Obasanjo sworn in for second term in Nigeria

PROMISING to tackle his country’s poverty and corruption, President Olusegun Obasanjo took the oath of office for a second term as Nigeria’s leader yesterday — a landmark for civilian-run democracy in Africa’s most populous nation.

More than a dozen fellow African leaders watched as Mr Obasanjo, in traditional white robes, raised his hand before an invitation-only crowd under tight security in Nigeria's capital.

Mr Obasanjo called his re-election an "affirmation our leadership is trustworthy" after a first term widely acknowledged to have failed at curbing rampant corruption and violence.