₦airaland Forum

By MOHAMED OLAD HASSAN and JASON STRAZIUSO, Associated Press Writers.

MOGADISHU, Somalia – A suicide bomber disguised as a woman attacked a graduation ceremony in Somalia on Thursday, turning a rare reason to celebrate into carnage that killed at least 22 people — including medical students, doctors and three government ministers.

The blast was blamed on Islamic militants who have shown a rising ability to carry out sophisticated large-scale bombings against high-profile targets — and highlighted the inability of Somalia's weak government to protect even the small section of the capital it controls.

"Today should have been a day of celebration — not mourning," said Somalia's ambassador to Kenya, Mohamed Ali Nur. "The hopes of many parents who eagerly awaited their sons' graduation were recklessly dashed ,  cutting short the lives of ambitious Somalis."

Several hundred people had gathered in the Shamo Hotel to watch the 43 medical, engineering and computer science students from Benadir University receive their diplomas when the blast ripped through the festively decorated ballroom.

Amateur video of the attack obtained by AP Television News showed the dead, including at least three journalists, lying in pools of blood amid the sound of wails and screams from the wounded. Soldiers, their AK-47 rifles slung over their shoulders, picked through the wreckage with their hands as survivors climbed over the debris of the bombed-out room.

The attack targeted one of Somalia's most important efforts to extricate itself from anarchy and violence, explaining the presence of so many top government officials. The graduating medical students were only the second class to receive diplomas from the medical school.

"The loss of our ministers is disastrous, but it is an outrage to target the graduation of medical students and kill those whose only aim in life was to help those most in need in our stricken country," Somali Prime Minister Omar Sharmarke said.

Before last year's graduation, almost two decades had passed since anyone earned a medical degree in Somalia. At the December 2008 ceremony, graduates proudly hoisted their diplomas into the air.

This year, there was mayhem as the bomb went off while a Somali official addressed the gathering, sending metal shards and other debris flying and leaving dead and wounded in bloody heaps.

The bomb exploded about a yard from journalists covering the event.

"The explosion occurred really close to me, about a meter away. I jumped over some of the dead people laying on the ground and I went outside," said Associated Press reporter Mohamed Olad Hassan.

"What I think is I was lucky and people who were next to me, closer to the explosion shielded me from the explosion. The explosion was still thundering in my ears when I got back to the office."

Abdul Rahman Bukhari, a reporter for the Saudi-owned Al-Arabiya television station whose colleague, cameraman Hassan Zubeir, was killed, said the bombing "was the worst moment of my life."

After the attack, overturned white plastic chairs and tables littered the floor, which was stained red with blood. A single sandal lay in a pool of congealed blood, along with a briefcase and graduation programs.

Bodies, some draped with blue cloths, lay alongside the wounded. One man in khaki pants and a white shirt sat in his own blood, twisting his head to watch as victims were dragged out of the building.

On the steps outside, a dead man lay doubled over, his head resting on the blood-soaked ground as though he were praying.

Sharmarke said it was "beneath contempt" to attack and kill students and called for urgent help from the international community to prevent the further rise of al-Shabab, a militant group with links to al-Qaida.

"What happened today is a national disaster," said Somali Information Minister Dahir Mohamud Gelle, who confirmed that the ministers for education, higher education and health were killed in the blast. The ministers for sports and tourism were among the 46 wounded, he said.

Twenty-two people were killed, along with the suicide bomber, Gelle said. The bomber "disguised himself as a woman, complete with a veil and a female's shoes," he said.

No group immediately claimed responsibility, but suspicion fell upon al-Shabab, which controls much of the country and has carried out past suicide attacks.

African troops protecting the government wage near daily battles with Islamic militants who hold much of central and southern Somalia. Bombings have become deadlier as al-Shabab militants receive training from Arab militants and veteran insurgents from the Afghanistan and Pakistan conflicts.

Three journalists were reported killed. Besides Zubeir, two other Somali journalists working for local outlets also died, said Bashir Khalif, a reporter for the Somali government's radio service.

The Committee to Protect Journalists confirmed the deaths of two journalists, bringing the number killed in Somalia this year to nine.

"Somalia is the worst place for journalism in Africa and is very close to being the worst place in the world," said a committee official, Tom Rhodes. "Reporters are not only the victims of the conflict but the targets of the conflict."

Top Somali officials, including the president and prime minister, met for an emergency session at the presidential palace after the attack.

Benadir University was established in 2002 by a group of Somali doctors who wanted to promote higher education in a country where physicians have become victims of the seemingly endless violence. Medical degrees are obtained there after six years of study.

More than 500 students are enrolled in the university, according to its Web site, which said the school "strives to establish an open system of innovation and critical thinking similar to that in developed countries."

Governments and organizations around the world condemned the attack, including a joint statement issued by the U.S., European Union, U.N., African Union and the Arab League.

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in a statement the bombing marred "what should have been an event filled with hope for Somalia."

Somalia has been ravaged by violence since warlords overthrew dictator Mohamed Siad Barre in 1991, then turned on each other. A moderate Islamist was elected president in January amid hopes he could unite the country's feuding factions, but the violence has continued.

Suicide bombings, unheard of in Somalia before 2007, have become increasingly frequent and the lawlessness has raised concerns that al-Qaida is trying to gain a foothold in the Horn of Africa. The anarchy has also allowed piracy to flourish off the country's coast.

The three ministers killed in the blast were Qamar Aden Ali, the health minister and a British citizen; Ibrahim Hassan Adow, the minister for higher education and an American citizen, and Ahmed Abdullahi Wayel, the minister for education.

Benadir University, http://www.benadiruniversity.net/[table][/table]

I think Ibori is qualify cos is experience,in things of aso rock and northerners will even vote for him and they love him

The fact is that ladies dnt to be the truth

O people who dwell in Zoin at Jerusalem, you will weep no more. He will surely be gracious to you at the sound of your your cry; when He hears it, He will answer you.
And though the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet your Teacher will not hide Himself any more, but your eyes will constantly behold your Teacher.
And your ears will hear a word behind you, saying, This is the way; walk in it, when you turn to the right hand and when you turn to the left,
Then will He give you rain for the seed with which you sow the soil, and bread grain from the produce of the ground, and it will be rich and plentiful. In that day your cattle will feed in large pasture. Isaiah 30:19-23 (Ampl).

This is a message for anyone that has cried unto the Lord at one point or the other or any child of God that has experienced any adversity or may still be GOING THROUGH right now. Anyone dwelling in Zoin (The House of God), yet it looks as if God has forgotten you. The word of the Lord for you today says, The Lord will be gracious to you. You will surely find grace in His sight for clarity in times of confusion and to overcome in times of trouble.

You have cried up till now, but your cry from now on will receive answers. When I hear it, I will answer you says the Lord. For the ears of the Lord are open to the cries of the righteous. When you call unto me, I will answer you and show you great and mighty things that you do not know.

Though you have eaten the bread of adversity and have been given the water of affliction, I will not forsake you or cause your Teacher (Holy Spirit) to be taken away from you. Your experiences so far has not been pleasant. Your testimony has not come just yet, but you will not miss your next opportunity, for your eyes will constantly behold your Teacher.

He will instruct you, He will guide you and He will lead you. You will hear a word from behind you saying, this is the way out your trouble and this is the way into your greatness and the fulfilment of your purpose.

You shall be rich and full of plenty. Even your cattle (your business, your means of livelihood, your marriage and ministry, anything under your care) will experience expansion and God's richness. Your cattle will feed in large green pasture and lie down beside still waters that the Lord has provided. There is now an OPEN HEAVEN over your life and you SHALL WEEP NO MORE.

Pastor Val Anthony-Wise
MMWJO people who dwell in Zoin at Jerusalem, you will weep no more. He will surely be gracious to you at the sound of your your cry; when He hears it, He will answer you.
And though the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet your Teacher will not hide Himself any more, but your eyes will constantly behold your Teacher.
And your ears will hear a word behind you, saying, This is the way; walk in it, when you turn to the right hand and when you turn to the left,
Then will He give you rain for the seed with which you sow the soil, and bread grain from the produce of the ground, and it will be rich and plentiful. In that day your cattle will feed in large pasture. Isaiah 30:19-23 (Ampl).

This is a message for anyone that has cried unto the Lord at one point or the other or any child of God that has experienced any adversity or may still be GOING THROUGH right now. Anyone dwelling in Zoin (The House of God), yet it looks as if God has forgotten you. The word of the Lord for you today says, The Lord will be gracious to you. You will surely find grace in His sight for clarity in times of confusion and to overcome in times of trouble.

You have cried up till now, but your cry from now on will receive answers. When I hear it, I will answer you says the Lord. For the ears of the Lord are open to the cries of the righteous. When you call unto me, I will answer you and show you great and mighty things that you do not know.

Though you have eaten the bread of adversity and have been given the water of affliction, I will not forsake you or cause your Teacher (Holy Spirit) to be taken away from you. Your experiences so far has not been pleasant. Your testimony has not come just yet, but you will not miss your next opportunity, for your eyes will constantly behold your Teacher.

He will instruct you, He will guide you and He will lead you. You will hear a word from behind you saying, this is the way out your trouble and this is the way into your greatness and the fulfilment of your purpose.

You shall be rich and full of plenty. Even your cattle (your business, your means of livelihood, your marriage and ministry, anything under your care) will experience expansion and God's richness. Your cattle will feed in large green pasture and lie down beside still waters that the Lord has provided. There is now an OPEN HEAVEN over your life and you SHALL WEEP NO MORE.

Pastor Val Anthony-Wise
MMWJ

Ms So Call Senami
Are you not a promiscus lady that i saw your picture on net,with only pant and bras pls look for a place and hide your self(Ashawo kubokobo)

Hope you not the Senami Sosu that is Ibori`s wife.If you are the one i shame for you by coming out on net to claim Ibori as your husband.But come to think of it you are what number,i belive you should you are number 8 or 7 look for some where and hide your self. please.idoit

Na wa oh how many people remain for that state

Written by Sahara Reporters, New York
Thursday, 26 November.

Associates of James Ibori and friends of his mistress, Udoamaka Okoronkwo, are going to hold a rent-a-crowd demonstration tomorrow at the premises of the Southwark Crown Court in London under the aegis of "Amalgamated Deltans" in the United Kingdom. The event is aimed at portraying Ibori as a victim of the "colonial British" hegemony to persecute Ibori allegedly because of his proposition to have Niger Delta indigenes control their resources.

Each participant in the 'protest' is being paid £100 by the coordinator, who is referred to simply as "Matt".

Regarding the adjournment of the case last week, our reporters have learnt that the case in London was adjourned purely due to the fact that a trial is likely to last for a minimum of six weeks and will run into the Christmas break. A legal expert covering the case for Saharareporters said the case, which was due to begin last week, would have led to an unsatisfactory situation in view of Christmas in the middle. "It was purely a case management decision, reluctantly agreed to by the prosecution as they have always stated that they want to get this trial on as soon as possible, however they also need to be practical and realistic."

Another source also agreed that it would have been difficult to prosecute the case during the Christmas period. The concerns include a jury having all sorts of availability issues leading up to the end of the year, and lawyers also having problems with professional commitments. The source said the prosecution also was considerate that during the Christmas period jury might 'switch off'.

Meanwhile, Saharareporters has confirmed that contrary to our last report, the Southwark Crown Court judge, Christopher Hardy, is not retiring in December 2009. He will continue as the trial judge in the case starting again on February 16, 2010. A pre-trial hearing has been scheduled for January 25, 2010. The preliminary hearing at Southwark Crown Court is aimed at ironing out any issues coming from the Federal High Court, Asaba, proceedings, since it is believed that the Asaba judge may still go ahead to quash the charges against Ibori.

It is expected that if there is a ruling in favour of Ibori in Asaba, his lawyers will try to persuade Judge Hardy that the London trial should not proceed and if Judge Hardy rule on January 25, 2010 that the trial will commence on February 16, 2010, then the defence may appeal his decision so the pretrial hearing would allow all appeals to be cleared prior to February 16 2010.

Also, the second trial involving Ibori's wife, Theresa Nkoyo Ibori, his UK-based lawyer, Bhadresh Gohil may be moved further into 2010 due to the delay in the first trial of three of his first set of women. A hearing has been scheduled for November 30 2009 to iron out the details.

The general evangelist, Christ Apostolic Church Worldwide, Pastor Kayode Abiara, has said that the church is organising a three-day end of the year revival from Nov. 25 to 27, 2009, at Police College, Ikeja, Lagos, based on the instructions given to authorities of the church by God.

While stressing on the topic of the crusade: ‘Why God, Why You, Why Satan?’ he explained that as the year gradually rolls to an end, Satan and its agents were on the prowl looking for who to devour. Based on this notion, he added that God instructed the church authorities to declare a three-day revival, where anointed men of God would pray for governments at various levels and the citizens.

Abiara said that it would be three days of miracles, signs and wonders, noting that God has promised to shower His blessings and a mark of protection on all those who would attend the revival.

Na lie CAPITAL LETTER LIE you be OJORO

Abuja is sweet and nice only when u have money.

No talk like dat oh.Even TB Joshua don talk say our president no approach am 4 healing i be live say some thing can come out of Nazareth

I no go gree make dem put u,b/cos u go bad pass Obasanjo truth

Bross i beg leave dat stuff.Dis is another suggestion let call TB Joshua to heal our president for us sha he is the great healer of our tine?

Mr Bluethoot
If you were in our president shoe will you resign?

Hoteph(M)
y u go talk like that weather i sabi God,i fear God pass u honestly.

Mr Clemiss(M)
If u were to be in Yara`dua shoe will u resign.Anybody who tested that sit don't want to leave it.Take for example if u are a local government chair in your state and things like dis is happing 2 you people around you will advise you not 2 resign cos you want 2 make a name that your enemy died why in power and your enemy need a befit burial.So the best thing let us pray for quick recovery

Na God go save dis our president 4 us ohhhhhhhhhh make God no let him die in the name of Allah

i`m a guy of 27yrs partly delta & ondo a working class i`m currently in Abuja you can call me on my number 07041392220 or email me ikpesjoe@yahoo.co.uk

Every body is looking for life partner in life,don`t be shy but be bold to say it.please if you are intrested pls don't hesitate to call me on my number 07041392220.I stay`s in Abuja.

My brother i dn`t kwn what dis ibori has done to Nigerian.especially journalist.Well i assume it that they are using his name to sell their paper abi?

UNIBEN's Founder's Day invitation card
The sham trial of former Delta State governor, James Ibori, will likely end with a discharge at the Federal High Court in Asaba next Monday before Justice Mercel Awokulehin, the judge Ibori personally nominated to head the kangaroo court which was paid for by the Delta State government.


Ibori's handpicked federal judge, Mercel Awokulehin
And Ibori will leave Asaba for his alma mater, the University of Benin, where he will give a triumphant Founders' Day address, for which he has now been reinstated by the institution after a "cancellation" last week driven by the university community.

Sources in Abuja told Saharareporters that the former Delta State governor, who has been very worried over the failure of Awokulehin to give the agreed ruling which the judge Awokulehin told the court was ready two weeks earlier but could not be delivered because owing to some mundane reasons he offered.

Awokulehin therefore adjourned the ruling till next Monday, November 23 2009. As an angry Ibori left the courtroom, sources told Saharareporters that he told his close aides that Awokulehin was a coward. Later, Awokulehin reportedly reached out to Ibori to apologize that he couldn’t give the ruling as planned because of the petitions written by two groups especially the one written by Edwin Clark, the famous Ijaw elder statesman. He also told Ibori that the he would like to clear with his superior, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Dan Abutu.

Ibori, through Aondoaka, has piled pressure on Abutu, who reportedly gave his blessing to the judgment last night in Abuja where all the nation's judges have
It may be party time again on Monday
been meeting at the annual “Judges Conference.”
It may be party time again on Monday

Awokulehin reportedly shunned the Chief Justice of the federation who asked him to offer a response to the petitions written against him. Instead, Ibori’s lawyer, Emeka Arinze, previously unknown in the case, sent a defence on Awokulehin behalf to the National Judicial Council (NJC) through the office of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kutigi.

Ibori assured Awokulehin that the CJN, was on his way out and he need not worry about the old man. Earlier this week, Yar’adua has already forwarded to the Nigerian Senate, the name of another controversial justice of the Supreme Court, Aloysius Katsin- Alu, to replace Kutigi as CJN.

Furthermore, a last minute advice to Awokulehin to recuse himself did not sway him. The EFCC has also kept its own part of the bargain; the agency refused to file any petitions against the brazen act of impropriety by Awokulehin. This is contrary to what the Commission did against a justice of the Court of Appeal in Lagos, Bode Rhodes–Vivour, who was found to be meddling in the case against recently jailed PDP chieftain, Bode George, whose bail application was came up this morning.

To celebrate his triumph in Asaba on Monday, the University of Benin will host him at the same campus where Ibori made a Third Class before commencing a life of greed and corruption. An invitation card distributed on Thursday obtained by Saharareporters, signed by the registrar of the institution, shows that Ibori's lecture, which would amount to a taunt of every Nigerian that abhors corruption and abuse of office, would take place at the main Auditorium, at 3 PM prompt.

The Delta State government has made arrangements for Ibori to fly in a Helicopter from Asaba to Benin as soon as the ruling is concluded sometime after 9 AM. Ibori will return to Asaba later in the day for the parties that have been planned with the cooperation and generosity of Governor Uduaghan's administration.

Ibori calculates that since the Southwark Crown court in London has deffered to the case in Asaba by adjourning twice at the instance of the Asaba case, being discharged on Monday would spell a death knell for the London trial of his associates which comes up the next day , November 24, before judge
Ibori arrives in his own court in Asaba