"The global outpouring of eulogies over the passage of renowned novelist and critic, Professor Chinualumogu Achebe, clearly testifies to the profound respect he enjoyed all over the world. The death of the outstanding author in the United States, at the age of 82 is, indeed, a loss to Literature, Nigeria and the world. Chinua Achebe shot to the global literary stage with the iconic novel, Things Fall Apart, in 1958.

The novel, which was translated into more than 50 languages, sold over 12 million copies worldwide. The book put African Literature in the mainstream of world literature, telling the story of an authentic African community in the throes of colonialism. As a constructive griot, Achebe exposed Europe’s jaundiced and dismissive perspectives of the continent in the strong belief that Africans had their own perception of life contrary to Eurocentric misrepresentations.

His books captured the idyllic African perspective in a way that caught the imagination of the world and defined the awe with which he was regarded at home and abroad. Achebe’s pioneering and seminal contributions to the development of African Literature, particularly through the African Writers’ Series that threw up great writers on the continent, are immeasurable and unrivalled. He was a broadcaster, university lecturer and social critic who, in different works, courageously dissected the Nigerian condition and highlighted the problems plaguing the country.". - Daily Sun

"O.J. Simpson is back in court, asking for a new trial in the armed robbery-kidnapping case that sent him to prison in 2008.Simpson wore shackles and blue prison garb Monday, his appearance contrasting with the fancy clothing he wore during his acquittal in his historic, high-profile 1995 murder trial in Los Angeles. The suit he wore then is now part of the Newseum collection in Washington, D.C. The former football star is 65, and serving a minimum nine-year prison term. He will be in court all week to claim that he had poor legal representation in the trial involving the gunpoint robbery of two sports memorabilia dealers in 2007 in a Las Vegas hotel room.So far, the crowds at the courthouse are small. The courtroom on Monday was partly empty, and an overflow room with closed-circuit hookups wasn't needed.Huge crowds turned out in 1995, when a jury acquitted him in the murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman in Los Angeles, and also in 1997, when Simpson was found liable for damages in a civil wrongful death lawsuit and ordered to pay $33.5 million to Goldman, Nicole Brown Simpson estates." - Associated Press

reuters

independent

(AP Photo/Las Vegas Review-Journal, Jeff Scheid, Pool) (The Associated Press)

Photo by Jeff Scheid-Pool/Getty Images)

Reuters

Getty images

Las Vegas Review-Journal, Jeff Scheid, Pool

MICHAEL QUINE/LAS VEGAS REVIEWJOURNAL

"The 36 governors under the aegis of the Nigeria Governors' Forum (NGF) yesterday asked President Goodluck Jonathan not to yield to the agitation for a declaration of state of emergency in troubled states in the country.There were reports of a planned emergency rule in some northern states, including Borno, Yobe and Nasarawa, over heightened security crisis. But the NGF, in a statement signed by its chairman and Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi, said those calling for state of emergency do not wish the country well and are bent on plunging the country into a deeper crisis." - Chibuzo Ukaibe, Leadership Newspaper

The signed statement by Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) and Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi,Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF). reads:

“We urge the Federal Government to continue to support affected states in the bid to check violence. The Federal Government should remain focused and continue to provide leadership until every part of Nigeria is rid of violence and insurgency.”

We also call on the Federal Government to ignore the ongoing agitation for a state of emergency in some parts of the country. These requests are being made by people who do not wish our country well and who are bent on plunging the country into a deeper crisis.

The Federal Government should not allow itself to be distracted from our collective goal of curbing the insurgency in some parts of our country once and for all.

We in the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) hereby condemn the recent violence and killings in some parts of our country – Borno, Nasarawa, Benue, Adamawa and some other states. We also commiserate with the people and government of those states, our security agencies and the families of the victims and pray God to give them and indeed every Nigerian the fortitude to bear the loss.

While urging security agencies to continue to do their jobs as professionally as possible, we appeal to all aggrieved individuals and groups in Nigeria to appreciate the fact that violence can never be a solution to any problem. We have no other country to call home and it is important that we understand the danger and futility of destroying our land in the pursuit of a selfish agenda.

It is gratifying that government – Federal and State – are working hard to get to the root of the killings and nip this orgy of violence in the bud. We are impressed by the magnanimity of the Federal Government, which has demonstrated an uncommon love for the country by setting up a Committee to explore the possibilities of granting amnesty to the members of the Boko Haram sect.

It is also a good step that government has agreed to cooperate fully with the National Human Rights Commission in the investigation of the killings in Baga.

We also commend our security agencies for the selfless sacrifice they are making in the interest of us all to restore calm to all parts of our country.”

The Progressive Governors’ Forum unequivocally condemns the breach of peace and mindless bloodletting in the states and empathises with our brother Governors Alhaji Kashim Shettima, Alhaji Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, Alhaji Ibrahim Geidam and the good people of Borno, Nassarawa and Yobe states, as well as the people of other states affected. We equally extend our sympathies to the families of the gallant soldiers, policemen and men of the State Security Service (SSS), that have lost their lives in the course of duty.

While it might be argued in some quarters that the Presidency is well-intentioned with the reported intended course of action aimed at restoring sustained peace to the affected states, we would like to draw the attention of Mr. President to historical perspectives and contemporary conflict resolution methodologies for consideration before taking such a far-reaching decision.

We find the reported course of action incongruent with the posturing of the Presidency which has been reported to be pursuing dialogue with the non-state actors reportedly responsible for the breach of the peace in those states. Less than three weeks ago a Presidential Committee was empanelled to look into the issues and deploy mediation among other measures and make recommendations to Mr. President; why then would the Presidency want to pre-empt the work of the committee by declaring state of emergency in the affected states.

We note that the Federal Government under the leadership of former President Umaru Musa Yar’adua, was able to successfully contain the Niger Delta crisis by creating the space for credible dialogue with the aggrieved militants, within the framework of a period of amnesty. More importantly, the government at the time worked assiduously with all stakeholders to address the socio-economic issues that catalysed such unrests especially youth unemployment.

“In view of the foregoing, the Progressive Governors’ Forum implores Mr. President to be consistent with the combination of dialogue and mediation which he has already set in motion, and stay action on the planned declaration of State of Emergency in the affected states, which we believe would be counter-productive. It is also suggested that the Presidency, in addition to the committee, consults extensively with the leadership of the Christian and Muslim Communities as well as Eminent Traditional rulers across the country pursuant of a critical path to sustainable peace in the country.

Already, the international community has condemned the excesses of our security forces in their recent campaigns that recorded widespread human rights violations – a state of emergency would precipitate the conditions for the escalation of such excesses.

Mr. President is further encouraged to step-up the criminal intelligence gathering machinery of our security forces with a view to pre-empting the wanton destruction of lives and property. This, in our opinion, is in tandem with contemporary statecraft which focuses on preventive rather than reactive responses to breaches of peace and tranquillity in any state.

We believe the presence of the Joint Task Force (JTF) in the affected areas is capable of restoring peace, if properly coordinated. Thus, any attempt to declare a state of emergency would be seen as a mere excuse to remove the governors by every means.

Lastly, it is in our collective interest for the Presidency to concentrate efforts on addressing the socio-economic issues that catalyse crime in any society as well as ensuring equity and justice in the administration of our great country, Nigeria. In other words, an economic-cum-security strategy would yield more enduring dividends than a law and order response. This, in our view, is the surest way to achieve peace and progress.”

5 African countries Among 10 Fastest-Growing Economies In The World

According to the most recent compilation, five out of ten fastest-growing economies in the world are in Africa.The global economic growth forecast has been cut down to 2.4 percent from previously 3.0 percent by The World Bank for 2013. The slow down is being attributed to sluggish economic growth as aresult of recession in many parts of the world . United States of America has not fully recovered from past recession and Europe is now experiencing double dip recession due to large debt and deficit, rooted in excessive spending, weakening macroeconomic stability and bloated public sector. Africa continues to look hot with growth above 5.0 percent and with increasing foreign exchange reserve accumulation especially by Nigeria, Angola and Ghana.

#10: Ethiopia

2012 GDP: +7.80%

2013 GDP: +7.50%

2013-2015

GDP CAGR: +7.96%

Economy: Coffee has been a major export for the nation. While GDP growth rates are high, GDP per capita remains among the global laggards. In Ethiopia, the state owns all land, which is significant since agriculture accounts for over 40 percent of GDP.

#9: Angola

2012 GDP: +8.10%

2013 GDP: +7.20%

2013-2015

GDP CAGR: +8.08%

Economy: This OPEC member has 85 percent of its GDP come from oil production and related industries. The nation remains marred by corruption and the land mines left over from decades of civil war. Most Angolans practice subsistence farming to make a living.

Source: World Bank, CIA World Factbook

#8: Laos

2012 GDP: +8.20%

2013 GDP: +7.50%

2013-2015

GDP CAGR: +8.08%

Economy: 75% of Laos’ workforce practices subsistence farming, which accounts for around 30% of GDP. Foreign investment in hydro, mining, and construction has spurred Laos’ growth and reduction of poverty over the past two decades. Laos’ debt burden is modest compared to many of its Asiatic counterparts.

Source: World Bank, CIA World Factbook

#7: Ghana

2012 GDP: +7.50%

2013 GDP: +7.80%

2013-2015

GDP CAGR: +8.15%

Economy: Ghana’s developed Services sector contributes 50% of GDP, while oil, gold, and cocoa production provides the basis for future growth. Inflation is expected to outpace even robust real GDP growth over the next two years, and reducing the debt load remains a challenge for this middle-income African nation.

Source: World Bank, CIA World Factbook

#6: Mozambique

2012 GDP: +7.50%

2013 GDP: +8.00%

2013-2015

GDP CAGR: +8.73%

Economy: The majority of Mozambique’s population lives below the poverty line, and foreign aid accounts for half of its government’s budget. Aluminum comprises a third of the nation’s exports, and volatility in the commodity’s price has an impact on GDP growth.

Source: World Bank, CIA World Factbook

#5: China

2012 GDP: +7.90%

2013 GDP: +8.40%

2013-2015

GDP CAGR: +8.77%

Economy: The world’s largest exporter and second biggest economy has gradually transitioned from an isolated, state-planned economy and introduced elements of free markets. An aging population, decreasing farmland, lack of domestic consumption, and reducing regional imbalances are downside risks to Chinese GDP growth. China is on the forefront of alternative energy development, particularly in solar.

Source: World Bank, CIA World Factbook

#4: Sierra Leone

2012 GDP: +25.00%

2013 GDP: +11.10%

2013-2015

GDP CAGR: +9.54%

Economy: Nearly half of the workforce engages in subsistence farming, which leaves the nation's substantial mineral reserves relatively underdeveloped. Diamonds account for about half the value of Sierra Leone's exports. In the past, these were primarily 'blood diamonds', though the nation has worked hard to repair its image.

Source: World Bank, CIA World Factbook

#3: Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste

2012 GDP: +10.00%

2013 GDP: +10.00%

2013-2015

GDP CAGR: +10.63%

Economy: Offshore drilling for oil and gas is the principal source of government revenues. The government has increased spending on infrastructure to continue to repair damages caused by Indonesian troops in 1999. Unemployment and dependence upon O&G are roadblocks to growth.

Source: World Bank, CIA World Factbook

#2: Iraq

2012 GDP: +11.10%

2013 GDP: +13.50%

2013-2015

GDP CAGR: +12.23%

Economy: Foreign investment inflows are expected to increase in the wake of US Troop withdrawals. Oil exports, the impetus for the nation’s wealth, have returned to pre-war levels. Adoption of free market principles, strengthening the legal framework for businesses, and developing Iraqi infrastructure are keys to the country’s growth.

Source: World Bank, CIA World Factbook

#1: Mongolia

2012 GDP: +11.80%

2013 GDP: +16.20%

2013-2015

GDP CAGR: +13.60%

Economy: Mongolia successfully transitioned from a Cold War Soviet satellite state into semi-modern, mixed capitalist economy. Mineral deposits of copper, gold, coal, uranium, tin, and tungsten are the major sources of Mongolia’s wealth. Commodity exports – overwhelmingly to China – and foreign investment will drive GDP growth.

Source: World Bank, CIA World Factbook

The disagreement between the Rivers State Governor Amaechi, and the Nigeria Aviation Authorities have not ceased. Governor Amaechi was accused by aviation authority that the state  aircraft was fraudulently obtained and registered with forged documents.

Joe Obi, media assistant to the minister of aviation, issued the below statement:

“The security implication of this requirement is further emphasised where a foreign-registered aircraft (such as the current aircraft) is engaged in domestic flight operations. Failure to fully disclose or attempting to conceal the identities of passengers aboard an aircraft is considered a serious security breach both locally and internationally.

“The facts currently available to the ministry suggest that the operators of the aircraft in question obtained several flight clearances from the Nigerian civil aviation authorities using documentation purportedly emanating from Caverton Helicopters. Furthermore, the aircraft attempted to and did operate within the Nigerian airspace on 26 April 2013 without any flight clearance whatsoever in total violation of all extant civil aviation laws and regulations.

“There is also the matter of the Coat of Arms and Identity of the Government of Rivers State being emblazoned and displayed on the aircraft in question, when there is no record or evidence of the state government’s ownership, lease, or other recognized legal or beneficial interest in the aircraft presented to or filed before the civil regulatory authorities.

“As stated above, available records indicate that the aircraft is currently registered to “Bank of Utah Trustee” until 30 September 2015, and the said registration is not transferable. The Ministry has therefore further directed a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the actual ownership of the aircraft in question.

“Upon conclusion of these internal investigations, the Ministry will take all necessary steps required by law.

.

“The aircraft in question with Registration Number N565RS is currently listed on the U.S. Department of Transport (DOT), Federal Aviation Administration Registry. The registration was issued to “BANK OF UTAH TRUSTEE” of 200 E, South Temple, Suite 210, Salt Lake City, UT 84111-1346.

“The registration was issued on 28 September 2012 and will expire on 30 September 2015. The registration certificate explicitly states that the aircraft registration is NOT TRANSFERABLE.

“The aircraft is currently insured with Alliance Global Risks US Insurance Company. The Policy Holder noted on the Certificate of Insurance is “ACASS CANADA LIMITED” of 6700 Cote de Liesse, Suite 206, Montreal, QC H4T 2B5, Canada. The Certificate of Insurance is dated 28 September 2012 to expire on 12 August 2013, and it appears to have been issued with respect to a “Ferry Flight Agreement” of September 2012.

“On 26 April 2013 the said aircraft was refused start-up at Akure airport due to insufficient and improper documentation. Specifically, the pilot failed and/or refused to file a proper Passenger Manifest declaring the full identity of all passengers on the aircraft for the intended flight as mandatorily required by the regulatory authorities.

“Upon review of the aircraft’s records, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) discovered that the aircraft was operating illegally within the Nigerian airspace. Specifically, it was revealed that the aircraft did not have a valid flight clearance for its operations on 26 April 2013 as the last purported clearance obtained for the aircraft expired on 2 April 2013.

“Upon further investigation however, it also emerged that the last purported flight clearance (and indeed several flight clearances previously obtained for this aircraft) had been obtained using the name of Caverton Helicopters.  A letter from Messrs. Caverton Helicopters dated 26 April, 2013 expressly disclaimed any knowledge of or involvement with the flight clearances previously obtained in its name for the said aircraft.

“The NCAA’s investigations specifically further revealed that the following flight clearances were obtained for the aircraft using the name of Caverton Helicopters:

(i) Flight Clearance for

04 – 06 January 2013

(ii) Flight Clearance for

23 – 27 January 2013

(iii) Flight Clearance for 28 March – 2 April 2013

“In view of Caverton’s letter expressly denying its involvement with the said clearances applications, the Ministry has directed the NCAA to commence a full investigation into all the circumstances surrounding the false clearance applications.”

“The flight clearance process is a vital safety and security component of civil aviation worldwide. It requires the involvement of both the civil aviation authorities and the national security agencies before approval is given and full disclosure of the aircraft, passengers and crew must be provided as required by law. The security implication of this requirement is further emphasized where a foreign-registered aircraft (such as the current aircraft) is engaged in domestic flight operations. Failure to fully disclose or attempting to conceal the identities of passengers aboard an aircraft is considered a serious security breach both locally and internationally.

“Furthermore, the presentation of false information or forged documentation to regulatory authorities in the processing of official approvals or permits is clearly a serious violation of the Civil Aviation Act, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations and other extant criminal laws in the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“The facts currently available to the Ministry suggest that the operators of the aircraft in question obtained several flight clearances from the Nigerian civil aviation authorities using documentation purportedly emanating from Caverton Helicopters. Furthermore, the aircraft attempted to and did operate within the Nigerian airspace on 26 April 2013 without any flight clearance whatsoever in total violation of all extant civil aviation laws and regulations.

“There is also the matter of the Coat of Arms and Identity of the Government of Rivers State being emblazoned and displayed on the aircraft in question, when there is no record or evidence of the state government’s ownership, lease, or other recognized legal or beneficial interest in the aircraft presented to or filed before the civil regulatory authorities.

“As stated above, available records indicate that the aircraft is currently registered to “Bank of Utah Trustee” until 30 September 2015, and the said registration is not transferable. The Ministry has therefore further directed a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the actual ownership of the aircraft in question. Upon conclusion of these internal investigations, the Ministry will take all necessary steps required by law."

credits: primestonenews, tribune

"It was hailed as a giant step forward for racial integration in a country that has long been ill at ease with its growing immigrant classes. But Cecile Kyenge's appointment as Italy's first black Cabinet minister has instead exposed the nation's ugly race problem, a blight that flares regularly on the soccer pitch with racist taunts and in the diatribes of xenophobic politicians — but has now raised its head at the center of political life.

One politician from a party that not long ago ruled in a coalition derided what he called Italy's new "bonga bonga government." On Wednesday, amid increasing revulsion over the reaction, the government authorized an investigation into neo-fascist websites whose members called Kyenge "Congolese monkey" and other epithets." - AP

Italian Integration Minister Cecile Kyenge arrives at Chigi palace Premier's office, in Rome. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia, File)

Newly appointed Italian Minister of Sport Josefa Idem (L) and Congo-born Minister for Integration Cecile Kyenge sits after the swearing in ceremony for 21 new ministers at Quirinale palace in Rome, April 28, 2013. REUTERS/ Remo Casilli

Congo-born Italian Minister for Integration Cecile Kyenge is helped after loses a shoe as she arrives at the Lower house of the parliament in Rome, April 29, 2013. REUTERS/Remo Casilli

Italian Premier Enrico Letta, is flanked by Integration Minister Cecile Kyenge, left, and Agriculture Minister Nunzia De Girolamo, during the swearing in ceremony of the new government at the Quirinale Presidential Palace, in Rome, Sunday, April 28, 2013. (AP Photo/Domenico Stinellis

"Saturday, April. 27, 2013, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, speaks to Associated press during an interview in Lagos, Nigeria. Modern life in Lagos, Nigeria's largest city, has become almost a character itself in novelist Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's new book, "Americanah." Within its pages, one catches self-acknowledged glimpses of the writer herself, who shot to fame with her previous novel, a love story set during Nigeria's civil war entitled "Half of a Yellow Sun." - (AP)

(AP Photo/Sunday Alamba)

(AP Photo/Sunday Alamba)

(AP Photo/Sunday Alamba)

(AP Photo/Sunday Alamba)

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (L) during a reading of her new book 'Americanah' in Lagos April 27, 2013. REUTERS/Akintunde Akinleye

Nigerian novelist Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie poses for a photograph after a reading of her new book 'Americanah' in Lagos April 27, 2013. REUTERS/Akintunde Akinleye

Nigeria’s Minister of Finance Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala Speaks to CNN's Christiane Amanpour,  on On Tuesday, 16th April,  2013

“Nigeria Is A Poor Country” – Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

AMANPOUR – Introducing the interview segment

Welcome back to the program. Africa’s most populous nation, Nigeria, is full of promise. But fulfilling that promise is sometimes a struggle. Plagued by corruption and mismanagement, the resource-rich country has a poverty rate of over 50 percent. Maternal mortality is shockingly high. And more than half of Nigerians don’t have access to electricity.

Nigeria’s president, Goodluck Jonathan, can’t even escape the power problem himself. Here he is on Easter Sunday, delivering a speech to his people only to have it disrupted by a blackout. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala says that she and her president want more for the country. She’s Nigeria’s finance minister and she’s been lauded as just the kind of reformer that Nigeria needs. She was a runner-up to lead the World Bank and “Forbes” ranked her as one of the world’s most powerful women.

But even she isn’t immune from Nigeria’s problems. Her own mother was kidnapped for a terrifying five days before being released. I spoke to her and I asked her about her country’s uphill struggle to transform Nigeria’s resources into a better life for all the people. We talked when she was here in New York for the Women in the World Summit.

And as you watch, we look forward to your tweets using #amanpour.

AMANPOUR: Dr. Okonjo-Iweala, welcome to the program.

NGOZI OKONJO-IWEALA: Thank you for having me.

AMANPOUR:  Great to have you.

OKONJO-IWEALA: Thank you.

AMANPOUR: Nigeria is a huge and important country. We have many, many viewers from Nigeria, always very active and very interested. So it’s great to have you here.

OKONJO-IWEALA: Thank you.

AMANPOUR: You have said and others have said, that 2013 is going to be a real game-changing year, a turning point year for Nigeria, particularly in your area of finance and economics.

How?

OKONJO-IWEALA: Well, it’s going to be a game-changer and a turning point, because this is the year we are going to produce results. And we’re already producing results within the administration.

First, on the economic side, I just want to say that macroeconomic stability has been restored. Now, nobody should minimize that. Remember, there were two lost decades in Africa, in the ’80s and ’90s, where there was so much macro instability that people could not even focus on sectors that could create jobs.

Now things have gone right. We’ve got growth that is at 6.5 percent last year and we’re projecting for 2013, also, around the same number compared to average 5 percent on the African continent.

Now, I just want to say that when you mention GDP growth, people immediately say we can — in my country, they say we can’t eat growth; because we have unemployment challenges, we need to create more jobs. We have a challenge of inclusion. We have problems of inequality.

All those are challenges we face.

AMANPOUR: You are obviously a passionate defender of your country. You are a person who calls for transparency and honesty and best practices. There is a huge problem with corruption in your country. The president promised to address this stuff. And the latest is that an ally of his, a former governor who was convicted of stealing millions of dollars, has been pardoned, embezzling $55 million in public funds. Now, the U.S. calls that a setback for the fight against corruption. I mean how do you answer that?

OKONJO-IWEALA: How do I answer that question? OK, listen to what I have to say on corruption. And I think I have quite a bit to say. I wrote a book recently where I also had a whole chapter on that issue called, “Reforming the Unreformable.”

Nigeria does have a problem with corruption. And so do many other countries, including developed countries. I don’t like the fact that when people mention the name Nigeria, the next thing they say is corruption.

This is a country of 170 million people; 99.9 percent of them are honest, hard-working citizens who just want to get on with their lives and they want a government that delivers for them.

What we’ve said is that in order to help block any leakages and help to, you know, stop any attempts at corruption or taking monies, we must build electronic platforms. We must distance people from the money.

These things were recommended by the World Bank and the IMF. I used to work at the World Bank. We are doing them.

And I strongly believe that we lack institutions. We lack processes.

Now, what President Goodluck Jonathan has done now is to call the judiciary, the legislature and the executive arm for the first time to meet together on this issue and say, this is not just about government, this is about all of us coming together, because even if you catch somebody, they go to the courts and they are let off lightly.

The president can’t do anything about that. The judicial system also has to be strengthened.

Legislators also have to crack down. They themselves have to work at also being transparent and helping the executive.

But for me, also, in addition to doing that, we need to stop talking and identify the specifics, like you mentioned oil leakages. Let me mention two things quickly.

The first one is the oil theft that is 150,000 barrels a day –

AMANPOUR: Which is huge.

OKONJO-IWEALA: — a month — which is huge. Yes. I admit that. And we can’t afford — I’ll tell you; my thesis on corruption is we are still a poor country. We cannot afford any leakage.

We also need the international community to weigh in. We have — Mexico and Nigeria are suffering from this problem, you can check. Mexico has (inaudible) losing 25,000 barrels a day. And they found (inaudible).

In our case, we have international people who also buy that stolen oil. We need them to treat this stolen oil like stolen diamonds, the blood diamonds. Make it blood oil. Help us so that those people don’t have a market to sell this stuff.

That’s one. And we ourselves should commit to fighting — and we are fighting that.

AMANPOUR: Let me ask you about that, because you also have challenges with electricity. You mentioned you’re very rich in oil and people just simply don’t understand why there still seem to be so many problems with electricity.

And it might seem, you know, weird to pick on that one thing, but it is very prevalent. I asked your president about this during an interview I did by satellite when he was at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

Let’s just see what he had to say to me.

video clip

GOODLUCK JONATHAN, PREISDENT OF NIGERIA: That is one area that Nigerians are quite pleased with the government, that’s a commitment to improve power. It’s working. So if you are saying something different, I’m really surprised. That is one area, one area that we will — civil society members agree that government has kept faith with its promise.

*end of video clip*

AMANPOUR: Now, that interview caused a bit of a hullabaloo, as I think you know, in Nigeria. And yet, the World Bank has said that half — more than half the Nigerian population doesn’t have any access to the power grid.

OKONJO-IWEALA: As you know, Nigeria became a democracy again when President Obasanjo came into power in 1999. Two decades prior to that, there was hardly any investment in electricity. If you’ve neglected a sector for that long, you’ve not invested, you’ve not even maintained your basic facilities, it’s not going to happen that fast. It takes time. That month, when you interviewed the president, the polls showed, independently, scientifically (inaudible) that they are in technical partnership with dialogue. That 54 percent of Nigerians felt there was some improvement. They do it monthly. Now this month, they’ve surveyed and they’ve showed this going down, because 800 megawatts has been taken off the grid, which is while they are maintaining the grid.

AMANPOUR: Well, let me ask you, because businesses apparently say that this problem with electricity is causing them to, you know, be reluctant to invest.

*cross talk*

AMANPOUR: They need this investment…

OKONJO-IWEALA: Nigeria is not the only country. Almost every developing country has a problem with power, as you know. India has it. South Africa has it. South Africa is far better off because they’ve invested much more.

But many developing countries, even China, they are struggling with keeping up with infrastructure.

Now, what we are doing in Nigeria? We have accepted that the government is not the best place to run the power sector, that if we want this country and this economy to do better, we just have to get out. And Nigeria is pursuing one of the most sweeping privatization programs in any country in the world. We are selling off everything. The generation capacity, the distribution capacity in the country, government is only retaining one thing — transmission.

AMANPOUR: Well, on that note, Madam Minister, thank you for joining me.

OKONJO-IWEALA: Thank you, Christiane, for having me.

VIDEO interview here

"Two bombs exploded near the finish line at the Boston Marathon on Monday, leaving two people dead and dozens more wounded. A third explosion was heard just before 4 p.m., about an hour after the first two blasts, at the nearby John F. Kennedy Library. The police later said that episode may have been unrelated. The two explosions, which occurred seconds apart, created a chaotic scene, as wounded runners and bloodied spectators were helped to a nearby tent that was being used for weary runners, The Associated Press reported. Some were crying and several said they saw limbs on the ground." - New York Times

John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe

John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe

Ken Mcgagh/Metrowest Daily News, via Reuters

John Tlumack/The Boston Globe

David L Ryan/The Boston Globe

Elise Amendola/Associated Press

John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe, via Associated Press

Winslow Townson/Associated Press

Charles Krupa/Associated Press

Charles Krupa/Associated Press

Source and compilation by New York Times

HOUSTON, April 15, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- CAMAC Energy Inc. (NYSE MKT: CAK) ("the Company") today announced that Earl W. McNiel, Chief Financial Officer, will present at IPAA's 19th Annual OGIS New York in New York on Tuesday, April 16, 2013 at 9:35 a.m Eastern time (8:35 a.m. Central time). Investors may access the presentation materials via the Investor section of the Company's website at www.camacenergy.com.

About CAMAC Energy Inc.

CAMAC Energy Inc. (NYSE MKT:  CAK) is a U.S.-based energy company engaged in the exploration, development and production of oil and gas.   The Company's principal assets include rights to interests in OML 120 and OML 121, offshore oil and gas leases in deep water Nigeria which include the currently producing Oyo Oilfield, and six recently acquired exploration blocks in Kenya and Gambia. The Company is currently pursuing further additions to its exploration portfolio in East and West Africa.  The Company was founded in 2005 and has offices in Houston, Texas, Nairobi, Kenya, Banjul, Gambia and Lagos, Nigeria.

left: Earl W. McNiel,  Chairman  Of Camac  Kase Lawal

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain statements that may include "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are "forward-looking statements," including statements regarding the Company's proposed transactions, business strategy, plans and objectives and statements of non-historical information. These forward-looking statements are often identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "will," "should," "believes," "expects," "anticipates" or similar expressions, and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, they involve assumptions, risks and uncertainties, and these expectations may prove to be incorrect. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of their respective dates. Risks and uncertainties regarding the transactions described herein include the possibility that the schedule for drilling may be delayed due to unavailability or delays in procurement of necessary equipment and materials.  In addition, the Company's actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of other factors including those discussed in the Company's periodic reports that are filed with and available from the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). All forward-looking statements attributable to the Company or persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these factors. Other than as required under the securities laws, the Company does not assume a duty to update these forward-looking statements.

Contacts

Media:

CAMAC Energy Inc.

Cristy Taylor, +1-713-797-2940

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

or

Investor Relations:

Jason Lee

+1-832-209-1419

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

SOURCE CAMAC Energy Inc.

/Web site: http://www.camacenergy.com