Nigerian Professor breaks '187 year record' at King’s College, UK

Nigerian academic, Prof. Abiodun Alao, will today deliver an inaugural lecture at King’s College, University of London. This would make him the first ever black African scholar to deliver such lecture since the institution was established back in 1829.

A professor of African Studies, Abiodun Alao was conferred with a professorial title about two years ago alongside his Nigerian counterpart in the institution’s African Leadership Centre - Prof. Funmi Olonisakin. This was another milestone that made them both the first black Africans to attain the professorial cadre in King’s College since its establishment.

Abiodun Alao’s lecture titled, "Africa: A Voice to be Heard, Not a Problem to be Solved" will be delivered at the Edward Safra Lecture Theatre at the college’s main campus & will be attended by people from different parts of the world including Nigeria, Australia, Kenya, USA and South Africa.

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Nigerian student of Warwick University, UK, found the words 'Monkey' and "Nigga" written on her banana by flatmate

Twitter user Faramade Ifaturoti posted a photo of a bunch of banana with the word Monkey and Nigga written on it alleging that one of her flatmates was responsible.

"Just entered the kitchen and look at what one of my flatmates has done. I am extremely disgusted."

Reacting to the racist incident, Warwick University (@warwickuni) wrote:

"A racist incident has been widely reported on social media-the University is investigating as a matter of urgency"
                                 

Faramade pictured above

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UK, US join search for abducted schoolgirls in Borno state

According to a report by Punch, the UK and US government have joined the search for the 234 abducted schoolgirls from the Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, by Boko Haram men.

On Friday April 25th, the British Foreign Secretary, William Hague, said the UK had begun talks with Nigeria over the incident. (Some mothers of the abducted school girls pictured above)

"The appalling abduction in northern Nigeria on April 14 is a stark reminder of the threat of sexual violence faced by women in conflict prone areas. I am very concerned that the majority of the girls are still missing. I spoke to Nigerian Foreign Minister, Wali, about this case on 18 April, and we are talking to Nigerian authorities about how best to assist in their efforts to secure the girls’ release and bring those responsible to justice.” Hague said. Continue...

Punch is also reporting that on Friday, the Nigerian Government also enlisted the intelligence services of the United States in the search for the abducted girls.

A competent security source said the Federal Government would rely on the higher technology of the US and UK to facilitate the search for the missing girls.

The source, who pleaded anonymity, stated that there would be no physical presence of operatives of the Western agencies in the operation to rescue the girls.

The source stated, “The whole emphasis is on intelligence gathering; and that is why the Federal Government is contacting the US and the UK to assist in the area of intelligence gathering. Another thing you must know is that several arrests have been made, and a lot of efforts are being made.

“The security guard at the school in Chibok is being quizzed and some people from the community too have been arrested,” the source said.

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Banky W, Former US Presidents To Speak At Oxford University, UK

  R&B singer and EME boss, Bankole Wellington popularly known as Banky W has been selected as one of the distinguished speakers at this year’s edition of the Oxford University Pan Africa.

He will represent Nigeria once again at the annual Pan African Conference which will hold on Saturday, May 4, 2013 at the Oxford Union in Oxford, London.

Others included to speak at the conference are former US Presidents, Reagan, Nixon and Carter, Malcolm X, Mother Theresa, The Dalai Lama, David Cameron, Senator John McCain among others.

The Oxford University Pan African Conference since its inception has been the foremost gathering of African students in the United Kingdom. In partnership with the Oxford Union, The conference brings together hundreds of dynamic scholars, entrepreneurs, activists, and political leaders from around the world.

Mr Wellington will be speaking on the importance of current cultural shifts and changes in artistic expression. He will also discuss the rise of a vibrant media industry and how these changes are shaping the continent’s self-perception and its image abroad.

Commenting on the selection of Banky W as one of the speakers for this year, Oxford Union conference Chairman, Temitope Folaranmi said, “Banky W is one of the leading African musician/producers with a strong international presence. In the view of his extraordinary effort in developing young African music talents, Banky W’s participation in this year’s Conference will be an invaluable contribution.”

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