Friday, February 4, 2011
Protest swells in Cairo
Thousands of anti-government protesters gather in Cairo's Tahrir Square as Egyptian troops bar pro-Mubarak loyalists from entering. Katharine Jackson reports.
© 2011 Reuters
4 Feb 2011 18:10 Africa/Lagos
Statement by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay on current the situation in North Africa
GENEVA, February 4, 2011/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- Statement by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay on current the situation in North Africa
Thank you for coming once again. It is unusual for me to hold two press conferences within a week. This is a reflection of the extreme importance I place on what has been going on in North Africa over the past few weeks, and the ramifications for human rights further afield.
First I would like to make a few comments about what is happening in Egypt, before turning to Tunisia and handing over to my high-level team who have just returned from there.
I last spoke to you about Egypt on Tuesday, before vast and peaceful demonstrations and marches were held in Alexandria, Cairo and other cities. The world has been watching as events have unfolded since.
I warned then, and I reiterate again, that governments must listen to their people and put in practise their human rights obligations. Regimes that deprive people of their fundamental rights, that depend on a ruthless security apparatus to impose their will, are bound to fail in the long-term. Stability depends on the development of human rights and democracy.
Tuesday ended on an optimistic note in Egypt. The peaceful demonstrations showed that the chaos, which some were presenting as the only possible alternative to the existing system, was by no means the inevitable outcome.
The violence we all hoped would not happen, did happen on Wednesday when we saw shocking scenes of opposing groups hurling Molotov cocktails, fire bombs and barrages of large stones at each other. Again, there was a noticeable absence of police, and the army failed to separate the two groups, with tragic consequences.
This violence must stop.
Yesterday President Mubarak gaved a television interview in which he said he would like to step down now, but fears the only alternative would be chaos. In the last two days we have seen chaos in central Cairo, and one of the prime drivers of this chaos seems to have been the actions of Egypt's security and intelligence services.
I urge the authorities to make a strong, clear and unequivocal call on the security and intelligence forces that have protected the authoritarian regime in Egypt for the past 30 years, to stop undermining the security of the state they are supposed to serve.
The Prime Minister has apologized for Wednesday's violence. I welcome this public recognition – unique in Egypt's recent history – that the authorities have failed in their duties to protect the people. I urge Egypt to follow through and make the necessary reforms to promote human rights and democracy. There must be an investigation into whether this violence was planned, and if so by whom. This investigation must be undertaken in a transparent and impartial manner.
Over the past two days, we have learned of other extremely disturbing developments, including the physical assaults on, and intimidation and arbitrary detention of, dozens of journalists in what is clearly a blatant attempt to stifle news of what is going on in Egypt.
We have heard of the harassment and arbitrary detention of local and international human rights defenders, including most notably 20 or more people taken yesterday from the Hisham Mubarak Law Centre by military police. Those detained include some of Egypt's leading activists as well as staff of Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International – two of the most respected international human rights organizations. As of the time I left for this briefing, I understand they had still not been freed from military detention.
All journalists and human rights defenders who were arrested for practicing their professions must be released immediately and unconditionally. The authorities must order their security and intelligence forces to cease this extreme harassment at once.
I also urge the authorities to maintain open communications and internet services, protect media premises, and halt all activities aimed at restricting or manipulating the free flow of information, such as the extraordinary hijacking of Vodaphone's system in order to send propaganda text messages.
Egypt must implement its international human rights obligations and prevent further violence. Protestors must be properly protected, including from each other. The security and intelligence forces must be held accountable. Change is coming to Egypt, as it came to Tunisia, but the violence and bloodshed must stop now.
Governments should listen to their people, and start addressing their human rights deficits immediately. Waiting until unrest actually happens is, as we have seen in Tunisia and are now seeing in Egypt, not only perpetuating systems that to a greater or lesser degree transgress international laws and standards, it is also a classic case of acting too little, too late. We now see there is an intense hunger for human rights in the Middle East and North Africa – and of course in other countries in other regions. Governments who ignore these extremely loud and clear warning signals, are doing so at their own peril.
As in Egypt, human rights are at the heart of the political change that has happened in Tunisia. In Tunisia, people expressed loudly and clearly their appetite for a genuine break with the past and for a new era in their countries. Socio-economic hardship coupled with a denial of human rights and justice were the instigators for the widespread protests in both countries.
My team of senior human rights experts has just returned from visiting Tunisia and the information they received confirmed how integral human rights will be for the construction of the future of this country. They have briefed me on their observations and findings.
I was particularly moved by the words of one man whose 28-year-old son died as a result of a gunshot wound to the chest, as he gathered with other young men to protect their neighbourhood from armed militias. Speaking of the death of his son, he told my team that, “there must be sacrifices for there to be change.” His courageous words convey the enormity of the change for ordinary Tunisians and their desire and determination to achieve it despite colossal personal sacrifices and pain. Tunisians are anxious to see the human rights gains of recent weeks reinforced and entrenched in law so that they become a permanent feature of their country.
My team is currently finalizing a written report, based on which I will decide on the best ways in which my Office can provide immediate and more long-term support and assistance to the Tunisian people on a range of human rights issues.
I will now hand over to my team for their direct accounts of what they witnessed in Tunisia over the past week and their impressions.
Source: United Nations - Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)
Nigerian Girls Who Do Juju
Majority of Nigerian prostitutes on and off campus do juju.
Nigerian Girls Who Do Juju
I have met and befriended about three of them and they were all well educated and from comfortable families. Those who were close to them would never believe that such beautiful ladies were members of cults they joined when they were students at different universities in Nigeria. One of them even made sacrifices at the lagoon of the UNILAG. The second used special candles for rituals and the third one confessed that a python once came out of her vagina and said she was no longer in the cult. But her close female friend told me that she lied, because she was still keeping her white ritual plates. I made sure I never slept with anyone of them. I always had my Holy Bible whenever I passed the night with one of them. My friend dated another one who soon showed him her true colours one fateful day as they slept after making love. She suddenly got up and started singing and dancing in a strange ritual.
Majority of Nigerian prostitutes on and off campus do juju.
These are not rare cases, because many girls and ladies in Nigeria are ritualizes and pretending to be "Christians". They practice juju which they use in their relationships with men.
Will.i.am or Won't He?
Will.i.am with Escama Studio Masha bag of 100% recycled aluminum pull tabs. (PRNewsFoto/Escama Studio)
4 Feb 2011 14:40 Africa/Lagos
Will.i.am or Won't He?
'Big Game' Half Time Show Will Tell
SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 4, 2011
SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 4, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- He's worn it on Oprah, on stage with Tom Cruise, at concerts from London to Brazil, at L.A. Laker games, and in US Magazine, but that's the question Escama Studio, a small cooperative design studio based in San Francisco and Brazil wants to know. Will Will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas wear their bag made from 100% recycled pull tabs and intricate crochet when he performs at Sunday's "Big Game" Half Time Show?
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110204/SF42238)
Will.i.am personally owns five of these handmade bags, but it would mean so much to this small company, with no advertising budget to speak of, for Will.i.am to wear his bag in front of millions. It would validate their mission to create a line of high style, sustainable bags and accessories while improving the lives of the women who make them.
In Brazil, the studio works with more than 100 women from three different cooperatives. This gives the artisans the means to support themselves and their families. Escama Studio donates a percentage of annual sales towards computer-based educational programs, along with computers, furniture, training, and assistance opening bank accounts. Escama Studio is a member of the Fair Trade Federation and has always paid fair wages.
At first glance it's not clear what the bags are made of. Upon closer inspection it becomes clear that they are works of real ingenuity, wearable works of art. Its Leda Bag is the winner of the 2010 Independent Handbag Design Award for "Best Green Handbag".
Escama Studio bags and accessories are now sold in 15 countries and notable locations including the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Sydney Opera House and the Royal Academy of Art, London.
Watch the "Big Game" Half Time Show for the answer…
For more information, please contact:
Colette Landi Sipperly for Escama Studio 917.767.9796 or colettesipp@comcast.net
Visit www.escamastudio.com and meet some of the fair trade artists who make each bag.
Es•ca•ma scale of a fish [Portuguese]
SOURCE Escama Studio
CONTACT: Colette Landi Sipperly, +1-917-767-9796, colettesipp@comcast.net, for Escama Studio
Web Site: http://www.escamastudio.com
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Thursday, February 3, 2011
African Film Festival of Tarifa Offers Movies Online
2 Feb 2011 18:12 Africa/Lagos
African Film Festival of Tarifa Offers Movies Online
TARIFA, February 2, 2011/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- FCAT's 8th edition on 11th-19th June
3rd African-Spanish film Co-production forum's submission closed
Submissions of films for official competition close February 25th
Submissions of for 4th PhotoAfrica close March 1st
The African Film Festival of Tarifa (www.fcat.es), has entered into a partnership with AfricanFilms.tv, a video-on-demand internet platform with headquarter in Dakar, Senegal, aiming to help the platform build up its catalogue of African films.
African movies online
Due to cooperation with AfricaFilms.tv film fans will be able to watch movies from the 500 films rich FCAT library on the video-on-demand platform when it launches commercially in June. A legal, commercial downloading platform, available worldwide, guarantees fair revenue to African filmmakers and producers. “AfricaFilms.tv is very transparent and straight forward. It is commercial, but the focus is on the African filmmaker. Right holders get 50% of revenue, have online access to the back office and the cession of rights is non-exclusive” says AfricaFilm.tv CEO, Mr. Enrico Chiesa.
“We hope to provide the platform with 20-30 titles from our library per year” says Mrs. Mane Cisneros, director of FCAT and adds “Securing the rights and all the materials related will take time and effort, but we are convinced this is the right platform for us and for the filmmakers”.
Spanish-African co-productions
In January FCAT closed selection process for the 3rd Africa Produce - forum between African filmmakers and Spanish producers, TV commissioning editors and co-production managers, which goal is to introduce African cinema projects to the Spanish co-production market. For this year forum FCAT received 18 feature-length projects and 12 documentary projects, coming from 14 African countries. The most entries in fiction category came from Nigeria (4) and Cameroon (4), while the most documentary projects came from Burkina Faso (3). For the first time ever Equatorial Guinea and Namibia applied in the forum.
Six projects will be selected by FCAT jury and their directors will be present at the festival to convince Spanish producers. “We aim to continue promoting co-production between Africa and Spain. Two films, from Senegal and Mali, presented in the previous editions are now in development” said Carlos Domínguez, África Produce‘s co-ordinator.
Calls for entries still open
Filmmakers from all over Africa can until February 25th send their films to FCAT's committee, which is in charge of selecting movies for the competing and non-competing sections of the festival.
At the same time African photographers can send their entries for the 4th PhotoAfrica until March 1st.
More info regarding application process can be found on www.fcat.es
About FCAT
African film festival of Tarifa (FCAT – Festival de Cine Africano de Tarifa) is an independent and competitive film festival and one of the biggest African film festivals in Europe. The FCAT celebrates its eighth edition from 11th to 19th June 2011 in Andalusian town Tarifa - the closest town of continental Europe to the African continent - the two continents are in fact only 14 km apart from one another in this geographical area.
This year FCAT will screen up over hundred African films and it will bring together some of the most distinguished African filmmakers. Its aim is to spread knowledge about African film production by exhibiting a representative wide variety of audiovisual African works every year: from the classics to more innovative and recent films, from documentaries to feature length fiction films, from South Africa to Morocco and from Senegal to Ethiopia. More on www.fcat.es
Contact:
Filip Hruby
International Press Officer
Festival de Cine Africano de Tarifa - FCAT
Móvil: +420/775011550
gabineteprensa2@fcat.es
www.fcat.es
Source: The African Film Festival of Tarifa
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Who Is Afraid Of Timi Alaibe?
Timi Alaibe
Who Is Afraid Of Timi Alaibe?
~ By Daniel Wilcox.
Since the day Mr. Timi Alaibe declared his interest to contest for Bayelsa State governorship under the Labour Party many nerves have been racked. Those who are yet to grasp the reality of Alaibe's declaration are already hell-bent on snuffing life out of him. This is to be expected from a people who have no political credibility.
Alaibe decided to team up with the Labour Party to wrest power from the incumbent non-performing governor of Bayelsa state. It is natural that when superiority challenges inferiority, the complex in the lesser party would seek to annihilate the higher party. This is precisely the situation in Bayelsa state today. It is now a consensus of opinion that Alaibe is bringing the Midas touch to the governance of the state if voted into power. Not a few would agree that the state desperately needs speedy transformation. But those who want the status-quo of the frittering of the state's resources would do all the pernicious things to stall the machine of re-engineering the state. The recent bomb blast near his home is one desperate effort by the bruised and the humbled opposition to dissuade Alaibe from contesting the governorship of the state. Having traversed many paths assiduously and successfully, Alaibe is not one to give up so easily. His power is derived from the strength of the people who have massed around him like an impregnable wall.
“I will never let our great party and my people down by giving up the support the people have given me,” he said. Such a statement could only come from a man who knows the people to be his constituency. Alaibe knows that this is his hour to bring about a rebirth in Bayelsa.
The current government has failed us in Bayelsa. Security has collapsed because there are no conscious and concerted efforts on the part of the government to build a virile state where relative peace and tranquility will prevail.
The state has an almost a nonexistent commerce. Governance is not only about putting up phony adverts with the money of already bruised citizens. Governor Timipre Sylva promised to address issues of infrastructure, environment, security, youth empowerment and agriculture but he has so for failed to fulfill his promises. There is no time now to do that, because his time is up. The people are now determined to vote out the ruling government in the state, by voting in a responsible Labour Party government spearheaded by Alaibe.
Accountability had been murdered in Bayelsa state by the current administration as huge allocation of the Federal Government to the Local government areas had been misappropriated by the state government cronies. The rate of unemployment in the state had tripled, this partly accounts for the high rate of criminality in the state. You cannot blame the people because the government has been a great disappointment. Rather than the state government to create job opportunities, it continued to deceive the people with unrealistic and unobtainable schemes.
“The Labour Party is resilient, united and fights the cause of the common man,” he stated. I am for the common people. I also will not overlook the needs of others. He understands the Niger Delta terrain and what the rural masses need.
Though Bayelsa State is one of the major oil producing states in Nigeria, majority of its people still live in poverty.
Adequate transportation system, health, education, and other infrastructure are grossly inadequate in the state as a result of decades of insensitivity of government of the state.
The labour gubernatorial candidate urges all Bayelsans to come out and participate in the on going voters exercise; Bayelsans according to him must resist attempts to manipulate the voter registration. If we want a better Bayelsa state, we must take action and join the efforts to make it happen.
Wilcox lives in Yenogoa, Bayelsa State.
Alaibe: The Only Choice For Change In Bayelsa State
Timi Alaibe
Alaibe: The Only Choice For Change In Bayelsa State
~ By Daniel Wilcox
That Mr. Timi Alaibe has declared his interest to contest for Bayelsa State governorship under the Labour Party is no news. It is also no news that he decided to team up with the Labour Party to wrest Bayelsa state from the shackles of the ruling party. What is news is that Alaibe is bringing the Midas touch to the state because it desperately needs speedy transformation. He is known as one not given to failures. His rise from grass to grace attests to his commitment to a purpose driven mission.
“I will never let our great party and my people down,” he said. Such a statement could only come from a man who knows the right time to do the right thing. Alaibe knows that this is his hour to bring about a rebirth in Bayelsa. He knows that the possibility is within his reach judging by the stunning following he enjoys in the state across political, ethnic and religious spectrum in the state. Almost all his life seems a preparation for this moment.
“I chose Labour Party because the party is resilient, united and fights the cause of the common man,” he stated.
Alaibe is not new to administration in any capacity. He has served the nation well and done exceedingly good for his Niger-delta constituency. He rose from being executive director (Finance) to becoming the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC. He was later appointed Senior Adviser to the president on Niger Delta Affairs. He was until his resignation from the current administration a moving force in the implementation of the government’s amnesty program for ex-militants. Alaibe, oversaw the implementation of the amnesty, under which more than 20,000 oil militants, surrendered their arms in exchange for development of their region and a retraining program. He understands the Niger Delta terrain and what the rural masses need in Bayelsa.
A true son of the Niger Delta, Alaibe showed quite early in his life the qualities of diligence, intelligence, compassion.
Prior to his appointment as Managing Director, Alaibe was in the banking industry. He served as Vice President of Cosmopolitan Bancshares in 1994, and later as General Manager, Corporate Banking and Investment at Societe Generale Bank (Nig.) Ltd.
He has become a magnetic rallying point among the youth, the women and the elders alike, and at the national level where he has championed the cause of the Niger Delta people.
At NDDC, it is on record that he has been instrumental to the healthy financial and administrative regime of the Commission, in a charged socio-political environment where the mandate of the Commission faces a dire prospect of being easily overwhelmed by political exigencies and social pressures.
A major part of the success of the NDDC in addressing the daunting neglect of the Niger Delta region, as well as in reducing the agitation and violence prevalent in the region before the establishment of the NDDC, lies in Alaibe’s great compassion, brilliance, foresight, natural problem-solving and people-savvy skills.
In line with the vision of former president Olusegun Obasanjo, Mr. Alaibe helped to enthrone a culture of enduring achievement for the NDDC. Along with his colleagues on the Board and Management of the NDDC, he strove to set in motion, a coordinated response mechanism to the short-term and long-term challenges of the Niger Delta, comprising as key ingredients, an integrated regional development Master Plan, interim action plan for key projects in the states, as well as skill acquisition programs and a re-orientation and empowerment of youths.
Alaibe has been described in many circles as peace advocate, catalyst for change, friend of the oppressed, conduit for development, and symbol of hope and inspiration for the indigent yet hopeful Niger Delta people.
Alaibe holds a bachelors degree in Accountancy from the Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt, and a Master of Business Administration from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.
In recognition of his contributions to humanity and the society, Alaibe has been appointed a member of many professional organizations, including the Institute of Chartered Administrators, the Institute of Corporate Executives, and the Institute of Certified Public Accountants. He has also received many outstanding awards for excellence. In 1991, for instance, Mr. Alaibe was appointed a member of the Rivers State Task Force on Counterfeit and Fake Drugs. A one-time vice-chairman of the Rivers State Wrestling Association, he was also the founding Chairman of the Rivers-Bayelsa Professionals Forum.
He is, also, a member of the Presidential Committee Police Equipment Fund, where he serves as Chairman, Public Sector Sub-Committee.
Among his many awards are: Certified Doctor of Business Administration, Oxford Association of Management, Oxford, England; Distinguished Fellow of the Academy of Commercial Diplomacy, UK; Certified Strategist Lifetime Award of the Cambridge Association of Managers, UK; Certificate of Honour from the European Market Research Centre, (Euro Market Forum) 2003; Distinguished Fellow, Institute of Corporate Administration of Nigeria; Distinguished Fellow, Certified Institute of Management, Nigeria; Distinguished Alumnus of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife; and Outstanding Alumnus Award, Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt.
In addition to his growing international profile, Alaibe has been invited to deliver papers on subjects as wide-ranging as politics, capital markets/country risk rating, sustainable development, peace and security.
These include: Security and Sustainable Development in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria,” by the Defense and Security Forum, United Kingdom; Development Challenges of the Niger Delta Region: The Path to Sustainable Development,” at the annual law week of the Nigerian Bar Association, Bayelsa State Branch; Country Risk Rating And Implications For Capital Market Growth In Nigeria: The Niger Delta Question,” at the Nigerian Stock Exchange Annual Conference, Abuja; and Peace and Development in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria,” delivered at the prestigious annual Ronald H. Brown African Affairs Series of the Black Congressional Caucus, the United States of America, organised by the Leadership Roundtable of the US-Africa Partnership.
Though Bayelsa State is one of the major oil producing states in Nigeria, it is one of the least benefiting states from the oil income. Majority of Bayelsans still live in poverty. They are mainly rural dwellers due to its peculiar terrain and lack of adequate transportation system, health, education, or other infrastructure, as a result of decades of neglect by the central government and oil prospecting companies. This has been a major problem in the state since its creation and successive governments have failed to address and repair the damage. The state has an almost nonexistent commerce.
In his inaugural speech, following his election, the current governor of the state, Governor Timipre Sylva, promised to address issues of infrastructure, environment, security, youth empowerment, agriculture and industrialization. His government has so far failed to deliver on these promises.
Alaibe is undaunted and remains focused on his program to transform the state for the overall well being of its people.
~Wilcox lives in Yenogoa, Bayelsa State.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Our Revolution will be Live on the CNN
Nigerians protest against corruption
As Prof. John Oshodi has analyzed in the following article on the premonition of a popular political revolution in Nigeria as the masses are revolting against oppressive regimes in Tunisia and Egypt, I know that our own revolution will be live on the CNN.
~ The Publisher/Editor
As Revolutionary Anxiety Grips Africa, the Nigerian Masses of Different Ethnic and Religious Backgrounds Must React With Supportive and Peaceful Expressions
As peaceful uprising fills the air of Africa, the days and weeks ahead could pose questions for other near and far countries in the continent, and underneath the turmoil are traces of corruption, unemployment, underemployment, brutality, dangerousness and lawlessness.
These painful factors remain realistic and vivid in the hearts of ordinary Nigerians, and these are tests for the power-that-be, who find themselves constantly being suspicious of each other, cruel to each other, killing each other, bribing each other, mis-educating each other, lying to each other and pilfering from each other.
These daunting and never-ending forces and pressures on the people have in the last decade created gross societal and institutional neglect as evidenced in squandered treasury, deadly roads, school mismanagement, oil exploitation, inadequate healthcare, rampant violence, electric supply instability, poor policing, and other misguided institutions.
Nigeria has become a country where accountability, transparency, objectivity and high standards in governmental and private practices are almost void, and leadership is defined in fragility due to being accountable mainly to godfathers/godmothers rather to the people.
These signs of institutional tensions should bring the people together in spite of their regional, socio-economic, ethnic and religious differences, and help create a peaceful uprising, protest and revolution. It now appears that the people have in the process internalized these leadership problems and tensions, and as a consequence are turning against each other, resulting in peculiar or abnormal practices as in kidnapping, religious violence, family brutality, cult slaying, ethnic strain, cash laundering, and general insecurities.
The painful and recent history of poor law and order, and the shaky political/economic insecurity, which mainly threatens the lives of ordinary Nigerians, the students, market women and struggling workers especially, makes it proper for a revolution which must be constructive and peaceful with a focus on provoking positive change.
The Nigerian people are known for just wanting to live their lives, and as we all know rallies, protests and outcry for social justice have not traditionally been a part of their collective or individual psyche. So the desire to spontaneously express and peacefully lash out against spoiled Nigerian leadership will not be easy to reveal itself.
But what is clear is that the signs to anticipate popular outcry for change appears to around the corner, and as the April elections draw near the people will be justified to demand for their right and freedom through a participatory, responsive and God-fearing democracy.
A national unity among demonstrators will have more power if good-faith Nigerians in the Diaspora, in America particularly, tell those at home that help is on the way, and actually go home, and present a show of collective force against leadership who need to be held to higher standards.
As we all know April, May, and June are fast coming and the world is watching as to when change will be in the air in Nigeria!
~ By John Egbeazien Oshodi, Ph.D , DABPS, FACFE, is a Forensic/Clinical Psychologist and an Assistant Professor of Psychology and Behavioral Science, North Campus, Broward College, Coconut Creek, Florida. joshodi@broward.edu
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Statements by EU High Representative Catherine Ashton on Tunisia and Egypt
29, 2011
Thousands of Egyptians break a curfew to continue their protests against President Hosni Mubarak.
© 2011 Reuters
28 Jan 2011 21:23 Africa/Lagos
Statements by EU High Representative Catherine Ashton on Tunisia and Egypt
PR Newswire
WASHINGTON, Jan. 28, 2011
WASHINGTON, Jan. 28, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Catherine Ashton, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, today made the following statement on Tunisia:
"I spoke earlier today with the newly appointed Tunisian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Ahmed Ounaies.
I congratulated the Minister on his appointment and confirmed the EU's solidarity with the
Tunisian people in their efforts to build a stable and pluralistic democracy with full respect for the rule of law and fundamental rights and freedoms. I expressed the EU's hope that the transitional Government will be able to organize free and fair democratic parliamentary and presidential elections as soon as possible. I welcomed the liberation of political prisoners and I stressed that freedom of association and legalization of all political parties are key components for the transition.
I confirmed the EU's readiness to provide its assistance and expertise for the preparation and organization of the electoral process and political reforms. I underscored the need to help and empower the civil society. The EU will review and update its strategy and assistance. I also emphasized the EU's commitment to continue our economic cooperation and the need for investors to redouble their confidence in Tunisia.
Minister Ounaies and I agreed to meet in the coming days.
The Tunisian Foreign Minister welcomed the EU's engagement and the offer to accompany his country's transition towards democracy with assistance."
Regarding the situation in Egypt, High Representative Ashton stated:
"I have followed very closely and with profound concern the reports of increased violence, clashes and arrests during today's demonstrations in Egypt.
The continued use of force against demonstrators by police and state security forces is deeply troubling. In order to avoid further deterioration of the situation in Cairo and elsewhere in Egypt, and to avoid more casualties, I reiterate my call on all parties to exercise restraint and calm and I urge the authorities to immediately and unconditionally release all peaceful demonstrators from detention.
I also reiterate my call upon the Egyptian authorities to urgently establish a constructive and peaceful way to respond to the legitimate aspirations of Egyptian citizens for democratic and socioeconomic reforms.
I will discuss these developments with my colleagues in the Foreign Affairs Council meeting on
Monday in Brussels."
SOURCE Delegation of the European Union to the United States
CONTACT: Silvia Kofler, +1-202-862 9523, or Kasper Zeuthen, +1-202-862 9530, both of the Delegation of the European Union to the United States
Web Site: http://www.eurunion.org
Thousands of Egyptians break a curfew to continue their protests against President Hosni Mubarak.
© 2011 Reuters
28 Jan 2011 21:23 Africa/Lagos
Statements by EU High Representative Catherine Ashton on Tunisia and Egypt
PR Newswire
WASHINGTON, Jan. 28, 2011
WASHINGTON, Jan. 28, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Catherine Ashton, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, today made the following statement on Tunisia:
"I spoke earlier today with the newly appointed Tunisian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Ahmed Ounaies.
I congratulated the Minister on his appointment and confirmed the EU's solidarity with the
Tunisian people in their efforts to build a stable and pluralistic democracy with full respect for the rule of law and fundamental rights and freedoms. I expressed the EU's hope that the transitional Government will be able to organize free and fair democratic parliamentary and presidential elections as soon as possible. I welcomed the liberation of political prisoners and I stressed that freedom of association and legalization of all political parties are key components for the transition.
I confirmed the EU's readiness to provide its assistance and expertise for the preparation and organization of the electoral process and political reforms. I underscored the need to help and empower the civil society. The EU will review and update its strategy and assistance. I also emphasized the EU's commitment to continue our economic cooperation and the need for investors to redouble their confidence in Tunisia.
Minister Ounaies and I agreed to meet in the coming days.
The Tunisian Foreign Minister welcomed the EU's engagement and the offer to accompany his country's transition towards democracy with assistance."
Regarding the situation in Egypt, High Representative Ashton stated:
"I have followed very closely and with profound concern the reports of increased violence, clashes and arrests during today's demonstrations in Egypt.
The continued use of force against demonstrators by police and state security forces is deeply troubling. In order to avoid further deterioration of the situation in Cairo and elsewhere in Egypt, and to avoid more casualties, I reiterate my call on all parties to exercise restraint and calm and I urge the authorities to immediately and unconditionally release all peaceful demonstrators from detention.
I also reiterate my call upon the Egyptian authorities to urgently establish a constructive and peaceful way to respond to the legitimate aspirations of Egyptian citizens for democratic and socioeconomic reforms.
I will discuss these developments with my colleagues in the Foreign Affairs Council meeting on
Monday in Brussels."
SOURCE Delegation of the European Union to the United States
CONTACT: Silvia Kofler, +1-202-862 9523, or Kasper Zeuthen, +1-202-862 9530, both of the Delegation of the European Union to the United States
Web Site: http://www.eurunion.org
Google makes Top 10 Places to work in the world
Happy Google staff in Africa
The world's leader in online search and major stakeholder in online solutions and other gadgets Google makes Top 10 of the best places to work in the world according FORTUNE.
And the winners are...
Fat paychecks, sweet perks, fun colleagues, and over 150,000 jobs ready to be filled -- these employers offer dream workplaces. Meet this year's top 100, network with the winners on LinkedIn, and more. More
SAS
Boston Consulting Group
Wegmans Food Markets
NetApp
See the top 100
Zappos.com
Camden Property Trust
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Friday, January 28, 2011
Only If Public leaders Could Take Tips from the Obi Code of Governance
Rt. Hon.(Prince) Sam Obi, Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly
Prince Sam Obi: Only If Public leaders Could Take Tips from the Obi Code of Governance
Suddenly the country in a much tiny way saw what it means to move the acts of governance forward not just with empty or hollow words but with words flowing with actions. Those who in the future seek national or state office could learn from Prince Sam Obi, the current Speaker of Delta State who served as interim Delta state Governor sometime in November, 2010 to the beginning of January, 2011.
Within three months Obi, as an acting Governor was governance-focused both in his words and actions.
It has been a very long time that the public saw a leader making a public pledge, and putting ideas out openly, fearlessly, and unwaveringly in a striking and unflinching manner.
Nigeria is now trying to find its self in the face of innumerable threats to economic security, institutional health and political stability. But here is the good news.
The ex-acting Governor has given us tips and ways that could reduce the sucking of the nation’s capital and has helped open new routes to exercising better leadership in government and in society.
In an introductory manner, Obi reminded us that the people live in “extra-ordinary times’, therefore if the nation is to address some of these “extra-ordinary circumstances” future or current leaders should boldly “fulfill a constitutional duty in accordance with dictates of democratic ethos and above all, the rule of law”.
As part of the Obi code of governance, he sees the acts of “cooperation, collaboration and understanding” as part of leadership challenge.
In a non-figurative manner, Obi, unlike any recent public leader advanced that it is paramount to be “committed to offering selfless service”, “run an open administration”, and remain open to “constructive criticisms”, and he believes in the welfare of the people, as he directs that the “people should (always) go about their normal duties.
As part of the new national narratives, he championed the need for “ hard work’, “honesty”, “accountability and transparency.”
As part of a new normal in leadership and governance strategy, Obi calls for leadership to “pledge loyalty to the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and selfless service to all”.
The Obi code of governance states that leaders should be able speak power to truth by making sure that “government will do all within its power to ensure that the machinery of governance continues to run without let or hindrance”.
As to those among the public who harbours the spirit of chaos, Obi believes that leaders should be able “to charge the law enforcement agencies to ensure that…nefarious persons” are controlled for the good and peace of the nation.
The Obi code of governance calls for bold actions and deeds, even if it is only about sending a psychological shock to self-satisfied leaders, and Obi partly demonstrated this process in “ the dissolution of the Executive Council…with immediate effect”.
Obi believes in praising leaders even if it is only to encourage them to do good by using their abilities and experiences to “ ensure smooth running of the machinery of government”.
Obi believed that leaders must act as role models in order to “enjoining them to avoid anything that would portray the government in negative light”.
Obi believes public service requires “workforce to be pro-active, efficient and productive” and he asserts that "civil service should be pro-active and efficient rather than being a liability”. As part of the Obi code of governance, he believes that small improvement s in human service, usually result into bigger dividends, as evidenced by his demand for workers to “avoid cases of absenteeism”, therefore ensuring efficiency and productivity.
He sees time management as essential ingredients to effective public practices, as in the case of “salary preparation to ensure that workers receive their pay on” time, and he asserts that promoting “strategies used in collecting internally generated revenue” are needed in behalf of the state or nation. The Obi code of governance demands on officials “to be careful and avoid fraud in the preparation of salaries and in the collection of internally generated revenue(s)”.
Along the same line, Obi asserts that to restore the spirit of leadership and positive practices “embargo on foreign Trips for Political Appointees and top Government Functionaries” becomes paramount.
Every sensible Nigerian will agree that the leadership situation in the nation currently wallows in chronic wrongdoing and the misuse of politics, as such transformation, no matter how small could come not by throwing the nation backward, as it currently appears but by adhering to the Obi code of governance.
Thank you, Sir and hopefully a leader in your image or mindset could be swept into the office of the presidency or other authority by the people and for the sake of ensuring a disciplined approach to governance.
~ By John Egbeazien Oshodi, Ph.D , DABPS, FACFE, is a Forensic/Clinical Psychologist and an Assistant Professor of Psychology and Behavioral Science, North Campus, Broward College, Coconut Creek, Florida. joshodi@broward.edu
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