Cameroon Deploys Troops to Nigeria Border to Fight Boko Haram

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Aminu Wali, on yesterday said that Cameroon had deployed about 1,000 soldiers to Nigerian border to fight Boko Haram.

He made the statement in Lagos at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) 17th Brainstorming Session on “Nigeria’s Foreign Policy: Community and National Security Situation”. 

The minister was represented by Sola Enikanolaiye, a director in the ministry.

He said that the Cameroonian Government’s gesture was an outcome of the Paris Summit on Security in Nigeria.

“In responding to the threat being posed by Boko Haram, Nigeria had to embrace the opportunity presented by the May 17th,2014 Paris Summit on Security in Nigeria.

Kerry Washington's parents were ''terrified'' about her decision to be an actress

.tv3.ie- The 37-year-old star may have been nominated for an Emmy award for her role as Olivia Pope in drama series 'Scandal', but her mother initially encouraged her to become a lawyer rather than pursue a career in TV and film.

When asked by Stylist magazine if her parents were fearful about her career change, former yoga supply teacher Kerry explained: ''Terrified! My mother tried to talk me into doing a million other things. She used to say, 'Don't be an actor. Be a lawyer for actors.'

''I think every parent fears their child will be a starving artist - and with good reason because so many people wind up on that path. I'm very grateful they allowed me to pursue my dreams.''

Kerry - who has three-month-old daughter Isabelle with husband Nnamdi Asomugha - did admit that she almost gave up on acting, after giving herself just one year to make it into a full time job.

She shared: ''I had a really specific plan. I gave myself a year after undergraduate school to see if I could make some money. If it didn't work out I told myself I would go back to graduate or law school.

''If it didn't work out, I was willing to do other things for work. I wanted to at least give myself a shot, to invest in my own heart and passions.

''And I'm very lucky I was able to do a movie in that first year ['Our Song' in 2000] because I'm not sure I would've stuck with it otherwise. I'm very grateful that happened.''

MH17 black boxes arrive in Britain

Black boxes from the Malaysia Airlines plane downed in eastern Ukraine have arrived in Britain to be examined by UK air accident investigators.

Authorities say MH17's black boxes are apparently intact and it is hoped the black boxes recovered from the crash site in Ukraine will hold vital clues to the disaster.

British experts at the Air Accidents Investigation Branch will retrieve data from the flight recorders for analysis, following a request from the government of the Netherlands, David Cameron said on Twitter.

The experts expect to download all the information within 24 hours of retrieving them, a Department of Transport spokesman said. They will not publish their findings but will pass them on to Dutch authorities, who will then decide what information can be released.

Earlier Tuesday, pro-Russia separatists in Ukraine handed the two black boxes from Flight 17 over to Malaysian investigators in the city of Donetsk. Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak said the handover was part of an agreement he had reached with rebel leader Alexander Borodai.

League Management Company places embargo on 17 clubs

The  (LMC) has slapped clubs that are yet to fulfill their financial obligations to players with transfer embargoes, amongst other heavy sanctions, kickOffNigeria.com reports.

The LMC revealed that only three of the 20 clubs in the topflight have been able to establish that they have met their obligation to players at the end of the first stanza of the season.

The three clubs are – Kano Pillars, Abia Warriors and Bayelsa United. While 17 other clubs have not responded to a July 18 deadline to establish proof of compliance.

A statement from the Chief Operating Officer of the LMC, Salihu Abubakar, said the three clubs have as a result been the only Glo Premier League clubs that can buy players or secure players on loan in the on-going mid-season transfer window.

The LMC had pursuant to Sections 8.1.1 and 9.46 of the 2013/14 Rules and Frameworks, which deals with clubs’ Finance and Players Remuneration respectively, through a letter dated July 10 directed all clubs to provide evidence of compliance to payment of players’ wages.

The letter requested the clubs to furnish the LMC with such evidence that may include electronic or hard copy of clubs’ payroll, evidence of payment including bank transfers or signed vouchers and any other proof the club may make available. (thenationonlineng)

Brazil confirmed Dunga as new coach

thenationonlineng Brazil’s football federation (CBF) has sign  the appointment of Dunga as the country’s new coach.

The 1994 World Cup-winning captain returns for what will be his second stint in charge of the Selecao, having spent four years at the helm from 2006 to 2010, Goal reports.

He succeeds Luiz Felipe Scolari, who left the post after failing to secure Brazil’s first World Cup victory on home soil following a humbling 7-1 defeat to Germany in the semi-finals.

In Dunga’s previous spell in charge of his country, he won 42 and lost just six of his 60 games, guiding the five-time world champions to Copa America and Confederations Cup titles, but was criticised for his pragmatic approach.

The 50-year-old was sacked after suffering a World Cup quarter-final defeat to the Netherlands in 2010.

His first Brazil squad will be announced in late August ahead of the Selecao’s Gillette Brasil Global Tour friendly fixtures with Colombia and Ecuador in the United States.    

Female Lawmaker attacked in Ebonyi

Nnenna Nwene, a female member of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly, was attacked on Tuesday morning by tugs loyal to the impeached Speaker of the House, Hon. Chukwuma Nwazunku.

Nwene was attacked as she was driving to the residence of Hon. Ikechukwu Ogbu, a member in the new Speaker’s camp.

Ogbu’s residence serves as convergence venue for the 18 members loyal to the new speaker, Rt. Hon Helen Nwaobasi.

Nwaobasi, who is representing Abakaliki South in the House of Assembly, was installed as the new speaker by majority of the lawmakers on Monday.

Narrating her ordeal, Nwene said she was accosted as she was nearing the Lawrence Onor Street residence of Ogbu for a meeting with her colleagues.

She said, “They poured dirty water on me and threatened to deal with me for joining others to impeach the former speaker.”

Nwene said the attack has further strengthened her resolve to stand firm behind the new speaker and other decision’s they took.

Ogbeni Hopes For Victory In August 9 Poll

Governor of the State of Osun, Eng. Rauf Aregbesola and his Oyo State Counterpart, Senator Abiola Ajimobi have expressed confidence that their political party, the All Progressives Congress (APC),  will win the governorship election, as the party has delivered on its promises to the people. 

Addressing the crowd at the Rally ground in Ejigbo Federal Constituency in Ejigbo, Osun State, the Governor said  the visit to Ejigbo was the ninth in the series of the Mega Rally of the party, as it prepares for the August 9, Gubernatorial Polls.

The streets of Ejigbo town  became very busy as the crowd trooped out to welcome the campaign train of the All Progressives Congress to the town.

The campaign rally attracted all categories of people as Motorcycle riders Men and Women ,Old and  young ,even school  children were not left out as they chanted welcome songs to the convoy of Governor Rauf Aregbesola as it passed through  the town.

Governor Aregbesola arrived the Unity School, venue of the campaign rally in company of his Oyo State Counterpart, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, standing on the motorcade, dancing and waving the Party’s Symbol, the broom, to the enthusiastic crowd.

Both Governors gave their message to the people in the native tongue and said the Party has worked so hard to ensure that the dividend of  democracy is enjoyed by all just as they urged the people to let the flow of the APC be given a second chance.

While Speaking further, both the Governors said with the level of acceptance of the people, winning the election for the APC in Osun State  was a done deal.

The campaign team also visited the Ogiyan of Ejigbo, Oba Omowonuola Oyeyode-Oyesosin in his palace for royal blessings.  (channelstv)

Malaysia Airlines Crash- Train With MH17 Bodies Arrives at Last

thedailybeastThe train loaded with remains of victims of the Malaysia Airlines flight shot down over eastern Ukraine arrived in the government-controlled city of Kharkiv, where authorities have set up an investigation hub. The arrival comes after days of negotiating with separatists for access to the bodies. A spokesperson for the committee on the crash said they would “do our best” to return the bodies to the Netherlands onTuesday.

HIV breakthrough Exposes virus hidden in immune system cells

Danish researchers have used an anti-cancer medicine to to activate HIV hidden in the cells of patients taking anti-HIV drugs, exposing the virus to the immune system and making it susceptible to attack.

The results revealed on Tuesday constitute one of the major scientific discoveries hailed at the Aids 2014 conference in Melbourne, as much of the language shifts away from finding a cure to focusing on big steps in HIV treatment and prevention.

HIV hides in a state of hibernation in CD4 cells, an essential part of the immune system. Yet CD4 cells are unable to fight HIV themselves – that role lies with the immune system’s killer T-cells.

But because killer T-cells can’t detect the HIV hidden within CD4 cells, they are unable to attack and eliminate it from the body. While HIV patients on antiretroviral drug treatment often go on to have undetectable levels of HIV in their system, it is never eliminated.

There is always a reservoir left hiding in cells, undetectable to current screening tools and ready to take hold of the immune system again should patients stop their antiretroviral therapy.

But a research team led by Ole Søgaard at Aarhus University’s department of infectious diseases in Denmark has used the anti-cancer drug romidepsin to activate the virus and bring it out of hiding.

15,000 fled from Boko Haram attack’

More than 15,000 people have fled an area around the northeast town of Damboa after a spate of lethal assaults by Boko Haram fighters during the weekend, the emergency services said.

Suspected terrorists raided Damboa on Friday and Saturday, shooting dead more than 40 residents and burning houses, part of a pattern of killing that has forced tens of thousands to flee this year. They also attacked six nearby villages.

Boko Haram, which is fighting for an Islamic state in Nigeria, has ceaselessly targeted civilians this year in rural parts of Borno State, where its fighters fled after a military offensive dislodged them from the cities, Reuters says.

Abdulkair Ibrahim, a spokesman for the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in Borno, said the agency had records of 15,204 people who had fled Damboa and the six villages -Kimba, Madaragrau, Mandafuma, Chikwar Kir, Bomburatai and Sabon Kwatta.

Addressing journalists in the capital Abuja on Monday, Defence spokesman, Major-General Chris Olukolade, denied that Boko Haram had taken over Damboa and the surrounding areas, when asked about reports that the military had fled and the insurgents had hoisted their black flags in the town.

“We are not conceding any portion of this country to any terrorist group,” he said. “Our patrols are active and they are stepping up their activities to reverse any insecurity there,” he stated  (thenationonlineng)

Adamawa acting Governor meets Goodluck at Presidential Villa

President Goodluck Jonathan on Monday met behind closed doors with the Adamawa State Acting Governor, Ahmadu Fintri, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Speaking with State House correspondents at the end of the meeting, the Acting governor said he was at the Villa to see the President as the leader of the country in order to give him the details of situation in Adamawa State.

He denied the allegation that members of the state House of Assembly were given money to remove Governor Murtala Nyako.

He said: “Who gave the money? There must be an evidence of the person who gave the money. In this country, people are used to whatever situation that happened, it is about money. Who gave the money?”

On whether Nyako was removed to retrieve Peoples Democratic Party’s mandate in the state, he said: “You saw the allegations and they have been proven by the panel, so that cannot be the reason why we removed the man. There were even so many other issues that we could not bring as part of the allegations that formed his removal.”

“But definitely as a PDP man that has taken over as acting governor in Adamawa State, I have to say that I brought back to my party the stolen mandate by the former governor.”

Benefiting Friday Sermon From The Last 10 Days Of Ramadan, By Imam Murtada Gusau

In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful

First Sermon:

Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the world, and peace and blessings be upon the trustworthy Prophet Muhammad and upon all his family and companions.

I bear witness that there is no deity except Allah, having no associates, and that our master, Prophet Muhammad is the servant of Allah and His Messenger. May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon our guide, Muhammad, his family, his companions, and all those who will follow them in righteousness till the Day of Judgment.

As to what follows, I call upon myself and all of you to be ever conscious and do construct our lives in accordance to what He has ordered us. He says: “O you who have believed, fear Allah and be with those who are true.” (At-tawba: 119).

 O Believers,

Allah (may He be glorified) has conferred upon us the holy month of Ramadan, blessed us with its days and nights and overwhelmed us with the flow of its blessings whether during the first or the middle 10 days.

As we enter the last 10 days, the gem of Ramadan, we should always remember that this month is the best time of the year for doing good and engaging in worship. Indeed, these days and nights are the sap of this month and its fruits.

For this reason, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) used to strive hard at this time of the year, more than usual. His wife, Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) would exert himself in worship during the last 10 nights more than at any other time.

DSS Arrested member of the Bring Back Our Girls campaign Not Oby Ezekwesili

The Department of State Security has denied arresting a former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili.

Media reports had it that the leading member of the Bring Back Our Girls campaign was arrested, quizzed and released.

Mr, Ita Ekpeyong, Director-General of the DSS, explained  on Monday that there was no truth in the report.

Ekpeyong said the former minister was currently in London and there was no way she could have been arrested.

“Did she tell you she was arrested? Did you see her? She is currently in London and that shows you that she was not arrested. We did not arrest her,” he declared.

Ezakwesili alleged that her travelling passport was seized but was later released for her to continue on her journey to the UK.

Ex- Minister arrested by State Security at Abuja

Former Minister of Education, Obiageli Ezekwesili, was Monday morning arrested by security agents at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport,  Abuja, as she tried to travel to London for a scheduled engagement.

The operatives confiscated her travelling documents as well.

She was however released after the government came under intense pressure as news of her arrest flooded the social media and travelled around the country, with many Nigerians lambasting the administration for increasingly clamping down on critics and members of the opposition.

Mrs. Ezekwesili had tweeted at 7:37 a.m. Monday that she was heading to London to appear on the BBC Hardtalk programme but was prevented from boarding her flight by security operatives.

Is this a democracy? I am being detained by the SSS at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport . The SSS has refused to give my passport to me,” she posted. “On my way to London this morning for my @BBCHARDtalk appearance billed for tomorrow and the SSS has detained me by withholding my passport.”

Lawmaker Kicks Against Jonathan’s $1bn Loan Request To Equip Military

The minority leader of House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, of the opposition party, has advised the Federal Government to explore ‘Trade by Barter option’ in its effort to step up military hardware and train military personnel instead of piling up debts.

Mr Gbajabiamila, who frowned at what he tagged ‘President Jonathan’s penchant for loans’ when the country had Sovereign Wealth Fund, reserve and excess oil revenue, said the one billion dollars loan which the President was requesting for was one loan too many for Nigeria’s future generation to pay-off and would not be granted.

In a statement issued by his media aide, Olanrewaju Smart, the lawmaker said that the President had earlier collected a loan of three trillion Naira allocated to defence in three years with nothing to show for it and advised the National Assembly not to grant the request while urging the Federal Government to try “exchanging oil for military hardware”.