Rana Dasgupta Wins 2010 Commonwealth Writers Prize For Best Book

British-Indian novelist Rana Dasgupta has won the 2010 Commonwealth Writers Prize for Best Book for his novel Solo and Glenda Guest won Best First Book for Siddon Rock.

Rana Dasgupta


The judges said they chose Solo for "its innovation, ambition, courage and effortlessly elegant prose. A remarkable novel of two halves, this is a book that takes risks and examines the places where grim reality and fantastical daydreams merge, diverge, and feed off each other. Solo, the judges concluded, is a tour de force, breathtaking in its boldness and narrative panache."
More details.

Rana Dasgupta said he was surprised that he won the highly coveted £10,000 Commonwealth Writers' Prize.

"I am not the kind to win awards. I am a writer who writes more for myself — it’s an intensely personal thing. To see that striking a chord is not something I had counted on,” said Dasgupta.

Solo is Rana Dasgupta's second novel and it has been given favourable reviews by leading literary pundits. His first novel was Tokyo Cancelled.

Solo is ... utterly unforgettable in its humanity.
- Kapka Kassabova, The Guardian.

What a delight to find a novelist unfazed by the 21st century ... This is an important work. Already it's my tip for the Man Booker this year.
- Nigel Krauth, The Australian.

Solo is a nuanced and virtuoso performance.
- Stuart Kelly, Scotland on Sunday.

Solo is beautifully symphonic - elegiac and prophetic, underpinned by intelligence, compassion and a wonderfully unfettered imagination. It’s a necessary as well as a timely novel.
- Joanne Hayden, Sunday Business Post.

... a surreal history of massive proportions ... Dasgupta's writing is a revelation ... The back cover lauds the book as "a devastating and rapturous novel". It is. I'm still shaking.
- Matt Bowler, The Nelson Mail.


Winner of the 2010 Commonwealth Writers' Prize, "Solo" recounts the life and daydreams of Ulrich, a one hundred year-old blind man from Bulgaria:

In the hour before they retired, the silence claimed his mother too, and Ulrich relaxed into contentment. While the ball of wool twitched with her knitting, his attention drifted from his books and spiralled into his own recesses, where old faces coasted past like comforting submarine monsters, and fine filaments lit up a route to the future. He came to find solace in these daydreams, and on the days when he did not have an opportunity to cultivate them, he went to bed quite unsatisfied.


Solo is an exquisite book, one of the best I’ve read all year; but trying to encompass why is quite difficult, because it could go in so many directions ... The contrast between the novel’s two parts is ... well-handled and subtle. It’s not simply that one depicts failure and the other success. It’s that, in life, one of Ulrich’s obsessions caused so much tragedy — chemistry destroyed his marriage, poisoned his country, took his sight; but, in his daydreams, it is Ulrich’s other obsession, music, that brings so much joy. And it’s that Ulrich’s memories, being somewhat hazy and episodic, feel much like daydreams; whilst his daydreams have a structure that make them feel more like reality (come to think of it, isn’t that often the way in our own lives?).
- David Hebblethwaite.

Prizes are important, because just as writers need to be read, they also need to be fed.
~ Dr. Shashi Tharoor, Minister of State for External Affairst the 2010 Commonwealth Writers Awards Ceremony in India on April 12, 2010.

Most Americans Willing to Sacrifice Some Privacy to Enhance Safe Air Travel

13 Apr 2010 13:00 Africa/Lagos


Most Americans Willing to Sacrifice Some Privacy to Enhance Safe Air Travel, According to Latest Unisys Security Index

With economic and H1N1 worries receding, concerns over airport security and terrorism trump other U.S. public fears U.S. concerns about safety of online transactions at highest level since start of Unisys Security Index three years ago

BLUE BELL, Pa., April 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Ninety-three percent of Americans said they are willing to sacrifice some level of privacy to increase safety when traveling by air, according to research conducted in January and February by Unisys Corporation (NYSE:UIS) . Nearly two-thirds of Americans (65%) said they are willing to cooperate with full electronic body scans at the airport, and more than half (57%) would be willing to submit to identity checks using biometric data such as iris scans or fingerprints.


Nearly three quarters of Americans (72%) said they are willing to provide personal data in advance of air travel to increase security.


The findings, part of the latest bi-annual Unisys Security Index, illustrate that recent events such as the attempted Christmas Day airline bombing may have made security a priority for air travelers. A clear majority of citizens in nearly every country surveyed said they would be willing to forgo privacy to increase air travel security. For example, 90% of citizens in the United Kingdom and 70% of Australians said they would submit to electronic body scans.


"An overwhelming majority of the global population is willing to cooperate with enhanced travel security mandates, suggesting that the public is willing to give up some privacy in return for safer air travel," said Mark Cohn, vice president of enterprise security, Unisys. "This suggests that the public supports technologies, communications and personnel to enhance security at our nation's airports, borders and ports."


Recognizing the need to address air travel security concerns, Unisys today also announced the launch of its Next Generation Airport Passenger Security Solution (http://www.unisys.com/unisys/news/detail.jsp?id=1120000970002010069). This new solution integrates advanced technologies with existing IT and communication systems to provide passengers with a streamlined travel experience while enhancing security and reducing costs.


The latest results of the Unisys Security Index also confirmed that national security and identity theft rank as America's top concerns, with nearly two-thirds (65%) "extremely" or "very" concerned about U.S. national security and 64% seriously concerned about identity theft.


Nearly two-thirds of Americans (62%) are also seriously concerned about credit and debit card fraud. The percentage of Americans who are seriously concerned about the security of online transactions is at the highest level now (43%) since the Unisys Security Index began three years ago. The percentage of Americans who are "extremely concerned" about the security of their online transactions rose to 20% (up from 16% in September 2009).


These findings reflect recent trends reported by the U.S. government and other organizations. Last month, the FBI reported that losses due to internet fraud more than doubled in 2009 to nearly $560 million. In 2009, identity theft jumped 12 percent, hitting 11.1 million U.S. consumers, according to an annual survey released last month by Javelin Strategy & Research.


Overall Results of Latest Wave of Security Index


The Unisys Security Index surveys consumer opinion on four areas of security: financial, national, Internet and personal safety. More than 1,000 Americans responded to the latest survey. The results are tallied on a scale of 0-300, with 300 representing the highest level of perceived concern.


The overall score for the current Unisys Security Index for the United States was 147, indicating a moderate level of overall security concern. The overall score came in unchanged from the last survey taken in September 2009.


National security emerged again in the latest results as the U.S. public's greatest area of concern, with 65% of those surveyed saying they were concerned about this area. The number of Americans "extremely" concerned about identity theft rose to 31%, up from 26% in September 2009.


Americans' fear surrounding their ability to meet their essential financial obligations--which was the leading concern one year ago --continues to be on the decline. The most dramatic decline was reported in those "very concerned" about financial security-- from 25% in September 2009 to 20% in February 2010.


The research reveals another significant drop in the proportion of American adults who are "very concerned" about a national health epidemic like H1N1 (30% in September 2009 to 23% presently), while there has been an uptick in Americans "not at all concerned" about a national health epidemic-- 18% in September 2009 to 21% currently.


"The finding that an overwhelming number of Americans are willing to submit private information to enjoy safe air travel provides strong evidence that the public's privacy fears may be in decline," said Larry Ponemon, chairman and founder of the Ponemon Institute, an independent research and consulting firm. "I find the results of the Unisys Security Index as compelling evidence that people throughout the world care deeply about their personal safety, especially when traveling on a commercial airline."


Additional key global findings from the latest Unisys Security Index include:


-- Citizens of the UK were the most accepting of electronic body scans at
airports, with 90% of citizens approving the procedure. A large
majority of the Dutch public (81%) were also in favor, followed by
Australians (70%).
-- Mexico and Hong Kong were the only countries surveyed in which a
majority did not indicate willingness to submit to electronic body
scans at airports. Only 24% of the Mexican adults and 45% of those in
Hong Kong said they would support use of the procedure.
-- Security concerns were highest in Brazil, which reported an overall
index score of 177, closely followed by Mexico with a score of 173.
The Netherlands reported the lowest level of concern with an overall
score of 70.
-- Identity crime ranks as the overall greatest concern in the United
Kingdom. 87% of UK adults are worried about unauthorized access to
their personal information and the same percentage expressed fear
about other people obtaining or using their credit card or debit card
details.
-- National security concern is extremely high in Mexico. More than
three-quarters of Mexicans (77%) are seriously concerned about
national security, the top concern in the country. Only 4% of Mexicans
said they were not concerned about national security.

About the Unisys Security Index

The Unisys Security Index is a bi-annual global study that provides insights into the attitudes of consumers on a wide range of security related issues. Lieberman Research Group conducted the survey in Latin America, Europe and the U.S.; Newspoll conducted the research in Asia-Pacific. The Unisys Security Index surveys more than 10,000 people in eleven countries: Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Germany, Hong Kong, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States. The study measures consumer perceptions on a scale of zero to 300, with 300 representing the highest level of perceived concern. For more information, visit www.unisyssecurityindex.com.


About Unisys


Unisys is a worldwide information technology company. We provide a portfolio of IT services, software, and technology that solves critical problems for clients. We specialize in helping clients secure their operations, increase the efficiency and utilization of their data centers, enhance support to their end users and constituents, and modernize their enterprise applications. To provide these services and solutions, we bring together offerings and capabilities in outsourcing services, systems integration and consulting services, infrastructure services, maintenance services, and high-end server technology. With more than 25,000 employees, Unisys serves commercial organizations and government agencies throughout the world. For more information, visit www.unisys.com.


RELEASE NO.: 0413/8962


Unisys is a registered trademark of Unisys Corporation. All other brands and products referenced herein are acknowledged to be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.


Source: Unisys

CONTACT: Brad Bass, Unisys, +1-703-439-5887, brad.bass@unisys.com; or
Mary McCeney, Weber Shandwick for Unisys, +1-212-445-8160,
mmcceney@webershandwick.com

Mali Remains a Country of Emigration and Transit, IOM Migration Profile Confirms

13 Apr 2010 19:02 Africa/Lagos

Mali Remains a Country of Emigration and Transit, IOM Migration Profile Confirms

BAMAKO, April 13, 2010/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- IOM Press Briefing Notes
A migration profile of Mali released today finds that this landlocked West African country remains essentially a country of emigration, although increasing numbers of irregular migrants appear to transit through Mali on their way to Europe via the Maghreb countries.

According to the report, demographic growth, poverty, increased unemployment and difficult climatic conditions continue to push many Malians to migrate internally from rural to urban areas, within the West African region and beyond.

Based on the 2000 Census Round Data, the report estimates the number of Malian abroad to be in excess of 1,5 million, with a 32 per cent living and working in Côte d'Ivoire, 28 per cent in Burkina Faso, 10 per cent in Guinea, 6 per cent in Nigeria and 5 per cent in Ghana.

The remainder are thought to be employed in OECD countries, primarily in industry, construction; agriculture and fishing. Most of them have a low level of education.

However, the report notes that Mali is confronted with a certain brain drain, since 15 per cent of Malian university graduates emigrated during the 1995-2005 period. In the health sector, 23 per cent of Malian doctors and 15 per cent of nurses found employment in 9 developed countries, with France remaining the favoured destination.

Despite the country's political commitment in favour of regional integration, the report notes that immigration to Mali remains very limited with an estimated 164,000 migrants representing just 1,4 per cent of the total population in 2005. Immigration to Mali is mostly regional, with migrants coming from Burkina Faso (23 %), Ghana (13 %), Guinea (10 %), Benin (9 %) and Niger (8 %).


Although data on transit migration remains scarce, the report states that Mali seems to have become an important point of passage, with routes linking countries in Central and West Africa to the Maghreb and Libya.


As for remittances, they reached 212 million USD in 2007, representing 3, 3 per cent of the country's GDP. Although remittances are mostly used to improve the living conditions of families left behind, the emergence of structured migrants' associations has increased the share of funds used for social and productive investments.

In the Western region of Kayes, the report notes that migrants' associations in France have funded over the past decade more than 220 community projects in dozens of villages.

The IOM profile, which is funded by the European Union, the Belgian Development Cooperation and the Swiss Federal Office for Migration, says that the Government of Mali has achieved some success in drawing on the expertise of its diaspora by encouraging the return of qualified migrants through programmes such as the UNDP implemented Transfer of Knowledge through Expatriate Nationals (TOKTEN) programme.


It notes efforts deployed to incorporate migration into the National Strategic Framework on Development such as the priority solidarity fund for co-development programme established with France to support the activities of associations, facilitate the mobilization of remittances and strengthen ties between emigrant youths and their country of origin.


The report underlines the scarcity of reliable data on migration as the last general population census in Mali and the only specialized survey on migration were undertaken more than ten years ago, and cannot therefore reflect the current trends.


Furthermore, national structures dealing with migration do not have the capacity to properly manage and analyse data. To improve data on migration, there is a need to develop and establish a coherent data management system, involving all relevant partners and in keeping with the guiding principles of the country's national plan for statistics.


Source: International Office of Migration (IOM)

Nigerian Senator Paid $100, 000 To Marry A 13 Year Old Egyptian Girl

UPDATE ON: The Untold Story of the Allegation of $10.8 Billion Tax Evasion Fraud against Chevron and its Associated Companies BY ABZ INTEGRATED LIMITED.




Senator Ahmed Sani


Nigerian Senator Paid $100, 000 To Marry A 13 Year Old Egyptian Girl

The bearded Senator Ahmed Sani, who is a former governor of Zamfara state in northern Nigeria has paid a bride price of $100, 000 to marry a 13 year old Egyptian girl.

Old men dating and marrying under age girls is common practice among the Muslims in Northern Nigeria.

Full details on Page 9 of The Punch newspaper on Monday April 12, 2010.


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The Untold Story of the Allegation of $10.8 Billion Tax Evasion Fraud against Chevron and its Associated Companies

Update on the Allegation of $10.8 Billion Tax Evasion Fraud against Chevron and its Associated Companies 1





On 1st July, 2005, ABZ Integrated Limited, a Nigerian company based in Abuja broke the news of the $10.8 billion tax evasion and fraud by the Nigerian branch of the Chevron Corporation (NYSE: CVX Euronext: CHTEX), an American multinational energy corporation headquartered in San Ramon, California, (see annexure 1b).

Following the disclosures, ABZ was duly engaged by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of Nigeria under the Executive Chairmanship of Mallam Nuhu Ribadu (see annexure 1a) as a consultant for the recovery of the unpaid taxes from Chevron Nigeria Limited. The Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) under Dr. (Mrs.) Obiageli Ezekwesili acknowledged the engagement and financial entitlement of ABZ Integrated Limited (see annexure 5b).


In the last quarter of 2005, the House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream), under the chairmanship of Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, had a public hearing on the allegation of $10.8 billion tax evasion and fraud against Chevron Nigeria Limited. And in September 2006, the Chairman vindicated ABZ and confirmed that Chevron evaded tax as alleged and was ordered to refund the sum of $492 million. NEITI’s auditors also validated the claims of ABZ. But Chevron has only refunded a fraction of the total Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT) evaded, without paying the penalties required by PPT Act. And ABZ has not been paid its entitlements since Chevron has refunded the sum of $866 million of the Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT) evaded so far.

This is the untold story of the whole financial scandal as reported by Fidelis Uzonwanne, the Managing Consultant of ABZ Integrated Limited.

~ Nigerians Report



UPDATE ON THE ALLEGATION OF $10.8 BILLION TAX EVASION AND FRAUD AGAINST CHEVRON AND ITS ASSOCIATED COMPANIES BY ABZ INTEGRATED LTD

THE UNTOLD STORY

In July 2005, when ThisDay Newspaper published ABZ Integrated Ltd’s open letter to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, on the allegation of $10.8 Billion tax evasion and fraud against Chevron Nigeria Ltd, some Nigerians believed it. Some took it with a pinch of salt. While some dismissed it with utmost disbelief.





Before ABZ took that bold step, an in-dept investigation of the activities of Chevron had been painstakingly undertaken. This culminated in a 106 –page report being forwarded to EFCC on the 12th of May 2005, with over 400 page annexures (Annexure 4).



The way and manner the relevant government agencies in Nigeria reacted to the issue was very shocking and unbelievable. Organizations such as the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and its subsidiary NAPIMS, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) etc, stood in stout defense of Chevron’s position and treated ABZ with disdain and scorn. We were undaunted because we were very sure of what we stated and were prepared to defend it till the last day.





Following our publication, the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), under the chairmanship of Dr. (Mrs.) Obiageli Ezekwesili, held a meeting of stakeholders in Nicon Hotel on the 9th of August 2005. NEITI issued a press release (Annexure 5a) on the outcome of the meeting confirming inter alia:
(i) That ABZ was duly engaged as consultants by EFCC and that ABZ’s effort led to the recovery of $6.5 million

(ii) That the information provided by ABZ (i.e. the report) has been referred to the Hart Group to verify the claims made therein.

Other confirmations of ABZ’s efforts and entitlements are enclosed herewith as (Annexures 5b, c, d & e).





Recall that field work on the ABZ’s investigation of Chevron under EFCC Committee on Government Revenue Fraud was done between December 2003 and January 2005. FIRS and other Government agencies were answering questions on their respective roles relating to Chevron’s operations and their culpability thereon (Annexures 6a, 6b, 6c & 7a, 7b).

Between September and November 2005, the House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream), under the chairmanship of Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, carried out a public hearing on the allegation of $10.8 billion tax evasion and fraud against Chevron. About September 2006, the report of the Committee’s investigation was laid before the plenary. The chairman in a press conference confirmed to the whole world that indeed Chevron evaded tax as alleged and was ordered to refund the sum of $492 million (Annexure 8).

On November 9, 2006, Segun Adeniyi, a former Editor of ThisDay Newspaper, Spokesperson to President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, and then a member of the National Stakeholders Working Group (NSWG) of NEITI, confirmed to the whole world that ABZ had been vindicated because NEITI’s auditors had confirmed to them the veracity of ABZ’s claims (Annexure 9a). Please find enclosed an except from Hart Group report dated 14th August, 2006 for more details (Annexure 9b).

We want to confirm to you that the harassment Ribadu’s EFCC was giving to ABZ in 2005 was merely a decoy to shield the main issues from people’s prying eyes. This dummy sold by Ribadu’s EFCC enabled the trio of FIRS, Chevron and EFCC to conceal the recoveries being realized from Chevron through ABZ’s effort. Recent events have confirmed that the maneuvers were intended to enable them dip their fingers into the official tills. Their campaign then was that ABZ was making false claims, that Chevron never evaded tax and no money was refunded. Unknown to so many people was the fact that as at that time (July 2005), Chevron had refunded over $130 million and part of it diverted.




By a letter dated 6th October 2008, the Executive Chairman of FIRS, Mrs. Ifueko Omouigui-Okauru, in response to Nigeria’s House of Representative’s Ad-hoc Committee’s inquest, claimed that the sum of $131 million had been recovered from Chevron but that it was not from ABZ’s effort (Annexure 10). At the time of this claim (i.e. October 2008), ABZ, through its own information network was aware that Chevron had refunded $491 million (Annexure 11). ABZ, through its Solicitors, Messrs Fountain Advocates, petitioned Farida’s EFCC, alleging a diversion of $360 million. The petition was dated 17th November, 2008, with all the necessary attachments including bank statements treasury receipts, correspondences from Chevron (Annexures 12a, b, & c). Two reminders dated 12th January 2009 and 14th January 2010 have been sent to Farida’s EFCC and mum is the answer (Annexures 13 & 14).

As at December 2008, Chevron had refunded the sum of $866 million of the Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT) evaded (Annexure 15). The relevant penalties based on the provisions of PPT Act is three times the tax evaded i.e. $2.598 billion (Annexure 16). FIRS has no choice than to abide by the law. There’s no evidence that FIRS is prepared to make this demand on Chevron. Besides, ABZ is still willing and prepared to provide a report that will turn in additional recoveries of $2.0 billion from Chevron.



As at today, ABZ has not been paid its fees for this assignment. Instead, FIRS and Chevron have been busy plotting how to silence ABZ. One way they thought they could achieve this was to encourage Chevron to seek ICAN’s (The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria) support to “deal” with the Managing Consultant of ABZ. Chevron petitioned ICAN that ABZ’s report was baseless, unprofessional and that Fidelis Uzonwanne, the Managing Consultant of ABZ, should be charged with professional misconduct. The company represented to ICAN that it never refunded any tax evaded (Annexure 17a, b & c). This is contrary to its various letters evidencing refunds e.g. letters of January 24, 2005, November 29, 2005 and receipts obtained (Annexures 17d, e, f & g). True to type, ICAN set to work through malicious advertisement of the fact that Fidelis Uzonwanne was facing ICAN investigating Panel without first writing him as a member. He is currently facing trial at Disciplinary Tribunal for exposing corruption and helping his country to recover $866 million of lost revenue (Annexures 18a, b & c). That is the sorry state of the Nigerian Nation.

Over $400 million out of the $866 million recovered from Chevron through ABZ’s effort has been diverted by FIRS and their collaborators in CBN (Annexures 19 & 20). Farida’s EFCC does not appear prepared to bring the criminals to book despite all the information made available to it (Annexures 21a, b & c). See Annexure 25 for more details on diverted funds. Instead, the conspirators have vowed not to pay ABZ its dues and will prefer the option of eliminating Fidelis Uzonwanne by any means. Yes, the plot to assassinate Fidelis Uzonwanne is thickening and he is aware of it. What is his offence? He led a team that exposed tax evasion and fraud perpetrated by Chevron. The first process of his annihilation is through financial strangulation by denying his company its dues. The next in the chain is to make sure he stops practicing his profession by using forged documents, falsehood and undue influence to get ICAN do its bidding. The final is assassination.

Please ventilate this to the whole world. The Nigerian economy is seriously being threatened by the cabal in government revenue agencies, who have vowed not to allow any of their own go down no matter how corrupt. The anti-corruption crusade is at its lowest ebb. Nigeria’s economic future is getting dimmer with every passing day. The Executive Chairman of FIRS, who supervised and managed the looting of the money recovered from Chevron in a letter with reference no FIRSB/MD/001/130 of 4th February, 2009 requested CBN, its accomplice, to give her a clean “bill of health”. CBN, by its letter dated 12th February 2009, with reference no. FOD/DIR/GA/SEC/012/68, acted accordingly (Annexure 22). The duo made a fruitless attempt to conceal a diversion of $112 million. ABZ, by its letter of 2nd December, 2009, knocked the bottom off the unwholesome arrangement (Annexure 23). The same goes for the office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF) (Annexure 24). It set up a committee to investigate the allegation of fraudulent diversion of $360 million, concluded its investigation and attempted to give Ifueko a clean “bill of health” without inviting the company that made the allegation (Annexure 25). Although the OAGF confirmed a diversion of $8.6 million, those indicted are still sitting comfortably on their seats and using tax payers’ money to campaign and launder their image.



Like all other financial scandals that have rocked Nigeria, this would have fizzled out long time ago but because of the plan of the treasury looters to “kill the goose that lays the golden egg”. If the same Chevron project had been awarded to a foreign firm, the Federal Government would have easily parted with hundreds of millions of Dollars as professional fees with the perquisites attached thereto. Believe it or not, no foreign company would have been able to match ABZ’s achievements. After ABZ’s investigation of Chevron what happened next? Other oil companies are still enjoying their illicit funds.

Since the exit of Dr. (Mrs.) Obiageli Ezekwesili from NEITI, the agency has since joined the band wagon of other government agencies who are more interested in budgetary allocations than performing the role for which they were established. ABZ by a letter dated 20th April, 2009, alerted the organization of several issues that it should ordinarily make effort to know (Annexure 26). The organization never even bordered to respond. The reason is very simple. The Executive Chairman of FIRS, Mrs. Ifueko Omouigui-Okauru has pocketed the organization and has ensured no further audits are carried out especially 2006 audit of the oil & gas industry in Nigeria, because of the unprecedented fraud by FIRS that year. The Nation lost over $3 billion of PPT and Royalty revenue to fraud.


By Fidelis Uzonwanne
Managing Consultant of ABZ Integrated Limited,
Abuja (FCT),
Nigeria.


EDITOR'S NOTE:
ALL THE REMAINING DOCUMENTS ON THIS CASE FOLLOW BELOW.

Update on the Allegation of $10.8 Billion Tax Evasion Fraud against Chevron and its Associated Companies 2

Update on the Allegation of $10.8 Billion Tax Evasion Fraud against Chevron and its Associated Companies. 3

Update on the Allegation of $10.8 Billion Tax Evasion Fraud against Chevron and its Associated Companies 4

Update on the Allegation of $10.8 Billion Tax Evasion Fraud against Chevron and its Associated Companies 5

The Untold Story of the $10.8 Billion Tax Evasion and Fraud By Chevron Nigeria Limited and Its Associated Companies 6

The Untold Story of the $10.8 Billion Tax Evasion and Fraud By Chevron Nigeria Limited and Its Associated Companies 7.

EXPOSED:

How Multinational Corporations Dodge Taxes

U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act

Post Script: Chevron, EFCC and FIRS Are Not Above the Law

Enlighten the people, generally, and tyranny and oppressions of body and mind will vanish like spirits at the dawn of day.

~ Thomas Jefferson, 3rd president of US (1743 - 1826)


On 1st July, 2005, ABZ Integrated Limited, a Nigerian company based in Abuja broke the news of the $10.8 billion tax evasion and fraud by the Nigerian branch of the Chevron Corporation (NYSE: CVX Euronext: CHTEX) is an American multinational energy corporation headquartered in San Ramon, California in the United States of America.

Following these disclosures, ABZ was duly engaged by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of Nigeria under the Executive Chairmanship of Mallam Nuhu Ribadu as a consultant for the recovery of the unpaid taxes from Chevron Nigeria Limited. The Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) under Dr. (Mrs.) Obiageli Ezekwesili acknowledged the engagement and financial entitlement of ABZ Integrated Limited

I have been following this case since I reported the $10.8 Billion tax evasion and fraud allegation against Chevron on Monday, August 01, 2005 and also posted the refutation by Chevron in their rejoinder on Wednesday, August 03, 2005.

In the last quarter of 2005, the House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream), under the chairmanship of Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, had a public hearing on the allegation of $10.8 billion tax evasion and fraud against Chevron Nigeria Limited. And in September 2006, the Chairman vindicated ABZ and confirmed that Chevron evaded tax as alleged and was ordered to refund the sum of $492 million. NEITI’s auditors also validated the claims of ABZ. But Chevron has only refunded a fraction of the total Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT) evaded, without paying the penalties required by PPT Act. And ABZ has not been paid its entitlements since Chevron has refunded the sum of $866 million of the Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT) evaded so far.

The untold story of the whole financial scandal as reported by Fidelis Uzonwanne, the Managing Consultant of ABZ Integrated Limited has been published on Nigerians Report in seven parts since Wednesday, March 31, 2010 to date.

I have nothing personal against the Chevron Corporation, First Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and they have the right to challenge or dismiss the statement of ABZ Integrated Limited. But if they fail to prove that ABZ Integrated is wrong, then they must follow the due process of the law to let justice prevail.
Chevron, EFCC and FIRS are not above the law.

We must not condone corrupt practices at all levels of public service or private practice whether indoors or outdoors. We must not compromise the ethics of equity and justice no matter the temptations, trials and weaknesses of life.

We must not be afraid to preach and publish the truth and we must practice what we preach and teach or hang our heads as cowards and retards.

We must stand up for what is just and right or we shall lick the dust off the feet of those who perpetrate and perpetuate corruption and we shall forfeit the dignity and integrity of humanity.


Whosoever knows and sees what is bad and does not report, prevent or stop it is equally bad, evil and wicked as the devil.

Corruption causes the destruction of human civilization.
If we do not destroy corruption today, corruption will destroy us tomorrow.

I do not compromise my faith in truth for selfish interests.


Faithfully,
Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima
The Publisher/Editor


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News wire article from: Asia Africa Intelligence Wire August 7, 2005 700+ words ...present at the meeting with Chevron and the EFCC consultant. Whatever...2003 and November 2004, the Chevron Group defrauded the nation of...discovered non payments of Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT) by the Chevron group for some 66 instalments...

Chevron faces Nigerian tax probe.(Tax consultants alleges the company of...

Newspaper article from: Weekly Petroleum Argus August 1, 2005 700+ words ...EFCC) have accused US major Chevron of evading tax payments worth...in response to the report on Chevron that ABZ submitted to it in...thereby evading petroleum profit tax (PPT), and had also claimed for unmerited tax concessions. Chevron denies all of the allegations...

PHILIPPINE LAWMAKERS EYE "WINDFALL PROFIT TAX" ON OIL FIRMS.

News wire article from: AsiaPulse News July 28, 2008 700+ words ...for a temporary "windfall profit tax" on the country's oil firms...government income from the windfall profit tax can then be used to augment...the revival of the windfall profit tax. Santiago's remarks came...liter on Saturday. Petron, Chevron Philippines Inc. and ...

Tax Evasion - Chevron Refutes House of Reps Committee Report.

Newspaper article from: Vanguard (Nigeria) September 12, 2006 700+ words ...its report, directed that Chevron should pay a fine for irregularities...from the company pointed out. Chevron recalled that the EFCC has...saying The statement released by Chevron Management also pointed out...explained that the total Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT) of the company in 1997...

Storms held back Chevron, Anadarko.(third quarter profits)

News wire article from: Houston Chronicle (Houston, TX) Cook, Lynn J. October 29, 2005 700+ words ...Byline: Lynn J. Cook Oct. 29--Chevron and Anadarko saw third-quarter...Republican to float the idea of a windfall profit tax on energy companies. Judd Gregg...Americans pay their heating bills. Chevron, the biggest player on the Gulf...

Unveiling the $10.8 Billion Oil Tax Saga.

News wire article from: Asia Africa Intelligence Wire August 7, 2005 700+ words ...EFCC for uncovering the alleged Chevron's tax fraud. ABZ said, according...516 purportedly recovered from Chevron. According to the consultant...discovered non payments of Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT) by the Chevron group for some 66 installments...

FG to Publish Oil Majors Account by October.

News wire article from: Asia Africa Intelligence Wire August 16, 2005 700+ words ...namely Shell, ExxonMobil, Chevron, Agip and Elf, which...Commission (EFCC), linked Chevron to non-payment of $2.7 billion in Petroleum Profit Tax. This was followed by...namely Shell, ExxonMobil, Chevron, Eni (Agip), Total...

Oil Executives Warn Against Windfall Tax As Profits Attacked; Senators Question...

Magazine article from: Investor's Business Daily November 10, 2005 700+ words ...recent weeks to place a windfall profit tax on the oil companies. At least...said he might support a windfall profit tax. In addition to Exxon's Raymond...from: David O'Reilly, CEO of Chevron; James Mulva, CEO of ConocoPhillips...

AFX NEWS BRIEFING: Oil and utilities highlights to 15:45 BST.

News wire article from: Europe Intelligence Wire August 28, 2006 700+ words ...it expects its windfall profit tax to reach 9-10 bln yuan...10 bln yuan windfall profit tax this yr HONG KONG (XFN...it expects its windfall profit tax to reach 9-10 bln yuan...contract from Cabinda/Chevron in Angola OSLO (AFX...

The Untold Story of the $10.8 Billion Tax Evasion and Fraud By Chevron Nigeria Limited and Its Associated Companies 7.

The Untold Story of the $10.8 Billion Tax Evasion and Fraud By Chevron Nigeria Limited and Its Associated Companies 7.

The following are 10 more documents on the case.
























Related Reports:

How Multinational Corporations Dodge Taxes


U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act

Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Johnnie Carson's Travel

9 Apr 2010 12:17 Africa/Lagos

Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Johnnie Carson's Travel

WASHINGTON, April 9, 2010/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- Office of the Spokesman


U.S. Assistant Secretary for African Affairs Johnnie Carson is traveling to France, the Republic of Congo (Brazzaville), Democratic Republic of the Congo (Kinshasa), and the United Kingdom from April 8 to April 19.

Assistant Secretary Carson will begin his trip in Paris, France where he will deliver a speech to the French-American Foundation Symposium. The topic of the speech will be Transnational Security Challenges in Africa. In addition, Assistant Secretary Carson will meet with a number of senior French officials.

Upon departing from Paris, Assistant Secretary Carson will head to Brazzaville where he has requested meetings with President Denis Sassou Nguesso, Foreign Minister Basile Ikouébé, and members of the political opposition. He will also confer with Embassy staff about the U.S. engagement plan for the Republic of Congo.

In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Assistant Secretary Carson has requested meetings with President Joseph Kabila, Foreign Minister Alexis Thambwe Mwamba, and various other senior Congolese officials. In addition to meeting with Embassy staff on our engagement in the DRC, he will travel to Kisangani to visit a U.S.-funded training mission for a Congolese light infantry battalion. The mission is a collaboration between the State Department and AFRICOM as part of our effort to further the professionalization of the Congolese military. Upon his return to Kinshasa, Assistant Secretary Carson will participate in a signing ceremony for the President's Emergency Plan for AID's Relief (PEPFAR) Partnership Framework with Prime Minister Adolphe Muzito before departing the country.

Assistant Secretary Carson will conclude his trip in London where he has a meeting scheduled with his counterpart in the Foreign Office. He will also participate in a press roundtable.



Source: US Department of State

12:16 12th IMF-East AFRITAC Steering Committee Meeting Concluded in Addis Ababa on April 7, 2010

CNN MultiChoice African Journalist 2010 Finalists Announced

For release: 8th April 2010



CNN MULTICHOICE AFRICAN JOURNALIST 2010 FINALISTS ANNOUNCED



Finalists in the prestigious CNN MultiChoice African Journalist 2010 Competition were announced today by Joel Kibazo, Chair of the independent judging panel. The competition is now in its 15th year.

This year the competition received entries from 975 journalists from 40 countries throughout the continent, including French and Portuguese speaking Africa.



There are 27 finalists from 15 countries:

• Halima Abdallah Kisule, East African, Uganda

• Kofi Akpabli, freelance for Daily Graphic, Ghana

• Njaka Andriamahery, TV Plus, Madagascar

• Pelu Awofeso, freelance for NEXT on Sunday, Nigeria

• Najlae Benmbarek, 2M TV, Maroc

• Teresa Chirwa, Zodiak Broadcasting Station, Malawi

• DispatchOnline Team, Daily Dispatch, South Africa

• Mustafa Haji Abdinur, co-founder SIMBA Radio, Somalia

• Thanduxolo Jika, Daily Dispatch, South Africa

• Zipporah Karani, KTN, Kenya

• Charles Kariuki, World Vision Kenya for NTV

• Alexandre Lebel Ilboudo, Le Patriote, Côte d’Ivoire

• Lucas Ledwaba, DRUM, South Africa

• Tsitsi Matope, Public Eye, Lesotho

• Emmanuel Mayah, Daily Sun, Nigeria

• Kassim Mohamed, Star FM, Kenya

• Oarabile Mosikare, Botswana for Mail & Guardian, South Africa

• Francis Mugo Mwangi, freelance for NTV, Kenya

• Boniface Mwangi, freelance for The Star, Kenya

• Rose Ramsay, eNews, South Africa

• Sam Rogers, e.tv, South Africa

• Sergio José Sitoe, Rede de Comuniação Miramar, Moçambique

• Leon Ssenyange, NTV, Uganda

• Lamia Tagzout, El Watan, Algérie

• Sebastião Vemba, Novo Jornal, Angola

• Kaara Wainaina, NTV, Kenya

• Roseline Wangui, NTV, Kenya



This year the recipient of the Free Press Africa Award is Mustafa Haji Abdinur, co-founder of SIMBA Radio in Mogadishu and founder of Somali Media for Peace and Development (SOMEPED). He is awarded this prize for his work in Somalia including the ‘Peace Journalism’ initiative which he launched with the help of fellow Somali journalists. The Award is also in recognition of all the journalists in Somalia who have put their lives at risk in telling the story. There are nine journalists who died during 2009 whilst fulfilling their professional duties:



Abdulkhafar Abdulkadir Hasan, freelance

Mohamed Amin Adan Abdulle, Radio Shabelle

Hassan Zubeyr Haji Hassan, Al-Arabiya

Mohamud Mohamed Yusuf, Radio IQK

Mukhtar Mohamed Hirabe, Radio Shabelle

Nur Muse Hussein, Radio IQK

Abdirisak Mohamed Warsame, Radio Shabelle

Said Tahlil Ahmed, HornAfrik

Hassan Mayow Hassan, Radio Shabelle



The winners of the competition will be announced at an Award Ceremony and Gala Evening in Kampala, Uganda on Saturday 29th May 2010.



The hosts for the evening will be Isha Sesay, presenter of CNN International’s weekly programme ‘Inside Africa’ and Dr Ronnie Mich Egwang, a well-known Ugandan presenter.



Announcing the finalists, Joel Kibazo said: “2010 is a record breaking year for entries to these awards. Not only do the numbers continue to grow each year, but the standard rises too. I was particularly impressed by the increasing number of journalists that crossed borders in pursuit of stories. This maturing of journalism, across the continent, combined with technological advances, created a greater body of work and made the awards more exciting to judge.”



Reflecting on the role of the awards, Kibazo added: "The competition is now truly established as a way for African journalists to better their lives. I firmly believe the quality and number of people entering reflects the fact that the awards offer a fantastic opportunity to change an individual’s future.”



The independent judging panel, chaired by Joel Kibazo, journalist and media consultant, includes: Ikechukwu Amaechi, Editor, Daily Independent, Nigeria; Jean-Paul Gérouard, Deputy Editor-in-Chief, France 3 TV; Ferial Haffajee, Editor-in-Chief, City Press, South Africa; Arlindo Lopes, Secretary General, Southern African Broadcasting Association; José Luís Mendonça, Press Counsellor, Angolan Permanent Delegation to UNESCO; Zipporah Musau, Managing Editor, Magazines, The Standard Group Ltd, Kenya; Kim Norgaard, CNN Bureau Chief, South Africa.



The prestigious sponsors include: Coca-Cola Africa; Ecobank, IPP Media, Tanzania; Kampala Serena Hotel; Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD); NN24 Nigeria; Research In Motion (RIM), the company behind the BlackBerry solution; Safebond Africa Ltd and A24 Media.



The Kampala Serena is the delegate hotel for the CNN MultiChoice African Journalist Awards 2010. The hotel extends a truly warm Kampala welcome to finalists, judges, attending media and guests from across the continent. The finalists will enjoy an all expenses paid five day programme of workshops, media forums, networking and have the opportunity to see some of the sights of Kampala.



Tony Maddox, Executive Vice-President and Managing Director of CNN International said: “The CNN MultiChoice African Journalist Awards celebrates its 15th anniversary this year, coinciding with CNN celebrating 30 years as the world’s pioneering news provider. As CNN encourages, promotes and recognises excellence in journalism at all levels, we are particularly pleased to be able to support journalists who represent our future. I have witnessed the quality and excellence of work in this competition strengthen year on year, and am proud that it continues to maintain its place as the most prestigious Pan African journalist awards.”



Collins Khumalo, President MultiChoice Africa, said: “We congratulate the 27 finalists of this year’s awards. The great success that this event has enjoyed over the past 15 years makes the CNN MultiChoice African Journalist Awards the one honour that journalists and media houses throughout the continent want to be associated with. Through these awards, MultiChoice in partnership with CNN, continue to acknowledge and celebrate the best journalistic talent and skills that Africa’s media have to offer.”



About the award:

The CNN African Journalist of the Year Award was founded in 1995 by Edward Boateng (formerly African Regional Director for Turner Broadcasting System Inc., CNN’s parent company) and the late Mohamed Amin, to recognise and encourage excellence in journalism throughout Africa.



Note to Editors: Competition Criteria

To enter the CNN MultiChoice African Journalist 2010 competition the journalist must be an African national and work on the continent for African owned, or headquartered, media organisations that produce a printed publication or broadcast through an electronic medium (television broadcaster, radio station or website) primarily targeted at and received by an African audience.



Entries were published or broadcast in 2009 for the following awards:

Arts & Culture: Digital Journalism Award; Economics and Business: Environment: Free Press Africa; HIV/AIDS Reporting; MSD Health & Medical: Mohamed Amin Photographic; Print General News; Radio General News; Sport; Television Features; Television News Bulletin; Tourism; Francophone General News Awards (Print and Electronic Media); Portuguese Language General News



www.cnn.com/africanawards



Issued: 8th April 2010

For further information please contact:

CNN International: Joel Brown + 44 20 7693 0967 joel.brown@turner.com

MultiChoice Africa: Caroline Creasy + 27 11 289 3081 ccreasy@multichoice.co.za

MultiChoice South Africa: Marietjie Groenewald + 27 11 289 3067 Marietjie.Groenewald@multichoice.co.za

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8 Apr 2010
15:05	IBM Selected to Support Nigerian Healthcare and Social Welfare Initiatives
13:30	Lesley University Welcomes U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan at Centennial Commencement
13:27	Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company S.A. Announces Appointment of New Region Director

The Untold Story of the $10.8 Billion Tax Evasion and Fraud By Chevron Nigeria Limited and Its Associated Companies 6

The Untold Story of the $10.8 Billion Tax Evasion and Fraud By Chevron Nigeria Limited and Its Associated Companies 6.


Nigerians Report has been updating the facts and figures on this case since last week and if we are going to win the war against corruption and ensure global financial integrity and transparency, we cannot ignore the facts and figures of this case that is even worse than the Halliburton bribery scandal.

Two officials of Chevron in Nigeria have responded since we started the updates. The first official called the Publisher/Editor of Nigerians Report in a subtle attempt to influence us and the second official sent two e-mails with the same intention. The telephone discussion and contents of the e-mails have proved that the allegations of ABZ Integrated Limited were not baseless, and reinforced our resolution to address this case until justice is done.


The following are more documents on the case.