In the wake of last week's announcement confirming Nigeria's first human case of bird flu, Gilbert da Costa in Abuja examines the incidence of bird flu in Nigeria and growing concerns about its spread.

The security situation in Nigeria's oil rich Niger Delta has deteriorated sharply in the past few weeks despite government promises to curb hostage taking in the region. For VOA, Gilbert da Costa reports from Abuja that officials are particularly worried about the fate of at least three Chinese oil workers abducted Thursday.

In Nigeria, the office of the Vice President says Atiku Abubakar has been vindicated by the government's withdrawal of a court case it filed seeking to declare the position of the Vice President vacant. Over the weekend, the government stated that Abubakar remains the Vice President.

Oil company officials in Nigeria Thursday confirmed that armed attackers have retreated from two oil facilities in the Niger Delta. But, as Gilbert da Costa in Abuja reports, the negotiations leading to the release of four foreign workers seized three weeks ago are proving a lot more difficult.

Hundreds of people went to scoop fuel from the pipeline in Lagos (Nigeria's largest city) after thieves punctured it overnight at Abule Egba. Most bodies were burned and beyond recognition. More than 500 bodies, most burned beyond recognition, were lying at the scene of a fuel pipeline explosion in Nigeria's largest city, Lagos, a witness said on Tuesday.

Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo is said to have refused to allow Vice President Atiku Abubakar to travel on vice president's official jet, temporarily disrupting his holiday plans. The president had previously approved of the vice president's vacation. Sources say Abubakar had to fly out of the country on a commercial airline. Meanwhile, the vice president's office has condemned the president's action.

Stakeholders in the health sector from all parts of Nigeria and abroad gathered in Abuja the capital city of Nigeria to deliberate on the health issues affecting Nigeria.

Nigerian Vice President Atiku Abubakar is now the presidential candidate of Nigeria's fledgling opposition Action Congress Party. For VOA, Gilbert da Costa reports that Atiku's party switch has provoked a debate on his status as vice president.

Delegates to the OPEC meeting in Nigeria say the oil cartel plans to cut production by 500,000 barrels a day starting in February.

A militant group in Nigeria is threatening to launch more attacks on the oil industry, a day after it seized four foreign oil workers. Gilbert da Costa in Abuja reports for VOA that Nigerian officials say they have established contact with the kidnappers.