Guns and Bombs Defining Nigerian Elections

President Goodluck Jonathan

Jonathan: No one wished this will be the case, Guns and Bombs Defining Nigerian Elections, so get outside help now

Sir, as a Philosopher first and a politician second, it must cause some suffering in your mind as to how the first week of 2011 elections has become marked with hate and violence at this initial stage. It is not April yet?

No one will deny the possibility that the pockets of violence opened across the country could be a metaphor of what is to come, in a few months. Sir, this is the truth and of course it hurts to see how things could turn out moving forward. Sir the news is not good to your ears—a stabbing, a near lynching, home-based killing, a bomb here and there, and individuals openly parading the voting areas with guns, shooting at random, leaving the election and law enforcement workers to run for their lives.

Sir, this ominous atmosphere is certainly not what you wished as a philosopher, as a lecturer, and certainly not in your capacity as a President. Sir, for many observers including this writer, a Clinical psychologist of the human mind, the guess is that you are not a politician in the cut-throat Nigerian or “Niger” sense, but as fate, destiny or accident would have it, you in IT and so it is.

Sir, time is short. It is your obligation to do something now. Thank God for the security outfit around you and that is how it should be as the leader of society in political and social distress, at least for now.

The recent words from the nation’s election chief, Attahiru Jega must trouble your soul, your mind and possibly give you chills; it certainly could especially for a man like you with a face known for its ‘heavy’ look. Here are some of the terrifying Jega-ian words—ballot box snatching by way of violence occurred in some areas. Sir think of that market woman, that young man or elderly and aging male voting for the first time , only to be scared off by the sounds of gun shots, who will he report to?. Even if he or she goes into a police station where the station officer is sitting and writing with the aid of a lamp, a touch light or candle, what will come out of such report is at best nothing—this much you must admit is the reality.

Sir, certainly you have made it clear you want to rule the country in the next four years and like other presidential, gubernatorial and other political contestants would like to win in any way you can, but you are currently the Nation’s ruler, so that average voter needs you now more than ever!

Here is what you could do right away but you should do it differently, not with the country’s law enforcement workers as a number of them are psychically or materially unable to resist bribery, at least by your own admission.
To fully provide a sense of safety and security for the average voters in the next few months, outsource a certain quantity of the security body to foreigners, as it is proper under international law for you to protect the voting citizenry from a society fraught with violence from armed thugs, gun gang affiliates and corrupt armed officials.

A quick way to bring security to a supposed free state like Nigeria is bring in private security firms from the western world and many of these armed and highly professional and no nonsense agencies are owned by Diaporan Nigerians who also has cultural awareness of their native society. This will be the logical strategy and if you can get extra security forces from President Obama who also knows of the African reality and the deteriorating security atmosphere all the better.

Sir, this move is only to oppose and prevent a wider degree of victimization in the next few months, and thereafter end the contract. Sir, you are an Executive President and in cases like this where the county is almost facing constitutional crisis—political assassinations, beating or killing of election officers, and the destruction of election boxes as well as an all-out open terror on the average citizen then the use of your executive order superimposes every other authority. Good luck.

~ By John Egbeazien Oshodi, Ph.D , DABPS, FACFE, is a Forensic/Clinical
Psychologist and an Assistant Professor of Psychology and Behavioral
Science, North Campus, Broward College, Coconut Creek, Florida.
joshodi@broward.edu


Related Links:

President Goodluck Jonathan

President Barack Obama

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)

Professor Attahiru Muhammadu Jega

President Obama condemns the terrorist attacks in Egypt and Nigeria

3 Jan 2011 15:11 Africa/Lagos

Statement by the President of the United States of America on the terrorist attacks in Egypt and Nigeria

WASHINGTON, January 3, 2011/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Statement by the President of the United States of America on the terrorist attacks in Egypt and Nigeria

I strongly condemn the separate and outrageous terrorist bombing attacks in Egypt and Nigeria. The attack on a church in Alexandria, Egypt caused 21 reported deaths and dozens of injured from both the Christian and Muslim communities. The perpetrators of this attack were clearly targeting Christian worshipers, and have no respect for human life and dignity. They must be brought to justice for this barbaric and heinous act. We are continuing to gather information regarding this terrible event, and are prepared to offer any necessary assistance to the Government of Egypt in responding to it.

The attack near an army barracks in Abuja also reportedly killed more than 20 people and wounded many more. Killing innocent civilians who were simply gathering – like so many people around the world – to celebrate the beginning of a New Year further demonstrates the bankrupt vision of those who carry out these attacks, and we are similarly prepared to offer assistance to the Government of Nigeria as it works to bring the perpetrators to justice.

The United States extends its deepest condolences to the families of those killed and to the wounded in both of these attacks, and we stand with the Nigerian and Egyptian people at this difficult time.

Source: The White House

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President Goodluck Jonathan Does Not Need These Bloody Distractions

What happened to Nigeria on October 1, 2010, is not what I would even wish for my worst enemy. To be given a birthday present of bombs that killed over 11 of your children and left several others injured. The terrorist bombings on the very 50th Independence Anniversary of Nigeria was roundly condemned and denounced by every sensible Nigerian and other people in the world. President Goodluck Jonathan , formers heads of state, prominent leaders, invited leaders of other countries, other important dignitaries and thousands of others at the Eagle Square, venue of the Golden Jubilee celebrations were shocked and embarrassed by the horrifying and terrifying bomb blasts.

I was in Lagos reporting the 50th Independence day parade as I was watching the live broadcast on TV when I received the bad news. TheMovement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta claimed responsibility for the terrorist bombings. The foreign news media as usual reported the tragedy before our own local news media and I got the first pictures of the incident from the websites of the Vancouver Sun and other foreign news channels.

What happened was bad and those who did it were bad as they made Nigerians sad.
Nigeria is not Pakistan, Iraq, Afghanistan, India, Lebanon and other parts of the world where terrorist bombings were common. Nigeria is not a terrorist state. We don’t blow up ourselves. No, this not our way. We are better and wiser than that. We do not breed suicide bombers. So, what MEND and those responsible for these horrible bombings have done is against our beliefs, customs and traditions. Dialogue would solve more problems than killing innocent people. MEND will account for the blood of the innocent people who were killed by the bomb blasts on October 1, 2010.

According to the BBC:
The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (Mend) is a loose web of armed groups in Nigeria’s oil-producing Niger Delta region.

These gangs have spent years kidnapping oil workers, attacking oil fields, blowing up pipelines and fighting Nigeria’s army.

Niger Delta politicians originally created the gangs – by arming young men to use as their private armies and to rig elections.

But later, the young men began to turn the guns on the government, and oil companies, organising into a militant movement, under the banner Mend.

Formed out of previous militant groups in 2006 Send regular e-mails to media Split into several factions Most leaders accepted amnesty 1 October attack first in Abuja Based in creeks of Niger Delta Want oil wealth to remain in Delta Preaching non-violence to militants The day Nigeria hit oil ‘Blood oil’ dripping from Nigeria They demand that the Delta receive more benefits from its oil, with a fairer share of the wealth invested in roads, schools, hospitals, clean water and power supply.

~ Caroline Duffield of BBC News, Lagos

President Goodluck Jonathan doubts if MEND would commit such a horrible crime of terrorism. Many reporters said MEND warned that bombs would be exploded in cars and trash bins in Abuja on the 50th Independence Anniversary and the bombs exploded as MEND warned. And MEND did not deny that it was responsible for the terrorist attack. Kidnappers, armed robbers, bloody militants and other lunatic fringe elements are enemies of progress and the sooner we track them down and round them up, the better and safer we would be.

President Goodluck Jonathan is being challenged to preside over the 2011 elections and such acts of terrorism do not augur well for his administration. In fact, he does not need such bloody distractions. He promised President Barack Obama that the 2011 elections will be free and fair and his hands are already full and anyone who believes in the Nigerian Dream of a new dawn of peace, prosperity and unity should support him to keep his promise for the nation building of a New Nigeria in the leadership of Africa among the comity of nations.

God save Nigeria.

~ By Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima, author of Barack Obama and the American Dream.

Obama's Proposed Oil and Gas Tax Hikes to Cost U.S. Economy 154,000 Jobs in 2011

13 Sep 2010 05:01 Africa/Lagos


Obama's Proposed Oil and Gas Tax Hikes to Cost U.S. Economy 154,000 Jobs in 2011

White House's new 'stimulus' plans would trigger loss of $341 billion in economic activity

WASHINGTON, Sept. 13 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Louisiana State University Endowed Chair of Banking and nationally-renowned economist Dr. Joseph R. Mason estimates that President Obama's proposed energy tax changes would trigger grave economic consequences. In the newly released "Regional and National Economic Impact of Repealing the Section 199 Tax Deduction and Dual-capacity Tax Credit for Oil and Gas Producers," Dr. Mason finds the resulting fallout over the next ten years would include:

-- Initial losses of over 154,000 jobs by the end of 2011, not only in
the energy sector but across the whole economy;
-- More than $341 billion in lost U.S. economic output; and
-- In excess of $68 billion in lost wages nationwide.


"As we've seen in its 2011 budget and newly unveiled 'stimulus' plans, the Obama administration aims to single out U.S. oil and gas firms and raise the cost of energy for consumers by eliminating crucial tax credits to which all taxpayers are entitled," Dr. Mason said.

"Though politicians think they are selectively targeting 'Big Oil' with these energy tax proposals, they would actually devastate thousands of small American businesses nationwide as well as the workers who depend on them. With at least 150,000 U.S. jobs at stake - in fields ranging from healthcare to real estate - it's clear that the costs of repealing Section 199 and dual capacity far outweigh the potential benefit of increased government revenues that may be derived from the proposal."

"The discriminatory energy tax increases proposed by the administration will destroy American jobs and raise the price of energy for consumers," president and CEO of the American Energy Alliance Tom Pyle said. "President Obama's proposed changes -- which would apply solely to oil and gas companies -- have little to do with the debate over offshore drilling safety or even energy policy in general. This tax grab merely represents punitive policies that are now finding a place in the sun in the post-BP oil spill crisis political environment."

Using the government's own economic model - the U.S. Commerce Department's RIMS II system - Dr. Mason provides incredibly conservative economic impacts. In fact, these already staggering estimates do not even include the effects of the proposed tax increases on individual investors. That means if Congress implements these proposed changes, the economic fallout could be even more substantial.

Dr. Mason's report was sponsored by Save U.S. Energy Jobs - a project of the AEA - established to help promote the nation's energy sector. To learn more and get exclusive information on upcoming projects, follow Save U.S. Energy Jobs on Twitter and Facebook.

Founded in May, 2008, The American Energy Alliance ("AEA") is a not-for-profit organization that engages in grassroots public policy advocacy and debate concerning energy and environmental policies. AEA is the advocacy arm of the Institute for Energy Research (IER), a not-for-profit organization - founded in 1989 - that conducts intensive research and analysis on the functions, operations, and government regulation of global energy markets.

Source: American Energy Alliance

CONTACT: Laura Henderson of American Energy Alliance, +1-202-380-5758

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September 11: No True Christian Will Join Rev. Terry Jones To Burn The Qur'an

"In the future everybody will be world famous for fifteen minutes.".
~ Andy Warhol

Rev. Terry Jones got his Andy Warhol’s moment as his preposterous threat to burn copies of the Qur'an on the anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks, which he called "International Burn a Koran Day” shook the whole world within minutes and made him and his http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dove_World_Outreach_Center Dove World Outreach Center of only 50 members famous beyond their little corner of the earth in Gainesville, Florida, U.S.A.

Rev. Terry Jones, the firebrand pastor of the Dove World Outreach Center.


Muslims worldwide were enraged and protests broke out in Afghanistan and other Islamic cities with three people reported dead. President Barack Obama and other world leaders including notable Christian leaders have condemned his senseless plan. He received an invitation to fly to New York to meet with Feisal Abdul Rauf, the imam of Park51, and he has decided to suspend his plan, but he would not cancel it.

GAINESVILLE, FL - SEPTEMBER 10: Conor Munro (R) joins a protest across the street from Dove World Outreach Center where Pastor Terry Jones had scheduled a Koran burning for tomorrow on September 10, 2010 in Gainesville, Florida. Jones has said that he would cancel the planned burning of Korans on Saturday if he was able to meet with the organizers building the Park51 mosque near Ground Zero. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (Joe Raedle) Courtesty of the Washington Post.


No right thinking person would have joined Rev. Terry Jones to burn the Qur’an. But there have been confirmed reports of Muslims destroying the Holy Bible. The reports said copies of the Holy Bible are “confiscated -- and sometimes shredded -- by Saudi customs officials at ports of entry.”

Let the Muslims destroy copies of the Holy Bible, but would they be able to stop the spread of the gospel of Jesus Christ?

Jesus Christ never supported violence and was a peacemaker and commanded his believers to live in peace with all and not to force others to believe in him. He never waged war against anyone like Prophet Muhammad, the founder of Islam. Jesus Christ never beheaded anyone or abducted any woman and he was not a terrorist. The difference between Christianity and Islam is as clear as blood and water. Therefore, true Christians must practice what Jesus Christ preached and follow his holy footsteps.

Jesus Christ would not support any Christian to burn any Holy Book, including the Qur’an.




The best way to mark September 11 is to remember the beloved ones we lost and light a candle for everyone of them. Join in the Day of Remembrance Memorial Service.

"How blessed are those who make peace, because it is they who will be called God's children!
~ Matthew 5:9

What If Obama was a full blown White Male in the Political-Psycho-Social Thought of America?

President Barack Obama and family.

What If Obama was a full blown White Male in the Political-Psycho-Social Thought of America?


Within the American psyche there has always being a divide between the ordinary people; and the influential, the selected few, leaders or the cream of the crop. The divide historically revolves around economic, political and legal activities.

Armed with money, position or power the privileged has always been able to scale through societal problems. Since the birth of America, at least from the British parenthood 200 years ago, if there is one thing that bridges the gap between the psyche or minds of the ordinary and privileged Americans, Whites and Black included, it is what could be called the presence of an ‘all out white American Male’.

In America and from time in memory and to this day there is the American mentality that automatically ties the psychology of handsomeness, toughness, smartness, successfulness, competitiveness and industriousness to being a White male—from a boy and then to a man.

It is a reality that to be a White male in America, and not be successful, leaves that person in a state of scornfulness generally by many Americans, including Whites, Blacks, and others.

It is a fact that since the 1960s the air of multiethnic and cultural globalism has successfully penetrated into the atmosphere of the White man supremacy in America which has resulted in some degree of opportunity for non-Whites on the basis of the recent laws of inclusion, diversity and fairness.

For a racialist society like the United States of America the new multicultural outlook is a positive reference away from what once was an American White Kingdom (AWK) with Blacks and non-Whites as possessions and amazing servers.

Nonetheless, both in rhetoric and in attitudes Americans believe that when the white man is quite visible and on top at all levels of private and public influences and power that means leadership in all aspects of their lives.

The American psyche is imbued with the spirit and psychology that the white male is by definition a special brand. Throughout his developmental and maturing periods his grandparents, parents, movies, Television shows, and art/literature/history/science books feed him with messages of being special and worthy, as such, he is bound and entitled to success and power.

He is told to win by any way possible, he is asked to play by the rules for the most part, he is told the more winnings and achievements that he gets bring in more reward, attention and recognition. He is told that it is only natural that he be respectful of himself, he is told to be careful at all times, he is told to show respect to those who work had to achieve on their own but he must always try and remain on top of all others, and that the world is his to lose if he “f” up.

Barack Obama in an outstanding way, through struggle, trial and error, through risk taking, quiet optimism, through playing the game to get ahead and devoting himself to amazing strong education, has demonstrated strong work history, built powerful cycle of men and women around him and founded a fine family. Blessed with boyish looks, tallness, slimness, bravery, focus, adventuresome, talent, pleasantness, courtliness, dynamic expressions, he became Harvard-educated, a lawyer, a middle-class man, and now at the apex of American power.

He is everything that America wishes and wants to see and notice in a person on top of public and private influence. But he is Black.

That is, he is a man of color, African-American, or a non-Caucasian as defined by the American psyche and culture.

His monumental achievements compared to the combined works of presidents from Franklin D. Roosevelt to George W. Bush remain quite a record. Good-faith Liberal and Conservative political and economic researchers/pollsters have agreed that his achievements within his short span in office are worthy.

We see for the first time strong legal protections for credit card holders and mortgage borrowers.

There is for the first time an overhaul and expansion in student loans and guaranteed insurance for persons with pre-existing medical and mental illnesses. He has saved the American auto manufacturers and industries from disappearance. Job growth is slowly increasing compare to the last three years and has expanded more aids to small business.

He has championed the free-enterprise system and reduced squandering in the government. In the area of foreign policy as it relates to the Iraq war which the majority of Americans hate, he has not only completed the war but he is bringing the soldiers back home.

His measured success in education as evidenced in his bringing in competition for federal grants, adopting higher standards among teachers and demanding for more accountability among schools remain obvious to everyone. Yet he gives no reason for the current ethnic majority in America to celebrate his accomplishments.

In a society where one can be “too black” in order to frighten the white psyche or not “black enough” in order to irritate the African American psyche to both blacks and whites Obama is caught between their respective doubts—a consequence of the American manifest racialism.

As a black man who attended Ivy League school he is blamed for being an intellectual but no other White President like George W. Bush—who attended Ivy League schools were ever blamed for embracing intellectual outlets like the Harvard University.

It has been asked that if America is still ingrained with the complex of racialism and anti-blackness, then how did Obama managed to win 43 percent (as against John McCain’s 55 percent White votes) of the White vote.

There is no easy answer to this question. However, a theory could be built that the Euro-American or Western psychology as we know it has historically and generally ignored the spiritual and transpersonal dimension of humans.

But that does not mean that the realization of the mystical part of the American human does not happen from time to time.

So could it be that on that super Tuesday of November 4th, 2008 of presidential election within the mainstream politics of that day, many or some in the American majority and minority ethnic persons (certainly there were those whites and blacks who all along irrespective of rational or mystic influence freely looked for that day to cast their presidential vote for a black or female American) were on the part of apparent conversion, transcendence and spirituality as they cast their votes?

As both whites and blacks as well as others possibly thought of the deepest racial wounds in America and with their spirit and minds apparently being guided by the extraordinary experience of that day—Barack Hussein Obama—won the irrevocable cast of vote at that second, at that minute and at that hour.

At the time of this writing there are many Americans especially those that self describe themselves as Angry White Men and Women who are openly speaking and showcasing images of violence.

They appear to be losing their minds over the Obama effect during that election day and agitated by the current Obama phenomenon which is marked with a new order of things that are ‘insourcing’ or gripping the whole of America—inclusiveness, diversity and equity.

The question that remains is that if Obama was a white man will he suitably capitalize on that American psyche, admiration and sentiments that equates historical excellence, power, achievement, success and gentlemanliness to a white male, the answer is a resounding yes!

Now, it time for all of Americans—Blacks, Asians, Latinos, Whites and others to understand that it is the personal qualities and not the racial outlook of an individual that will define the 21st century America. As of today, that is what the young Black, Hispanic, Asian and White male or female across all colleges and universities are hearing from Barack Hussein Obama, the 44th President of the United State of America.


~ By John Oshodi

John Egbeazien Oshodi, Ph.D, DABPS, FACFE is a practicing Forensic/Clinical Psychologist and the Interim Associate Dean of Academic Affairs-Behavioral Science, North Campus, Broward College, Coconut Creek, Florida. joshodi@broward.edu.

A mail from Daily Kos: Join the Fight to Protect Social Security

Orikinla Osinachi,


President Obama has appointed a bipartisan commission to develop recommendations to balance the budget. For whatever reason, the commission is loaded with Blue Dogs and Republican opponents of Social Security. For example, the Republican co-chair of the commission, Alan Simpson, recently insulted an advocate for women's rights by saying Social Security is like a welfare "milk cow with 310 million tits." Seriously.


And that's not all Simpson has said. The Progressive Change Campaign Committee (PCCC) has put together a website with Simpson's most offensive quotes. The website has a game where you try and tell Simpson's real quotes from fake ones. Play the game, and join the fight to protect Social Security, here:


Click here to see what Alan Simpson said about Americans who depend on Social Security.


Many members of the deficit commission are multi-millionaires and corporate CEOs who are out of touch with America. Some members of the commission have suggested cutting health care for veterans in order to preserve expensive weapons deals for defense contractors. A majority of the members of the commission favor gambling some, or all, Social Security funds on Wall Street.


In November, the commission will make its recommendations. In December, Congress is expected to vote on the recommendation without allowing any amendments. Before the commission releases its recommendations, we need to defend Social Security recipients from Wall Street, and veterans from defense contractors, by discrediting Alan Simpson's campaign to cut those vital programs.



To do this, click here to learn more about Alan Simpson, share his quotes with your friends, and join the fight to protect Social Security.


Thanks for all you do,

Markos Moulitsas

Founder, Daily Kos

Growing Number of Americans Who Say Barack Obama is a Muslim

9 Aug 2010 05:01 Africa/Lagos



New Pew Research Center Survey Reveals Growing Number of Americans Who Say Barack Obama is a Muslim

WASHINGTON, Aug. 19 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A new national survey by the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press and the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life finds that a substantial and growing number of Americans say that Barack Obama is a Muslim, while the proportion saying he is a Christian has declined. More than a year and a half into his presidency, a plurality of the public says they do not know what religion Obama follows.

According to the survey, nearly one-in-five Americans (18%) now say Obama is a Muslim -- an increase from 11% in March 2009. Only about one-third of adults (34%) say Obama is a Christian, a sharp decrease from 48% in 2009. Fully 43% say they do not know what Obama's religion is. The survey was completed in early August, before Obama's recent comments about the proposed construction of a mosque near the site of the former World Trade Center.

The belief that Obama is a Muslim has increased most sharply among Republicans (up 14 points since 2009), especially conservative Republicans (up 16 points). But the number of independents who say Obama is a Muslim has also increased significantly (up eight points). There has been little change in the number of Democrats who say Obama is a Muslim, but fewer Democrats today say he is a Christian (down nine points since 2009).

The new poll, conducted between July 21 and Aug. 5 among 3,003 respondents, also examines the link between Americans' perception of Obama's religion and their opinion of his job performance, and covers views on the President's approach to religion, including the influence of his religious beliefs on policy decisions. In addition, the survey explores Americans' attitudes toward churches' involvement in politics and religion's influence on American life and government, and looks at religion's impact on voting preferences for the upcoming 2010 congressional races.

The report, including a summary and topline questionnaire, will be accessible on the Forum's new Web feature, "Religion & Politics 2010," which provides a variety of election resources, including:
-- Poll analyses and survey reports on topics related to the midterm
elections
-- Links to news stories about religion-related issues impacting 2010
congressional and gubernatorial races around the country
-- "Election news briefs" highlighting interesting articles and common
themes making news headlines

The Pew Research Center's Forum on Religion & Public Life conducts surveys, demographic analyses and other social science research on important aspects of religion and public life in the U.S. and around the world. As part of the Washington-based Pew Research Center, a nonpartisan, nonadvocacy organization, the Pew Forum does not take positions on any of the issues it covers or on policy debates.
Source: Pew Research Center's Forum on Religion & Public Life

CONTACT: Liga Plaveniece of Pew Research Center's Forum on Religion &
Public Life, Communications Coordinator, +1-202-419-4586
Web Site: http://www.pewforum.org/

President Barack Obama Speaks on Ending the War in Iraq

Good afternoon,

Shortly after taking office, I put forward a plan to end the war in Iraq responsibly. Today, I'm pleased to report that -- thanks to the extraordinary service of our troops and civilians in Iraq -- our combat mission will end this month, and we will complete a substantial drawdown of our troops.

Over the last 18 months, over 90,000 U.S. troops have left Iraq. By the end of this month, 50,000 troops will be serving in Iraq. As Iraqi Security Forces take responsibility for securing their country, our troops will move to an advise-and-assist role. And, consistent with our agreement with the Iraqi government, all of our troops will be out of Iraq by the end of next year. Meanwhile, we will continue to build a strong partnership with the Iraqi people with an increased civilian commitment and diplomatic effort.

A few weeks ago, men and women from one of the most deployed brigades in the U.S. Army, the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, returned home from Iraq. The Vice President and Dr. Jill Biden were at Fort Drum to welcome the veterans home and spoke about their personal experiences as a military family:

Our commitment to our troops doesn't end once they come home -- it's only the beginning. Part of ending a war responsibly is meeting our responsibility to the men and women who have fought it. Our troops and their families have made tremendous sacrifices to keep our nation safe and secure, and as a nation we have a moral obligation to serve our veterans as well as they have served us.

That's why we're building a 21st century Department of Veterans Affairs. We've made one of the largest percentage increase in the VA’s budget in 30 years, and we're dramatically increasing funding for veterans' health across the board. In particular, we're delivering unprecedented resources to treat signature wounds of today's wars—Traumatic Brain Injury and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Our sacred trust to take care of our veterans goes beyond simply healing the wounds incurred in battle. We must ensure that when our veterans leave the Armed Forces, they have the opportunities they need to further their education and support their families. Through the Post-9/11 GI Bill, some 300,000 veterans and families members have pursued a college degree. Others are taking advantage of job training and placement programs.

My Administration will continue to do our part to support the brave men and women in uniform that have sacrificed so much. But supporting our troops and their families is not just the job of the Federal Government; it's the responsibility of all Americans.

As we mark this milestone in the Iraq war and our troops continue to move out of Iraq, I hope you'll join me in thanking them, and all of our troops and military families, for their service.

Sincerely,
President Barack Obama

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Obama / Africa / Fact Sheet: The President's Engagement in Africa

Obama / Africa / Fact Sheet: The President's Engagement in Africa


WASHINGTON, August 4, 2010/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- Fact Sheet: The President's Engagement in Africa


“I see Africa as a fundamental part of our interconnected world, as partners with America on behalf of the future we want for all of our children. That partnership must be grounded in mutual responsibility and mutual respect.”


President Obama, Accra, Ghana, July 2009


In 2010, seventeen countries across sub-Saharan Africa celebrate fifty years of independence. In honor of this important historic moment, in acknowledgement of the extraordinarily young demographic profile of the region, and as part of an effort to forge strong, forward-looking partnerships in the years ahead, President Obama is hosting a forum for young African leaders in Washington, D.C., from August 3 – 5. These 115 young leaders come from civil society and the private sector and represent more than forty countries in sub-Saharan Africa.


In Accra, the President highlighted a “simple truth” about our country's connections with Africa: Africa's prosperity can expand America's prosperity. Africa's health and security can contribute to the world's health and security. And the strength of Africa's democracy can help advance human rights for people everywhere.


He emphasized that “this mutual responsibility must be the foundation of our partnership.” And over the past year and a half, we have been focused on four areas that are critical to the future of Africa: strong and sustainable democratic governments, opportunity and development, strengthening public health, and the peaceful resolution of conflict. Here are some examples of actions the Administration has taken:


Addressing Global Issues


The Administration's approach to development addresses issues at the core of Africa's agenda.


Feed the Future: In 2009, President Obama announced a $3 billion global food security initiative that has the support of the world's major and emerging donor nations. To date, the United States has led international efforts to review nine comprehensive country strategies, commit new resources in support of those strategies, collaborate in the establishment and initial capitalization of the World Bank-led Global Agriculture and Food Security Program, and launch a new research and development program.


Global Health Initiative: In May 2009, President Obama announced the Global Health Initiative (GHI), a six-year, $63 billion initiative which builds on the progress and success of PEPFAR (the President's Emergency Program on AIDS Relief) and also expands our global health effort and impact by including investments to strengthen health systems, improve maternal child health, address neglected tropical diseases, and foster increased research and development.


Climate Change: The United States and nations across Africa are addressing the challenge of global climate change through the Copenhagen Accord and a range of international partnerships promoting clean energy technologies and climate-resilient development for Africans. The United States has more than tripled climate assistance this year. Support for international climate adaptation has increased tenfold, with a focus on helping the most vulnerable nations in Africa and around the world. U.S. climate-related appropriations for Fiscal Year (FY) 2010 total $1.3 billion, and the Administration has requested $1.9 billion in appropriations for FY 2011.


Strengthening our Partnerships


The United States has elevated engagement with emerging and existing African powers, and has recently launched three new Strategic Dialogues to that effect:


The United States and Angola have signed a new Trade and Investment Framework Agreement and have launched a new Strategic Partnership Dialogue, setting the stage for improved cooperation on energy, trade, security, and agriculture.


Over the past year and a half, the U.S. relationship with South Africa has gone from strained to sound. We have institutionalized the new era of cooperation in a formal, ongoing U.S.-South Africa Strategic Dialogue and are working together on a range of issues from nonproliferation to agricultural development.


April 2010 saw the formal establishment of the U.S.-Nigeria Binational Commission, a high-level mechanisms to address issues surrounding governance and transparency (including preparing for upcoming elections), energy and power, food security, and regional security.


Throughout the region, through diplomatic engagement and support to key institutions and civil society organizations, the United States has promoted good governance as a critical priority for the region.


In Kenya, the United States has led international efforts to support Kenyan civil society and the reform agenda developed in the wake of early 2008 post-election violence.


The administration launched the first ever high-level bilateral discussions with the African Union. In April of this year, Secretary of State Clinton and National Security Advisor General Jones, Ret., welcomed African Union leaders to Washington to hold the first annual high-level consultation with the AU. Attorney General Eric Holder followed up on this initiative by addressing the AU Summit in Kampala in July. At the ninth U.S.-sub Saharan Africa Trade and Economic Cooperation Forum, also known as the Africa Growth Opportunity Act (AGOA), being held in Washington this week, USAID will sign a new partnership agreement with the African Union to advance prosperity, peace and stability.


Crisis Prevention and Response


The Obama administration conducted a comprehensive review of our policies in Sudan and developed a strategy focused on addressing our multiple policy objectives in Sudan and the region, including resolution to the crisis in Darfur and implementing the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. We have named a full-time Special Envoy who has re-energized and broadened the multilateral coalition addressing Sudan's challenges.


Following a comprehensive review of our policies on Somalia earlier this year, the President issued Executive Order 13536, the first E.O. focused on addressing the underlying factors contributing to instability in Somalia. The Administration's policy on Somalia is the first comprehensive approach to addressing the counterterrorism, counterpiracy, humanitarian, and security and political concerns facing the beleaguered state.


In central Africa, Secretary Clinton has elevated the issue of sexual and gender-based violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to a top priority, personally visiting eastern Congo in August, 2009, and directing that additional resources and innovative approaches be employed to combat this violence, end impunity and assist those affected.


In Guinea, the United States was an international leader in condemning the September 28 massacre, supporting a return to constitutional order, and assisting in the electoral process that gave Guineans their first opportunity to vote in credible elections since their country became independent in 1958.


Encouraging Private Sector Growth


The United States is currently hosting the ninth United States - Sub-Saharan Africa Trade and Economic Cooperation Forum (AGOA Forum) in Washington, D.C., from August 2 - 3. Unlike previous Forums, this will be held not only in Washington but also in Kansas City, Missouri, from August 5 - 6, to allow for a deeper focus on agri-business. We are also emphasizing the role of women through a two-week AGOA Women's Entrepreneurship Program to provide tools to better integrate African women into the global economy. In addition, as a follow up to President Obama's Entrepreneurship Summit this past April, the Board of Directors of the United States Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) approved on June 24 up to $150 million in financing to support the establishment of a private equity investment fund designed to invest in companies in West Africa.


High-Level Engagement


The most senior representatives of the Obama Administration have actively engaged on African issues.


President Obama directly laid out a comprehensive vision for U.S.-African engagement in Accra, Ghana, in 2009 during the earliest visit to sub-Saharan Africa by any President in his first year in office. In addition to holding a meeting with 25 African heads of state and African Commission Chairperson Jean Ping at the United Nations General Assembly last year, President Obama has also held bilateral meetings with President Zuma of South Africa, President Kikwete of Tanzania, President Mills of Ghana, President Jonathan of Nigeria, Prime Minister Tsvangirai of Zimbabwe, President Khama of Botswana, and President Sirleaf of Liberia.


Last summer, Secretary Clinton traveled to seven African countries (Kenya, South Africa, Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nigeria, Liberia, and Cape Verde). She continues to host and reach out to African leaders on a regular basis.


In June 2010, Vice President Biden traveled to Egypt, Kenya, and South Africa to address important bilateral issues in addition to holding numerous in-depth discussions on looming challenges in Sudan and Somalia.



Source: The White House


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Happy 49th Birthday President Barack Obama

Happy 49th Birthday President Barack Obama!

Today August 4, is the birthday of Barack Obama, the first African-American President of the United States of America.

Nigerians Report wishes President Barack Obama many happy returns of the day and with longer life and more historic achievements.

Read Barack Obama: Our African Dream and their American Dream

We are proud of Barack Obama.

The Publisher/Editor of Nigerians Report was invited to the birthday party in the US.

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A Letter from President Barack Obama

A Letter from President Barack Obama:

When you and I set out on this journey three years ago, we knew that ours would be a lengthy struggle to build a new foundation for this country -- one that would require squaring off against the special interests who had spent decades stacking the deck in their favor.

Today, it is clear that you have shifted the odds.

This morning, I signed into law a bill that represents the most sweeping reforms of Wall Street since the Great Depression, and the toughest consumer financial protections this nation has ever seen. I know that I am able to do so only because the tens of thousands of volunteers who make up the backbone of this movement overcame the most potent attack ads and the most powerful lobbying the special interests could put forward.

Our special-interest opponents and their Republican allies have now set their sights on the elections in November as their best chance to overturn the historic progress we've made together.

Organizing for America counts entirely on supporters like you to fight back -- no special interests, no corporate PACs. To keep making change and to defend the change we have already won, we need you -- and at least 8 other people in Keller -- to contribute so we have the resources necessary going into the election.

Please donate $5 today and help Organizing for America lay the groundwork for the fights ahead.

Because of Wall Street reform, we will ensure that Americans applying for a credit card, a mortgage, or a student loan will never again be asked to sign their name under pages of confusing fine print. We will crack down on abusive lending practices and make sure that lenders don't cheat the system -- and create a new watchdog to enforce these consumer protections.

And we will put an end to taxpayer-funded bailouts, giving us the ability to wind down any large financial institution if it should ever fail.

The passage of Wall Street reform is at the forefront of the change we seek, and it will provide a foundation for a stronger and safer economy.

It is a foundation built upon the progress of the Recovery Act, which has turned 22 months of job losses into six consecutive months of private-sector job growth. And it is a foundation reinforced by the historic health reform we passed this spring, which is already giving new benefits to more than 100 million Americans, ushering another 1 million Americans into coverage by next year.

But today's victory is not where our fight ends.

Organizing for America and I will move forward in the months ahead on the tough fights we have yet to finish -- even if cynics say we should wait until after the fall elections. This movement has never catered to the conventional wisdom of Washington. And we have fought to ensure that our progress is never held hostage by our politics.

You and I did not build this movement to win one election. We did not come together to pass one single piece of legislation. We are fighting for nothing less than a new foundation for our country -- and that work is not complete. As we face the challenges ahead, I am relying on you to stand with me.

Please donate $5 or more today:

https://donate.barackobama.com/WallStreetReformed

Thank you for helping us get here,

President Barack Obama

President Obama Nominates a New Ambassador to Nigeria

29 Jun 2010 14:47 Africa/Lagos


USA / Nigeria / President Obama Announces More Key Administration Posts, 6/28/10


WASHINGTON, June 29, 2010/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- President Barack Obama announced his intent to nominate the following individual to key administration posts:

Terence P. McCulley, Nominee for Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Department of State

Terence P. McCulley is a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, with the rank of Minister-Counselor. He served most recently as the Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Copenhagen, Denmark. Prior to this, Mr. McCulley was the U.S. Ambassador to Mali, and he has served as Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassies in Tunisia, Senegal and Togo. Other overseas postings include Niger, South Africa, India and Chad. In Washington, Mr. McCulley was the senior desk officer for Zaire (now Democratic Republic of the Congo), and Deputy Coordinator for Iraq Assistance. A native of Oregon, he is a graduate in History and French of the University of Oregon in Eugene.

Source: The White House


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Barack Obama: Our African Dream and their American Dream

President Barack Obama


Barack Obama: Our African Dream and their American Dream

Africans see President Barack Obama first as the son of an African immigrant who married a white American in America. Africans are proud of this fact and are proud of him as the epitome of the African genius, an icon of the Black race and a worthy role model for the youths of Africa to celebrate and emulate in the pursuit of the dreams of a New Africa in the 21st century.


Barack Obama, Sr holding the younger Barack Obama in 1971.

There is a spirit of the audacity of Barack Obama in the heart and soul of every African youth in the continent and the Diaspora, propelling them to excel in the hope of the attainment of their ultimate conquest.

How great we would be when we have a Barack Obama as the President of every nation in Africa.

If Barack Obama can make it, then yes we can!

President Barack Obama has shattered the highest glass ceiling of the proverbial American Dream; the dream of the great Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. He was elected at the most challenging period in America since World War Two, when Americans were facing the premonition of another Great Depression and the heart rending sacrifice of thousands of innocent American souls in a nightmarish unconventional war against legions of lunatic fringe elements of Islamic fundamentalism. Yet, undauntedly Barack Obama has taken up the herculean challenges of the leadership of the greatest nation on earth, from confronting the goliaths on Wall Street over health care insurance and Machiavellian capitalism in his dogged defence of the common folks on Main Street to marshalling the reformation of America for the nation building of a New America in the leadership of the world.

Will Barack Obama succeed?
President Barack Obama is already galloping ahead on the highway of history and his cheerleaders are cheering him all the way and he is not looking back.


~ By Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima
This article is from a new book on President Barack Obama by the author.

President Barack Obama Needs Support for Wall Street Reform

President Barack Obama Needs Support for Wall Street Reform

President Barack Obama has called for support for his populist proposal for financial regulatory reform. The Wall Street Reform will end misappropriation of funds by reckless Wall Street speculators who are gambling with the savings of shareholders and manipulating the loopholes in the financial system to exploit and rip-off ignorant depositors and investors. The revolutionary reform is to save American taxpayers from being asked to bail out big banks again when the cookie crumbles, to save Main Street from the greedy king-pins and lobbyists of Wall Street; to protect consumers and American families and prevent future meltdown.
The following is the e-mail from President Obama on the importance, relevance and significance of the imperative Wall Street Reform.

It has now been well over a year since the near collapse of our entire financial system that cost the nation more than 8 million jobs. To this day, hard-working families struggle to make ends meet.

We've made strides -- businesses are starting to hire, Americans are finding jobs, and neighbors who had given up looking are returning to the job market with new hope. But the flaws in our financial system that led to this crisis remain unresolved.

Wall Street titans still recklessly speculate with borrowed money. Big banks and credit card companies stack the deck to earn millions while far too many middle-class families, who have done everything right, can barely pay their bills or save for a better future.

We cannot delay action any longer. It is time to hold the big banks accountable to the people they serve, establish the strongest consumer protections in our nation's history -- and ensure that taxpayers will never again be forced to bail out big banks because they are "too big to fail."

That is what Wall Street reform will achieve, why I am so committed to making it happen, and why I'm asking for your help today.

Please stand with me to show your support for Wall Street reform.

We know that without enforceable, commonsense rules to check abuse and protect families, markets are not truly free. Wall Street reform will foster a strong and vibrant financial sector so that businesses can get loans; families can afford mortgages; entrepreneurs can find the capital to start a new company, sell a new product, or offer a new service.

Consumer financial protections are currently spread across seven different government agencies. Wall Street reform will create one single Consumer Financial Protection Agency -- tasked with preventing predatory practices and making sure you get the clear information, not fine print, needed to avoid ballooning mortgage payments or credit card rate hikes.

Reform will provide crucial new oversight, give shareholders a say on salaries and bonuses, and create new tools to break up failing financial firms so that taxpayers aren't forced into another unfair bailout. And reform will keep our economy secure by ensuring that no single firm can bring down the whole financial system.

With so much at stake, it is not surprising that allies of the big banks and Wall Street lenders have already launched a multi-million-dollar ad campaign to fight these changes. Arm-twisting lobbyists are already storming Capitol Hill, seeking to undermine the strong bipartisan foundation of reform with loopholes and exemptions for the most egregious abusers of consumers.

I won't accept anything short of the full protection that our citizens deserve and our economy needs. It's a fight worth having, and it is a fight we can win -- if we stand up and speak out together.

So I'm asking you to join me, starting today, by adding your name as a strong supporter of Wall Street reform:

http://my.barackobama.com/StandForWallStreetReform

Thank you,

President Barack Obama

Highly Recommended: U.S. News & World Report: Obama's Financial Regulation Reform: 7 Things You Need to Know

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