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A New Year's Eve fireworks display in Ivory Coast turned from celebration to tragedy early Tuesday when 60 people - most of them women and children - were crushed to death in a stampede, officials said.

Interior Minister Hamed Bakayoko said another 40 people were injured, two of them seriously.

Earlier, state media reports suggested that between 100 and 200 people had been hurt in the incident in Abidjan, the country's largest city and former capital.

The 60 dead included 26 children, 28 women and six men, said Minister of Youth Alain Lobognon, via his official Twitter feed, after visiting the hospital morgue where the bodies were taken.

The official AIP news agency earlier said the victims were all children, ranging in age from eight to 15.

Bakayoko said the tragedy happened as hundreds of people were trying to go back home after the fireworks display ended in Plateau, the city's central business district.

The crush was near a stadium, Bakayoko said, adding that the proper security measures were in place during the fireworks show.

It's still not clear exactly what triggered the stampede at about 1 a.m.

Many of the victims were trampled on or suffocated by the surging crowd, a senior fire official said on national television.

Rescue workers were at the scene two hours later but could not save the victims, the AIP news agency said.

A police official in Abidjan told CNN that most of the victims were young people who wanted to join in the celebration while their elders stayed at home.

The stampede occurred in an area of narrow streets, according to the official, who did not want to be named as he is not authorized to talk to the media.

He said the parents of those involved are at the hospitals and are being assisted by state authorities.

Before the night's events took a deadly turn, AIP reported that thousands of people had poured into the streets to join the celebration, seen by some as symbolizing the nation's return to peace.

Nearly 5,000 extra personnel were deployed to ensure people's security, the news agency said, most of them in the Plateau area.

Ivory Coast suffered months of violence following disputed presidential elections in November 2010. Laurent Gbagbo, then the incumbent president, refused to step down after Alassane Ouattara was declared the winner.

Gbagbo was arrested five months later and is now awaiting trial at The Hague, in the Netherlands, accused of crimes against humanity for the civil unrest and deaths.

The International Criminal Court also wants Ivory Coast to hand over his wife, Simone Gbagbo, to face allegations of crimes against humanity.

The West African nation is home to around 22 million people, according to the CIA World Factbook.

- CNN

President Goodluck Jonathan announced on Tuesday that most members of the Islamic extremist group have  been arrested by security forces in the country, saying with more prayers, the country shall overcome terrorism, kidnapping and armed robbery.

"Most of the terror suspects have been arrested. Most people will not know what the security agencies  have been doing. The people who bombed police HQ, UN House and St Theresa's Catholic Church in Madalla have been arrested. We will continue to improve security architecture", the president said.

Speaking at a church service in All Saints Anglican Church in Abuja to mark the new year celebration, Jonathan who noted that prayers by the church have been helping his government to stabilise the country at a time of challenge, added that "there was time the country was drifting and everyone thought the country will not endure but the prayers rescued us.

"We shall overcome terrorism, kidnapping and armed robbery with more prayers from the Church. The new year will be better for the country. We have a huge population and we will continue to provide employment for our people and encourage entrepreneurship", the president stated.

Rev. Nicolas Okoh who delivered a sermon noted that the Anglican Church all over the world  was celebrating the naming and circumcision of Jesus Christ as well as the new year.

In his sermon with the theme, "circumsize your heart", Okoh urged Nigerians, including the church, businessmen, civil servants and politicians at all levels to circumsise their hearts.

He chided teachers and academicians as well as students who dress indecently on campuses, asking them to circumsize their hearts, even as he told market women who sell fake products, petrol dollars and transporters who hike prices in festive periods, kidnappers, armed robbers and members of the Boko Haram sect.

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My parents are…my mum is a homemaker, housewife and a disciplinarian. There was a lot of love and at the same time a lot of firmness. As the eldest daughter, I wasn’t taken lightly by my parents. I had to adhere  strictly to  all duties given to me, because I have other siblings to watch-over.

The household I grew up in… my dad was a banker, so we did a lot travelling. We moved along together and I think that created the kind of bond we had. It gave us an avenue to interact with other cultures and understand different people. 

When I was a child I wanted to… I’ve always wanted to become an artist. I was good with my hands. My mum taught me how to play the shantu instrument very early. It was a creative time growing up. There were a lot of things I did with my hands – I did crochet, knitting and many things – so I always felt that could lead me to a career.

One statement I will never forget… my school career counselor  said it will be a shame if I don’t become a professional artist.

If I could change one thing about myself… It would be my inability to keep in touch with my friends and loved ones these days and to be honest, I’m not proud of that.

You can call it my strength… I see good in a lot of things; I take time to analyse things without being rigid to a particular thing.

I wouldn’t call it a challenge… hurdles in life are like a challenge; if you look at them and call them regrets, it’s like saying you don’t appreciate the lessons they bring.

You may need to know… I am on the quiet side and I'm observant. I like to study a situation before giving my verdict.

Looking at the mirror… I see someone who has achieved some of her set goals. I see someone who wants to impact positively on the society; especially the female folks.

Looking back to yesterday… my fine arts prize from Queens College Lagos is my most cherished prize.

I’m not a big reader… however, I enjoy seeing the book I read dramatised like in “Things Fall Apart”.

I see movies a lot … I like movies of real life stories; movies with historical values like ‘Cleopatra’. On a lighter note, I like Nigerian movies that remind us of our rich cultural heritage.

As an artist… seeing our various diversities spurs my inspiration. Like one of my paintings – The Water Fetchers – has its inspiration drawn from the rural women who go to the stream to fetch water.

In five years time…  to see that my work impacts positively on the people both locally and internationally. Being a good ambassador of whom I am and my country.

My future plan for women… I think women are very strong and they need role models along the way. So, whatever little I can impact on them from my work to enable them achieve their professional dreams and keep their home I will offer.

My life in eight words… humble, content, hopeful, generous daughter, mother and friend.

A LIFE IN BRIEF
Kaltume Bulama Gana is the younger sister of Nigeria Ambassador to Malawi, Amb. Mohammed Lawan Gana. She had her primary, secondary and tertiary education in Nigeria.

She did extensive studies in Islamic Arts at Mimar Sisan University, Istanbul, Turkey. One of her notable works is the painting of ‘Queen Amina’ for Zumunta Association Washington DC, USA. She was married and the marriage was blessed with a child.

No fewer than 12 persons have died, and a dozen injured as fireworks explosion rocked Lagos Island on wednesday.

The incident which affected three buildings located at Okoya/Ojogiwa, Lagos Island, Lagos, occurred at about 8:00am.

It was gathered that trouble started when a locked-up shop under one of the three buildings stocked with fireworks popularly called 'bangers' suddenly exploded and went up in flames.

As a result of the explosion, it was learnt that the building which had d shop under it and two others adjoining collapsed.

Residents of the three buildings who were still celebrating the Christmas festivity mood but, were still on beds to witness the boxing day, were affected during the explosions.

12 persons, it was said, were feared dead and a dozen others injured.

A score other residents were said to be currently trapped in d debris of the collapsed three buildings.

As at press time, officials of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), fire service, police, Nigerian Security Civil and Defence Corps (NSCDC) and others had visited the scene for rescue operations.

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The Joint Security Task Force has confirmed the deaths of two suicide bombers who attacked Airtel and MTN Telecommunications offices in Kano metropolis on Saturday.

The Airtel regional office is located at the popular Malam Kato Square, near the Main branch of a bank while the MTN office is situated at Maimalari road in Bompai area.

The JTF spokesman, Capt. Ikedichi Iweha confirmed the death of the bombers to newsmen in Kano on Saturday.

Iweha said the first bomber who went to Airtel office succeeded in detonating the bomb which led to the destruction of the office.

He said that only the operator of the company’s generator set was injured in the attack which took place at about 8.45 a.m.

``With the exception of the two bombers, nobody else died in the two coordinated incidents,’’ Iweha said.

Iweha said the bomber who went to the MTN office was intercepted by security operatives before he could gain entry into the premises at about 8.50 a.m, adding that he died in the blast instantly.

``The quick response of the troops around the place averted the destruction of the office but the wall fence was touched in the coordinated attack.’’

He said that security had been beefed up around the two areas with a view to enhancing security.

However, an eyewitness told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on condition of anonymity that ``we just heard the loud sound of the explosion at the Airtel office around 8.35 a.m. and immediately after the blast the place was engulfed in flames.’’

NAN reports that following the incident, traders around the area quickly locked their shops and ran for safety.

Members of the JTF have cordoned off the areas. (NAN)