OAU Manfred Laugh WINS regional Moot Court Competition

Abuja-the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) University, Obafemi Ile-Ife, Osun State, on Friday in Abuja won the third African regional round Manfred Laugh Moot Court Competition.

The competition was organised by the International Institute of Space Law (IISL).

Miss Lulu Makapela, Councillor, South African Council for Space Affairs, made this known on the night of the award organized by the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASDRA).

They praised the OAU and the University of Pretoria, that came second for their brilliant performance at the Federal High Court, Abuja.

Final results from five schools, three from Nigeria and two from South Africa.

Aliyu Babangida, Abubakar, begs others to help end Boko Haram

Babangida Aliyu of Niger Lapai-gov on Saturday urged major General Abdulsalami Abubakar to prevail on past leaders of the country to help curb insurgency rocking the northern region.
Doktor, the question that the President, the Northern States Governor Forum (NSGF), is created on the first summons of the Ibrahim Babangida Badamosi University, Lapai, Niger.
He expressed the hope that the security challenges in the Northern States in the next three months could be overcome.
Abbas insisted that with the joint efforts of prominent Nigerians, the unbearable situation in the North would soon be a thing of the past.
"I call on major General Abdulsalami Abubakar Gen. Theophilus Danjuma, Alhaji invite Shehu Shagari, Babangida, Gen. Ibarahim get together and help the north side the plague of Boko Haram in the next three months."

Nigeria is bij oorlog met onbekende vijanden-Jang

Gov. Jonah Jang of Plateau, on Friday, said Nigeria had been at war with unknown enemies and urged good sense people will rise to defend the country.

Jang made the comment when he the scenes of the twin bomb blasts in Jos visited Tuesday after cutting short his medical trip abroad.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that 78 persons were confirmed dead and several others received treatments for injuries.

"This is a different kind of war of the wars that we all know; These are enemies that are unknown.

"And these are the worst enemies you can fight because you don't know where they come from, you don't know where and how to tackle until suddenly you surprise are taken as it is now, '' he said.

The Governor felt that most of the perpetrators of the odious crimes were non-Nigerians, to kill Nigerians in the service of evil people in Nigeria.

"These people are is sponsored, they come to one place. They don't stay on the trees, but with people.

"We are made to understand that they are not in these bombs as bombs, but they bring them as materials and merge in one of our homes.

"Why is it difficult for people to report such cases? '' he asked.

The Governor said some of the activities of the terrorists could be checked if Nigerians were more safety-conscious.

"We should be suspicious of everything not just cars, one must be suspicious of everything and we should always call the Security numbers given to the public by security services report complaints '', he added.

Jang also advised politicians to stop using the emergency like the one Nigeria itself to cheap political advantage.

On the kidnapped girls Chibok, Jang said, "we are all sad about the disappearance of these girls and the Federal Government is working seriously with the international community to find where they are.

"They want the President to Chibok, go the bush to search for the girls themselves? ''

According to him, some of those marching in the streets against the Government those who had held positions of the Government and could not perform.

Jang told politicians to help the Government through their connections to peace Institute solutions instead of President into disrepute.

"This is our nation, we do not have any other nation to, Africa is looking for us, we are the largest black population and we pretend we don't know who we are.

"We are all Nigerians, when the time comes, we should play politics from politics, but as the time for emergency cases such as this, we should be honest and do ' square ', he said.

He said the State Government would clear the busy Terminus market where the bombs exploded to prevent a recurrence of such incident. (NAN)

Boko Haram fears in a city hostage

MAIDUGURI (AFP)-the Nigerian city of Maiduguri quieter than this time last year but locals in Boko Haram spiritual home still feel under siege, afraid to venture outside the city limits because of the high risk of an attack.

Civilian vigilante groups chased the militants in June last year after a wave of almost daily bombings, shootings and the military response of a scorched earth policy which saw citizens pay dearly.

The Islamic insurgents, whose kidnapping of over 200 schoolgirls last month led to international outrage, two military installations in the capital city of the State of Borno attacked in December last year, and hit again in March.

A bomb ripped through a crowded market in January, such as Boko Haram violent campaign make a Islamic State in Northern Nigeria entered its fifth year.

But the biggest fear is what lies outside: heavily armed gunmen prowling block roads in the bush, dressed in military uniform, focused on the motorists and rampaging through villages.

Despite the relative calm in the northeastern city, resident Ari Kaka said: "We are practically besieged Boko Haram.

"It's always a nightmare to leave the city because barricades Boko Haram set up on main roads, often robbing and killing travelers," he told AFP.

"Leave the city is digging into the unknown, with the prospect of bumping into bloody gunmen very high."

-Implement the glove-

Kaka, a textile trader, travels to North Nigeria commercial hub Kano twice a month to buy his wares.

He describes the seven hour drive as "an emotional torture", fraught with the danger of running into marauding rebels.

His fear is justified.

In September last year 167 people were killed at Boko Haram gunmen barricaded the highway 70 kilometers (43 miles) outside Maiduguri.

They shot and sex travelers before the destruction of a large part of the nearby town of Benisheik, which is still in ruins.

"I shudder every time I pass Benisheik because the destruction makes me think to the massacre and reinforces the fear that Boko Haram could be lurking in the bush and can attack at will," he said.

Maiduguri University student Mahmud Othman comes from Northern Jigawa State. She says the return journey five hours, after a visit to a home for the holidays, is a nervous experience.

"The day before school resumes, I keep a nightly Vigil praying for divine protection from Boko Haram on my way back," she said.

"It's always a tense trip and I only feel safe when I enter the city."

-No travel after sunset-

Motorists breathe a sigh of relief when they reach bona fide military and police checkpoints.

People say that no one minds paying a "token" to pass, despite signs warning against the practice.

"I know it is illegal to pay money to the soldiers and police officers manning the checkpoints but I had rather part with a token than be massacred by Boko Haram," said the bus driver Adamu Nata'ala, who regularly travels the route between Kano and Maiduguri.

As a precautionary measure to ensure they reach motorists try Maiduguri before sunset and usually drive in a convoy.

The burned out shells of cars and trucks litter the highway, a constant reminder to motorists by Boko Haram presence.

"Boko Haram can strike at any time, but they are more likely to fall of highways in the evening, which is why we make sure we left early in the morning and arrive in Maiduguri in the day time," he said.

In March last year, Boko Haram, whose name loosely translates as "Western education is prohibited", attacked and burned villages along the highway and Canoe Mainok Jakana, killing about 80 people.

Both attacks were carried out after sunset.

-Fear of the unknown-

Travel north towards the border with Cameroon and Chad, where Boko Haram campaign largely concentrated, is even worse for Maiduguri the warring inhabitants.

"I haven't been to my hometown to see my family in the past two months, because I'm afraid of Boko Haram ambushes on the road," said Ibrahim Grema, which comes from Bama, 70 kilometers (40 miles) away.

Boko Haram fighters move frequently in the area between and Bama, Maiduguri but the motorists who walk in them seldom live to tell the tale, he added.

The insurgents have improvised camps in the forest and around the city of Sambisa Dikwa. To achieve both, they should cross the highway Maiduguri-Bama.

"They cross the highway at least four times in a week to and from the two camps, which is why people try to avoid the highway," said Grema.

"It is safe in the city but once you step out you don't know what lies ahead."

Tukur lauds 25 APC decampees about back to PDP

FORMER National President of the Democratic Peoples Party, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, has described the defection of 25 members of the all Progressives Congress, APC, to the PDP in Adamawa State as a landmark political development for the party in the State. In a statement signed by Tukur of Special Assistant, Oliver O, he said the decision of all legislators to return to the PDP where they originally belonged the members as great men of proven political honor and integrity.Express happiness about the issue, he said that the action had "firmed up and effectively cemented the positive advancement and control of Adamawa state politics as a PDP. As an elder statesman, and one of the founding fathers of the party who is also from Adamawa comes, I am convinced that the PDP will certainly take over the governance of the State by 2015.

"However, he asked the lawmakers to support President Goodluck Jonathan and the PDP leadership at all levels, ensure that all of them were equal owners and members of the party, which would be given their rights and recognition regardless of the events of the past.

AYC 2015 Qualifiers: Flying Eagles whip Tanzania 4-1 to advance

Kaduna – the Eagles Flying on Saturday beat their visiting Tanzanian counterparts 4-1 in Kaduna to qualify for the third and last of the qualifications of the African Youth Championship (AYC) 2015 round.

The national under-20 men's soccer team qualified on a 6-1 aggregate, after winning the first leg match two weeks earlier 2-0 in Dar es Salaam.

They will be the winners of the second round match between Lesotho and Angola now faces in August in order to a location the AYC in Senegal in March.

In the match played in the stadium Bello Ahmadu in Kaduna, Nigeria hosts took the lead in the seventh minute through Karim Ibrahim whose low shot beat goalkeeper Hamad Joma.

After 16 minutes, however, pulled the Ngorongoro heroes level, Banda Hassan curled a free kick from outside the box when outdoor Eagles Flying goalkeeper Joshua Enaholo.

Musa Yahaya put Nigeria on top of other Windows in the 33rd minute, moments after He threw away a sitter and Wilfred Bubbly Awoniyi the head off a corner missed target narrowly.

Two minutes later, Awoniyi composed for are several accidents with a third goal for the Eagles Flying who keep control of procedures.

Ibrahim would have made it 4-1 three minutes before half time, but chose to shoot at goal and missed the mark.

Substitute Chidera Eze made the game safe for the Nigerian side in the 69th minute by their fourth goal.

The location of the match was filled capacity for the game.(NAN)

South Africans booed on Jonathan, #BringBackOurGirls

(AFP)-President Goodluck Jonathan was greeted with cries of "bring back our girls" when he arrived at the premises of the Union, where Zuma was inaugurated. Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan is among more than 20 heads of State gathered for the event.President Jacob Zuma's inauguration in Pretoria for African leaders will hold informal talks on the security situation in Nigeria, South Africa's Government said on Saturday. Government spokesman Clayson Monyela said they would meet to talk about security in Nigeria, where the kidnapping of 276 college girls has uncovered the Government's inability to tackle a rebellion by the Islamic Group Boko Haram.

The discussions follow a wave of attacks in Nigeria, which is under increasing international pressure to tackle the increasingly bloody uprising.

Islamic students repeat commitment to nation-building

Abuja-the Muslim students society of Nigeria (CENTRAAL STATION) on Saturday said that it would continue to contribute its quota to the development of the nation.

National Ameer (Chief) of the society, Folayemi, Alhaji Sirajudeen made the comment at the Union 60th anniversary Grand Finale reading in Abuja.

According to him, the company served as a powerful tool for national unity and cohesion in the country.

He said the society's members across the geographical and ethnic barriers that made it easier for the get together and plan for the good of the country.

Folayemi said the society had succeeded in promoting national integration and building bridges through its programmes and activities.

According to him, the society's activities emphasize the values and the brotherhood of Islam in particular and unity of mankind in General.

He said that the major purpose of the society was aimed at giving an adequate reorientation to the future leaders "as we that moral, proper posture and the dignity of labor was the gateway to national development believe.

"Today, the society has continued until generation of excellent leaders who have contributed tremendously to the development of the nation.

"Society has managed the Muslims vote in closer to the Union and customer teams in them true Islamic spirit and faith in Allah.

"It has also promoted and the general welfare of the Muslims also defended their fundamental human rights and defended in each community," he said

Guest speaker, Alhaji Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, former Governor of Kano State, said early in his life as a member of I was on FOOT, and to date, the Union implanted in him a broad view of Islam.

He called for the revitalization of society so that it can continue to train Islamic students to stay upright and expressions of graduates ready to contribute to meaningful social development.

"Most Islamic students gained their understanding of Islam as a way of life I was on FOOT, in particular through organised lectures, workshops and symposia," he said.

The former Governor called on both the old and new members to come together and move forward the society and the nation. (NAN)

2014 AWC Qualifiers: Super Falcons trounce hosts Rwanda 4-1

Abuja-Nigeria's senior women's soccer team, the Super Falcons, hosts Rwanda in Gisenyi on Saturday thrashed 4-1 in a first leg match in the qualifiers of the African women Championship (AWC) 2014.

In the contest of Abuja, the Falcons started the game brightly by dominating procedures, but also threw them away the many scoring chances they created.

However, Asisat Oshoala, opened in the 37th minute with a volley League determining of Oshoala desire Oparanozie in the box, while three minutes later for the second goal.

The six-time African champions 3-0 immediately after resumption when team captain Evelyn Nwabuoku found Esther Sunday that the Rwanda beat goalkeeper with a low shot.

Rwanda pulled a goal back in the 65th minute when Clementine Maria Teresa free kick beat precious Dede in goal for Nigeria.

Seemingly stunned by the goal, the Nigerian girls piled pressure on their hosts and Oparanozie has been reduced in the penalty area.

They rose if you want to convert the resulting penalty kick for the Falcons fourth goal in the match.

Speaking after the game, falcons coach who did Edwin Okon said it was a good match for her side, even though he felt the scoreline no justification for the game.

He said the Falcons should have scored more goals if they had converted the numerous chances created.

"It's a good game, a good win. We didn't expect it to make this easy, but we take positives in the girls team work. But they lost so many scoring chances.

"However, we will go back and work on them to ensure they do not repeat again the fog in Nigeria, '' O'hagan said.

The second stage of the qualification will be played in Nigeria on June 7.

The AWC is scheduled to in Namibia from 11 October to 25 October.(NAN)

Real Madrid-Atlético to the light of Lisbon

Their UEFA Champions League final experience would hardly be more different but the coaches of Real Madrid CF and Club Atlético de Madrid are United in the belief that their meeting in Lisbon a tactical battle will be decided by which set of players ' receive the right instructions '.

While they have a first for 12 years-nine-time winners Madrid in their 13th European Cup final – Atlético de only previous venture to this phase ended in disappointment in 1974. This is coach Diego Simeone's debut season in the UEFA Champions League; his opposite number Carlo Ancelotti, on the other hand, has an association with the competition stretching back nearly 30 years.

"I have a lot of this contest; I have won it four times, this is my seventh final, so I don't ask for more, "said the Madrid coach. "Everyone knows how important this game is for Real Madrid but my job is to do my best to help us win this contest – and we are really close."

Atlético been European Cup but not in the last forty years have lifted the UEFA Europa League in 2010 and 2012, do not lack for big-game experience – a point their coach was keen to stress.

"This is a great opportunity and a great opportunity; I don't feel so overwhelmed as some people seem to think, but I feel the responsibility, "said Simeone. "There is a lot of people who trust in us and I hope we can live up to that."

Diego Costa (hamstring) and Arda Turan (pelvic) have been having intensive treatments on injuries sustained in last Saturday's Liga-clinching 1-1 draw against FC Barcelona, and Simeone refused to be drawn on their likely availability-or otherwise.

"They trained better [Thursday] so we'll have to see how they train and feeling and we will decide on that basis," he explained. "Arda and Costa are just names; they are both very important players in the team, but there's other players who can come in. We are prepared for what happens. "

On the side of Madrid, 16-goal Cristiano Ronaldo missed last weekend closure of the League's 3-1 win against RCD Espanyol while Karim Benzema (muscle) and Pepe (calf) are injury doubts. "Cristiano does not have any problems, he trained well," Ancelotti said.

"He is a very important weapon-his stats are there for everyone to see, and we need him. Pepe and Benzema have not trained this week. They have to start training with the others, and then we will see. "

Simeone – that could be the third non-European coach to capture the European Cup football club tournament-was quick to point out the importance of the "ignore all external factors" around the biggest game in club football and played down his own role in Atlético de remarkable successes since his arrival 2011. "This is great; as coaches, we have grown as a result of the players we have worked with, "he said.

"I have to work according to what my players need and want to set of the match in the best way possible. We know where we have to be careful and we will try to find ways to move forward. "We just won the Spanish League, a great success, but there is work to be done for this unique competition". "

As for the Merengues Ancelotti knows exactly what will be required of him in the last hour before kick-off. "You can say many things, or you can say nothing. My work is focused on the tactics that we use; I have very clear instructions give my players. These are the games where you don't have to work hard to motivate them-they are highly motivated. I now have a lot of dreams. [' La Décima '] you can consider an obsession or a dream. My thought is that it is a dream, and we would like to reach the dream. "