Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Italy troubled by religious intolerance in Nigeria
A scene from the December 24, 2010, Jos terrorist bombings in Plateau state of Nigeria. Photo Credit: Gnaija.
28 Dec 2010 04:41 Africa/Lagos
Nigeria / Italy / Minister Frattini expresses concern over episodes of religious intolerance in Nigeria
ROME, December 27, 2010/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- Foreign Minister Franco Frattini is following with great concern the dramatic news from Nigeria, where the recent serious episodes of religious intolerance have produced a sad toll of bloodshed.
“As the violence is linked to the profession of a religious creed, those universal principles of peace and goodwill which are the essence of each and every religion are being painfully undermined”, stated Fratttini.
“The firm condemnation of all forms of violence and intolerance is a crucial element of Italy's commitment to freedom of religion and religious tolerance”.
Minister Frattini concluded: “My profound sadness for the victims goes hand in hand with a strong appeal for moderation and peaceful co-existence between different faiths to prevail in Nigeria”.
Ivory Coast, Italian Development Cooperation sends kits
Foreign Minister Franco Frattini is following the situation in Ivory Coast very closely. His concern can be set against the effort by the international community, and the European Union in particular, to ensure that the grave tensions sweeping the country are dampened down. The only legitimate solution to achieve this end is the unconditional acceptance, without further delay, of the outcome of the presidential election held on 28 November.
The humanitarian crisis that has emerged in the wake of the political turmoil and which affects those who have sought refuge in the neighbouring countries of Liberia, Ghana and Guinea is a source of great concern. To make a concrete contribution to tackling the emergency, Minister Frattini has issued instructions to Italy's Development Cooperation to send medical kits to the region. These will support the response plan currently at an advanced state of preparation by the World Health Organisation.
The Development Cooperation medical kits were delivered recently to the United Nations Humanitarian Depot in Brindisi, and from there were shipped to the Depot in Accra. They will be distributed over the next few days to relieve the hardships of the local populations. The operation is worth about 300,000 euros in total.
Source: Italy - Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Nigeria’s Best Kept Beauty Secret
A Nigerian beauty Adaeze. Photo Credit: Nigerian Entertainment Today.
Do you know Nigeria’s best kept beauty secret?
I found it on the BEST YOU blog and you can find out the details from the following article.
Nigeria’s Best Kept Beauty Secret
When Moabong Oku left Nigeria 16 years ago, one beauty aid she brought with her was shea butter. It’s made from the nut of Africa’s karite tree, indigenous to some 20 countries in the dry savannah belt, called the Sahel, which stretches from West Senegal to Sudan.
Monday, December 27, 2010
LG Text Ed Video Featuring Actress Jane Lynch Aims To Curb Texting While Driving
LG Mobile Phones revs up parents with final LG Text Ed video, promoting safe mobile phone use behind the wheel
SAN DIEGO, December 23, 2010 /PRNewswire/ — With recent studies citing that mobile distractions such as texting can be even more dangerous than drinking and driving, parents are looking for answers on how to best educate and promote responsible mobile phone use to their teens. As part of her role in the LG Text Ed campaign, an educational program aimed at parents, Jane Lynch shot a series of entertaining and educational viral videos for LG Mobile Phones about mobile phone misuse. With the goal of educating parents about the importance of talking to their kids about responsible mobile phone use, the LG Text Ed video series addresses issues such as “sexting,” mobile harassment and text etiquette, while helping parents learn how to use mobile phones to communicate better with their kids. In the series finale, Jane drives right to the point and addressees the potentially damaging consequences of texting while driving.
In an eye-opening study conducted by LG Mobile Phonesi, 70 percent of teens accuse their parents of texting while driving, while only 44 percent of parents actually admitted to the behavior. In a similar study conducted by the Pew Research Center, presented during the Federal Communication Commission’s recent Generation Mobile Forum, 40 percent of teens said they’ve been in a car when the driver used a cell phone in a way that put themselves or others in danger. In the texting while driving video, Lynch confronts a classroom of parents about their own texting and driving bad habits and urges parents to model good behavior for their children. Using humor to get to the heart of the issue, Lynch helps parents help themselves by putting the phone away in the car and encouraging their kids to do the same.
“With 45 percent of teens admitting to texting and driving, it’s more important than ever that we provide parents with the tools to educate and promote safe and responsible driving habits,” said Tim O’Brien, vice president of consumer and trade marketing. “Through LGTextEd.com, parents have a centralized resource they can use to help keep their children safe when it comes to mobile phone use.”
Through the LG Text Ed Web site, www.lgtexted.com, parents can educate themselves about the dangers of texting while driving as well as learn strategies to use to help protect their children. Parents can also view the full Jane Lynch series including the newest Texting While Driving video on the Web site. LG also encourages parents to visit the LG Text Ed Facebook page, www.facebook.com/LGTextEd, where users can talk to one another, post questions and check up on Lynch’s latest classroom lessons.
LG Text Ed with Jane Lynch
Bringing her trademark intensity and flair to the LG Text Ed campaign, award-winning actress Jane Lynch is working with LG Mobile Phones to raise awareness about risky mobile phone behavior. In a series of comedic vignettes, which can be viewed on www.LGTextEd.com, Lynch tackles issues such as sexting, texting while driving, mobile bullying, and other questionable teen behaviors. At the end of each video, Lynch directs parents to LGTextEd.com where they can find professional advice and guidance to help promote safe and responsible mobile usage among their text- and tech-savvy families. Lynch, a new mom herself, masterfully employs her artistic abilities and the result is a video series that is both humorous and thought-provoking.
LG Text Ed
The LG Text Ed program, which was launched in early 2010, offers parents a number of articles, tips, videos and other content so they can educate themselves on the dangers of mobile phone misuse, employ strategies to help protect their children from potential problems, and discover how they might be modeling their children’s mobile phone behavior. Parents can find additional information on the LG Text Ed initiative and mobile phone misuse by visiting www.lgtexted.com.
About LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company
The LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company is a leading global mobile communications and information company. With its cutting-edge technology and innovative design capabilities, LG creates handsets that provide an optimized mobile experience to customers around the world. LG is pursuing convergence technology and mobile computing products, while continuing its leadership role in mobile communication with stylish designs and smart technology. For more information, please visit www.lgmobilephones.com.
About LG Electronics, Inc.
LG Electronics, Inc. is a global leader and technology innovator in consumer electronics, mobile communications and home appliances, employing more than 80,000 people working in over 115 operations around the world. With 2009 global sales of $43.4 billion, LG comprises four business units – Home Entertainment, Mobile Communications, Home Appliance, and Air Conditioning/Energy Solutions. LG is one of the world’s leading producers of flat panel TVs, audio and video products, mobile handsets, air conditioners and washing machines. For more information, please visit www.lg.com.
Media Contacts:
Demetra Kavadeles
LG MobileComm U.S.A., Inc.
(707) 328-5307
demetra.kavadeles@lge.com
Analisa Schelle
LG-One
(510) 292-5410
analisa.schelle@lg-one.com
i The LG Text Ed Survey, conducted by TRU Research and sponsored by LG Mobile Phones, is a national snapshot of texting behaviors among 13 to 17 year olds and parents of 13 to 17 year olds. The study was conducted online within the United States among 1,017 teens and 1,049 parents of teens.
ECOWAS Give a Final Warning to Mr. Laurent Gbabgo
Laurent Gbagbo26 Dec 2010 15:30 Africa/Lagos
Cote d'Ivoire / ECOWAS give a final warning to Mr. Laurent Gbabgo
ABUJA, December 26, 2010/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- Following a press statement isssued by ECOWAS on 20th December, 2010 which urges Mr. Laurent Gbagbo, the former President of Cote D'Ivoire to hand over power to Mr. Allassan Outarra, a request which Mr. Gbagbo has refused to adhere to caused ECOWAS Heads of State and Government to convene an extra-ordinary meeting in Abuja, Nigeria to find ways by which Mr. Gbagbo can be forced out of office.
11 Heads of State assembled in Abuja on Friday on the invitation of the Chairman of ECOWAS, H.E Goodluck Egbele Jonathan and the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Mr. Victor Gbeho to give a final warning to Mr. Laurent Gbabgo with the firm position that if Mr. Gbagbo continues to hold on to power illegally, ECOWAS will have no choice but to remove him forcefully, in an effort to allow the winner of the elections Mr.Allassan Outarra to assume office.
Sierra Leone's delegation to the Abuja extra-ordinary meeting on Cote D'Ivoire was led by President Ernest Bai Koroma and was accompanied by the Foreign Minister, Mr. J.B Dauda and the Information and Communication Minister, I.B Kargbo.
The Christmas eve meeting on Cote D'Ivoire was treated by the Heads of State seriously, because according to the Chairman Mr. Goodluck Jonathan, the international community expects ECOWAS to provide leadership in resolving the political impasse in Cote D'Ivoire.
The ECOWAS Heads of State believe that it is unacceptable for a country within the sub region to be ruled by two Presidents and two Prime Ministers.The same ECOWAS Authority also believes that Mr. Laaurent Gbagbo lost the elections and should therefore allow Mr. Allassan Outarra to take over power.
the United Nations Secuirty Council earlier in a Press Statement of 20th December, 2010 condemned in the strongest possible terms President Laurent Gbagbo's attempt to usurp the will of the people and undermine the integrity of the electoral process and any progress in the peace process in Cote D'Ivoire.
The Chairman of the African Union on 6th December, 2010 circulated a Press Release from the African Union to support the United Nations by suspending the participation of Cote D'Ivoire from all African Union activities untill the democratically elected President, Allassan Outarra effectively assume State Power.
Although Mr. Laurent Gbagbo still attempts to perform Presidential duties by usurping the State radio and television, bribing the military to support him and import mercenaries into Cote D'Ivoire to help him stay in office, the international community including ECOWAS believes that he should not continue to stay in office which lead to the imposition of sanctions and travel ban on him and his close allies.
The Heads of State of ECOWAS at their meeting in Abuja on Friday said that Mr. Gbagbo be given one final chance to make up his mind to vacate office.
In the spirit of brotherliness in Africa, three Presidents have been nominated by their colleagues to confront Mr. Gbagbo in Abidjan to encourage him to leave office without delay. The three Presidents can fly back with Mr. Gbagbo, as all ECOWAS countries are prepared to grant him assylum.
Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma who played a pivotal role in the discussions supports the ECOWAS,United Nations and Europpean Union positions that Mr. Laurent Gbagbo should hand over power to the man who actually won the elections, Mr. Allassan Outarra.
Source: Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)
Sunday, December 26, 2010
We Thank the Almighty God for our Victory!
Join me to thank the Almighty God JEHOVAH for seeing us through victoriously from the beginning of 2010 to rejoice with us as we celebrate another merry Christmas and prosperous New Year!
My new news and information portal 24/7 Nigeria launched only five months ago has become so popular that it has attracted both desperate spammers and hackers and ruthlessly hacked thrice and now being revamped after the last HACK-ATTACK.
May the good Lord and God of mercy forgive them, but may they repent and turn a new leaf of positive change in the coming year.
Cheers and God bless you all.
Faithfully,
Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima
The Publisher/CEO
International Digital Post Network (IDPN) Limited
The largest Nigerian Online News and Information Media Network
Côte d'Ivoire / Human Rights Council debates situation of Human Rights in Côte d'Ivoire
24 Dec 2010 03:41 Africa/Lagos
Côte d'Ivoire / Human Rights Council debates situation of Human Rights in Côte d'Ivoire
NEW YORK, December 23, 2010/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- The Human Rights Council this morning opened a Special Session on “The situation of human rights in Côte d'Ivoire since the elections on 28 November 2010”.
Kyung-wha Kang, Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, speaking on behalf of High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay, reiterated the deep concerns of the High Commissioner, regarding the violations of human rights in Côte d'Ivoire. United Nations human rights officers were deployed across the country and were doing their utmost to monitor the situation and provide protection where they could. It had been impossible to investigate all the allegations of serious human rights violations, including reports of mass graves, due to restriction of movement of United Nations personnel. The current restrictions imposed by security forces and youth groups loyal to Mr. Gbagbo, which had hindered the capacity of the United Nations to deliver much-needed services and humanitarian assistance, must be lifted immediately. The Security Council had urged all Ivorian parties to respect the will of the people and the outcome of the election. The human rights violations must cease and the United Nations must be granted unfettered access to the population and perpetrators must be held accountable.
Member States of the Council and Observer States then took the floor. Most expressed their deep concerns about the human rights situation in Côte d'Ivoire, in relation to the results of the 2010 presidential elections, and the violence which had led to loss of lives and property. It was imperative for the Human Rights Council to pronounce itself on the situation in the country and address the issue. The Council could not remain silent when there was growing evidence of massive violations of human rights. States underlined the importance for the United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire to implement its protection mandate. States also expressed support for the action of the United Nations and the efforts of the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States in Côte d'Ivoire.
Speakers further called for an immediate end to violence and expressed concerns at the alarming reports of press harassment, arbitrary arrests and detentions, formation of armed militia groups and extrajudicial killings. Former President Gbagbo's persisting intransigence to the will of the Ivorian electorate threatened to cast the country back into conflict. The presidential elections had been deemed fair and their results must be accepted by all Ivorian parties. It was imperative to uphold the integrity of the electoral process and to restore democracy immediately. The renewing of the mandate of the United Nations' mission in Côte d'Ivoire was indispensable for enabling the United Nations and the international community at large to continue supporting the peace process and monitoring the increasingly alarming human rights situation
Friday, December 24, 2010
A Short List of Money-Minded Resolutions for 2011
23 Dec 2010 00:02 Africa/Lagos
A Short List of Money-Minded Resolutions for 2011
PR Newswire
CHICAGO, Dec. 22, 2010
CHICAGO, Dec. 22, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- At year's end we often find ourselves faced with good intentions that just never happened. Something we wanted to do, but never got around to it. The Illinois CPA Society suggests it's not too late. Make the financial move you planned on making in 2010 your New Year's resolution for 2011. Check this short list from the Society for things you might want to do in the year ahead:
* Find a way to save. Could you take the $50 you just spent on that sweater and save it instead? Cut back on downloads or dining out? Look at what you spent this year for ideas.
* Set a reachable goal. Whether it's getting out of debt or buying a home, plan to accomplish something with your money in 2011. Put away a small amount each month towards your goal.
* Start a rainy day fund. Prepare for a layoff or health emergency by working towards having three to six months worth of living expenses socked away.
* Make a will. Not pleasant to think about, but you want to make things easier on your family and protect your assets. State rules may apply if you don't have a will. And who would have custody of your children?
* Check your credit report. You've been meaning to check it, but perhaps afraid to look. Use it as a starting point to get your credit in good shape. Go to www.annualcreditreport.com for a free report.
* Take steps toward retirement. Begin to contribute to your 401K plan at work - at least enough to get the match if one's available. If you're already contributing, consider an increase of 1 or 2 percent.
Need a little support? Turn to the Society's Find a CPA Directory online at www.icpas.org to locate a CPA in your community and to Twitter, @thriftitude, for money management tips from the Illinois CPA Society.
About the Illinois CPA Society
The Illinois CPA Society, founded in 1903, is the fifth largest state CPA society in the nation, with more than 24,000 members. It is the premier professional organization that represents CPAs in Illinois. During its over 100 years of existence, the Society has advanced the highest ethical and financial standards of the profession, and has been a leader in educating the public on financial issues.
SOURCE Illinois CPA Society
CONTACT: Judi Kulm, Communications/Media Manager, Illinois CPA Society, +1-312-993-0407 ext. 251, kulmj@icpas.org
Web Site: http://www.annualcreditreport.com
A Short List of Money-Minded Resolutions for 2011
PR Newswire
CHICAGO, Dec. 22, 2010
CHICAGO, Dec. 22, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- At year's end we often find ourselves faced with good intentions that just never happened. Something we wanted to do, but never got around to it. The Illinois CPA Society suggests it's not too late. Make the financial move you planned on making in 2010 your New Year's resolution for 2011. Check this short list from the Society for things you might want to do in the year ahead:
* Find a way to save. Could you take the $50 you just spent on that sweater and save it instead? Cut back on downloads or dining out? Look at what you spent this year for ideas.
* Set a reachable goal. Whether it's getting out of debt or buying a home, plan to accomplish something with your money in 2011. Put away a small amount each month towards your goal.
* Start a rainy day fund. Prepare for a layoff or health emergency by working towards having three to six months worth of living expenses socked away.
* Make a will. Not pleasant to think about, but you want to make things easier on your family and protect your assets. State rules may apply if you don't have a will. And who would have custody of your children?
* Check your credit report. You've been meaning to check it, but perhaps afraid to look. Use it as a starting point to get your credit in good shape. Go to www.annualcreditreport.com for a free report.
* Take steps toward retirement. Begin to contribute to your 401K plan at work - at least enough to get the match if one's available. If you're already contributing, consider an increase of 1 or 2 percent.
Need a little support? Turn to the Society's Find a CPA Directory online at www.icpas.org to locate a CPA in your community and to Twitter, @thriftitude, for money management tips from the Illinois CPA Society.
About the Illinois CPA Society
The Illinois CPA Society, founded in 1903, is the fifth largest state CPA society in the nation, with more than 24,000 members. It is the premier professional organization that represents CPAs in Illinois. During its over 100 years of existence, the Society has advanced the highest ethical and financial standards of the profession, and has been a leader in educating the public on financial issues.
SOURCE Illinois CPA Society
CONTACT: Judi Kulm, Communications/Media Manager, Illinois CPA Society, +1-312-993-0407 ext. 251, kulmj@icpas.org
Web Site: http://www.annualcreditreport.com
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Advantages of Nokia messaging devices over BlackBerry
Nokia E72
No additional fee for data on top of service plan; works with any service plan/data provider.
Average cost of paid app $3.47
Easy set up of work and personal email in only 3 steps
Out of the box access to consumer email accounts such as Hotmail and Gmail
Stay connected to 10 personal email accounts at once
Immediate access to most popular IM communities
(Yahoo, Microsoft Live and Gmail)
High-quality 5MP camera with Carl Zeiss lens and one touch auto focus
Free Ovi Maps with Walk and Drive navigation
Ultra slim line design with Stainless Steel and Brushed Aluminum
Create separate, customized home screens for work and personal life.
BlackBerry Bold 9700
Must have additional BlackBerry data plan
($4+ for RIM vs $1.85 for Nokia)
Average cost of paid app $8.26
Over 10 steps to set up email on BlackBerry
Dedicated app needed for instant messaging
3.2MP camera
No free maps and navigation
BlackBerry 8mm thicker than Nokia E72
No ability to separate/tailor home screens
Advantages of Nokia messaging devices over BlackBerry
It is important that everyone in Nokia is aware of advantages of Nokia messaging devices so that we as ambassadors of the messaging range can engage in discussions about the difference between the BlackBerry and Nokia offering. Here’s where we think we are stronger:
• While BlackBerry wants you to be a BlackBerry person with their own communications tools, Nokia lets you to be you and work the way you like by using your choice of messaging solutions - Nokia offers a wide variety of ways to communicate including email & instant messaging and to update social networks. Wide range of devices in a variety of styles. Nokia’s portfolio carries over 100 email-enabled models. The BlackBerry range of devices only includes six QWERTY devices in the UK, and one touch device. For smaller budgets BlackBerry offers nothing.
• Affordable and predictable pricing - With Nokia Messaging, all consumer email and IM is included into the operator data plan There are no hidden costs, taxes, license fees like there are for BlackBerry. Research has shown that companies can save an average of £215 per year per employee by using a Nokia Eseries handset with Mail for Exchange or IBM Lotus Notes Traveler instead of BlackBerry. (Source Nokia Internal Research).
• Easy Email and IM set-up - Nokia messaging devices have an easy 3 step email set up, directly from the home screen of the device. No downloading the application, installing it and configuring the account like on BlackBerry. With Nokia you can directly access 90% of the world’s corporate email and IM through partnerships with Microsoft Mail for Exchange and IBM Lotus Notes.
As an example, the Nokia E72 wins over the BlackBerry Bold 9700 in some important areas: It has easier email setup with more email and IM service options, it’s less expensive, has a better camera, comes with OVI Maps with free walk and drive navigation and premium travel guide content, has faster web browsing speed, features a thinner design and stainless steel build, and allows for two tailored home screens.
No additional fee for data on top of service plan; works with any service plan/data provider.
Average cost of paid app $3.47
Easy set up of work and personal email in only 3 steps
Out of the box access to consumer email accounts such as Hotmail and Gmail
Stay connected to 10 personal email accounts at once
Immediate access to most popular IM communities
(Yahoo, Microsoft Live and Gmail)
High-quality 5MP camera with Carl Zeiss lens and one touch auto focus
Free Ovi Maps with Walk and Drive navigation
Ultra slim line design with Stainless Steel and Brushed Aluminum
Create separate, customized home screens for work and personal life.
BlackBerry Bold 9700
Must have additional BlackBerry data plan
($4+ for RIM vs $1.85 for Nokia)
Average cost of paid app $8.26
Over 10 steps to set up email on BlackBerry
Dedicated app needed for instant messaging
3.2MP camera
No free maps and navigation
BlackBerry 8mm thicker than Nokia E72
No ability to separate/tailor home screens
Advantages of Nokia messaging devices over BlackBerry
It is important that everyone in Nokia is aware of advantages of Nokia messaging devices so that we as ambassadors of the messaging range can engage in discussions about the difference between the BlackBerry and Nokia offering. Here’s where we think we are stronger:
• While BlackBerry wants you to be a BlackBerry person with their own communications tools, Nokia lets you to be you and work the way you like by using your choice of messaging solutions - Nokia offers a wide variety of ways to communicate including email & instant messaging and to update social networks. Wide range of devices in a variety of styles. Nokia’s portfolio carries over 100 email-enabled models. The BlackBerry range of devices only includes six QWERTY devices in the UK, and one touch device. For smaller budgets BlackBerry offers nothing.
• Affordable and predictable pricing - With Nokia Messaging, all consumer email and IM is included into the operator data plan There are no hidden costs, taxes, license fees like there are for BlackBerry. Research has shown that companies can save an average of £215 per year per employee by using a Nokia Eseries handset with Mail for Exchange or IBM Lotus Notes Traveler instead of BlackBerry. (Source Nokia Internal Research).
• Easy Email and IM set-up - Nokia messaging devices have an easy 3 step email set up, directly from the home screen of the device. No downloading the application, installing it and configuring the account like on BlackBerry. With Nokia you can directly access 90% of the world’s corporate email and IM through partnerships with Microsoft Mail for Exchange and IBM Lotus Notes.
As an example, the Nokia E72 wins over the BlackBerry Bold 9700 in some important areas: It has easier email setup with more email and IM service options, it’s less expensive, has a better camera, comes with OVI Maps with free walk and drive navigation and premium travel guide content, has faster web browsing speed, features a thinner design and stainless steel build, and allows for two tailored home screens.
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Northern Nigeria: Background to Conflict
Northern Nigeria. Photo Credit: The Will
Dec 20, 2010 22:01 ET
Northern Nigeria: Background to Conflict
DAKAR, December 20, 2010/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- Nigeria's far north is not the hot bed of Islamic extremists some in the West fear, but it needs reinforced community-level peacebuilding, a more subtle security response, and improved management of public resources lest lingering tensions lead to new violence.
Northern Nigeria: Background to Conflict,* the latest report from the International Crisis Group, examines the region's conflict risks. Violence has flared up there periodically for more than 30 years. Mainly in the form of urban riots, it has seen Muslims pitted against Christians, confrontations between different Islamic sects, and rejectionist sects against the state. The relative calm that much of northern Nigeria had enjoyed for several years was broken by the emergence in 2009 of Boko Haram, a radical group that appears to have some links to al-Qaeda.
Nigeria's northern emirs gave Prince Charles a royal welcome on his tour of the West African country this week. Here he arrives at the palace of the Emir of Kano (4th from right). Photo Credit: The BBC News
In the build-up to the 2011 national elections, the worst-case scenario is that local violence will polarize the rest of the country. This must be avoided through actions at the local, regional and national level.
“While some in the West panic at what they see as growing Islamic radicalism in the region, the roots of the problem are more complex and lie in Nigeria's history and contemporary politics”, says Titi Ajayi, Crisis Group's West Africa Fellow.
Many common factors fuel conflicts across Nigeria: in particular, the political manipulation of religion and ethnicity and disputes between supposed local groups and “settlers” over distribution of public resources. The failure of the state to assure public order, contribute to dispute settlement and implement post-conflict peacebuilding measures also plays a role, as does economic decline and unemployment. As elsewhere in the country, the far north – the twelve states that apply Sharia (Islamic law) – suffers from a potent mix of economic malaise and contentious, community-based distribution of public resources.
But there is also a specifically northern element. A thread of rejectionist thinking runs through northern Nigerian history, according to which collaboration with secular authorities is illegitimate. While calls for an “Islamic state” in Nigeria should not be taken too seriously, despite media hyperbole, they do demonstrate that many in the far north express political and social dissatisfaction through greater adherence to Islam and increasingly look to the religious canon for solutions to multiple problems in their lives.
On the positive side, much local conflict prevention and resolution does occur, and the region has historically shown much capacity for peaceful co-existence between its ethnic and religious communities. Generally speaking, for a vast region beset with social and economic problems, the absence of widespread conflict is as notable as the pockets of violence.
The starting point for addressing the conflicts must be a better understanding of the historical, cultural and other contexts in which they take place. The region has experienced recurrent violence, particularly since the early 1980s. These are the product of several complex and inter-locking factors, including a volatile mix of historical grievances, political manipulation and ethnic and religious rivalries.
“Northern Nigeria is little understood by those in the south, still less by the international community, where too often, it is viewed as part of bigger rivalries in a putative West-Islam divide”, says EJ Hogendoorn, Crisis Group's Acting Africa Program Director. “Still, the overall situation needs to be taken seriously. If it were to deteriorate significantly, especially along Christian-Muslim lines, it could have grave repercussions for national cohesion in the build-up to national elections in 2011”.
Source: International Crisis Group
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