If devaluing the naira is against our national interest, why can't we go against the IMF advice? - PMB

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari tells Al Jazeera's Martine Dennis that he hasn't failed in his promise to defeat Boko Haram and that the group has been weakened considerably since he came to power [Sorin Furcoi/Al Jazeera]

Nigeria's president discusses the country's economic crisis and his fight against Boko Haram and corruption in an interview with Al Jazeera.

Nine months after he came to power, Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari received an official welcome from Qatar's Emir on Buhari's latest trip of many to boost Nigeria's standing abroad.

The Nigerian president is seeking support for his crackdown on corruption and to encourage much-needed investment in his country's ailing economy.

Qatar is the current president of Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and Nigeria is Africa's largest oil producer.

The low oil price has a devastating impact on the Nigerian economy, which has long depended on the export of oil. 

"We were unable to diversify our economy, hence we are much more disadvantaged by the lower oil prices," Buhari says.

Buhari said, he values the institution of OPEC and that "Nigeria will make the necessary sacrifice to remain in OPEC."

With a chorus of voices, including from the IMF, calling for the Nigerian government to devalue the naira, Buhari says he will not reconsider his insistence on freezing the currency. Buhari says as Nigeria "virtually imports everything, from rice to toothpicks", it cannot afford to devalue its currency.

"If it is against our national interest, why can't we go against the IMF advice?" Buhari asks.

Buhari's election campaign rode on pledges to root out corruption and quash the armed group Boko Haram. Yet, Boko Haram remains active in many areas of Nigeria, seemingly able to strike at will.

And many questions are being asked about whether Buhari's anti-corruption drive is yielding results and if newer forms of corruption are emerging with a freeze on the naira.

President Buhari talks to Al Jazeera about his campaign against graft and why he is adamant he hasn't failed in the fight against Boko Haram. 

He also explains why he believes the security of his country is best served by being part of the Saudi-led Islamic anti-terrorism coalition announced in December 2015.

Trump blasted Romney for "begging" for his endorsement

Romney, who has blasted Trump for days, delivered a sharp condemnation of Trump earlier Thursday -- a deeply unusual move for a former presidential nominee.

"Here's what I know: Donald Trump is a phony, a fraud," Romney said in a speech in Salt Lake City. "His promises are as worthless as a degree from Trump University. He's playing members of the American public for suckers. He gets a free ride to the White House, and all we get is a lousy hat."

He hit back during the debate, calling Romney an "embarrassment" to the GOP.

"He was a failed candidate, he should have beaten President Obama very easy. He failed miserably and it was an embarrassment to everybody," Trump said. "I guess obviously he wants to be relevant, he wants to be back in the game."

During a rally in Maine earlier Thursday, Trump blasted Romney for "begging" for his endorsement.

"I don't know what happened to him," Trump said. "You can see how loyal he is. He was begging for my endorsement. I could have said, 'Mitt, drop to your knees.' He would have dropped to his knees."

With Trump emerging as the undisputed GOP front-runner, many party leaders and insiders insist he's not a true conservative. They also worry that Trump's inflammatory rhetoric on immigration could permanently unravel the GOP's efforts over the years to reach out to Latinos and other minorities.

But even as Romney and others try to lead the effort to stop Trump, the belated push may only reinforce the real estate mogul's appeal as his supporters have already shown their deep loathing for establishment figures.

Amid the GOP establishment's revolt against Trump, all three of Trump's rivals pledged on the debate stage to support the party's eventual nominee even if that ends up being Trump.

Trump, who has repeatedly threatened the possibility of launching a third-party bid should he feel that the party is treating him unfairly, also said he would back whoever the party crowns.

"The answer is, yes, I will."

Donald Trump has come under attack from his rivals at a Republican debate, after a day in which the party's veteran politicians urged voters to desert him.

The front-runner in the Republican race was on the defensive in Detroit as Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz piled in.

In a testy debate, Mr Trump admitted he had changed his stance on issues but said flexibility was a strength.

Senior Republicans say Mr Trump is a liability who would lose the election.

The debate began with Mr Trump being asked about an attack earlier in the day by Mitt Romney, the 2012 nominee, who accused the businessman of bullying, greed and misogyny. Mr Trump dismissed Mr Romney as a "failed candidate".

Ohio Governor John Kasich was the fourth Republican contender to take part in Thursday's debate.

Leading the attack on Mr Trump, Florida Senator Marco Rubio said he was "not going to turn over the conservative movement to someone who thinks the nuclear triad is a rock band from the 1980s".

In one of the most bizarre moments, Mr Trump defended the size of his hands and then quipped about another part of his anatomy.

There were plenty of personal insults from Mr Trump, who labelled the Florida senator "little Rubio" and the senator from Texas as "liar Ted".

Since Super Tuesday, Donald Trump has faced relentless, withering criticism from his own party.

He was challenged on his various policy changes, on his failed businesses, on his support for Democrats.

He told the audience he reserved the right to be "flexible" and change his mind on issues if he felt like it. He was shown tapes of all the times he'd done just that.

The mud-slinging continued and at one point Ted Cruz urged Mr Trump to "breathe, breathe, breathe". But it is the Republican Party who appear to be gasping. They are trying to stop the front-runner, fearing he will destroy the party. The problem is Trump supporters have so far proved to be loyal no matter what is flung at their man.

The New York businessman was forced to explain a civil lawsuit involving the collapse of Trump University.

He said he would win the case but Mr Rubio said he was trying to "con people into giving him their vote, just like he conned people into giving him their money".

Mr Trump was also challenged by the Fox News panel for changing his stance on Syrian refugees, the war in Afghanistan and President George W Bush.

He replied: "I have a very strong core. But I've never seen a successful person who wasn't flexible, who didn't have a certain degree of flexibility."

The debate, sponsored by Fox News, brought Mr Trump face to face with presenter Megyn Kelly, whom he dismissed as a "bimbo" after they clashed in the first primary debate.

This time he was all smiles and he complimented her looks when he took her first question.

Why don't I put a Muslim fighter and a Mexican fighter in the same ring, just to show Trump that we are important - De La Hoya

If you want to show Donald Trump and the world that Muslims and Mexicans are welcome in the U.S., then why not organize a "mega mega" fight between two of the most popular Muslim and Mexican boxers on the planet?

At least, that was the thinking behind former multi-weight world champion Oscar De La Hoya's decision to host a showdown between British Muslim boxer Amir Khan and Mexican fighter Saul "Canelo" Alvarez, in Las Vegas this May 7.

De La Hoya, who in the past has played golf with Trump several times, said he was left "scratching his head" over the Republican's controversial comments about Muslims and Mexicans -- and decided to organize the bout in protest.

"It's mindboggling to know that he has those types of philosophies and thoughts," said American-Mexican De La Hoya, seemingly referring to Trump's call for a ban on Muslims entering the U.S., and building a wall between the country and Mexico.

"I was watching Donald Trump speaking his nonsense, and I said to myself: 'Why don't I put a Muslim fighter and a Mexican fighter in the same ring and create a mega mega event on Cinco de Maya week (the Mexican national holiday) -- just to show Trump,'" De La Hoya told CNN.

"I thank Trump for giving me the inspiration to come up with this mega event -- because we're going to have millions of Muslims, millions of Mexicans, buying pay-per-view, and watching the fight live from Las Vegas."

Twenty-nine-year-old Khan is seen as the underdog in the fight, as he steps up two weight classes to take on 25-year-old Alvarez for his WBC world middleweight title.

Governor Seriake Dickson met with Ese Oruru

Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, has met with 14-year-old Ese Oruru, who was freed from her abductors.

Ese met with the Governor on Thursday.

Her meeting with the Governor, which lasted for about 30 minutes, was held behind closed doors as journalists were banned from covering.

In a chat with newsmen after the meeting, the Governor promised to rehabilitate Ese. He also said that state authorities would prosecute all those who are involved in the alleged abduction.

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) had also called on the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr Solomon Arase, to ensure that all those involved in the abduction are prosecuted in accordance with the law.

Ese arrived Bayelsa State in company of her mother, Mrs Rose Oruru and some Police officers from Abuja on Wednesday.

She was allegedly abducted in August 2015 by one Yunusa Dahiru, also known as Yellow, and taken to Kano where she was also allegedly married off.

Mile 12 Market Shutdown - Lagos Govt.

According a report, the Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode has wielded a big stick as he orders the immediate closure of Mile 12 market and restriction of movement in the area.

The Governor, who addressed the media on Thursday afternoon, said that he had directed security operatives to deal with anyone seen to be going against the directive of the state government by obstructing law and order.

He vowed to deal with any criminal while maintaining that Lagos is home to all, irrespective of tribe or ethnic leanings, the Channel Television reported.

So far, about 50 suspects have been arrested from the scene of the incident.

Violence had erupted in Agiliti Area of Mile 12 in Lagos State, Nigeria’s south west region.

Eyewitness accounts said that at least four people had died, while security operatives battled to get the violence under control.

Huge plumes of smoke were seen bellowing from a distance as houses were set ablaze.

Residents of the area have remained indoors for fear of being attacked.