aghani

jeudi 27 janvier 2011

INEC Boss wants additional N6.6billion for Voters Registration

Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Attahiru Jega, two days ago Wednesday Jan 26 requested an additional N6.6 billion to complete voter registration, in disregard of the warning issued by the National Assembly (NASS) November last year for him not come back for more funds.

The INEC already got N87 billion for the entire election process, including voter registration.

Jega said that the fresh funds would address four pressing challenges: personnel (two), transportation, and consummables. He also said the INEC registered only 28.5 million voters by January 22 out of the estimated 65, 783,046 million.

Wonder shall never end!

FAB Magazine now sold in the UK

Yesterday Thursday 27 January marked FAB magazine's entry to the UK retail market, gracing the shelves of WH Smith's and independent retailers. If you are in the UK, and you love this magazine...then go get a copy!

Taraji P. Henson goes naked for PETA

She's 40 years old. Wow!

Ugandan gay rights activist bludgeoned to death in his home

A Ugandan gay rights activist whose name was published on a list of the nation's "top homosexuals" was bludgeoned to death today in his home near the capital, his lawyer said Thursday.

How unfortunate!

A neighbor found David Kato dead and notified authorities, according to his lawyer, John Onyango.
Kato's money and some clothes were missing after the attack, Onyango said.

It was unclear whether Kato's killing was linked to his gay rights activism or a front-page story in a Ugandan tabloid that reignited anti-gay sentiments late last year.

The story included a list of "top 100 homosexuals" with their photos, addresses and a banner with the words "Hang Them." Kato's name and picture were on the list.

Arrest warrants have been issued for two suspects: a taxi driver found near Kato's house and an ex-convict who was staying with Kato before the killing, Onyango said.

Kato told CNN last year that he feared for his life after the list was released. His lawyer said he had informed authorities in Mukono, the town where he lived, of his fears.
"The villagers want to set my house ablaze," he told CNN at the time. "They want to burn my house. ... (They say,) 'Can you go away before my house is burned?'"

Authorities in the Mukono criminal investigations department declined to comment pending further investigation.
Activists decried the attack, and urged authorities in the east African nation to investigate the killing. They called on the government to protect them from violence, and act on threats and hostility toward them.
"David Kato's death is a tragic loss to the human rights community. David had faced the increased threats to Ugandan LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) people bravely and will be sorely missed," said Maria Burnett, senior Africa researcher at Human Rights Watch.

The U.S. Mission in Kampala, Uganda, issued a statement saying it "mourns" Kato's death.

"The U.S. extends its sympathies to David's family, friends and human rights colleagues," the statement said. "David's courageous devotion to promoting the universal human rights of members of Uganda's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community improved the lives of minority populations in Uganda and throughout Africa, and his selfless dedication to defending human rights and speaking out against injustice served as inspiration to human rights defenders around the world."

Earlier this year, Kato and two activists won a case against the magazine that published the list. The court ruled that media in Uganda are barred from releasing details of known or potential homosexuals in the country.
The editor of the Rolling Stone, the tabloid that published the list, denounced the attacks and said he sympathized with the victim's family.

"When we called for hanging of gay people, we meant ... after they have gone through the legal process," said Giles Muhame. "I did not call for them to be killed in cold blood like he was."
The Rolling Stone tabloid is not affiliated with the iconic U.S. music magazine by the same name.

Homosexuality is illegal in most countries in Africa, where sodomy laws were introduced during colonialism. In Uganda, homosexual acts are punishable by 14 years to life in prison, according to rights activists.

Source: CNN

Jeta Amata's Black Gold Tops CNN Movie Review Chart

Jeta Amata's yet to be released movie about the Naija Delta, Black Gold, which stars several Hollywood actors, is currently generating a lot attention outside Nigeria. The movie was recently on the top list on CNN's movie review.

If these people are showing this much interest in a movie that's not even out yet, imagine when it comes out. Who knows, it could get an Oscar nomination for best foreign film next year. An Algerian film was nominated this year...so it's possible...