Mob Attacks 14 Alleged Gay Men in Gishiri, Abuja

More than a dozen alleged gay men were dragged from their homes in the Gishiri neighborhood of Abuja last week and beaten with sticks by a mob declaring they wanted to ‘cleanse the community.’

One man was nearly beaten to death and four of the men were dragged to the nearby police station, where the police continued the beatings and insults, according to reports by Ifeanyi Orazulike from the International Center on Advocacy for the Right to Health.

Witnesses said that the mob of over 40 men had broken down the doors of the neighbourhood at around 1am and shouted that it was going to cleanse the community of gays, and used wires, whips and furniture to attack the 14 young men they condemned as homosexual.

The assaults come a month after President Goodluck Jonathan signed into law a bill that criminalizes same-sex relationships, requiring a maximum of 14 years in prison for offenders.

Orazulike told international news agencies that those attacked were in hiding. “They were told ‘If you come back, we will kill you,’” he said.

He also revealed that the walls of houses where the men lived were painted with graffiti stating “Homosexuals, pack and leave.”

The US has condemned the law and threatened sanctions against Nigeria; however the U.S. ambassador to Nigeria, James F. Entwistle has assured Nigerians that the United States would not be cutting aid because of the anti-gay law.

First Lady Was Not Rushed to German Hospital - FCT Minister

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Sen. Bala Mohammed, has condemned recent media reports that the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, had been flown abroad for medical treatment.

The minister made the remark on Sunday in at his home in Abuja, when the first lady paid him a condolence visit over the death of his brother, Mallam Yusuf Mohammed. He described the report as false and malicious.

“We want to dispute media reports that you are sick and rushed abroad,” he said, “but here you are resplendent and beautiful.”

He noted that Dame Jonathan’s support to her husband, the nation, and vulnerable women has had a positive impact on the lives on Nigerians.

Speaking earlier, the first lady commiserated with the family of the minister and the people of Bauchi state over the death of Mallam Yusuf Mohammed. “It is quite sad,” she said, “but we can’t question God. He gives and takes, but we can pray that his soul should rest in perfect peace.”

ICPC Seizes 372 International Passports

The Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has seized 372 international passports recovered from several persons and agents.

The Commission has asked the owners of the recovered passports to come to its headquarters in Abuja this week along with proof of ownership and the travel documents supporting their visa applications to respective embassies to collect their passports.

The recovery is part of an ongoing clampdown on fake documentation in the acquisition of visas, and last year the ICPC arrested 18 suspects in Abuja and Lagos who were allegedly involved in the production of fake visa and travel documents.

 

The Commission has made several arrests after receiving an increasing number of petitions from students applying to study abroad and patients seeking medical care in India who were duped by some agents.

Travelers have been advised to use authentic documents and only deal with registered travel agents.

FCT Minister: Why Nigeria’s Unity is not Negotiable at Confab

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Bala Mohammed has stated that the decision not to discuss the unity of Nigeria at the forthcoming National Dialogue was taken in respect of the aspiration of Nigerians.

 

Senator Mohammed gave the explanation recently while speaking on Radio Nigeria Network programme ‘Radio Link’. He said that the disposition of Nigerians on the unity of the country was demonstrated when the National Dialogue Advisory Committee went around the country to collate thousands of memoranda expressing faith in the oneness of Nigeria with only one memorandum advocating disintegration of the country.

That, he said, was a clear testimony that Nigerians do not see disintegration as an option.

“I am aware of the existence of few people with negative mindset who might be misconceiving the National Dialogue as an opportunity to plot against the unity and solidarity of Nigerians as one people,” he added. “The National Dialogue would bring Nigerians closer to one another rather than divide them.”

 

President Commissions Aviation Village, NHF e-Card Scheme

President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday commissioned a N2.4 billion housing estate in Abuja financed by the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), and at the same time launched the National Housing Fund (NHF) e-card scheme that will make it easier for NHF contributors to monitor fund transactions.

The President praised the public-private partnership agreement behind the mass housing project of 270 flats at the Aviation Village in Abuja, stating that “our intention is not to create a government monopoly but to encourage the private sector to drive the process while we provide the right policies and environment”.

He described the e-card scheme as an “effective tool for ensuring transparency and accountability of national housing funds contributions received by the FMBN. This is one this administration’s efforts at promoting transparency in the management of resources.

“Contributors will not only find the e- card useful in managing their fund but also boost their confidence in the national housing scheme. Those who are still in breach of the law by not contributing should now be comfortable to comply since they are assured of the safety and proper application of their money” he said.

“As for this administration, I assure you all that improving the living standards of Nigerians is an imperative which we are resolutely pursuing”, he said.

He added that it was better to build smaller housing estates across the country rather than building large estates that may not eventually be well kept.

The Managing Director of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, Gimba Ya’u Kumo noted the increase in NHF collections from N700 million to N2.2 billion a month.

JAMB to Phase out Paper Tests Next Year

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation board (JAMB) has said the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination will be conducted using the Computer-Based method from next year onward with the aim of totally phasing out paper-based examinations.

The Director, Test Administration of the Board, Mr Yusuf Lawan, made this known in Abuja recently while conducting a computer-based advocacy test for 140 secondary school students drawn from 14 schools in Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

He said the aim of the exercise was to use the feedback to improve the system before next year.

He added that the board was trying its best ensure that the test doesn't discriminate against people in rural areas as all their concerns and problem encountered in such places last year and this year will be taken into account.

Mr. Lawan revealed that the paper test this year will be conducted on the 12th of April while the Computer-Based Test will hold for two weeks starting from the 17th of May.

Abuja to host SHAPE Africa 2014

The Abuja Global Shapers hub is ready to host the ‘SHAPE Africa 2014′ during the forthcoming World Economic Forum Africa Regional Meeting in May 2014.

The Curator of the World Economic Forum – Abuja Global Shapers, Ms Joycee Awojoodu said the approval came following the strong proposal put forward by the Abuja Global Shapers and their level of preparedness to host the event.

The event, she said, will bring about 250 participants from across the continent to Abuja. “We as young people are united by our passion to leave a lasting impact on our beloved Continent, utilizing transformational leadership to transcend boundaries and unleash the potential to solve our greatest challenges,” she added.

She further stated that participants will leave the forum with greater insights into the problems of Africa and action plans to implement in the various countries.