Kaduna Bomb Targeted Prominent Islamic Cleric, Sheikh Gumi- PREMIUM TIMES

suicide bomber killed by own bomb.

The bomb blast in Kaduna, Tuesday afternoon, may have been targeted at a renowned Islamic Scholar and medical doctor, Ahmed Gumi, sources in Kaduna say.

A witness who prefer not to be named said “though the explosion may have been accidental, the Sheikh is clearly the target because the incident occurred just when he was about to leave for the daily Tafsir he delivers at Sultan Bello Mosque.”

It is not clear who the bearers of the explosive were. However, the Islamic cleric has been very critical of the Boko Haram sect as well as the Federal Government in his Ramadan sermons this year.

The cleric is one of the few prominent Islamic clerics, based in Northern Nigeria, who publicly condemn the activities of the sect.

Meanwhile, the spokesperson for the Kaduna State Police Command, Abubakar Balteh, while confirming the incident, said only two bodies, believed to be those of the assailants, were found at the scene of the blast.

But some witnesses say three persons were on the motorcycle on which the attackers rode before the explosion.

Mr. Baltzh said, “two persons on a motorcycle were killed from an IED (improvised explosive device) that accidentally exploded on transit.”

Speaking further, Mr. Balteh said “the incident occurred around 3:45pm around Modibo Adama Junction leading to the residence of Sheikh Dr Ahmed Gumi near NNPC Mega station along Ali Akilu way.”

“However, no other casualty is reported and we have already commenced investigation into the explosion,” he said.

Kaduna, the political capital of old Northern Nigeria, has witnessed several attacks by the Boko Haram group.

In July, the group attacked the home of Namadi Sambo, the Vice president, in Zaria, killing one person.
Several bomb attacks in the state, especially on places of worship and private residences, have also caused the death of dozens of people.

Tuesday’s explosion came amidst reports that the Boko Haram sect had begun negotiation with the Federal Government .

A man, Abu Mohammed, who claimed to be the deputy leader of Boko Haram, called the Voice of America to inform them that the sect was having discussions with the FG.

Mr. Mohammed called a VOA reporter in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, to talk about the negotiation which he said was facilitated prominent Northern leaders.

PREMIUM TIMES could not independently verify Mr. Mohammed’s claim.

Explosion rocks again in Kaduna.

By SaharaReporters, New York

SaharaReporters has learned of a bomb blast that took place in Kaduna. Eyewitnesses said the blast occurred along Ali Akilu road by Lord Lugard roundabout in the metropolis.

The two bombers on a motorbike who were in possesion of the bomb died instantly. The location of the blast is also close to Sultan Bello Mosque where Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has recently attacked Boko Haram militants in weekly sermons.

Man surrenders to police after kidnapping, burying prophetess alive

Asaba—A 27-year-old man, who allegedly took part in the kidnap of a prophetess after which the woman was buried alive in his compound, has surrendered to the police eight months after the dastardly act. The suspect complained that the spirit of the prophetess was tormenting him.

Delta State Police Command’s spokesman, Mr. Charles Muka, who confirmed the development, told our reporter in Asaba, yesterday: “It was a case of kidnap and murder of a woman fully dressed in a white garment church attire, which was committed on December 30, 2011 but the suspect surrendered self to police.”

Muka said that following the confession of the suspect, another suspect was arrested while efforts were on to exhume the body of the woman.

He said: “An unidentified woman said to be from Uzere and dressed in white garment church attire was kidnapped at Ughelli and taken to the house of one Emma, male, 27 years old, who is the first suspect, from Owahawa, Ughelli South Local Government Area.

“The suspect surrendered himself to the police because his soul was troubled and confessed burying the victim alive in his compound when she became weak. His confession led to the arrest of another suspect. Detectives have also identified the spot where she was buried alive and the corpse would be exhumed when relations of victim are identified. We hereby call on members of the public, whose missing person depicts the description, to report to police area command Warri, while we are making effort to arrest others involved in the crime.”
-VANGUARD

Celebrities banned by top hotels

What does a celebrity bring when checking into a hotel? Glamour, buzz, and sometimes, a whole lot of chaos.

Sure, hosting a famous guest can translate into great PR for a hotel, but “it can also be a mixed bag,” admits Mark Plonkey, the general manager of Denver’s Hotel Teatro. “The one thing I’ve learned throughout the years is that public persona is not always the reality behind closed doors.”

According to most hotel managers that Travel + Leisure spoke with, most conflicts with celebrities are pretty mundane, and often result from overzealous “handlers:” demands for discounts or precise requests like a bowl of single-colored M&Ms. But other hotels know that debauchery can be good for business. “We embrace the spirit of rock ’n’ roll,” says Brandon Powers, creative director of the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas. “They can trash their room or even take a donkey up there, so long as we don’t have to clean up after it in the casino. It takes a lot for us to ask someone to leave.”

Nicola Adam's dog Dexter glued to screen as mistress takes gold

As Nicola Adams triumphed in the ExCeL arena, her dog, Dexter, was excitedly watching the action 200 miles away.
As Nicola Adams triumphed in the ExCeL arena, her dog, Dexter, was excitedly watching the action 200 miles away.

The 10-month-old Doberman had the gold medal winning fight beamed directly into his ''apartment'' at the Leeds pet boarding centre where he is staying while Adams is busy conquering the world in London.
Dexter was extremely excitable for the first three rounds but, as the fourth round developed he stopped and watched his mistress on his kennel TV, pawing at the glass separating him from the screen.
Clutching his Team GB boxing meerkat, he paced and looked agitated as he and the staff waited for the referee to raise Adams's arm.
James Cundy, from mypetstop pet boarding, said: ''We think it is quite unusual.

DIPLOMATIC TREAT FOR KETO COUTURE

WIVES OF AFRICAN HIGH COMMISSIONERS/AMBASSADORS TO THE UK HOST KETO COUTURE IN AN EXCLUSIVE FASHION SHOW IN LONDON

BY DORIS OLOTON- BR(AFWL)

It was all pomp and pageantry at the Abuja House home of the Nigerian High commissioner to the United Kingdom as Keto Couture was hosted in an exclusive fashion show. The show which was put together by the wives of the African High Commissioners/Ambassadors to the UK spearheaded by Her Excellency Mrs. Salmatu Tafida, wife of Nigerian High Commissioner to the UK.

It featured delegates from various African Countries including Mauritius, South Africa, Cameroun to mention only a few. Also in attendance were wives of deputy high commissioners and defence attachés and the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) Entertainment.
In a highly colourful and stately display of the most exquisite and elegant styles, world class models took to the runway showcasing matchless and trendy designs of the Keto Couture label. The evening was also spiced up by a cat-walk session by their Excellencies.
In her brief welcome address, Mrs.

Tafida noted that this was the first of its kind and that she intends to keep promoting only the best from Africa. She paid glowing tribute to the creativity and sheer excellence in Keto designs and encouraged other entrepreneurs of African origin to emulate Keto Couture’s creativity and excellence.

Then came the time for the runway show. As the models took to the runway, the house went up in uproar with shouts of ‘Waoh! Waoh!’ rending the otherwise calm and dignified atmosphere. They all took turns to praise the designs and the designer and also called for more of such evenings.
In her speech the prolific highly talented and elegant designer,

Mrs. Kenny Okorie thanked their Excellencies and in particular Mrs. Tafida for the honour done her. She said it was indeed an honour to be nominated amongst hundreds of designers from Africa for the show and promised to keep making Africa and Nigeria proud.

Nappies for chicken...IS THIS FUNNY?

A US woman has created nappies for chickens.

Ruth Haldeman hatched the idea to help those who keep chickens as pets because the animals are often doing their business anywhere and everywhere.

She said: “I had to make some diapers or else they would make a mess everywhere.

“Chickens have a lot of personality. They are responsive to people and they definitely have their likes and preferences."

The nappies feature a pouch with straps that run between a chicken's legs - and Ruth has even created a website to sell her product.