African Gist and News

By Sam Eyoboka, who was in Warri NIGERIAN politicians, at every level, always try to justify their ineptitude each time the international media portrays any aspect of our national life in bad light by accusing them of imperialism. They(Nigerian leaders) never deny the existence of problems so portrayed but go out of their way to even charge the local media to fight their international counterparts who, they claim, specialise in reporting only the bad aspect of the continent. It is always such a great delight to return to the oil city of Warri and so it was last Thursday night. It was even more delightful as Uncle Justus Esiri, who was also in town for the interment of Senator Fred Ayo Brume, reminisced about his times in the oil city. He told me a story of their days in secondary school: While the late Brume was doing long jump for Government College, Ughelli, he was doing same for Urhobo College, Warri and he had an opportunity of defeating the late senator but something happened. Hea...

Promptly Prosecute Offenders, Address Underlying Causes (Dakar) - Deadly election-related and communal violence in northern Nigeria following the April 2011 presidential voting left more than 800 people dead, Human Rights Watch said today. The victims were killed in three days of rioting in 12 northern states. Nigeria's state and federal authorities should promptly investigate and prosecute those who orchestrated and carried out these crimes and address the root causes of recurring inter-communal violence. The violence began with widespread protests by supporters of the main opposition candidate, Muhammadu Buhari, a northern Muslim from the Congress for Progressive Change, following the re-election of incumbent Goodluck Jonathan, a Christian from the Niger Delta in the south, who was the candidate for the ruling People's Democratic Party. The protests degenerated into violent riots or sectarian killings in the northern states of Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Jigawa, Kaduna, Ka...

Former Governor of Abia State, Chief Orji Uzor Kalu has been awarded N10 million damages by an Abuja High Court over a libellous publication alleging his involvement in kidnapping in the state in 2010. Kalu had sued the Ibadan-based Tabloid publishers, Extra Publications Company Ltd and three others through his counsel Francis Mgboh following a report: “Kalu is Kidnap Kingpin- Abia Govt” on October 10, 2010.  In his judgement Wednesday, Justice Lawal Hassan Gummi, restrained the tabloid from further publishing such materials and ordered a written apology to Kalu.  Kalu had sued the Ibadan-based Tabloid publishers, Extra Publications Company Ltd and three others through his counsel Francis Mgboh following a report: “Kalu is Kidnap Kingpin- Abia Govt” on October 10, 2010.  In his judgement Wednesday, Justice Lawal Hassan Gummi, restrained the tabloid from further publishing such materials and ordered a written apology to Kalu. 

KCee bought a 2010 Toyota Camry for his producer Del B in gratitude for producing his hit song, Limpopo. See the photos of such a great gift below:  KCee is a really generous man, but maybe the producer deserved a Toyota Land Cruiser, not just Camry, for Limpopo hit-song? 

Nigerians are generally perceived as a happy people, a people known for wearing a smile even in the face of adversity. That's why the late Afro-Beat musician and social activist Fela Anikulapo-Kuti described them as a "suffering and smiling" people. What is less known, or less discussed, about them is that they are also a very hopeful people. Ordinarily, hope is the feeling or anticipation that your situation will improve, that events will turn out in your favour or for the better, or that you will be able to get what you want or desire. For Nigerians, however, hope is a philosophy of survival, a philosophy that makes the sufferer anticipate a better tomorrow, even when there is no practical basis for improvement or change for the better.  The Nigerian philosophy of hope is fuelled by cultural, spiritual and political factors. Although Nigeria is made up of various ethnic groups, there is a shared philosophy of hope by which the people anticipate improvement in their cond...

A South African court has found  Henry Okah guilty of terrorism charges leveled against him by the federal government of Nigeria. Okah is accused of masterminding two car bombings in Abuja on October 1 in 2010. 12 people were killed and 36 were injured. He was arrested in Johannesburg the following day. Okah was allegedly the leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, that claimed responsibility for the blasts. He was charged with engaging in terrorist activities, conspiracy to engage in terrorist activity, and delivering, placing, and detonating an explosive device. Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godsday Orubebe, who was first to give evidence at the opening of Okah’s trial said Okah was a "key figure in the Niger Delta struggle and the militants had a lot of respect for him".  Okah denied involvement in the attacks, which were claimed by MEND militants, and also denies being the leader of the group.

After winning the hotly contested MTN Project Fame West Africa in 2010, Chidinma has remained highly sought after with her songs topping the charts.   In this interview she talks about her early years, music, fame and lifestyle.  Background  My name is Chidinma Ekile, the sixth of seven children and last of three girls, with four other brothers. I come from a very strict background, where everything has to be done properly always.  I am also in the choir at the church. I attend the Four Square Gospel Church in Lagos.  How old are you?  I am 22 years old and would be 23 on May 9. Your Kedike video is hot. The chemistry between you and Dammy Krane in that video is steaming and has gotten people curious. Is there some reality in that chemistry? The only thing is we acted the parts so well that everything seems so real. But like I said it was all pure acting.  But are there dating prospects between you guys? (giggles) He isn’t even asking me out, we are ju...