Re: The Minimum Wage Of N17, 000 Is Nonsense
Do you know that thousands of secondary school leavers who cannot gain admission into higher institutions need jobs and many of them are paid as little as N5,000 monthly salaries in Lagos and other places? My friend pays his receptionist N8, 000 monthly and thank God her residence is not far from the office.
Majority of the civil servants in Nigeria are going to depend on the minimum wage and those with families will have no choice but to use their children and other dependants to hawk goods on the street.
Monday night on the way home from work at about 10.33 pm, I saw children still hawking at the Maryland bus near Ikeja and I told an elderly woman hawking with them to go home and sleep. She looked at me and continued with her work.
Today I went to the Tejuoso market in Yaba and I saw hundreds of boys and girls selling petty goods and the Igbo boys engaged in their rag trade of second hand clothes and other goods. I was heartbroken, because many of them have better dreams than petty trading.
I saw depression written on the faces of hundreds of traders and shoppers. I saw pretty girls and handsome boys struggling for survival and JAMB reported today that there is no space for 340, 000 successful UTME candidates and lest we forget hundreds of thousands of graduates and millions of secondary school leavers are jobless.
I returned to the office feeling depressed, because of the bleak future of the poor masses and their children.
If we sack the ruling megalomaniac party and set up a government without a National Assembly, we are going to save trillions of naira to invest in human capital development and develop a 21st century economy to provide better living wages for majority of Nigerians.
It is possible.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
IFJ Condemns kidnapping of Nigerian Journalists' Union Officials
13 Jul 2010 17:59 Africa/Lagos
IFJ Condemns kidnapping of Nigerian Journalists' Union Officials
ABUJA, July 13, 2010/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today condemned the kidnapping of four officials of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), following an armed attack on two NUJ vehicles yesterday.
Wahaab Oba, Chariman of NUJ Lagos State council, Adolphus Oknokwo, NUJ Secretary Zone G, Sylvester Okereke, NUJ Assistant Secretary Lagos State, Shola Oyeyipo of NUJ Lagos State Council and their driver Azeez Yekini were abducted by gunmen who ambushed the two vehicles outside the Eastern city of Aba. Seven union members occupying the other car escaped unharmed.
"We are shocked by this brutal attack against our Nigerian colleagues and deeply worried for their immediate safety," said Gabriel Baglo, Director of the IFJ Africa. "We demand the authorities do everything they can to ensure they are released quickly and unharmed."
The NUJ members were returning from a meeting of the national executive in the Southern city of Uyo when they were caught in the ambush. Initial reports suggest the victims remain unharmed while the kidnappers have issued their ransom demands.
Source: International Federation of Journalists (IFJ)
Releases displayed in Africa/Lagos time
14 Jul 2010
11:30
$43 Billion in Upstream Oil & Gas Deals Announced in the Second Quarter of 2010
13 Jul 2010
22:21
Equatorial Guinea Malaria Program Reduces Infant Mortality by One Third
21:43
General Maritime Corporation Announces Amendment to Credit Facility
21:19
Activeion's Ionator EXP(TM) Wins AFIDAMP Green Clean Award
17:59
IFJ Condemns kidnapping of Nigerian Journalists' Union Officials
17:54
5th Annual Connecting Rural Communities Africa 2010 Forum
17:55
Orphans & Vulnerable Children in Africa Conference 2010
17:54
OECD Economic Survey of South Africa to be released 19 July 2010
17:21
FIFA.com Attracts Over a Quarter of a Billion Visits as the World Engages Online With the 2010 FIFA World Cup(TM)
16:50
Pennsylvania Treasury Investments In Clean Energy Fueled By Rockefeller Foundation Grant
16:28
International Paper Declares Dividends
15:00
Shutterstock Turns Seven
14:35
South Africa- IOM and Partners Plan Response to Potential Xenophobic Violence
14:34
Twin attacks perpetrated in kampala, uganda
14:30
Dehaier Medical Systems Acquires Emergency Ventilator Series to Extend Product Line
14:30
Verizon FiOS TV Launches Fox International Channels' Utilisima U.S.
14:11
Mercuria Energy Group Supports the First Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) Project in Guinea
13:00
Marketo Helps QlikTech Implement Global, Multi-Touch Lead Generation Campaign during 2010 World Soccer Finals
12:56
Kenya: A Preventable Childbirth Injury That Ruins Lives / Provide Adequate Health Services, Accountability to Prevent, Treat Obstetric Fistula
12:56
Deadly Uganda blasts condemned
IFJ Condemns kidnapping of Nigerian Journalists' Union Officials
ABUJA, July 13, 2010/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today condemned the kidnapping of four officials of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), following an armed attack on two NUJ vehicles yesterday.
Wahaab Oba, Chariman of NUJ Lagos State council, Adolphus Oknokwo, NUJ Secretary Zone G, Sylvester Okereke, NUJ Assistant Secretary Lagos State, Shola Oyeyipo of NUJ Lagos State Council and their driver Azeez Yekini were abducted by gunmen who ambushed the two vehicles outside the Eastern city of Aba. Seven union members occupying the other car escaped unharmed.
"We are shocked by this brutal attack against our Nigerian colleagues and deeply worried for their immediate safety," said Gabriel Baglo, Director of the IFJ Africa. "We demand the authorities do everything they can to ensure they are released quickly and unharmed."
The NUJ members were returning from a meeting of the national executive in the Southern city of Uyo when they were caught in the ambush. Initial reports suggest the victims remain unharmed while the kidnappers have issued their ransom demands.
Source: International Federation of Journalists (IFJ)
Releases displayed in Africa/Lagos time
14 Jul 2010
11:30
$43 Billion in Upstream Oil & Gas Deals Announced in the Second Quarter of 2010
13 Jul 2010
22:21
Equatorial Guinea Malaria Program Reduces Infant Mortality by One Third
21:43
General Maritime Corporation Announces Amendment to Credit Facility
21:19
Activeion's Ionator EXP(TM) Wins AFIDAMP Green Clean Award
17:59
IFJ Condemns kidnapping of Nigerian Journalists' Union Officials
17:54
5th Annual Connecting Rural Communities Africa 2010 Forum
17:55
Orphans & Vulnerable Children in Africa Conference 2010
17:54
OECD Economic Survey of South Africa to be released 19 July 2010
17:21
FIFA.com Attracts Over a Quarter of a Billion Visits as the World Engages Online With the 2010 FIFA World Cup(TM)
16:50
Pennsylvania Treasury Investments In Clean Energy Fueled By Rockefeller Foundation Grant
16:28
International Paper Declares Dividends
15:00
Shutterstock Turns Seven
14:35
South Africa- IOM and Partners Plan Response to Potential Xenophobic Violence
14:34
Twin attacks perpetrated in kampala, uganda
14:30
Dehaier Medical Systems Acquires Emergency Ventilator Series to Extend Product Line
14:30
Verizon FiOS TV Launches Fox International Channels' Utilisima U.S.
14:11
Mercuria Energy Group Supports the First Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) Project in Guinea
13:00
Marketo Helps QlikTech Implement Global, Multi-Touch Lead Generation Campaign during 2010 World Soccer Finals
12:56
Kenya: A Preventable Childbirth Injury That Ruins Lives / Provide Adequate Health Services, Accountability to Prevent, Treat Obstetric Fistula
12:56
Deadly Uganda blasts condemned
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
The Search for Adah is On!
CASTING CALL! CASTING CALL!
Are you a fresh graduate or current FEMALE Student of THEATRE ARTS of any of the twenty three (23) Nigerian Federal and State Universities/Polytechnics with hidden talent?
If you are PASSIONATE, if you are MODEST, if you are DISCIPLINED, if you have the SELLING POINTS OF AN IDEAL AFRICAN LADY, if you are CULTURED and if you are NOT the arrogant "BE-RICH-QUICK" GOLD-DIGGER TYPE, we can launch your Performance Arts Career through one of our current movie projects...
Our Recruitment Policy is designed to support the SANITIZATION of the Nigerian/African showbiz sectors by giving priority to the Passionate Talents from the platforms of the Nigerian Universities Theatre Arts Students' Associations (NUTASA), Polytechnics, Creative Arts Schools and all other NON-Formal Cultural Training Centres across Africa
Apply for the Lead Role "ADAH" today at:
REGISTER HERE FOR THE AUDITIONS IN ABUJA, LAGOS OR CALABAR CITY
President Jonathan, Rename The Economic And Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) To Meet Our Current Times
News: Nigeria mentioned as former Merrill Lynch Executive James A. Brown Files Supplemental Motion for New Trial
President Goodluck Jonathan
President Jonathan, Rename The Economic And Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) To Meet Our Current Times
At a time when the people of Nigeria live in an ever expanding, complicated and challenging time, national agencies in the areas of security should bear names or designations that reflect instant symbol of authority, immediate sign of power and on-the-spot perception of influence.
During the sweeping reform era in Nigeria by President Olusegun Obasanjo’s post-military administration, one of the national agencies born in 2004 was the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC).
As a national intelligence, security and anti-crime agency the Economic and Financial Crime Commission with all of its preventive, investigative and prosecution powers persist in the fight against crimes like money laundry, Bribery, bank financial malpractice, computer crimes, forgery, land fraud, alien fraud, various schemes, scams and other related crimes like terrorism.
However, it is the physical name that is the “Economic and Financial Crime Commission” that bears some questioning and calls for refurbishing.
As a designation, it is too broad, and an all-over-the place term, in regards to the wording, symbol, and delivery. It is a label that has outlived its transitional given name and period.
From the point of symbolic human psychology, a breakdown of most of its respective words “Economic”, “Financial”, and “Commission” as well as the supervisory name, “Chairman” on a face value are collectively suggestive of an advisory board on “Crime”.
Since symbols by definition assume special imagery and functions these long-winded, wordy and boring words unconsciously, consciously, implicitly, explicitly, as well as directly and directly could collectively portrays images of a compensation body, a review forum, a charitable board, a delegating board, a trading house, a conciliation board; operating under a Chairman, as in a commercial or political head.
No one doubts that the EFCC is a statutory authority in regards to its internal and external law enforcement functions. However this does not excuse the inherent and complete vagueness that its name carries, even the it’s acronyms, which present as a bunch of successive letters that equally spell out a mouthful, drag-like and wide-ranging expressions. Of course it is easy for an EFCC officer to scream out “police” as a quick identifier of authority to a suspect or in the course of his or her duties. But that is not the point being made here is this paper.
For example, a new visitor to Nigeria or for many educationally disadvantaged Nigerians the collective name, “Economic and Financial Crime Commission”, and its contracted letters, “EFCC”, might on a face value symbolize anything, or everything else other than the instant representation of power or authority.
The question now is what is a more appropriate name that is conducive to the going expansive and operational functions of the agency?
Mr. President, let’s get right on to it, the new designation(s) being put forward could be called the “Federal Bureau of Criminal Investigation” (FBCI, which equally sounds as FBC), or the “Federal Force of Investigation” (FFI).
Mr. President, unlike the current agency’s vague, and ambiguous name, this proposed new designation(s) is colored with the sign, image and notion of instant directedness and specificity.
There could be is an assuming perception of clarity, distinction and clear-cut depiction of power in the newly proposed name, at least amongst the public and those who serve in the agency.
The new designation appears to align well with the operational, practical and strategic work of the agency.
On a psychological level the new name could help in personalizing the agency as an instrument of fear or uneasiness, and more likely to portray in the mind of any person, fear-arousing feelings and attitude.
The new designation could elicit powerful visualization of controllability embedded in the agency, at least from the perception of those in an offending mode especially.
The visibility of this proposed designation both in print and in the media could arouse a preventative mindset among those thinking of doing bad things.
Along the lines of these new labels, the Federal Bureau of Investigation or the Federal Force of Investigation is the on-the-spot authoritative and up-to-the point sounding acronyms, like the “FBCI”, or “FFI”.
In the same vein, there should be a new label like the “Chief Director” or “Executive Director” in place of the commercially, corporately or politically sounding label of the term “Chairman”.
Accompanying the proposed new designations should be the label of “Special Detective” with driving characteristics of uniqueness, authenticity, professional stance and expert-driven outlook.
Mr. President, these suggested designations, appear congruent with the agency’s continued expanded roles and operations.
These functions include but are not limited to the fight against; treason, fee fraud, land scheme, cyber crimes, cult violence, aircraft kidnapping, sex trafficking, racketeering , medical child abuse, major weapon offense, international money swindling, medical fraud, espionage, sea piracy , terrorism , ethnic violence, and its other works with related law enforcement and investigative agencies.
In our contemporary world, the agency now works within a global context as crimes nationally and internationally are becoming more sophisticated and a daring in form, therefore with the up-to-date new designation like the ones proposed here, the agency’s representation become easier to be recognized globally.
Along these lines, the agency in its ongoing fight against more treacherous and expanded crimes requires an expanded human resource and contemporary technical support, in order to produce top-notch detectives.
The current training Academy in Nigeria might as well bear a new name along the lines of the already noted new labels, the FBCI or FFI. The new name of the Academy could be called the “National Investigation Training Institute” (NITI).
Mr. President, it is hoped that in your position as a 21st century leader that along with the appropriate advisors that you thoughtfully consider these up-to-date psychological and symbolic driven designations with respect to the specified agency.
It is also hoped that the federal legislature in its forward looking posture gives the needed blessing to this apparent aligning designations to an advancing national security agency like the ‘FBCI’ or ‘FFI’, in today’s world.
~ By John Oshodi
John Egbeazien Oshodi, Ph.D, DABPS, FACFE is a Forensic/Clinical Psychologist and the Interim Associate Dean, Behavioral Science, Coconut Creek, Florida. joshodi@broward.edu
President Goodluck JonathanPresident Jonathan, Rename The Economic And Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) To Meet Our Current Times
At a time when the people of Nigeria live in an ever expanding, complicated and challenging time, national agencies in the areas of security should bear names or designations that reflect instant symbol of authority, immediate sign of power and on-the-spot perception of influence.
During the sweeping reform era in Nigeria by President Olusegun Obasanjo’s post-military administration, one of the national agencies born in 2004 was the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC).
As a national intelligence, security and anti-crime agency the Economic and Financial Crime Commission with all of its preventive, investigative and prosecution powers persist in the fight against crimes like money laundry, Bribery, bank financial malpractice, computer crimes, forgery, land fraud, alien fraud, various schemes, scams and other related crimes like terrorism.
However, it is the physical name that is the “Economic and Financial Crime Commission” that bears some questioning and calls for refurbishing.
As a designation, it is too broad, and an all-over-the place term, in regards to the wording, symbol, and delivery. It is a label that has outlived its transitional given name and period.
From the point of symbolic human psychology, a breakdown of most of its respective words “Economic”, “Financial”, and “Commission” as well as the supervisory name, “Chairman” on a face value are collectively suggestive of an advisory board on “Crime”.
Since symbols by definition assume special imagery and functions these long-winded, wordy and boring words unconsciously, consciously, implicitly, explicitly, as well as directly and directly could collectively portrays images of a compensation body, a review forum, a charitable board, a delegating board, a trading house, a conciliation board; operating under a Chairman, as in a commercial or political head.
No one doubts that the EFCC is a statutory authority in regards to its internal and external law enforcement functions. However this does not excuse the inherent and complete vagueness that its name carries, even the it’s acronyms, which present as a bunch of successive letters that equally spell out a mouthful, drag-like and wide-ranging expressions. Of course it is easy for an EFCC officer to scream out “police” as a quick identifier of authority to a suspect or in the course of his or her duties. But that is not the point being made here is this paper.
For example, a new visitor to Nigeria or for many educationally disadvantaged Nigerians the collective name, “Economic and Financial Crime Commission”, and its contracted letters, “EFCC”, might on a face value symbolize anything, or everything else other than the instant representation of power or authority.
The question now is what is a more appropriate name that is conducive to the going expansive and operational functions of the agency?
Mr. President, let’s get right on to it, the new designation(s) being put forward could be called the “Federal Bureau of Criminal Investigation” (FBCI, which equally sounds as FBC), or the “Federal Force of Investigation” (FFI).
Mr. President, unlike the current agency’s vague, and ambiguous name, this proposed new designation(s) is colored with the sign, image and notion of instant directedness and specificity.
There could be is an assuming perception of clarity, distinction and clear-cut depiction of power in the newly proposed name, at least amongst the public and those who serve in the agency.
The new designation appears to align well with the operational, practical and strategic work of the agency.
On a psychological level the new name could help in personalizing the agency as an instrument of fear or uneasiness, and more likely to portray in the mind of any person, fear-arousing feelings and attitude.
The new designation could elicit powerful visualization of controllability embedded in the agency, at least from the perception of those in an offending mode especially.
The visibility of this proposed designation both in print and in the media could arouse a preventative mindset among those thinking of doing bad things.
Along the lines of these new labels, the Federal Bureau of Investigation or the Federal Force of Investigation is the on-the-spot authoritative and up-to-the point sounding acronyms, like the “FBCI”, or “FFI”.
In the same vein, there should be a new label like the “Chief Director” or “Executive Director” in place of the commercially, corporately or politically sounding label of the term “Chairman”.
Accompanying the proposed new designations should be the label of “Special Detective” with driving characteristics of uniqueness, authenticity, professional stance and expert-driven outlook.
Mr. President, these suggested designations, appear congruent with the agency’s continued expanded roles and operations.
These functions include but are not limited to the fight against; treason, fee fraud, land scheme, cyber crimes, cult violence, aircraft kidnapping, sex trafficking, racketeering , medical child abuse, major weapon offense, international money swindling, medical fraud, espionage, sea piracy , terrorism , ethnic violence, and its other works with related law enforcement and investigative agencies.
In our contemporary world, the agency now works within a global context as crimes nationally and internationally are becoming more sophisticated and a daring in form, therefore with the up-to-date new designation like the ones proposed here, the agency’s representation become easier to be recognized globally.
Along these lines, the agency in its ongoing fight against more treacherous and expanded crimes requires an expanded human resource and contemporary technical support, in order to produce top-notch detectives.
The current training Academy in Nigeria might as well bear a new name along the lines of the already noted new labels, the FBCI or FFI. The new name of the Academy could be called the “National Investigation Training Institute” (NITI).
Mr. President, it is hoped that in your position as a 21st century leader that along with the appropriate advisors that you thoughtfully consider these up-to-date psychological and symbolic driven designations with respect to the specified agency.
It is also hoped that the federal legislature in its forward looking posture gives the needed blessing to this apparent aligning designations to an advancing national security agency like the ‘FBCI’ or ‘FFI’, in today’s world.
~ By John Oshodi
John Egbeazien Oshodi, Ph.D, DABPS, FACFE is a Forensic/Clinical Psychologist and the Interim Associate Dean, Behavioral Science, Coconut Creek, Florida. joshodi@broward.edu
Monday, July 12, 2010
UNDP Announces 2010 Red Ribbon Award Winners
12 Jul 2010 20:11 Africa/Lagos
UNDP Announces 2010 Red Ribbon Award Winners/ Biennial global award celebrates outstanding community leadership and action on AIDS
NEW YORK, July 12, 2010/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- Twenty-five community-based organisations representing 17 countries across the globe have won the 2010 Red Ribbon Award.
The Red Ribbon Award, named after the global symbol in the movement to address AIDS, is a joint effort of the UNAIDS family. The award recognizes outstanding community organisations for their work in reducing the spread and impact of AIDS.
“Grassroots and community based organizations are at the heart of the global response to AIDS,” said UNAIDS Deputy Executive Director, Management & External Relations Jan Beagle, “UNAIDS is proud to celebrate and honor these groups who have mobilized themselves to meet the needs of the most vulnerable in their communities with energy, passion, and compassion. The red ribbon award winners give a resounding voice to the voiceless.”
Each of the winning organizations receives a cash award and international recognition for their innovation and leadership in responding to the AIDS epidemic. The organizations are invited to participate in the XVIII International AIDS Conference to be held in Vienna next week where they will be guests of honour at a formal Awards Ceremony and will host a forum for dialogue and exchange between policy makers and community representatives.
“Communities really hold the key to finding solutions to their own problems," said Dr. Helene Gayle, President and CEO of CARE, and a member of this year's jury panel. "So while those of us with a lot of outside expertise may know the theories, community organizations are best suited to reach those most in need when it comes to applying them.”
Out of 720 nominations from over 100 countries, the 25 winners were judged to have demonstrated the most remarkable efforts in terms of innovation, impact, sustainability, strategic partnerships, gender sensitivity and social inclusion. The winners were selected by a Technical Review Committee of civil society representatives who are experts in the community response to HIV.
“These organizations clearly demonstrate that effective responses to the epidemic require the full participation of front-line, community-based groups. Community groups recognize that AIDS is one of many issues that are tied together. They understand that AIDS requires an exceptional response but they also understand that you need to link AIDS to broader issues of health, development and justice to be effective,” said Jeffrey O'Malley, Director of the HIV/AIDS Practice at UNDP.
UNDP is honoured to announce the 2010 Red Ribbon Award Winners:
AFRICA
Association Pénitentiaire Africaine is an organization in Burkina Faso that has served as a model for raising awareness of prisoners' human rights, specifically the right to health, which includes HIV prevention, treatment, care and support.
Center for Domestic Violence Prevention works at the civil society and government levels in Uganda to build an environment that is supportive of women's rights to safety and equality, underlying issues behind women's vulnerability to HIV in that nation.
Chrysalide operates a centre of support for women with HIV, drug users, sex workers and ex-prisoners, and has through HIV prevention and sensitization programmes reduced stigma and discrimination experienced by people living with HIV in communities throughout Mauritius.
Elan d'Amour has played a catalytic role in improving access to HIV treatment and care by modelling how to integrate community organizations into the health care system of Cote d'Ivoire.
Nikat Women's Association is the first community-based association in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia that is devoted to improving the living conditions of low-income women and commercial sex workers, thereby fighting poverty and protecting the right to health.
Physicians for Social Justice has trained family caregivers and volunteers in Nigeria to conduct home visits to support people living with HIV, and in particular women, thereby challenging existing gender and cultural stereotypes.
Positive Women's Network has been at the forefront of the HIV response in South Africa by creating a safe space for women with HIV, comprehensively addressing their needs and forming a powerful group that educates the wider community about HIV.
Pride Community Health Organization Zambia operates a safe haven in Zambia for people living with HIV, particularly orphans, vulnerable children, youth, women and people with disabilities, providing them with HIV and tuberculosis care, and support through home-based care services.
The Initiative for Equal Rights was established in response to human rights violations against sexual minorities and focuses on the health needs of men who have sex with men, slowly breaking the silence around issues of sexual minorities in, Nigeria.
Uganda Young Positive has mobilized over 20,000 young people across Uganda to conduct advocacy activities and become a point of convergence for all other youth organisations that advocate for greater support for people living with HIV.
ARAB STATES
Substance Abuse Research Center – SARC-AMAN is the first organisation in Gaza, the Palestinian territories to tackle issues of drug use and HIV, including stigma and misconceptions associated with these issues, in student and refugee populations.
Widows, Orphans and People Living with HIV/AIDS is a community organisation of people living with HIV in Southern Sudan and works to increase access to anti-retroviral treatment by forming partnerships with hospitals, facilitating referrals for treatment, and developing a home-based care system.
Source: United Nations Joint Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS)
UNDP Announces 2010 Red Ribbon Award Winners/ Biennial global award celebrates outstanding community leadership and action on AIDS
NEW YORK, July 12, 2010/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- Twenty-five community-based organisations representing 17 countries across the globe have won the 2010 Red Ribbon Award.
The Red Ribbon Award, named after the global symbol in the movement to address AIDS, is a joint effort of the UNAIDS family. The award recognizes outstanding community organisations for their work in reducing the spread and impact of AIDS.
“Grassroots and community based organizations are at the heart of the global response to AIDS,” said UNAIDS Deputy Executive Director, Management & External Relations Jan Beagle, “UNAIDS is proud to celebrate and honor these groups who have mobilized themselves to meet the needs of the most vulnerable in their communities with energy, passion, and compassion. The red ribbon award winners give a resounding voice to the voiceless.”
Each of the winning organizations receives a cash award and international recognition for their innovation and leadership in responding to the AIDS epidemic. The organizations are invited to participate in the XVIII International AIDS Conference to be held in Vienna next week where they will be guests of honour at a formal Awards Ceremony and will host a forum for dialogue and exchange between policy makers and community representatives.
“Communities really hold the key to finding solutions to their own problems," said Dr. Helene Gayle, President and CEO of CARE, and a member of this year's jury panel. "So while those of us with a lot of outside expertise may know the theories, community organizations are best suited to reach those most in need when it comes to applying them.”
Out of 720 nominations from over 100 countries, the 25 winners were judged to have demonstrated the most remarkable efforts in terms of innovation, impact, sustainability, strategic partnerships, gender sensitivity and social inclusion. The winners were selected by a Technical Review Committee of civil society representatives who are experts in the community response to HIV.
“These organizations clearly demonstrate that effective responses to the epidemic require the full participation of front-line, community-based groups. Community groups recognize that AIDS is one of many issues that are tied together. They understand that AIDS requires an exceptional response but they also understand that you need to link AIDS to broader issues of health, development and justice to be effective,” said Jeffrey O'Malley, Director of the HIV/AIDS Practice at UNDP.
UNDP is honoured to announce the 2010 Red Ribbon Award Winners:
AFRICA
Association Pénitentiaire Africaine is an organization in Burkina Faso that has served as a model for raising awareness of prisoners' human rights, specifically the right to health, which includes HIV prevention, treatment, care and support.
Center for Domestic Violence Prevention works at the civil society and government levels in Uganda to build an environment that is supportive of women's rights to safety and equality, underlying issues behind women's vulnerability to HIV in that nation.
Chrysalide operates a centre of support for women with HIV, drug users, sex workers and ex-prisoners, and has through HIV prevention and sensitization programmes reduced stigma and discrimination experienced by people living with HIV in communities throughout Mauritius.
Elan d'Amour has played a catalytic role in improving access to HIV treatment and care by modelling how to integrate community organizations into the health care system of Cote d'Ivoire.
Nikat Women's Association is the first community-based association in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia that is devoted to improving the living conditions of low-income women and commercial sex workers, thereby fighting poverty and protecting the right to health.
Physicians for Social Justice has trained family caregivers and volunteers in Nigeria to conduct home visits to support people living with HIV, and in particular women, thereby challenging existing gender and cultural stereotypes.
Positive Women's Network has been at the forefront of the HIV response in South Africa by creating a safe space for women with HIV, comprehensively addressing their needs and forming a powerful group that educates the wider community about HIV.
Pride Community Health Organization Zambia operates a safe haven in Zambia for people living with HIV, particularly orphans, vulnerable children, youth, women and people with disabilities, providing them with HIV and tuberculosis care, and support through home-based care services.
The Initiative for Equal Rights was established in response to human rights violations against sexual minorities and focuses on the health needs of men who have sex with men, slowly breaking the silence around issues of sexual minorities in, Nigeria.
Uganda Young Positive has mobilized over 20,000 young people across Uganda to conduct advocacy activities and become a point of convergence for all other youth organisations that advocate for greater support for people living with HIV.
ARAB STATES
Substance Abuse Research Center – SARC-AMAN is the first organisation in Gaza, the Palestinian territories to tackle issues of drug use and HIV, including stigma and misconceptions associated with these issues, in student and refugee populations.
Widows, Orphans and People Living with HIV/AIDS is a community organisation of people living with HIV in Southern Sudan and works to increase access to anti-retroviral treatment by forming partnerships with hospitals, facilitating referrals for treatment, and developing a home-based care system.
Source: United Nations Joint Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS)
This New Minimum Wage of N17, 000 is Nonsense
Nigerian low income earners deserve more payNigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has been negotiating for N52000 minimum wage which is reasonable and realistic in view of the present state of the economy. But what the Federal Government of Nigeria decided to pay is a paltry N17, 000.
This new minimum wage of N17, 000 IS NONSENSE.
N17, 000 is not even up to a living wage for any adult low income worker anywhere in Nigeria.
The cost of living in Lagos for the poorest of the poor is about N1, 000 daily and that is only for a single adult without any family.
How can families working in low-wage jobs earning only N17, 000 monthly make ends meet?
N17, 000 is not even enough to feed one Alsatian Dog in a Nigerian senator's residence.
I support the demands of the Nigerian Labour Congress.
~ Orikinla Osinachi
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Saturday, July 10, 2010
Who is Afraid of a Bloody Revolution?
Who is afraid of a bloody revolution?
“We need a revolutionary change, a bloody one and those who survive will pick the pieces…corruption has eaten deep and everybody is involved, only a bloody revolution will remedy the situation.
That was how France was saved… if you read about the French revolution, that was what saved France and Europe is what it is today because of the French revolution. I cannot see the country being saved other than through a bloody revolution.”
~ Prof. Ben Nwabueze, SAN, at the occasion of the public presentation of his new book Colonialism in Africa: Ancient and Modern (Volumes 1 & 2), at the Nigeria Institute of International Affairs, Kofo Abayomi, Victoria Island, Lagos, on Wednesday July 7, 2010.
I concur with the erudite scholar and an icon of the incorruptible Nigerian intelligentsia.
The Nigerian intelligentsia is cast between the devil and the deep blue sea held to ransom by a corrupt ruling class ruled by a culture of corruption and a culture of hypocrisy.
There is the despotic corrupt ruling class of the kleptocracy and the hypocritical electorate who do not even think twice to muffle their conscience once they get the chance to dine and wine with the corrupt kleptomaniacs in the corridors of power.
I have no respect whatsoever for both or anyone without dignity and integrity.
It is a gross waste of time to engage in any discussion with these dogs and pigs of the earth.
"Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces.”
~ Matthew 7:6 of the Holy Bible.
Here we are with a President Goodluck Jonathan whose chief advisers are unrepentant kleptomaniacs former President Oloye Olusẹgun Mathew Okikiọla Arẹmu Ọbasanjọ, GCFR, retired General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma GCON FSS, psc, and his former boss Diepreye Solomon Peter Alamieyeseigha ("DSP").
OBJ is the boss of all bosses of the Nigerian political Cosa Nostra.
They think they are sacred cows or untouchables who are above the law.
But they should be ready for the Judgment Day around the corner.
The solution is the total eradication of corruption at all levels and in all quarters by the elimination and extermination of all corrupt and evil people wherever we find them from the street to the pulpit, from the classrooms to the corridors of public and private offices.
We must not spare evil people otherwise they will continue to perpetrate and perpetuate their evils.
If we do not destroy evil doers, evil doers will destroy us.
“We need a revolutionary change, a bloody one and those who survive will pick the pieces…corruption has eaten deep and everybody is involved, only a bloody revolution will remedy the situation.
That was how France was saved… if you read about the French revolution, that was what saved France and Europe is what it is today because of the French revolution. I cannot see the country being saved other than through a bloody revolution.”
~ Prof. Ben Nwabueze, SAN, at the occasion of the public presentation of his new book Colonialism in Africa: Ancient and Modern (Volumes 1 & 2), at the Nigeria Institute of International Affairs, Kofo Abayomi, Victoria Island, Lagos, on Wednesday July 7, 2010.
I concur with the erudite scholar and an icon of the incorruptible Nigerian intelligentsia.
The Nigerian intelligentsia is cast between the devil and the deep blue sea held to ransom by a corrupt ruling class ruled by a culture of corruption and a culture of hypocrisy.
There is the despotic corrupt ruling class of the kleptocracy and the hypocritical electorate who do not even think twice to muffle their conscience once they get the chance to dine and wine with the corrupt kleptomaniacs in the corridors of power.
I have no respect whatsoever for both or anyone without dignity and integrity.
It is a gross waste of time to engage in any discussion with these dogs and pigs of the earth.
"Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces.”
~ Matthew 7:6 of the Holy Bible.
Here we are with a President Goodluck Jonathan whose chief advisers are unrepentant kleptomaniacs former President Oloye Olusẹgun Mathew Okikiọla Arẹmu Ọbasanjọ, GCFR, retired General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma GCON FSS, psc, and his former boss Diepreye Solomon Peter Alamieyeseigha ("DSP").
OBJ is the boss of all bosses of the Nigerian political Cosa Nostra.
They think they are sacred cows or untouchables who are above the law.
But they should be ready for the Judgment Day around the corner.
The solution is the total eradication of corruption at all levels and in all quarters by the elimination and extermination of all corrupt and evil people wherever we find them from the street to the pulpit, from the classrooms to the corridors of public and private offices.
We must not spare evil people otherwise they will continue to perpetrate and perpetuate their evils.
If we do not destroy evil doers, evil doers will destroy us.
Friday, July 9, 2010
Senator Yerima : Ambiguity In The Nigerian Constitution Proclaims Yes And No To Child Marriage
Senator Yerima : Ambiguity In The Nigerian Constitution Proclaims Yes And No To Child Marriage
Now, the National Agency for Prohibition of Traffic in Persons and Other related matters (NAPTIP) have apparently uncovered the inherent conflict surrounding the constitutional declarations on Child right’s law.
As a consequence it appears unable to gather adequate legal evidence to charge Senator Ahmed Sani Yerima of Zamfara State to Court. However, it has reportedly ‘zoned’ or referred the matter to the Federal Ministry of Justice.
Assuming the Ministry of Justice will follow up with the case it will have to look at the apparently hurriedly prepared Nigerian Constitution of 1999; known for its mark of the three Axis of Religion in regard to family affairs.
Firstly, there is the Customary or Tribal practice, which allows an innocent girl to be plucked up into a marriageable life with an adult male. A marital arrangement that is usually secured through a monetary exchange and consent from the girl’s parents, the father in particular.
Secondly, there is the Islamic side of the Constitution that protects the rights of Muslims. One of the liberties is the right of an adult male to marry a girl of any age.
Lastly, there is the Euro-American/Judeo-Christian type proclamation in the Nigerian Constitution known as the Child’s Right Act which authorizes a marriage only if the female is not below the age of 18 years.
Clearly, this Axis of legal-religious declarations in family law leaves the Constitution in a state of an embattled document.
In describing the U. S. Constitutional system, a system taken on by Nigeria, President Barack Obama noted in his world wild speech in Turkey in April of 2009, that “America in not a Christian, Jewish or Muslim Nation”.
Exactly, a year later, President Jonathan, in his acting capacity asserted in a CNN interview with Political Anchor Christiane Amapour in April, that “We (Nigerians) are a very, very religious society”.
Some days later, following Jonathan’s religious affirmation in Washington, D.C; Senator Ahmed Sani Yerima confirmed in a BBC interview that “As a Muslim, as I always say, I consider God’s Law and that of his Prophet above any law”. “I will not respect any law that contradicts that and whoever wants to sanction me for that is free to do that” “ I don’t care about the issue of age since I have not violated any rule as far as Islam is concerned”.
In this regard the split minded Nigerian Constitution protects his religious rights that allow him to marry any innocent female girl of any age. Sections 37 and 38 of the 1999 Constitutional law of the land appear to guarantee his Islamic beliefs on marriage.
As far as Senator Yerima is concerned, the Judeo-Christian clothed Child’s Rights Act of 2003 that is anti-child marriage, as it relates to marriage to any female below 18 years is an invasion of his right to privacy. He views the Child’s Right Act as an antithesis to his right to propagate, and an infringement on his family make- up.
In the face of these inherent ambiguous, equivocal or oppositional declarations in the Constitution, the Nigerian Constitution, clearly potentially victimizes every girl in the country.
As it stands now, no one is sure of what represents the highest supreme law on this issue in Nigeria. But in the case of Nigeria’s Constitutional parent, America, its Rule of Law bars any religious test to anything, including marriage.
So what needs to be done is not an easy answer but if it true that Nigeria is a “religious society” as proclaimed by President Jonathan, every religious faith is free to decide what constitutes marital arrangements under the ideologies of their faith.
Along the same lines, the government should be free to use its statutory power to reject or accept any marriage in terms of legal recognition.
To avoid any one circumventing the legal process in family/ marriage rights, a new national definition of marriage or marriage protection amendment is warranted.
Also, the legislative bodies and the Supreme Court should make it clear to persons of all faiths or non-faiths that they have the absolute right to believe in their beliefs.
But the liberty to act out those beliefs must not intimidate the safety of a democratic society. Most especially, religious beliefs must not threaten any one deemed psychologically, biologically and communally vulnerable.
So if Nigeria wants to preserve its democracy it should tell everyone what marriage law supersedes different religious marriages?
The people need to know directly from the President if on a federal level, marriage is legally defined as between two adults? For example, do he and she have to be at least of 18 years old irrespective of religious/ethnic background? Also, does such legal mandate apply to all Nigerian States?
Also, should another State be compelled to recognize an adult –child marriage performed in another State like the Qur’an toeing Katsina or Sokoto.
How would such an inter-State movement turn out, for example, as it relates to a purported pregnant Muslim girl child of about eleven and half years old being able to benefit from family medical leave from her school in a predominantly non-Muslim State like Enugu?
How would such situation work out, for example between her 51 years old husband and a secular or a Christian physician, and the Headmaster of her school?
It is certainly difficult to predict what type of road lies ahead on matters like child marriage.
But as long as Nigeria functions as one part of a Global democracy where the safety and liberty of the susceptible is constantly being affirmed the President, the Supreme Court and the federal/State legislatures cannot just push this matter aside.
We are looking at a situation that could threaten the overall unity of the people and rip apart the collective future of the Nigerian Republic.
~ By John Oshodi
John Egbeazien Oshodi, Ph. D, DABPS, FACFE, Clinical/Forensic Psychologist and the Interim Associate Dean of Behavioral Science, Broward College, Coconut Creek, Florida. joshodi@broward.edu
Now, the National Agency for Prohibition of Traffic in Persons and Other related matters (NAPTIP) have apparently uncovered the inherent conflict surrounding the constitutional declarations on Child right’s law.
As a consequence it appears unable to gather adequate legal evidence to charge Senator Ahmed Sani Yerima of Zamfara State to Court. However, it has reportedly ‘zoned’ or referred the matter to the Federal Ministry of Justice.
Assuming the Ministry of Justice will follow up with the case it will have to look at the apparently hurriedly prepared Nigerian Constitution of 1999; known for its mark of the three Axis of Religion in regard to family affairs.
Firstly, there is the Customary or Tribal practice, which allows an innocent girl to be plucked up into a marriageable life with an adult male. A marital arrangement that is usually secured through a monetary exchange and consent from the girl’s parents, the father in particular.
Secondly, there is the Islamic side of the Constitution that protects the rights of Muslims. One of the liberties is the right of an adult male to marry a girl of any age.
Lastly, there is the Euro-American/Judeo-Christian type proclamation in the Nigerian Constitution known as the Child’s Right Act which authorizes a marriage only if the female is not below the age of 18 years.
Clearly, this Axis of legal-religious declarations in family law leaves the Constitution in a state of an embattled document.
In describing the U. S. Constitutional system, a system taken on by Nigeria, President Barack Obama noted in his world wild speech in Turkey in April of 2009, that “America in not a Christian, Jewish or Muslim Nation”.
Exactly, a year later, President Jonathan, in his acting capacity asserted in a CNN interview with Political Anchor Christiane Amapour in April, that “We (Nigerians) are a very, very religious society”.
Some days later, following Jonathan’s religious affirmation in Washington, D.C; Senator Ahmed Sani Yerima confirmed in a BBC interview that “As a Muslim, as I always say, I consider God’s Law and that of his Prophet above any law”. “I will not respect any law that contradicts that and whoever wants to sanction me for that is free to do that” “ I don’t care about the issue of age since I have not violated any rule as far as Islam is concerned”.
In this regard the split minded Nigerian Constitution protects his religious rights that allow him to marry any innocent female girl of any age. Sections 37 and 38 of the 1999 Constitutional law of the land appear to guarantee his Islamic beliefs on marriage.
As far as Senator Yerima is concerned, the Judeo-Christian clothed Child’s Rights Act of 2003 that is anti-child marriage, as it relates to marriage to any female below 18 years is an invasion of his right to privacy. He views the Child’s Right Act as an antithesis to his right to propagate, and an infringement on his family make- up.
In the face of these inherent ambiguous, equivocal or oppositional declarations in the Constitution, the Nigerian Constitution, clearly potentially victimizes every girl in the country.
As it stands now, no one is sure of what represents the highest supreme law on this issue in Nigeria. But in the case of Nigeria’s Constitutional parent, America, its Rule of Law bars any religious test to anything, including marriage.
So what needs to be done is not an easy answer but if it true that Nigeria is a “religious society” as proclaimed by President Jonathan, every religious faith is free to decide what constitutes marital arrangements under the ideologies of their faith.
Along the same lines, the government should be free to use its statutory power to reject or accept any marriage in terms of legal recognition.
To avoid any one circumventing the legal process in family/ marriage rights, a new national definition of marriage or marriage protection amendment is warranted.
Also, the legislative bodies and the Supreme Court should make it clear to persons of all faiths or non-faiths that they have the absolute right to believe in their beliefs.
But the liberty to act out those beliefs must not intimidate the safety of a democratic society. Most especially, religious beliefs must not threaten any one deemed psychologically, biologically and communally vulnerable.
So if Nigeria wants to preserve its democracy it should tell everyone what marriage law supersedes different religious marriages?
The people need to know directly from the President if on a federal level, marriage is legally defined as between two adults? For example, do he and she have to be at least of 18 years old irrespective of religious/ethnic background? Also, does such legal mandate apply to all Nigerian States?
Also, should another State be compelled to recognize an adult –child marriage performed in another State like the Qur’an toeing Katsina or Sokoto.
How would such an inter-State movement turn out, for example, as it relates to a purported pregnant Muslim girl child of about eleven and half years old being able to benefit from family medical leave from her school in a predominantly non-Muslim State like Enugu?
How would such situation work out, for example between her 51 years old husband and a secular or a Christian physician, and the Headmaster of her school?
It is certainly difficult to predict what type of road lies ahead on matters like child marriage.
But as long as Nigeria functions as one part of a Global democracy where the safety and liberty of the susceptible is constantly being affirmed the President, the Supreme Court and the federal/State legislatures cannot just push this matter aside.
We are looking at a situation that could threaten the overall unity of the people and rip apart the collective future of the Nigerian Republic.
~ By John Oshodi
John Egbeazien Oshodi, Ph. D, DABPS, FACFE, Clinical/Forensic Psychologist and the Interim Associate Dean of Behavioral Science, Broward College, Coconut Creek, Florida. joshodi@broward.edu
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Oracle Octopus Paul predicts Spain to win World Cup -
8 Jul 2010 18:33 Africa/Lagos
Bookmakers Fear Octopus
MANCHESTER, England, July 8, 2010/PRNewswire/ -- The likes of Ronaldo, Rooney and Messi may have failed to hit the heights this World Cup, but an Octopus called Paul with psychic powers has emerged as one of the real stars of this tournament.
Paul's accuracy at predicting match results is gaining him a cult following and the Octopus has the bookies running scared.
Paul, who resides in a tank at Sea Life aquarium in Oberhausen, Germany, has correctly predicted all of Germany's World Cup results - including their 1-0 defeat against Spain.
The two-year-old octopus - who was actually born in Weymouth in England, predicted Germany's wins against England and Argentina, and even Serbia's defeat of Germany in the group stage.
The eight-legged tipster makes his selection by choosing food from two containers, one marked with the flag of Germany and the other their opponents. However the Octopus is also turning tipster for the World Cup final between Spain and Holland.
On line sports betting firm Betfred.com are offering odds of 4/6 that he will come down on the side of Germany in Saturday's match and 11/10 he again risks incurring the wrath of his home country by picking Uruguay.
The same firm can't split Spain or Holland and they are both 10/11.
Punters can also get 15/8 he picks out two winning teams, 11/8 he gets just one of his selections right and 2/1 his amazing run comes to an end and he sides with a pair of losing nations this weekend.
Betfred.com spokesman Mark Pearson,
"The punters are now backing Paul's selections and if his run continues he will cost us a few squid. The bookmakers will want this tipster to become Calamari."
For those who think the Psychic Octopus Paul has more to offer than just football predictions, the talented octopus is 8/1 to star in the next James Bond film!
For all the odds on the World Cup go to http://www.betfred.com/
Contact - Mark Pearson; mark.pearson@betfred.com
Source: Betfred.com
Contact - Mark Pearson; mark.pearson@betfred.com, +44(0)7702-851-425
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Snamprogetti Netherlands B.V. Agrees to Pay $240 Million Penalty in Nigeria LNG Bribery Scandal
7 Jul 2010 18:01 Africa/Lagos
Snamprogetti Netherlands B.V. Resolves Foreign Corrupt Practices Act Investigation and Agrees to Pay $240 Million Criminal Penalty
$1.28 Billion in Total Penalties Obtained to Date for Scheme to Bribe Nigerian Government Officials to Obtain Contracts
WASHINGTON, July 7 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Snamprogetti Netherlands B.V., (Snamprogetti) has agreed to pay a $240 million criminal penalty to resolve charges related to the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) for its participation in a decade-long scheme to bribe Nigerian government officials to obtain engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contracts, the Department of Justice announced today. The EPC contracts to build liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities on Bonny Island, Nigeria, were valued at more than $6 billion.
The department filed a deferred prosecution agreement and a criminal information today against Snamprogetti in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas. The two-count information charges Snamprogetti with one count of conspiracy and one count of aiding and abetting violations of the FCPA. During the relevant time period, Snamprogetti, a Dutch corporation headquartered in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, was a wholly owned subsidiary of Snamprogetti S.p.A., an Italian EPC company headquartered in Milan, Italy.
Snamprogetti, Kellogg Brown & Root Inc. (KBR), Technip S.A. (Technip) and an engineering and construction company headquartered in Yokohama, Japan, were part of a four-company joint venture that was awarded four EPC contracts by Nigeria LNG Ltd. (NLNG), between 1995 and 2004 to build LNG facilities on Bonny Island. The government-owned Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) was the largest shareholder of NLNG, owning 49 percent of the company.
According to court documents, Snamprogetti authorized the joint venture to hire two agents, Jeffrey Tesler and a Japanese trading company, to pay bribes to a range of Nigerian government officials, including top-level executive branch officials, to assist Snamprogetti and the joint venture in obtaining the EPC contracts. At crucial junctures preceding the award of EPC contracts, Snamprogetti's co-conspirators met with successive holders of a top-level office in the executive branch of the Nigerian government to ask the office holders to designate a representative with whom the joint venture should negotiate bribes to Nigerian government officials. The joint venture paid approximately $132 million to a Gibraltar corporation controlled by Tesler and more than $50 million to the Japanese trading company during the course of the bribery scheme. According to court documents, Snamprogetti intended for these payments to be used, in part, for bribes to Nigerian government officials.
Under the terms of the deferred prosecution agreement, the department agreed to defer prosecution of Snamprogetti for two years. Snamprogetti, its current parent company, Saipem S.p.A., and its former parent company, ENI S.p.A. (ENI), agreed to ensure that their compliance programs satisfied certain standards and to cooperate with the department in ongoing investigations. If Snamprogetti and its current and former parent companies abide by the terms of the deferred prosecution agreement, the department will dismiss the criminal information when the term of the agreement expires.
In related cases, KBR's former CEO, Albert "Jack" Stanley, pleaded guilty in September 2008 to conspiring to violate the FCPA for his participation in the bribery scheme, while KBR's successor company, Kellogg Brown & Root LLC, pleaded guilty in February 2009 to charges related to the FCPA for its participation in the scheme to bribe Nigerian government officials. Kellogg Brown & Root LLC was ordered to pay a $402 million fine and to retain an independent compliance monitor for a three-year period to review the design and implementation of its compliance program. In addition, Tesler and Wojciech Chodan, a former salesperson and consultant of a United Kingdom subsidiary of KBR, were indicted in February 2009 on charges related to the FCPA for their alleged participation in the bribery scheme. The United States has requested these defendants' extradition from the United Kingdom. In another related criminal case, the department filed a deferred prosecution agreement and criminal information against Technip on June 28, 2010. According to that agreement, Technip agreed to pay a $240 million criminal penalty and to retain an independent compliance monitor for two years.
Today, Snamprogetti and ENI also reached a settlement of a related civil complaint filed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), charging Snamprogetti with violating the FCPA's anti-bribery provisions, falsifying books and records, and circumventing internal controls and charging ENI with violating the FCPA's books and records and internal controls provisions. As part of that settlement, Snamprogetti and ENI agreed jointly to pay $125 million in disgorgement of profits relating to those violations
"The resolutions in this investigation demonstrate the U.S. government's commitment to identifying and holding accountable all companies and individuals who scheme to bribe foreign government officials to win business," said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Mythili Raman of the Criminal Division. "Snamprogetti and its joint-venture partners conspired to pursue lucrative contracts through a massive bribery scheme - a scheme that has led to more than $1.28 billion in criminal and civil penalties to date. The monetary penalties and enforcement actions that have resulted from this investigation should send a clear message to companies and their employees that using foreign bribery as a means of winning contracts abroad will be punished."
"Today's resolution is yet another example of the FBI's willingness to aggressively investigate individuals and businesses that engage in corrupt conduct around the globe," said Kevin L. Perkins, assistant director of the FBI's Criminal Investigative Division. "Those who elect to expand or protect their business interests through the payment of illegal bribes to foreign public officials should know that they are not beyond the reach of the FBI. Together, with our law enforcement partners around the world, we will identify these bad actors and work with the Justice Department to prosecute them under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and other appropriate federal statutes."
The criminal case is being prosecuted by Acting Assistant Chief William J. Stuckwisch and Deputy Chief Patrick F. Stokes of the Criminal Division's Fraud Section, with investigative assistance from the FBI-Houston Division. The Criminal Division's Office of International Affairs provided substantial assistance. Significant assistance was provided by the SEC's Division of Enforcement and by authorities in France, Italy, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice
CONTACT: U.S. Department of Justice, +1-202-514-2007 or +1-202-514-1888
(TDD)
Web Site: http://www.justice.gov/
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Snamprogetti Netherlands B.V. Resolves Foreign Corrupt Practices Act Investigation and Agrees to Pay $240 Million Criminal Penalty
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