Forty-Year-Old Nigerian Woman From Enugu Among Victims Of Mass Shooting In Oakland California

Forty year old Nigerian mother of three, Doris Chibuko, was among the victims of a deadly shooting at the Koreans Nursing school in Oakland, California on Monday.

Doris was among the 7 people fatally shot by a lone gunman at Oakland's Oikos University in Oakland.

Doris hails from Enugu state in South Eastern region of Nigeria. Before migrating to the US she studied and practiced law in Nigeria before marrying Efanye Chibuko in 2002.

The killing of Doris happened two months away from her planned graduation from the small private college. She and her colleagues were murdered by a fellow student One Goh who later surrendered to the police in a supermarket

Senegal's Ndour named culture minister

World music icon Youssou Ndour has been named Senegal's minister for culture and tourism in President Macky Sall's cabinet, according to a government decree.

"It is a great day for Senegal, a great day for Africa... now we can get to work! I am very happy, very moved. It is democracy which has won," Ndour said after the announcement on Wednesday.

The Grammy-award winning singer, a fierce critic of former leader Abdoulaye Wade who hung up his microphone to campaign for Sall, forms part of a small government of 25 people appointed by Prime Minister Abdoul Mbaye.

One of Africa's most recognised artists, Ndour sent shockwaves through the music industry when he announced in January he was giving up performing to run for president amid rising tension over the incumbent's bid for a third term in office.

However, shortly afterward the country's constitutional council rejected his candidacy on the grounds that he had failed to provide enough valid signatures to back his application.

The same court ruling validated Wade's contentious candidacy, sparking deadly riots as anger grew over the 85-year old's plans to rule for another seven year term.

Allies appointed

Ndour jumped to the forefront of an opposition campaign to unseat Wade and was often seen at protests addressing the crowd.

When Macky Sall emerged as the most likely candidate to beat Wade, and 12 failed candidates threw their weight behind him, Ndour also hit the campaign trail for the opposition candidate.

Sall won the election on March 25 with 66 per cent, and when he entered the presidential palace as the nation's new leader on Monday, Ndour was there as they watched Wade leave power.

Sall appointed allies in key positions such as home affairs, justice, foreign affairs, communication and education.

Banker Amadou Kane, former head of the Senegalese branch of French bank BNP, was named minister of the economy.

Well-known ecologist of Lebanese origin Ali Haidar, who has been heavily involved in the protection of the country's marine environment, was named minister of ecology.

Movie review: Titanic 3D

Leo Even Hotter In
Three Dimensions!
Just in time for the 100th anniversary of the first, and tragically only, voyage of the RMS Titanic, one of the greatest epic romance films returns in 3D. Can this modern “trickery” really add to what is already a classic film? Oh, yes!

I have to come clean. I love this movie. It has everything one could hope for when going to the cinema: Romance, gorgeous costumes, amazing actors, history, terror, tragedy, heroism and sacrifice. But I have to say I was a bit skeptical about watching it through a pair of 3D glasses. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the 60-week 3D conversion process to make Titanic 3D cost $18 million and this reviewer thinks it was worth every penny.

To start, the 3D in the underwater scenes, showing the battered, sunken ghost ship, only enhances the über-eerie abyss. As fish and plankton float in front of your face, you get the feeling you are down there — way down there — with the skeleton of the ship. Having recently viewed photos of some newly retrieved artifacts posted on the National Geographic website, each broken clock and listless baby doll seems all the more tangible.

Then of course, there is the romance between Jack (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Rose (Kate Winslet), which doesn’t need any special effects as it is literally a rose blossoming before our eyes. The scene where he sketches her like one of his "French girls" is still my favorite. Jack smearing the charcoal on the canvass as he draws lovely Kate in the nude is just as erotic as if his fingertips were touching her actual body. This must be one of the best love scenes on film: It's steamy, intimate, carnal and still PG-13. Well done, James Cameron.

The real fun of the 3D however, kicks in when the ship cracks against the devil of an iceberg and the unsinkable does the unthinkable. The scope of the ship rising up out of the water, hull cracking, with Jack and Rose hanging onto the railing while other less-fortunate third-class passengers fall to their icy deaths is breathtaking and makes great use of the technology. I felt as if I were on a thrill ride, to the point where I had to keep reminding myself the actual Titanic did sink on April 15, 1912, almost exactly 100 years ago. Titanic remains epic and beautiful and the 3D gives it a 21st-century viewing experience.

Bottom line: If you haven’t seen Titanic in a while or ever at all, this is a must-see entertainment experience. Enjoy!
Photo credit: Paramount Pictures

Samuel Eto's wife exposes breatises at public pool

The most decorated African player of all time and one of the highest-paid footballers in the world Samuel Eto'O is married to a gorgeous Ivorian woman named Georgette Eto Fils, and they have three children. Georgette lives in France with her children. During a trip to the US, the mother of three was photographed sunbathing topless at a public pool.

To see the photos, you have to be at least 18. Continue to see it...and enjoy the view...:-)

Seun kuti & Fela's Egypt 80 live in new york April 8th 2012

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In New York this weekend? Here is an event definitely worth checking out. Seun Kuti the son of legend Fela Kuti will be performing in New York alongside his dad’s famous band, Egypt 80.

Seun Kuti & Fela’s Egypt 80

Opening Act(s): Zozo Afrobeat, DJ Rich Medina

Sunday, April 8, 2012

Showtime @ 8:00 PM

Doors open @ 7:00 PM

Tickets $25 in advance, $30 day of show

Sound Sultan, Teeto and Chidinma for One Mic Naija April

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The fastest growing live artiste showcase in Nigeria, One Mic Naija is back this month with a line up of some of the biggest, best and most interesting live performers, not just in Nigeria, but in Africa!

Not only have Sound Sultan, Teeto and Chdinma signed up to perform, but Dee Moneey, hailed as the Ghananian Wonderkid, will also be performing at the event on April 29th!

Sound Sultan is a prolific and talented singer-songwriter and producer who needs no introduction! His songs like ‘Jangbanjantis’, ’2010′ and ‘Very Good Bad Guys’ have all become hits, and he has worked with a lot of major acts both home and abroad!

Also billed to perform is Chidinma. Ever since winning Project Fame, Chidinma has worked tirelessly to ensure she is not just another reality show winner! She has worked with producers like Cobhams Asuquo and Tee-Y Mix and currently has two singles out- ”Jankoliko” and ”Kedike”.

Teeto won the Channel O Emcee Africa competition in 2008 in Nigeria, was on one of the biggest anthems in 2009 “The Finest”, and also released his own single and video, ”Oshamo”. In 2010, Teeto released his own mixtape, ”Da Freshness”. His new single comes out this month and fans can hear it live at One Mic!

Dee Moneey is currently one of the youngest acts making mainstream music in Ghana. Born Desmond Kwame Amoah, he is a gifted songwriter, rapper and performer!

Grey C is signed to ‘Naija Ninjas’ and she’s a singer, songwriter and hair stylist!!! Her current single is titled ‘Closer’ and it features Vector.

Rounding off the list of performers is the gifted rapper from Ibadan, Fela Yomi-Layinka aka Phizzle, is a rapper and media entrepreneur. His recent project is the 11 track E.P, ‘City to City: The Adventures of Waterboi P”

One Mic Naija is hosted by Kel and Kunle KB Bello and will hold at the GET Arena, Lekki Expressway!

One of the highlights of the show is the Open Mic contest! Up for grabs are Free Production/Studio sessions, Teeshirts, Phones and more, courtesy Coldflames Production, Effyzie Clothings, Live Mechanics and Etisalat Easy Cliq.

Media Support for One Mic is provided by 360 Nobs, abisona.com, iCR8media, Jaguda.com and Net. More support comes courtesy ‘Anuel Photography and Acme Concepts.

One Mic Naija is a WePlugGoodMusic initiative, powered by M.et.al Entertainment and s.h.a.r.e Media Entertainment and Networking.

LUXRURY BUS ATTACK ROBBERS CAUGHT BY POLICE! Arrest rape,robbery suspect and driver

LAGOS — The Ogun State Police Command, yesterday, said it had arrested four suspected members of the robbery gang that attacked Ekene Dili Chukwu luxury bus which was conveying 42 female secondary school students to Lagos, last Saturday, at the Oke-Odo end of Sagamu-Benin Expressway in Ijebu-East Local Government Area of the state.

The arrest was made just as indication emerged, yesterday, that the attack and reported rape on the teenage students could have been averted had the driver of the bus listened to warnings by motorists that robbers were operating ahead.



Consequently, the 52-year-old luxury bus driver, (names withheld) has been arrested and detained by operatives of the State Criminal Investigation Department, Elewe-Eran, Abeokuta.

Sources at the state CID told Vanguard that the driver would remain with them until he cleared the air on the matter.

Driver ignored warning

It was gathered that the gunmen barricaded the highway last Saturday night where they attacked motorists who slowed down on reaching the spot.

Some motorists reportedly suspected danger when they saw a road block ahead and stopped before the barricaded spot as they wondered why there was a road block in spite of its ban. Most of them reportedly remained on the spot, watching the turn out of event when it was apparent that robbers were operating ahead.

Motorists flagged the driver down, informing him of an impending danger ahead. But the driver reportedly ignored them.

Police sources said: “The driver is not new to robbers’ modus operandi and should have stopped to find out what the problem was.”

Suspects nabbed

Confirming the arrest, spokesman for the Ogun State Police Command, Mr Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said: “The Ogun State Police Command has arrested the driver of the luxury bus that conveyed the Enugu students who were attacked by some hoodlums at Ogbere along the ever busy Ijebu/Benin expressway at 11. 40p.m. on Saturday, 31/3/2012 and four others who have been suspected to have carried out the operation.

“The other suspects arrested are Oni Olopari, Innocent Omule, Gbenga Adebayo and Samuel Luca. Driver of the bus has identified Samuel Luca as one of those who attacked them that night.

“In the same vein, the command was able to recover some items in the suspects’ houses at Ijebu Ife and Ijebu Imushin, including some plastic chairs contained in a broken down vehicle at the scene of the robbery, the recovery of these chairs assisted the police to focus more on the suspects who were raided in their hideout at Ijebu Imushin after a tip off. The command is still intensifying efforts to arrest the fleeing members of the gang.”

During investigation, one of the suspects, Lucas, was discovered to have been residing in a military barracks in Ilese area of the the state before he was ejected for an undisclosed offence.

Transport firm blames parents

Meanwhile, the management of Ekene Dili Chukwu Transport Company Limited, in its official reaction three days after the incident said although the attack by armed robbers was regrettable, it, however, blamed the attack on some parents of the students.

The company’s General Manager, Mr. Charles Obiora, in an interview with Vanguard said the second bus sent to convey the stranded students travelled in the night because some parents insisted that their children must be brought to Lagos that night by all means. He stated that the company had a record of cordial relationship with the school and Parents Teachers Association, adding that the company has a standing policy not to travel at night following the spate of insecurity in the country.

…dismisses rape case

The company also dismissed as baseless and unfounded rumours that some students were gang-raped by the hoodlums who hijacked the bus, challenging any parents to show evidence of such from a government certified medical report.

According to Obiora, “the incident is highly regrettable, I must say but again, it will be suicidal for any transport company to send his driver on a long journey with a dysfunctional vehicle, especially that conveying students.

“On that day when we got the report that the bus conveying them to Lagos had developed fault, we promptly dispatched another one in good shape to fetch the stranded students but when we discovered that it was getting late into the night, we got through to the driver to drive them to a safe spot but some parents who were at our Fadeyi park insisted that they would not leave until they set their eyes on their wards.

“This was why the driver continued the journey to Lagos even against our policy. I want to say that the company maintains a 17-year robust relationship with the school and the PTA. Instead of engaging in a media war, parents should help the victims overcome the psychological trauma their wards have suffered from.

“It is true that the bus ran into a gang of armed robbers, but about 17 of the students had disembarked on the order of the hoodlums while they were being searched and robbed of their valuables but at the sight of a patrol van that was on routine patrol of the road, one of the robbers jumped into the bus and zoomed off into the bush not too far from the scene of incident.

“The vehicle and the remaining 25 students on board were later recovered where they were abandoned. I can tell you that nobody was raped and I challenge any parent who said his or her daughter was raped to come up with a medical report from a government hospital to that effect.”



Ig orders police motorized patrols on highways

Meantime, the Inspector General of Police, Mr Mohammed Abubakar, has ordered motorised police patrol of the nation’s highways to check incidences of banditry.

He said his decision to dismantle road blocks, which gave rise to incidences of toll collection, harassment of citizens on highways and other gory tales earlier associated with Police road blocks, was part of measures to reposition the police force.

However, based on fears expressed by some sections of the populace, the IG said: “All commands shall, with immediate effect, commence robust motorized patrols of federal highways within their jurisdictions to ensure safety and easy passage of road users. Nigerians travelling on our highways must have confidence of their safety with visible Police patrols.”

He said the command’s efforts would be complemented by a sophisticated Rapid Response Structure, which would be set up soon, to ensure that all federal highways were kept safe from armed robbery attacks, both during the day and at night.

The IG observed that Boko Haram attacks on Police personnel and other security agencies had reduced following measures put in place by Command CPs in the North East to reduce the level of casualty among, not only security personnel, but also Nigerians.

Abubakar, who spoke while at a conference he summoned for DIGs and Command CPs, also noted that the police force was going scientific in its bid to address the daunting challenges posed by criminals and criminality, especially now that criminals in all sectors were resorting to the use of ICT and other technologies to beat detection and arrest.

His words: “In the past few weeks, we have taken steps to reposition the force and provide a new direction for Police administration and operations.

“We believe that the steps we have taken so far are germane and will lay a strong foundation for a cohesive reform initiative which we hope will transform the Nigeria Police Force.

“This is exemplified in the enforcement of the directives I issued upon my assumption of office for the dismantling of road blocks, fight against corruption, decongestion of cells and other initiatives we introduced.

“Today, stories of toll collection, harassment of citizens on highways and other gory tales earlier associated with the police road blocks, no longer confront us. The road blocks have disappeared and I intend the situation to remain so.

“Although, the Nigerian public is apprehensive about the general loneliness of our highways with fears expressed about the possibility of armed robbers taking them over, I believe we shall keep our highways safe from armed robbers without restoring the old police road blocks.”

As reported by Vanguard, yesterday, shortly before the meeting commenced, Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of Administration, Mr Suleiman Fakai, asked one of the newly promoted Assistant Inspector General of Police, Philemon Leha, to step out as no AIG was expected to be present at the deliberation.

Lagos lawmakers advocate return of police check-point nationwide

In a related development, some members of the Lagos State House of Assembly, LAHA, yesterday called for the return of police check-points on major highways nationwide.

The lawmakers said the move was necessary to prevent the heinous activities of armed robbers currently on the prowl on the highways.

Mr Segun Olulade, a lawmaker from Epe II, said that the dismantling of police check-points had led to the return of more criminals.

Olulade, Chairman, Committee on Information, Security and Strategy of the state assembly, said that the presence of policemen at check-points in the past had created a sort of sanity compared to the current situation after the removal.

The assemblyman said that the IG should have put an alternative measure in place before dismantling the check-points, especially in the face of current security challenges in Nigeria.

He suggested the installation of security equipment and gadgets like the CCTV nationwide for easy identification of perpetrators of crimes.

Also commenting on the alleged rape, another lawmaker, Mr Yusuf Ayinla, (ACN Mushin II), described it as pathetic and called on the police to track down the perpetrators.

Ayinla said that it was inhuman for anyone to rob and rape some children regarded as future leaders.

On calls for the return of police check-points, the lawmaker said he was in support of advocates of the return of the police to the highway. ‘’I am in total support that the security check-points should be back in place until the Federal Government were able to put in a proper security communications gadgets network like in overseas.”

Ayinla, however, said that the police should be returned to the highways with some modifications that would allow for the comfort of motorists.

In his contribution, Mr Ahmed Omisore, ACN Ifako-Ijaiye II, said the return of the police to the highways would curb incessant highway crime. Omisore said that the absence of security personnel on the road posed more threat to motorists.

“Motorists are no longer safe driving from one place to another; some are harassed by hoodlums while some are robbed and raped along the highway”, he said