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Nigerian military says it has rescued 25 more children and women from Boko Haram as part of its ongoing campaign to attack and destroy the armed group's camps in the northeast.

Army spokesman Colonel Sani Usman said many Boko Haram fighters were killed in a gun battle on Wednesday morning. One soldier was killed and five others were wounded, Usman said.

Al Jazeera could not independently verify the report.

About 700 children and women have been rescued in the past week as soldiers supported by air raids have deployed on foot into the Sambisa Forest, the last stronghold of Nigeria's home-grown armed group.

Last week the army said they rescued 293 girls and women from the forest.

It is unclear if those rescued include some of the schoolgirls kidnapped a year ago from Chibok town. Some 219 remain missing.

According to human rights group Amnesty International, more that 5,500 civilians have been killed and more than 1.5 million people, including 800,000 children, have fled their homes due to the violence in the country's northeast.

Boko Haram, designated by the US as a "terrorist" organisation, has been fighting since 2009 to establish sharia law in all 36 states of Nigeria, which is roughly equally divided between a mainly Christian south and a largely Muslim north.

By Al Jazeera

A new report has found that 38 million people have been displaced within their own country by conflict or violence, with at least 11 million newly displaced in 2014 alone.

The global overview report, released on Wednesday by the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC) of the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) recorded a 15 percent increase, stating that the figures were a record high for a third year in a row.

Jan Egeland, the secretary-general of the NRC described the report as a wake up call for international diplomacy, reiterating that the figures are distinct from refugees who are forced to leave their countries.

"What it really is a damning verdict of international diplomacy, of the lack of good governance in countries, lack of regional cooperation," he told Al Jazeera from Geneva.

He said that conflicting governments should "sit down and discuss reconciliation and cooperation" with armed groups in order to "not pull in opposite directions, but pull in the same direction".

Sixty-percent of all IDP's globally were in five countries: Iraq, South Sudan, Syria, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Nigeria.

Europe, for the first time in more than a decade, saw large numbers of displaced people - nearly 650,000 were displaced by the war in Ukraine.

'Deliberate politicisation'

The report highlights how 90 percent of all IDP's in the Middle East and North Africa regions were living in Iraq and Syria - with at least 2.2 million people in Iraq fleeing the violence propelled by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) armed group.

Syria has the largest number of IDP's in the world with 7.6 million people - an outcome of the brutal civil war that broke out in the country in 2011.

The report also highlighted how long-lasting, or protracted displacement, contributes to this alarmingly high global total. In 2014, there were people living in displacement for ten years or more in nearly 90 percent of the 60 countries and territories IDMC monitored.

The IDMC report also describes how displacement often reveals underlying structural challenges within a country, and how it can be prolonged by a government’s deliberate politicisation of the issue or its refusal to enter into a formal resolution of a crisis.

Volker Turk, UNHCR’s Assistant High Commissioner for Protection, said that the staggering number of internally displaced people because of conflict and violence is a harbinger of movements to come.

"We know that more and more internally displaced have been forced to move within their country multiple times. The longer a conflict lasts, the more insecure they feel and when hopelessness sets in, many will cross borders and become refugees," he said.

“And as we have seen in the recent past, for example in the Mediterranean, despair drives people to take their chances and even risk dangerous boat journeys. The obvious solution lies in an all-out effort to bring about peace in war-ravaged countries,” Mr Turk added.

By Al Jazeera

Rescued from the sea and taken to Libya, women migrants attempting to make the journey to Europe face difficult challenges.

They do not always know where they are being held, and a timeline for their release remains unknown.

Speaking to Al Jazeera's Hoda Abdel-Hamid, several women in a Misrata detention camp complain they have not been able to speak to their families for days--sometimes weeks. They worry no one knows where they are.

"I decided to leave because I am young lady, I need an education, I need everything," a Somali migrant, Saadia, told Al Jazeera.

"They killed my father, I don’t know where my mother is. So I had to leave to look better life at least."

The cramped space that they share together is the only room available for women. Outside, hundreds of men are roaming the corridor.

Al Jazeera's Hoda Abdel-Hamid has more from Misrata, Libya.

Click here to watch the video.

By Hoda Abdel-Hamid

Intel, for the second year running, is the diamond sponsor for the upcoming SABC Education African EduWeek. The annual conference, now in its ninth year, is back from 1-2 July at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Johannesburg, with more free-to-attend educational training and development for teachers, providing a futuristic look at teaching with even more suppliers with the latest classroom technology and services.

“Intel is committed to empowering the youth of South Africa through education and technology to unlock economic opportunity. It is imperative that the private and public sector work together in order to ensure that the youth of this country have a bright future filled with opportunity” says Andre Christian, Business Development Manager for Intel South Africa.

“Intel has been involved in education for over 40 years with vast experience across the world. In all that time we have gained immense insights and experience on how best to influence teaching pedagogics. To this extent we have trained over 12 million teachers across the world, in Africa alone close to half a million have been trained on how best to integrate technology into the classroom,” explains Christian.

Intel will be presenting two workshops at the event: One will focus on inclusive education, which we see as a, to a large extent, forgotten component in South African education. Last year, we did introduce it and we saw a lot of interest, but this year want to take the next step by actually showcasing implementation strategies around inclusive education. We have gathered experts in this field to be part of this workshop, people that have worldwide experience in implementation strategies in inclusive education that will provide the impetus required in Africa to move it forward.”

The second workshop is on Intel’s teaching programmes and what they have to offer. Says Andre: “the larger eco system may not be aware of what Intel can actually offer. These programmes are free and all you need to do is sign a licence agreement to be able to offer these programmes. They are accredited programmes and they are world class. We are bringing experts in these fields, US-based Intel employees, and I think it will be an eye opener for the people that do attend.”

African EduWeek is organised by Spintelligent, leading Cape Town-based trade exhibition and conference organiser, and the African office of Clarion Events Ltd, based in the UK.

Event dates and location:
Edu-theatres and workshop programme: 1-2 July 2015
Expo: 1-2 July 2015
E-Tech Africa: 1-2 July 2015

Location: Gallagher Convention Centre, Midrand, South Africa
Website: www.educationweek.co.za
Twitter: https://twitter.com/African_EduWeek

Notes for Editor

Spintelligent (Pty) Ltd is an African media business, specialising in Exhibitions, Conferences and Publishing. Head-quartered in Cape Town with a team of 90 experienced professionals, Spintelligent is a dynamic and recognised organiser across multiple industry sectors and geographies. A specialist organiser with the ability to deliver key growth projects in the early emerging markets of the African continent. Spintelligent is the African partner office of Clarion Events Ltd, the UK based organiser operating in 36 countries worldwide with 9 subsidiary offices delivering over 500 exhibitions and conferences annually.

Spintelligent delivers projects in African growth industry sectors; Power & Utilities; Energy; Mining; Education & Careers; Agriculture; Infrastructure; Military & Defence.

Spintelligent delivers projects in the emerging African markets; South Africa; Nigeria; Ghana; Kenya; Tanzania; DRC; Angola; Mozambique; Zambia.

Spintelligent is recognised for its print and electronic publications, with market-leading brands including Metering International, ESI Africa and Mining Review Africa.

Its regular global events and exhibitions, as well as its critical business intelligence and integrated marketing services make it a leader in its field. The company’s highly skilled resources in management, marketing, research and production allow for unique products bridging the developed and developing markets.

www.spintelligent.com

On November 23, 2013, Nigerian singer Tiwa Savage and her hubby, Tunji Balogun, painted the town red with a superlative traditional marriage.

Some weeks later, they proceeded to Dubai for the white wedding. But the couple are reportedly regretting embarking on such lavish ceremonies.

A source close to Tiwa and Balogun disclosed that many prominent Nigerians from all walks of life promised their financial support for the wedding.

But as the D-Day drew nearer, most of the promises were not forthcoming.

The couple had no choice but to go ahead and almost empty their accounts for the nuptials, hoping to recoup when the promises were fulfilled.

However, they got what they didn't bargain for as a chunk of those who made promises to them were bent on 'slaying' Tiwa before redeeming their pledges.

Some of them even promised to give more if the bride-to-be could yield to their demands.

Balogun and Tiwa were not just shocked at the development; they regretted spending lavishly from their personal purse for the wedding.

The groom lamented to a bosom friend that the issue was one of the pains he and his wife had to nurse after the whole ceremony. Meanwhile, the couple are currently expecting their first child together.

Ruby Igwe, late Amaka Igwe's daughter, has penned an open letter to Africa's richest man, Aliko Dangote, who lost the bid to land a stake in Arsenal Football Club in 2010 but revealed recently that he is still interested in buying the club at a price that is not ridiculous, but a price that the owners won't want to resist.

Read the letter below;

Dear Mr. Dangote.

Of course you should buy the Gunners. It’s a sound investment to invest in football, I think financially. And of course in terms of reputation, having a stake in a club is epic. And of course you have the cash. That’s indisputable. However, I have two propositions for you.

Please buy Manchester United instead. Just because.

If you don’t want to, that’s fine. But if you have change, after the Gunners, invest in the football in Nigeria. I can assure you that it’s not only in the UEFA Champions League, or the English Premier League, or La Liga, or Bundesliga, that you will find good soccer. What these leagues have in common is solid financial backing, and solid infrastructure. They have created an internationally celebrated, culturally appreciated, economically viable system.

As such, I find solace in my red Man Utd shirt. I watch David de Gea‘s saves in awe, and I want very much to go to Old Trafford. I feast on the history and the statistics that I find about George Best and Alex Ferguson and David Beckham, and I can’t count how many times Manchester United has broken my heart.

I digress.

If you invest in the football in Nigeria, maybe people will feel the way they feel about Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester City and Manchester United; about Enyimba. Maybe my mates will make good money playing for Nigeria’s local and national teams. Maybe watching football and sports live in Lagos and Lafia will become a favourite past time. Maybe we will know more Nigerian players by name and not because of what non-national club they play for.

Maybe there won’t be that much traffic every time in Lagos because the stadiums will be packed full. Maybe the clothing and manufacturing industries will be revived by making jerseys and other memorabilia. Maybe students can find modes of expression and survival in sports in general, instead of trying to conform to what they are not.

So Sir. Please do Nigeria a favour and invest in the infrastructure of our football. Invest in change. Don’t just donate, in case it becomes pocket-oriented. Don’t make a local investment. Go hard. Go national. Consult people, including football fanatics, and layout a battle plan. Invest in our football and follow your investment until you see the sizeable returns that can and will actualize. Invest in generations to come.

Nigeria will thank you.

The Central African Republic will take legal action against the French soldiers accused of raping children in exchange for food at a refugee camp, the country's justice minister has said.

"Legal action will be pursued ... These are still very serious acts," said Justice Minister Aristide Sokambi on Wednesday, insisting his nation was not targeting France but individual soldiers.

Several children - the youngest just nine - allege that 14 soldiers dispatched to the impoverished nation as part of a peacekeeping force sexually abused some of them in exchange for food between December 2013 and June 2014.

"We regret the fact we were not brought into these investigations despite the cooperation agreements we have with France," Sokambi added.

"So I have instructed the public prosecutor to open a probe and seek the evidence already at the disposal of the French."

French troops were deployed to the Central African Republic in December 2013 to help African Union peacekeepers restore order after a bout of sectarian violence triggered by a coup.

Hundreds of troops were stationed at Bangui's M'Poko airport, which was transformed into a giant refugee camp.

Most of the displaced families living amid the abandoned planes had lost everything in the conflict, which pitted mainly Muslim rebels against vigilantes from the majority Christian population.

Paris investigates

Prosecutors in Paris have opened an investigation into the reports, with France's defence ministry pledging to take "all the measures necessary for the truth to come out".

The defence ministry has said it immediately launched a probe into the case, sending police investigators to the former French colony on August 1 after receiving the news.

The ministry has denied attempting to cover up a potentially devastating scandal. The allegations were contained in an internal UN report that was leaked to French authorities last summer by a UN official.

If proven, the allegations will not only affect the French army but also the Central African Republic, which is trying to find a way out of a conflict that has killed thousands and displaced nearly 900,000 people.

Many people living in the camp at M'Poko airport had lost their livelihoods to the violence.

Hunger in the camp became so widespread that riots often broke out when food was distributed.

By Al Jazeera

There is this notion that long distance relationships often fail. Truly, most people have failed to maintain their long distance relationships and have ended up braking up, even though they had a very promising relationship.

A lot of people dread long distance relationships but most of the time we find ourselves in this situation due to circumstances beyond our control.

Nearly everyone has been involved in a long distance relationship at one point in their life, maybe when they were in school or during their youth service.

Being in a long distance relationship is not easy at all and it could sometimes be very depressing. They say absence makes the heart grow fonder but that same absence could be very exhausting and could drive you crazy. Most of the time you get lonely and wish your partner was with you but he isn’t. The extra distance makes many things unachievable.

If you are now the jealous type and one with trust issues, it makes it all the more harder.

They say that spending time together helps keep a relationship alive. But how do you do this when you are miles apart.

There are ways you could keep your relationship alive despite the distance between the both of you. These days, there are a lot of applications available on the Internet, such as Skype, Viber and others, on mobile phones and tablets that could help keep your relationships alive and bubbling.

Below are things that could help you have a successful long distance relationship.

1. Communication– This is very important. The distance shouldn’t stop you from communicating with your partner. No matter your busy schedule, find time to really talk with each other. Be open and honest with your partner. Keep your partner updated with what’s going on in your life, however mundane some of the things may seem. There will be days when you ask your partner to remind you that he or she does indeed love you to the moon and back. Cry it out if you need to, you’ll feel better afterward. Send each other pictures, audio clips and short videos from time to time. Say good morning and goodnight to each other. These little things could make the other person feel really loved and wanted.

2. Have a positive attitude– View it as a learning journey for the both of you. See it as a test of your love for each other. Nobody ever said it was going to be easy but you don’t have to put yourself in a state of depression. You should be grateful that you have someone to love and someone who loves you in return. Many single people wet their pillows at night because they are lonely and have nobody to call their own. Be prepared to feel helpless from time to time. It’s unavoidable. Know that there will be days that you’ll feel left behind and jealous when you see others with their significant other.

3. Visit each other– Phone calls, text messages and all are good but nothing beats seeing your partner face to face. Find time to pay each other visits. If you are apart because of work, you could travel on a Friday after work and be back by Sunday, that way you get to spend the weekend together. As a visit ends, begin planning the next one.

4. Trust– This is very important in all relationships especially the long distance ones. You might both feel insecure at some point, especially when your partner is trying to have fun with friends of the opposite sex. But you should understand that you have to have a normal social life despite the distance. If you both trust each other, this helps strengthen your relationship irrespective of how far apart you are.

5. Don’t give in to pressure from friends – Your friends might try to discourage and persuade you to break up with your partner, but you shouldn’t give in to them. You know what you truly want and if you feel the relationship is worth fighting for then fight for it no matter the distance. Some of those friends might be secretly jealous of you, though some might be genuinely concerned.

6. Commitment – Commitment from both partners makes the relationship work over the miles. Treat your relationship with the respect it deserves and stay committed to each other.

Your daily routines help building up resistance to a certain disease or tearing it down. In this article we will discuss more about the benefits provided by healthy morning rituals, such as drinking fresh pineapple water before your breakfast.

Pineapple contains a lot of less known micro-nutrients It is packed with bromelain and vitamin C, and these both aid in every healing process in the body.

1. Fights Inflammation : Bromelain has strong anti-inflammatory properties. It helps the body eliminate toxins by fighting off inflammations that affect tissues and organs. Regular consumption of pineapple aids in the treatment of arthritis and sports injuries by reducing inflammation and relieving pain.

2. Healthy Weight Loss : Thanks to its high fiber content, pineapples take more time to digest, and thus makes you feel full for longer. Pineapple water prevents sugar and fat cravings. Thiamine converts carbohydrates into energy and boosts metabolism.

3. Flushes Parasites From Liver and Intestines : Bromelain has anti-parasitic properties. Some studies have shown that a three-day pineapple fast kills off tape worms.

4. Proper Thyroid Function : Pineapples are rich in iodine and bromelain. These help in the treatment of many autoimmune disorders, and relieve thyroiditis-associated symptoms.

5. Balanced Electrolytes : Potassium found in pineapples make your body stronger and maintain proper electrolyte balance, thus preventing cramps or injuries.

6. Flushes Out Heavy Metals and Toxins : Pineapple is packed with fiber, enzymes and antioxidants that clean the body from heavy metals and toxins.

7. Digestive Aid : Bromelain stimulates the body to digest proteins more efficiently.

8. Strengthens Gums, Whitens and Preserves Teeth : According to Dr Frawley, bromelain is a natural stain remover. It breaks up plaque efficiently.

9. Improves Vision : Beta-carotene and vitamin A are essential for eyesight. A study published in the Archives of Ophtalmology has shown that 3 or more servings of pineapple a day reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration (ARMD), which is cause number one of vision loss in elderly.

10. Anticancer Protection : The journal Planta Medica published a research according to which bromelain is superior to chemo drug 5-fluorauracil in the treatment of cancer. Researchers explained:

"This antitumoral effect [of bromelain] was superior to that of 5-FU [5-fluorouracil], whose survival index was approximately 263 %, relative to the untreated control."

How to prepare

Ingredients:

- 1 ripe fresh pineapple
- 8 to 10 cups of water
- 3 to 6 tablespoons of sugar (or to taste)

Instructions:

Place the chopped pineapple cubes, sugar, and 1 cup of water in the blender and liquefy. Depending on the size of your pineapple, you might need to process in the blender, in more than one batch.

You should use only enough water in the blender to liquefy the fruit. Strain the pineapple liquid through a fine sieve or strainer into your pitcher. Discard the solids.

Add the remaining water to your pitcher and mix well. Taste and adjust the sugar accordingly. Add more water if needed. Chill in the refrigerator for several hours. Serve chilled over ice.

Credit: Living Traditionally

Khloe is said to be devastated on hearing that her mother, Kris Jenner was allegedly caught in bed with Lamar Odom in a hotel room.

As if it wasn't already hard enough to learn that her husband, Lamar Odom, 35, had cheated on her with multiple alleged mistresses in 2013, it is now being reported that her 59-year-old mother was hooking up with him, too! Hearing the allegations led to an emotional confrontation between Khloe and Kris.

Months after Khloe filed for divorce from Lamar in 2013, Kris met up with her son-in-law so they could share each other's pain (at the time, she was newly-separated from Bruce Jenner), Star Magazine reports. But it turned into much more, and one of Lamar's other mistresses claims she actually walked in on the NBA star and Kardashian matriarch in bed together — na ked!

Khloe, 30, was absolutely distraught upon hearing the allegations, and confronted her mom about it. "She had to. Of course, Kris denied everything and told her she was being ridiculous, but the whole thing has left a bad taste in Khloe's mouth," an insider told the magazine. "One moment she'll be saying she can't believe anything that happened, then the next she'll be saying Kris stole her husband and ruined her life."

At least three people have been killed in Burundi in a fresh outbreak of clashes between police and protesters demonstrating against President Pierre Nkurunziza's bid for a third term, Al Jazeera correspondent said.

The latest casualties bring to seven the number of people killed in unrest that began when the ruling CNDD-FDD named Nkurunziza as its candidate for the June 26 elections, according to the red Cross.

Al Jazeera's Malcolm Webb, reporting from the capital Bujumbura, said a grenade was thrown at protesters in the Cibitoke suburb of the city, killing two protesters.

"Protesters say it was thrown by a man in civilian clothes who they believe to be a member of the ruling party's youth wing, known as Imbonerakure," he said.

"Separately, protesters also burnt a man to death, who they said was Imbonerakure."

Red Cross's Alexis Manirakiza, speaking to Al Jazeera from Bujumbura, said they had recorded 212 people wounded since April 26 when the clashes began.

Tensions remained high in the area on Thursday with protesters arming themselves with sticks and batons.

Critics strongly oppose Nkurunziza's bid saying it is unconstitutional and violates the hard-won Arusha accord gains which ended the country's 13-year civil war based on enthnic lines.

But the president's supporters maintain that Nkurunziza, who became president in 2005, was installed by the parliament as opposed to being elected directly by people, making him eligible for another term.

The constitutional court's only two remaining judges - five fled to neighbouring Rwanda amid pressure and threats - ruled on Tuesday that Nkurunziza's bid was valid.

Nkurunziza announced that if re-elected he would step down after a third term.

"I wish to inform the national and international community that if re-elected this will be the final term as provided in the ruling of the constitutional court," the president said during his address to the nation.

Opposition leaders meet

Meanwhile, East Africa foreign ministers met with Burundi's opposition in Bujumbura in the hope of striking a peace deal.

Agathon Rwasa, leader of the National Liberation Forces (Forces pour la Libération Nationale, FNL) the main opposition party, told Al Jazeera that President Nkurunziza and his parliament were manipulating some institutions to rule in their favour.

"Whatever he said yesterday, it is a lie. He can't keep his promises and words. The fact is that he violated the Arusha agreement that brought peace to the country and you think he will keep his words now," he said.

By Al Jazeera

Names are very significant and powerful. In Nigeria, stringent values are attached to names because they are believed to have spiritual, psychological or superstitious (as the case may be) effects on the bearer.

But in other parts of the world, Europe and America in particular, names appear to be mere identity. That is why they bear names like 'Hazard', 'Sand', 'Stove', 'Weed', 'Alien', 'Ghost' etc.

In Nigeria, it is strongly believed that the name a child bears has a vital role to play in what he becomes in future. Names are linked with historical events, particularly when such names are biblical. Therefore, there are some biblical names that are 'forbidden' in Nigeria.

No one christens a child with such names, apparently because of events that shaped the lives of the bearers in the Bible. Below are some of the biblical names a child will never bear in Nigeria.

1. Pharaoh: He was an influential king in Egypt. Every Nigerian parent wants his/her ward to become a king, yet, a child will never be christened Pharaoh. The reason for the rejection of this name is King Pharaoh’s refusal to give the Israelites independence. But if you read the Bible, it wasn’t Pharaoh’s fault that he did not ‘let my people go.’ God intentionally hardened Pharaoh’s heart because He wanted some signs and wonders to manifest.

2. Jabez: His mother gave him the name because she bore him with sorrow. But the story of Jabez later changed as he turned out to become a fortunate fellow, irrespective of the negative impressions people had about him.

3. Cain: He was the elder brother of Abel, whom he eventually murdered out of envy. Both Cain and Abel were the first children of Adam and Eve. Cain was the first man to kill in the Bible. It is one of the forbidden names in Nigeria.

4. Naman: He was the man with leprosy that was healed. He wasn’t a bad character. But have you seen any Nigerian bear his name?

5. Jezebel: She was the wife of King Ahab, meaning that Jezebel was a Queen. She was popularly regarded as a witch. One of her crimes was the fact that she instigated the King to kill Naboth and take over his inherited pieces of land.

6. Saul: There are two Saul’s in the Holy Bible; Saul the king and Saul of Tarsus, an anti-Christian campaigner who later became Paul the Apostle. He was blind for three days, and he wrote more books in the bible. He was the best writer. Some of his books include Colossian, Thessalonians and Galatians.

7. Goliath: Goliath was involved in one of the most popular stories in the Bible. A great Philistine warrior, he was killed by little David with a stone. Nigerians don’t see anything positive in the name.

8. Haman: He was one of the closest aides of a king. Due to the hatred and envy he had for Mordecai, Haman tried to influence the king to kill the former by hanging, but all his antics became a source of promotion and honour for Mordecai.

9. Nebuchadnezzar: You can read more about King Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 3. He was the one who ordered Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego to be cast into the burning furnace because they refused to bow to the golden image he commanded his people to worship. He was also the same king of Babylon who lived a wild life.

10. Esau: He was the twin brother of Jacob, and their parents were Isaac and Rebekah. Isaac loved Esau, but Rebekah loved Jacob. The former was said to have sold his birthright to the latter, while Rebekah also played a role in ensuring that Jacob got the blessing meant for Esau from their father Isaac. Read more about their story in Genesis 25.

President Goodluck Jonathan has been implicated in awarding multi-million dollars Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) contracts to two factitious firms, according to The Nation.

The contracts in question were said to have been awarded by the president to Messrs CTOW Terminal & Marine Services and Ibejige Services Limited, two unregistered ghost companies in defiance of due process.

The controversial contracts meant for the provision of third party towage services (TPTS) at Warri and Onne ports pilotage districts have come under intense scrutiny following revelations by sources close to the Federal Ministry of Transport (FMOT) in Abuja that the award of the contracts by NPA to the two firms did not follow due process .

Added to the fact that the companies are not registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), they also do not have a known address.

Findings by The Nation, indicate that the president’s approval for the contracts was contained in a letter last year to the NPA through the Federal Ministry of Transport on August 14, 2014.

The short duration of three days in which the approval was made has also raised suspicion considering the bureaucracy that slows down such transactions.

Speaking on the controversial contract, a senior official of the NPA said: “Was the Bureau of Public Enterprise (BPE) involved before the President gave his approval and the contract was awarded by NPA? What was the role of the supervising minister in this regard? Answers to these questions are very essential because if I am approving a contract to any company and my minister and the officials of the agency cannot verify for me whether the company is registered; then I don’t know what they are doing as the head of that organisation.

“If the President, who awarded the contract did not know, the Managing Director of NPA ought to seek confirmation from CAC and his head of legal department.

“With the award of this contract, the President, his minister and the sacked managing director of NPA have created a wrong impression before the in-coming administration that many other unregistered companies got multimillion dollar contracts under the out-going administration to siphon public fund.”

The controversies raised by the award of this contract appears to give credibility to the allegations by the All Progressives Congress (APC) a week ago that Goodluck Jonathan administration was involved in last last-minute looting of the nation’s resources through hurried recruitment into the public service and rushed privatisation of key financial institutions.

Igbere TV has described a strange story of how police in Harmony Estate, Ifako, Gbagada, Lagos, has nabbed a notorious thief who specialized in stealing the headlights, brain box, power control windows of cars when owners of the cars were away at work.

The thief usually drives a Hummer 2 SUV into Harmony Estate, Ifako, Gbagada, Lagos and escapes with his stolen goods. Usually the theft occurs once every 3/4 months but particularly on days when this hummer drives in.

He was finally caught after being trailed round the estate and caught in the act. Read IGTV's description of the event below:

"From the estate security, for the past 2 years, residents who park their cars…usually Toyotas come back from work to discover their brain boxes, power window controls, sometimes head lights, gone. Though not often, maybe once in 3/4 months. But its always more than 4 cars. The security guys said they notice that complaints are made usually on days this Hummer jeep visits the estate.

"So this morning around 7, you know workers in Lagos would have gone to work and those without fuel would leave the cars – the hummer jeep came in and the security guys started tailing just to know where this guy normally visits.

"Obviously when they saw where he parked, they were OK only for them to see him on another street later the guy parked on the last street in the estate then trekked back to the upper streets to rob. After getting a little beating, the police was called. Our police are still barbaric. Used gun butt on the guys head, chained his hands tightly to the back with chain and padlock and gave him additional beating before driving his hummer away."

A member of Nigeria's biggest forum, Nairaland, with the username, Osile2012, has compiled ten businesses he thinks will be negatively affected by the incoming government of President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari.

Read below:

1. Real Estate: Corruption influenced the high rise in the value of property in Nigeria. An area is mapped out and once politicians pick interest in the area, the value of property rises rapidly for no reason. Land that is worth 1.5m, the moment a politician comes and buys for 10m and starts building a mansion, every other land owner in the area starts selling from 10m upwards.The same goes to buildings. A politician sees a house he or she likes, the seller increases the price by 10 and the politician buys. Then every other property around the area is on the rise.As the new administration takes over, politicians will reduce their spending.They will now be more interested in managing their loot wisely and no more buying properties anyhow for themselves and their girl friends, because they wont have access to funds to steal. This will affect the sales of property, as there will be more properties for sale and less buyers. Even the politicians who are the target of estate investors will have to sell theirs to maintain their life style. Remember they have drivers, cooks, security and kids who are studying abroad. People who have raw cash, will buy properties for less than the actual value. A house that is selling for 20m can be bought for 10m. Because the true value of the land in those areas will surface. When you call unimaginable prices for properties, even the politicians will ignore you.

2. Contractors: The budget of the ministry of works has been slashed by more than 50%. This means that fewer roads and houses will be built. Maintenance will even be reduced as the budget would hardly pay salaries . So contractors will have to find an alternative source of funding .

3. Interior decor and furniture: As politicians invest less in property and govt invest less in housing, there will be less houses to furnish. Those importing expensive furniture that they sell to govt at inflated prices will reduce the stock they order, before they end up using it themselves.

4. Rental services: This involves businesses that rent different types of equipments. Tractors, bulldozers etc. With fewer contracts awarded, who will rent the equipments? Even those who are into rental of events stuff, like chairs and canopy are not left out. Politicians and those who benefit from the corrupt system will go low key. So if they use to rent 10000 chairs and canopies during events, they might cut it down to 2000 now. They are no longer in power so they now spend from their pocket and not that of govt. Those newly elected wont see so much money either like the previous administration .

5. Event planners: Those involved in event management, who plan big events and make millions from govt and politicians will also feel the heat because Buhari is known to be very frugal.

6. Hospitality Industry: They will be affected seriously because gone are the days politicians will want to sit-out and have fun, they will find one name and call the meeting. Taking up all the rooms in a hotel, eating everything with women from the purse of the govt. There will be less of such extravagant spending. Politicians that use to carry 10 girls and stay in the most expensive rooms, will begin looking for the cheaper rooms.

7. Car dealers: They will feel the heat. Imagine calling a politician who use to buy 10 pieces latest Mercedes cars and give to people, and he tells you to help him find buyer for the one u sold to him last that he needs the money. There will even be less escort cars, as politicians who used 20 Hilux cars might limit to 2 or 3.

8. Runs girls: Heavily patronised by politicians, he era of Buhari will most likely see them have less clients as politicians will be careful not to live ostentatious lifestyle

9. Human Hair dealers: Anything that affects politicians affects runs girls, and anything that affects runs girls will affect human hair dealers. So you have to find alternative and more economic hair because the runs girls have tight budget now.

10. Boutiques: Those selling real expensive stuff will feel it too. As the politicians will be more interested in children school fees abroad, diesel for generator 24hrs, maintenance of the luxury houses they live in than clothes.

This article expresses the author's opinion only. The views and opinions expressed here do not necessarily represent those of NaijaScoop.

There is no doubt that Nollywood superstar, Mercy Johnson Okojie, has a beautiful family.

The 30-year-old actress and mother of two children, who became popular with her role in , "The Maid", in which she played the role of a possessed house help, has shared new photos of her family.

Mercy Johnson is married to Prince Odianosen Okojie and they have two children, Purity and Henry Ozioma Okojie. See these new photos below:

One of Nigeria's biggest stars, MI, who will be headlining Star Music Trek concert in Abakaliki this Saturday want fans to trek from Lagos to Abakaliki to watch him perform since it's season of trekking.

See his tweets below:

In this season of trekking does anybody love me enough to come watch me perform at #StarMusicTrek in Abakiliki this weekend?
— jude abaga (@MI_Abaga) May 7, 2015

#TEAMTREKALOT #ABAKALIKI #STARMUSICTREK
— jude abaga (@MI_Abaga) May 7, 2015

Record-breaking dwarf bodybuilder, Anton Kraft, who is the first man of his kind to lift four times his own body weight, has found love in a 6.3ft tall transgender woman.

According to the 52-year-old Denmark body builder, his beau, China Bell, aged 43 is his inspiration while China says she got attracted to her dwarf lover because his weightlifting abilities.

Regardless of his height and weight, Anton Kraft, who stands at 4.4ft tall, is presently rated among the top five strongest guys in the world.

Bell, who was born male and has since transitioned, said: "I think Anton's weightlifting is so sexy because I think he's sexy - when you hold a world heavyweight title, that means a lot.

"I've never dated a 4'4" guy and I was just so curious. I'm glad I gave him a chance because he's an amazing person. I'm different and he's different, and where we're from, different is good."

- via Daily Mail Online

The Burundian Constitutional Court was forced to validate President Pierre Nkurunziza's bid to seek a third term in office, an exiled judge has said.

Judges met on April 30 and found that Nkurunziza was not eligible to run for another term, said Constitutional Court Vice President Sylvere Nimpagaritse, who is in exile in neighbouring Rwanda.

He said after that decision, the judges received threatening phone calls, which forced him to flee. The remaining judges then changed their decision in Nkurunziza's favour.

"If we did not give the third term a green light, we were going to be in trouble," Nimpagaritse said.

There was no immediate response from the Burundian government to the judge's claims.

Nkurunziza has said the court had found that his bid for a third term in the June 26 election does not contradict the constitution since he was selected by parliament and not by popular election for his first term in 2005.

Protesters say his re-election bid is illegal and goes against the 2006 peace deal signed in neighbouring Tanzania, which ended the 13-year conflict.

Hundreds of thousands of people were killed in the violence, which divided the country along ethnic lines, between the Hutu majority - to which Nkurunziza belongs - and minority Tutsis.

Protests have rocked Bujumbura, Burundi's capital, since the ruling party announced on April 25 that it had nominated Nkurunziza as its presidential candidate.

Three people were killed in protests on Thursday and 13 left wounded, according to the Burundi Red Cross.

Thursday's deaths bring the number of people killed in the protests to at least 13 and 216 wounded since April 25.

More than 30,000 Burundians have fled to neighbouring countries, fearing political violence.

Protesters searched for and assaulted people suspected to be members of the ruling party's violent youth group on Thursday.

The violence has led to the intervention of the US, which sent Assistant Secretary of State Tom Malinowski to Burundi last week to try to help halt the escalating unrest and resolve the country's biggest crisis in years.

By Al Jazeera

A strong accountancy and finance profession is vital to underpin Africa’s national economies, ICAEW will tell delegates next week at the African Congress of Accountants (ACOA) in Mauritius. Tony Hegarty, ICAEW Senior Advisor on International Development (former World Bank CFMO) and ICAEW Regional Director Michael Armstrong will be outlining the need for robust accountancy bodies to safeguard public finances, business and infrastructure for the long term.

Michael Armstrong, Regional Director, ICAEW Middle East, Africa and South Asia.

LONDON, 8th May 2015 -/African Media Agency (AMA)/- ICAEW, a world leader in the accountancy and finance profession, will address an audience of over 1500 accountancy and finance delegates from across Africa at the 3rd biennial congress. Hosted by the Pan African Federation of Accountants (PAFA) and the Mauritius Institute of Professional Accountants (MIPA), the conference will run from 12-14 May at Swami Vivekananda International Convention Centre. Examining the theme Rising Africa: Partnering for Results, delegates will explore the role of chartered accountants in delivering long term sustainable economic success across Africa.

ICAEW will urge fellow national accountancy bodies to act as advocates for international accounting standards and best practice – in order to stabilise public finances and create a climate that attracts investment. Drawing on experience in the United Kingdom and international partnership projects, Armstrong and Hegarty will present the results of ICAEW’s work on delivering public finances that can be trusted, as well as the results of the first year of the ICAEW project Dialogue in Corporate Governance, which is exploring how the profession can spearhead this area.

Hegarty said: “So far, ICAEW has worked in partnership with bodies in seven African countries to deliver capacity building projects. A robust accountancy profession serves the public interest; promotes investment, safeguards sound financial management by governments and helps develop more resilient businesses. It can increase social mobility by offering opportunities to talented young people – whatever their background. ICAEW firmly believes that by supporting strong national bodies we are helping to set the foundations for sustainable economic growth, and we are delighted to be here at ACOA to share and investigate real solutions with our fellow bodies in Africa.”

As part of the Conference, ICAEW will also be renewing its Memorandum of Understanding with the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK). The two bodies have pledged to work together to strengthen the accountancy profession in Kenya, forging a deeper relationship between the two institutes, and opening up a route to providing recognition to each other’s members.

Michael Armstrong, Regional Director, ICAEW Middle East, Africa and South Asia, said: “We are delighted to be strengthening the relationship between our two organisations. Like ICAEW, ICPAK has shown a dedication to the development and support of the accountancy profession in Kenya, helping demonstrate the key role its members play in national economic growth and prosperity. This agreement also recognises the rigour and evolution of our respective qualifications. We look forward to working together to help further support the accountancy profession across Africa.”

Distributed by African Media Agency on behalf of The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW).

Media enquiries:

Contact Jamie Douglass, ICAEW press office, on +44 (0)20 7920 8718 or email James.Douglass@icaew.com

Or Leroy Samy, PR Executive Blast Communications - Leroy@blast.mu, + 5 258 6889

Notes to editors:

About ICAEW

1. ICAEW is a world leading professional membership organisation that promotes, develops and supports over 144,000 chartered accountants worldwide. We provide qualifications and professional development, share our knowledge, insight and technical expertise, and protect the quality and integrity of the accountancy and finance profession. As leaders in accountancy, finance and business our members have the knowledge, skills and commitment to maintain the highest professional standards and integrity. Together we contribute to the success of individuals, organisations, communities and economies around the world. Because of us, people can do business with confidence.

2. ICAEW is a founder member of Chartered Accountants Worldwide and the Global Accounting Alliance.

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