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Monday, 23 February 2015

My men’ll kill in self defence, Mbu insists

Joseph Mbu

The Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 2, Lagos, Mr. Joseph Mbu, has said that there is no big deal in the number of people policemen under his command can kill in self-defence.

He said since policemen were also human beings, they should be ready to take revenge on any violent group(s) that might attack them or other innocent citizens.

Mbu spoke with some journalists in Olorunsogo, Ogun State, during the inauguration of the Olorunsogo II Power Station by President Goodluck Jonathan.

The journalists had approached the AIG, who led policemen to provide security for the President at the event, to clarify the controversial statement credited to him that 20 civilians would be hacked down for every policeman killed.

“If one of my men is killed, I shall kill 20 of them, but don’t shoot first. If they shoot you, shoot back in self-defence. Anybody who fires you, fire him back in self-defence,” Mbu had been quoted in the media to have told his men at the Ogun State Police Command Headquarters, Eleweran, Abeokuta, during a recent visit.

Mbu on Friday said the media account was mischievous and contrary to what he said in Abeokuta.

He also said that he contemplated arresting the journalists who wrote the reports to show proof that he indeed said what was reported.

Curiously, however, Mbu restated the media account he had tried to debunk.

He said, “I still stand by what I said. And what I said is very clear: that if any violent group attacks my policemen, my policemen should attack them violently.

“If any violent group attacks a law-abiding citizen in a bid to cause injury or cause harm, the police should repel and save that law-abiding citizen because we have the powers to do so.

“If hoodlums or touts decide to be lawless; carrying knives, carrying illegal firearms and shooting at my policemen, if they shoot at my policemen and they are a hundred or 200, my policemen will not be looking at them. They will reply back in self-defence.

“The number I kill is immaterial because a policeman is also a human being.”

When asked if his strategy of fire-for-fire is the best way to handle the situation, Mbu answered, “Which other way do you think you can handle it? You will shoot at the police. Is it not when the person is alive that he is coming to give evidence? How will somebody who is violently attacking others be stopped; how are you going to stop him? Are you going to use your hands? You must repel him using a stronger force.”

CT scan finds mummified monk inside 1,000-year-old Buddha

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A Chinese statue of the Buddha dating back to around 1100 AD is more than just a statue -- it's the final resting place of a Buddhist master.

Drents Museum
It seems Mexico isn't the only place in the world where you can find human body parts incorporated into religious statuary: a Chinese statue of the Buddha has been discovered to contain the entire mummified body of a monk, folded into the same position.

The Buddha, exhibited at the Drents Museum in The Netherlands last year, was taken to the Meander Medical Centre in Amersfoort, where it was subjected to a full CT scan and had samples taken with an endoscope, under the supervision of Buddhist art expert Erik Brujin.

The mummy inside the statue -- the only one of its kind ever found -- is believed to be a Buddhist master named Liuquan of the Chinese Meditation School, who died around 1100 AD.

The CT scan and endoscopy revealed more than just the mummified remains of Liuquan. Samples of a material that has yet to be identified were taken from the thoracic and abdominal cavities, and something else extraordinary was discovered: in the spaces once occupied by organs, the team found scraps of paper scribed with ancient Chinese characters.

Reserachers knew that there were remains dating back to the 11th or 12th Century in the statue, but it wasn't until the CT scan that they discovered all of the monk's organs had been removed

The team believes the mummy may be an example of self-mummification in order to become a "living Buddha", a gruelling process that involved a life of extreme austerity. It was believed by some that mummification was not death, but a highly advanced spiritual state, and by others as a state of higher enlightenment.

In Japan, monks seeking self-mummification would begin a 1,000-day diet of water, seeds and nuts, followed by a 1,000-day diet of roots, pine bark and a special tea made from the sap of the Chinese lacquer tree -- a toxic substance usually used to lacquer bowls and plates, used by the monks to repel maggots and bacteria. Then they would be sealed in a stone tomb to await death.

A further 1,000 days after the monk's death, the tomb would be unsealed; those monks who had achieved mummification would be venerated in temples, while those who had not would remain entombed, respected for their attempt.

Whether those mummies had their organs removed and paper inserted is not known, however, it seems unlikely.

Liuquan has since moved on from Drents Museum, and will be on display at the Hungarian Natural History Museum until May 2015.

Nigerian residents return to 'ghost town' seized from Boko Haram

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A "ghost town" of burnt-out homes and looted properties greeted residents returning to Gamboru in northeast Nigeria for the first time since Chadian forces retook it from Boko Haram.

Boko Haram seized Gamboru, in the violence-wracked Borno state, in August last year, forcing thousands to flee across the frontier to the town of Fotokol, on the other bank of the river in northern Cameroon.Scores of people crossed the 300-metre (yard) bridge that forms the border with Cameroon under military escort on Friday to survey the ravaged town.

Chadian forces, who have joined the regional fight to crush the Islamist insurgency, retook Gamboru earlier this month, after intense fighting that left hundreds of insurgents dead.

"We met a ghost town strewn with burnt vehicles, destroyed buildings and emptied homes," Kachalla Moduye told AFP by telephone from Fotokol after a two-hour tour of the town.

"Many homes were burnt in the Boko Haram invasion and in the fighting to reclaim it by Chadian soldiers. Those that were spared were looted by Boko Haram in the five months they stayed in the town."

Gamboru has been repeatedly targeted in the bitter conflict, which has left more than 13,000 people dead since 2009 and made more than one million homeless.

It was the first town recaptured in the regional fight-back by troops from Nigeria, Niger, Chad and Cameroon, which was launched because of dawning fears of Boko Haram's threat to regional security.

Gamboru residents who hoped to salvage personal effects were disappointed as they found their homes empty.

"There was nothing in my house save the three wooden beds and my old cushion chairs. Every other item was stolen," Fanna Bukar, a mother-of-three, said.

"Even my sewing machine, which I so much looked forward to salvaging, was gone."

But even though their possessions were gone, locals said the tour was reassuring.

"Seeing is believing. We are now convinced our town has been liberated and we hope to come back and rebuild our lives once Boko Haram is finally wiped out," Moduye said.

"I'm sure we will return soon to start a new life," Bukar added.

- 'Seeing is believing' -

Boko Haram fighters meanwhile prevented hundreds of residents from leaving a dozen villages in the nearby Marte district due west from Gamboru, as Chad conducted sweeping aerial and ground attacks.

The villages affected were Kwalaram, Bukar-Mairam, Abbaganaram, Sidir, Kirta, Jibillaram, Zannari, Kutukungulla, Baranga, Kitikime, Krenuwa and Jillam.

"They will not allow everyone to leave and threaten to kill anyone that attempts to flee," Maji Zaram, who escaped from Kitikime to Fotokol, said.

Zaram said he pretended he was going into the bush to gather firewood but escaped and threw away his axe.

"They (Boko Haram) said we must stay with them in good and in bad times," he added.

"They said we can't leave them after partaking in all the booty they brought to us."

Chadian troops this week pushed deep inside Nigerian territory for the first time, bombarding Dikwa, 50 kilometres (31 miles) from Gamboru to the southwest, near Boko Haram's Sambisa Forest stronghold.

Nigeria's military also said they attacked Sambisa Forest and Gwoza, where the group's leader, Abubakar Shekau, first proclaimed the existence of an Islamic state inside Nigeria last year.

Maji Ariye, a Nigerian refugee in Fotokol, said the villagers were "reaping what they sow", as many had decided to stay voluntarily when Boko Haram moved in.

They said they would rather live under Boko Haram because the militants were bringing in free food and other consumables from raids elsewhere, he claimed.

"Now that the table has turned against their benefactors they want to leave," he said.

"I warned several people to leave because when soldiers deployed there would be no hiding place for them but they refused to listen."

Buhari’ll never be president –Fayose

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Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose

The Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, on Sunday boasted that the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), “will never be Nigeria president again.”

The governor also challenged the former Head of State to swear by the Holy Quran that he did not visit the hospital in the United Kingdom last week.

Fayose, who spoke through his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, said, “I wish they can see spiritually what I am talking about that Buhari, despite the hullabaloo will never be president. I predicted my return as Ekiti State governor and I am saying it again that Buhari will never rule Nigeria again.

“After President Goodluck Jonathan, there will be a young element in his late 50s from the North that will be Nigerian president. I want to liken this revelation to the story of Elijah and Elisha. I am the Elijah while my followers are Elisha.”

He said he never wished Buhari dead.

He added, “I owe it a duty to Nigeria and its people to expose the antics of the APC cabal whose only interest is to seize power to further selfish interests.

“Without doubt, it is obvious that members of this cabal in the APC is trying so hard to deceive Nigerians on Buhari’s health status. That is the reason they have been using photoshop pictures to defend their lies on Buhari’s UK trip.

“First, they used a March 5, 2013 picture, claiming that Buhari was taking a walk in London on Thursday. Later they came up with another poorly cropped picture of Buhari with former British Prime Minister, Tony Blair.

“The same people who lied in September 2012 that they received a gold card invitation to attend the Democratic National Convention in the United States of America are behind the dressing of Buhari in the garment of lies and I challenge Buhari to swear by the Holy Quran that he did not visit hospital in the United Kingdom last week.”

But, a group in the Ekiti State has described Fayose as a “political stalker” whose actions should be viewed as a threat to the life of Buhari.

In a statement by its spokesperson, Mr. Segun Dipe, the Action Group operating within the APC in Ekiti, asked Fayose to tender an unreserved apology for having the general on his death-wish list.

Dipe said, “Everyone should put Fayose on notice how his words and deeds have been threatening the life of General Buhari.

“The indecorous governor is bent on seeing the APC presidential candidate dead before the March 28 presidential election because his party is sure of losing the election, and he feels he will stew for it.

“That a Fayose could be hounding Buhari with death threat is quite unwarranted and unfortunate. He has sent spies after our presidential candidate and may soon start toying with the idea of snipers, that is, if he has not already.

“That Fayose is fraudulent, corrupt, inept, indecorous and uncouth is not in doubt. That he is unambiguous in his wish for Buhari’s death is not in doubt either. What is worrisome to us is why the twice-lucky governor should be trailing the General even beyond the shores of Nigeria, to ensure that his wish against him comes to pass.”

Dipe hinted that his group was aware that Fayose in his alleged desperation to see Buhari dead had travelled to UK just about the same time that Buhari travelled and had been trailing the movement of the General abroad.

He said, “He wants to hold on to power by all means possible and he knows that an integrity-driven person like Buhari as president would clip his wings.

“Our group is calling on all well-meaning persons in Nigeria and across the globe to call Fayose to order as his actions and words amount to not only wishing Buhari dead but driving the General to his death. God forbid.

“The group also calls on all sons and daughters of Ekiti who are desirous of rejecting the toga of indecorous and gluttony, which Fayose has brought on them, to come out enmasse and vote General Buhari in as president come March 28, as well as the candidates presented by APC for all the other political positions at the polls.

“A vote for APC is a vote against Fayose’s indecorous ways and PDP’s clueless impunity.”

Thugs attack Shettima’s convoy

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Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima

Suspected political thugs on Sunday attacked the convoy of the Borno State Governor, Alhaji Kashim Shettima, in Maiduguri, the state capital.

The thugs were alleged to have been sponsored by the former governor of the state, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, who has been at daggers drawn with the incumbent governor. But Sheriff has denied this.

But the Chairman of the APC in the state, Ali Bukar Dalori, claimed that the attack was by some political thugs associated with Sheriff.

He alleged that during the unprovoked attack , about 10 vehicles in the convoy of Shettima were smashed.

Dalori, in an e-mail statement to our correspondent, said the attack took place at about 4.30pm on Sunday while Shettima and some of his aides were driving along the Sir. Kashim Ibrahim Way.

He said the governor was on a visit to different hospitals in the state capital, to “offer support to patients before his convoy was attacked while returning to the Government House located at the G.R.A.”

Dalori alleged that “The thugs came out from a campaign office belonging to Sheriff and soon after the governor’s official vehicle had passed, the thugs went after vehicles in the convoy, smashing their windscreens.

“Soon after he was informed about the attack, Shettima was said to have restrained his security aides from attacking the thugs in order not to heighten tension in the state and compromise ongoing counter insurgency operations.”

The party chairman added, “We live in Maiduguri, we are the people that stand to lose if peace is truncated. Our attackers live in Abuja, so they will not care if Maiduguri goes up in flames. The violence they are orchestrating is aimed at stopping the elections in Borno State but God will never allow evil to triumph over good.”

Sunday, 22 February 2015

Nigerian president admits he underestimated Boko Haram

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Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan said he underestimated Boko Haram Islamists who have overrun swathes of the country's northeast and defended an election postponement in an interview published Sunday.

The military pushed for the six-week delay eventually granted by the electoral commission to allow it to secure the country for the vote, though Boko Haram's insurgency has raged for six years.

Jonathan, facing a tight re-election bid against ex-military ruler Muhammadu Buhari, has faced criticism over the vote delay, which critics argue was designed to give him time to shore up his campaign.

Presidential and parliamentary elections are now set for March 28.

"Probably at the beginning, we, and I mean myself and the team, we underrated the capacity of Boko Haram," Jonathan said in an interview with influential newspaper ThisDay.

He said that the military has recently acquired more arms and ammunition to do battle with the Islamists, vowing that their suppression and the capture of the group's leader were near.

"God willing, we will catch (Abubakar) Shekau before the elections," he said.

Asked why six more weeks would make a difference in the years-long conflict that has killed more than 13,000 people, Jonathan said the military could make reasonable progress in that time.

"We are not saying we must finish Boko Haram to conduct elections, but we should get to a point where they will not cause havoc if they make an attempt," he said in the interview.

"My belief is that by 28th of next month, when the elections will be conducted, Boko Haram may not even be in a position to attack any town, God willing."

Nigeria's military authorities on Saturday claimed to have recaptured the fishing town of Baga from the Islamists, more than a month after it was overrun in what is feared to be the worst massacre of the six-year insurgency.

There was no independent corroboration of the claim, as thousands of Baga residents had fled the town after Boko Haram attacked on January 3 and hundreds, if not more, were killed in the following days.Over one million people have been left homeless since 2009 as the rebels try to carve out an Islamic state in northeastern Nigeria.

The Islamists have recently extended their violent campaign into nations neighbouring Nigeria's northeast as regional forces pursue them.

Young girl suicide bomber kills seven in Nigeria

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A girl thought to be as young as seven killed herself and seven others in a suicide bombing in northeast Nigeria as President Goodluck Jonathan conceded his government had initially underrated the Islamist extremist group Boko Haram.

The attack on a market in the city of Potiskum, the commercial capital of Yobe state, was the latest in a string of suicide strikes in which children have been used.

The initial death toll given by witnesses and hospital sources was six -- the bomber and five others -- but medical sources at the state-run hospital in Potiskum said later two of those injured had also died.

Previous attacks have been blamed on Boko Haram.

Nineteen people injured in the blast were taken to the hospital, a local vigilante leader, Buba Lawan, told said.

The bombing highlights the severe security challenges facing Nigeria in the run-up to presidential and parliamentary elections on March 28.

During a swing through neighbouring Chad, Cameroon and Niger, French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius on Sunday urged Nigeria to entirely commit itself to battling Boko Haram.

"It is necessary that there be full commitment from Nigeria in the fight against Boko Haram," Fabius told reporters in Niger's capital, Niamey.

On Saturday in the Chadian capital N'Djamena, Fabius visited a coordination cell set up on a French military base to liaise between Cameroon, Chad, Niger and France.

Paris has promised to increase intelligence-sharing and other assistance to the armies of Nigeria and its three neighbours, which banded together to battle Boko Haram after the extremists expanded their campaign across the region's borders.

- 'Underrated Boko Haram' -

President Goodluck Jonathan, who has been in office since 2011, is engaged in a tough re-election campaign against ex-military ruler Muhammadu Buhari.

Voting initially scheduled for February 14 has been delayed for six weeks to give Nigeria's military time to secure the country, despite its failure to beat back Boko Haram in the previous six years.

Jonathan admitted in an interview published on Sunday that early on in their rise he had underestimated the Islamists, who have overrun swathes of the northeast.

"Probably at the beginning, we, and I mean myself and the team, we underrated the capacity of Boko Haram," Jonathan said.

He said the military had recently acquired more arms and ammunition to battle the Islamists, and vowed their defeat was imminent.

Sunday's bombing in Potiskum was the second suicide attack in or near the market where new and second-hand phones are sold and repaired.

The first attack occurred January 11, when two suicide bombers -- one of whom appeared to be aged around 15 -- blew themselves up outside the market killing six people and injuring 37 others.

Before Sunday's strike, suspicious security guards and vigilantes said they tried to prevent the girl -- who witnesses said appeared around seven -- from entering the market.

"We sent her back four times, because given her age, she did not have anything to do in the market," Lawan said.

"When we were screening people, she bent and tried to pass under the ropes, some distance from our view. That was when the explosives went off."

In a sign of the distrust generated by the suicide bombings, Lawan said "we have barred women from entering the market to prevent further attacks."

Over 13,000 have been killed while more than one million people have been left homeless since 2009 as the Boko Haram militants try to carve out an Islamic state in Nigeria's northeast.

Nigeria's military said Sunday that the offensive against Boko Haram was making progress, claiming soldiers had recovered stocks of weapons abandoned by insurgents fleeing the recaptured town of Baga.

Nigerian military claims to have re-taken Baga from Boko Haram came more than a month after it was overrun in what is feared to be the worst massacre in the six-year insurgency.

There was no independent corroboration that Baga had returned to army control.

Friday, 20 February 2015

This Story Of How A Man Insulted A Future Job Interviewer Will Touch Your Soul

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This is one story that will teach you a valuable life lesson to always be nice to people, you never know where you will meet them. HR executive Matt Buckland, has disclosed how he came in contact with a man at his firm after the same man pushed past him and told him to go ‘f*** himself’ as they were both alighting from a packed train at Monument Station in central London on Monday February 16th.

According to Buckland, the man directed an insult at him because he had been kind enough to give way and allow a woman off the train. He explained, “I was on my way into work on the Tube on Monday morning during rush hour. I stood to one side to let a lady get by, and ended up blocking a man momentarily. I think he thought I was just standing in his way. He pushed and I turned, I explained I was getting off too but he pushed past and then looked back and suggested I might like to f*** myself,which might have been true but not before a few cups of coffee”

In an unexpected twist of fate, the same man entered into investment firm, forward partners a few hours later for an interview with none other than Mr Buckland who worked as a senior executive and head of recruitment at the company.

The job seeker who was interviewing for the role of web developer at the firm didn't recognize Buckland as the man he had previously insulted so Buckland decided to through train related questions at him until the man finally got the picture.

The man ended up not getting the job and according to Buckland, it was because he was not qualified enough and not because of his misdeed.

Video: It’s Thursday! And Here’s A Video Of Amber Rose Twerking In Water

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Amber Rose has shared this video of her twerking in the water, and we’ve decided to share it with you guys. Why? Because it’s thursday and you need a reason to smile or laugh.

Enjoy.

Prof Jega Should Stop Betraying, Lying To Nigeria; Army Has No Role In Polls – Falana

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Mr. Falana, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, was reacting to a presentation by the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Attahiru Jega, on the floor of the Senate, Wednesday.

Mr. Jega had restated the commission’s preparedness to conduct the general elections on March 28 and April 11, but insisted that only the military could guarantee security for the polls.

However, in a statement, Mr. Falana argued that the maintenance of internal security, including law and order during elections, were exclusive responsibilities of the Nigeria Police.

Citing Section 215 of the 1999, he said it was erroneous on the part of the INEC chairman to insist that only the military could guarantee security during the forthcoming elections.

Mr. Falana also criticised the Senate President, David Mark, for turning down the request by some lawmakers for service chiefs and the national security adviser to be summoned to explain their alleged interference in the constitutional duties of INEC.

By failing to summon the military high command to clear any doubt on the election dates, the Lagos lawyer said Mr. Mark’s statement that May 29 handover date was sacrosanct had become an empty assurance.

“Once INEC has discharged its constitutional duty of fixing election dates, the onus is on the Police to provide security and maintain law and order,” Mr. Falana said. “Since election is not a military duty, the police force is at liberty to collaborate with other law enforcement agencies like the Nigeria Customs Service, Nigerian Civil Defence Corps, and Nigerian Prisons Service, etc.”

Mr. Falana accused former President Olusegun Obasanjo of dragging the military into the conduct of elections when he illegally deployed troops to manipulate the 2003 general elections.

However, he said the courts have consistently advised the Federal Government to desist from involving the Armed Forces in the conduct of elections.

Citing the Appeal Court ruling in Yussuf versus Obasanjo, 2005, 18 NWLR (PT956), 96, he quoted the court to have said, “It is up to the police to protect our nascent democracy and not the military, otherwise the democracy might be wittingly or unwittingly militarized. This is not what the citizenry bargained for in wrestling power from the military in 1999. Conscious step or steps should be taken to civilianize the polity to ensure the survival and sustenance of democracy.”

In another ruling in the case between Buhari and Obasanjo, 2005, 1 WRN 1 at 200, the court again held that “In spite of the non-tolerant nature and behavior of our political class in this country, we should by all means try to keep armed personnel of whatever status or nature from being part and parcel of our election process. The civilian authorities should be left to conduct and carry out fully the electoral processes at all levels”.

In upholding the judgment of the lower court, the Supreme Court in Buhari v Obasanjo, 2005, 50 WRN 1 at 313, held that the State is obligated to ensure “citizens who are sovereign can exercise their franchise freely, unmolested and undisturbed.”

Mr. Falana also cited two recent rulings by the Federal High Court and the Appeal Court that barred the government from deploying troops for election duties.

He cited the ruling on the Ekiti governorship election where the Appeal Court held that even the President of Nigeria has no powers to call on the Nigerian Armed Forces and to unleash them on peaceful citizens, who are exercising their franchise.

The court further held that whoever unleashed soldiers on the Ekiti State disturbed the peace of the election on June 21, 2014; acted in flagrant breach of the Constitution and flouted the provisions of the Electoral Act, which required an enabling environment by civil authorities in the conduct of elections.

“In the light of the foregoing, Professor Attahiru Jega should ensure that INEC is not further blackmailed by the military hierarchy,” Mr. Falana said. “On their own part, the National Security Adviser and the Service Chiefs should desist from usurping the constitutional responsibility of the INEC and the Nigeria Police Force.”

Comedian Bovi Ugboma Covers The front Page Of The Latest Vanguard’s Allure Magazine

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Bovi Ugboma is a spectacular Nigerian comedian, director, producer, actor, and writer. The talented

public figure covers the front page of the newest Vanguard Allure Magazine in all boldness, sexiness, high fashion look and an attractive charisma. Edu Edewor had the face for last month’s cover. The magazine I must commend have an eye in selecting amazing Celebrity cover choices.

Two passenger trains collide in Switzerland

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Two passenger trains collided in Switzerland on Friday, causing injuries and disrupting commuter routes into Zurich, police and rail operator SBB said.

Rescue workers stand next to a derailed train after two trains collided near Rafz

One of the trains derailed in the accident in Rafz, a small town near the German border around 30 km (18 miles) from Zurich, at 6:45 a.m., Zurich cantonal police said. Five people were injured, one of them seriously, it said.

Newspaper 20 Minuten had earlier cited a member of the emergency services as saying as many as 49 people were thought to have been hurt.

World's oldest leader Mugabe triumphant ahead of 'obscene' birthday bash

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The world's oldest leader, Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe, turns 91 on Saturday with much to celebrate -- even as critics condemn as "obscene" his lavish birthday party plans in a country he is accused of plunging into poverty.

After years of international criticism, the European Union is resuming aid to the country and has already lifted sanctions on some senior government figures, while Mugabe has taken up the rotating chair of the African Union.

"To put it very bluntly Mugabe has won," said Richard Dowden, director of the London-based Royal African Society.

"An immense amount of Western pressure to step down and reverse some of his policies -- and he's done neither."

When he came to power in 1980, Mugabe was a hero of the fight against white minority rule in the former Rhodesia.

He won international praise for his declared policy of racial reconciliation and for extending education and health services to the black majority.

But critics say that over the following decades he turned the 'breadbasket of southern Africa' into a basket case, with human rights, justice and democracy trampled.

Mugabe's violent seizure of white-owned farms was followed by food shortages and hyper-inflation. Rigged elections saw Europe and the US impose sanctions.

Ostracised by the West, but still respected as a liberation hero by other African leaders, Mugabe has remained defiant.

"Down with imperialism. There was no country in Africa that was opposed to Zimbabwe becoming chair [of the AU], not even a single one," he boasted after his appointment last month.

Mugabe once quipped that he would rule his country until he turned 100 -- and he shows every sign of trying to achieve that goal.

He has recently purged his ruling Zanu-PF party of senior ministers and officials seen as allies of his former deputy, Joice Mujuru,who was accused of plotting to succeed him.

Despite a recent fall on the red carpet after his return from the AU meeting in Ethiopia -- which was gleefully seized on by opponents on social media -- he appears remarkably fit for his age.

"If his aim was to rule Zimbabwe and become the king of Zimbabwe for a long time, and whatever happened to the country he would stay there and become a continent-wide hero, I think he's achieved those aims," Dowden said.

"The fact that Zimbabwe has been ruined in the process and it's now just run by thieves who call themselves ministers, looting the place continually, I don't think that worries him a bit."

In an interview with the Zimbabwe Independent on Friday, Didymus Mutasa, a long-time Mugabe ally who was expelled from the ruling party this week, said: "His legacy is in ruins and the party of liberation is in tatters and shambles."

But that has not stopped Mugabe from planning a birthday party reportedly costing a million dollars and including a feast of animals including two elephants.

The party is set for February 28 at a luxurious hotel in the prime resort town of Victoria Falls, with ordinary citizens pressured into contributing to the cost.

The leader of the Progressive Teachers’ Union, Raymond Majongwe said schoolteachers were being forced to contribute up to $10 towards the feast.

“In many provinces people are being forced to donate towards the birthday and we now know where they intend to get the money to charter a plane and bankroll the expensive party," Majongwe said.

The main opposition party, the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), wants the funds "collected to bankroll this obscene jamboree" to be used instead to rehabilitate collapsed hospitals and schools, said spokesman Obert Gutu.