Former Biafran leader, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu is dead

Chief Odumegwu Ojukwu  1933-2011

Nigeria’s former leader of the Biafra, Chief Odumegwu Ojukwu has died. Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu passed away on Thursday after a long illness in a London hospital.

In 1967, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu declared Eastern Nigeria a sovereign state to be known as BIAFRA with the following statement:



“Having mandated me to proclaim on your behalf, and in your name, that Eastern Nigeria be a sovereign independent Republic, now, therefore I, Lieutenant Colonel Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Military Governor of Eastern Nigeria, by virtue of the authority, and pursuant to the principles recited above, do hereby solemnly proclaim that the territory and region known as and called Eastern Nigeria together with her continental shelf and territorial waters, shall, henceforth, be an independent sovereign state of the name and title of The Republic of Biafra.”


The Biafra war started on 6 July 1967, when Gowon declared war and attacked Biafra. For over 3 years battle raged between Biafra’s forces and the Nigerian government. Towards the end of the 3 years it became clear that Ojukwu and his Biafra forces were losing the war. General Odumegwu-Ojukwu who was by then in fear of assasination handed over the reigns of what was left of his dreams to see an independent Biafra for the Igbos to Chief of General Staff Major-General Philip Effiong. He left his beloved Biafra for Côte d’Ivoire to seek political aslylum from President Felix Houphöet-Biogny—who had recognized Biafra on 14 May 1968.

Chief Odumegwu Ojukwu later returned to Nigeria and took part in politics until his passing. He left behind his wife, former Nigerian beauty queen Bianca and children.

Egyptians vote after 10 months of conflict

A woman reads her ballot paper before casting her vote at a polling station during the parliamentary election in Cairo / Reuters

CAIRO, Egypt - Millions voted peacefully on Monday in a parliamentary election marred by the heavy handed meddling of the military government. After months of protests, conflicts and killings, Egypt as able to move a step closer to electing democractic leaders.


Egyptians at Tahrir Square, on Monday

Congo's election marred by violence

Voters in Congo

 AFRICA - After years of conflict, the Congolese took to the polls. As feared, Congo elections was marred by killings and attacks on polling stations. Intimidation of voters, electoral fraud and delays was also reported during Democratic Republic of Congo's second election. But voters have come out in full force despite the violence.

In the capital, Kinshasa, Human Rights Watch said weekend violence left nine dead and 76 injured, and rain meant people had to tread through mud along pot-holed roads on their journey to the polls. Voters complained of confusion over where they were meant to be voting due to polling stations being moved and errors with voter lists. There were also allegations of fraud and cheating.


At a school hosting a polling station in Kintambo district, an election official was alledgedly attacked by a furious mob who claimed he had tampered with presidential ballot papers. A policeman tried to intervene but shouting and physical aggression continued.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo  (DRC) is the second largest country in Africa by area and the eleventh largest in the world. With a population of over 71 million, the DCR is the fourth most populous nation in Africa, as well as the most populous officially Francophone country.

The Second Congo War sometimes referred to as the "African world war" began in 1998 devastating the country. It involved nine African nations and over twenty armed groups. Despite the signing of peace accords in 2003, fighting continues in the east of the country. In eastern Congo, the prevalence of rape and other sexual violence is described as the worst in the world. The war is the world's deadliest conflict since World War II, killing 5.4 million people since 1998.Congo opposition supporters have paraded what they claim are badly printed photocopies of election ballots found in Kinshasa.The sounds of gunfire and anger punctuated election day in the Democratic Republic of the Congo as millions of people got their second taste of democracy. This is Congo's second election since its 1998-2003 war.

The Democratic Republic of Congo

Egypt Army forcibly testing women for virginity

Women in Egypt have been forced into taking virginity tests including electric shocks which amount to torture, Amnesty has claimed.



Director of Amnesty International UK, Kate Allen, told Today on BBC Radio 4 that 12,000 people have been put through military tribunals and 13 people have been sentenced to death.

Describing what was happening in Egypt as appaulling, Allen said Amnesty had documented horrific treatment of civilians by the Egyptian army, particularly against women.


"We've seen torture continuing and we know that women have been beaten and had electric shock treatment," she told Sarah Montague on Today on Tuesday morning. "Women were dragged out of Tahrir square in March of this year and virginity-tested. The Army has failed to investigate this."


Here are pictures of the latest protests so far:



A young Egyptian man shows off empty tear gas cannisters

 

Tear gas imported from the US was used on civilins



Crowds in Tahrir Squre in Cairo



The three capture students are released



Bola Tinubu, Former governor of Lagos State, Nigeria Buys Bellview Airline

Bola Tunubu   Picture:Naija News



First Nation Airlines  Picture:LindaIkeji

LAGOS, NIGERIA - A former governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has bought Bellview Airlines from Kayode Odukoya. The airline which has been renamed First Nation Airline started operating between Abuja and Lagos on November 3, 2011.
Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, who is the leader of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) allegedly bought the airline for £20 million. After a series of repairs and servicing our sources in Lagos say the airline is now in good condition

Is there any difference between these two pictures?

Nigerian police



New York Police



New York Police forcibly evict Occupy Wall Street Protesters

A police officer appears to beat an Occupy Wall Street protester after the clear-out of Zuccotti Park. Photograph: John Minchillo/AP

 NEW YORK - The New York police have cleared protesters out of Zuccotti park two months after they pitched their tents to demonstrate against the financial banks.


Following a raid in the early hours over 200 people were arrested. At about 1.00 (06.00 GMT) police arrived to order the protesters out and began a clear out of tents and personal belongings.


The Occupy movement was inspired by the Arab Spring uprisings and economic protest camps in Spain. It is made up of thousands of young people, celebrities and politicians and it is calling for a more equal distribution of the world's wealth and a fairer response to the global economic crisis.

Organisers say most of the country's money is held by the richest 1% of the population and that they represent the other 99%.

The Occupy Wall Street, New York camp was set up in September to protest against economic inequality and capitalism. It inspired similar demonstrations all over the US, in the UK, Canada and in Australia.



A similar eviction is expected to take place in London over the next couple of weeks to clear protesters from the land around St. Paul's.


A map of where the Occupy protests are taking place around the world, BBC



Film Africa festival in London 2 days to go

Film Africa 2011 presents 2 more days of over fifty of the best African fiction and documentary films from across the continent.

For the past two weeks London residents have enjoyed lively Q&As and panel discussions featuring leading African filmmakers, and a dynamic programme of 
cultural events. With just two more days to go, here is your chance to be part of this exciting event.

Highlights include:

•A special focus on African women filmmakers
•Twenty filmmakers and actors in attendance
•The Distribution Forum and The Silver Baobab Award for Best Short African Film
•Film Africa LIVE! with performances from some of London’s most exciting musicians and DJs

Events taking place on Saturday and Sunday:

The Distribution Forum
Date: Sat, 12 November 2011
Time: 10am - 2.30pm
Venue: The Ritzy
Sponsored by Brand Communications
To attend:  send an RSVP to  -  rsvp@filmafrica.org.uk
Free entry

Speakers include

• Moses Babatope - Special Projects Manager, Odeon Cinemas: UK theatrical releases for Nollywood movies
• Nadia Denton - Author of Black British Filmmaker's Guide to Success (2011); former director of BFM festival
• Ailsa Ferrier - Head of Acquisitions, Artificial Eye
• Afolabi Kuti - Acquisitions Manager, The Salt Company
• Rungano Nyoni - Zambian/British filmmaker, Director of The Festival Office
• Jezz Vernon - Head of Distribution, Metrodome Distribution
• Dominique Young - Senior Producer, Al Jazeera

Refreshments provided.

About the event

The Distribution Forum will bring together African and UK-based filmmakers from the diaspora with leading UK-based film distributors. This open workshop will offer practical advice on different methods for distributing films: mainstream distribution, arthouse distribution, film festival distribution and online self-distribution. It will be the first forum of its kind at an African film festival outside of Africa.

The main challenge for African and diasporic filmmakers is making the leap from having their films exhibited at film festivals, to securing proper distribution deals in the UK. African film festivals globally have not paid sufficient attention to how to get African films into mainstream distribution; in response to this, one of the key focal points of Film Africa 2011 will be on distribution.

The Distribution Forum will bring together African and UK-based filmmakers from the diaspora with leading UK-based film distributors. This open workshop will offer practical advice on different methods for distributing films: mainstream distribution, arthouse distribution, film festival distribution and online self-distribution. It will be the first forum of its kind at an African film festival outside of Africa.

  

2. Categories: Film Africa LIVE!

Date: Sat, 12 November 2011, 8:00pm
Venue: The Ritzy
Film Africa LIVE! with the uplifting melodies of kora-master Kadialy Kouyaté. On the decks: DJ Suga Ka’an

 Doors: 8:00pm (£5 / free for Sambizanga ticket holders)


About the event

 Senegalese kora virtuoso/singer Kadialy Kouyate showcases his fleet-fingered skills on mesmerizing instrument, complementing it with his hauntingly, darkly beautiful voice, to create a Toumani Diabate-meets-Youssou N’Dour sound. – Time Out

London students protest again amidst tight security

 
WEDNESDAY - LONDON students took to the streets yet again marching through central London to protest against rises in tuition fees and changes to higher education. Thouands of youths carried placards denouncing the increase in universuty school fees and the education maintenance grant.

The City of London were however out in full force, anticipating vandalism and criminal behaviour. Some 4,000 police officers equippped in riot gear and armed with rubber bullets outnumbering the protestes, lined the streets and blocked other main routes.


March organiser, Michael Chessum, has called police intimidation in the run up to the protest march unacceptable and irresponsible.



University fees were raised from £1,000 to £3,000, but applicants starting in 2012 will have to pay up to £9,000 a year for a university degree in England and Wales.



As demonstrators marched peacefully in protest against higher tuition fees and "privatisation" in universities, the organisers voiced their concerns about their rights been snatched from them by the authorities.

Human Rights activist, Wale Tijani arrested over planned hunger strike in Nigeria

The Nigerian Security Service have arrested the head of the National Youth Council President and human rights activist, Wale Tijani . The arrest was made ahead of Friday's planned 11-11-11 public protest in Abuja over oil subsidy removal and a planned hunger strike by youths.

The arrest comes when there is mounting public unease about the way the Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has so far handled the nations protests and conflicts.

The SSS have confirmed that Ajani was arrested on the orders of the President soon after he presented himself at a local police station.

Nigeria, one of the world's largest oil producers has for many years subsidised fuel for its residents which helps keep fuel prices down to a bearable level. In October, the Nigerian government proposed a three-year plan to save £5 billion by removing fuel subsidies.

Wale Ajani has tirelessly campaigned for youths and he has written extensively on Nigerian politics and democracy in various internation media forums. As the President of the National Youth Council, Wale Ajani has the backing about 60 million youths in Nigeria.

Recently, Tijani voiced his concerns over the government's remonal of the oil subsidy calling it evil.  The arrest brings into focus on unlawful arrests in Nigeria.