Obama signs a rare private bill to grant Nigerian student U.S. permanent residency

Victor Chukwueke (second from the left) is shown with his surgeon, Dr. Ian Jackson, the doctor's wife and the nun who has cared for him since he came to the United States.

A Nigerian immigrant's dream came true when President Barack Obama signed into law a rare private bill granting him permanent residency in the Unites States.

Victor Chukwueke, who lives in Michigan on an expired visa, came to the United States 11 years ago to undergo treatment for massive face tumors.

He graduated from a university in the state, and plans to attend an Ohio medical school that requires him to have permanent residency, also known as a green card.

In a rare act, the United States Congress passed a private bill this month granting him permanent residency. Obama signed the bill Friday.

Private bills -- which only apply to one person and mostly focus on immigration -- are rarely approved. His is the only one to pass in Congress in two years.

"I was overwhelmed with joy; it was nothing less than a miracle," the 26-year-old says. "Only in this country can so many miraculous and wonderful things happen to someone like me."

 

Photo:Victor Chukwueke attends his graduation at Wayne State University, where he served as commencement speaker.

 

Before coming to the United States at age 15, Chukwueke lived in the southeastern Nigeria town of Ovim.

He suffers from neurofibromatosis, a genetic disorder that causes massive life-threatening tumors on his face.

Treated as an outcast because of his deformed face, he was depressed and humiliated, he says. His family abandoned him at an orphanage after taking him to the nation's best facilities for treatment.

PHOTOS: Calabar International Carnival 2012

The 2012 edition of one of Africa’s biggest street carnivals, the Calabar International Carnival, lived up to expectations as it attracted lots of foreign tourists who visited Calabar for the carnival.


It is gradually matching up to the standard big carnivals like the Nottinghill Carnival in the UK and the Rio Carnival in Brazil have set.

Top Africa’s pay-TV provider, DSTV did a live broadcast of the event. Both local and international media had their reporters covering the carnival.

Brazilian Sampa performed on the stage right before the performance of TRINADAD AND TOBAGO who used drums and acoustics to play many local tunes.

2012 CALABAR INTERNATIONA CARNIVAL is great fun filled event that truly worths all the troubles and roads closed to allow the processions of the entertainers. The carnival was started by Donald Duke, former governor of the state.

informationnigeria

5 Boko Haram Suspects Killed, Bomb Factory Demolished In Kaduna

In Kaduna State, the Joint Task Force (JTF) early on Thursday killed five Boko Haram suspects and captured two others.

According to a statement by the spokesman of 1 Division, Nigeria Army, Kaduna, Col. Sani Usman, the incident happened in Rigasa, in Igabi local government area.

He said the operation followed information received from well-meaning citizens, upon which the JTF carried out a Cordon and Search Operation in Rigasa.

“On the approach to the factory, some suspected terrorists opened fire and also threw already primed IED at the troops. The exchange of fire that ensued resulted in the death of five terrorists, while two that sustained various degrees of injuries are being treated. In line with our resolve to deter terrorists, the building housing the factory was demolished this morning.”

He said another bomb-making factory was discovered at a house located off Makarfi Road, and the following items recovered:
1. Five Mark 4 rifles
2. Three Pump Action Riffles.
3. Twenty Rolls of Detonating Cords.
4. Twenty One 9’ Volt Batteries.
5. Two Remote Switches.
6. One Testing Metre.
7. Five assorted Daggers and Jackknives.
8. One Firing Cable and other Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) materials.

Commending the cooperation of the public, Col. Usman reiterated the resolve of JTF to fight terrorism in this country.

“We wish to inform the general public that whatever we are doing is aimed at ensuring that there is peace in Kaduna State as well as taking necessary steps in safeguarding the lives and properties of law-abiding citizens.”

He urged the public to continue to report any suspicious movement, establishments or persons in their environment, stressing that all such information received will be treated with absolute confidentiality.

Saharareporters

'We are very happy!' Shakira's footballer boyfriend Gerard Pique tweets to announce the birth of their baby boy

Colombian singer Shakira has reportedly given birth to a baby boy according to her delighted boyfriend, footballer Gerard Pique who took to Twitter on Thursday, to say the couple were 'very happy'.
Writing in Spanish he said: 'Our son has been born! We are very happy! Thanks to all for your messages!'

Shakira did not confirm the news herself, leading to some speculation that the tweet could be a joke.
It was written on Spain's Day of the Holy Innocents, similar to April Fool's Day.
Only days before Christmas, Shakira was pictured looking heavily pregnant shopping for gifts in Barcelona.
She is thought to have been due to give birth early next month.

Dailymail

Obasanjo Jokes About Fire Accident...'It Only Beautifies The House!'

Former President Obasanjo simply joked over the fire incident. The journalists who expected a briefing from former President Olusegun Obasanjo on the cause of the fire at his house got a shock as the former leader instead joked over the incident.



After newspapers broke the story of the fire, Mr. Obasanjo started receiving phone calls from sympathisers, and welcomed the ones who rushed to the Abeokuta residence, the former president asked to meet with the few journalists present at the scene. The briefing by the former president was expected to dwell on the cause of the fire, which was put out by officials of the fire service. Instead, Mr. Obasanjo decided to make jest about the fire.

Speaking in Yoruba language, the former President told journalists to go to town and sing about the fire. "Go, go and sing to the whole world that "the Kings house that is gutted by fire only beautifies the house," - the former president said.

While journalists expected him to continue, Mr. Obasanjo simply dismissed the journalists after the statement. The former president’s hilltop mansion in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, was gutted by fire for over 30 minutes on Thursday before officials of the fire service put out the fire. Though no official cause has been given for the fire, it is supposed that the fire started from Mr. Obasanjo’s private office, a stone throw to his bedroom, before the security in the premises raised alarm, and the state fire service was contacted.

Premiumtimes
Naij.com