Jonathan, 6th richest African president

Richest Lifestyle, a US-based website, has listed President Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria as the 6th Richest African president.

In an article titled, ‘Richest African Presidents 2014′ , the US website compiled a list of the nine richest presidents and kings in Africa. According to the article, President Jonathan is worth $100million. Other African presidents and kings on the list include;

1. Jose Eduardo dos Santos of Angola – Net Worth: $20 Billion 2. Mohammed VI of Morocco – Net Worth: $2.5 Billion 3. Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea – $600 Million 4. Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya – Net Worth: $500 Million 5. Paul Biya of Cameroon – Net Worth: $200 Million 6. King Mswati III of Swaziland – Net Worth: $100 Million (The monarch shares the number 6 spot with President Jonathan) 7. Idriss Deby of Chad – Net Worth: $50 Million 8. Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe – Net Worth: $10 Million

Lessons from Obasanjo’s return to school at 77

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s return to school has thrown up debate in the polity, CHARLES ABAH reports

The return of former President Olusegun Obasanjo to the National Open University of Nigeria to begin MA/PhD programme in Christian Theology has elicited different comments. While some commentators commend his fresh academic journey at 77 as a bold step, others merely dismiss it as a publicity stunt for the university whose resuscitation he helped to facilitate in 2001.

For the latter school of thought, the action of the authorities is more than meets the eye. This, perhaps, explains why they ask whether the university is using the former President and some Nollywood artistes as bait to attract more students.

Indeed, while the authorities of the university were presenting the former president with his admission letter last Tuesday, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Vincent Tenebe, admitted that the presence of Obasanjo during his postgraduate diploma between 2007 and 2009 quadrupled student admission to the school. The VC also pointed to the long list of Nollywood artistes that have become the face of the university.

TV stars, Desmond Elliot and Doris Simeon, are among some of the movie artistes present during the elaborate presentation ceremony held at the Victoria Island headquarters of the university. Those who frown on the action argue that the academic community is a haven for serious learning process and not a place to parade comedians and entertainers as the institution’s ambassadors.

They also wonder why the 13-year-old university is seeking the endorsement of the artistes to attract further mileage. In their thinking, the provision of the right learning environment and facilities are central to distance learning process, which NOUN represents.

The university, according to Tenebe, has an active student population of 150,000, whereas the Indira Gandhi National Open University, New Delhi, India, established in 1985 has a population of over three million students, the Korea National Open University has more than 180,000 students.

Beyond this razzmatazz, stakeholders say there is the need to go deeper into the Obasanjo’s return to school narrative at 77. Does a septuagenarian have the capability to withstand the rigours of strenuous academic pursuit? Does the person have the capacity to carry out serious independent studies required at the master and doctoral levels? These, among others, are posers analysts are seeking answers to.

According to an education psychologist, Dr. Adeboye Ayinde, there is nothing stopping anyone from seeking more knowledge or aspiring for further education whether through the formal approach of learning or not.

The Obafemi Awolowo University lecturer adds, “You cannot stop learning until death comes. Learning can be formal or informal. As long as one has the capability, there is no stopping one from learning.

“We are different individuals and that is where the psychology of individual differences theory comes in. Some at age 90 may still be able to catch up and understand certain things, but some at 70 may no longer cope. It depends on the individuals. In psychology, we have human actualisation goal that says you cannot stop aspiring in life. So, I think that is what is propelling the former president, who has ruled the country thrice.”

A Professor of Education at the University of Lagos, Ngozi Osarenren, also agrees with Ayinde. According to the UNILAG lecturer, there is no end to learning.

She notes, “It all depends on the individual’s mental attitude to education. If Obasanjo has fulfilled so many things and he feels challenged to get a PhD and not honorary doctorate, perhaps to deride or encourage others, he can go on to do it.

“I want to believe that he wants to beat his chest to say that he is Dr. Obasanjo because he went to school. He does not want to be nice to any university to have an honorary doctorate degree. He wants to answer ‘doctor’ because he earned it – having written his exams and thesis – I think that is what is motivating him.”

The educationist, who says it is no big deal to return to school as a septuagenarian, adds that the guiding principles to success in education are the right attitude and intrinsic motivation.

Even Obasanjo notes that he wants Nigerians to know that age is no barrier to learning.

He says, “I want to make statement that no matter the position you have attained in life, it should not be a barrier to seeking knowledge. Learning should be a continuous process and if you can do it without the formality of the university, well and good. But I chose to learn by other means and through a discipline and the formality of a university. Again, this admission offers me a fresh challenge in life.”

While educationists and Obasanjo hold the view that learning has no age barrier, a medical expert, Prof. Remi Ajekigbe, posits that the former President’s action or that of any elderly person has no health implication.

He declares, “It has no health implication. It is nice for mental development. The brain can work until death comes. It is a way of keeping yourself busy, a way of developing and keeping your mental ability and capability. I will even recommend it for everybody. If you retire and you still want to develop yourself further and you are not hungry, you can seek newer frontiers of knowledge.”

The professor of Medicine, who laces his views with humour, adds that if he lives to be 90 years, he would sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board to commence a new course of study.

He says, “I want to be the oldest candidate sitting for UTME. What I just told you is a secret. So, what Obasanjo did is nice. It is a way of telling others, the younger ones, that there is no barrier to learning.”

Also, a lecturer at the Lagos State University, Ojo, Dr. Ayodeji Abari, says the former President’s further quest for knowledge is food for thought to many Nigerians. That he is returning to school with enthusiasm, he says, is a pointer to the fact that there is no age barrier to learning.

Like Ajekigbe, the LASU Educational Management lecturer urges other Nigerians to emulate the former leader.

He states, “There is no age to education. In fact, education starts from the womb and ends at the grave. So, nobody is too old study to earn a PhD. I have read of an 82-year-old woman abroad who bagged a PhD. There is no barrier to education so far the cognitive aspect can cope.

“Again, there is no health implication in this regard. After all, there are younger people who cannot cope with studies because of health challenges. Once there is no health challenges, age is no hindrance to learning.”

Before Obasanjo, Pa Alimi Olarenwaju Amodu, a septuagenarian, had studied Sociology at the Lagos State University, Ojo, while another 74-year-old retired colonel, Layiwola Adegunju, is at present studying Law at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State

Ebola now in Spain!!!!

A Spanish nurse who treated an Ebola victim in Madrid has contracted the virus herself in the first case of contagion outside Africa, health officials say.

The nurse tested positive for Ebola in two separate tests, according to reports.

She was part of the team that treated Spanish priest Manuel Garcia Viejo, who died of Ebola on September 25.

Some 3,400 people have died in the outbreak – mostly in West Africa. The priest died in the hospital Carlos III de Madrid after catching Ebola in Sierra Leone.

Another Spanish priest, Miguel Pajares, died in August after contracting the virus in Liberia. The nurse was admitted to hospital on Monday morning with a high fever, Spanish newspaper El Pais said.

Doctors isolated the emergency treatment room, the report said.

Ebola spreads through contact with the bodily fluids of someone who has the virus and the only way to stop an outbreak is to isolate those who are infected.

There have been nearly 7,500 confirmed infections worldwide, with officials saying the figure is likely to be much higher in reality.

Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia have been hardest hit.

Celebrations in West Africa for the Muslim festival of Eid al-Adha are being badly affected by the Ebola outbreak, with many public places deserted this weekend.

Earlier health officials said people arriving in the US from Ebola-affected countries in West Africa could be subject to extra screening at airports.

But the White House said on Monday it was not considering a ban on travellers from such countries, according to Reuters.

It comes as the US tries to limit the spread of its first confirmed case, a Liberian in Dallas. Thomas Duncan’s condition is critical but stable, Reuters quoted doctors in the state of Texas as saying on Monday.

Fashion & Skin Cancer. ..... the truth

Rates of melanoma have been increasing for at least the past 30 years. Now, a new study published in the American Journal of Public Healthclaims a number of cultural and historical factors over the past 100 years, such as changes in fashion trends and social perceptions, have contributed to this increase.

Researchers say changes in clothing over the past century have led us to show more skin, increasing UV exposure and the risk of melanoma.
Image credit: Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology, NYU Langone Medical Center

Melanoma accounts for less than 2% of all skin cancercases but is the main cause of skin cancer deaths. This year, around 76,100 new cases of melanoma will be diagnosed in the US, and around 9,710 people will die from the disease.

A major cause of melanoma is high exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun or tanning lamps and beds. Earlier this year, Medical News Today reported on a study revealing multiple sunburns as an adolescent can increase the risk of melanoma by 80%.

In this latest study, led by Dr. David Polsky of NYU Langone Medical Center in New York, NY, the researchers have identified a number of factors in the past century that have led to increased exposure to UV light, which may explain rising melanoma incidence rates.

To reach their findings, Dr. Polsky and his team analyzed a number of socioeconomic changes from the early 1900s until now - such as evolution of clothing styles, economic trends, perceptions of tanned skin, social norms and travel patterns - and looked at how these may translate into increased UV exposure.

They divided the 20th century into four periods - the turn of the century, early 20th century, mid-20th century and late 20th century - and estimated the how much of the body was likely to have been exposed to UV light in each period.

The 'era of porcelain beauty' diminishes

The researchers describe the turn of the century as the "era of porcelain beauty." Lower class individuals were more likely to be tanned, as the majority worked outdoors doing manual labor, while upper class people were more likely to stay indoors. Therefore, having a tan was associated with lower status.

This, and the general negative attitudes toward dark-skinned individuals in this period, increased desirability for fair skin, the researchers say. As a result, many people shaded themselves from the sun with parasols and thick clothing that covered most of the body.

This began to change, however, when evidence emerged that exposure to sunlight may be good for general health, as well as illnesses such as tuberculosisand rickets.

Exposure to sunlight started to be perceived as positive, and as a result, people began spending more leisure time in the sun and wore clothing that showed more skin.

A reversal in negative attitudes toward tanned skin

In the early 20th century, the first evidence that UV exposure may cause skin cancer emerged. But the researchers say such warnings were largely ignored.

"This may have occurred because the mechanism underlying UV-induced carcinogenesis was poorly understood," the researchers note. "It was also widely held that sunlight caused skin cancer only in susceptible individuals, such as patients with xeroderma pigmentosum, but not in the general population."

Such warnings continued to be ignored in mid-20th century, when negative attitudes toward tanned skin completely reversed, the authors say.

Tanned skin was perceived as "sexy" and "healthy," and was promoted as such by celebrities and fashion magazines. As a result, clothing became more revealing. The T-shirt - which led to arm exposure on a daily basis - grew popular in 1942, and the bikini became popular in the US in the 1960s, increasing women's skin exposure from 47% to 80%.

The team also notes that increases in travel and engagement in outside sports would have led to increased UV exposure.

Tanned skin maintains its 'allure,' despite skin cancer warnings

Figures show that between the 1930s and 1960s, melanoma incidence increased 300% in men and 400% in women. The researchers say that this increase correlated with changes in fashion, travel and leisure that led to an increase in skin exposure.

"The tanning trend that began in the 1920s sustained its allure and celebrity promotion into the late 20th century," the researchers say. "Despite mounting evidence that UV exposure was linked to the development of skin cancer, tanned skin remained highly desirable."

And it seems perceptions have not changed in the 21st century. Tanned skin is still seen as being attractive and healthy, and as a result, many of us tend to ignore the warnings of skin cancer.

This is supported in a feature by MNT earlier this year, looking at why we ignore the health risks of UV exposure.

"Despite elevated awareness of the dangers of UV radiation, people still choose to ignore the dangers in the pursuit of what they consider to be a 'healthy tan,'" Tim Turnham, executive director of the Melanoma Research Foundation, told us.

"This is particularly an issue among young people who tend to ignore health risks in favor of enhancing their social status and popularity," he added. "We know that tanning appeals to people who are interested in being included, and this is a primary driver for teens - being part of the 'in' crowd."

Rates of melanoma are still on the rise in the US. Incidence increased from 22.8 cases per 100,000 to 28.9 cases per 100,000 between 2000 and 2009.

The investigators of this latest study note that although their research is unable to make a causal link to melanoma, it effectively provides a "historical framework" of how changing socioeconomic factors have contributed to the disease. They add:

"Identifying the roles of cultural and historical forces (including gender and social class differences) that contribute to the growth and persistence of public health problems may help target interventions to affect disease epidemiology in a positive fashion."

MNT recently reported on a study suggesting that askin glow from fruits and vegetables is deemed more attractive than a tan.

PHOTOS: South Africa seizes Nigeria's $5.7m in another secret arms deal bust

Three weeks after South African government seized $9.3million allegedly belonging to the Nigerian government, they have once again confiscated $5.7million arms money from Nigeria.

According to South African newspaper City Press, the money was seized by South Africa’s Asset Forfeiture Unit of the National Prosecuting Authority for allegedly being the proceeds of illegal transactions and even shared some documents. See the full report after the cut...

From City Press

The Asset Forfeiture Unit of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has seized $5.7 million (R64 million) for yet another arms deal between South Africa and Nigeria.
This is the second multimillion-rand arms deal between the two countries in the past month that has resulted in the money being frozen in South African banks.

Last month, R103 million in $100 bills stashed in suitcases was seized at Lanseria Airport, north of Joburg.

The money was frozen in both cases for allegedly being the proceeds of illegal transactions.
City Press’ sister paper Rapport has learnt that the department for offences against the state in the Special Investigating Unit is also involved.

Documents in the newspaper’s possession show that the earlier consignment was approved by the Nigerian government – that country’s national security adviser personally issued the end-user certificate for the transaction.

An entire “shopping list” was supplied with the certificate, which included everything from helicopters to unmanned aircraft, rockets and ammunition.
Sources close to the investigation said the latest transaction was between Cerberus Risk Solutions, an arms broker in Cape Town, and Societe D’Equipments Internationaux, a Nigerian company in Abuja.
An impeccable source said this company paid the R60 million into Cerberus’ account at Standard Bank.

Cerberus was previously registered as a broker with the National Conventional Arms Control Committee (NCACC), but the registration expired in May this year.
The marketing and contracting permits also expired at the same time.
The company has since applied for re-registration, but the application lay in the NCACC’s mailbox for more than two months.

Sources told Rapport that Cerberus apparently tried to pay the money back to the Nigerian company, after which the bank became suspicious.
The NPA’s Asset Forfeiture Unit subsequently obtained a court order in the South Gauteng High Court to seize the money.

Cerberus’ attorney, Martin Hood, this week declined to comment on the matter.
NPA spokesperson Nathi Mncube said there were no indications that the two transactions were related.
“However, both are now the subject of a criminal investigation and all possible information and connections are being investigated,” said Mncube.

Ebola: Lessons for US from Nigeria

Health workers attending to Ebola patients at a clinic in Monrovia, Liberia.... on Monday. | credits: Photo: ABC News

In the comity of West African nations affected by the Ebola Virus Disease, Nigeria and Cameroon have been singled out for their prompt response and effective contact tracing mechanism. Less than seven weeks after the late index case, Mr. Patrick Sawyer, imported the EVD into the Nigeria from Liberia, there is yet to be any suspected or confirmed case.

Stakeholders have said that the United States, which recorded its own index case on September 20, when a Liberian, Mr. Thomas Eric Duncan, travelled from Liberia the US, can take away a lesson or two from Nigeria’s quick response.

Minister of Health, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu, said there were more than 800 primary and secondary contacts between Sawyer and the ECOWAS official, Olu Koye-Ibukun, who took the virus from Lagos to Port Harcourt. In the end, health workers reportedly made 18,500 face-to-face visits, checking on the contacts for any symptoms of the disease.

On September 10, Chukwu had announced a total number of 19 confirmed EVD cases with seven deaths.

In the US, the wheel of contact tracing has been set in motion and the number of primary and secondary contacts of Duncan whittled down to 15.

A Reuters report on Sunday said, “While devastating reports continue to stream out of West Africa, where the deadly virus has overwhelmed already weak public health systems and left thousands of people dead, and anxiety grips the US over the first case of Ebola diagnosed in the country, one nation serves as an example of hope: Nigeria, which appears to have successfully contained Ebola.

“As concerns spread over US hospitals’ readiness, there are some lessons to be learned from Nigeria, where officials managed to get ahead of the fast-moving virus after it was brought into Africa’s most populous country by an Ebola-infected man, who had flown into Lagos. This week, the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention reported that the outbreak could be coming to an end in Nigeria, with no new Ebola cases since August 31.

“As in the US case, Ebola arrived in Nigeria by passenger plane. But unlike Thomas Eric Duncan, who arrived in Dallas before he became symptomatic and was therefore not contagious during his flights from Liberia to Texas through Brussels and Dulles International Airport, Patrick Sawyer was already symptomatic when he landed in Lagos on July 20. At that point, Sawyer, Nigeria’s index case was contagious and dying.”

It continued, “It was a nightmare scenario with the potential to spiral out of control, given the bustling city of Lagos, Africa’s largest, is a major transport hub. As Sawyer was placed in isolation, public health officials had to track down every single person who had come into contact with him, from the flights he had boarded to the Lagos airport and the private hospital where he went after landing. And they had to do so quickly, making the process known as contact tracing a priority.

“In the whole system approach in beating the war on Ebola, contact tracing is the key public health activity that needs to be done,” said Gavin MacGregor-Skinner, who helped with the Ebola response in Nigeria with the Elizabeth R. Griffin Research Foundation. “The key is to find all the people that patient had direct close contact with.”

“From that single patient came a list of 281 people, MacGregor-Skinner said. Every one of those individuals had to provide health authorities twice-a-day updates about their well-being, often through methods like text-messaging. Anyone who didn’t feel well or failed to respond was checked on, either through a neighbourhood network or health workers.

Nigeria took a “whole community approach,” with everyone from military officials to church elders in the same room, discussing how to handle the response to the virus, MacGregor-Skinner said.

“Such an approach, and contact tracing in general, requires people to be open and forthright about their movements and their health, he said. Stigmatisation of patients, their families and contacts could only discourage that, so Nigerian officials sent a message to “really make them look like heroes,” MacGregor-Skinner said.

“This is the best thing people can do for Nigeria: They are going to protect and save Nigeria by being honest, by doing what they need to do, by reporting to the health commission,” he said. This made people feel like they were a part of something extremely important, he said, and also took into account real community needs. “You got real engagement and compliance from the contacts. They’re not running and hiding.”

Sawyer had come into contact with someone who ended up in Port Harcourt. That person went to a doctor who ended up dying from Ebola in August. Within a week, 70 people were being monitored. It ballooned to an additional 400 people in that one city.

Success stories of people coming through strict Ebola surveillance alive and healthy helped encourage more people to come forward, as they recognised that ending up in a contact tracer’s sights did not mean a death sentence.

The CDC also pointed to the robust public health response by Nigerian officials, who have had experience with massive public health crises in the past — namely polio in 2012 and large-scale lead poisoning in 2010.

When someone is on a contact list, that does not mean that person has to stay at home for the entire incubation period of 21 days from the last contact with someone who had Ebola. People on contact lists are not under quarantine or in isolation. They can still go to work and go on with their lives. But they should take their temperature twice a day for 21 days and check in with health workers.

The CDC recommends that people without symptoms but who have had direct contact with the bodily fluids of a person sick with Ebola be put under either conditional release, meaning that they self-monitor their health and temperature and check in daily, or controlled movement. People under controlled movement have to notify officials about any intended travel and shouldn’t use commercial planes or trains. Local public transport at use is approved on a case-by-case basis.

When symptoms do develop, that’s when the response kicks into high gear. People with Ebola are contagious only once they begin exhibiting symptoms, which include fever, severe headaches and vomiting.

While four people in Dallas are under government-ordered quarantine, which is not the norm. Those individuals “were non-compliant with the request to stay home. I don’t want to go too far beyond that,” Dallas County Judge Clay Lewis Jenkins said Thursday.

On Friday, the four people were moved to a private residence from the apartment where Duncan had been staying when he became symptomatic.

A law enforcement officer will remain with them to enforce the order, and none of the people are allowed to leave until October 19.

Duncan is the only person with an Ebola diagnosis in Dallas, and no one else is showing symptoms at the moment. But, as Nigeria knows, the work in Dallas has just begun.

Arsenal & Chelsea... let's go back to the beginning and see how it all started

Once upon a time, Arsenal played Chelsea and, more often than not, beat them. But that was before the Roman empire swept into Stamford Bridge and altered the Premier League landscape.

Instead of the fixture that Gunners fans looked forward to the most, it has become the match they must secretly dread.

It was another Bridge – Wayne – who landed the first blow on behalf of owner Roman Abramovich and announced the arrival of a new order when he grabbed an 87th minute winner to clinch a 3-2 aggregate Champions League win at Highbury in March 2004.

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Wayne Bridge scores against Arsenal for Chelsea at Highbury in the Champions League back in March 2004

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The arrival of Jose Mourinho and Roman Abramovich marked an end to Arsenal's victories over Chelsea

Mourinho: Specialist in failure comments were a consequence

Things have never been quite the same, since. And Bridge’s goal was the turning point.

Emirates supporters look away now, as a reminder of the good old days brings home how fortunes have changed in the Premier League era.

Post Roman, the teams have played 28 times. Arsenal have won just six matches in all competitions, drawn seven and lost 15.

Contrast and compare that with 1992-2003, before the Russian billionaire turned Chelsea from fancy dans to title winners.

The teams faced each other 22 times. Arsenal lost only three, won 12 and drew seven and were the undisputed kings of the capital.

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Arsenal players look dejected as Chelsea celebrate their 6-0 victory in March of this year

It all looked so rosy, in February 2004, when Arsene Wenger’s team knocked Chelsea out of the FA Cup and then beat them 2-1 at Stamford Bridge in what was then known as the Premiership.

Prick Vieira and Edu cancelled out Eidur Gudjohnsen’s early strike while the Icelander was also sent off in the second half.

One month later the rivals met in the Champions League. The first leg was drawn 1-1 and Arsenal were over-riding favourites. Jose Reyes gave the Gunners the lead on half-time only for Frank Lampard to level the scores before Bridge had the final say.

Arsenal fans could argue that it was not in the Premier League, which is what really counts over a season.

The same could be applied to the Community Shield in 2005 when a Didier Drogba double ensured a 2-1 Chelsea win.

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Kieran Gibbs is mistakenly sent off following Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's handball on the goal-line

But later that August, Arsenal could no longer claim to be so superior as Drogba scored the only goal in a 1-0 Premier League home victory.

The return was in December the same year. Arjen Robben and Joe Cole both found the net at Highbury and Chelsea had done the double over their North London neighbours.

As far as the neutral is concerned, however, this is a match which tends to throw up lots of goals, plenty of controversy and the enduring feud between Arsene Wenger and Jose Mourinho.

Arsenal fans will not need long memories to recall a rare fine moment – the 5-3 extravaganza in October 2011 when Robin van Persie scored twice in the last five minutes to complete his hat-trick after it looked as if Juan Mata had clinched a 3-3 draw.

Then again, they will not want reminding about what happened last season. Down to ten men (even if Kieran Gibbs was sent off instead of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain) and on the end of a 6-0 thrashing.

Will the tide turn again on Sunday? The bookies suggest not.

Arsene Wenger: Record against Jose Mourinho counts for nothing

anoda benin accident same spot... are the witches fighting?

Last week we saw some James bond car accident usually seen in the movies today we are having a reoccurrence of it.
Why is this particular thing happening? Who is to blame? Benin witches or just pure coincidence?
What do u think?

na wa for us oh! ebola now bola #olodo

Well, the international network of three professionals have murdered the name "ebola" no wonder they want to come to the most populous black nation who most people though couldn't contain the virus for help..... now that's something

What do u guys think?

Pic of the Liberian man diagnosed with the 1st case of Ebola in US

The identity of the man diagnosed with the first case of Ebola virus disease in America on Tuesday September 30th has been revealed. He is 42 year old Eric Duncan, pictured above. According to reports, this was Eric's first trip to the US and he went there to visit some family members. He is believed to have contracted the deadly virus from an infected pregnant woman in Liberia. 

About 15 people who Duncan came in contact with in the US have been traced. They include five students from different schools and his girlfriends children. All contacts however haven't shown any symptoms of the disease and are said to be doing fine. Eric is said to be in a serious condition.

Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau emerges, dismisses claims of his death

In a 36 minutes video released exclusively to AFP, Boko Haram leader, Shekau Abubakar has dismissed reports of his death. Shekau, pictured above from the video, is quoted by AFP as saying he's alive and that his members are running their captured towns.

"Here I am, alive. I will only die the day Allah takes my breath. Nothing will kill me until my days are over... I'm still alive. Some people asked you if Shekau has two souls. No, I have one soul, by Allah. It is propaganda that is prevalent. I have one soul. I'm an Islamic student. I'm the Islamic student whose seminary you burnt... I'm not dead,"

He went further to say "We are running our caliphate, our Islamic caliphate. We follow the Koran... We now practice the injunctions of the Koran in the land of Allah," he said.

AFP also reports that the insurgency group claimed in the video to have shot down a Nigerian air force jet that went missing nearly three weeks ago.

US sends medical experts to study how Nigeria tamed Ebola

Stunned by the entrance of the Ebola Virus Disease, EVD, into America, the United States’ Center for Disease Control and Prevention has despatched its personnel to study how Nigeria contained the killer disease.

HEALTH PERSONNEL IN PROTECTIVE KITS AT THE NATIONAL HOSPITAL IN ABUJA ON TUESDAY

The US reported on Tuesday that it has discovered a case of EVD in Dallas, Texas, but its health officials said “the crisis is under control and the public has nothing to fear.”

A statement released by US CDC Director Tom Frieden said “it’s clear the nation needs a quick and thorough response to its first Ebola patient”

He said although Nigeria was not completely out of the woods, “their extensive response to a single case of Ebola shows that control is possible with rapid, focused interventions.” Apart from Nigeria, the US will also visit Senegal to study its model.

Frieden said “the best practices in Nigeria and Senegal suggest the U.S. should monitor all individuals who may have been exposed to Ebola and establish a dedicated management and response system.”

Senegal has had no new reported cases of Ebola since Sept. 18 while Nigeria has not reported new ones since August 31,

US health officials are expected in Nigeria which it claimed had the best practices in combating Ebola Virus disease which entered into Nigeria through Liberian born American citizen Mr. Patrick Sawyer whose index case was reported on July 20, 2014. Nigeria is expected to officially announce today that the remaining two potential Ebola patients will exit the 21-day observation period.

How Nigeria stopped the spread of Ebola

According to US CDC, “Nigeria’s first reported case of Ebola surfaced July 20, when Patrick Sawyer landed in Lagos from Liberia and exposed 72 other passengers to the virus. Nigeria’s Health officials quickly issued notifications and tracked everybody who may have been in contact with Sawyer.

“Nigeria also established an Ebola Incident Management Center to handle the potential outbreak and developed a staffing plan that executed a social mobilization strategy that reached more than 26,000 households of people living around the contacts of Ebola patients,”

The deadly virus has killed more than 3,000 people in Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia in the largest outbreak ever recorded.

How Senegal contained Ebola

Senegal confirmed its first Ebola case Aug. 29 after a man, travelling from Guinea on Aug. 14, took ill and showed symptoms of the disease. This prompted a quick response, including an experienced and trained staff that was prepared to contain the Ebola outbreak. The procedure led to the identification of 67 contacts who were placed under quarantine, monitored for 21 days and showed no symptoms of Ebola.

Panic in America

The man who imported Ebola into US was found to have travelled to Liberia without informing the authorities and did not disclose the nature of his ailment to the nurse that attended to him. Reports from Texas yesterday said that the Nurse who attended to the man has also taken ill for Ebola in Texas.

A spokesman for Texas Health Presbyterian said the patient had walked into a Dallas emergency room on September 26, without knowing that he contacted the deadly virus and left after he was treated. He then returned to the facility on September 28 where it was determined he likely had Ebola and was isolated. He tested positive Tuesday, health officials said.

Following the lapse on the part of the hospital officials, questions are being asked amid panic across the country. The CDC has thus advised that all medical facilities should ask for patients with symptoms consistent with Ebola for their travel history.