NIGERIA: NEXIM bank to create 24,000 jobs ** Oil industry advised to embrace openness ** Security agents discover arms cache in Kano ** Nigerian government to address access to finance for SMEs ** Nigeria to shut non viable embassies** Military foils suicide attack on Kaduna barracks ** Nuhu Ribadu appointed head of petroleum task force ** House of Representatives investigates terror suspects escapes ** Security agents seize Boko Haram weapons ** Jonathan, others urge peace at Maulud Nabiyy ** Committee investigating Kano bomb attacks submits report ** Nigeria celebrates Centenary in 2014 ** Ezekwesili improves Africa-World Bank ties ** Government affirms commitment to Academic Union ** Nigerian government offers more refinery licences ** President Jonathan bans upward review of budget ** African Dignitaries set for Ikemba Day ** AFRICA: Africa loses billions in trade earnings ** Ghana increases minimum wage by 20 percent ** Guinea court charges army colonel with murder ** Moroccan Military gets improved welfare ** Giant dust cloud chokes west Africa ** NGOs case :Egypt not swayed by aid ** 22,000flee Mali fighting ** Tunisia withdraws recognition of Syrian government ** Two killed in Cairo clash ** 100 feared trapped in sunken ferry ** Gambian President dissolves cabinet ** Jacob Zuma receives Nigerian envoy ** Malians protest rebellion in north ** WORLD: Syria army launches new attacks on Homs ** Clashes in Maldives as leader is ousted ** Maldives President resigns ** Russia and China veto UN resolution on Syria ** UN Security Council waters down statement on Syria ** Dozens die in Europe cold snap ** Arab League suspends Syria mission ** UN Security Council meets on Syria ** US to cut troops by 100, 000