Low oil price harms investment in Africa

PLUNGING world oil prices have dealt a blow to Africa far greater — purely in economic terms — than Ebola, setting back investment in exploration and plans to industrialise.

The highest-profile victim so far has been Africa’s top producer, Nigeria, which was forced to devalue its currency 8% this week after the central bank admitted dwindling reserves were making it hard to defend it.

In dollar terms, the devaluation knocked $40bn off the value of Nigeria’s economy — considerably more than the $32bn worst-case scenario the World Bank projected during last month for Ebola’s economic effect on the entire sub-Saharan region.

Ailing Pele improving but still on dialysis

Brazil football legend Pele's health is improving but he is still receiving an intensive treatment known as hemodialysis for a urinary infection, the hospital treating him said Friday.

Pele, 74, "is in better clinical condition," said the Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo, adding that he was "lucid" and breathing on his own but still receiving hemodialysis, which involves filtering a patient's blood through an artificial kidney that cleans it before returning it to the body.

The hospital said the treatment was a "temporary kidney support."

Photos: Kano mosque blasts death toll above 102

Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan vowed to track down the perpetrators of the bomb blasts that killed more than 100 people at the central mosque in the city of Kano.

Jonathan said his government will "continue to take every step to put an end to the reprehensible acts of all groups and persons involved in acts of terrorism."

Photos: President Jonathan At OAU Yesterday.

More pics of President Jonathan At Obafemi Awolowo University after cut..

Thousands desert Cameroon-Nigeria border town in fear of Boko Haram

It is mid-morning in Am'chide, a small city in Cameroon's Far North Region.

The dusty roads of the usually bustling market town are deserted.

Instead of the sound of vendors advertising their wares and children playing in the street, the echo of mortar fire can be heard.

Am'chide borders Nigeria's Borno State, a stronghold of Islamist terrorist group Boko Haram. Since the insurgents launched regular cross-border raids earlier this year, killing hundreds of Cameroonians, most of the town's residents have fled south.

Burkina ask Morocco to extradite former president Blaise Campaore

"We will ask Morocco... to place president Compaore at the disposal of Burkinabe justice," Zida said during a meeting with journalists in Burkina's capital, Ouagadougou.

Compaore fled Burkina Faso on October 31 after being ousted in a popular revolt sparked by his bid to extend his 27-year hold on power.

He first took refuge in neighbouring Ivory Coast before heading to Morocco on November 20.

The military seized power after he fled, but faced with intense international pressure eventually agreed to hand power to an interim government which will lead the west African country until elections in November 2015.

Federal Government Of Nigeria Approves Purchase Of N9.2bn Cooking Stoves For Rural Women.

The Federal Executive Council on Wednesday approved the purchase of N9.2bn worth of cooking stoves and ‘wonder bags’ for rural women under the National Clean Cooking Scheme.

Speaking with state house correspondence after the FEC meeting, the Supervising Minister of Information, Dr. Nurudeen Muhammed said the scheme which is a federal government initiative, is geared towards reducing the use of firewood among rural women in Nigeria. 

‘Where is the government of Nigeria?’ By The Conversation

Just three of the hundreds of thousands of people displaced by the Boko Haram in northern Nigeria Stringer/Reuters

‘Am I still a citizen of Nigeria? The soldiers are watching or running while thousands are being slaughtered.’ – Mohammed, a graduate student at the University of Maiduguri speaking at a food distribution center, Yola November 14th

The disaster unfolding in Northeastern Nigeria is barely noticed by people around the world. Wars, conflicts and crises in Syria, Iraq and Ukraine are what tend to top the news headlines.

Al Qaeda Seeking A Second 'Islamic State' In Syria? By Alessandria Masi

The Islamic State group declared its caliphate in Syria in June, but it isn’t the only group trying to claim a piece of the war-torn country. Though Syrian Kurdish factions are fighting to keep Kobani and the surrounding area and the regime owns the skies, al Qaeda affiliate  Jabhat al-Nusra’s recent advances have put it in the running for an Islamic emirate in Syria. The goal, according to analysts, is attainable. 

Photos Of The Day: Muhammadu Buhari's Campaign Photos.

More pics after cut........

Photos: Internally Displaced Peoples Camp In Yola And Adamawa States.

Here are some disturbing pictures from the camps of displaced people in Yola and Adamawa states due to the Boko Haram insurgency. More pics after cut.  

United States Policy to Counter Nigeria's Boko Haram

Photo: Council on Foreign Relations

CFR Senior Fellow for Africa Policy Studies John Campbell.

DOCUMENT

Opening remarks by author John Campbell at the launch of Council Special Report No. 70, U.S. Policy to Counter Nigeria's Boko Haram by the Council on Foreign Relations in Washington DC.

The Council Special Report titled U.S. Policy to Counter Nigeria's Boko Haram is based on seven premises.

• First, Nigeria is too big and too important for the United States to be indifferent to its present crisis.
• Second, the Islamist insurgency called Boko Haram poses no security threat to the U.S. homeland, but its attack on Nigeria and a heavy-handed Abuja response characterized by human rights violations challenges U.S. interests in Africa.
• Third, even after five years of insurrection, we know remarkably little about Boko Haram.

President Jonathan Promoting Corruption - Obasanjo

Once again, former president Olusegun Obasanjo has accused President Goodluck Jonathan's administration of promoting corruption and incompetence in the country.

Obasanjo said the government's open display of corruption constitutes a threat to the economy.

ISIS Received Up To $45M In Ransom In 2013: UN

The Islamic State group, which is said to be the world’s wealthiest terrorist organization with diversified sources of funding, received up to $45 million in ransom in the past year, according to a United Nations expert.

Yotsna Lalji, who monitors sanctions against al Qaeda, said in a meeting of the U.N. Security Council's Counter-Terrorism Committee that as much as $120 million in ransom was estimated to have been paid to terrorist groups between 2004 and 2012, and ISIS collected between $35 million and $45 million in 2013 alone, The Associated Press (AP) reported.

Weight loss and exercise, according to Rick Ross By JONATHAN LANDRUM Jr.

This Nov. 11, 2014 photo shows rapper Rick Ross posing for a portrait at Def Jam In New York in promotion of his album "Hood Billionaire," released on Monday, Nov. 24. 

 Rick Ross had two seizures in a single day, sending him to the hospital three years ago.

Health didn't concern the 300-pound rapper then, but he's shed nearly 100 pounds in the last seven months by eating healthier foods and embracing a high-intense workout plan.

Ross, 37, says he continues to work long hours creating music, including his seventh album, "Hood Billionaire," released Monday. It's the second album Ross has put out this year after the March release of "Mastermind," which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart.

But in the middle of making music and running his Maybach Music Group record label, Ross has made his health a main priority.

Protesting Workers Dump Ebola Corpses Outside Sierra Leone Hospital

Protesting workers in Sierra Leone, who claimed they had not been paid a hazard allowance in weeks for performing the dangerous task of burying Ebola victims, dumped several corpses outside a hospital in the southeastern city of Kenema, reports said. According to local residents, 15 bodies were found on the streets while three were left in the hospital doorway.

Celebrity Birthday: Happy 32nd Birthday Don Jazzy

Happy birthday Don Jazzy as you celebrate 32nd years on earth.

Photos: Chief HID Awolowo's 99th Birthday Thanksgiving Service In Ogun State

  Chief Mrs H.I.D Awolowo turned 99 years yesterday and to celebrate the  Matriarch of the Awolowo family her family and well wishers were at the Awolowo residence in Ikenne, Ogun state, to hold a thanksgiving service for her. More pics after cut...

Nigeria devalues naira and raises rates after oil price slide

Nigeria has devalued the naira, saying a drop in oil prices had made it hard to defend its currency.

The country's bank central bank also raised interest rates from 12% to 13% in a bid to stem foreign reserve loses.
Nigeria has spent billions of dollars defending the naira using "dwindling foreign reserves", the bank's governor said.
Falling oil prices also affected the Angolan kwanza, which hit a record low against the dollar on Tuesday.

2 teen female bombers kill more than 40 in Nigeria

Borno state governor Kashim Shettima, speaks to a victim of suicide bomb attack receiving treatment at a specialist hospital in Maiduguri, Nigeria, Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2014. 

 The teenage girls entered the busy marketplace separately Tuesday, their vests of explosives hidden beneath their full hijabs.
The first detonated her bomb, killing three women. As rescuers rushed in, the second girl screamed and set off her explosives, killing dozens more, according to witnesses and authorities.

Photos: Protests against Ferguson decision grow across United States

Demonstrators march through Manhattan during a rally against a grand jury's decision on Monday not to indict Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson in the fatal shooting of Michael Brown, Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2014, in New York.

People protesting the Ferguson, Missouri, grand jury decision took to the streets in cities across the U.S. for a second day Tuesday, showing that the racially charged case has inflamed tensions thousands of miles from the predominantly black St. Louis suburb.
For many, the shooting of 18-year-old Michael Brown by Officer Darren Wilson recalled other troubling encounters with law enforcement. The refrain "hands up, don't shoot" became a rallying cry over police killings nationwide. More pics after cut.....

Woman Delivers Quadruplets After 18Years Of Marriage Without Children

Mrs. Clara, who got married in 1996, said it was God’s grace that kept her and her husband through the trials of childlessness. She said they refused to keep friends because of the problem.

“I am happy that my husband and I were able to stay together to this day to witness the blessings of the Lord. My husband has been encouraging me that God will do it for us. My husband never contemplated driving me away. 

President Jonathan Congratulates Chief HID Awolowo On Her 99th Birthday Today

President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan heartily congratulates Chief (Mrs.) Hannah Dideolu Awolowo on the joyous occasion of her 99^th birthday anniversary, today. Tuesday, November 25, 2014.

President Jonathan and his family join millions of admirers of the late nationalist, renowned political leader and sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo in wishing his “Jewel of Inestimable Value” very happy birthday celebrations.

The President prays that God Almighty will grant Chief (Mrs.) Awolowo many more years of worthy service as the matriarch and moral compass of the great Awolowo political dynasty which continues to play a commendable role in national development and progress.

Photos: Nudity Ritual For Husbands

The photographed women below are apparently desperate to change their spinsterhood status as they all stripped at the beach on a prophet's spiritual counsel for ass kissing fortification that will enable them to get husbands.
The prophet had to kissed 'asses' as the ritual demands. But what spiritual incantations could he be chanting while fortifying the asses?Saw this on Sayitwell and was disturbed. Africans will go to any length with religious beliefs. Imagine the above.

Justin Bieber named highest-earning entertainer under 30

Justin Bieber is the highest-earning entertainer under the age of 30, according to Forbes.
The controversial musician earned as much as $80 million during the 12-month period between June 2013 and June 2014, in part thanks to the final part of his money-spinning world tour.
Despite his impressive earnings, Bieber has endured a turbulent year, which included having to pay a $10,700 bill for abandoning his pet monkey in Germany. Forbes list of U30 after cut...

Photos: Crown Gospel Music Awards 2014 In Durban + List Of Winners

 Pastor Benjamin Dube and the Dube Brothers

The 7th annual SABC Crown Gospel Awards  was held at the International Conference Center (ICC) in Durban last night, 24th November, 2014. More pics and list of winners after cut...

APC condemns raid on their office

A spokesman of Nigeria's main opposition party has condemned the State Security Service for raiding its Lagos office over the weekend.
Lai Mohammed of the All Progressives Congress said Monday that the raid on the party's data center and the arrest of 26 innocent workers disrupted work to register members across the country. Mohammed said more than 50 security agents ransacked the office, carting away computer systems.

Tweet Of The Day: Mahamat Gnoti On Nigeria And Boko Haram

Photos: 2014 American Music Awards In Los Angeles And List Of Winners

The 2014 American Music Awards was held in Los Angeles last night Sunday November 23rd, 2014. More pics from the red carpet and list of winners after cut...

Photos: Kolapo Sodeinde Weds Miss South Africa 2007, Tansey Coetzee In An Elaborate Wedding In South Africa

  Kolapo Sodeinde, Nigerian business man based in London  married his longtime friend, Miss South Africa 2007 Tansey Coetzee yesterday Sunday November 23rd, 2014 in South Africa. More pics after cut...

Vincent Bones Crowned as SA Season 10 winner.

 

Vincent Bones, the 30 year-old worship leader from Pietermaritzburg, has been crowned as the SA Season 10 winner.

Bones has been a favourite in the talent competition from the minute he set foot on the Idols SA stage. He captured South Africa’s Idols SA audience with his heart-warming story a few months ago.
Having lost his mother to cancer at a very young age, Bones found himself living on the streets of Pretoria with very little hope that he would make something of himself. He would eat from rubbish bins and beg those passing by for food and money.

Pneumonic plague hits Madagascar, 40 killed

Scanning electron micrograph depicting a mass of Yersinia pestis bacteria. Pneumonic plague is both a rarer and more virulent form of the bubonic plague, which is caused by that bacteria.
Image by: Rocky Mountain Laboratories, NIAID, NIH

So far two cases and one death have been recorded in the capital Antananarivo but those figures could climb quickly due to "the city's high population density and the weakness of the healthcare system", the WHO warned.
"The situation is further complicated by the high level of resistance to deltamethrin (an insecticide used to control fleas) that has been observed in the country," it added.

Far From Defeated, Boko Haram Strikes Again By Dion Rabouin

Another attack by terrorist organization Boko Haram has left 45 people dead in Nigeria, this time in the northeastern village of Azaya Kura, Reuters reports. The latest attack happened on Wednesday, the news agency said, quoting a military source who said that Boko Haram militants stormed the village in response to Nigerian military officials killing four members in an earlier gun fight. "The Boko Haram militants mobilized and came on a reprisal," the source told Reuters.

Happy Birthday President Jonathan

Happy birthday President Jonathan as you celebrate 57th years on earth, we at FOB are saying Happy Birthday and many more years of celebration.

Photos: Operation No Mercy Against Terrorism In Adamawa State Against Boko Haram

The Nigerian military continue their war against terrorism code named Operation No Mercy.Here are from the military operations in Gombi, Pelia and Hong in Adamawa State against Boko Haram. More pics after cut..

Photos: President Goodluck Jonathan's 57th Birthday Thanksgiving Service In Abuja

President Jonathan Today celebrated his 57th birthday with a prayer and thanksgiving service at the Presidential Villa in Abuja today Thursday 20th November 2014. The thanksgiving service was attended by family and friends. Happy Birthday Mr President. More pics after cut....

Photoo: Honourables Scaling The National Assembly Gate After Executive Shutdown

Our political leaders need to exhibit decency and decorum in their political behaviour. The independence of the various arms of government is very importance to safe guard our democracy. As the 2015 general elections get closer, the nation is been thrown into chaos and confusion by our greedy leaders. The people have spoken in Burkina Faso and the people of Nigeria need to speak. Increasing insecurity, poverty, unemployment while corruption is increasing in an alarming rate. Our freedom from all the aforementioned lies in our hands. More pics after cut...

Photos: Chaos And Confusion Outside The National Assembly In Abuja

There was chaos and confusion earlier today, Thursday 20th November 2014 outside the national assembly complex in Abuja when the speaker Aminu Tambuwal was prevented by security operatives from entering the complex. Tear gas were spread by the police and several assembly members fainted. The speaker was however smuggled into the chamber by members of the APC. More pics and tweets after cut...

Michael Schumacher: 'paralysed and in a wheelchair'

Formula One legend Michael Schumacher with his wife, Corinna, in Italy.

Formula One legend Michael Schumacher is paralysed and in a wheelchair – cannot speak and has memory problems, according to his close friend and former driver Philippe Streiff.

Streiff, who is a close friend of the seven-time champion, is himself wheelchair-bound since a crash in Brazil during pre-season tests in 1989 left him a quadriplegic, The Telegraph reports.
In a radio interview, the Frenchman said: “He (Michael) is getting better but everything is relative. It’s very difficult. He can’t speak. Like me, he is in a wheelchair paralysed. He has memory problems and speech problems.”

Robert Mugabe marked wife’s PhD papers: Zanu PF Women’s League boss

Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe with his wife Grace.

According to www.newsday.co.zw, Muchinguri revealed that Zimbabwe's president Robert Mugabe marked his wife's PhD papers.
Muchinguri said that he had assisted in marking Grace’s thesis at their home before she was conferred with a PhD.

Generations returns, Skeem Saam booted out

Less than two weeks to go and all hands are on deck for the return of the ‘all new’ Generations.

Producers of the popular soapie have their hands full juggling between auditions and recording new episodes for the much anticipated return of the revamped storyline.
The new Generations will see some of the old timers which includes Rapulane Seiphemo (Tau Mogale), and Connie Ferguson (Karabo Moroka) returning to save the day.
Generations ran out of shows in September after 16 main actors were fired following a wage dispute - and had to replaced by Skeem Saam.

Buhari, Amaechi, Others in Protest Rally Against FG in Abuja

 

The All Progressives Congress, APC, presidential aspirant and former Head of State, Gen.Muhammadu Buhari; APC National Chairman, John Odigie-Oyegun and Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Amaechi, yesterday, led thousands of party supporters in a protest rally in Abuja, accusing the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP-led Federal Government of playing politics with Boko Haram.

Nations Cup 2015: NFF accepts blame for Nigeria exit

 

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has said it accepts the blame for the Super Eagles' failure to qualify for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea.

The African champions finished third in Group A following Wednesday's 2-2 draw with visiting South Africa in Uyo.
NFF president Amaju Pinnick said it was a time for sober reflection rather than looking for scapegoats.
"The NFF takes full responsibility for what has happened," he said.
"It is a tragedy for us to come so near and yet fail to reach the finals."

Tweet of The Day: From Defence HQ Nigeria.

Photos: Indianara Carvalho Wins Brazil's Miss Bumbum Beauty Pageant.

 

Indianara Carvalho has taken the title of the best butt in Brazil, beating out women from 27 states in Brazil's Miss Bumbum Beauty Pageant.

Blond haired and brown eyed, Carvalho was up against a bevy of bootylicious booties. According to Huffington Post, the competition awards the best bum a total of R242 000.
About her win, said Carvalho: "I did not expect to win, but of course I wanted to win. I was well prepared. I am very honoured to receive this title because it represents all Brazilian women." More pics after cut...

Bob Marley's family to launch premium dagga brand, Marley Natural

Marley Natural is being pitched as "a premium cannabis brand rooted in the life and legacy" of one of Jamaica's greatest cultural exports, just as the United States slowly shifts towards legalised pot.
"It just seems natural that Daddy should be part of this conversation," said Cedella Marley, 47, the singer-songwriter's daughter.
"As Daddy would say, 'make way for the positive day'," she said in a video aired by NBC television, the first to report the development.