Boko Haram Invades Monguno Barracks, Traps 1400 Soldiers

Top security officials just confirmed to SaharaReporters that Islamist fighters today overwhelmed the 243 battalion of the Nigerian Army stationed at Monguno Barracks. The insurgents killed an undetermined number of soldiers and wounded the brigade commander of the barracks.
Our sources said soldiers who put up resistance to the invading insurgents were killed, adding that many soldiers then ran in different directions. They disclosed that 1,400 soldiers were stationed at the barracks at the time of the attack, adding that military authorities were not aware of their exact whereabouts or how many of them had been killed. “We still don’t know what has happened to them [soldiers], but we know that Boko Haram now controls the barracks and Monguno town,” one officer based in Abuja confirmed.

I’m not a foreigner – Buhari’s wife

Hajia Aisha Buhari, wife of Maj.-Gen Muhammadu Buhari, presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, has said that she is not a foreigner as being speculated in some quarters.
She spoke through Mrs. Deborah Iliya, a chieftain of APC in Kaduna State who represented her at the public presentation of a book, “Wind of change: 72 leadership qualities of Buhari,” written by a civil rights activist and Executive Director of Gatekeepers Foundation, Mr. Blessing Agbomhere, on Friday.

Promoters of election violence ineligible for American visas —John Kerry

Any Nigerian who promotes any form of election violence during or after election remains iineligible for US visas.
 President Jonathan with US Secretary of State, John Kerry at the State House, Marina, Lagos
US Secretary of State, John Kerry, who sounded the warning during a visit to Nigeria said his country is investing enormously to ensure credible elections in Nigeria.
Kerry made this statement at a news conference in Lagos, shortly after meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan and Major General Mohammed Buhari.
He urged all Nigerians to help make the elections free, fair and credible.

May 29 handover date sacrosanct, Jonathan tells US

President Goodluck Jonathan on Sunday assured all stakeholders including the United States of America that the May 29 handover date was sacrosanct.
He gave the assurance amidst calls by some individuals including the National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.), for the postponement of the February general elections.
According to a statement released by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, the President gave the assurance during a closed-door meeting he had with the United States Secretary of State, Mr. John Kerry, at the State House, Marina.

Maiduguri attack: President’s team trapped

Journalists, medical team, securitymen among team

53 terrorists, village head, 41 others killed

Brigade Commander injured in Monguno attack
By Kingsley Omonobi, Ben Agande & Ndahi Marama

Abuja—Some security personnel, journalists and the medical team, who accompanied President Goodluck Jonathan on his campaign tour of Maiduguri, Borno State, were still trapped in Maiduguri, yesterday, following attack on the city by the Boko Haram sect.

The team which was billed to have left for the venue of the President’s campaign, was still in the state due to the 24 hour-curfew imposed by the Nigerian Army on Maiduguri, the state capital.

One of those trapped told Vanguard on telephone: “We are hiding and there is serious fighting going on between the insurgents and security personnel. Security men are battling to repel the insurgents.

“The military said that troops have repelled the attack but they will have to comb the bushes to get rid of the insurgents and they said they might not finish today. Meaning that we can not leave today (yesterday).”

How to stop political violence, by Femi Falana

IN the 1990s, the results of credible elections were annulled in Nigeria, Algeria and some other African countries by dictatorial regimes. The political violence generated by such criminal annulment led to the disruption of the democratic process in the continent. In 2008, the refusal of the electoral body in Kenya to announce the results of the presidential election led to the brutal killing of over a thousand people .

Obiano’s Investment Drive Attracts Vehicle Assembly, Gas Distribution Plants to Anambra

Chief Joe Billy Ekwunife, Managing Director, Anambra State Investment Promotion and Protection Agency (ANSIPPA), Chief Willie Obiano, Governor of Anambra State and Chief Cajetan Muonagolu, Managing Director of Richbon Nigeria Limited during the MoU signing between the government of Anambra State and Richbond Nigeria Limited in the Governor's Lodge, Amawbia...at the weekend



Returning from the Yuletide break, the governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano has resumed his effort to accomplish his administration’s vision of making Anambra State the first choice investment destination and a hub for industrialization and commercial activities with the recent attraction of an automobile assembly plant and a natural gas distribution plant to the state.

MIX IT YOUR WAY AT THIS YEAR’S J&B™ MET

It’s a vibrant social mix of the fashionable and the famous, the groovers and movers and the thousands who seek to enjoy the intensity of life. On 31 January, South Africa’s oldest horserace, the 2015 J&B™ Met, takes place at Kenilworth Racecourse in the always picturesque setting of Cape Town. It’s an event truly di fferent to all others - brought to you by a whisky that’s ‘Made Di fferent’.

This year, the theme for the J&B™ Met is “Made for the Mix”, which calls on you to showcase how you pursue the unconventional path by combining di fferent fashion styles together, rubbing shoulders with a mix of di fferent people and dancing to a myriad of di fferent beats. The “Made for the Mix” theme is largely inspired by the recently launched J&B™ Urban Honey – a spirit aperitif that mixes whisky with the flavours of honey. It is that which is seemingly unrelated that combines to create something outstanding.

Delta Air Lines posts 70% profit in December 2014 year-end financial results

Delta Air Lines have reported a 70% profit increase in its financial results for the December 2014 quarter.

"Our 2014 performance – an industry-leading operation, superior customer service, and a 70 percent increase in profits – shows that Delta is focused on delivering growing value for its employees, customers and investors," said Richard Anderson, Delta's chief executive officer.  

"As we begin 2015, we have a significant opportunity from lower fuel prices, which will drive more than $2 billion in fuel savings over 2014.  Through our capacity discipline, pricing our product to demand, and the fuel savings, we expect to drive double-digit earnings growth, along with increased free cash flow and a higher return on invested capital in the upcoming year."

The Day Over 50,000 Persons Gathered At Agulu To Endorse Victor Umeh

It was a triumphant entry of a bold and courageous warrior. Just recently, over fifty thousand persons gathered at the Civic Centre in Agulu to endorse Chief (Sir) Victor Umeh as their candidate of choice for the Anambra Central Senatorial election.

People from the four wards and the twenty-two villages that make up Agulu trouped out en masse to Agulu Civic Centre to receive Umeh.