THEY WERE DRESSED IN MILITARY UNIFORM- ESCAPED CHIBOK GIRLS NARRATE THEIR STORY

The Punch news conducted an interview on two of the few girl's who were able to escape from their abductors, BokoHaram few days after they were abducted. Read the interview

What is your name?

Sawok: My name is Amina Sawok.

Walse: My name is Thabita Walse.

Can you describe the attack on your school?

Sawok: We were in the hostel. One of the men dressed in military camouflage asked us where our dining hall was. From our hostels, they took us to the dining hall and from there, we were moved into the waiting vehicles and they headed towards Damboa town. The incident happened around 11pm.

Walse: It is a long story. They came to our school and deceived us into believing they were soldiers. They were dressed in military uniform and made us believe they were about rescuing us only for us to later find out that they were insurgents. When we discovered, it was already too late and there was little we could do.

CONTINUE BELOW...

SSS PREVENTS SANUSI FROM LEAVING THE COUNTRY, SEIZES HIS PASSPORT AGAIN

This is the look he had when the SSS prevented the embattled Ex-CBN Governor from leaving the country. Lamido Sanusi was stopped at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, in Kano, on his way to France for an onward journey to Mecca for the lesser Hajj. The action of the SSS contravens the court judgement of April 3 which prevents the SSS and police from harassing Mr Sanusi.  Premium Times Reports that..

A spokesperson for Mr. Sanusi, Muyiwa Adekeye, told PREMIUM TIMES Saturday night that the governor had arrived the Kano airport for the 11: 10p.m. Turkish Airlines flight to Turkey where he would have connected another flight to Saudi Arabia.

But after the CBN governor had been checked in by the airline and was about to complete immigration formalities, his passport was confiscated by the SSS operatives at the immigration cubicle and told he could not travel.

WAEC BLAMES BORNO GOVERNMENT FOR CHIBOK ABDUCTION, FIRST LADY SPEAKS ON PLANS FOR CHIBOK GIRLS

The West African Examination Council has blamed the Borno state for the kidnap of over 250 girls in Government Girls Secondary School,Chibok, after the government declined to move the students to other locations for their exams.

The examination body said the authorities in Borno refused to respond to its call, well before the commencement of the exams, to relocate candidates for this year’s SSCE to the state capital and other safe locations, where security agents would keep an eye on them, while they wrote their exams.

Disclosing this on Friday, Head of WAEC’s National Office, Charles Eguridu, who joined First Lady Patience Jonathan in a meeting with wives of state governors over the Chibok case, said 530 candidates were registered at the school for this year’s SSCE, 135 male, 396 female.

Eguridu told the women that WAEC was not aware, that the state government had converted the Chibok school to a mixed school, as the school remains an all-girls school on WAEC’s records.

He said WAEC had made the request to relocate candidates to safe locations in early March, in a letter to the governments of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States.

Continue reading...

PHOTOSTORY: #BRINGBACKOURGIRLS PROTEST HOLDS IN NEW YORK CITY

This was the broadcast message sent out by Nigerians based in New York City for a solidarity walk yesterday for the 276 Chibok girls kidnapped in Nigeria last month. They were also joined by non-Nigerians in the peace walk. People were seen in African head gears(Gele), wrappers and placards with various inscriptions on it. They also chanted and prayed for the girls and their families. Similar protest also held in Washington DC. See more photos from the solidarity walk after the cut....

CHIBOK ABDUCTION: SSS SAYS 276 STILL MISSING

After two weeks, since the Chibok abduction the Nigerian government is still having alot of difficulty figuring out how many girl's have gone missing. Today, a new statistics was released  totaling the number to 276, this is making it the third time in 2weeks and 3days, the number has increased. Read full details below..

Culled from Premium Times

The Police and officials of the Department of State Security, otherwise called SSS, in Borno on Thursday came out with an increased fresh figures on the missing secondary school girls.

The security agencies said the total number of girls abducted and still unaccounted for stands at 276 as against the 234 figure being mentioned.

They said they have compiled an official list of kidnapped students, which is more authentic than that announced by the school management.

Parents of the abducted girls had last week told Borno Governor Kashim Shettima that 234 of their daughters had been discovered missing after they had all registered complaints with the school management.

KEMA CHIKWE DENIES DOUBTS OF CHIBOK ABDUCTION

Culled from Saharareporters;

Kema Chikwe, the National Woman Leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has refuted a SaharaReporters story that she expressed doubt about the abduction of the Chibok girls. “My speech at the occasion of PDP Women’s Prayer on Wednesday, April 30th, 2014 for the release of the Chibok kidnapped school girls and the Nyanya bomb blast victims was straight-forward and the interpretation of Sahara Reporters does not in anyway reflect my intentions,” she said in a press statement today. Mrs. Chikwe noted that the prayer event was specifically organized to pray for the release of the girls, and wondered why she would have prayed for their release if she doubted their abduction.


Her statement at the prayer meeting, which she sent out today along with her press statement, clarifies that she asked the following questions:

•How did it happen?
•Who saw it happen?
•Who did not see it happen?
•Who is behind this?

"My rhetoric questions were questions of concerns, which any distressed mother should ask in seeking for solutions and clues,” she explained, adding that she raised the issue of pictures because someone,somewhere could provide useful information, as would be the case of lost persons. “It is unfortunate that Sahara Reporters chose a mysterious political interpretation, and even asking if it was my party, PDP’s position betrays their purpose. It is also unfortunate that the mothers and families of the girls will be stirred to believe this false and wicked information.” The former Minister said she was deeply in sympathy with the families because she was totally misinterpreted.

She released a statement refuting the public insinuations, Read statement below...

IYABO OBASNJO WRITES OPEN LETTER TO BOKO HARAM

 Just when you think you have heard the last of open letters and Iyabo Obasanjo, they just resurface some how. In this open letter Iyabo Accused the sect of directing their anger to the wrong people, she also said the president and his inner-cirle allowed the group to triumph, she also accused the youth of been silent on the matter. Wait! if i tell you all the points how will you read it, Please read the letter below. And she may have made some points too....

UPDATE ON NYANYA BOMB BLAST, MORE PICTURES

As of this morning it is still uncertain how many lives were lost in Nyanya bomb blast but statistics from different media reports go from 9 to 70. According to National Emergency Management Agency(NEMA), 9 people are confirmed dead and 11 seriously injured.  The DG of NEMA Abjua, Sanni Sidi  said " that the gravity of the blast was not as intensive as the previous one, stressing that yesterday’s blast happened fifty metres away from the last one, but the same Nyanya, outskirts of Abuja".

The Secretary, Health and Human Services, Ademola Onakomaiya who gave the number of injured persons at various hospitals, disclosed that the total number of those who sustained injuries at Asokoro, Maitama General Hospitals and National Hospital were 41 with 30 at Asokoro, 2 in Maitama and 9 at National Hospital, adding that arrangements have been put in place as 20 bed spaces have been created in three hospitals where those at Asokoro would be taken to.


According to him, 8 for Maitama, 8 in Wuse General Hospital and 4 in Gwarimpa Hospital.

More pictures of the blast site this morning, Photos credited to LIB

UPDATE: PHOTOS FROM 2ND NYANYA BOMB BLAST

Reports from eye witness say bombs were planted in the cars at the bus stop. Security agencies have taken over to calm the situation. Media personnels were not allowed coverage of the scene. Death tolls still sketchy but many Injured.... see more photos below

BREAKING NEWS:BOMB BLAST IN NYANYA, ABUJA

The  residents of Abuja  were hit with another blast again this evening. A loud explosion was heard around Mopol Junction Bus Stop, Nyanya, Abuja. The explosion was reported opposite Nyanya bus park, scene of the last explosion which killed over 70 people. Deaths toll records about 120

Details coming in ....

NIGERIA IS NOT A POOR COUNTRY SAYS PRESIDENT JONATHAN

Jonathan at the may rally at eagle's square, Abuja

The President today during a rally at the eagle's square Abuja, faulted the world bank statement that Nigeria is one of the five  poorest nations in the world, he said "Nigeria is not poor". The president deemed it worthy to give exemplary instances to showcase the wealth of the Nigerian people by equating it to luxurious material acquisitions. Read in the words of President Goodluck Jonathan;

PICTURE STORY: NEW TRAINS SET TO HIT THE RAILWAYS BY NRC

Photos and Story Credited to LIB

Got these train images from Lindaikeji's blog. Compared to the noisy and scruffy looking trains we had, this is the new deal and will be rolling out real soon. According to LIB, these trains were Ordered by the MD of NRC, Dr. Adeseyi Sijuwade. See more photos of the well furnished train. I hope it lasts(lols)...

NATIONAL CONFAB EXTENDED, DELEGATES EARN MORE

The on-going National CONFAB has been extended by six weeks. The conference which commenced on the 17th of march 2014 was expected to last for three months, ending June 19 will now end July 31. There was no specific reason given for the extension, However a spokesperson for the conference, James Akpandem, said he is not aware of the extension. Reports say, the extension is contained in the work plan to be released to delegates next Wednesday.

PREMIUM TIMES had reported how the conference leadership had agreed to seek extension from the federal government after it met with leaders of its 20 Standing Committees on Monday.
The standing committees were expected to send their report to the conference leadership by Wednesday, with many seeking extension.

With the extension of the conference, the 492 delegates will be getting N4.5 million more instead of the 9million at the end of 3months, bringing the summation to N13.5 million at the end of the conference.

Each of the 492-member (with three absentees) conference receives about N3 million monthly.

KEMA CHIKWE SLAMS GOVERNMENT ON ABDUCTED GIRL'S, SHETTIMA REPLIES HER

Kema Chikwe

The women leader of the Peoples Democratic Party Kema Chikwe, challenged the Government and all stakeholders of the Government Girl's College, Chibok to release the names and pictures of the abducted girl's, to ascertain the girl's who were abducted, she said this during a joint prayer session held in Abuja yesterday.

Mrs Chikwe went further to say“Let the truth be told with God’s intervention. Our hearts are bleeding, not just broken. Please, God, send the Chibok girls home to their mothers and families. We plead with the school authorities to release their names and their pictures. Let God touch the hearts of those who know and have perpetrated this heinous action.” 

The governor of Borno state did not take the insunations made by Kema Chikwe lightly. The special Advicer to the governor on media Isa Gusau released a statement which reads: 

Governor  Shettima, Borno State

“We have read with very rude shock, media reports attributed to National Women Leader of the PDP, raising doubts on whether indeed, schoolgirls were abducted at Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok on April 14, 2014 or not. This is clear case of bringing politics into a serious national issue that bothers on the lives of over 200 schoolgirls which is highly unfortunate.

“We find that report a big affront that undermines the National Security Council which held a meeting that dwelled extensively on the matter with a directive to the armed forces to rescue the girls.

“By her remark, Chikwe has undermined the integrity of all of Nigeria’s security forces because her questions appear to mean that the security agencies in the country do not know what they are doing for holding a National Security Council meeting and deliberating on something that was doubtful and yet giving directives to address it.

“This incident happened 17 days ago, every Nigerian expects that by now, the security agencies must have been carrying out investigations that might have included debriefing some of the girls that escaped from captivity, speaking with parents and other students of the schools. Chikwe’s remark seems to attack the integrity of the security agencies, giving the impression that nothing was done”.

PHOTOS FROM #BRINGBACKOURGIRLS PROTEST IN LAGOS AND ABUJA

The #BRINGBACKOURGIRLS protest started early in the morning in Abuja despite the rain. The women did not mind being drenched in the rain. The protest was led by former minister Oby Ezekwesili, also supported by civil society groups.

Also in Lagos, people came out in their thousands for the solidarity work. Some celebrities showed up to add colour to the walk, see more pictures below

HAPPY NEW MONTH #BRINGBACKOURGIRLSBACK

Every other month we dedicate to ourselves or to something special to us, but this month we dedicate to the children by lending our voices to them. Happy New month, Happy workers day. #BRINGBACKOURGIRLS

BRITISH ACTOR BOB HOSKINS DIES @ 71 FROM PNEUMONIA

Am sure you remember him from some of your favorite movies like "A Christmas Carol" and "The Long Good Friday" and other amazing soap Operas and movies he did. 
The British actor, Bob Hoskins died on Tuesday night from pneumonia. He died at age 71 and is survived by his wife Linda and five children.
Bob had an amazing career that spanned from stage drama to the big screen in london then proceeded to Hollywood.The star won a Bafta and was Oscar-nominated in 1987 for crime drama Mona Lisa, in which he starred opposite Sir Michael Caine and Robbie Coltrane. He announced he was retiring from acting in 2012 after being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. See more pictures from movie scenes below:

#BRINGBACKOURGIRLS

The days are getting older and the situation is getting unbearable, it is been two weeks since our girls were abducted(Government Girls College, Chibok). And it seems Our nation just suddenly went cold as if nothing has happened, things returned to normalcy while our girls out there in the middle of nowhere hoping that we will come to their rescue. But no we have all returned to our market places because she is not our daughter, we have returned to our offices because she is neither our cousin nor Sister, we have gone into our glass houses and locked our doors against them because they not our neighbours, friends, nieces.

Sometimes i have tried to imagine, creating mental pictures of what these girls are going through in the middle of the forest. Where do they sleep? on a mat or grass, How do they Sleep? comfortably, or really scared, do they get to eat three square meals? Do they get change of clothes? For heavens sake they are girls and some of them must have had their monthly visitors, how do they cope? The traumatic experience of the exchange of  gun battles between their abductors and the Nigerian military, watching people die in cold blood, the constant moving around in the forest with  worn out or no shoes, thanks to heaven our No one leader knows what it means to have no shoes he should understand the plight better.

We need our Sisters home, we all can't fight the gun battle but we can lend our voices to join in unison to plea that they are rescued, so the world knows something has happened. Lets lend our voices tomorrow, if u cant be there @ CMS tomorrow use the social medium and write it everywhere for your friends allover the world to see. It is a solidarity call for freedom.

 #BRINGBACKOURGIRLS
They not just girls, they are daughters, sisters and our Future mother's. BRINGTHEMHOME

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CHANGE MOVEMENT NIGERIA PLANS MASS PROTEST TOMORROW MAY 1ST

As Nigeria’s social-political challenges mount, Change Movement Nigeria has announced a mass participation protest, named “Stolen Dreams Walk,” to take place on Thursday,tomorrow May 1, 2014.

“Every onlooker is either a coward or a willing collaborator,” the group said in a statement on Monday. “We have spoken enough at seminars, workshops and conferences. The time to act is now. Let us join hands to salvage our country.”

It said the ‘Stolen Dreams’ action will take place on at 9am at CMS, Lagos Island, and invited all Nigerians whose dream of a great nation has been shattered to come and join us in the event. 

DONALD STERLING GETS LIFE BAN, MAY SELL THE CLIPPERS

Donald Sterling

Yesterday, the National Basketball Associations imposed a life time ban on Donald Sterling, the billionaire owner of the Los Angeles Clippers for his racist comments.This may also mean that Sterling would have to sell the clippers. Guardian UK reports;