Undisputable: Dangote emerges as Forbes Africa Person of the Year

Nigerian business man, Aliko Dangote has emerged as the Forbes Africa Person of the Year 2014. Other finalists of the most coveted award were Thuli Madonsela, South Africa’s Public Protector, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Nigerian author, Arunma Oteh, Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission, Nigeria and Donald Kaberuka, President of the African Development Bank.

In selecting Dangote, the panel of judges noted that “Aliko Dangote is a lion of Africa in terms of business. He is second to none when it comes to investing in Africa, not just Nigeria. He is also a capitalist with a big heart. He puts his money where his mouth is and his foundation is a step forward for a man who wants to make a difference on the continent,”

This was Dangote’s fourth nomination for the prestigious awards. Other past finalists include his Highness Dr. Sanusi Lamido Sanusi (2011), James Mwangi (2012) and Akinwumi Adesina (2013). Also feted during the event was Donald Kaberuka, president of the African Development Bank. Kaberuka, who received the lifetime achievement award.

While giving his acceptance speech, Dangote said he considered it an honour to be nominated for the award and thanked the organisers for the priviledge of choosing him as the “Forbes Man of the Year”

“My thanks also go to my family for their unquantifiable support over the years; my diligent staff for their uncommon dedication to duty; my fellow Africans for believing in us; and my numerous friends across the globe, who have been a source of inspiration. I will also like to specially recognise and commend the other nominees for making it up to this stage. Their achievement is no mean feat, given the quality of the award”

Dangote said: “Of course there are challenges, but which are not unsurmountable as long as we stay united in our resolve to overcome them. If we all join hands together, we can emancipate Africa from poverty, ignorance and disease – the triple obstacles to our development as a people”

Chairman, CMA Investment Holding, Rakesh Wahi, described Forbes as a brand, synonymous with entrepreneurship, inspiration, success, failure, getting up after failure and never giving up despite all the odds. He said Forbes highlights journeys of hope; of trials and tribulations of people who despite all challenges have the courage and determination to see their dreams to fruition.

US hostage Luke Somers and SA Pierre Korkie killed during Yemen rescue bid

UK-born US journalist Luke Somers and South African teacher Pierre Korkie have been killed by al-Qaeda militants in Yemen during a failed rescue bid.

Saturday’s operation was carried out by joint US and Yemeni special forces in the southern Shabwa region.

US President Barack Obama condemned the “barbaric murder” of both hostages.

They were being held by militants from al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), regarded by the US as one of the deadliest offshoots of al-Qaeda.

The group is based in eastern Yemen and has built up support amid the unrest which has beset the impoverished country since the overthrow of President Ali Abdullah Saleh in 2011.

Analysis: Frank Gardner, BBC Security correspondent

This is America’s third failed hostage rescue mission in the Middle East in less than six months.

In July its Special Operations commandos launched a raid on an Islamic State hideout near Raqqa in Syria in a bid to free James Foley and other US and British hostages. They were too late: the men had been moved just days earlier.

The same thing happened in November with Luke Somers in Yemen. US operatives found the cave in a remote province where al-Qaeda had been hiding him and other hostages. They freed a number of captives but once again, the westerners had been moved only days before.

In this latest raid in Yemen their intelligence was accurate. They correctly located where Luke Somers was being held. But once his captors were aware they were being attacked they killed both him and Pierre Korkie proving that hostage rescues are notoriously risky and have only a limited chance of success.

‘Imminent danger’

President Obama said he authorised the raid to rescue Mr Somers and other hostages held in the same location.

He said information had “indicated that Luke’s life was in imminent danger”.

Both Mr Somers and Mr Korkie were “murdered [by] terrorists during the rescue operation”, Mr Obama said.

He offered his “thoughts and prayers” to Mr Korkie’s family, saying: “Their despair and sorrow at this time are beyond words”.

A charity working with Mr Korkie said that they had expected his release on Sunday, and that the US rescue attempt had “destroyed everything”.

Teacher Pierre Korkie (right) was seized in Yemen in May 2013

A number of militants were also killed in the operation.

Senior US officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, told AP news agency that they believed both men were shot by their captors as the raid unfolded, and eventually died of their injuries.

Both hostages were alive when US forces rescued them, pulling them onto a plane that flew to a nearby US naval ship, officials said.

However, Mr Korkie is believed to have died during the flight, while Mr Somers died on the USS Makin Island, they added.

A spokesman for South Africa’s Department of International Relations told local media: “We were informed this morning that Mr Pierre Korkie was killed in an operation by American forces to rescue hostages, that he was caught in the crossfire.”

US special forces were in possession of Mr Korkie’s body, which would be repatriated to South Africa, spokesman Nelson Kgwete added.

‘Very much loved’

Mr Somers was born in Britain and UK relatives have been mourning his death in Kent.

His step-mother, Penny Bearman, told the BBC that he was “very much loved” by people in Yemen.

“Luke was a peace-loving person who cared for the Yemeni people and the Yemeni struggle,” she said, speaking from Deal. “It is a tragedy that his life should end in this way.”

A friend of Mr Somers, who did not wish to be named, described him as “one of the kindest and most dedicated people to Yemen I have ever met”.

“He didn’t concern himself with the politics of it or the important people,” she told the BBC.

Instead, he spent “every waking hour with the neighbours and with youth activists, just trying to get the voice of the everyday Yemeni person out to the world.”

‘Devastation’

Meanwhile a charity working with Mr Korkie said that it was saddened by his death.

Former hostage Yolande Korkie had campaigned for her husband’s release

“Pierre Korkie was very sick – he had a hernia,” Gift of the Givers’ Yemen project director Anas Hamati told the BBC’s Newshour.

Mediators had been working on an “arrangement to take him out”, he said, adding: “His passport was ready, everything was ready.

“In that time the attack happened by US special forces in Yemen and that has destroyed everything.”

Mr Korkie was abducted with his wife Yolande in May last year in Yemen’s second city, Taiz.

She was freed on 10 January without ransom and returned to South Africa.

“The psychological and emotional devastation to Yolande and her family will be compounded by the knowledge that Pierre was to be released by al-Qaeda tomorrow,” the charity said in a statement.

‘Difficult time’

Mr Somers, who was kidnapped in Yemen in 2013, appeared in a video this week appealing for help.

The footage showed a member of AQAP threatening to kill him unless unspecified demands were met.

Mr Somers worked as a journalist and photographer for local news organisations. His material appeared on international news outlets,including the BBC News website.

Luke Somers emails to the BBC

Luke Somers was abducted in Yemen in September 2013

22 August 2013

With widespread attention very recently focusing on embassy closures and security threats, I strongly feel that such a glimpse as this photo essay provides can serve to balance such attention with the true-to-life interests of Yemen’s citizens.

24 August 2013

Yemen isn’t the most difficult place to live in. Always something to make you smile, you just sometimes have to step outside and find it. I actually feel pretty fortunate, as I’m the only foreigner I know of working directly and regularly in connection with the National Dialogue Conference. But soon enough, I need to depart and spend some time with my mom!

4 September 2013

I’m sure I will return to the Middle East – and with regards to Yemen, it’s pretty much a must. It’s an emptying thought, imaging rooting yourself so firmly in a place, only to never return. So return I should, return I must.

Profile: Luke Somers

Mr Somers was kidnapped outside a supermarket in the Yemeni capital Sana’a in September 2013.

“Our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time,” a BBC spokesperson said on Saturday.

UK Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond condemned AQAP for the killing of both hostages.

“Luke had close links with the UK and his family have spoken about Luke’s life and his work, and that is how he should be remembered,” he said.

He told the BBC the UK would not pay kidnap ransoms for its subjects.

“We know from our own intelligence that hostage takers go for hostages of nationalities where they believe ransoms will be paid. So paying ransoms makes your citizens more at risk of kidnap than not paying ransoms.”

Another attempt to rescue Mr Somers last month had failed.

U.S hostage killed during rescue bid

A United States journalist held by al-Qaeda in Yemen was killed by militants during an operation to rescue him, U.S and Yemeni officials say.

Luke Somers was shot by his captors during a raid by U.S forces, a U.S official told the New York Times.

His sister, Lucy Somers, told the Associated Press that she had been notified by the FBI of his death.

U.S Defence Secretary, Chuck Hagel confirmed the killing and said a second, non-U.S hostage, also died.

Yemen’s defence ministry confirmed a “major operation” had taken place in Yemen’s southern Shabwa province on Saturday.

Mr. Somers, who was kidnapped in Yemen in 2013, had appeared in a video appealing for help.

“We ask that all of Luke’s family members be allowed to mourn in peace,” Lucy Somers told AP, speaking from London.

A drone strike believed to have been carried out by the U.S is reported to have killed nine suspected al-Qaeda militants in the region, the BBC reports.

Mr. Somers, 33, worked as a journalist and photographer for local news organisations. His material appeared on international news outlets, including the BBC News website.

He was kidnapped outside a supermarket in the Yemeni capital Sana’a in September 2013 and is believed to have been sold on to al-Qaeda in the Arab Peninsula (AQAP).

Details to follow shortly…

Save Us! Photos: Internally displaced children in Adamawa

Breaking News!!!!! Prison Break Season 2: Jail break in Minna, 270 Inmates freed

A gang of armed men on Saturday stormed Minna Medium Prison yard, broke into the cells and set 270 inmates free.

The gang stormed the facility at about 4:30pm  today over powered the Prison officials, broke into the record room, armoury room and carted away some weapon and bullet proof vests.

Details shortly….

Oil price Fall:Brent falls below $69 as price rout rolls on

Brent crude slipped below $69 a barrel yesterday on track to finish the week below $70 a barrel for the first time since 2010, as cuts to official selling prices from Saudi Arabia added to recent pressure.

Prices remain near five-year lows as the market grapples with oversupply due to the U.S. shale boom and the recent decision by the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries not to cut production.

Prices pared early losses after stronger-than-expected U.S. employment data, while a slightly lower physical supply from the program that underpins the Brent crude benchmark in January also provided support.

But analysts said the Saudi cuts to monthly prices for crude it sells to the United States and Asia just a week after blocking cuts to OPEC’s output show it is stepping up its battle for market share.

“It’s been weighing on the market, showing that OPEC is not ready to end its price war,” said Commerzbank analyst Eugen Weinberg. “The lower the better seems to be the new paradigm for OPEC.”

The January Brent crude contract fell by $1.14 to $68.50 a barrel, on track for the ninth loss in 10 weeks. U.S. crude was down $1.35 at $65.46.

At the same time, oversupply could rise next year when Iraq starts to export more oil as a result of an agreement between Baghdad and the Kurdish regional government.

Libya is also set to restart its largest oilfield, El Sharara, once a pipeline blockage is cleared.

The combined pressure is preventing Brent from rebounding from a near 13-percent plunge last week.

The fall may put global oil and gas exploration projects worth more than $150 billion on hold next year, potentially curbing supply by the end of the decade.

Fatih Birol, chief economist with the International Energy Agency, said yesterday he sees oil prices rising to near $100 a barrel in the coming years. Analysts also expect oil prices to rebound in the next two years, averaging $82.50 a barrel in 2015, a Reuters poll showed.

Police Nabs 9 With INEC Machines In Rivers

Nine men in possession of three voters registration machines reportedly belonging to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, have been arrested by the Rivers State Police Command.

It was learnt that the suspects arrested on Thursday night, in a hotel in Elele, Ikwerre Local Government Area of the state.

Confirming the development, the state police spokesman, Ahmad Muhammad, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), said nine persons were arrested in a hotel.

According to him, the suspects confessed to being internet fraudsters.

He said: “Following a tip-off that some persons with questionable characters were seen entering a hotel at Elele with concealed items in a carton, the police immediately raided the hotel and arrested nine suspected youths, who admitted that they were a syndicate of internet scammers trying to break into a code.

“Meanwhile, investigation has commenced to confirm the veracity of their claims”, the police said.

The state Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr. Aniedi Ikowaik, told journalists that they were yet to clarify the issue.

He, however, pointed out that the commission’s machines were in the field as at yesterday for the continuous voters registration exercise, adding that findings cconducted did not show where the said machines were used.

Ghost:Jim Nwobodo’s son’s corpse missing

late Dr. Ifeanyi Nwobodo jnr.

A serious controversy is trailing the burial of the late Dr. Ifeanyi Nwobodo jnr., the first son of Senator Jim Nwobodo, as his corpse was missing on Friday.

Nwobodo jnr. died about three weeks ago and was billed to be buried on Friday at his father’s country home, Amechi Awkunanaw, near Enugu but when the corpse was to be taken for burial it was nowhere to be found.

Nwobodo, who was Second Republic Governor of old Anambra State, reportedly built a bungalow for his first son immediately after his death and ordered that his remains should be buried within the compound, in line with Igbo tradition that a first son, who dies before the father, disinherits his inheritance.It was gathered that the missing corpse might not be unconnected with a disagreement between Sen. Nwobodo and the siblings of the deceased over the location of his grave.

But the siblings of the deceased insisted that their brother must be buried in their father’s compound and not the house hurriedly built for him after his death.

The kinsmen of the senator were said to have pitched their tent with the children, against their father who allegedly wants his second wife to inherit his country home.

The deceased was an offspring of Senator Nwobodo’s estranged first wife, Mrs. Mukosolu Nwobodo.

Although the family initially concealed disagreement over the burial, the matter came to the open when dignitaries and other sympathisers gathered in Nwobodo’s country home for the funeral and discovered that the corpse was missing.

Among the dignitaries were Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu; Senators Chris Ngige and Gilbert Nnaji, former Imo State Governor, Achike Udenwa; former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, and former Information and Communication Minister, Frank Nweke jnr.

The dignitaries attempted to mediate in the dispute, but both parties in the disagreement refused to shift grounds.

Even the intervention of the Anglican Bishop of Enugu Diocese, Bishop Emmanuel Chukwuma, who accepted to bury the deceased at nearby St. Mathew’s Anglican Church, yielded no result.

Nwobodo’s children told the Bishop to forget the idea of burying their brother in the church, saying that his remains must rest in their father’s compound.

Following the development, the funeral could nots as dignitaries and other sympathisers dispersed.

A kinsman of Nwobodo, who spoke with our correspondent, said that since the senator does not want his son to be buried in his compound, let him hands of the burial and allow the community to handle it the way they want.

As at 5.30 p.m. on Friday, the whereabouts of the corpse was unknown, although unconfirmed sources said it was most likely that his siblings took away the corpse to embarrass their father.

Interview With DJ Khaled

DJ Khaled occupies a unique position in the pop world. While he’s spent decades working as a DJ, producer, rapper, and radio personality, he’s best known simply for his ability to bring together the biggest rappers in the world for platinum posse cuts with his name topping the credits, even if his main contribution to the track is a bunch of super-enthusiastic ad libs. It’s industry flex elevated to a legitimate art form, and a reflection of a lifetime spent on grinding in the Miami rap scene.

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The Music Mix Jeezy, the most motivational man in the rap game, opens up about what motivates him

With “Hold You Down,” his first real attempt at adapting his formula for R&B (featuring Jeremih, Future, August Alsina, and Chris Brown on vocals), wedged firmly in the Hot 100 and a new headphone line about to drop, Khaled got on the phone with EW to talk about his superhuman hustle.

EW: People see you in these videos and know you had something to do with putting these songs together, but it seems like a lot of them don’t know what your role in them actually is. So this is a weird question, but what exactly do you do?

DJ KHALED: It’s not a lot of people, really. DJ Khaled’s obviously one of the biggest DJ’s in the world. DJ Khaled’s also one of the biggest producers in the world. DJ Khaled is also one of the biggest executives in the world. DJ Khaled’s also one of the biggest A&R’s in the world. DJ Khaled also has a management company called We the Best. Also CEO of his own record company called We the Best. A publishing company called We the Best. DJ Khaled is a brand. DJ Khaled is a mogul. He wears a lot of hats. You know what I’m saying?

How do you find time to do all that?

You have to make time, and you have to challenge yourself every day. I always tell people I haven’t slept for 38 years. Today I only got four hours of sleep. It is what it is. To be number one, and to be on top, to fulfill my type of dreams and goals it takes a lot of hard work and dedication. It’s not all pretty. Some people don’t have that kind of work ethic, and that’s why they’re not on the phone with you.

Your new track “Hold You Down” has the same formula as your other singles where you bring together a bunch of stars, but this one has more of an R&B vibe. How did the song come together?

I wanted to challenge myself and put all R&B artists on this record, for two reasons. I wanted to do it for myself and make a special record, and I also wanted to do it for the game, meaning, “Oh, Khaled breaks another ground. Khaled makes another number one.” But it’s not what you’re used to. I think that shows the music man in me. I know how to make records. I know how to put them together. I know how to be the coach, the leader. When I was making “Hold You Down,” I always remember when Quincy Jones put together “Secret Garden.” I remember how excited I was when I heard that record and saw all them stars together.

What’s the secret to writing a hit record?

In my idea of it, it’s something that people can relate to. And being honest. I always want to make sure it’s something people can relate to. When they hear it they can say, “They’re talking about me.” When you hear “Hold You Down,” I’m sure everyone has a wifey or a girlfriend or a friend who you hold down. And you treat them special because they hold you down.

Tell me about the headphones you’re releasing.

The headphones I’m very excited about. First of all, I want to shout out my partners Bang & Olufsen and Heads Audio for collaborating with me on We the Best Sound. I’m excited because it’s the best headphone in the game, craftsmanship-wise, sound-wise, and I think style-wise as well. I wanted to do this because anything I promote, I want it to be real and authentic. If you know my track record, you know I only do great things. When I made this headphone, I think it’s the best headphone out.

What’s the next thing you want to do?

Right now I’m all about my brand, We the Best. Right now it’s definitely the headphones, but I want my brand to continue growing the way it is, from the music to the headphones. Maybe one day you might be seeing me in films and movies. Just taking my career and my brand to another level. You might catch me in a Coca-Cola commercial.

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