The Youth Panorama

Ahmad Salkida, the only Nigerian journalist/civilian to have access to Boko Haram was reportedly flown in a few weeks back by the Nigerian government to act as negotiator between them and the Boko Haram extremists. Ahmad Salkilda Salkida, who previously worked for Daily Trust and Premium Times and reported extensively on Boko Haram had fled Nigeria to Dubai about 2 years ago, after he was being accused of being a Boko Haram sympathizer. Salkida, civilian who has allegedly seen Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau and come out alive, was said to have flown back home after the Nigerian government assured him that he will not be arrested. He tweeted: There is nothing wrong in having professional access to insurgents as long as it is used to save lives and promote peaceful coexistance... — Ahmad Salkida (@ContactSalkida) May 26, 2014 Trusted by both the government and extremists from Boko Haram, Salkida acted as go-between, risking his life on a one-man mission to enter...

Former president Olusegun Obasanjo is said to be working behind the scenes to secure the release of the abducted Chibok girls who are in the Boko Haram's captivity. Olusegun Obasanjo According to report, Obasanjo had met with people close to Boko Haram at his farm in Otta, Ogun State, last weekend in an attempt to find a solution to bring back the girls to their homes safely. The meeting which was attended by relatives of some senior Boko Haram fighters as well as intermediaries focused on how to free the girls through negotiation. A source who pleaded anonymity said that Obasanjo had raised concerns over Jonathan's acceptance of foreign help in the search and rescue mission of the girls. " He said he is worried that Nigeria’s prestige in Africa as a major continental power had been diminished" by President Goodluck Jonathan’s decision to bring in Western military help, including from the United States ," the source said. According to the sou...

Borno state which has been thrown into mourning in the past weeks following several attacks by the dreaded Boko haram sect was on Monday attacked again by gunmen suspected to be Boko haram insurgents, killing nine villagers, injuring several people and burning churches and houses. This attack on various communities around the rocky mountains of Gwoza town of Borno State is coming two days after Alagarno village in the state was attacked by the same group killing about 20 people and demanding N250,00 from the villagers . The insurgents who also hoisted their flags in Ashigashiya ward of Gwoza Local Government Area and are currently celebrating in the area which they have now declared their headquarters and are said to be planning another attack on the villages, according to residents who spotted them while hidding for fear of their lives on tall rocky hills. A local government official, Nglamuda Ibrahim who said the insurgents have gathered at Izhaghathagwa mounta...

Yaya Touré has cast his future at Manchester City in doubt and hinted that he would be interested in a move to PSG. Photograph: Nick Potts/PA Yaya Touré has stated it would be an “honour” to play for Paris St-Germain as the midfielder continues to suggest he wants to leave Manchester City. Last week the Ivorian claimed discontent at the club due to a lack of acknowledgment from the City hierarchy on his 31st birthday. Touré has since reiterated his wish to return to Barcelona and now says that he would be happy to play for PSG too. “Given the goals of Paris, how could you not be interested in a club like that?” Touré told France Football. “PSG have become one of the strongest teams in Europe. It would be a honour to one day play for a club like that. If I can be of service [then good]. “Given the magnificent season Manchester City have had, everyone talks about m...

Nigeria's friendly game against Scotland tomorrow is being investigated by British top security agency National Crime Agency (NCA) and world football body FIFA after claims by police that attempts have been made to fix the match. Scotland Football Association head of security Peter McLaughlin has been communicating with the NCA for the last three days. The NCA (Britain’s equivalent of the FBI) has declined to talk about the matter stating it is still a developing investigation. But an NCA spokesman told the Daily Mirror that: 'The NCA will from time to time provide operational detail necessary for public reassurance purposes. It does not routinely confirm or deny the existence of specific operations or provide ongoing commentary on operational activity.' The NCA suspects that sponsors of the match fixing hail from the Asian betting markets and have passed this information to FIFA. Meanwhile Super Eagles players in London have been training and enjoying the en...

Mauricio Pochettino has been appointed as Tottenham Hotspur manager after a deal was agreed with Southampton. Photograph: Tottenham Hotspur via Action Images Mauricio Pochettino has been appointed Tottenham Hotspur’s manager on a five-year contract after resigning at Southampton and Spurs are now seeking to reunite the Argentinian with his former captain, Adam Lallana, at White Hart Lane. The former Espanyol head coach had made clear his desire to leave St Mary’s after 16 months to replace Tim Sherwood, who was sacked after the final game of the season with Spurs having qualified for the Europa League c...

The residents of Buni Yadi town, Gujba local government area, Yobe State, where shocked by a sudden Boko Haram raid, which started in the evening of May 26, 2014, Monday, and continued till late night. * Boko Haram member fires a heavy machine gun during a raid on Giwa Barracks, Maiduguri , Borno State. According to an unnamed military source of SaharaReporters, over 10 soldiers lost their lives in a gunfight. The number of perished policemen may have reached 12 people. The Divisional Police Officer and the Divisional Crime Officer might have also died in the assault. At the same time, BBC Africa gives similar, but bigger number of victims: A source of the Punch confimed that a total of 25 security operatives died in combat: 14 soldiers and 11 policemen. An update by Reuters stated that at least 31 security officers were killed; out of them, 17 were the soldiers. The agency referred to its source in the capital city of Yobe State, Damaturu. A group of Boko Haram...