/ 23 March 2001

MOVE ASIDE, NIGERIAN OFFICIAL AHEAD

THE convoy of Nigerian Vice President Atiku Abubakar has been involved in a pile-up, injuring several people, adding to what Nigerians call the government road toll. Since Nigeria returned to civilian rule in May 1999, more than 15 top officials, including three ministers and a slate of governors, have been involved in fatal road accidents and dozens more involved in accidents where people were injured. Within the past one week, both the president’s and vice president’s convoys have been involved in pile-ups. – AFP