Eagles keepers battle for supremacy in Europe

Abuja - The Super Eagles technical crew must be resting easy at night knowing they have two of the safest pairs of hands in the world guarding the national team’s goalmouth.

First choice goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama and his deputy Austin Ejide are racking up numerous clean sheets for their club sides in Europe, Kick Off Nigeria reports.

At Lille in the French Ligue 1, Enyeama is currently four minutes away from surpassing PSG’s Salvatore Sirigu’s record of not conceding a goal in 948 minutes.

Meanwhile Austin Ejide has kept six straight clean sheets to help his side, Isreal’s Hapoel Be'er Sheva, take the top spot on the league table.

Jonathan summons security meeting over Borno attack

Abuja - President Goodluck Jonathan summoned an emergency security meeting following an attack by suspected members of Boko Haram sect in some parts of Maiduguri on Monday.

Those in attendance at the meeting were the National Security Adviser, retired Col. Sambo Dasuki, and the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Admiral Ola Ibrahim.

The others are the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika, and the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Alex Badeh.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that there was no official statement at the end of the meeting held in the office of the President at the State House.

The CDS, who emerged from the meeting at about 3.40 p.m., declined interview with the State House correspondents.

On the situation in Maiduguri, he said "it is being managed".

The Chief of Air Staff also declined to comments, saying "please ask the CDS, it is only the CDS that can talks for all of us".

NAN reports that following the attack by the suspected Boko Haram sect, the Borno government had imposed a 24-hour curfew on Maiduguri metropolis.

The Secretary to the State Government, Ahmed Jidda, had announced the decision in a statement released to newsmen in Maiduguri.

The statement said the curfew was imposed in consultation with the 7 Division of the Nigerian Army in Maiduguri.

During the period of curfew, government pleads with all citizens to remain calm.

"Only vehicles on emergency calls and essential services are allowed to move while the curfew will be lifted as soon as situation improves," it added. 

A private jet, 'backyard stadium' and a $62M tree house: The gift guide strictly for billionaires who have been VERY good this year

Robb Report's 2013 gift guide includes a $92million mega yacht with a 2,300-square-foot sundeck and glass-bottom pool (top left); a one-of-a-kind, triple-complication wristwatch from De Bethune worth $1.1 million (bottom left); a $62million tree house (center); a $30million 100-seat 'backyard stadium' (top right) and a $83million Sky Yacht custom private jet (bottom right).

Militants attack air force base

Maiduguri — Hundreds of militants in trucks and a stolen armored personnel carrier attacked an air force base and international airport on the outskirts of a Maiduguri before dawn Monday, officials and witnesses said, possibly leaving scores of people dead in one of the insurgent group's most daring attacks.

Two helicopters and three decommissioned military aircraft were "incapacitated" in the attack, said a statement from Brig. Gen. Chris Olukolade, the Ministry of Defense spokesman. He said some army bases also were hit.

Twenty-four insurgents were killed and many were wounded along with two air force personnel, Olukolade said in a statement.

The state government quickly ordered everyone to stay home and extended a night-time curfew to 24 hours in Maiduguri, the city near the air base which is also the birthplace of the extremist Boko Haram movement.

The militants also attacked Maiduguri International Airport, the official said. Olukolade said flight operations were temporarily disrupted but have resumed. International flights to Maiduguri stopped months ago but domestic flights had continued.

Explosions and automatic gunfire could be heard across the northeastern city from around 2:30 a.m. when the insurgents launched the attack with screams of "Allahu akbar," or "God is great."

The fighting continued until about 7 a.m.

Government and military officials said scores of people may be dead. Reporters saw military ambulances ferrying bodies to the hospital morgue.

Civilians living around the military base, which is off a main road, said they saw bodies with slit throats and corpses of insurgents burning in vehicles.

Olukolade said security forces are pursuing the attackers and urged citizens to report any fleeing insurgents who could be identified by gunshot wounds.

The witnesses and officials spoke on condition of anonymity for security reasons.

The attack comes a week after the military bombarded forest hideouts of the Boko Haram terrorist network near the border with Cameroon with air strikes and ground assaults.

One military officer put the number of attackers at around 500. It was unclear how such a large convoy could move undetected at night in an area under curfew, though the insurgents have seized many military vehicles and arms at the scenes of other attacks and witnesses have said they sometimes wear the same military fatigues as the army.

President Goodluck Jonathan imposed a state of emergency in May in three states, acknowledging the insurgents had seized control of many towns and villages, and flooded the area with security forces. The military quickly forced the militants out of urban centers but have appeared unable to halt attacks on soft targets like schools, remote villages and major highways where they set up impromptu roadblocks.

Last week, army spokesmen said troops are increasing security and deploying to border villages amid fears of attacks over the Christmas holidays and that the insurgency has spread to neighboring Niger, Cameroon and Chad. Boko Haram militants have claimed last month's kidnapping of a French priest in northern Cameroon, who had given refuge to Nigerian Christian refugees from the insurgency.

Hundreds of residents have fled Maiduguri, capital of Borno state, according to witnesses. Residents at the Borno state border with Adamawa state said more than 1,000 people, mainly women children and the elderly, are at the state border where they appear to feel safer.

___

Urinating robot for art prize

Londonderry - The creators of a naked male mannequin who pees into a bucket and a room filled only with conversation are in the running for Britain's prestigious Turner prize for contemporary art announced on Monday.

The €30 000 annual prize made famous by Damien Hirst and Tracey Emin is notorious for challenging the public's perceptions about what constitutes art.

The four nominees created a typically eclectic collection for this year's prize exhibition in Londonderry in Northern Ireland, the first time it has been staged outside England.

The work that got many visitors scratching their heads was Tino Sehgal's "This is Exchange", an empty room where guests are offered a small amount of money to engage in conversations about the market economy.

Another entry, David Shrigley's "Life Model", a larger-than-life naked humanoid robot which blinks and periodically urinates, was judged too offensive for some visiting school groups.

The model is presented as the subject of a life drawing and visitors are encouraged to sit down and sketch, their efforts later displayed around the room as if in a real class.

French-born Laure Prouvost presented a video installation featuring a short film, "Wantee", full of quick cuts and montage, set among a mock-tea party setting.

The fourth and most conventional artist to be nominated is Lynette Yiadom-Boakye, a portrait artist of Ghanaian descent and the first black woman to be in the running for the prize.

The Turner prize, the winner of which will be announced live on television on Monday evening, is unique in Britain in the way it sparks a debate among people who are not normally interested in art.

Somalia militants cosying up to al-Qaeda

                                           

New York - A new report to the UN Security Council says Somalia's al-Shabaab militants may be moving closer to al-Qaeda's "global ideology and agenda".

An advance copy of Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's report on Somalia obtained on Monday also says Ban is "extremely concerned about the loss of momentum" in the fight against the insurgents, who've long carried out attacks across the troubled East African country. He says al-Shabaab should not be allowed to recover and regroup from internal divisions.

The Islamic extremist group claimed responsibility for the September attack on a mall in Kenya that killed at least 67 people.

Ban's report also says Somalia is "making progress" toward national elections by 2016 but "the challenges of ... state-building are many."

Those include the long-running problem of hunger and a newer one, polio.

- AP

Borno defiant amid terror attacks

Abuja - Borno State Governor, Alhaji Kashim Shettima, was bullish despite the incessant attack on the region by terrorists.

Suspected Boko Haram members laid siege on the state most recently this past weekend when they caused immense damage to facilities in the state and killed a number of people.

The governor was dumbfounded by the sight of destruction in Maiduguri, especially the damage to military formation.

He nonetheless said locals would remain put despite the onslaught.

“This is our land, we are going nowhere, and we are going to flourish or perish here,” Shettima said.

Shettima said although property had been destroyed he was at peace to hear from the military authority that apart from few injuries no death was recorded during the attack on their facilities. 

However, two brothers were reportedly killed in a private residence in the state.

“The people of the state are definitely going to win the battle against the devilish sect, which is out to do no one any good,” said the governor.

State Commissioner of Police, Lawal Tanko briefed the governor on the destruction to the Bulumkutu Police Station, where the terrorists burnt down the station and two vehicles parked at the premises.

The 333 Artillery Regiment of the Nigerian Army was totally destroyed by the sect who were said to have had a free day for about six hours. The 20 blocks of building within the barrack was totally razed and over 30 vehicles torched as the soldiers were said to have fled the barrack when they met superior firepower of the terrorists.

A tour round the town showed that the western end of the town was totally destroyed by the terrorists who burnt down five petrol stations, over 20 petrol tankers, trucks and countless cars.

Three corpses believed to be members of the sect were found lying on the road as smoke was still billowing from burnt structures. 

Technology driven cargo company, unveils special holiday shopping for customers -

By Moses Nosike

Starting from Friday, November 29, one of the leading  cargo shipping giants, American AirSea Cargo, said it had begun to reward its customers around the world, particularly in Nigeria with special holiday shopping and shipping offers that will last through the Yuletide.

Speaking from the regional office, Lagos, Operational Manager, Hauwa Odebisi, said that the firm had rewarded its customers in this manner for the past four years.

She said: “We would ensure that our customers benefit as low shipping costs as $15 to ship items from America to Nigeria. “Such has never been heard of before, but we want to make this a reality for Nigerians this season. You will see savings of over N200,000 on just a single 60” TV set by using the system we have put in place for this season”.

American AirSea Cargo, which has achieved a lot in the area of global cargo shipping, using the latest technology available seeks to encourage individuals to have access to quality products this season irrespective of where they are. The company has procured first class facilities to make its operation easy and simple nationally and internationally.

This has helped the company to drive the confidence of its customers globally and compete favourably. More importantly, the devices in operation have helped the company render equal and quality services in all the countries where it operates without reservations, as it has taken it as its civic responsibility to maintain a cordial business relationship with its clients globally.

Such designed devise like its E-procure solution which is currently being utilized by thousands across Africa and Nigeria in particular, has enabled customers purchase items from any online store of their choice in America, UK, China etc. and have those items delivered right at their door step anywhere in Nigeria.

Odebisi said, this has really made international shopping for millions of Nigerians cheap, easy, safe and convenient and has brought millions of goods sold by global giants such as amazon.com, ebay.com, zappos.com, aliexpress.com right to the door step of Nigerians. This solution relies on allowing Nigerians to have their own private address in any of these countries, she said.

“In America, November 29th marks the starting of the holiday season and is popularly called Black Friday and marks the commencement of Christmas sales in U.S. Following the huge sales on Black Friday is Cyber Monday on the 2nd of December for those who miss the black Friday deal. All in all from the 29th till late January great discounts are seen throughout US stores and we hope Nigerians will use the sales opportunity to save thousands this year. Stores drastically reduce prices on virtually all items to encourage both local and even foreign buyers to make purchases. The deals and discounts seen from the 29th last till the end of the holiday season and even well into the month of January in America.

For sustenance of standards and quality service delivery, the tested and seasoned management team has made provision for consolidation option that allows purchases in multiple sites, but still have just  delivery and shipping cost. Moreso,  repackaging that reduces bulky items into smaller sizes hence lowering the shipping cost drastically is part of the things customers stand to gain during this special holiday offer, while warehouse monitoring online of all items procured using American AirSea Cargo innovative online portal.

In addition, customers have been assured of full tracking and monitoring of items until it gets to the final destination.

- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/11/technology-driven-cargo-company-unveils-special-holiday-shopping-customers/#sthash.FgMwcSZu.dpuf

The 8-year-old son of Roger Rodas, 38, was one of the first to the site of the horrific car crash that claimed the lives of his father and 40-year-old actor Paul Walker on Saturday/He-trying-dad-How-year-old-son-Paul-Walkers-friend-tried-save-pair-fiery-crash-image-Fast--Furious-star-40-getting-doomed-Porsche

Final photograph of Fast & Furious star Paul Walker... climbing into friend's Porsche GT just 30 minutes before he died in crash fireball

This tragic photograph captures actor Paul Walker, best known for his role in the Fast & Furious action movies, stepping into his friend's Porsche GT just moments before the horrendous crash in which the pair lost their lives in Santa Clarita, California, on Saturday. Walker died after his friend Roger Rodas lost control and his vehicle smashed into a pole and a tree before bursting into flames. Walker, 40, who was in five of the six films about illegal street racing and heists, had been at an event for his charity Reach Out Worldwide. The County Coroner has requested dental records as both bodies were so badly burned that it will take days for them to be positively identified.

Italian coast guard rescues 100 migrants

                                     

Rome - Italian coast guard officials rescued about 100 migrants on Sunday after they sent off a distress signal when their boat encountered rough waters, reported the Ansa news agency.

Those rescued included many women and children, reported officials.

The rough weather conditions prompted rescuers to send out multiple vessels and helicopters in the effort.

The rescue comes just two days after Italian officials rescued 370 people off the coast. Typically, migrant flows to Europe slow down with the onset of winter, as those seeking to reach Europe prefer to make the journey in warmer weather.

- SAPA

France-Africa summit: Mugabe won't send delegation

                                             

Paris – At least 40 African leaders gather in Paris this week for a French-led summit on improving security on the unstable continent following France's military mission in Mali and a new one in the Central African Republic.

The biggest international summit by France's Socialist President Francois Hollande since he took power is aimed at helping Africa tackle its security problems on its own with less and less Western backing from former colonial masters.

It comes against the backdrop of French plans to send troops to the Central African Republic and during a time when Paris, which has thousands of troops garrisoned in Africa, is being dragged into action while it is trying to reshape its relations with the continent.

The two-day summit starting Friday will be dominated by the latest unrest in the Central African Republic (CAR), where clashes between armed Muslim and Christian groups have raised fears of sectarian massacres.

France has called a mini-summit on the CAR crisis on Saturday after the Africa conference and UN chief Ban Ki-moon and officials from the European Union are due to attend.

The mini-summit will take place after the UN Security Council votes on France's plan to deploy about 1 000 soldiers to take on an active fighting role alongside a flagging African-led "stabilisation mission" in CAR.

The mineral-rich but impoverished nation has been plagued by coups and rebel uprisings since it gained independence from France in 1960.

The African force for CAR aims to have 2 500 troops but it has been hampered by a lack of funds, arms and training.

France in January intervened in its former colony Mali to stop Islamists and Tuareg rebels from advancing on the capital in a move that was hailed worldwide and boosted Hollande's sagging popularity back home.

Paris has a long history of interventions in Africa. It joined international military efforts to topple Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi and sent troops to Ivory Coast after a rebellion split the world's top cocoa producer in half.

It has also sent soldiers in the past to other African flashpoints including Chad, Zaire, Rwanda and Gabon.

Paris not 'the policeman of Africa'

Hollande, in line with France's avowed intention to forsake the so-called policy of "Francafrique", has said that Paris will "always be at Africa's side" but not be "the policeman of Africa".

Critics of "Francafrique" - a term denoting Paris's complex military and political ties with former colonies - say the policy is aimed at maintaining puppet states and keeping corrupt and despotic regimes in power if it suits French interests.

But the rise of Islamists in a vast swathe of the Sahara and nearby areas, piracy off the lawless waters of Somalia and the rising tide of illegal migration from Africa are factors weighing against a more discreet role for Paris.

Experts say given the state of affairs on the ground, France will be pushed towards intervention, especially in former colonies.

This is due in part "to a certain vision of what its responsibilities are and its moral commitment to protect civilians", said Aline Leboeuf from the French Institute of International Relations.

"Even if Paris has a real wish to remain in the background of a multilateral action, there are players who actually are waiting for it to intervene", she said.

Another key issue in the summit is a plan by the African Union to put in place a rapid reaction force to deal with coups, rebellions and unrest on the continent.

The AU's standby brigade has made little headway since preparations for a proposed force of 32 500 troops and civilians drawn from the continent's five regions started a decade ago.

New economic partnership

The Paris conference will also discuss a new economic partnership between Africa and France, based on a report drafted by French Foreign Minister Pierre Moscovici.

The West has been worried by Beijing's growing economic muscle in Africa. China overtook the United States as Africa's biggest trading partner in 2009 and critics accuse Beijing of turning a blind eye to rights abuses and rampant corruption in its bid to source raw materials from the region and sell finished goods there.

A West African diplomat said he hoped that the French report would entail "a shared economic agenda that would take into account everybody's interests and lead to a win-win" situation.

In parallel events on the fringes of the summit will be trade discussions between more than 500 African and French business leaders, and talks on conservation of threatened species as well as climate change.

Fifty-four countries have been invited but only Zimbabwe, whose veteran leader Robert Mugabe is still considered a pariah in the West for trampling on democracy, will not send a delegation.

- AFP

Moyes in dark over Rooney

                                                

London - Manchester United manager David Moyes says that he knows of no immediate plans to reward Wayne Rooney's fine form with the offer of a new contract.

Rooney scored a brace as United twice came from behind to draw 2-2 at Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League on Sunday -- his ninth and 10th goals in all competitions this season.

The England striker was reportedly on the verge of leaving Old Trafford during the close season but has since rediscovered his best form to keep United within touching distance of most of the early-season pace-setters.

The 28-year-old's current contract is due to expire at the end of next season but Moyes says there is no pressing need to tie him to a new deal.

Asked when the club might look to open discussions with Rooney over his contract situation, Moyes replied: "I don't really know.

"I think we're fine, we're just moving on from the summer. It'll get done in good course and the appropriate people will talk when the time's right."

A groin injury to Robin van Persie has obliged Moyes to recalibrate his attack in United's last three games.

Rooney played alongside Javier Hernandez in last weekend's 2-2 draw at Cardiff City but he was fielded as a lone striker in both the 5-0 Champions League win at Bayer Leverkusen in mid-week and the draw at White Hart Lane.

Moyes was not able to offer an update on Van Persie's condition after the game at Spurs, meaning that Rooney could be asked to lead the line alone again when his former club Everton visit United on Wednesday.

The defending champions also have concerns in central midfield.

With Michael Carrick injured and Ryan Giggs rested, Tom Cleverley was paired with Phil Jones against Spurs, but they struggled to give United a foothold in the game.

Moyes conceded that United had lacked control in that area of the pitch but he stood by the players he had selected.

"Recently the performances of Ryan Giggs and Michael Carrick (were important), so we were aware of that today (Sunday)," he said.

"We knew that could be somewhere where we (could have problems). But we've got two England internationals and they're both fine young players. One's 21 and the other's about 24 now, so they're both good players."

Spurs manager Andre Villas-Boas was in spiky mood after the game, clashing with a newspaper journalist in his post-match press conference and accusing former owner Alan Sugar of pursuing a "very driven agenda" after he questioned the Portuguese's stewardship.

He also spoke out in defence of Spanish striker Roberto Soldado, who was replaced by Jermain Defoe in the 72nd minute after a fifth consecutive game without scoring.

"He works very hard for the team, he works his socks off," said Villas-Boas, whose side scored through a Kyle Walker free-kick and a stunning 20-yard shot by Sandro.

"Obviously for a striker, they live off goals. It's important for Soldado to find the back of the net.

"That's why we've been very, very patient with him and we'll continue to do just that."

Villas-Boas, who saw his team thrashed 6-0 at Manchester City in their previous league outing, also played down British media reports linking Defoe with a January move to a Major League Soccer club.

"I'm extremely happy with Jermain Defoe's performance," he said.

"He came on today to try to help the team. He's our top goal-scorer right now in all competitions, so he has my support and I'm willing to keep him for the future."

Spurs' next game is on Wednesday at London rivals Fulham, who on Sunday dismissed manager Martin Jol after a run of five successive defeats.

MTN empowers Akwa Ibom

Abuja - The MTN Nigeria Foundation has donated five security patrol vehicles to enhance service delivery in the Akwa Ibom State. 

MTN Nigeria Foundation Senior Manager of Sales (Eastern Region) Onamari Horsfall, said the foundation was fulfilling the promise to improve the quality of lives in host communities in the country when it was established in 2004.

“We are fulfilling the promise I made to Nigerians when the MTN Foundation was established in 2004 to improve the quality of lives in host communities,” he said.

According to him, the Foundation has provided 60 security patrol vehicles to the Federal Capital Territory and elevated some states including Akwa Ibom. 

He appreciated the Akwa Ibom  State Government for always providing support for the various initiatives in the region.

Inaugurating the vehicles, Secretary to the State Government, Udom Emmanuel, said his administration placed great premium on the security of its citizens and investors. 

He said MTN Foundation had touched the lives of the people by embarking on a project of this nature. 

He thanked the company for their success story in business and implored the organization to do more to satisfy and retain its subscribers.  

MTN Nigeria is the biggest mobile network services provider in the country. 

Jonathan mourns Akure monarch

Abuja – President Goodluck Jonathan has sent a condolence message to the family of the late Deji of Akure, Oba Adebiyi Adesida.

The monarch died this past weekend following an undisclosed illness.

“On behalf of himself and the Federal Government, President Goodluck Jonathan commiserates with Governor Olusegun Mimiko, the people of Akure and Ondo State on the death of the Deji of Akure, Oba Adebiyi Adesida. President Jonathan also extends sincere condolences to the family and relatives of the late monarch who ascended the throne of his forefathers in August 2010. As they mourn Oba Adesida who has sadly had sadly passed on just a little over three years after his coronation, the President urges them to take solace in the belief that God’s will is unquestionable and must always prevail,” said Reuben Abati, the Presidential spokesperson.

“President Jonathan assures Governor Mimiko, the late monarch’s family and the people of Akure of his sympathy and solidarity with them as they grieve over Oba Adesida’s death. He prays that God Almighty will comfort them all and grant the late Oba’s soul peaceful repose,” Abati stated.

Adesida passed on about three years after his coronation.