Ola Awoniyi
Journalist at AFP.
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/ 1 November 2004

Africa is a ‘fertile ground for investment’

African leaders pitched on Monday for more trade and investment from Asia, saying they were pushing through economic and political reforms that will open up business opportunities in the continent. Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo told the opening of the two-day conference in Tokyo that the continent of more than 750-million people was rich with resources for Asian investors.

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/ 30 August 2004

Nigerian troops set off for Darfur

A 155-strong company of Nigerian infantrymen arrived at Abuja aiport on Monday, ready to depart to the war-torn western Sudanese region of Darfur as part of an African Union force protecting ceasefire monitors. ”You are going to Sudan purely to assist our brothers and sisters in restoring a hope that is fast diminishing in them,” said Brigadier General Shekari Biliyak.

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/ 26 July 2004

Charles Taylor snubs Nigerian court

Former Liberian leader Charles Taylor failed to attend a court hearing on Monday to defend himself against a bid by two Nigerian amputees to force their government to hand him over to international justice. The amputees allege that Taylor had a role in their ordeal and have asked for a judicial review of Nigeria’s decision to grant him political asylum.

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/ 2 April 2004

Nigeria probes officers amid coup warnings

Nigeria has launched an investigation into claims that a large number of military officers have been canvassing support for a coup d’état in the oil-exporting West African giant, officials said on Friday. They played down fears that Africa’s most populous country was at risk of its sixth military takeover since 1966.

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/ 26 January 2004

Nigerian fuel tax battle goes to court

Nigeria’s government and trade unions took their battle over a controversial fuel tax back to court on Monday, five days after labour leaders suspended plans to launch a crippling general strike over the levy. The case has become a key battle for President Olusegun Obasanjo as he strives to push through wide-ranging economic reforms.