Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan calls for dialogue with Boko Haram, and for Boko Haram’s members to identify themselves and their demands.

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Unexploded bombs found by Nigerian police in Kano. Some concealed in coke cans.

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CNN voices interview with Pastor Adeboye.

These videos are classics and chronicle Nigeria’s first elections – hotly contested by the Northern People’s Congress, National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons, the Action Group and Northern Elements Progressive Union.  There is some wonderful archive footage here and interviews with the Sardauna of Sokoto Ahmadu Bello, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Obafemi Awolowo, Maitama Sule and a young Aminu Kano.

Even though 50+years old, the issues it highlights (cultural and religious differences between north and south) are still relevant today. The things that struck me most:

*The Sardauna’s complete disinterest in federal politics and focus on preserving the customs and integrity of the north. When asked whether he would become Nigeria’s Prime Minister or Governor-General, the Sardauna replied: “I would rather live here amongst my people and carry my traditional title than an imported one.” 

*Azikiwe’s lack of partisan political ambition – saying it did not matter which of he, Balewa and Awolowo became Prime Minister.*The Sardauna’s irritation with Awolowo’s brash campaigning and desecration of northern traditions by hovering over/dropping leaflets on the Emir’s palace.

This is a must view. Enjoy!

Interview with the Nigerian army’s Director of Public Relations, Major-General Rafael Isa.

He made some very interesting observations. The Boko Haram phenomenon is very complex and is a combination of issues including social and political crises, illegal arms proliferation in Nigeria and west Africa, lack of human intelligence and security consciousness. He also said that contrary to claims that Boko Haram is foreign sponsored, the group draws its membership from Nigerian citizens.

He also revealed that Nigerian troops are receiving counter-terrorism training.

Over 200 people killed in Boko Haram’s latest attack. This time Boko Haram bombed the northern city of Kano. Reports say the group used a combination of gun attacks and bombs to carry out the latest attack.

http://www.leadership.ng/nga/articles/14034/2012/01/22/boko_haram_kano_attacks_215_dead_still_counting.html

Boko Haram members disguised in police security uniforms infiltrated a police station, and also carried out a gun attack on the station – indiscriminately firing, killing many officers. This was a coordinated bomb and gun attack.

http://allafrica.com/stories/201201231072.html

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/nigeria/9030066/Terror-attacks-in-Kano-Nigeria-kill-at-least-162.html

A witness said:

“…we saw people running and heard gunshots from the gate, I saw them shooting. You could not differentiate the Boko Haram members from our Police Mobile Force men because they wore the same uniform…They were more than 50. As I tried to run a bullet hit me on my left hand and another shot hit me on my chest I fell”

Another witness said he saw close to 50 attackers and that they “killed every person inside except women and children...all of them were dressed in either Mobile Police uniforms or Army camouflage. They also wore black cloth under their service caps.“

Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State condemns deployment of soldiers in Lagos State:

Negotiations between government ad workers’ unions:

This Occupy Nigeria phenomenon is about more than fuel price increases. This is a young persons’ protest against social injustice, wealth inequality and corruption.

ITN report on Nigeria’s first coup on January 15,1966. Plus excerpts from Major-General Aguiyi-Ironsi’s first press conference.