode of the APC has emerged winner in the governorship election in Lagos beating his close rival Jimi Agbaje of the PDP

Ambode polled 811,994 votes to defeat Agbaje of the PDP, who polled 659,788 votes.

APC won in 15 local government areas, while PDP won in five local government areas across the state.

Prof Isaac Adewole, INEC, returning officer for Lagos State governorship election, announced Ambode as winner at about 7. 30 pm having satisfied all the requirements in line with the electoral act

According to Adewole, the margin of lead between Ambode and Agbaje is 152,206 while the total number of voters is 13,972, this he said was far less than margin of votes and would not invalidate the exercise.

He said both parties scored 25 percent of votes cast in 20 local government areas.

While describing the exercise as one of the most credible elections in the country, Adewole expressed his appreciation to INEC officials, security agencies, IG, Suleiman Abba and AIG, Joseph Mbu and other security agencies for providing adequate security as there was no recorded life loss throughout the exercise.

Representatives of each of the contesting political parties later signed the result sheets.

Ambode, in a swift reaction to his victory as posted on his facebook, thanked all Lagos residents for trusting him and promised to fufill all his campaign promises in collaboration with them.

He said: “Thank You Lagosians we promise to serve you better. Thank you for trusting APC, we will work harder to serve you better.”

Cancelled votes

Some results were cancelled in some polling units in areas like: Mushin, Kosofe, Agege Alimosho, Epe. The electoral officers said the results were cancelled for electoral offences such as over-voting and thuggery.

Elliot, Lai Mohammed’s son, others declared winners as Obanikoro, Ajomale’s sons lose

The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has made in-road into the Lagos State House of Assembly, winning six of the 18 seats so far declared. Results for 22 constituencies are being awaited. Among the six PDP House members-elect is an Igbo, Mr Emeka Idimogu elected to represent Oshodi-Isolo Constituency II.

This is as Nollywood star, Desmond Elliot of the All Progressives Congress (APC) won in Surulere I constituency and Lai Mohammed’s son, Folajimi also of the APC won the Ikeja I seat.

Meanwhile, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro’s son, Babajide and Chief Henry Ajomale’s son, Olayinka, failed to win their constituencies. Babajide ran in Eti-Osa II while Olayinka sought for the Oshodi-Isolo II seat.

Alhaji Lai Mohammed is the National Publicity Secretary of the APC; Ajomale is the Lagos State Chairman of the APC while Senator Obanikoro is Minister of State, Foreign Affairs.

Those elected include:

Desmond Elliot (Surulere I), APC

Mrs Mosunmola Sangodara-Rotimi (Surulere II), PDP

Mr Folajimi Mohammed (Ikeja I), APC

Adedamola Kasunmu (Ikeja II), APC

Mr Wasiu Sanni (Lagos Island I), APC

Mr Giwa Shakirudeeen (Lagos Island II), APC

Mr Adekanye Oladele (Lagos Mainland I), APC

Mr Moshood Olarenwaju Oshun (Lagos Mainland II), APC

Hon. Funmilayo Tejuosho (Mushin I), APC

Hon. Olayiwola Olawale (Mushin II), APC

Dipo Olorunrinu (Amuwo-Odofin I), PDP

Hakeem Bello (Amuwo-Odofin II), PDP

Mr Mudashiru Obasa (Agege I), APC

Mr Ishahu Gbolahan (Eti-Osa I), APC

Mr Kazeem Alimi (Eti-Osa II), APC

Mr Oluwa Olatunji Fatai (Ajeromi-Ifelodun II), PDP

Mr Shokunle Hakeem (Oshodi-Isolo I), PDP

Mr Emeka Idimogu (Oshodi-Isolo II), PDP

PDP wins 19 House seats in Ondo as two die

The PDP in Ondo State won 19 of the 24 house of Assembly seats declared by INEC in the last Saturday election just as two hoodlums were shot dead for hijacking electoral materials.

It’s main opposition APC secured five seats while the results of Ilaje 1 and 11 constituencies were declared inconclusive.

The PDP won in Idanre, Ifedore, Ese Odo, Akure South 1, Akure North, Akoko South East, Akoko North West 11, Akoko North East, Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo, Irele, Odigbo 1 and Odigbo11, Okitipupa 1 and Okitipupa 11, Ondo East, Ondo West 1 and Ondo West 11, Ose, and Owo 1.

The opposition APC won the seats in Owo11, Akoko North West 1, Akoko South West 1, Akoko South west 11 and Akure South 11.

Addressing newsmen in Akure yesterday on the outcome of the Saturday poll, the Resident Electoral Commissioner Olusegun Agbaje said that the two electoral offenders were shot dead by Naval Officers in the oil rich Ilaje areas of the state.

Agbaje added that eight guns, six mobile phones belonging to INEC Ad-Hoc staff and other materials belonging to the commission were recovered from the hoodlums.

Speaking on the election results Agbaje said over 35,000 voters were disenfranchised in the 73 units in Ilaje constituencies where electoral materials were hijacked   by the hoodlums.

Agbaje said that the election was characterized by low turn out of voters across the state and pockets of security breaches in some local government areas.

He listed the areas to include Akoko North West, Akoko south West, Ese Odo, Idanre, Ilaje, Irele, Okitipupa,Ondo East, Owo and Ose.

Amosun’s victory: PDP kicks, alleges irregularities

The PDP in Ogun State has kicked against the declaration of Senator Ibikunle Amosun as winner of the governorship election in the state.

The party said the development “ is clearly not a true reflection of Ogun people’s wish and it will be challenged as appropriate”.

The INEC in the state had declared Amosun who is the candidate of the All Progressives Congress as governor-elect having polled 306,988 votes to defeat the PDP governorship candidate in the state, Prince Gboyega Isiaka who polled 201,440 votes.

Reacting to Amosun’s declaration, the party, through the Gboyega Nasir Isiaka Campaign Organization   declared the gubernatorial election “as very unfortunate and a travesty staged to help the APC achieve victory”.

The party in a statement signed by Director of Media , Ifekayode Akinbode , said   “whereas , INEC declared APC the winner with 307,008 votes and the PDP coming second with 201,440 votes, we are not oblivious of the clear manipulations, misrepresentations, underhand dealings and outright rigging by the APC; and most unfortunately with the culpability of INEC.

“Let us quickly state emphatically that we are displeased with the outcome of the governorship election particularly as being irregular in most aspects.

“However, we must state a few facts here to support our preliminary position. Before the election, we alerted that huge numbers of uncollected Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) were in the possession of APC stalwarts with the intention to give same to their party members for use with active connivance of compromised corps members and INEC staff.

“This was indeed what happened.   Secondly, on the election date, Ogun people trooped out and actually voted for the PDP. As at 3pm we were actually receiving good results from all over the state as results were being announced and posted from various polling booths.

“This was the situation until Sen. Amosun defied the electoral law and moved out of his polling zone into other areas of Abeokuta and then to Sagamu, Ota and Ifo local government areas with a full retinue of buses.

“What followed were reports of snatching of ballot boxes and stuffing of same in these locations. Same manipulation happened enroute the collation centres.

“It was for these reasons that some PDP agents refused to sign the results sheets; yet the umpire went ahead to announce results despite the overvoting, result falsification, harassment of our party agents and other irregularities. Clearly, the huge votes from Ogun central local governments of Abeokuta North, Abeokuta South, Odeda, Obafemi Owode as well as Ado Odo/Ota local governments in Ogun West Senatorial district were a true reflection of the rigging.

“It is in the light of the foregoing that our legal officers and the party are looking at the results and they shall come up with a clear position on this election that was marred with gross irregularities. We implore our supporters, party faithful and indeed Ogun people to remain calm. We appreciate the support, trust and confidence reposed on Prince Gboyega Nasir Isiaka.

“He remains committed to making Life More Abundant for the masses and so shall it remain. God bless Ogun State”, the party said.



Gov Abdulfatah Ahmed wins in Kwara


The Chief Returning Officer of gubernatorial election in Kwara State, Professor Musbau Akanji yesterday declared the gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed as winner of the election.

Professor Akanji said that Governor Ahmed who was seeking re-election polled 295,832 votes to defeat the candidate of the PDP Senator Simeon Ajibola who scored 115,220 votes and came far second while the candidate of Labour Party Dr Mike Omotosho polled 2,973 to come third.

Similarly, the APC as declared by the respective returning officers won all the twenty four House of Assembly seats across the 16 local governments in the state.

Ugwuanyi wins Enugu guber poll

The PDP, candidate in the April 11 governorship election, Mr. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has won with 482,277 votes against his main challenger of the APC, Okey Ezea who polled 43,839 votes.

Returning officer of the election, Prof. Hillary Edoga, Vice Chancellor, Federal University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, announced the result precisely at 3.36 p.m. at the INEC office, Independence Layout, Enugu.

The announcement was followed with wild jubilation as residents of Enugu made bonfires along strategic streets in Enugu metropolis.

However, the APC candidate in a press conference called for the cancellation of the election.

“As far as we are concerned, there was no election in Enugu State, so we call on the INEC to cancel the exercise and fix a date for a fresh election

“We cannot continue with this rubbish in Enugu State any longer; all of you are witnesses to what happened yesterday and if that is what we should expect in Enugu State, it is very unfortunate.

“They want to push us out of the politics of Enugu State but that will not happen; we shall never give up,” he said.

BENUE: Ortom wins gov poll

Ortom

The APC, governorship candidate in Benue State, Dr. Samuel Ortom has emerged the winner of last Saturday’s governorship elections in the state.

In the results so far collated by INEC in Makurdi, from 22 out of 23 local government areas of the state, Dr. Ortom polled 394,047 votes to defeat Mr. Terhemen Tarzoor of the PDP who polled 302,324 votes.

Though the votes from Buruku Local Government Area were being expected at press time, it was not expected to alter the outcome of the entire result.

As it stands, the difference between the votes garnered by the APC and PDP candidates is 91,723.

Meantime, the PDP won 15 of the State House of Assembly seats so far released by the electoral body, the APC had 10, Labour Party secured one seat while results from four state constituencies were still being awaited.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, was yesterday declared winner of the Sokoto State governorship election.

The state’s Collation and Returning Officer, Prof. Abdullahi Bagudu , who is a Deputy Vice Chancellor, Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto, declared that Tambuwal polled the highest number of votes in Saturday’s governorship election in the state.

Announcing the results at about 7.15 p.m, Prof. Abdullahi Bagudu disclosed that the total votes cast were 958,736 while total valid votes were 926,682 and voided votes were 32,054

Tambuwal polled 647,609 votes, while the PDP candidate, Sen. Abdallah Wali scored 269,074

The Speaker won in all 23 local government areas, while his PDP challenger did not win in any local government.

In the State House of Assembly election, the APC won 28 seats, PDP won two while PDM got one seat.

Stalemate in Abia

There was stalemate in Abia State, yesterday. after the returning officer for the governorship election reversed himself on the cancellation of the results in three local government areas following a visit to the INEC office by Governor Theodore Orji.

Earlier, the returning officer for the election, Prof. Benjamin Ozurumba, had cancelled the results presented for Osisioma, Obingwa and Isiala Ngwa North on the basis of alleged irregularities. The decision was, however, vehemently challenged by officials of the PDP leading to a stalemate that was only broken after the visit of Governor Orji to the INEC office where he held private meetings with the REC.

The decision to revalidate the results from the three local government areas, has, however, been seriously rejected by the APGA representatives at the collation centre. Both APGA and PDP were running neck and neck in the results, at press time.

Tornadoes rip through swaths of Midwest

    At least one person died as a result of storms in Illinois, an official says
    Fire department: Rescuers searching for trapped victims in Kirkland, Illinois


On Thursday, a video surfaced on YouTube of a massive twister barreling across an open field, barely missing farmhouses and barns. Images of the funnel turned up elsewhere on social media.

Midwestern spate

Multiple tornadoes ripped through the rural Midwest on Thursday. A large and dangerous twister tore across fields in Iowa. And a twister touched down 70 miles outside of St. Louis.

Eight tornadoes were reported Wednesday in Oklahoma, Kansas and Missouri, the Storm Prediction Center said.

But it appears residents have been fortunate enough to come away from the terrifying weather spectacle alive. Hail stones the size of tennis balls plummeted down on Ashton, Illinois.

It could have been worse as severe tornado damage dotted a path not far from the dense populations of Chicago and Rockford -- the state's third largest city. The tornado cut a 22-mile path through Ogle County, according to disaster management coordinator Tom Richter.

Landmark restaurant


North of Rochelle, a tornado took away a local favorite restaurant -- Grubsteakers. "It's kind of one of your little greasy spoon restaurants," said Eric Widick, who drove up in his truck to help out.

"We're a community. If one person is in need, we'll all be there for them."

People were inside when the storm quashed Grubsteakers and turned over a semitruck parked outside. No one was killed or seriously injured, Widick said. Although a patron who found shelter in a restroom was trapped inside for about half an hour.

People had been eating at Grubsteakers for some 25 years and will miss it, Widick said.

In Rochelle, the tornado flattened some of Olson's friends' homes.

A safe distance away from it, at her mother's house, she had to think about her husband, Chet, who was reelected mayor of the town of about 10,000 people the day before. He'd have a job ahead of him.

"I have not been able to get a hold of him, Olson said, "but I know he's in touch with the sheriff and is safe," she said.

Sheriff's house flattened

Sheriff Brian VanVickle told journalists late Thursday that the tornado had spared life and limb in Ogle County aside from some people whose injuries were easily treatable.

The county lost 20 homes -- one of them was his own. Fifty to 100 houses had significant damage, he said.

Only foundations remained of some homes, said storm chaser Dan Gottschalk. "You can hear the hissing everywhere from where the structures used to be," he said.

Lindsey Clark, a reporter from CNN affiliate WREX, said rescuers were pulling trapped people from a home in the Rochelle area.


VanVickle was newly elected sheriff of Rochelle on Wednesday. On Thursday, the storm took his house and his sister-in-law's. "I've got the clothes on my back," he said.

But his family wasn't at home when it hit. "My family was on the way to Louisville, dog was in the basement and she survived."

It was the first tornado the sheriff had ever seen in his county. "I've lived here all my life, am the fifth generation in the county. My mom said this is the first time she's ever seen a tornado."

He is thankful that the National Weather Service warned one could come. That saved lives, he believes.

The service warned of a "particularly dangerous situation." People across the Midwest should be on alert for severe weather. Tornado watches ran out early Friday.

24 hrs to governorship election: PDP, APC trade words over plans to rig polls

 Barely 24 hours to the governorship and houses of assembly elections, the two major parties, All Progressives Congress, APC, and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, have engaged in a war of words, trading accusations over alleged plans to disrupt and rig the elections.

The Inspector-General of Police, Mr Suleiman Abba, however assured on the preparedness of the police to ensure hitch-free elections even as he approved the immediate redeployment of senior police officers to the states.

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, also warned voters in tomorrow’s elections against going to polling units without genuine Permanent Voters Cards, PVCs, accusing a governor of a North Central state of directing voters to disregard PVCs.

The APC in a statement by its National Publicity Secretaty, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, alerted the security agencies to alleged moves being made Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State to disrupt tomorrow’s elections in the South-West by instigating widespread violence.

PDP plotting to disrupt polls in S-West —APC

The party said the governor has already met with the thugs, who have been trained specifically for the purpose of disrupting the elections, at Akure and Iro in Akure South Local Government Area, giving the group of thugs at each location N350 million for their devilish assignments.

According to the party, “the strategy is to deploy these thugs to various parts of the South-West with the express instruction to violently disrupt elections through sporadic shootings and stealing of ballot boxes.

“This is the governor’s answer to the massive defeat he received from the electorate in the region in general and in Ondo State in particular during the March 28 presidential elections.

“The fear of the thugs have already sent many APC leaders, who have been targeted for attack, scampering for safety. While some have gone underground, others have relocated either from Ondo State or from the region entirely.

“These developments do not augur well for a free, fair and peaceful elections, hence the need for security agents to face the challenge posed by the hired thugs squarely.”

APC said the thugs had already started unleashing violence, killing one person at a rally in Igbara-Oke in Ifedore Local Government Area of the state on Wednesday

“It is important to alert the sponsors of terror and electoral malfeasance that whether or not they have immunity from prosecution, ultimately they will be made to face the full wrath of the law to account for their unbridled penchant for violence,” the party warned.

It called on all APC members and supporters to be vigilant and to document all cases of brigandage and rigging across the region, while also alerting local and international observers to pay close attention to the conduct of the elections in the region, as well as in other flash points like Rivers State, on Saturday.

APC jittery over imminent defeat —PDP

Responding to APC’s allegations, the national leadership of the PDP said the APC was already jittery of what it described as imminent defeat.

The PDP also dismissed as frivolous, APC’s allegation of plots to disrupt the elections in the South-West, adding that the APC was merely crying wolf for fear of defeat at the polls.

In a statement signed, yesterday, by PDP National Publicity Secretary, Mr Olisa Metuh, the PDP stressed that the false alert by the APC was part of its plot to heighten tension in the zone and scare away voters from exercising their franchise, having realised that the wind of change blowing in the region will sweep them away tomorrow.

Metuh said: “This latest false alert is in continuation of APC’s desperation which made it drag the revered traditional institution to rain death threats on people ostensibly to sway the voters.”

According to PDP, such antics would not save the APC in the zone. It, therefore, urged its members and supporters in the region, especially in Lagos, not to be deterred but completely disregard APC’s gimmicks.

Only those with PVCs will vote —INEC

Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, yesterday, warned prospective voters in tomorrow’s elections against going to polling units without genuine PVCs.

This was even as it reassigned the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Kogi State, Alhaji Hussaini Halilu Pai, to supervise the conduct of tomorrow’s elections in Kano State, following the tragic demise of the state REC, Alhaji Mukaila Abdullahi, last weekend.

In a statement yesterday from Mr Kayode Idowu, Chief Press Secretary to INEC chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, the commission explained that its warning was against the backdrop of alleged statement from a particular state governor from one of the North-Central states directing voters to go out to vote with Temporary Voters Cards, TVCs, even if they do not have the PVCs.

He said: “A particular state governor in the North Central geo-political zone is reported to have assured voters in the state that they could go out to vote on election day with Temporary Voter Cards, TVCs, if they do not have the PVCs, and that INEC will not be allowed to insist on the use of SCRs for voter accreditation.

“The commission reaffirms that only voters with genuine PVCs should come out to the polling units on the election day, saying that guidelines issued on the use of SCRs for the April 11 elections will be strictly applied.

“Any action infringing these guidelines will be an electoral offence, and security agents will be on hand to apprehend offenders.”

INEC said it was in possession of “reports that some political leaders are asking members of the public to disregard its stated resolve to use PVCs and Smart Card Readers, SCRs, for the April 11, 2015 governorship and state Assembly elections.

“Members of the public are strongly advised to disregard false assurances that contradict the regulations INEC has outlined for the governorship and state Assembly elections.

INEC commends voters

“The commission commends voters for their peaceful conduct and exemplary resilience, even in the face of minor challenges during the Presidential and National Assembly elections on March 28, 2015.

“It, however, considers it unfortunate that some leaders would misguide the public and thereby prepare ground for needless disruptions to the polling process on April 11.

“INEC hereby warns that any obstruction to the processes it has put in place for the elections by any person, no matter how highly placed, will constitute an electoral offence punishable in law,”it insisted.

IGP redeploys senior officers

The Inspector-General of Police, Mr Suleiman Abba, has ordered restriction of vehicular movement in the 36 states from 8 a.m. to 5p.m.

A statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, Mr Emmanuel Ojukwu, yesterday, in Abuja explained that the measure was to ensure safety and security during the polls.

“There is no restriction of vehicular movement in the Federal Capital Territory as there is no election taking place there on the said date,” the statement said.

It added that the restriction excluded “vehicles on essential duty such as fire service, ambulances and vehicles used by INEC and law enforcement/security agencies.”

The statement assured that adequate security logistics and manpower had been strategically deployed to achieve conducive atmosphere for the polls.

It said that policemen on election duty had been properly briefed on their roles as stipulated in the Electoral Act.

Those deployed

In addition to the deployment of six Deputy Inspectors-General of Police to co-ordinate Police activities in the six geo-political zones, the Inspector-General of Police, has also deployed Assistant Inspectors-General of Police to supervise tomorrow’s elections.

Those deployed to states are AIG   Usman Gwary, Abia; AIG Olufemi Adenaike, Kwara; AIG Mbu Joseph Mbu, Ogun; AIG Patrick Dey Dokumor, Kaduna; AIG Tambari Muhammed, Jigawa and AIG Mohammed Jinjiri Abubakar, Gombe.

Others are AIG Ikemefuna Okoye, Oyo’ AIG Tunde Ogunsakin, Rivers; AIG Jubril Adeniji, Bauchi; AIG Yerima Irimiya, Imo; AIG Baba Bolanta, Akwa Ibom; AIG Lawal Tanko, Lagos; and AIG Ballah M. Nasarawa.

Also redeployed are AIG Musa Abdulsalam Daura, Edo; AIG Aderele Shinaba, Plateau and AIG Bala Hassan Sokoto.

Affected in the ranks of the Commissioners of Police redeployed for the elections are CP Sam Okaula, Anambra; CP EJ Ibine, Ekiti; CP Adamu Mohammed, Enugu and CP Valentine Ntomchukwu, Osun.