Shock as TV Station Airs Mandela’s Obituary

Nelson Mandela

By Chiemelie Ezeobi

Shock and outrage have greeted Tuesday's accidental airing of the death hoax of revered South African former president, Nelson Mandela, fondly called Madiba. The Universal Channel (shown on DStv channel 117) had aired a programme 'Remembering Nelson Mandela', apparently from an already prepared file on the global icon.

The channel on MultiChoice's DStv pay-TV cable network platform had accidentally aired the obituary to its millions of viewers who took to the social networks to express their shock and grief. Mandela's health had relapsed last week following infection of his lung. But latest reports from the hospital indicates that his condition is improving.

Finally! Actor Wesley Snipes released from prison

Actor Wesley Snipes has been released from a federal prison
where he was serving a three-year sentence after being convicted
 on tax charges in February 2010.

The release to a supervised residential location in New York
occurred Tuesday, the Federal Bureau of Prisons said.

Snipes was convicted on tax charges in February 2010.

Smart bracelet protects aid workers

A hi-tech bracelet could soon be helping civil rights and aid workers at risk of being kidnapped or killed. When triggered, the personal alarm uses phone and sat-nav technology to warn that its wearer is in danger.

Warnings are sent in the form of messages to Facebook and Twitter to rally support and ensure people do not disappear without trace. The first bracelets are being given out this week and funding is being sought to make many more.

The bracelets have been developed by the Civil Rights Defenders campaign group in a bid to help workers in war zones and other areas of conflict. The chunky bracelet has mobile phone technology buried within it that can send prepared messages when the gadget is triggered.

Pope Francis calls for action on clerical sex abuse

Pope Francis has called for "decisive action" in the fight against sex abuse of minors by priests. He told Bishop Gerhard Mueller, head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith - the Vatican watchdog that deals with sex abuse cases - to ensure that perpetrators were punished.

It was the Argentine Pope's first public statement on clerical sex abuse.A leading sex abuse survivors' group has responded with scepticism, saying "actions speak louder than words".

Multiple Accident Claims Over 50 Lives On Benin-Ore road

An accident which occurred on Friday afternoon in Ugbogui,

 Edo state claimed the lives of about 50 persons. The tragedy 

occurred this afternoon when a diesel tanker and a trailer

 collided with a fully-loaded commercial luxury bus.

Dasuki, Ibrahim, Others on Boko Haram Amnesty C’ttee

Col Sambo Dasuki (rtd)

The National Security Adviser (NSA), Col Sambo Dasuki (rtd), Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral Ola Sa'ad Ibrahim, and a representative of the State Security Service (SSS), among others, have been named as members of the amnesty committee on Boko Haram, set up by President Goodluck Jonathan Thursday to consider the feasibility of granting clemency to the group.

Jonathan, sources said may have finally bowed to pressure to consider granting amnesty to members of the Islamic terrorist group, which informed his decision to set up the committee within the National Security Council (NSC).

Ondo Court Remands Killer Policeman in Prison

Symbol of justice

It was a crash of fortune for a police constable, Alonge Abdul, who has not only lost his job, but also his freedom, for now. His crime was that he shot at a commercial vehicle, whose driver allegedly failed to oblige his demand for money.  The fired bullet tore through the front seat of the car and hit the  pregnant woman sitting on the front seat.  The woman died on the spot before any help could come her way.

For allegedly killing the pregnant woman, Abdul was yesterday arraigned at a Magistrates’ Court 5, Akure, Ondo State, which ordered that he be remanded in prison. The constable was alleged to have shot and killed Mrs Segi Olajiga on Tuesday, with the rifle assigned to him in the course of his duty.

N20bn Motherhood Centre to be Named After First Lady

First Lady, Mrs. Patience Jonathan

The National Council for Women Society (NCWS) has disclosed that the planned motherhood centre which is expected to gulp  N20 billion would be named after  the First Lady, Mrs. Patience Jonathan.

The National President of the NCWS, Mrs. Nkechi Okemini Mba, who briefed journalists on the project in Abuja Thursday, said the centre would be situated in Area 11,  Garki in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

SEGUN ADENIYI: Message from Kenyan Chimpanzees

The Verdict according to Olusegun Adeniyi, Email: olusegun.adeniyi@thisdaylive.com

If you have not heard the name Mohamed Warsama before, it only means that you have not yet been playing in the big league of the Nigerian internet community. For the uninitiated, Warsama is a Kenyan who has managed to wangle his way into several Nigerian blogs and listserv, especially those operated by our compatriots in the Diaspora.

Given the hate messages and stereotypes along ethno-religious lines that pass around, the personal abuses and insults hurled at one another, the labels put on those with whom we disagree and the tales of scandals that abound in our public arena, Warsama has quite naturally seen our nakedness as a nation and has clearly formed his opinion about us as a people. For that reason, the Kenyan delights in winding Nigerians and using every opportunity to take potshots at our country. Yet while his interventions could be mischievous, even diabolical, there are times when you cannot but sense genuine affection for, and concern about, our country.

20 Couples Billed for Kano Mass Wedding Test HIV Positive

 Commander General of the Hisbah Board, Sheik Aminu Daurawa

But for the vigilance of the Hisbah Board of Kano State, the state’s assisted marriage scheme, would have inadvertently led to the spread of HIV/AIDS infections in the state. Its approach paid off as 20 prospective couples under the scheme were stopped from consummating their intending marriage because of their health status.

The Commander General of the Hisbah Board, Sheik Aminu Daurawa, while briefing reporters  Thursday in Kano, said a total of 20 prospective couples were found to be HIV positive when they underwent the mandatory medical check-ups required for the mass wedding of 1,000 widows and divorcees. The ceremony is the third batch in the state.