What Are They Offering You in the 2011 Elections?

Nigerian politicians are dyed-in-the-wool Machavellian by nature and when they give you their menu of utopian promises, do not start salivating and smacking your lips, because what they are going to serve you later from the kitchen is most likely going to be totally different from what they showed you in the menu. The rotten food of corruption as the masses have been eating the sour grapes of the ruling party since 1999 to date. It would be terrible if the voters allow themselves to be fooled again.

Politics makes strange bed fellows like seeing President Goodluck Jonathan and Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala of Oyo State together as political buddies. They may belong to the same ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP), but in ethics of politics, they are like beauty and the beast.

When the late President Umaru Yar’Adua was still alive and active in office, I called him Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves, because in fairness, he was like a sheep in the midst of wolves in sheep clothing in the ruling party.

Beware of the 2011 Elections in Nigeria.

Beyond the Diplomatic Tête-à-Tête Between Goodluck Jonathan and Barack Obama

President Barack Obama, right, meets with Nigeria's acting President Goodluck Jonathan, left, in advance of the Nuclear Security Summit, at Blair House in Washington, Sunday, April 11, 2010. Photo Credit: Associated Press/Daily Life

Beyond the Diplomatic Tête-à-Tête Between Goodluck Jonathan and Barack Obama


Acting President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan was invited to the two-day Nuclear Security Summit held in Washington, D.C., on April 12 and 13, 2010. But before the crucial summit he met with President Barack Obama at the Blair House to discuss the bilateral relations between the U.S. and Nigeria, a week after both countries signed an agreement for the U.S.-Nigeria Binational Commission.


Bilateral relations between the U.S. and Nigeria have been strained for disclosed and undisclosed reasons of which the most apparent was the case of electoral malpractices masterminded and perpetrated by the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP ) during the 2003 and 2007 elections in Nigeria. The U.S. rejected the results and found Prof. Maurice Iwu, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) wanting and would want electoral reforms to prevent electoral malpractices in future elections. Another problem was the critical case of the Nigerian al Qaeda underwear bomber Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab whose botched attempt to blow up an American plane on Christmas Day shocked the U.S. and increased the suspicion of Nigeria as a vulnerable target for recruiting al Qaeda foot soldiers. The last case actually culminated in the U.S. security warning to all her citizens to relocate from the predominantly Islamic northern states of Nigeria. Moreover, the protracted illness that incapacitated President Umaru Yar’Adua left the U.S. with no better choice but to support Acting President Jonathan in the amelioration of the bilateral relations between the two great countries.

President Barack Obama emphasized that the “United States places great importance on the US relationship with Nigeria and the Nigerian people” and “urged Acting President Jonathan to use his tenure to make historic and tangible progress in strengthening the Nigerian government's commitment to follow through on countering corruption."

Majority of Nigerian news media channels were carried away by the importance of their meeting and seemed to ignore the importance of the Nuclear Security Summit that was attended by 47 nations and was the largest meeting of top global leaders since1945. This was the first summit and will be a biennial event , and the next one comes up in Seoul in 2012. The Summit focused on how to better safeguard weapons-grade plutonium and uranium to prevent nuclear terrorism.

At the end of the summit, there was a communiqué with a seven page work plan.

~ By Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima

World leaders at the Nuclear Security Summit


Communiqué from Washington Nuclear Security Summit
Nations pledge to strengthen nuclear security, reduce nuclear terrorism

April 13, 2010

Communiqué of the Washington Nuclear Security Summit
Nuclear terrorism is one of the most challenging threats to international security, and strong nuclear security measures are the most effective means to prevent terrorists, criminals, or other unauthorized actors from acquiring nuclear materials.


In addition to our shared goals of nuclear disarmament, nuclear nonproliferation and peaceful uses of nuclear energy, we also all share the objective of nuclear security. Therefore those gathered here in Washington, D.C. on April 13, 2010, commit to strengthen nuclear security and reduce the threat of nuclear terrorism. Success will require responsible national actions and sustained and effective international cooperation.


We welcome and join President Obama’s call to secure all vulnerable nuclear material in four years, as we work together to enhance nuclear security.
Therefore, we:


1. Reaffirm the fundamental responsibility of States, consistent with their respective international obligations, to maintain effective security of all nuclear materials, which includes nuclear materials used in nuclear weapons, and nuclear facilities under their control; to prevent non-state actors from obtaining the information or technology required to use such material for malicious purposes; and emphasize the importance of robust national legislative and regulatory frameworks for nuclear security;


2. Call on States to work cooperatively as an international community to advance nuclear security, requesting and providing assistance as necessary;


3. Recognize that highly enriched uranium and separated plutonium require special precautions and agree to promote measures to secure, account for, and consolidate these materials, as appropriate; and encourage the conversion of reactors from highly enriched to low enriched uranium fuel and minimization of use of highly enriched uranium, where technically and economically feasible;


4. Endeavor to fully implement all existing nuclear security commitments and work toward acceding to those not yet joined, consistent with national laws, policies and procedures;


5. Support the objectives of international nuclear security instruments, including the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material, as amended, and the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism, as essential elements of the global nuclear security architecture;


6. Reaffirm the essential role of the International Atomic Energy Agency in the international nuclear security framework and will work to ensure that it continues to have the appropriate structure, resources and expertise needed to carry out its mandated nuclear security activities in accordance with its Statute, relevant General Conference resolutions and its Nuclear Security Plans;


7. Recognize the role and contributions of the United Nations as well as the contributions of the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism and the G-8-led Global Partnership Against the Spread of Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction within their respective mandates and memberships;


8. Acknowledge the need for capacity building for nuclear security and cooperation at bilateral, regional and multilateral levels for the promotion of nuclear security culture through technology development, human resource development, education, and training; and stress the importance of optimizing international cooperation and coordination of assistance;


9. Recognize the need for cooperation among States to effectively prevent and respond to incidents of illicit nuclear trafficking; and agree to share, subject to respective national laws and procedures, information and expertise through bilateral and multilateral mechanisms in relevant areas such as nuclear detection, forensics, law enforcement, and the development of new technologies;


10. Recognize the continuing role of nuclear industry, including the private sector, in nuclear security and will work with industry to ensure the necessary priority of physical protection, material accountancy, and security culture;


11. Support the implementation of strong nuclear security practices that will not infringe upon the rights of States to develop and utilize nuclear energy for peaceful purposes and technology and will facilitate international cooperation in the field of nuclear security; and


12. Recognize that measures contributing to nuclear material security have value in relation to the security of radioactive substances and encourage efforts to secure those materials as well.


Maintaining effective nuclear security will require continuous national efforts facilitated by international cooperation and undertaken on a voluntary basis by States. We will promote the strengthening of global nuclear security through dialogue and cooperation with all states.


Thus, we issue the Work Plan as guidance for national and international action including through cooperation within the context of relevant international fora and organizations. We will hold the next Nuclear Security Summit in the Republic of Korea in 2012.


The list of world leaders and Heads of Delegation who attended the Nuclear Security Summit in Washington on April 12-13:


People's Democratic Republic of Algeria
His Excellency Mourad Medelci
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria


Argentine Republic
Her Excellency Cristina Fernández de Kirchner
President of the Argentine Republic


Republic of Armenia
His Excellency Serzh Sargsyan
President of the Republic of Armenia


Australia
The Honorable Senator John Faulkner
Minister for Defense of Australia


Belgium
His Excellency Yves Leterme
Prime Minister of Belgium


Federative Republic of Brazil
His Excellency Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva
President of the Federative Republic of Brazil


Canada
The Right Honorable Stephen Harper, P.C., M.P.
Prime Minister of Canada


Republic of Chile
His Excellency Sebastián Piñera
President of the Republic of Chile


People’s Republic of China
His Excellency Hu Jintao
President of the People’s Republic of China


Czech Republic
His Excellency Jan Fischer
Prime Minister of the Czech Republic


Arab Republic of Egypt
His Excellency Ahmed Aboul Gheit
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Arab Republic of Egypt


European Union
His Excellency Herman Van Rompuy
President of the European Council


Republic of Finland
Her Excellency Tarja Halonen
President of the Republic of Finland


French Republic
His Excellency Nicolas Sarkozy
President of the French Republic


Georgia
His Excellency Mikheil Saakashvili
President of Georgia


Federal Republic of Germany
Her Excellency Dr. Angela Merkel
Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany


Republic of India
His Excellency Dr. Manmohan Singh
Prime Minister of the Republic of India


Republic of Indonesia
His Excellency Dr. Boediono
Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia


International Atomic Energy Agency
Mr. Yukiya Amano
Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency


Israel
His Excellency Dan Meridor
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Intelligence and Atomic Energy of Israel


Italian Republic
His Excellency Silvio Berlusconi
President of the Council of Ministers of the Italian Republic


Japan
His Excellency Yukio Hatoyama
Prime Minister of Japan


Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
His Majesty King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein
King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan


Republic of Kazakhstan
His Excellency Nursultan Nazarbayev
President of the Republic of Kazakhstan


Republic of Korea
His Excellency Lee Myung-bak
President of the Republic of Korea


Malaysia
The Honorable Dato' Sri Mohd Najib bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak
Prime Minister of Malaysia


United Mexican States
His Excellency Felipe Calderon Hinojosa
President of the United Mexican States


Kingdom of Morocco
His Excellency Abbas El Fassi
Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Morocco


Kingdom of the Netherlands
His Excellency Dr. Jan Peter Balkenende
Prime Minister of the Kingdom of the Netherlands


New Zealand
The Honorable John Key
Prime Minister of New Zealand


Federal Republic of Nigeria
His Excellency Dr. Goodluck E. Jonathan
Acting President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria


Norway
His Excellency Jens Stoltenberg
Prime Minister of Norway


Islamic Republic of Pakistan
His Excellency Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani
Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan


Republic of Philippines
Her Excellency Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
President of the Republic of the Philippines


Republic of Poland
His Excellency Radoslaw Sikorski
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland


Russian Federation
His Excellency Dmitry A. Medvedev
President of the Russian Federation


Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
His Royal Highness Prince Muqrin bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud
President of the General Intelligence Presidency of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia


Republic of Singapore
His Excellency Lee Hsien Loong
Prime Minister of the Republic of Singapore


Republic of South Africa
His Excellency Jacob Zuma
President of the Republic of South Africa


Spain
His Excellency José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero
President of the Government of Spain


Sweden
His Excellency Fredrik Reinfeldt
Prime Minister of Sweden


Swiss Confederation
Her Excellency Doris Leuthard
President of the Swiss Confederation


Kingdom of Thailand
His Excellency Trairong Suwankiri
Deputy Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand


Republic of Turkey
His Excellency Recep Tayyip Erdogan
Prime Minister of the Republic of Turkey


Ukraine
His Excellency Viktor Yanukovych
President of Ukraine


United Arab Emirates
His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces

United Kingdom
The Right Honorable David Miliband, M.P.
Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs

United Nations
His Excellency Ban Ki-moon
Secretary-General of the United Nations

United States
The Honorable Barack Obama
President of the United States

Socialist Republic of Vietnam
His Excellency Nguyen Tan Dung
Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam

Chinua Achebe: "Acting President Goodluck Jonathan is Weak"

Prof. Chinua Achebe

The most lionized African writer, Prof. Chinua Achebe, 79, has said that there seems to be no legitimate government in Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa and where his literary genius sprouted and blossomed until an auto-accident on 22 March 1990 left him paralyzed; and disappointment in Nigerian political leaders made him to relocate to the United States of America, where he has been teaching at the David and Marianna Fisher University and as a Professor of Africana Studies at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, United States.

Chinua Achebe said Acting President Goodluck Jonathan is weak in his reaction to the horrifying massacres of native Christians in Plateau state and blamed the spread of Islamic extremism for the recurrent ethno-religious crisis in Jos and other parts of the middle belt and northern Nigeria.
“He suddenly doesn’t seem to bring good luck. He is weak. A strong man in any position in Nigeria should be horrified by what happened in Jos. Shamed is what we should feel. We don’t seem to have any government. People don’t know where their president — before the present acting president — where he went or where he is,” Achebe said.

He was speaking in an interview he granted Deborah Solomon for The New York Times on his historic Things Fall Apart which has been translated into over 40 different languages worldwide and sold over 8 million copies.
"That would be possible. I’m not grumbling; I have done well. But don’t imagine I’m a millionaire," Achebe said.

Prof. Achebe also spoke on the Nigerian Al-Qaeda underwear bomber, Abdul Farouk Abdulmutallab, saying what he attempted was insane!


~ By Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima


Read Books by Chinua Achebe:

The Education of a British-Protected Child: Essays

The African Trilogy: Things Fall Apart, No Longer at Ease, and Arrow of God (Everyman's Library (Cloth))

No Longer at Ease by Chinua Achebe (the author of Things Fall Apart)

Can America Save Nigeria Before It is Too Late?

Perennial massacres of Christians by Hausa Fulani Muslims in Nigeria have been going on for decades and was responsible for the Nigerian civil war from 1967-1970.

Can America Save Nigeria Before It is Too Late?

~ By Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima


The U.S. State Department recently denied a Nigerian newspaper report that President Barack Obama is preparing American troops for a “special intervention” in Nigeria to save Christians after the gruesome massacre of over 500 Christians by Hausa Fulani Muslims in Plateau state. See the gory pictures here.

President Barack Obama of the United States of America.

The Nigerian Compass newspaper is owned by a south-western state government under the control of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP). It reported that its story was deduced from statements made by the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) chief, General William Ward; that the U.S. would intervene before sectarian violence precipitates Nigeria into chaos. The horrifying pictures of how hundreds of defenceless Christians were attacked and slaughtered at midnight and their homes razed provoked worldwide condemnation with the premonition of genocide reminiscent of Rwanda looming large among millions of native Christians in the middle belt and northern states of Nigeria.

Am outraged President Barack Obama ordered for a thorough investigation of the massacre and that the perpetrators must be found and punished. This was enough to make Nigerians conclude that the U.S. would intervene to stop the incessant attacks and killings of innocent Christians by Hausa Fulani Muslims.

“In a word, flabbergasted. This story is a complete fabrication. There are no U.S. troops being prepared to intervene in Nigeria. We have checked with AFRICOM and General Ward has made no such statement,” said Russell Brooks, press officer for the State Department’s Bureau of African Affairs.
“Yes, the U.S. does have legitimate concerns about the political situation there. And we have expressed those on the record. And we are doing what we can to encourage Nigeria to remain on a democratic path, to retain its constitutional values. And we have done nothing to suggest that our concerns are only based on our desire to retain it as a source of dependable oil production or that we are only concerned about the potential for terrorism coming from Nigeria,” he explained.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton provoked the Nigerian government after her last visit in 2009 when she accused government law enforcement agencies of being ruthlessly corrupt and guilty of violations of human rights. The situation worsened when the Nigerian Al Qaeda terrorist Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab was caught aboard the Northwest Airlines Flight 253 from Amsterdam to Detroit on Christmas Day and subsequently Nigeria was put on the terror watch list. Then the State Department told American citizens to leave the northern region of the country where Islamists have been attacking and murdering thousands of Christians and razing many churches. The directive alarmed the Nigerian government and fueled rumours of plans of United States military action against terrorists in northern Nigeria. Unclassified information circulated that hundreds of C.I.A. agents have been sent to investigate links to the Al Qaeda in northern Nigeria. An American who arrived Lagos, Nigeria on the first week of 2010 told this reporter that indeed hundreds of C.I.A. agents were combing Nigeria for suspects.

The Voice of America (VOA) reported Russell saying the United States knew that the creation of AFRICOM could be misinterpreted as an attempt to “bring the war on terrorism to the African continent, so the U.S. could more easily intervene into conflicts.”

He said that the mission of AFRICOM is to “increase the capacity of African militaries to conduct legitimate external and internal defense, for instance, to combat terrorism, to protect…borders, to respond in a case of humanitarian disasters.”

Acting President Goodluck Jonathan

The U.S. has pledged to support Acting President Goodluck Jonathan since the incapacitated President Umaru Yar’Adua can no longer continue to serve as the commander-in-chief of Nigeria. Former President George W. Bush was recently in Nigeria. And his visit reinforced the fears of Nigerians that the U.S. President that commanded the invasion and occupation of Iraq in the war on terror was a warning that America is going to target terrorists in the country.

President Umaru Yar’Adua is no longer fit to rule.

It is on record that the U.S. did not invite President Umaru Yar’Adua to the inauguration of President Barack Obama and instead invited the leader of the main opposition party, the ex-military head of state, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari(Rtd), who is also Hausa Fulani Muslim from the same Katsina state of the incapacitated President, but he is feared in Nigeria for his uncompromising stance against corruption.

Gen. Muhammadu Buhari(Rtd)

The party of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari(Rtd) lost the last presidential election to the ruling party, but the U.S. government and majority of the local and international monitors rejected the result of the massively rigged election. Majority of people said Buhari would have won if the election was free and fair. He took his case to the Election Tribunal, but suspended his petitions when he lost confidence in the tribunal and chose to contest in the next presidential election in 2011 and from popular opinion polls he is favoured to be the next President of Nigeria since the northern region is still expected to produce a replacement to complete the two terms given to President Umaru Yar’Adua. But would another Muslim head state support the political interests of the U.S. in Nigeria?

US Still Worried About the Political Situation in Nigeria

5 Mar 2010 12:52 Africa/Lagos


Political Situation in Nigeria


WASHINGTON, March 5, 2010/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- Office of the Spokesman.


Nigeria is very important to the region, the continent, and to the United States, yet it remains unsettled as a result of President Yar'Adua's uncertain medical condition. Since his return home from Saudi Arabia, President Yar'Adua has not been seen publicly or met with members of his cabinet or any of his country's key political leaders, generating additional unease about the stability of the country and physical capacity of the president to lead the government. In a modern democracy, senior cabinet members and legislative leaders have a right to know the health status of their president and so do Nigeria's citizens.


In President Yar'Adua's absence, we applaud the Nigerian leaders who have taken steps to restore confidence in the country's political system while adhering to democratic principles. We welcome Acting President Jonathan's commitments on electoral reform, anti-corruption, post-Amnesty programs in the Niger Delta, and justice for the perpetrators of sectarian violence and extra-judicial killings.


As Nigeria deals with its current political crisis, it is essential for the country's leaders to avoid any actions that will imperil Nigeria's last ten years of democratic progress as well as the accomplishments that have been achieved under civilian rule. Nigerians have a right to expect their civilian and military leaders to work through their country's democratic institutions, ensuring that the good of the many triumphs over the ambitions of the few.

Source: US Department of State

Releases displayed in Africa/Lagos time

5 Mar 2010

13:31
Global Oil and Gas Upstream M&A 2009 Review: New Assets and New Buyers Bring Deal Value to $153 Billion

12:52
Political Situation in Nigeria

The Political Bottom Power of Turai Yar'Adua

The Political Bottom Power of Turai Yar'Adua

Hajia Turai Yar'Adua is the wife of President Umaru Yar'Adua and she has been more popular as the First Lady of Nigeria since her husband fell ill and was hospitalized in Saudi Arabia. She has done all she could to save her husband from being repalced by the Vice President Goodluck Jonathan.

Hajia Turai Yar'Adua has used all her wits to frustrate Goodluck Jonathan and make him unstable as the Acting President of the nation.

She has employed used her crocodile tears and played on the fears of the gullible masses to raise doubts over the security and stability of Nigeria in the absence of her sick husband.

The political bottom power of the desperate First Lady was well reported on 234 NEXT and there is no need to repeat the details here. But she is hiding under the force majeure of the ill health of her husband to steer the ship of state against the will of most Nigerians.

Her pretty face and sexy figure has turned the Brigade of Guards and men of the State Security Service (SSS) and political top dogs to dance to her tune. They are willing to kiss her bottom and take turns to play her "hubby" for as long as President Umaru Yar'Adua is still incapacitated.

What can a bedridden man do when his wife is an Iron Lady?

Nigerians Want a New Government and not an Acting President

Acting President Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria

Nigerians Want a New Government and not an Acting President


~ By Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima

The appointment of Mr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan as the Acting President of Nigeria is not something to celebrate as long as the notorious ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) is still in power.

The notorious PDP does not deserve to be in power, because of the indictment of the top leaders of the political party for various corrupt practices and most of them are still going about with impunity. None of them has been made to pay for the crimes they have committed. The crimes for which the majority of Nigerians are suffering and thousands have died while these guilty criminals are still sharing government appointments in the corridors of power. So, the proclamation of Goodluck Jonathan as the Acting President is a continuation of the corrupt government that should have been sacked.

Mrs. Turai Yar'Adua has been accused of manipulating the cabinet of her incapacitated husband, President Umaru Yar’Adua and using unconstitutional methods to perpetuate the political crisis and stymie the appointment of a new head of state. But is it not ridiculous to tell Nigerians that the First Lady is responsible for the political impasse? How can the National Assembly allow her to hold the most populous nation in Africa to ransom? The circulation of this ridiculous political conspiracy by the highly esteemed NEXT newspaper only poured more fuel to the flames of the political crisis in Nigeria: that Nigerians are being ruled by a political cabal controlled by Hajia Turai’s Bottom Power.

Acting President Goodluck Jonathan has started a cabinet reshuffle to displace, replace or dismiss some unpopular ministers and others like Mr. Michael Aondoakaa, the Minister of Justice who was moved to the Ministry of Special Duties. But as The Economist reported that, “there was no hint that he was about to sweep away the ancien régime.”

“The resolution is an illusion. The legal issues will cloud how active Jonathan can be,” said Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu, the President of the Nigerian Bar Association.

Mr. Goodluck Jonathan is not an innocent man as long as he is one of the gang leaders of the most corrupt political party in Africa.

What Nigerians would love to see is a Nigerian Jerry Rawlings to overthrow the wicked rulers in Nigeria and not an acting president of a corrupt government.


Hot Topics
Bankrate: Mortgage Rates Mostly Lower
Quarterly Earnings Reports
Rentrak Announces Top DVD Sales and Rentals for Week Ending February 7, 2010
Walmart to Exclusively Carry Ultimate Fan Edition DVD of The Twilight Saga: New Moon with 'Sneak Peek' of The Twilight Saga: Eclipse
Retailers See New Opportunity in High-Growth Social Shopping; Mercent Launches eCommerce Tools for Facebook, Twitter, and More
Winter Weather
Toyota Recall
Earthquake in Haiti
Valentine's Day
2010 Winter Olympics

Nigeria: A Sick Nation with a Sick President

President Umaru Yar'Adua has never been really healthy since he became the head of state of Nigeria.

Nigeria: A Sick Nation with a Sick President


~ By Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima

A silver spooned young Nigerian al-Qaeda suicide bomber failed in his desperate mission to bomb an American plane from Amsterdam to Detroit and the news made headlines all over the world, but not a word from the President of Nigeria. Why? They said he was ill and recuperating at a hospital in Saudi Arabia, but the hospital cannot be named. His vice president spoke on his behalf, but Nigerians felt disappointed. Then the US quickly added Nigeria on their list of terrorist countries to worsen the critical state of the most populous nation in Africa. They thought the shocking news was bad enough for their ailing President to be jolted to react, but there was no word again.

The condition of the president must be terrible that he could not even speak on the international political embarrassment of Nigeria in a state of emergency. He must be in coma or could he be dead?

Both the educated and uneducated have been commenting and speculating on what has gone from bad to worse with their president and his government. Rumours of his death have been spread on the Internet. But the rumours have been debunked by his press sectary and the office of the President played a BBC Interview of him addressing Nigerians that he would soon be back once his doctors declare him healthy enough to return back to work. But many Nigerians called it a hoax.

This is not the first time that spurious speculations and rumours of his deteriorating health and death have been circulated. An online political rumour website once published a fake report that President Umaru Yar’Adua was dead until the man resurfaced alive and continued his presidential responsibilities with full support of the political contractors in his cabinet, shareholders in the corridors of power and their beneficiaries.

A president that has failed to improve the deplorable living conditions of the majority of Nigerians who are living on less that one dollar per capita income in a country rated as one of the most corrupt and among the poorest in the world. They have little or no confidence in their sick president and corrupt government. But spurious speculations and rumours are the stock-in-trade of tabloids and should not be taken seriously.

Desperate times call for desperate measures.

A sick political system has given Nigerians a sick President of Nigeria.

This is the simple diagnosis of the present political crisis and the only cure is not the replacement of the sick President by another sick product of the same sick ruling party, but the total quarantine of the sick political system.

Nigerians do not need any mass rally or whatever hullabaloo over the hide and seek game that the ruling party is playing with the critical state of the President of Nigeria, who was never really elected in the first place, but was appointed by rigging the last Presidential election in 2007.

Corruption is very contagious. Corruption makes people sick and that is why most Nigerians are sick.

Making noise online and offline will not frighten these devils, because they do not care about what makes Nigerians sick. In fact, the sicker Nigerians become, the better, happier and richer they would be. What makes normal humans sick is what makes these abnormal people well. Their government is a government of corrupt people by corrupt people and for corrupt people. If you are not corrupt, you cannot be in their government. Being well fitted in the costume of corruption is the de rigueur of the ruling party of Nigeria. So, it is not only the President of Nigeria that is sick, but the whole political leadership of the country. They are all sick.

It is not an easy task to find incorruptible Nigerians, except those who were born last night. It is an oddity to be honest in Nigeria. So, it is not always wise to join the majority of Nigerians pointing accusing fingers at the corrupt political contractors, corrupt workers in private business and the religious hypocrites, because most of them are not holier than those they are accusing of corruption. A thief is a thief, from the one who stole one naira to the one who stole one billion naira.

You wonder if there is anyone who has not been entangled in the tentacles of corruption in Nigeria through their common extended family system. Therefore, directly or indirectly everyone could be implicated. Nigerians should stop pointing accusing fingers and start making amends from the person gazing at the mirror...

At the national level, the ruling political party should be sacked, because this is the cankerworm of corruption that is destroying Nigeria. And if this cankerworm is not destroyed, it would eat up the whole country.


Releases displayed in Africa/Lagos time
13 Jan 2010
13:19
Frost & Sullivan Award Recognises JNCI's Exceptional Customer Service Leadership
12 Jan 2010
20:19
Platts Survey: OPEC Pumps 29.1 Million Barrels of Oil Per Day in December
11 Jan 2010
12:40
Italian Minister Frattini in Sub-Saharan Africa – bilateral relations and global issues
8 Jan 2010
17:22
Ghana / Skilled Ghanaians Increasing Look to Countries Outside of Africa for Work, IOM Migration Profile Finds
6 Jan 2010
22:24
$75 Billion of Oil and Gas Deals Announced Fourth Quarter 2009

Hot Topics
Earthquake in Haiti
70% of Americans Think It's Harder To Get Rich Now Than It Used To Be
Deloitte Consumer Spending Index Ticks Downward in December
Depositary Receipts Show Resiliency in 2009 on Higher Global Trading Volume, Program Establishment, Capital Raisings and Price Returns, According to BNY Mellon Year-End Industry Report
Disney Ordered to Include Ex-Gays in Shareholder Resolution
Diabetes and Pre-Diabetes Accounted for $218 Billion in Costs in 2007, Health Affairs Paper Demonstrates
MarketsandMarkets: Global Probiotics Market Worth US$32.6 Billion by 2014
Confronting AIDS Pandemic Obama's Newest Dilemma as White House Strategy Imminent Say Ed Koch, Robert Weiner, Jordan Osserman
Statement from Conan O'Brien
Super Bowl

Nigeria President Yar'Adua 'Should Be Declared Missing'

Nigeria President Yar'Adua 'should be declared missing'
BBC News - ‎1 hour ago‎
A human rights group is urging Nigerian legislators to declare President Umaru Yar'Adua "missing" after six weeks in hospital in Saudi Arabia. ...
'Nigeria is drifting towards anarchy' The Punch
Yar'Adua's Health: Whither Nigeria? THISDAY
Nigeria: Before We Waste Another Decade AllAfrica.com
Afrique en Ligue - Newstime Africa
all 116 news articles »
Email this story

Ghana Broadcasting Corporation
CAN 2010: Nigeria will win Nations cup, says NFF Chief
Afrique en Ligue - ‎1 hour ago‎
Football - The President of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), Sani Lulu, has predicted that Nigeria will win the Orange Africa Cup of Nations in ...
African Nations Cup: Obafemi Martins Officially In Nigeria Squad Goal.com
'Eagles 'll clinch trophy in Angola' Triumph
Goal spurs Obasi's inclusion in Eagles' list NEXT

CIA Prepared Report on Nigerian Terror Suspect Before Attempted ...‎ -

Postpone The Nigeria's 5 Greatest Living Legends Awards Ceremony Until President Umaru Yar'Adua Recovers

May I advise the executive management of the Silverbird Television and the Vanguard Newspapers to postpone the awards ceremony for the Nigeria's 5 Greatest Living Legends, because of the state of emergency over the critical condition of President Umaru Yar'Adua.

It is baffling that at such a critical time as this, you have chosen to celebrate your so called "Nigeria's 5 Greatest Living Legends".
Have they in any way helped to salvage the majority of the millions of Nigerians wallowing in abject poverty or saved Nigeria from being rated as one of the most corrupt and poorest countries on earth?

Your commercial opportunism is so unethical and confirms your mercantile ulterior motive of using these popularity rankings to exploit the gullible millions of Nigerians who voted to fatten your pockets of corruption in the camouflage of Nigeria's 5 Greatest Living Legends.

Stop this parade of intellectual ignorance in the masquerade of arrogance.

God save President Umaru Yar'Adua.
God save Nigeria.

President Yar'Adua, JTF, Parade the Owners of the Oil Tankers

President Umaru Yar'Adua of Nigeria

The Joint Task Force (JTF) of the Nigeria Armed Forces in the Niger Delta boasted that they captured 3 oil tankers; Tim Begele, MT Efemana and MT Leila, 4 barges, 6 speedboats, 20 Cotonou boats, 16 fuel tankers and surface tanks and they paraded the 50 errand boys of the Nigerian mafia of the illegal oil bunkering business.


Oil tankers

The errand boys paraded by the JTF are not the only criminals we want to see, but the owners of the 3 ocean going vessels, 4 barges, 20 boats and 16 fuel tankers.
Until the JTF can parade them in public, we would not be impressed.

The administration of President Umaru Yar'Adua and his ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP) cannot continue to fool Nigerians with their bullshit!

The government is using the so called Amnesty to fool the citizens and blame the militants for the bloody illegal oil bunkering. But none of the militants in the Niger Delta can afford one oil tanker!


Niger Delta militants in action


Do you know the cost of one oil tanker?
How many people in Nigeria can afford one?

Illegal oil bunkering is not for small boys and the serving and retired military officers engaged in the business are well known to the PDP and most of them are the major contributors and sponsors of the ruling party and their accomplices are top members of the party.

Hot Topics
U.S. News Media Group and NCQA Release 2009-10 Rankings of America's Best Health Insurance Plans
Quarterly Earnings Reports
Bankrate: Lowest Mortgage Rates Since April
CEO Stock Ownership Value Plunged In 2008, Watson Wyatt Study Finds
Fort Hood Shootings
Record Number of New Medicines in Development for Women
Individuals May Feel More Anxiety During the Holidays Than in Previous Years
CMA Awards
U.S. Commitment to Gifted Students Severely Lacking, New Report Finds
'New Moon' Eclipses 'Twilight' as The #4 Top Advance Ticket-Seller on Fandango


Releases displayed in Africa/Lagos time
12 Nov 2009
13:08
Transcript of Press Conference by Premier Wen Jiabao At the Fourth FOCAC Ministerial Conference
12:41
16th EU-ECOWAS Ministerial Troika Meeting Final communiqué
12:35
IMF Selects Ghana as Site for Regional Technical Assistance Center in Africa
07:01
Acision Bolsters MTN Nigeria's Messaging Business With Next-Generation Messaging Solution
11 Nov 2009
22:00
As Hu Jin Tao, Obama Prepare to Meet, World Public Gives China, U.S. Low Marks on Climate Change
15:00
China Precision Steel Announces Conference Call to Discuss First Quarter Fiscal 2010 Results
10 Nov 2009
22:16
Bristow Group Board Elects Three New Directors
13:08
AUC, RECs, civil society and development partners for more country-level implementation of CAADP
10:00
Buongiorno's EBITDA and Net Profit Continued Steady Growth in the First Nine Months of 2009. Net Financial Debt Decreased by Euro 12 Million Compared to 2008 Year-end Figure
00:50
Flotek Industries, Inc. Announces Results of Special Meeting of Stockholders, Change to Board of Directors, Additional Executive Reorganization News and Third Quarter Reporting Schedule
9 Nov 2009
20:01
Award-winning Diabetes Documentary to Make World TV Premiere on Sundance Channel on World Diabetes Day
17:04
Phoenix House Appoints Dr. Deni Carise as Chief Clinical Officer - Internationally Recognized Leader in Substance Abuse Treatment and Research
07:00
BOURBON Revenues up 3.1% Compared with 3rd Quarter 2008, at 246.8 MEUR




RECOMMENDED:
Tour of 'Yinka Shonibare

Nigerian Government Must Arrest Sudanese President During Visit

Amnesty International has called on Nigerian President Umaru Yar'Adua to arrest the Sudanese President Omar al Bashir during his visit to Nigeria since he has been wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Sudan.

The full report is contained in a press release Amnesty International issued on Friday October 23, 2004.


23 Oct 2009 13:17 Africa/Lagos

Nigeria / Government must arrest Sudanese President during visit


ABUJA, October 23, 2009/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- Amnesty International today revealed that Nigerian President Umaru Yar'Adua has issued an invitation to Sudanese President Omar al Bashir to visit Nigeria even though President al Bashir is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The invitation is for President Omar al Bashir to attend an African Union Peace and Security Council meeting in Abuja, scheduled to begin on Thursday, 29 October 2009.

Amnesty International said that it learned about the still-secret invitation from several reliable sources.

Former South African President Thabo Mbeki is expected to present a report on the situation in Darfur at the meeting.

President Umaru Yar'Adua has apparently given assurances that President Omar al Bashir will not be arrested if he comes to Nigeria.

“He is an international fugitive from justice, charged with responsibility for crimes against humanity and war crimes against Africans. It would be shameful of Nigeria to offer him safe haven,” said Kolawole Olaniyan, Amnesty International's Africa Legal Adviser.

“The Nigerian government has an unconditional legal obligation to arrest President Omar al Bashir and hand him over to the ICC should he enter Nigerian territory. Any failure to do this is a failure to fulfil obligations under international law and may amount to obstruction of justice.”

An arrest warrant for President Omar al Bashir was issued by the ICC on 4 March 2009.
“The Nigerian government must act for the sake of thousands of victims of crimes against humanity and war crimes committed in Darfur,” said Kolawole Olaniyan.

Nigeria is a party to the treaty establishing the ICC and is obliged without exception to cooperate with the ICC and arrest and surrender anyone named in an arrest warrant to the ICC. If it fails to do so, the ICC can refer this clear violation of Nigeria's obligations to the Security Council under Article 87 (7) of that treaty.

Notes to editors:

- President Omar al Bashir was invited by UgandanPresident Yoweri Museveni to this week's African Union summit on refugees, returnees and internally displaced persons in Kampala. Following protests by NGOs, including Amnesty International, President Omar al Bashir did not attend the meeting.

- Since the ICC issued the arrest warrant on 4 March 2009, President al Bashir has visited seven states (Eritrea, Egypt, Libya, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Ethiopia and Zimbabwe), none of which are parties to the ICC treaty.

- Although the African Union has urged states not to cooperate with the ICC in enforcing this arrest warrant, several states parties to the ICC treaty, including Botswana, Brazil and South Africa, have indicated that they would fulfil their legal obligations and arrest him if were to enter their countries.

- Nigeria has a contingent of armed forces serving in the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID).

- Article 86 of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court requires states parties to “cooperate fully with the Court in its investigation and prosecution of crimes within the jurisdiction of the Court.”

- Article 87 (7) of the Rome Statute provides: “Where a State Party fails to comply with a request to cooperate by the Court contrary to the provisions of this Statute, thereby preventing the Court from exercising its functions and powers under this Statute, the Court may make a finding to that effect and…,where the Security Council referred the matter to the Court, to the Security Council.”

- Many African civil society groups have supported the call for Pres. al Bashir to be arrested and surrendered to the ICC.


Source: Amnesty International


Releases displayed in Africa/Lagos time
23 Oct 2009
21:06
AllianceBernstein Global High Income Fund Releases Monthly Portfolio Update
17:28
World Polio Day: Rotary Nears Halfway Mark in US$200 Million Challenge
13:17
Nigeria / Government must arrest Sudanese President during visit
12:00
AMCOL International Corporation (NYSE: ACO) Reports Third Quarter Results

Hot Topics
Quarterly Earnings Reports
Swine Flu
America's Premiere High School Science Competition Announces The Class Of 2009
Economic Crime, Cybersecurity, ID Theft Prove to Be Hot Topics
Viacom Statement on FCC's Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
Report: Same-Sex Couples Face Significant Disadvantages in Retirement
October 2009 Mayo Clinic Health Letter Highlights Iron Overload, Radiation Risk and Better Health with Yoga and Tai Chi
Photos: TripAdvisor Launches World Heritage Campaign; Calls on the World's Largest Travel Community to Help Protect the World's Most Important Places


WIN A TRIP TO NEW YORK CITY FOR A SHOPPING SPREE!

Niger Delta Crisis: Amnesty or Travesty of Justice

Amnesty or Travesty?


I have decided not to approve the so called Amnesty the Federal Government has given to the so called militants in the Niger Delta region, because the celebrated Nigerian Nobel Laureate in Literature, Prof. Wole Soyinka already spoken my mind in his critical analysis of the anomie in Between Amnesty and Amnesia.

The recourse to Amnesty after the punitive campaign of the Joint Task Force (JTF) failed woefully is begging the question of the Niger Delta crisis and not a solution. The solution to the Niger Delta crisis is not a Herculean task if the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) wants to be truly honest and transparent.

The bloody battle in the Niger Delta over resource control is actually a power struggle between mercenaries of the oligarchy in Nigeria fighting over illegal oil bunkering in the oil rich states of the Niger Delta. Both the serving and retired top military officers are actively engaged in the criminal operation of illegal oil bunkering and the Nigerian Navy cannot deny this fact, because the tankers and barges used for illegal oil bunkering are not invisible in the territorial waters of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. They are ruthless in their greed for political power and money that they have usurped the rights of the host communities and took over the reins of power in government to control the Nigerian Armed Forces and ruling party to plunder the mineral resources in the country.
They have shared the oil blocks and are now engaged in a do or die battle in illegal oil bunkering that fetches over $20 million daily.

President Umaru Yar’Adua knows the truth and the sooner he says the truth the better.
The most ridiculous is amount of N50 billion being projected for the conflict resolution as proposed in the presidential Amnesty. Before our very eyes, that N50 billion would be embezzled by the same mercenaries of the oligarchy in power in Nigeria and the devastated host communities would be left with the crumbs.
This so called Amnesty is a travesty of justice.
Who is fooling whom?

Malcolm Wicks visit to Nigeria

20 Aug 2008 17:22 Africa/Lagos


Malcolm Wicks visit to Nigeria

London, 20 August/GNN/ --

DEPARTMENT FOR BUSINESS, ENTERPRISE AND REGULATORY REFORM News Release
(2008/178) issued by The Government News Network on 20 August 2008
UK Energy Minister, Malcolm Wicks, has visited Nigeria this week following
HE President Yar'Adua's London meeting with the Prime Minister in June,
where energy was a key theme of their discussion.

Whilst there he met with Nigerian energy ministers and visited the Delta to
gain an understanding of the situation in Nigeria first hand.

Speaking in Nigeria, Wicks said:

"I came here to continue discussions with my Nigerian counterparts and to
understand more about the energy challenges in Nigeria. The UK is keen to see
whether our energy experience can help the Nigerian Government to implement
their far reaching energy sector reforms.

"We have discussed Nigeria's oil and gas production, including their
implementation of a recently launched Gas Master Plan and the prospects for
ending gas flaring, the reform and restructuring of the Nigerian National
Petroleum Corporation and the important work of the Nigerian Extractive
Industries Transparency Initiative.

"I support Nigeria's efforts to better use oil and gas revenues which,
together with fiscal discipline and transparency, can make a positive
difference to livelihoods of the Nigerian people.

"The UK and Nigeria have a close relationship on many issues; I hope that
this can be extended to the energy field and that this visit can help to
further strengthen our partnership."

During bilateral discussions, the prospects for increasing oil and gas
production in Nigeria and the need for a strong investment climate to ensure
this potential is realised were discussed.

Also discussed:

* Sustainable development, climate change, the implementation of the clean
development mechanism and carbon capture and storage technologies;
* Energy conservation and efficiency;
* Capacity building to help with implementation of the reforms; and
* Foreign direct investment

The Ministers also talked about UK's experience in working with
International Oil Companies (IOC) and the benefits doing so can provide to
a country. Recognising the need for the Government of Nigeria and the IOCs
to find a fair and equitable solution to funding issues, Wicks said the UK
Government stood ready to support both parties in achieving this.

Notes to editors

1. The UK supports Nigeria in gaining better use of its oil revenues, improving
transparency, and strengthening macro-economic management, including in the
Niger Delta States.

2. Volatility in the crude oil prices poses challenges for Nigeria and other
producing countries. The UK believes that open, transparent markets are the
best way to encourage investment and encourages Nigeria in its efforts to
increase transparency in the energy sector through initiatives such as the
Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative.

3. Both the UK and Nigerian Governments are supportive of the producer/consumer
meeting held at Jeddah to discuss energy and its priorities to improve the
functioning of oil markets, investment in new oil production, management of
demand and sharing a vision of the future energy landscape. Only by working
together and sharing experience will we tackle challenges in an effective
and timely way.

4. The Nigerian Ministers that met with UK Energy Minister, Malcolm Wicks,
included the Minister of State for Petroleum, Odien Ajumogobia; the Minister
of State for Energy (Gas), Emmanuel O Odusina; and the Minister of State
for Energy (Power) Mrs Fatima Balaraba Ibrahim.

5. The UK recognises the ambitious programme of reform the Nigerian Government
is taking forward and modernising of the regulatory regime in the energy
sector. The UK has offered support in sharing experience and building capacity
in energy regulation. It is these regulatory frameworks that give the private
sector the confidence to deliver these ambitious plans. Areas for support
could include technical aspects around gas markets and tariffs where the
UK has significant experience. Also, part of a longer term plan to increase
supplies, both countries recognise the current global shortage in skills in
the oil and gas sector and will work together through the International Energy
Forum and OPEC to look at training and building skills across the sector.

6. Both countries will also explore opportunities to manage supply and demand
and conserve energy which contributes not only to increased energy security
but climate security. We will look at existing energy efficiency initiatives
and also at what new technologies might support these endeavours. An
excellent example of where increased energy security and climate change come
together is the new technology on carbon capture and storage and enhanced
oil recovery. Both countries will continue to work together on commercial
opportunities around implementing climate change measures. Key to this is
the clean development mechanism and the UK Government commits to continuing
to support the NNPC in its actions on the mechanism.

7. The Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform helps UK
business succeed in an increasingly competitive world. It promotes business
growth and a strong enterprise economy, leads the better regulation agenda
and champions free and fair markets. It is the shareholder in a number of
Government-owned assets and it works to secure, clean and competitively
priced energy supplies.

Department for Business, Enterprise & Regulatory Reform
7th Floor, 1 Victoria Street, London SW1H 0ET

Press enquiries +44 (0)20 7215 5954
(Out of hours) +44 (0)20 7215 3234/3505
Public enquiries +44 (0)20 7215 5000
Textphone +44 (0)20 7215 6740 (for those with hearing impairment)
Press Office fax +44 (0)20 7222 4382
www.berr.gov.uk



Source: Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform


More Nigerian Report:

19 Aug 2008
13:52
KX-91 Successful in Tank Remediation Project In Nigeria