Thursday, September 2, 2010
Too Many Churches, Too Many Fake Christians
Too Many Churches, Too Many Fake Christians
There are more churches in Nigeria than any other nation on earth. But the credibility of most of them is in doubt, because the more you look at the congregants the less Christianity you see in their lives outside the walls of their churches.
As our Lord and Master Jesus Christ our MESSIAH said that by their fruits you shall know them, the fruits of these churches are rotten.
I do not see much difference in the lives of the so called Christians and pagans. In fact, the pagans in Nigeria fear their juju voodoo more than these Nigerian Christians fear GOD.
How can we have millions of people who claim to be regular churchgoers and yet Nigeria is one of the most corrupt countries on earth.
The police officers extorting money from motorists on the road are still showing up in church to increase the congregations of hypocrites.
The covetous and greedy parents who have turned to the pimps of their giddy-giddy daughters are also the so called Christian mothers and elders in the churches.
Majority of the looters in the National Assembly and state assemblies, Local Government and Council offices and other public offices are still the same people sharing the pews with you in the church.
The same impressionable and innocent brothers and sisters posing and posturing as your fellow Christians are still the same cheating, lying, stealing and plotting more evils to harm and even kill others.
Well, you can know them by their fruits and separate the bad apples from the good ones.
~ Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima
There are more churches in Nigeria than any other nation on earth. But the credibility of most of them is in doubt, because the more you look at the congregants the less Christianity you see in their lives outside the walls of their churches.
As our Lord and Master Jesus Christ our MESSIAH said that by their fruits you shall know them, the fruits of these churches are rotten.
I do not see much difference in the lives of the so called Christians and pagans. In fact, the pagans in Nigeria fear their juju voodoo more than these Nigerian Christians fear GOD.
How can we have millions of people who claim to be regular churchgoers and yet Nigeria is one of the most corrupt countries on earth.
The police officers extorting money from motorists on the road are still showing up in church to increase the congregations of hypocrites.
The covetous and greedy parents who have turned to the pimps of their giddy-giddy daughters are also the so called Christian mothers and elders in the churches.
Majority of the looters in the National Assembly and state assemblies, Local Government and Council offices and other public offices are still the same people sharing the pews with you in the church.
The same impressionable and innocent brothers and sisters posing and posturing as your fellow Christians are still the same cheating, lying, stealing and plotting more evils to harm and even kill others.
Well, you can know them by their fruits and separate the bad apples from the good ones.
~ Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima
Workshop on Safety and Protection of African Journalists
1 Sep 2010 19:42 Africa/Lagos
Workshop on safety and protection of African journalists
ADDIS ABABA, September 1, 2010/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- Invitation to representatives of the media
Theme: “Peace and Security for African Journalists!!!”
WHEN: 2 – 3 September 2010
WHERE: Headquarters of the African Union Commission. Conference Center, Committee Room 2
WHO: The Division of Communication and Information (DCI) of the African Union Commission, in collaboration with the Federation of African Journalists (FAJ).
WHY: The Year of Peace and Security offers an unprecedented opportunity for the African Union Commission and the Federation of African Journalists to celebrate some accomplishments in partnership with the international community, and review current efforts to peace building on the continent, with a view to strengthening and, where appropriate, launching
new initiatives for peace and security. Such a goal cannot be reached if freedom of expression and a free media, key conditions for good democratic governance, are not able to flourish and journalists cannot work in a safe and secure environment. Thus, the need to join force in organizing this workshop on the safety and protection of African Journalists.
Objectives:
African journalists need the establishment of enduring and effective
safety standards throughout the continent so they can do their legitimate and much-needed work to keep citizens informed.
Safety training and protective equipment have in a few instances been
provided to journalists but they are not enough to guarantee their safety. In the end it will be up to the political will of African leaders
to spell out the measures necessary to help protect journalists.
Policies must be developed and implemented to minimise the risks
faced by journalists. Such measures will send a powerful message of support and solidarity for the newsmen and women who are committed to tell the story of Africa to the Africans and to the rest of the world.
Expected Outcome:
The draft resolution resulting from this workshop is expected to set out extensive policies that will impel member states, their legislative institutions and law enforcement agencies to deal with issues of protection of journalists and impunity.
Participants: The workshop will bring together:
Over 35 unions and associations of journalists across Africa;
Politicians;
Diplomatic Corps;
African Union officials;
Officials from the Federation of African Journalists (FAJ) ;
Officials from the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ);
Journalists leaders in Africa
International and regional lawyers;
Advocacy groups and Safety experts amongst others.
Outline of the Draft Agenda:
Promoting the Safety of Journalists and Overview of Media Security in Africa: General Trends and Main Challenges:
The Risks of Death , Real and Serious: The Case of Somali Journalists
Deadly Trap of Investigative Journalism: Crimes against Journalists in Nigeria
Silence over Crimes and End of Press Freedom: The case of DR Congo
Precarious Working Conditions of North African Journalists
Legal Prospective: Who has responsibility to protect journalists and Why?
Women Reporting Wars – The Challenges
Key role of the African Union in protecting journalists' safety: Identify basis for action and draw up a plan
Measures to uphold the safety and protection of journalists in Africa
Impunity: Source of Insecurity and Continuous Danger
Background:
In Africa, the world's second largest and second most populous continent, journalists take great personal and professional risks to collect process and disseminate news and information to over 1 billion African citizens in 54 states. But sadly, being a journalist today in many places can often be a deadly pursuit, particularly for those covering conflict and other dangerous assignments. Conflict areas and post-conflict areas in Africa are predominantly dangerous environments for journalists.
The African Heads of States and Governments took the decision to declare 2010 the Year of Peace and Security in Africa, proclaiming in paragraph 9 of the Tripoli Declaration that: “We are determined to deal once and for all with the scourge of conflicts and violence on our continent, acknowledging our shortcomings and errors, committing our resources and our best people, and missing no opportunity to push forward the agenda of conflict prevention, peacemaking,
peacekeeping and post-conflict reconstruction. We, as leaders, simply cannot bequeath the burden of conflicts to the next generation of Africans”.
On the occasion of World Press Freedom Day on 3 May this year, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mr. Jean Ping, condemned “all violations of the right to freedom of expression”. “During this year,” he said “our common goal is to make every effort to ensure that weapons are silent, crises are resolved and tensions subside, so that all African nations can peacefully continue continental integration and stand proudly amongst all nations. The press must be able to fully participate in this project by generating and conveying information, to freely play its role in sharing knowledge and in promoting a culture of peace. On this highly symbolic day, I also call upon all the actors of the media to join the African Union so that together we make peace happen in Africa. It is not an option for Africa but a necessity. Peace and security are sine qua non conditions for the development of the media industry and the effective promotion of freedom of expression.”
The Year of Peace and Security offers an unprecedented opportunity for African governments, citizens and institutions, in partnership with the international community, to celebrate our accomplishments and to review current efforts to peace building on the continent, with a view to strengthening these and, where appropriate, launching new initiatives for peace and security.
Journalists in Africa and associated media personnel like camera crew have been increasingly involved in covering news in so-called “hot spots” in war zones or hostile environments as conflicts flared up in countries like Somalia and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The mushrooming of news media organisations meant that increasing number of young people joining the profession without the necessary training on security awareness. At the same time, the technological advances allowed media houses to greatly increase the number of journalists covering conflicts while intensifying the competitive pressures that can force them to take unjustifiable risks. Camera crews and photographers take the biggest risks in conflict areas as they need to be up close to the action. Reporters are often at the sharp end in the battlefields because they want to get information from areas where others fear to tread. Some journalists started to believe that if there is no war, there is no news to report.
The working conditions of journalists are in the most cases inadequate. Journalists working in Africa, as fulltime, and as a freelance, are overall poorly remunerated. They do not enjoy health and safety protection and rarely are covered by insurance. They are not even provided with the necessary equipment to help them protect themselves in conflicts or civilian unrests. Most media houses are not financially stable or strong, and those who have the financial capacity to take safety measures do not want to invest in the safety of journalists.
The African Union Commission, the Federation of African Journalists (FAJ), the pan-African regional organisation of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), which is the global body of journalists representing 600,000 journalists worldwide, has been extremely concerned about the safety of journalists in Africa. Increased insisting that governments as well as media organisations which employ them should take steps to reduce the risks journalists face by protecting them and by ensuring that journalists have all the protective measures they might need.
The Federation of African Journalists and the African Union Commission have joined forces to organise this Regional Workshop on the Safety and Protection of African Journalists which concurs with the objectives associated with the Year of Peace and Security. The Workshop will bring together African journalists, AU politicians and officials, and civil society partners to discuss issues of protection of journalists and impunity. At the heart of these discussion will be the drafting of a resolution, similar to UN Security Council Resolution 1738, which will recognise the protection of journalists based on international law, various UN charters and AU constitutive act and resolutions/policies, Geneva conventions and additional protocols and will put the onus on member states to be responsible for putting an end to intentional attacks against journalists and media professionals, to comply fully with its obligations under international law and to respect their professional independence.
The continental congress of FAJ bringing together representatives of all the African journalists meeting in Harare, Zimbabwe, in March 2010, adopted a powerful resolution on safety and security of African journalists. The World Congress of the IFJ in May 2010 in Spain also unanimously voted for strong support of and solidarity with African journalists. The protection of journalists engaged in dangerous assignments in armed conflict is a major concern for the international community and a key obstacle for achieving the full implementation of the right to freedom of opinion and expression.
Obligations of governments related to the protection of journalists in armed conflict are mostly enshrined in international humanitarian law. The Third Geneva Convention, in its article 4(A) (4) states that persons who accompany the armed forces without actually being members thereof, such as war correspondents, provided that they have received authorisation, from the armed forces which they accompany, benefit from the prisoner-of-war status.
On 23 December 2006, the United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 1738 calling on Governments to protect journalists in armed conflict situations. The Security Council expressed its deep concern at the frequency of acts of violence in many parts of the world against journalists, media professionals and associated personnel in armed conflict, in particular deliberate attacks in violation of international humanitarian law. It condemned intentional attacks against journalists, media professionals and associated personnel, as such, in situations of armed conflict, and calls upon all parties to put an end to such practices. The Security Council demanded that all parties to an armed conflict must comply with their obligations under international law to protect civilians in armed conflict. States and all other parties to an armed conflict were urged to do their utmost to prevent violations of international humanitarian law against civilians, including journalists, media professionals and associated personnel. It also emphasised the responsibility of States in that regard, as well as their obligation to end impunity and to prosecute those responsible for serious violations. UNESCO has a specific mandate to defend freedom of expression and press freedom. In this context, UNESCO has dedicated part of its work to the issue of protection of journalists, in armed conflicts in particular, and has taken various initiatives in that respect.
The Federation of African Journalists and the African Union Commission, in alliance with civil organisations, will endeavour to make the safety and security of African journalists a special feature of The Year of Peace and Security.
CONTACT PERSONS:
Mrs. Habiba Mejri-Cheikh
Spokesperson,
Head, Division of Communication and Information (DCI)
African Union Commission
Tel. Off. (+251) 11 551 7700 Ext. 236
Email: HabibaM@africa-union.org / Mejri-cheikh.habiba@hotmail.com
Mr. Omar Faruk Osman
President, Federation of African Journalists (FAJ)
Tel. +251921322802 / +253 869230
Email: omar@nusoj.org / faruk129@gmail.com
Skype: omarfaruk10
Source: African Union Commission (AUC)
Workshop on safety and protection of African journalists
ADDIS ABABA, September 1, 2010/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- Invitation to representatives of the media
Theme: “Peace and Security for African Journalists!!!”
WHEN: 2 – 3 September 2010
WHERE: Headquarters of the African Union Commission. Conference Center, Committee Room 2
WHO: The Division of Communication and Information (DCI) of the African Union Commission, in collaboration with the Federation of African Journalists (FAJ).
WHY: The Year of Peace and Security offers an unprecedented opportunity for the African Union Commission and the Federation of African Journalists to celebrate some accomplishments in partnership with the international community, and review current efforts to peace building on the continent, with a view to strengthening and, where appropriate, launching
new initiatives for peace and security. Such a goal cannot be reached if freedom of expression and a free media, key conditions for good democratic governance, are not able to flourish and journalists cannot work in a safe and secure environment. Thus, the need to join force in organizing this workshop on the safety and protection of African Journalists.
Objectives:
African journalists need the establishment of enduring and effective
safety standards throughout the continent so they can do their legitimate and much-needed work to keep citizens informed.
Safety training and protective equipment have in a few instances been
provided to journalists but they are not enough to guarantee their safety. In the end it will be up to the political will of African leaders
to spell out the measures necessary to help protect journalists.
Policies must be developed and implemented to minimise the risks
faced by journalists. Such measures will send a powerful message of support and solidarity for the newsmen and women who are committed to tell the story of Africa to the Africans and to the rest of the world.
Expected Outcome:
The draft resolution resulting from this workshop is expected to set out extensive policies that will impel member states, their legislative institutions and law enforcement agencies to deal with issues of protection of journalists and impunity.
Participants: The workshop will bring together:
Over 35 unions and associations of journalists across Africa;
Politicians;
Diplomatic Corps;
African Union officials;
Officials from the Federation of African Journalists (FAJ) ;
Officials from the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ);
Journalists leaders in Africa
International and regional lawyers;
Advocacy groups and Safety experts amongst others.
Outline of the Draft Agenda:
Promoting the Safety of Journalists and Overview of Media Security in Africa: General Trends and Main Challenges:
The Risks of Death , Real and Serious: The Case of Somali Journalists
Deadly Trap of Investigative Journalism: Crimes against Journalists in Nigeria
Silence over Crimes and End of Press Freedom: The case of DR Congo
Precarious Working Conditions of North African Journalists
Legal Prospective: Who has responsibility to protect journalists and Why?
Women Reporting Wars – The Challenges
Key role of the African Union in protecting journalists' safety: Identify basis for action and draw up a plan
Measures to uphold the safety and protection of journalists in Africa
Impunity: Source of Insecurity and Continuous Danger
Background:
In Africa, the world's second largest and second most populous continent, journalists take great personal and professional risks to collect process and disseminate news and information to over 1 billion African citizens in 54 states. But sadly, being a journalist today in many places can often be a deadly pursuit, particularly for those covering conflict and other dangerous assignments. Conflict areas and post-conflict areas in Africa are predominantly dangerous environments for journalists.
The African Heads of States and Governments took the decision to declare 2010 the Year of Peace and Security in Africa, proclaiming in paragraph 9 of the Tripoli Declaration that: “We are determined to deal once and for all with the scourge of conflicts and violence on our continent, acknowledging our shortcomings and errors, committing our resources and our best people, and missing no opportunity to push forward the agenda of conflict prevention, peacemaking,
peacekeeping and post-conflict reconstruction. We, as leaders, simply cannot bequeath the burden of conflicts to the next generation of Africans”.
On the occasion of World Press Freedom Day on 3 May this year, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mr. Jean Ping, condemned “all violations of the right to freedom of expression”. “During this year,” he said “our common goal is to make every effort to ensure that weapons are silent, crises are resolved and tensions subside, so that all African nations can peacefully continue continental integration and stand proudly amongst all nations. The press must be able to fully participate in this project by generating and conveying information, to freely play its role in sharing knowledge and in promoting a culture of peace. On this highly symbolic day, I also call upon all the actors of the media to join the African Union so that together we make peace happen in Africa. It is not an option for Africa but a necessity. Peace and security are sine qua non conditions for the development of the media industry and the effective promotion of freedom of expression.”
The Year of Peace and Security offers an unprecedented opportunity for African governments, citizens and institutions, in partnership with the international community, to celebrate our accomplishments and to review current efforts to peace building on the continent, with a view to strengthening these and, where appropriate, launching new initiatives for peace and security.
Journalists in Africa and associated media personnel like camera crew have been increasingly involved in covering news in so-called “hot spots” in war zones or hostile environments as conflicts flared up in countries like Somalia and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The mushrooming of news media organisations meant that increasing number of young people joining the profession without the necessary training on security awareness. At the same time, the technological advances allowed media houses to greatly increase the number of journalists covering conflicts while intensifying the competitive pressures that can force them to take unjustifiable risks. Camera crews and photographers take the biggest risks in conflict areas as they need to be up close to the action. Reporters are often at the sharp end in the battlefields because they want to get information from areas where others fear to tread. Some journalists started to believe that if there is no war, there is no news to report.
The working conditions of journalists are in the most cases inadequate. Journalists working in Africa, as fulltime, and as a freelance, are overall poorly remunerated. They do not enjoy health and safety protection and rarely are covered by insurance. They are not even provided with the necessary equipment to help them protect themselves in conflicts or civilian unrests. Most media houses are not financially stable or strong, and those who have the financial capacity to take safety measures do not want to invest in the safety of journalists.
The African Union Commission, the Federation of African Journalists (FAJ), the pan-African regional organisation of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), which is the global body of journalists representing 600,000 journalists worldwide, has been extremely concerned about the safety of journalists in Africa. Increased insisting that governments as well as media organisations which employ them should take steps to reduce the risks journalists face by protecting them and by ensuring that journalists have all the protective measures they might need.
The Federation of African Journalists and the African Union Commission have joined forces to organise this Regional Workshop on the Safety and Protection of African Journalists which concurs with the objectives associated with the Year of Peace and Security. The Workshop will bring together African journalists, AU politicians and officials, and civil society partners to discuss issues of protection of journalists and impunity. At the heart of these discussion will be the drafting of a resolution, similar to UN Security Council Resolution 1738, which will recognise the protection of journalists based on international law, various UN charters and AU constitutive act and resolutions/policies, Geneva conventions and additional protocols and will put the onus on member states to be responsible for putting an end to intentional attacks against journalists and media professionals, to comply fully with its obligations under international law and to respect their professional independence.
The continental congress of FAJ bringing together representatives of all the African journalists meeting in Harare, Zimbabwe, in March 2010, adopted a powerful resolution on safety and security of African journalists. The World Congress of the IFJ in May 2010 in Spain also unanimously voted for strong support of and solidarity with African journalists. The protection of journalists engaged in dangerous assignments in armed conflict is a major concern for the international community and a key obstacle for achieving the full implementation of the right to freedom of opinion and expression.
Obligations of governments related to the protection of journalists in armed conflict are mostly enshrined in international humanitarian law. The Third Geneva Convention, in its article 4(A) (4) states that persons who accompany the armed forces without actually being members thereof, such as war correspondents, provided that they have received authorisation, from the armed forces which they accompany, benefit from the prisoner-of-war status.
On 23 December 2006, the United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 1738 calling on Governments to protect journalists in armed conflict situations. The Security Council expressed its deep concern at the frequency of acts of violence in many parts of the world against journalists, media professionals and associated personnel in armed conflict, in particular deliberate attacks in violation of international humanitarian law. It condemned intentional attacks against journalists, media professionals and associated personnel, as such, in situations of armed conflict, and calls upon all parties to put an end to such practices. The Security Council demanded that all parties to an armed conflict must comply with their obligations under international law to protect civilians in armed conflict. States and all other parties to an armed conflict were urged to do their utmost to prevent violations of international humanitarian law against civilians, including journalists, media professionals and associated personnel. It also emphasised the responsibility of States in that regard, as well as their obligation to end impunity and to prosecute those responsible for serious violations. UNESCO has a specific mandate to defend freedom of expression and press freedom. In this context, UNESCO has dedicated part of its work to the issue of protection of journalists, in armed conflicts in particular, and has taken various initiatives in that respect.
The Federation of African Journalists and the African Union Commission, in alliance with civil organisations, will endeavour to make the safety and security of African journalists a special feature of The Year of Peace and Security.
CONTACT PERSONS:
Mrs. Habiba Mejri-Cheikh
Spokesperson,
Head, Division of Communication and Information (DCI)
African Union Commission
Tel. Off. (+251) 11 551 7700 Ext. 236
Email: HabibaM@africa-union.org / Mejri-cheikh.habiba@hotmail.com
Mr. Omar Faruk Osman
President, Federation of African Journalists (FAJ)
Tel. +251921322802 / +253 869230
Email: omar@nusoj.org / faruk129@gmail.com
Skype: omarfaruk10
Source: African Union Commission (AUC)
Releases displayed in Africa/Lagos time
1 Sep 2010
19:42
Workshop on safety and protection of African journalists
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Tuesday, August 31, 2010
First Lady Patience Goodluck Jonathan and the Rivers State Governmnet
Mrs. Jonathan, as a First Lady, here are lessons on the power of the Chief Executive of a State.
Her Excellency, Mrs. Dame Patience Jonathan like every well-meaning daughter or son recently went on a two-day official visit to her home town in the Rivers State of Nigeria.
Madam, there must be pride in among the Okrika people to see your presence in their midst. Also, there is more international pride to your home background as evidenced as having come from the Okrika Island of the Rivers State, especially from an area called Obama, a great and passionate name at best.
First Lady Jonathan, as history tells us for over 400 years the people of Okrika have gone through various struggles, starting as a midpoint of Euro-American slave trade and in the early part of the 20th century the land and the people of Okrika were overshadowed by the city of Port Harcourt.
As an Ijaw woman who has watched the long standing exploitation of the area of Niger River Delta of Nigeria by the Euro-American Oil Corporations, one understands your current sentimentalities.
Madam, here is the problem. You appeared to have crossed the line when you openly went into tantrums with Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, the Chief Executive of the Rivers State. While this writer has never met you or Mr. Amaechi and has no relationship to any of you, there is something that is worth noting in this write-up.
Mrs. Jonathan, there is a bit you need to know about an executive system of government which not only includes the Presidency but the gubernatorial rule or the power of Governorship especially.
As you may be aware of the Nigerian Constitution is modeled after the American constitutional and executive system of governance.
Madam, as one who currently occupies the office of the First Lady of Nigeria you are the number one Hostess to the presidency. Therefore, by tradition your role is ceremonial, social and in our contemporary times you may engage in causes that are dear to you, and this you have done very well with your promotion of women issues.
Madam Jonathan, at the time of this writing you do not have any electable power, governmental role and executive function in the Nigerian government. But privately you could serve as an adviser to the President or any Governor and again this should only, only happen privately. Period!
As we now know from media reports, while recently in your home town of Okrika to launch one of your initiatives for women, during the last day of your two-day visit, and right in front of the people of the Rivers State, you displayed incivility to the Chief Executive of the Rivers State.
As we rightly know, the issue of land is important to the Okrika people and reasonably sentimental to you, therefore any worry you have on this issue should have been communicated to the Chief Executive of the River state, privately.
Thereafter, any public comment on the matter by the Governor as it was during your side by side presence with the Governor should have received silence from you, non-verbally and verbally.
Madam, among your reported utterances and behaviors, here is the one that constitutionally, was almost destabilizing to the functioning of the government of the Rivers State. That is , the verbiage in which you reportedly raised your voice and told the Chief Executive of you State, “Listen! You must listen to me.” Madam, Nigeria is not yet a banana republic where utterances like these are all too common.
Madam, you need to know that the position that Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi of Ikwerre occupies is so powerful and authoritative that it could have been worst for you in terms of the overall frustration over this whole matter.
It is reported that the Governor after your unruly acts towards him and during a reception for you stayed in his car. He could have been thinking of putting you on official notice or taking other Stately measures towards you? We will never know.
But what is clear is that you were apparently recalled back to your official home in Abuja, a far lesser dishonor compared to any other executive consequence from the Chief Executive of the State.
Madam, in an executive democracy like Nigeria the power of a Governor is huge. He as in the case of the Honorable Amaechi is the sovereign head of the Rivers State. That means, within the Federal system of Nigeria, the Governor retains independent power and he is not subordinate to anyone including the President, in this case your husband, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan.
The Governor like the President is equally subservient to the rule of law or the Constitution. Madam, in a truly and functional nation with an executive system of government, the Governor by virtue of being elected by the people of the State has the statutory power to implement any executive order he wishes and, not even the State legislature could stop him.
Madam, when you reportedly told the Governor in his face that he should not use the word “Must” in reference to the demolition of buildings in place for space for new schools, you committed a grave error.
Why, because no one, not the even President, the King, or the legislature could stop him from his “must” to do list except the Courts.
Madam, now you see why your air evacuation was so sudden without completing your planned visit to the prisons and to a newly built school.
Madam, such is the nature of the extensive power of an executive, independent and sovereign head of a State. You may not recognize the constitutional and political influence wielded by a Governor but your husband certainly does in his capacity as a President in an executive system of government.
Madam, you almost pushed the State “to go into crises” the very concern you publicly posed to the Governor. Thank God for airplanes, as you left so quick in that some oppositional or troubled minds could have taking advantage of this confusion and provoke more problems.
Madam, any reasonable person knows you met well to your people given the long history of the exploitation of that area of Nigeria. So your concerns must be welcomed by any Nigerian leader but madam, learn to present your issues privately as such is the duty of the first lady of the nation and the role of the first hostess to the Presidency.
Madam, to do otherwise especially when your husband could be in power for the next eight years could further compound the functioning of a society that is almost at its breaking point.
What every good faith Nigerian should see next is the breaking of kolanut or the sharing of soft drink between the First lady and the Governor in the Okrika town or at the Governor’s compound, all for the sake of harmony. There is no need for police or official investigation, all that is needed now is just a kolanut or a fizzy drink summit for peace sake and for the future progress of the people.
~ By John Oshodi
John Egbeazien Oshodi, Ph.D, DABPS, FACFE is a practicing Forensic/Clinical Psychologist and the Interim Associate Dean of Academic Affairs-Behavioral Science, North Campus, Broward College, Coconut Creek, Florida. joshodi@broward.edu.
Her Excellency, Mrs. Dame Patience Jonathan like every well-meaning daughter or son recently went on a two-day official visit to her home town in the Rivers State of Nigeria.
Madam, there must be pride in among the Okrika people to see your presence in their midst. Also, there is more international pride to your home background as evidenced as having come from the Okrika Island of the Rivers State, especially from an area called Obama, a great and passionate name at best.
First Lady Jonathan, as history tells us for over 400 years the people of Okrika have gone through various struggles, starting as a midpoint of Euro-American slave trade and in the early part of the 20th century the land and the people of Okrika were overshadowed by the city of Port Harcourt.
As an Ijaw woman who has watched the long standing exploitation of the area of Niger River Delta of Nigeria by the Euro-American Oil Corporations, one understands your current sentimentalities.
Madam, here is the problem. You appeared to have crossed the line when you openly went into tantrums with Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, the Chief Executive of the Rivers State. While this writer has never met you or Mr. Amaechi and has no relationship to any of you, there is something that is worth noting in this write-up.
Mrs. Jonathan, there is a bit you need to know about an executive system of government which not only includes the Presidency but the gubernatorial rule or the power of Governorship especially.
As you may be aware of the Nigerian Constitution is modeled after the American constitutional and executive system of governance.
Madam, as one who currently occupies the office of the First Lady of Nigeria you are the number one Hostess to the presidency. Therefore, by tradition your role is ceremonial, social and in our contemporary times you may engage in causes that are dear to you, and this you have done very well with your promotion of women issues.
Madam Jonathan, at the time of this writing you do not have any electable power, governmental role and executive function in the Nigerian government. But privately you could serve as an adviser to the President or any Governor and again this should only, only happen privately. Period!
As we now know from media reports, while recently in your home town of Okrika to launch one of your initiatives for women, during the last day of your two-day visit, and right in front of the people of the Rivers State, you displayed incivility to the Chief Executive of the Rivers State.
As we rightly know, the issue of land is important to the Okrika people and reasonably sentimental to you, therefore any worry you have on this issue should have been communicated to the Chief Executive of the River state, privately.
Thereafter, any public comment on the matter by the Governor as it was during your side by side presence with the Governor should have received silence from you, non-verbally and verbally.
Madam, among your reported utterances and behaviors, here is the one that constitutionally, was almost destabilizing to the functioning of the government of the Rivers State. That is , the verbiage in which you reportedly raised your voice and told the Chief Executive of you State, “Listen! You must listen to me.” Madam, Nigeria is not yet a banana republic where utterances like these are all too common.
Madam, you need to know that the position that Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi of Ikwerre occupies is so powerful and authoritative that it could have been worst for you in terms of the overall frustration over this whole matter.
It is reported that the Governor after your unruly acts towards him and during a reception for you stayed in his car. He could have been thinking of putting you on official notice or taking other Stately measures towards you? We will never know.
But what is clear is that you were apparently recalled back to your official home in Abuja, a far lesser dishonor compared to any other executive consequence from the Chief Executive of the State.
Madam, in an executive democracy like Nigeria the power of a Governor is huge. He as in the case of the Honorable Amaechi is the sovereign head of the Rivers State. That means, within the Federal system of Nigeria, the Governor retains independent power and he is not subordinate to anyone including the President, in this case your husband, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan.
The Governor like the President is equally subservient to the rule of law or the Constitution. Madam, in a truly and functional nation with an executive system of government, the Governor by virtue of being elected by the people of the State has the statutory power to implement any executive order he wishes and, not even the State legislature could stop him.
Madam, when you reportedly told the Governor in his face that he should not use the word “Must” in reference to the demolition of buildings in place for space for new schools, you committed a grave error.
Why, because no one, not the even President, the King, or the legislature could stop him from his “must” to do list except the Courts.
Madam, now you see why your air evacuation was so sudden without completing your planned visit to the prisons and to a newly built school.
Madam, such is the nature of the extensive power of an executive, independent and sovereign head of a State. You may not recognize the constitutional and political influence wielded by a Governor but your husband certainly does in his capacity as a President in an executive system of government.
Madam, you almost pushed the State “to go into crises” the very concern you publicly posed to the Governor. Thank God for airplanes, as you left so quick in that some oppositional or troubled minds could have taking advantage of this confusion and provoke more problems.
Madam, any reasonable person knows you met well to your people given the long history of the exploitation of that area of Nigeria. So your concerns must be welcomed by any Nigerian leader but madam, learn to present your issues privately as such is the duty of the first lady of the nation and the role of the first hostess to the Presidency.
Madam, to do otherwise especially when your husband could be in power for the next eight years could further compound the functioning of a society that is almost at its breaking point.
What every good faith Nigerian should see next is the breaking of kolanut or the sharing of soft drink between the First lady and the Governor in the Okrika town or at the Governor’s compound, all for the sake of harmony. There is no need for police or official investigation, all that is needed now is just a kolanut or a fizzy drink summit for peace sake and for the future progress of the people.
~ By John Oshodi
John Egbeazien Oshodi, Ph.D, DABPS, FACFE is a practicing Forensic/Clinical Psychologist and the Interim Associate Dean of Academic Affairs-Behavioral Science, North Campus, Broward College, Coconut Creek, Florida. joshodi@broward.edu.
Mrs.Patience Goodluck Jonathan Versus Gov. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi
The First Lady of Nigeria, Mrs. Patience Goodluck Jonathan and the Governor of Rivers State. RT.Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi."All the primary schools in Okrika are surrounded by houses and we don't want the schools to be surrounded by residential houses where people cook and sell and distract the pupils, so we have to demolish them. We want to pay them compensation and demolish the houses".
~ Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State in Nigeria on August 24, 2010.
"But what I am telling you is that you always say you must demolish, that word must you use is not good. It is by pleading. You appeal to the owners of the compound because they will not go into exile. Land is a serious issue".
~ Mrs. Patience Goodluck, the first wife of President Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria.
The above exchange of words between the First Lady, Mrs. Patience Goodluck Jonathan and Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers state took place in Okrika last Tuesday August 24, 2010, when Mrs. Jonathan criticized the governor for his insistence to demolish water fronts to build a school. After the unpleasant incidence, she left the state without completing her tour as she angrily returned to Abuja from her civic reception ground in Okrika. She no longer visited the prisons where some inmates were waiting to be released and she cancelled the inspection of the model Secondary School at Ebubu Eleme.
Madam First Lady Patience Goodluck Jonathan has been throwing her weight around and supported by the desperate camps of President Goodluck Jonathan who have been paid millions of naira, including many Nollywood actors, to use image laundering to delete the money laundering case against Mrs. Patience Goodluck and her proxies.
Lest we forget that on September 11, 2006, Mr. Osita Nwajah, the EFCC spokesman made a public declaration that a whopping sum of $13.5 million Dollars(US) was seized from Mrs. Patience Jonathan, the wife of then Governor of Bayelsa State, Mr. Goodluck Jonathan.
“Abia is number one (of corrupt state) not because it is number one alphabetically, but because we have one of the biggest established cases of stealing, money laundering, diversion of fund against Governor Kalu. The governor used his mother, daughter, wife and brother to divert N35billion to build his business empire including Slok Airlines, Slok Pharmaceuticals and newspaper house…Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu corruption is of international dimension.There is s also a petition against the Governor of Bayelsa’s wife. She was involved in laundering the sum of one hundred and four million into foreign account. She is also being investigated.”
~ Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, during the plenary section of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which held on September 27, 2006.
The case is suit number FHC/ABJ/M/340/06 filed on August 21, 2007 at the Federal High Court, Abuja.
For a detailed account of the EFCC case of money laundering implicating Mrs. Goodluck Jonathan, see Jonathan Goodluck’s Family, Sahara Reporters, Ribadu or Adewuyi: Who Lied Against Whom? By Adebiyi Jelili Abudugana, Published 06/19/2010, in the Nigeria Matters of Nigerians In America.
Monday, August 30, 2010
A mail from Daily Kos: Join the Fight to Protect Social Security
Orikinla Osinachi,
President Obama has appointed a bipartisan commission to develop recommendations to balance the budget. For whatever reason, the commission is loaded with Blue Dogs and Republican opponents of Social Security. For example, the Republican co-chair of the commission, Alan Simpson, recently insulted an advocate for women's rights by saying Social Security is like a welfare "milk cow with 310 million tits." Seriously.
And that's not all Simpson has said. The Progressive Change Campaign Committee (PCCC) has put together a website with Simpson's most offensive quotes. The website has a game where you try and tell Simpson's real quotes from fake ones. Play the game, and join the fight to protect Social Security, here:
Click here to see what Alan Simpson said about Americans who depend on Social Security.
Many members of the deficit commission are multi-millionaires and corporate CEOs who are out of touch with America. Some members of the commission have suggested cutting health care for veterans in order to preserve expensive weapons deals for defense contractors. A majority of the members of the commission favor gambling some, or all, Social Security funds on Wall Street.
In November, the commission will make its recommendations. In December, Congress is expected to vote on the recommendation without allowing any amendments. Before the commission releases its recommendations, we need to defend Social Security recipients from Wall Street, and veterans from defense contractors, by discrediting Alan Simpson's campaign to cut those vital programs.
To do this, click here to learn more about Alan Simpson, share his quotes with your friends, and join the fight to protect Social Security.
Thanks for all you do,
Markos Moulitsas
Founder, Daily Kos
AU Speaks on Omar Hassan Al-Bashir Visits to Chad and Kenya
30 Aug 2010 05:44 Africa/Lagos
African Union Commission / Press release on the decision of the pre-trial chamber of the ICC informing the UN Security Council and the Assembly of the State Parties to the Rome statute about the presence of president Omar Hassan Al-Bashir of the Sudan in the territories of the Republic of Chad and the Republic of Kenya
ADDIS ABABA, August 29, 2010/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- The African Union Commission has noted with grave concern statements attributed to some members of the UN Security Council as well as the decisions ICC-02/05-01/09 of 27 August 2010 of the ICC Pre Trial Chamber informing the United Nations Security Council and the Assembly of the States Parties to the Rome Statute about Omar Al-Bashir's presence in the territories of the Republic of Chad and the Republic of Kenya.
The said statements and the decisions assert that the two African Union Member States have “a clear obligation to cooperate with the Court in relation to the enforcement of such warrants of arrest, which stems both from the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1593, whereby the United Nations Security Council ‘urge[d] all States and concerned regional and other international organizations to cooperate fully' with the Court, and from article 87 of the Statute of the Court”, to which the two countries are state parties. The African Union Commission further notes that the decision by the Pre-Trial chamber was made strangely in respect of the “expected attendance of Omar Al Bashir at the celebration scheduled for Friday, 27 August 2010”.
The African Union Commission expresses its deep regret that both the statements and the decisions grossly ignore and make no reference whatsoever to the obligations of the two countries to the African union, arising from decisions Assembly/AU/Dec. 245(XIII) adopted by the 13th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government, wherein the Assembly “Decide[d] that in view of the fact that the request by the African Union has never been acted upon (by UN Security Council), the AU Member States shall not cooperate pursuant to the provisions of Article 98 of the Rome Statute of the ICC relating to immunities, for the arrest and surrender of President Omar El Bashir of The Sudan”, which decision was reiterated (decision Assembly/AU/Dec. 296 (XV) by the 15th Ordinary session of the Assembly in July 2010 in Kampala, Uganda. Additionally, the statements and the decisions did not take cognisance whatsoever of the obligations of AU Member states arising from Article 23 (2) of the Constitutive Act of the African Union, which obligates all AU Member States “to comply with the decisions and policies of the Union”. Thus, the decisions adopted by the AU policy organs are binding on Chad and Kenya and it will be wrong to coerce them to violate or disregard their obligations to the African Union.
It is to be recalled that the repeated appeals to the UN Security Council by the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union as well as the AU Peace and Security Council to defer the proceedings against President Omar Hassan Bashir of The Sudan for one year in application of the provisions of Article 16 of the Rome Statute have never been acted upon by the UN Security Council. The same UN Security Council, which has ignored this request by AU member states and which includes states that have no obligations to the International Criminal Court, has no moral authority to sit in judgement over Chad and Kenya. Indeed, by virtue of their membership of the African union, these two countries have committed themselves to “condemnation and rejection of impunity” and voluntarily negotiated the Rome Statute along with the Organisation of African Unity and joined the ICC with a view to enhancing the fight against impunity.
The African Union Commission recalls that both Chad and Kenya being neighbours of The Sudan have an abiding interest in ensuring peace and stability in The Sudan and in promoting peace, justice and reconciliation in that country, which can only be achieved through continuous engagement with the elected government of that country. Neighbouring countries do this as a matter of survival as they bear the brunt of instability or insecurity in neighbouring states. Kenya as a member of IGAD and a guarantor to the peace process in The Sudan, arising from the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and the impending referendum in South Sudan, has a duty and obligation to continuously engage with President Omar Hassan Al Bashir and President Silva Kiir.
It is to be noted that engagement with the elected leaders of The Sudan is vitally and strategically essential and unavoidable for the countries of the region as well as the entire continent, which by their location are better able to understand and take into account the local realities and dynamics. The attempt to involve the UN Security Council in this matter is yet another effort to pressurise African countries to support the ICC irrespective of the complex dynamics on the ground which require a fine balance between peace and justice and, in this regard, the AU shall oppose any attempt to coerce African Countries to undermine the common African position.
The African Union will continue to fight against impunity as required by the relevant Assembly decisions as well as Article 4 of the Constitutive Act and shall oppose the pretensions and double standards that are evident from the statements being made about the two countries. The African Union believes and will continue to pursue in respect of the Sudan the interconnected, mutually interdependent and equally desirable objectives of peace, justice and reconciliation. It also requests all African Countries and Friends of Africa to reject any draft resolution that may be tabled before the UN Security Council on this matter.
Addis Ababa, 29 August 2010.
Source: African Union Commission (AUC)
African Union Commission / Press release on the decision of the pre-trial chamber of the ICC informing the UN Security Council and the Assembly of the State Parties to the Rome statute about the presence of president Omar Hassan Al-Bashir of the Sudan in the territories of the Republic of Chad and the Republic of Kenya
ADDIS ABABA, August 29, 2010/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- The African Union Commission has noted with grave concern statements attributed to some members of the UN Security Council as well as the decisions ICC-02/05-01/09 of 27 August 2010 of the ICC Pre Trial Chamber informing the United Nations Security Council and the Assembly of the States Parties to the Rome Statute about Omar Al-Bashir's presence in the territories of the Republic of Chad and the Republic of Kenya.
The said statements and the decisions assert that the two African Union Member States have “a clear obligation to cooperate with the Court in relation to the enforcement of such warrants of arrest, which stems both from the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1593, whereby the United Nations Security Council ‘urge[d] all States and concerned regional and other international organizations to cooperate fully' with the Court, and from article 87 of the Statute of the Court”, to which the two countries are state parties. The African Union Commission further notes that the decision by the Pre-Trial chamber was made strangely in respect of the “expected attendance of Omar Al Bashir at the celebration scheduled for Friday, 27 August 2010”.
The African Union Commission expresses its deep regret that both the statements and the decisions grossly ignore and make no reference whatsoever to the obligations of the two countries to the African union, arising from decisions Assembly/AU/Dec. 245(XIII) adopted by the 13th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government, wherein the Assembly “Decide[d] that in view of the fact that the request by the African Union has never been acted upon (by UN Security Council), the AU Member States shall not cooperate pursuant to the provisions of Article 98 of the Rome Statute of the ICC relating to immunities, for the arrest and surrender of President Omar El Bashir of The Sudan”, which decision was reiterated (decision Assembly/AU/Dec. 296 (XV) by the 15th Ordinary session of the Assembly in July 2010 in Kampala, Uganda. Additionally, the statements and the decisions did not take cognisance whatsoever of the obligations of AU Member states arising from Article 23 (2) of the Constitutive Act of the African Union, which obligates all AU Member States “to comply with the decisions and policies of the Union”. Thus, the decisions adopted by the AU policy organs are binding on Chad and Kenya and it will be wrong to coerce them to violate or disregard their obligations to the African Union.
It is to be recalled that the repeated appeals to the UN Security Council by the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union as well as the AU Peace and Security Council to defer the proceedings against President Omar Hassan Bashir of The Sudan for one year in application of the provisions of Article 16 of the Rome Statute have never been acted upon by the UN Security Council. The same UN Security Council, which has ignored this request by AU member states and which includes states that have no obligations to the International Criminal Court, has no moral authority to sit in judgement over Chad and Kenya. Indeed, by virtue of their membership of the African union, these two countries have committed themselves to “condemnation and rejection of impunity” and voluntarily negotiated the Rome Statute along with the Organisation of African Unity and joined the ICC with a view to enhancing the fight against impunity.
The African Union Commission recalls that both Chad and Kenya being neighbours of The Sudan have an abiding interest in ensuring peace and stability in The Sudan and in promoting peace, justice and reconciliation in that country, which can only be achieved through continuous engagement with the elected government of that country. Neighbouring countries do this as a matter of survival as they bear the brunt of instability or insecurity in neighbouring states. Kenya as a member of IGAD and a guarantor to the peace process in The Sudan, arising from the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and the impending referendum in South Sudan, has a duty and obligation to continuously engage with President Omar Hassan Al Bashir and President Silva Kiir.
It is to be noted that engagement with the elected leaders of The Sudan is vitally and strategically essential and unavoidable for the countries of the region as well as the entire continent, which by their location are better able to understand and take into account the local realities and dynamics. The attempt to involve the UN Security Council in this matter is yet another effort to pressurise African countries to support the ICC irrespective of the complex dynamics on the ground which require a fine balance between peace and justice and, in this regard, the AU shall oppose any attempt to coerce African Countries to undermine the common African position.
The African Union will continue to fight against impunity as required by the relevant Assembly decisions as well as Article 4 of the Constitutive Act and shall oppose the pretensions and double standards that are evident from the statements being made about the two countries. The African Union believes and will continue to pursue in respect of the Sudan the interconnected, mutually interdependent and equally desirable objectives of peace, justice and reconciliation. It also requests all African Countries and Friends of Africa to reject any draft resolution that may be tabled before the UN Security Council on this matter.
Addis Ababa, 29 August 2010.
Source: African Union Commission (AUC)
Friday, August 27, 2010
CNN Condemns Pastor Helen Ukpabio for Attacking Child Witches in Akwa Ibom
Pastor Helen Ukpabio Crusade poster for War on Witches in Akwa Ibom
CNN Condemns Pastor Helen Ukpabio for Attacking Child Witches in Akwa Ibom
The popular Nollywood movie producer pastor Helen Ukpabio has been condemned in a special CNN report on the abuse and murder of children accused of witchcraft in the Akwa Ibom state of southern Nigeria.
“One of the most notorious and influential pastors is Helen Ukpabio of Liberty Gospel Church. Her 1999 film, the widely distributed, "End of the Wicked" has been attacked by child rights groups for its depictions of Satan possessing children,” reported the CNN on Thursday August 26, 2010.
The reporter said she agreed to be interviewed, but repeatedly postponed it for two days. Ukpabio’s Liberty Gospel Church has been the centre of her deliverances of various children suspected of being witches and wizards.
"Witches and wizards, they started getting afraid. I never gave them rest!" She boasted to her congregation during one of her usual services.
The CNN also highlighted one Pastor Celestine Effiong who is popular for child molestation during his deliverances.
The report by Christian Purefoy investigated the numerous cases of the rampant molestation and murder of innocent children hounded by their parents, guardians or relatives as witches in Akwa Ibom.
"They can say your child is a witch and if you bring the child to the church we can deliver the child but eventually they don't deliver the children... The parents go back to the pastor and say, 'why is it you have not been able to deliver the child' and the pastor says 'Oh - this one has gone past deliverance - they've eaten too much flesh so you have to throw the child out,'" said an eyewitness who was interviewed by the CNN reporter in Akwa Ibom.
Eyewitnesses reported that most pastors even charged between $300 and $2, 000 for exorcism.
Some NGOs have alerted the world and received support from human rights groups for the protection of children, but the local authorities in Akwa Ibom have dismissed them as scammers exaggerating the allegations for their own selfish interests. The state government said a new Child Right’s Bill will stop the further abuse and false accusation of innocent children.
"We insist that the name of Akwa Ibom state must not be smeared and the people of the world should not be deceived by certain NGOs who are claiming to be taking care of stigmatized children of Akwa Ibom," said Aniekan Umanah, the Information Commissioner of Nigeria's Akwa Ibom state.
Poverty and ignorance caused by maladministration have left millions of Nigerians at the mercy of spiritualists claiming to be God sent prophets anointed with healing powers and making promises of astonishing miracles to liberate the poverty stricken masses plagued by socio-political anomie.
Akwa Ibom is famous for being the major place where Mary Slessor the Scottish missionary fought and stopped the barbaric killing of twins in the 19th century.
You can follow the report on Nigeria's child witch scandal on CNN International's Connect The World this week at 2000 GMT.
~ By Orikinla Osinachi
Releases displayed in Africa/Lagos time
26 Aug 2010
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13:09
São Tomé e Príncipe: Oil Deals and the New Government / A Chance to Improve Life for Its People by Managing Resources Well
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Wednesday, August 25, 2010
IBM X-Force Report Reveals Global Security Threats Have Reached Record Levels
25 Aug 2010 13:00 Africa/Lagos
IBM X-Force Report Reveals Global Security Threats Have Reached Record Levels
36 Percent Rise in Vulnerability Disclosures for First Half of 2010
ARMONK, N.Y., Aug. 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- IBM (NYSE:IBM) today released the results of its X-Force 2010 Mid-Year Trend and Risk Report, which showed that vulnerability disclosures are increasing dramatically, having reached record levels for the first half of 2010.
(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20090416/IBMLOGO )
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090416/IBMLOGO )
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100825/NY54829-a )
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(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100825/NY54829-c )
Overall, 4,396 new vulnerabilities were documented by the X-Force Research and Development team in the first half of 2010, a 36 percent increase over the same time period last year. Over half, 55 percent, of all these disclosed vulnerabilities had no vendor-supplied patch at the end of the period.
According to the report, Web application vulnerabilities continued to be the leading threat, accounting for more than half of all public disclosures. In addition, covert attacks increased in complexity hidden within JavaScript and Portable Document Formats (PDFs), while cloud computing and virtualization were noted as key future security topics for enterprise organizations.
In the first-half of 2010, organizations were doing more to identify and disclose security vulnerabilities than ever before. This in turn is having positive effects on the industry by driving more open collaboration to identify and eliminate vulnerabilities before cyber criminals can exploit them.
An overview of the trends is listed below:
Web application vulnerabilities continue to be the largest category of vulnerability disclosures -- Web application vulnerabilities have surpassed all other threats to account for 55 percent of all disclosures. While Web application vulnerabilities continue to climb at a steady rate, these figures may only represent the tip of the iceberg of total Web application vulnerabilities that exist, as they do not include custom-developed Web applications which can also introduce vulnerabilities.
Covert, hidden attack methods grew in frequency and complexity, especially involving JavaScript -- Enterprises are fighting increasingly sophisticated attacks on their computer networks, including Advanced Persistent Threats. These sophisticated attackers are employing covert means to break into networks without being detected by traditional security tools. JavaScript obfuscation is a particularly popular technique used by all classes of computer criminals to hide their exploits within document files and Web pages. IBM detected a 52 percent increase in obfuscated attacks during the first half of 2010 versus the same period in 2009.
PDF exploits continue to soar as attackers trick users in new ways -- X-Force started observing widespread use of PDF-based exploits during the first half of 2009. Since then, it has captured three of the top five slots for browser exploits used in the wild. The most significant jump associated with PDF attacks in 2010 occurred in April, when IBM Managed Security Services detected almost 37 percent more attack activity than the average for the first half of 2010. This spike coincided with a widespread spam campaign in which malicious PDF attachments were used to spread the Zeus and Pushdo botnets, some of the most insidious threats on the Internet today.
Phishing activity declined significantly, but financial institutions remain the top target -- Phishing volume has fluctuated wildly over the past few years. The first half of 2010 has only seen a fraction of the phishing attacks that were seen at the peak in 2009, a decline of almost 82 percent. Despite this drastic decline, financial institutions are still the number one phishing target, representing about 49 percent of all phishing emails, while credit cards, governmental organizations, online payment institutions and auctions represent the majority of other targets.
"Threat dynamics continue to multiply and evolve at a furious pace, making it more crucial than ever to look at unfolding trends so we can better prepare our clients for the future," said Steve Robinson, general manager, IBM Security Solutions. "This year's X-Force report reveals that although threats are on the rise, the industry as a whole is getting much more vigilant about reporting vulnerabilities. This underscores the increased focus among our clients to continue looking for security solutions that help them better manage risk and ensure their IT infrastructure is secure by design."
Looking ahead, the X-Force Research and Development team has identified some key trends to watch for in the future, including:
Cloud Computing -- As an emerging technology, security concerns remain a hurdle for organizations looking to adopt cloud computing. As organizations transition to the cloud, IBM recommends that they start by examining the security requirements of the workloads they intend to host in the cloud, rather than starting with an examination of different potential service providers. Gaining a good understanding of the needs and requirements first will help organizations take a more strategic approach to adopting cloud services.
Virtualization -- As organizations push workloads into virtual server infrastructures to take advantage of ever increasing CPU performance, questions have been raised about the wisdom of sharing workloads with different security requirements on the same physical hardware. X-Force's vulnerability data shows that 35 percent of vulnerabilities impacting server class virtualization systems affect the hypervisor, which means that an attacker with control of one virtual system may be able to manipulate other systems on the same machine. This is a significant data point when architecting virtualization projects.
This report comes from IBM's X-Force team, the premier security research organization within IBM that has catalogued, analyzed and researched more than 50,000 vulnerability disclosures since 1997. The IBM X-Force Trend and Risk Report gathers facts from numerous intelligence sources, including its database of over 50,000 computer security vulnerabilities, millions of intrusion events monitored on tens of thousands of managed network sensors deployed on customer networks throughout the world, its global Web crawler and its international spam collectors. This mid-year report is designed to help customers stay ahead of threats.
IBM Security Solutions include an extensive portfolio of hardware, software solutions, professional and managed services offerings covering the spectrum of IT and business security risks, including: people and identity, data and information, application and process, network, server and endpoint and physical infrastructure. IBM Security Solutions empowers clients to innovate and operate their businesses on highly secure infrastructure platforms.
To access the report, visit: www.ibm.com/security/x-force. For more information on IBM Security Solutions, visit: www.ibm.com/security.
CONTACT:
Faye Abloeser
IBM Media Relations
908-770-0762
abloeser@us.ibm.com
Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100825/NY54829-b
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100825/NY54829-a
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http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090416/IBMLOGO
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http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100825/NY54829-a
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100825/NY54829-c
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20090416/IBMLOGO
Source: IBM
CONTACT: Faye Abloeser, IBM Media Relations, +1-908-770-0762,
abloeser@us.ibm.com
Web Site: http://www.ibm.com/security
IBM X-Force Report Reveals Global Security Threats Have Reached Record Levels
36 Percent Rise in Vulnerability Disclosures for First Half of 2010
ARMONK, N.Y., Aug. 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- IBM (NYSE:IBM) today released the results of its X-Force 2010 Mid-Year Trend and Risk Report, which showed that vulnerability disclosures are increasing dramatically, having reached record levels for the first half of 2010.
(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20090416/IBMLOGO )
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090416/IBMLOGO )
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100825/NY54829-a )
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100825/NY54829-a )
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100825/NY54829-b )
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100825/NY54829-b )
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100825/NY54829-c )
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100825/NY54829-c )
Overall, 4,396 new vulnerabilities were documented by the X-Force Research and Development team in the first half of 2010, a 36 percent increase over the same time period last year. Over half, 55 percent, of all these disclosed vulnerabilities had no vendor-supplied patch at the end of the period.
According to the report, Web application vulnerabilities continued to be the leading threat, accounting for more than half of all public disclosures. In addition, covert attacks increased in complexity hidden within JavaScript and Portable Document Formats (PDFs), while cloud computing and virtualization were noted as key future security topics for enterprise organizations.
In the first-half of 2010, organizations were doing more to identify and disclose security vulnerabilities than ever before. This in turn is having positive effects on the industry by driving more open collaboration to identify and eliminate vulnerabilities before cyber criminals can exploit them.
An overview of the trends is listed below:
Web application vulnerabilities continue to be the largest category of vulnerability disclosures -- Web application vulnerabilities have surpassed all other threats to account for 55 percent of all disclosures. While Web application vulnerabilities continue to climb at a steady rate, these figures may only represent the tip of the iceberg of total Web application vulnerabilities that exist, as they do not include custom-developed Web applications which can also introduce vulnerabilities.
Covert, hidden attack methods grew in frequency and complexity, especially involving JavaScript -- Enterprises are fighting increasingly sophisticated attacks on their computer networks, including Advanced Persistent Threats. These sophisticated attackers are employing covert means to break into networks without being detected by traditional security tools. JavaScript obfuscation is a particularly popular technique used by all classes of computer criminals to hide their exploits within document files and Web pages. IBM detected a 52 percent increase in obfuscated attacks during the first half of 2010 versus the same period in 2009.
PDF exploits continue to soar as attackers trick users in new ways -- X-Force started observing widespread use of PDF-based exploits during the first half of 2009. Since then, it has captured three of the top five slots for browser exploits used in the wild. The most significant jump associated with PDF attacks in 2010 occurred in April, when IBM Managed Security Services detected almost 37 percent more attack activity than the average for the first half of 2010. This spike coincided with a widespread spam campaign in which malicious PDF attachments were used to spread the Zeus and Pushdo botnets, some of the most insidious threats on the Internet today.
Phishing activity declined significantly, but financial institutions remain the top target -- Phishing volume has fluctuated wildly over the past few years. The first half of 2010 has only seen a fraction of the phishing attacks that were seen at the peak in 2009, a decline of almost 82 percent. Despite this drastic decline, financial institutions are still the number one phishing target, representing about 49 percent of all phishing emails, while credit cards, governmental organizations, online payment institutions and auctions represent the majority of other targets.
"Threat dynamics continue to multiply and evolve at a furious pace, making it more crucial than ever to look at unfolding trends so we can better prepare our clients for the future," said Steve Robinson, general manager, IBM Security Solutions. "This year's X-Force report reveals that although threats are on the rise, the industry as a whole is getting much more vigilant about reporting vulnerabilities. This underscores the increased focus among our clients to continue looking for security solutions that help them better manage risk and ensure their IT infrastructure is secure by design."
Looking ahead, the X-Force Research and Development team has identified some key trends to watch for in the future, including:
Cloud Computing -- As an emerging technology, security concerns remain a hurdle for organizations looking to adopt cloud computing. As organizations transition to the cloud, IBM recommends that they start by examining the security requirements of the workloads they intend to host in the cloud, rather than starting with an examination of different potential service providers. Gaining a good understanding of the needs and requirements first will help organizations take a more strategic approach to adopting cloud services.
Virtualization -- As organizations push workloads into virtual server infrastructures to take advantage of ever increasing CPU performance, questions have been raised about the wisdom of sharing workloads with different security requirements on the same physical hardware. X-Force's vulnerability data shows that 35 percent of vulnerabilities impacting server class virtualization systems affect the hypervisor, which means that an attacker with control of one virtual system may be able to manipulate other systems on the same machine. This is a significant data point when architecting virtualization projects.
This report comes from IBM's X-Force team, the premier security research organization within IBM that has catalogued, analyzed and researched more than 50,000 vulnerability disclosures since 1997. The IBM X-Force Trend and Risk Report gathers facts from numerous intelligence sources, including its database of over 50,000 computer security vulnerabilities, millions of intrusion events monitored on tens of thousands of managed network sensors deployed on customer networks throughout the world, its global Web crawler and its international spam collectors. This mid-year report is designed to help customers stay ahead of threats.
IBM Security Solutions include an extensive portfolio of hardware, software solutions, professional and managed services offerings covering the spectrum of IT and business security risks, including: people and identity, data and information, application and process, network, server and endpoint and physical infrastructure. IBM Security Solutions empowers clients to innovate and operate their businesses on highly secure infrastructure platforms.
To access the report, visit: www.ibm.com/security/x-force. For more information on IBM Security Solutions, visit: www.ibm.com/security.
CONTACT:
Faye Abloeser
IBM Media Relations
908-770-0762
abloeser@us.ibm.com
Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100825/NY54829-b
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100825/NY54829-a
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100825/NY54829-c
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090416/IBMLOGO
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100825/NY54829-b
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100825/NY54829-a
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100825/NY54829-c
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20090416/IBMLOGO
Source: IBM
CONTACT: Faye Abloeser, IBM Media Relations, +1-908-770-0762,
abloeser@us.ibm.com
Web Site: http://www.ibm.com/security
UNEP Press Statement on the Cause of Oil Spills in the Niger Delta
24 Aug 2010 14:16 Africa/Lagos
UNEP Press Statement on the Cause of Oil Spills in the Niger Delta
ABUJA, August 24, 2010/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), at the request of the government of Nigeria, is conducting an environmental assessment of the impacts of oil spills in Ogoniland, in the Niger Delta, and options for remediation.
UNEP's decision to respond to this request by a member state recognizes the human and environmental tragedy associated with oil contamination in Ogoniland and the fact this needs to be addressed.
The UNEP study represents an unprecedented effort to examine the location, nature and extent and implications of oil contamination in Ogoniland. It is part of a longer term goal to clean up contaminated sites for the benefit of local communities and people living in parts of the Niger Delta and for the region's sustainable development.
The fieldwork by UNEP's scientific teams collecting samples of water, soil, sediment, air and plant and animal tissue is due to be completed in October 2010, and will be followed by laboratory analysis. As this process of sample collection is still under way no draft or final report currently exists. Once finalized, the report will provide a compilation of all results and present options to the government and all interested parties on the most appropriate measures to clean up the area's environment. It is due to be presented to the government of Nigeria and interested parties in early 2011.
Media reports over the past days and weeks have indicated that it is UNEP's determination that 90 per cent of oil spills are linked with so called ‘bunkering' and criminal activity.
In referring to this data UNEP clearly indicated that these figures represented official estimates of the Government of Nigeria, based in part on data supplied by the oil industry.
They therefore do not represent nor reflect results of UNEP's current assessment process which is still ongoing. To link this data with UNEP's study or indeed any future attribution of responsibility is incorrect.
UNEP would ask all parties within and outside Nigeria to recognize this fact and to respect the multi-disciplinary team carrying out this important task. UNEP wishes to assure all concerned that the assessment will be concluded to the highest standards of independence, integrity and transparency.
UNEP has over several years secured the confidence of the international community in many challenging regions of the world from the Balkans and Afghanistan to Gaza and Sudan.
The same professionalism and independence shown in these situations is being exercised in respect to UNEP's work in Nigeria.
The funding of the assessment was negotiated over a period of one and a half years to ensure the independence and integrity of the assessment. In keeping with the polluter pays principle the Government of Nigeria, the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) of Nigeria and UNEP agreed that costs of USD 9.5 million would be borne by SPDC.
Source: United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
Releases displayed in Africa/Lagos time
25 Aug 2010
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24 Aug 2010
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14:16
UNEP Press Statement on the Cause of Oil Spills in the Niger Delta
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22 Aug 2010
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19:00
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UNEP Press Statement on the Cause of Oil Spills in the Niger Delta
ABUJA, August 24, 2010/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), at the request of the government of Nigeria, is conducting an environmental assessment of the impacts of oil spills in Ogoniland, in the Niger Delta, and options for remediation.
UNEP's decision to respond to this request by a member state recognizes the human and environmental tragedy associated with oil contamination in Ogoniland and the fact this needs to be addressed.
The UNEP study represents an unprecedented effort to examine the location, nature and extent and implications of oil contamination in Ogoniland. It is part of a longer term goal to clean up contaminated sites for the benefit of local communities and people living in parts of the Niger Delta and for the region's sustainable development.
The fieldwork by UNEP's scientific teams collecting samples of water, soil, sediment, air and plant and animal tissue is due to be completed in October 2010, and will be followed by laboratory analysis. As this process of sample collection is still under way no draft or final report currently exists. Once finalized, the report will provide a compilation of all results and present options to the government and all interested parties on the most appropriate measures to clean up the area's environment. It is due to be presented to the government of Nigeria and interested parties in early 2011.
Media reports over the past days and weeks have indicated that it is UNEP's determination that 90 per cent of oil spills are linked with so called ‘bunkering' and criminal activity.
In referring to this data UNEP clearly indicated that these figures represented official estimates of the Government of Nigeria, based in part on data supplied by the oil industry.
They therefore do not represent nor reflect results of UNEP's current assessment process which is still ongoing. To link this data with UNEP's study or indeed any future attribution of responsibility is incorrect.
UNEP would ask all parties within and outside Nigeria to recognize this fact and to respect the multi-disciplinary team carrying out this important task. UNEP wishes to assure all concerned that the assessment will be concluded to the highest standards of independence, integrity and transparency.
UNEP has over several years secured the confidence of the international community in many challenging regions of the world from the Balkans and Afghanistan to Gaza and Sudan.
The same professionalism and independence shown in these situations is being exercised in respect to UNEP's work in Nigeria.
The funding of the assessment was negotiated over a period of one and a half years to ensure the independence and integrity of the assessment. In keeping with the polluter pays principle the Government of Nigeria, the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) of Nigeria and UNEP agreed that costs of USD 9.5 million would be borne by SPDC.
Source: United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
Releases displayed in Africa/Lagos time
25 Aug 2010
13:09
São Tomé e Príncipe: Oil Deals and the New Government / A Chance to Improve Life for Its People by Managing Resources Well
24 Aug 2010
16:40
Insurance Premiums Benefit Global GDP
14:16
UNEP Press Statement on the Cause of Oil Spills in the Niger Delta
14:04
São Tomé e Príncipe: Oil Deals and the New Government / A Chance to Improve Life for Its People by Managing Resources Well
22 Aug 2010
22:11
Shikun & Binui Announces Second Quarter 2010 Results
19:00
Castor Bean Genome Published by Research Team Including Scientists from the Venter Institute
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