GODWIN NZEAKAH AND OKONTA EMEKA OKELUM
It is no crime in journalism to publish a story with no attribution, no dateline and no byline. However, the general assumption about such stuff by readers, as well as journalism watchers, is that the source volunteers the opinion on the basis of anonymity; in which case he does not leave any evidential trace such as press statement. For this reason, the resultant news is variously called “cloaked news” or "anonymous news" or "pseudo news" and thus ascribed to sources or a source close to… Make no mistake about it, cloaked news or pseudo news has beneficial uses in journalism, because it fills a critical gap in the mass communication process when officials keep sealed lips, especially in times of crisis. Professor Douglass Carter, a journalism teacher and one time White House aide, once highlighted the essence of cloaked news.
According to him, “if handled in a responsible way, cloaked news can help prevent the orgy of wild rumour that occurs when official government spokesmen grow silent.” Yet, a clear disadvantage of cloaked news is that it is open to abuse by journalists, and I am afraid the so-called “Jonathan shocker” story that made headlines on Friday, March 26, 2010 in seven papers: Sun, Nation, Vanguard, Compass, Independent, Leadership and Tribune sadly cannot pass the acid test of professional journalism, being so riddled as it was with holes that raised more questions than answers.
According to the story credited to “a highly placed presidency source” whose name was not mentioned, and who was said to have briefed some “select journalists” during a chat, there was “unquantifiable shock in the camps” of three former governors: Achike Udenwa, Victor Attah and Sam Egwu, as a result of their failure to make Acting President Goodluck Jonathan’s ministerial list. The source went further to explain to the “select journalists” the details about the “shock” in those camps. Take excerpts from the controversial story:
One, “expectedly, aides and supporters of the former chief executives are tracing their principal’s failure to the politics of the respective states and the permutations for 2011.” Is this what a “presidency source” would tell a press conference? Hold your breath. Two, “in Akwa Ibom, there were said to be jubilations, although muffled, across the length and breadth of the state over the nomination of Hon. Nduese Essien as minister, even though the celebrations seemed to be more for the failure of the immediate past governor Attah to clinch the state’s ministerial slot?” Hmm!
Three, “the former governor had wanted the ministerial appointment as a springboard to gain his lost political relevance in the state, re-launch the governorship campaign of his political son (who is also related to him by marriage) in 2011. If everything had gone according to plan, the ministerial slot was also to help the ex-governor take another shot at the presidency, an ambition which he had been nursing since 2007.”
The most curious, to my mind, is item three which appeared practically word for word in Sun, Compass and Leadership. How come? Now the posers! Number one, is it possible that any “presidency source”, whether highly place or lowly placed, would find it expedient or worth his while to assemble “a select journalists” only to discuss with them a topic as ridiculous, flimsy, trivial and inconsequential as “shock” and “rage” in the camps of some three ex-governors who apparently failed to make ministerial nomination list? Number two, why would any of Goodluck Jonathan’s official be interested in picking out a particular ex-governor, invite press men and begin to educate them on how the man had “wanted to use the slot of a minister to gain his lost political relevance” in his home state and how the same man had wanted to take undue advantage of two things: his and Jonathan’s former membership of the governors’ forum and the privilege of having once sincerely advocated the enthronement of Jonathan as acting president? Endless puzzle!
My guess: Counterfeit simplicita. Otherwise, since no anonymous source would hand out any written matter, why is it that a particular paragraph in the controversial story containing about forty words appeared word for word in at least three of the newspapers simultaneously? Note that Sun consistently gave the impression that the story originated in Abuja and, crediting it to an anonymous presidency source, gave it neither a byline nor a dateline; whereas Independent and Vanguard credited the same story to named reporters based in Lagos and Enugu, respectively. Now come to think of it, did the “highly placed presidency source” chat and hand out a written copy from where those forty or so words were copied?
Again, did the source grow wings and fly to Enugu and Lagos to address another group of newsmen or did he use a powerful handset to brief reporters in those places? What about the “jubilations” in Akwa Ibom state? Won’t it take an omni-present presidency source to speak with reporters in Abuja, Enugu and Lagos simultaneously while also gathering intelligence on jubilations in Akwa Ibom at the same time? I am aware that some of the newspapers cleverly buried the pseudo stuff under some real beautiful stories.
As a journalist, I feel worried. To translate a written one-sided political opinion of an ambitious politician into badly crafted cloaked news and attribute it to “a presidency source” ridicules the profession. Incidentally, this controversial story appeared barely a week after the Palladium column on the back page of The Nation (21-3-2010) raised a poignant but momentous question as to whether journalism is in danger.
As lately as May 27, 1996 an American public figure Mr. Robert McFarlane writing in Time Magazine admitted that journalists are central to our ability to establish and maintain a high standard of ethical behavior in public officials. But they bear an acute responsibility in making judgment about fairness…” McFarlane went further to declare that the pressures Journalists face in making these judgments are severe and of grave consequences to society. According to him, “in recent years, for whatever reasons—commercial pressure, or simply haste—the standard has been lowered. And the cost is immeasurable.
The reluctance of the most qualified candidates to enter public life and the widespread indifference among the next generation toward government service are the most obvious,” What McFarlane and everyone else have been hammering on is that in discharging their primary responsibility of keeping the public informed, journalists have been prone to avoidable lapses.
I hold no brief for Udenwa, Egwu and Attah. Nevertheless, I make bold to say that Attah is a humble, principled, soft-spoken and highly responsible politician whose only goal in politics seems to be the development of his state in particular and Nigeria in general. In 2007, the PDP would have given him a senatorial ticket for the mere asking, but Attah would none of that. As a governorship candidate in 1999 Attah distributed his manifesto in which he said to his people “come, let us build together.”
And as a fellow who grew up in the Moore Plantation, Ibadan, during Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s premiership, Attah went about governance of his state in the style of the Ikenne Oracle and like the Oracle, Attah left indelible mark. And leaving, he said to his highly grateful people: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” Today, a young energetic, charismatic and able hand who was commissioner under him for six years succeeds him. How would such a political gem feel now reading all the jaundiced, concocted and nauseating stuff like the so-called Jonathan shocker? Won’t he be wondering whether journalism has gone haywire?
Thursday, April 15, 2010
THE ART OF THROWING MONEY AWAY
OKEY NDIBE AND OKONTA EMEKA OKELUM
It’s always deeply painful when Africa achieves another distinction in the wrong sector. This time, it’s in the foolish art of throwing money away!
Last month, the Global Financial Integrity, a Washington-based research group, released a sobering report on the illicit outflow of cash from African nations. The report concluded that, in the four decades between 1970 and 2008, African nations lost $854 billion through illegal transfers of funds. And GFI suggests that it’s a conservative estimate. Actual outflows, the report states, may be as high as $1.8 trillion.
In case Nigerians are wondering – yes, our country (once again) topped the list. With $240.7 billion, Nigeria clinched a claim as the outstanding star in the league of exporters of cash. Nigeria’s closest competitor, Egypt, lost $131.3 billion. The other countries in the top five are South Africa ($76.4 billion), Morocco ($41 billion), and Algeria ($35.1 billion).
There’s little surprise about Nigeria’s stellar showing in this dubious league. It’s estimated, after all, that Sani Abacha alone pocketed more than $3 billion. Last year, a Swiss judge ordered the freezing of $350 million in assets "belonging" to Abba Abacha, one of the dictator’s sons.
The picture is dismal. Much of these stolen funds end up in European, Asian, and North American banks. And then comes the paradox: the same public officials responsible for frittering away the continent’s resources are quick to haunt the capitals of Europe and North America, bowl in hand, to beg – shamelessly! – for alms.
The GFI report illustrates the anomaly: what Africa has exported in illicit cash is at least double the official development aid that’s come to the continent. That’s one way of saying – forgive the cliché – penny wise, pound-foolish. Here’s the diagram of events. First, our rulers wire good money to the so-called big donor nations. Then they travel to the Western capitals to debase themselves begging for handouts. Often, they return, like triumphant fools, clutching the pittance they received – at best, half of the loot they "donated" to Western banks. And then they promptly privatize much of the aid – and wire it back to their Western sponsors.
What’s worse, foreign aid – unlike the cool cash we idiotically transfer – comes with strings attached. Often, it’s aid only in name, but in reality part of the scheme by donors to further impoverish African peoples. All too frequently, foreign aid is abracadabra, pure and simple. It’s often packaged as “technical” assistance that destitute African nations are coaxed to pay for – often at hideously inflated prices.
It’s a financial magician’s dream trick. One day, no questions asked, African rulers enrich the banks and economies of the West with looted funds. The next day, these same rulers show up in Western capitals on perennial begging missions. They look like miscast mendicants in their designer suits and handcrafted pairs of shoes. They mope, listening – with little or no sense of shame or irony – to Western “donors” give them long, stiff and humiliating lectures on the virtues of wise investment, sound economic planning, and financial discipline.
I invoke the words of Ayi Kwei Armah: Why are we so blest?
There’s no question that many – I dare say, most – of those who answer to the name of leader in Africa are in the mold that Frantz Fanon categorizes as "contemptible fools." But there’s also, we must not forget, the issue of the hypocrisy of the world’s economic powers – the nations whose banks facilitate the thefts in Africa, and keep the proceeds. When the right crop of African leaders reclaim their nations from the depraved hands of those who steal for a living, then the issue of the West’s role in impoverishing Africa must be raised.
It would be comforting if we could say that the GFI report focused on a habit that African leaders have since been dropped. Sadly, that’s far from being the case.
Take Nigeria. Despite some modest gains made over the last eleven years against the scourge of corruption and money laundering, the culture of stealing public funds remains alive.
Last week, the president of the Nigerian Bar Association reminded the world that his country has not lifted a finger about the Halliburton bribe scandal. This, despite the fact that there’s no doubt that officials of Halliburton handed hefty bribes to high-ranking Nigerian public officials. And despite the fact that Mr. Umaru Yar’Adua promised that he would not shield any implicated officials, and made a “show” of setting up an investigation panel. Chances are that, had Yar’Adua not been hobbled by sickness, he would have bestowed national honors on some of the Nigerian recipients of Halliburton bribes.
Nigerians pay a steep price for a culture that garlands corrupt people with pompous chieftaincy titles and hollow honors. That price is that corruption has become as familiar as staple food; the stealing of public funds is so normalized, in fact, that those who reject the temptation to steal are often viewed as fools – or worse.
Nigerian officials are specialists in squandermania, the disease of throwing money away. Nigerians throw away money on power generators, neglecting to fix their country’s power supply. Too many government officials splash huge fortunes on high-priced cars, but won’t invest in road construction and maintenance. They dole out stupendous sums to foreign hospitals and doctors, but won’t provide a healthcare system worthy of human beings for their hapless fellows who are stuck in Nigeria.
Today, Nigerians are riveted by the scandal of the N64 billion-runway at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja. How did Julius Berger win a contract to construct a runway whose price tag surpasses the cost of building an entire airport? Nigeria has a Bureau of Public Procurement whose statutory job includes the carrying out of due diligence before signing off on contracts. Did the officials of that bureau go to sleep when it came time to vet this contract? How in the world did the bureau give a thumbs-up to a project whose cost – from all appearances – is so scandalously inflated?
The aviation committee of the House of Representatives has been holding hearings, but I doubt that its members are less puzzled than the rest of us. Numerous officials have appeared before the committee in Abuja, but none has given a coherent explanation. The runway saga is, I fear, one of those bizarre narratives that point up how Nigeria’s cash takes wings and flies away to foreign vaults.
Here’s a textbook case deserving Nigerians’ attention. The bar association, labor unions, student activists, the media and other civic organizations ought to use this case to advance the cause of accountability in Nigeria. Acting President Goodluck Jonathan ought to ask for briefing on this scandal. At the very least, he should send away the leadership of the Bureau of Public Procurement and demand that Julius Berger renegotiate the contract.
GFI’s director, Raymond Baker, stated that stemming the "devastating outflow of much-needed capital is essential to achieving economic development and poverty alleviation goals in these [African] countries." It’s questionable that Mr. Jonathan has the will to play spoiler to those who profit by throwing away Nigeria’s cash. But he has a rare opportunity to rise above the limitations of his political career, and the forces that contend for his loyalty. If he acts to freeze the runway contract until the disturbing questions are resolved, and to dismiss procurement officials who seem to doze while Nigeria is being fleeced, he’d send a signal that the era of irresponsible fiddling with public funds is nearing the end of its run.
It’s always deeply painful when Africa achieves another distinction in the wrong sector. This time, it’s in the foolish art of throwing money away!
Last month, the Global Financial Integrity, a Washington-based research group, released a sobering report on the illicit outflow of cash from African nations. The report concluded that, in the four decades between 1970 and 2008, African nations lost $854 billion through illegal transfers of funds. And GFI suggests that it’s a conservative estimate. Actual outflows, the report states, may be as high as $1.8 trillion.
In case Nigerians are wondering – yes, our country (once again) topped the list. With $240.7 billion, Nigeria clinched a claim as the outstanding star in the league of exporters of cash. Nigeria’s closest competitor, Egypt, lost $131.3 billion. The other countries in the top five are South Africa ($76.4 billion), Morocco ($41 billion), and Algeria ($35.1 billion).
There’s little surprise about Nigeria’s stellar showing in this dubious league. It’s estimated, after all, that Sani Abacha alone pocketed more than $3 billion. Last year, a Swiss judge ordered the freezing of $350 million in assets "belonging" to Abba Abacha, one of the dictator’s sons.
The picture is dismal. Much of these stolen funds end up in European, Asian, and North American banks. And then comes the paradox: the same public officials responsible for frittering away the continent’s resources are quick to haunt the capitals of Europe and North America, bowl in hand, to beg – shamelessly! – for alms.
The GFI report illustrates the anomaly: what Africa has exported in illicit cash is at least double the official development aid that’s come to the continent. That’s one way of saying – forgive the cliché – penny wise, pound-foolish. Here’s the diagram of events. First, our rulers wire good money to the so-called big donor nations. Then they travel to the Western capitals to debase themselves begging for handouts. Often, they return, like triumphant fools, clutching the pittance they received – at best, half of the loot they "donated" to Western banks. And then they promptly privatize much of the aid – and wire it back to their Western sponsors.
What’s worse, foreign aid – unlike the cool cash we idiotically transfer – comes with strings attached. Often, it’s aid only in name, but in reality part of the scheme by donors to further impoverish African peoples. All too frequently, foreign aid is abracadabra, pure and simple. It’s often packaged as “technical” assistance that destitute African nations are coaxed to pay for – often at hideously inflated prices.
It’s a financial magician’s dream trick. One day, no questions asked, African rulers enrich the banks and economies of the West with looted funds. The next day, these same rulers show up in Western capitals on perennial begging missions. They look like miscast mendicants in their designer suits and handcrafted pairs of shoes. They mope, listening – with little or no sense of shame or irony – to Western “donors” give them long, stiff and humiliating lectures on the virtues of wise investment, sound economic planning, and financial discipline.
I invoke the words of Ayi Kwei Armah: Why are we so blest?
There’s no question that many – I dare say, most – of those who answer to the name of leader in Africa are in the mold that Frantz Fanon categorizes as "contemptible fools." But there’s also, we must not forget, the issue of the hypocrisy of the world’s economic powers – the nations whose banks facilitate the thefts in Africa, and keep the proceeds. When the right crop of African leaders reclaim their nations from the depraved hands of those who steal for a living, then the issue of the West’s role in impoverishing Africa must be raised.
It would be comforting if we could say that the GFI report focused on a habit that African leaders have since been dropped. Sadly, that’s far from being the case.
Take Nigeria. Despite some modest gains made over the last eleven years against the scourge of corruption and money laundering, the culture of stealing public funds remains alive.
Last week, the president of the Nigerian Bar Association reminded the world that his country has not lifted a finger about the Halliburton bribe scandal. This, despite the fact that there’s no doubt that officials of Halliburton handed hefty bribes to high-ranking Nigerian public officials. And despite the fact that Mr. Umaru Yar’Adua promised that he would not shield any implicated officials, and made a “show” of setting up an investigation panel. Chances are that, had Yar’Adua not been hobbled by sickness, he would have bestowed national honors on some of the Nigerian recipients of Halliburton bribes.
Nigerians pay a steep price for a culture that garlands corrupt people with pompous chieftaincy titles and hollow honors. That price is that corruption has become as familiar as staple food; the stealing of public funds is so normalized, in fact, that those who reject the temptation to steal are often viewed as fools – or worse.
Nigerian officials are specialists in squandermania, the disease of throwing money away. Nigerians throw away money on power generators, neglecting to fix their country’s power supply. Too many government officials splash huge fortunes on high-priced cars, but won’t invest in road construction and maintenance. They dole out stupendous sums to foreign hospitals and doctors, but won’t provide a healthcare system worthy of human beings for their hapless fellows who are stuck in Nigeria.
Today, Nigerians are riveted by the scandal of the N64 billion-runway at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja. How did Julius Berger win a contract to construct a runway whose price tag surpasses the cost of building an entire airport? Nigeria has a Bureau of Public Procurement whose statutory job includes the carrying out of due diligence before signing off on contracts. Did the officials of that bureau go to sleep when it came time to vet this contract? How in the world did the bureau give a thumbs-up to a project whose cost – from all appearances – is so scandalously inflated?
The aviation committee of the House of Representatives has been holding hearings, but I doubt that its members are less puzzled than the rest of us. Numerous officials have appeared before the committee in Abuja, but none has given a coherent explanation. The runway saga is, I fear, one of those bizarre narratives that point up how Nigeria’s cash takes wings and flies away to foreign vaults.
Here’s a textbook case deserving Nigerians’ attention. The bar association, labor unions, student activists, the media and other civic organizations ought to use this case to advance the cause of accountability in Nigeria. Acting President Goodluck Jonathan ought to ask for briefing on this scandal. At the very least, he should send away the leadership of the Bureau of Public Procurement and demand that Julius Berger renegotiate the contract.
GFI’s director, Raymond Baker, stated that stemming the "devastating outflow of much-needed capital is essential to achieving economic development and poverty alleviation goals in these [African] countries." It’s questionable that Mr. Jonathan has the will to play spoiler to those who profit by throwing away Nigeria’s cash. But he has a rare opportunity to rise above the limitations of his political career, and the forces that contend for his loyalty. If he acts to freeze the runway contract until the disturbing questions are resolved, and to dismiss procurement officials who seem to doze while Nigeria is being fleeced, he’d send a signal that the era of irresponsible fiddling with public funds is nearing the end of its run.
'This Is Our Time' – Goodluck Jonathan
OKONTA EMEKA OKELUM
Nigeria’s Acting President Dr. Goodluck Jonathan has promised Nigerians and the international community of his administration’s readiness to conduct free and fair elections in the upcoming general polls.
Jonathan gave the assurance while addressing the audience at the Council on Foreign Relations in Washington DC where he is attending the International Nuclear Summit with other world leaders.
There have been calls for a reform of the OPEC member state’s electoral process with the electoral commission coming under intense criticism for conducting often rigged elections.
"This is our time. Either we continue with more of the same or our change begins.
"I promise Nigerians and the rest of the world that the 2011 elections in Nigeria will be credible. From now, the focus must be on electoral reform, delivering peace dividends to the Niger Delta and the rest of the country," Jonathan said in a speech at the Council on Foreign Relations.
Jonathan has about 10 months to put the reforms he promised in place before the elections in April 2011.
The Acting President is expected to be a candidate for president in the upcoming election, however the success of his reforms especially in the power sector will be critical to the actualization of his bid.
Full Text Of Goodluck Jonathan’s Address To The Council on Foreign Relations
1. I wish to commend the esteemed members of the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) for its continued interest in Nigerian Affairs.
2. We are always ready to work with the Council on areas of mutual interest especially those that foster greater understanding, facilitate growth and promote the mutual development of our two Nations.
3. In this regard the signing of the Bi-National Commission last week opens up a new vista of opportunity for Nigeria/US relations. The BNC marks a new threshold for greater collaboration between the private sectors of our two countries which we must support to drive our economies.
4. Distinguished ladies and gentlemen there is no doubt in my mind that we are presented with an opportunity to make a lasting impact on the future direction of Nigeria.
5. When I was a young man growing up in the Niger Delta, I had great dreams for the future. I was fascinated by science and discovery and the transformational powers of technology. So I pursued a course of study in science and for 10 years I remained in the field of science as a teacher nurturing the growth of young scientists in Nigeria. When I ventured out of the classroom it was again another opportunity to apply my background in science to protect the delicate ecosystem of the Niger Delta.
6. In both the classroom and my environmental protection work I came face to face with the challenges of sustainable development in Nigeria. The challenges of insufficient funding of critical sectors, mis-prioritization and low infrastructural base were always an obstacle to surmount.
7. But as an individual I continued to make progress and never conceded to these difficulties although of course I was later diverted into politics in 1999.
8. Throughout my political career I have applied the lessons of scientific inquiry and technological innovation to meet the challenges that my constituents face.
9. Today I am confronted with the greatest test of my political career. While we continue to pray for the recovery of our President, Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’ Adua it is my responsibility to work with all Nigerians to improve the pace of development and to do so facing the right direction.
10. We have chosen for ourselves what I will call foundational responsibilities which if well shouldered will form a solid base for the development of Nigeria from this point onwards.
11. In this responsibility of consolidating and deepening our democracy, we are committed to ensuring that the remaining period of the administration is not a transitional period but one which, we hope, will one day be viewed as a watershed, a transformational time in our young democracy. For us in Nigeria this is our time. Either we continue with more of the same or we change the game.
12. There is no doubt that we have been faced by some challenges in our country but we have stabilized the polity and we are determined to consolidate on the gains so recorded. And for now our domestic focus must be on electoral reform, delivering peace dividends to the Niger Delta and standing strong on our resolve against corruption.
13. Internationally we are determined to restore Nigeria’s image and traditional role as a key member of the international community. In an increasingly uncertain world Nigeria is a key partner in our collective efforts to maintain peace and security in Africa and beyond. Nigeria will reiterate its commitments to fight terrorism and rededicate our efforts to promote development, democracy and a shared value for human progress.
14. Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, I thank you for the opportunity to share our thoughts and hopes with you on the present and future.
15. I thank you for your attention.
Nigeria’s Acting President Dr. Goodluck Jonathan has promised Nigerians and the international community of his administration’s readiness to conduct free and fair elections in the upcoming general polls.
Jonathan gave the assurance while addressing the audience at the Council on Foreign Relations in Washington DC where he is attending the International Nuclear Summit with other world leaders.
There have been calls for a reform of the OPEC member state’s electoral process with the electoral commission coming under intense criticism for conducting often rigged elections.
"This is our time. Either we continue with more of the same or our change begins.
"I promise Nigerians and the rest of the world that the 2011 elections in Nigeria will be credible. From now, the focus must be on electoral reform, delivering peace dividends to the Niger Delta and the rest of the country," Jonathan said in a speech at the Council on Foreign Relations.
Jonathan has about 10 months to put the reforms he promised in place before the elections in April 2011.
The Acting President is expected to be a candidate for president in the upcoming election, however the success of his reforms especially in the power sector will be critical to the actualization of his bid.
Full Text Of Goodluck Jonathan’s Address To The Council on Foreign Relations
1. I wish to commend the esteemed members of the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) for its continued interest in Nigerian Affairs.
2. We are always ready to work with the Council on areas of mutual interest especially those that foster greater understanding, facilitate growth and promote the mutual development of our two Nations.
3. In this regard the signing of the Bi-National Commission last week opens up a new vista of opportunity for Nigeria/US relations. The BNC marks a new threshold for greater collaboration between the private sectors of our two countries which we must support to drive our economies.
4. Distinguished ladies and gentlemen there is no doubt in my mind that we are presented with an opportunity to make a lasting impact on the future direction of Nigeria.
5. When I was a young man growing up in the Niger Delta, I had great dreams for the future. I was fascinated by science and discovery and the transformational powers of technology. So I pursued a course of study in science and for 10 years I remained in the field of science as a teacher nurturing the growth of young scientists in Nigeria. When I ventured out of the classroom it was again another opportunity to apply my background in science to protect the delicate ecosystem of the Niger Delta.
6. In both the classroom and my environmental protection work I came face to face with the challenges of sustainable development in Nigeria. The challenges of insufficient funding of critical sectors, mis-prioritization and low infrastructural base were always an obstacle to surmount.
7. But as an individual I continued to make progress and never conceded to these difficulties although of course I was later diverted into politics in 1999.
8. Throughout my political career I have applied the lessons of scientific inquiry and technological innovation to meet the challenges that my constituents face.
9. Today I am confronted with the greatest test of my political career. While we continue to pray for the recovery of our President, Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’ Adua it is my responsibility to work with all Nigerians to improve the pace of development and to do so facing the right direction.
10. We have chosen for ourselves what I will call foundational responsibilities which if well shouldered will form a solid base for the development of Nigeria from this point onwards.
11. In this responsibility of consolidating and deepening our democracy, we are committed to ensuring that the remaining period of the administration is not a transitional period but one which, we hope, will one day be viewed as a watershed, a transformational time in our young democracy. For us in Nigeria this is our time. Either we continue with more of the same or we change the game.
12. There is no doubt that we have been faced by some challenges in our country but we have stabilized the polity and we are determined to consolidate on the gains so recorded. And for now our domestic focus must be on electoral reform, delivering peace dividends to the Niger Delta and standing strong on our resolve against corruption.
13. Internationally we are determined to restore Nigeria’s image and traditional role as a key member of the international community. In an increasingly uncertain world Nigeria is a key partner in our collective efforts to maintain peace and security in Africa and beyond. Nigeria will reiterate its commitments to fight terrorism and rededicate our efforts to promote development, democracy and a shared value for human progress.
14. Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, I thank you for the opportunity to share our thoughts and hopes with you on the present and future.
15. I thank you for your attention.
Do not disparage human rights - a letter to British party leaders
A group of foundations and philanthropists who are members of Ariadne – the European wide network of human rights funders – have issued an open letter to politicians and party leaders asking for thoughtful, accurate and truthful consideration of human rights issues in the run up to the UK general election.
This is an open letter to all politicians and, in particular, to the leaders of the main political parties in advance of the forthcoming election. It comes from a group of Trusts and Foundations, as well as private philanthropists, who support human rights and social justice, both within the UK and globally.
Collectively, we spend more than a hundred million pounds annually in this field. Our work covers a wide area, dealing with people around the world for whom the principles of universal human rights are beacons of hope and sanity in often terrible circumstances. The right not to be tortured or unlawfully killed, the right not to be imprisoned without due process, the right to asylum in the face of persecution, the right not to be discriminated against or excluded from society because of gender, ethnicity, or sexual orientation are enormously important ideas. They underpin the structure of decent communities and enable us to hold individuals, states and institutions, like the church and the media, to account. This can be an uncomfortable and uneasy process and it involves some of the most difficult decision-making in the modern world.
For the past ten years the UK has incorporated the European Convention on Human Rights through the Human Rights Act: that is now up for debate by the main political parties. As charitably registered institutions we have a duty to stand outside party politics, which is why this letter is being written before the start of the election campaign. But we have become deeply concerned at the way in which the words “human rights” and the principles that underlie both the European Convention and the Human Rights Act are being brought into disrepute. Demonstrably false myths, for instance that the Human Rights Act prevents the police from publishing mug shots of those on their most wanted lists, continue to be given credence by front bench spokesmen and women and parts of the media. This is not helpful to anyone, particularly the public being asked to make an important choice on the basis of incorrect information.
We ask that this debate, which is an important one that deserves time, concentration and focus, is not conducted in a shrill atmosphere for party political gain, that party spokesmen and women, whatever their politics, do not disparage human rights and the principles that underlie them, and that statements about the Human Rights Act and the European Convention are not used to exploit peoples’ fears, but instead are thoughtful, accurate and truthful. To do less than this sells the British people short and risks negating centuries of effort to improve peoples’ lives, effort that politicians from all traditions have invested in.
For many years the UK has been an influential and effective promoter of fundamental rights: it is a country that genuinely cares about justice and fairness and serves as an example for others to emulate. The willingness to protect human rights within the UK has been carefully watched around the world, both by those who support and sometimes give their lives to defend human rights, and also by those who wish to deny them. What happens here will be viewed with great interest and is liable to have an impact far beyond our borders. It is important to remember this and not to lose sight of the larger issues, which are the ones on which, ultimately, the country, will be judged.
Debbie Berger, Co-founder and Board Member, Unbound Philanthropy
Yves Bonavero, Chairman, AB Charitable Trust
Dr Astrid Bonfield, Chief Executive, The Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund
Ruth Cadbury, Chair, Barrow Cadbury Trust
Teresa Elwes, Grants Executive, Bromley Trust
Sara Harrity, Director, AB Charitable Trust
Taryn Higashi, Executive Director, Unbound Philanthropy
Susan Hitch, Trustee, Sigrid Rausing Trust
Charles Keidan, Director, The Pears Foundation
Peter Kilgarriff – Director, LankellyChase Trust
Sara Llewellin – Chief Executive, Barrow Cadbury Trust
Fiona Napier – International Advocacy Director, Open Society Institute
Marion McNaughton, Chair of Trustees, The Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust
Stephen Pittam, Trust Secretary, The Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust
Dr Elaine Potter – Trustee and Co-founder, David and Elaine Potter Foundation
Andrew Puddephatt – Trustee, Sigrid Rausing Trust
Sigrid Rausing, Founder and Trustee, Sigrid Rausing Trust
Bill Reeves, Co-founder and Board Member, Unbound Philanthropy
Gordon Roddick, Philanthropist
Angela Seay – Director, David and Elaine Potter Foundation
Nicholas Tatman – Chairman of Trustees, LankellyChase Trust
Rebecca Tinsley – Co-founder and Trustee, Tinsley Foundation
This is an open letter to all politicians and, in particular, to the leaders of the main political parties in advance of the forthcoming election. It comes from a group of Trusts and Foundations, as well as private philanthropists, who support human rights and social justice, both within the UK and globally.
Collectively, we spend more than a hundred million pounds annually in this field. Our work covers a wide area, dealing with people around the world for whom the principles of universal human rights are beacons of hope and sanity in often terrible circumstances. The right not to be tortured or unlawfully killed, the right not to be imprisoned without due process, the right to asylum in the face of persecution, the right not to be discriminated against or excluded from society because of gender, ethnicity, or sexual orientation are enormously important ideas. They underpin the structure of decent communities and enable us to hold individuals, states and institutions, like the church and the media, to account. This can be an uncomfortable and uneasy process and it involves some of the most difficult decision-making in the modern world.
For the past ten years the UK has incorporated the European Convention on Human Rights through the Human Rights Act: that is now up for debate by the main political parties. As charitably registered institutions we have a duty to stand outside party politics, which is why this letter is being written before the start of the election campaign. But we have become deeply concerned at the way in which the words “human rights” and the principles that underlie both the European Convention and the Human Rights Act are being brought into disrepute. Demonstrably false myths, for instance that the Human Rights Act prevents the police from publishing mug shots of those on their most wanted lists, continue to be given credence by front bench spokesmen and women and parts of the media. This is not helpful to anyone, particularly the public being asked to make an important choice on the basis of incorrect information.
We ask that this debate, which is an important one that deserves time, concentration and focus, is not conducted in a shrill atmosphere for party political gain, that party spokesmen and women, whatever their politics, do not disparage human rights and the principles that underlie them, and that statements about the Human Rights Act and the European Convention are not used to exploit peoples’ fears, but instead are thoughtful, accurate and truthful. To do less than this sells the British people short and risks negating centuries of effort to improve peoples’ lives, effort that politicians from all traditions have invested in.
For many years the UK has been an influential and effective promoter of fundamental rights: it is a country that genuinely cares about justice and fairness and serves as an example for others to emulate. The willingness to protect human rights within the UK has been carefully watched around the world, both by those who support and sometimes give their lives to defend human rights, and also by those who wish to deny them. What happens here will be viewed with great interest and is liable to have an impact far beyond our borders. It is important to remember this and not to lose sight of the larger issues, which are the ones on which, ultimately, the country, will be judged.
Debbie Berger, Co-founder and Board Member, Unbound Philanthropy
Yves Bonavero, Chairman, AB Charitable Trust
Dr Astrid Bonfield, Chief Executive, The Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund
Ruth Cadbury, Chair, Barrow Cadbury Trust
Teresa Elwes, Grants Executive, Bromley Trust
Sara Harrity, Director, AB Charitable Trust
Taryn Higashi, Executive Director, Unbound Philanthropy
Susan Hitch, Trustee, Sigrid Rausing Trust
Charles Keidan, Director, The Pears Foundation
Peter Kilgarriff – Director, LankellyChase Trust
Sara Llewellin – Chief Executive, Barrow Cadbury Trust
Fiona Napier – International Advocacy Director, Open Society Institute
Marion McNaughton, Chair of Trustees, The Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust
Stephen Pittam, Trust Secretary, The Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust
Dr Elaine Potter – Trustee and Co-founder, David and Elaine Potter Foundation
Andrew Puddephatt – Trustee, Sigrid Rausing Trust
Sigrid Rausing, Founder and Trustee, Sigrid Rausing Trust
Bill Reeves, Co-founder and Board Member, Unbound Philanthropy
Gordon Roddick, Philanthropist
Angela Seay – Director, David and Elaine Potter Foundation
Nicholas Tatman – Chairman of Trustees, LankellyChase Trust
Rebecca Tinsley – Co-founder and Trustee, Tinsley Foundation
Let focus on Real Issues Facing Anioma
Caesar A. Adigwe
Brothers and Sisters:
I have been reading with amazement the various post in this forum by my dear brothers and sisters. I know that we all meant well for Anioma. I know that we need ideas and politics will always come into play when we discuss issues facing our people. I'm writing to make some suggestions for all of us.
First, I know Mr. Sunny Ofili very well. He has always fight for the Anioma causes. In the past, he has spent a lot of his money to see that Anioma issues are in the forefront of some of these politicians in delta State. I'm not surprised to read that he is now an adviser to the honorable governor. I sincerely feel that he accepted the position so that Anioma issues can continue to be heard by the Deltan's Powers to be.
I have also been to the D3 conference in New York City last September 2009 where we spent two day with the Delata State Governor, Dr Uduaghan, whom we agreed is a wonderful man and a good governor when compared to what we have had in the past in Delta State. He was able to listen to all of the issues presented at the conference on how we can develop Delta in various sectors of the economy without dependent on oil.
My suggestion for this forum, is for all of us to focus our ideas, energy and resources on how we can solve the numerous issues facing our people in Anioma. We must define these issues and then come up collectively on how we can begin to tackle them one at a time. Yes, the government of Delta State should and will be held accountable for their lack of development in Anioma and the only way for us to do this is to speak with one voice. Speaking with one voice is always lacking in Anioma. We don't need to defend our honorable governor, but we can request that he do more for our people. Like Mr. Ofili said, there is always room for improvement in Anioma and Delta State as a whole.
Please brothers and sisters, lets use this forum wisely by debating the real issues, such as, lack of clean water, electricity, quality education and schools without chairs, the state of the school building and the deplorable conditions that children learn in our schools; lack of good clinics and hospitals for routine medical care in Anioma, no adequate roads and the most important of all, lack of safety in our towns and villages. Since June 2009, about 20 women have been murdered at Ibusa farms by unknown assailants and their private parts cut out for rituals. Now, where is the safety for our people. So brothers and sisters, there is a lot to do and we must remain focused and not to allow politicians divide us again and mess with our minds.
Thanks and you'll remain blessed.
Brothers and Sisters:
I have been reading with amazement the various post in this forum by my dear brothers and sisters. I know that we all meant well for Anioma. I know that we need ideas and politics will always come into play when we discuss issues facing our people. I'm writing to make some suggestions for all of us.
First, I know Mr. Sunny Ofili very well. He has always fight for the Anioma causes. In the past, he has spent a lot of his money to see that Anioma issues are in the forefront of some of these politicians in delta State. I'm not surprised to read that he is now an adviser to the honorable governor. I sincerely feel that he accepted the position so that Anioma issues can continue to be heard by the Deltan's Powers to be.
I have also been to the D3 conference in New York City last September 2009 where we spent two day with the Delata State Governor, Dr Uduaghan, whom we agreed is a wonderful man and a good governor when compared to what we have had in the past in Delta State. He was able to listen to all of the issues presented at the conference on how we can develop Delta in various sectors of the economy without dependent on oil.
My suggestion for this forum, is for all of us to focus our ideas, energy and resources on how we can solve the numerous issues facing our people in Anioma. We must define these issues and then come up collectively on how we can begin to tackle them one at a time. Yes, the government of Delta State should and will be held accountable for their lack of development in Anioma and the only way for us to do this is to speak with one voice. Speaking with one voice is always lacking in Anioma. We don't need to defend our honorable governor, but we can request that he do more for our people. Like Mr. Ofili said, there is always room for improvement in Anioma and Delta State as a whole.
Please brothers and sisters, lets use this forum wisely by debating the real issues, such as, lack of clean water, electricity, quality education and schools without chairs, the state of the school building and the deplorable conditions that children learn in our schools; lack of good clinics and hospitals for routine medical care in Anioma, no adequate roads and the most important of all, lack of safety in our towns and villages. Since June 2009, about 20 women have been murdered at Ibusa farms by unknown assailants and their private parts cut out for rituals. Now, where is the safety for our people. So brothers and sisters, there is a lot to do and we must remain focused and not to allow politicians divide us again and mess with our minds.
Thanks and you'll remain blessed.
ANGOLA RECEIVES UN AID TO HELP FOSTER INVESTMENT
The United Nations, which sent four separate missions to Angola during its devastating decades-long civil war in efforts to help end the conflict, is seeking to strengthen the capacities of the now peaceful southern African country in the field of investment.
The UN Conference on Trade and Development (<"http://www.unctad.org/Templates/StartPage.asp?intItemID=2068">UNCTAD) today issued a study outlining the legal framework for private investment in Angola in an effort to systematize information on the investment situation.
“To promote investment in Angola and successfully conclude international investment agreements, the Government must reinforce the legal framework for investment, and the report aims to contribute to a better understanding of the Angolan framework and its historic development,” said the agency, which was established in 1964 to foster the development-friendly integration of poorer countries into the world economy.
The study gives an overview of Angolan laws and decrees regulating private investment, in particular foreign direct investment. Angola’s involvement in international conventions and regional agreements on investment is also analysed and an overview of the international agreements on foreign investment signed by Angola is included.
The study was prepared by the UNCTAD TrainForTrade programme and the Division on Investment and Enterprise. The TrainForTrade programme for Angola aims at assisting the Government in implementing locally owned national training and capacity-building activities in international trade and investment. The project is funded by the European Commission.
Launched in 1998, TrainForTrade programmes seek to strengthen national and regional human and institutional resources for trade and investment as a key to growth for UNCTAD member countries, particularly the least developed ones (LDCs). The programme works with UNCTAD’s research and analytical departments to design, update, and adapt learning materials and deliver training courses.
During Angola’s civil war between the Government, backed by Cuban troops, and rebels led by Jonas Savimbi and supported by South African forces, the UN sent three separate verification missions, beginning in 1989, to help implement various efforts to end the conflict.
The first two successfully monitored the withdrawal of Cuban troops and oversaw a multilateral ceasefire. The third, sent after renewed fighting and mandated to deploy 7,000 troops, sought to help the parties restore peace and achieve national reconciliation, but was faced with continued conflict.
The fourth and final peacekeeping mission, the UN Observer Mission in Angola (<"http://www0.un.org/Depts/DPKO/Missions/Monua/monua.htm">MONUA), was withdrawn in 1999 following the collapse of the peace process and the shooting down of two UN aircraft.
The UN Conference on Trade and Development (<"http://www.unctad.org/Templates/StartPage.asp?intItemID=2068">UNCTAD) today issued a study outlining the legal framework for private investment in Angola in an effort to systematize information on the investment situation.
“To promote investment in Angola and successfully conclude international investment agreements, the Government must reinforce the legal framework for investment, and the report aims to contribute to a better understanding of the Angolan framework and its historic development,” said the agency, which was established in 1964 to foster the development-friendly integration of poorer countries into the world economy.
The study gives an overview of Angolan laws and decrees regulating private investment, in particular foreign direct investment. Angola’s involvement in international conventions and regional agreements on investment is also analysed and an overview of the international agreements on foreign investment signed by Angola is included.
The study was prepared by the UNCTAD TrainForTrade programme and the Division on Investment and Enterprise. The TrainForTrade programme for Angola aims at assisting the Government in implementing locally owned national training and capacity-building activities in international trade and investment. The project is funded by the European Commission.
Launched in 1998, TrainForTrade programmes seek to strengthen national and regional human and institutional resources for trade and investment as a key to growth for UNCTAD member countries, particularly the least developed ones (LDCs). The programme works with UNCTAD’s research and analytical departments to design, update, and adapt learning materials and deliver training courses.
During Angola’s civil war between the Government, backed by Cuban troops, and rebels led by Jonas Savimbi and supported by South African forces, the UN sent three separate verification missions, beginning in 1989, to help implement various efforts to end the conflict.
The first two successfully monitored the withdrawal of Cuban troops and oversaw a multilateral ceasefire. The third, sent after renewed fighting and mandated to deploy 7,000 troops, sought to help the parties restore peace and achieve national reconciliation, but was faced with continued conflict.
The fourth and final peacekeeping mission, the UN Observer Mission in Angola (<"http://www0.un.org/Depts/DPKO/Missions/Monua/monua.htm">MONUA), was withdrawn in 1999 following the collapse of the peace process and the shooting down of two UN aircraft.
POLAND: Little Details Can Save Lives
TUNJI AJIBADE
Lech Kaczynski died on Saturday in a plane crash. He was the president of Poland. He passed on with 96 other persons, the cream of Poland’s elite in the military, banking sector, private business and political class. The presidential plane crashed as it came in for a landing in thick fog in western Russia. And to think the president and his entourage were on their way to commemorate the death of their compatriots. Those ones, over 4000 Polish service personnel, had been arrested when the Soviets invaded Poland in September, 1939.
Soviet leader, Josef Stalin, later ordered his security forces to shoot them in April, 1940. Mass graves in Katyn Forest, Russia, had been their final destination ever since. As if to highlight the Russian mark, the plane was one of those designed by Russians in the early 1960’s. An old plane, that’s a fact. But age was not the immediate cause of the crash, the pilots of the plane were. They had overlooked little details.
The plan’s black box was recovered within hours of the crash. And the Air Force Deputy Chief said the pilots ignored information about bad weather. He said the pilots shouldn't have tried to land where they did; they should have diverted the plane to Minsk, another city in Russia. The plane circled the runway at least four times; it crashed on the last attempt, having missed the runway, not only by flying over it, but also by not lining up with the runway in the first place. It had buzzed the tops of trees when it crash landed. This is unfortunate. And as it often happens, it is people who directly experience a disaster like this that know its full impact. Polish people are in deep mourning at the moment.
But what has happened, once again, points to the fact that when attention is paid to little details, people or nation can save themselves avoidable pains. At the first announcement, this writer recalled that U.S. President Barrack Obama was in Prague, Czech Republic, Eastern Europe, to sign a treaty with his Russian counterpart in the course of the same week.
The need to for a neutral ground was possibly a consideration for the venue. But nothing stopped Obama from going to the Kremlin. Could the fact of the horrible weather have been in the calculation? Maybe. And that says something. The president’s men gave thought to every angle of a possible visit to Russia at that point in time. Just as White House thought of meeting Kremlin, and State Department thought of preparing the Secretary of State to be part of his entourage, the weather people also did their own job.
For a journey to Prague, not even to Moscow, White House consulted the Meteorological Department of the United States of America. That says a something about coordination. Nations that are coordinated, and make good use of available information, benefit from it.
There was a time a civilian leader in Nigeria hosted a party at Eagle Square, Abuja. That’s a distance of less than three kilometers from the Presidential Villa. Mr. President invited many from home and abroad. It was May, and Democracy Day was what he celebrated. Fond of Awilo Longomba, a musician born in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, the President had the man and his entire band brought to Abuja. The Master of Ceremony was later to announce in the course of the event, and in the middle of a heavy rain, that the instruments were wet, the musician would not perform life anymore, so that musical instruments would not blow up. In the end, Awilo mimed one his songs played from a tape recorder. The question came to this writer’s mind on that occasion: How come the president’s men didn’t coordinate with the meteorological department, and make adequate preparation for the weather.
Little details made Nigerians tax payers lose the money their president spent importing Awilo. It could have been more serious – this thing about ignoring information, or paying no attention to little details. The number of lives lost in plane crashes in Nigeria because pilots refused to take weather information into consideration before they took off is mind bungling. Yet, near but unreported misses continue to occur all the time. The unfortunate incident that Polish people experience at the moment, is once a gain, a reminder of the need for aviation officials to do things the way they should be done.
Situations in which any man can pick a car and ram into the underbelly of a moving airplane at Nigerian airport, as it happened days back, calls for worry. And that is not to mention aged airplanes, as well as the unenviable state of the nation’s airports. For Nigerian officials who ought to put things right but refuse to, the unfortunate incident involving a national leader and the cream of Poland’s society should be a trumpet sounded in warning.
Lech Kaczynski died on Saturday in a plane crash. He was the president of Poland. He passed on with 96 other persons, the cream of Poland’s elite in the military, banking sector, private business and political class. The presidential plane crashed as it came in for a landing in thick fog in western Russia. And to think the president and his entourage were on their way to commemorate the death of their compatriots. Those ones, over 4000 Polish service personnel, had been arrested when the Soviets invaded Poland in September, 1939.
Soviet leader, Josef Stalin, later ordered his security forces to shoot them in April, 1940. Mass graves in Katyn Forest, Russia, had been their final destination ever since. As if to highlight the Russian mark, the plane was one of those designed by Russians in the early 1960’s. An old plane, that’s a fact. But age was not the immediate cause of the crash, the pilots of the plane were. They had overlooked little details.
The plan’s black box was recovered within hours of the crash. And the Air Force Deputy Chief said the pilots ignored information about bad weather. He said the pilots shouldn't have tried to land where they did; they should have diverted the plane to Minsk, another city in Russia. The plane circled the runway at least four times; it crashed on the last attempt, having missed the runway, not only by flying over it, but also by not lining up with the runway in the first place. It had buzzed the tops of trees when it crash landed. This is unfortunate. And as it often happens, it is people who directly experience a disaster like this that know its full impact. Polish people are in deep mourning at the moment.
But what has happened, once again, points to the fact that when attention is paid to little details, people or nation can save themselves avoidable pains. At the first announcement, this writer recalled that U.S. President Barrack Obama was in Prague, Czech Republic, Eastern Europe, to sign a treaty with his Russian counterpart in the course of the same week.
The need to for a neutral ground was possibly a consideration for the venue. But nothing stopped Obama from going to the Kremlin. Could the fact of the horrible weather have been in the calculation? Maybe. And that says something. The president’s men gave thought to every angle of a possible visit to Russia at that point in time. Just as White House thought of meeting Kremlin, and State Department thought of preparing the Secretary of State to be part of his entourage, the weather people also did their own job.
For a journey to Prague, not even to Moscow, White House consulted the Meteorological Department of the United States of America. That says a something about coordination. Nations that are coordinated, and make good use of available information, benefit from it.
There was a time a civilian leader in Nigeria hosted a party at Eagle Square, Abuja. That’s a distance of less than three kilometers from the Presidential Villa. Mr. President invited many from home and abroad. It was May, and Democracy Day was what he celebrated. Fond of Awilo Longomba, a musician born in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, the President had the man and his entire band brought to Abuja. The Master of Ceremony was later to announce in the course of the event, and in the middle of a heavy rain, that the instruments were wet, the musician would not perform life anymore, so that musical instruments would not blow up. In the end, Awilo mimed one his songs played from a tape recorder. The question came to this writer’s mind on that occasion: How come the president’s men didn’t coordinate with the meteorological department, and make adequate preparation for the weather.
Little details made Nigerians tax payers lose the money their president spent importing Awilo. It could have been more serious – this thing about ignoring information, or paying no attention to little details. The number of lives lost in plane crashes in Nigeria because pilots refused to take weather information into consideration before they took off is mind bungling. Yet, near but unreported misses continue to occur all the time. The unfortunate incident that Polish people experience at the moment, is once a gain, a reminder of the need for aviation officials to do things the way they should be done.
Situations in which any man can pick a car and ram into the underbelly of a moving airplane at Nigerian airport, as it happened days back, calls for worry. And that is not to mention aged airplanes, as well as the unenviable state of the nation’s airports. For Nigerian officials who ought to put things right but refuse to, the unfortunate incident involving a national leader and the cream of Poland’s society should be a trumpet sounded in warning.
IBB’S TALL DREAMS, A LESSON FOR JONATHAN
NDIAMEEH BABRIK
His Eight years of military misrule is hunting IBB badly. That is why in life, we must make every effort to do it right the first time and we will be rest assured that history will be kind to us. Unfortunately for Babangida, he had eight solid years and he wasted it. Reading Kasim Afegbua’s article as to Babangida’s right to contest the 2011 election, a sane Nigerian will start wondering if Babangida’s achievements as military Head of State is unsurpassed in Nigeria’s history then what does he want as president again?
Let him stay aside and work for a good candidate as a kingmaker. At 70 years Babangida even said he is an old man. We need young honest persons like Nuhu Ribadu, Tunde Fashola, Adams Oshiomhole or even Dora Akunyili.
When one reads newspapers like the Sun, Leadership and lately Nigerian Tribune, one is still wondering what IBB’s so called achievements are in his eight years of maladministration.
In addition to the US$12.4 billion, he is indicted in the Dr. Pius Okigbo report to have stolen, he is the number one enemy of democracy in Nigeria for single-handedly annulling the June 12, 1993 election.
If IBB now wants to participate in democracy, he must explain to Nigerians in plain language why he annulled the June 12, 1993 election.
Certainly IBB must know that he who comes to equity must come with clean hands. He who wants equity must do equity or must have been seen to have done equity. Unfortunately for General Babangida alias IBB, he has failed these two basic tests to start with for the simple fact that he hated democracy with a passion when he was the military head of state. His banning and un-banning and re-banning of politicians like Bamanga Tukur, Adamu Ciroma, Olu Falae, Iwuanyanwu and many others are still very fresh in our minds which he capped it all the annulment of the freest and fairest election ever held in Nigeria.
We are still waiting for IBB to tell Nigerians why he annulled June 12 election and follow it up with an apology.
General Babangida knows that in a free and fair election, he can never win in Niger State.
As for his achievements in office as a military Head of State, those of us old enough to decipher good from bad will readily remember that IBB met our Naira stronger than the US dollars. Where One Naira was fetching Two US dollars in 1985, while the British pound sterling was about 75 Kobo. By the time IBB was chased out of Aso Rock Villa by bloody civilians in 1993, he has bastardized the Naira to sell for 80 Naira to One US dollars and 145 Naira to the pound sterling. Since then, the Naira has never recovered.
It is on record that the Nigerian educational system was killed ‘patapata’ finally by IBB and his boys. In 1988, 1989 and 1990, all university students in Nigeria lost one academic year because students embarked on anti-SAP riots and IBB stone-heartedly closed all universities and polytechnics in Nigeria for one year. That was the first and only time in Nigeria’s academic system students lost a whole academic session. Even Kasim Afegbua was affected.
When Babangida staged his palace coup in August 1985, the Nigeria Airways, the Nigeria Railway Corporations were all functional. I remember flying Nigeria airways to Maiduguri even in 1987. The Trains still ply the Kano- Lagos route but by the time IBB was chased out in 1993, the Railways and Nigeria Airways have become history. It was then in 1987 we were told that flying was not for the poor.
Ditto for NITEL, it was still functional when IBB staged his coup but by the time he stepped aside in 1993, the NITEL had crumbled.
Nigerians should note that one is not whipping up sentiment or castigating General Babangida because he wants to aspire to be president of Nigeria again. No we are just trying to set the records straight which can be checked in the archives of the various ministries and department. We are just letting people know that all the press statements by the Kasim Afegbuas are blatant lies.
A good leader must always take responsibility for acts and actions and apologize when necessary. But not IBB, he always wants power and authority but without responsibility. That is not the quality of a good leader.
Times and times again we have stated the fact that it was the irresponsible divide and rule antics of IBB that brought us to this stage where we are now in Nigeria where once beautiful Northern Nigerian cities like Jos, Kaduna, Bauchi are in ruins and are divided along religious lines. The IBB military misrule is the genesis.
Of course it is on record that he killed more military officers than even during the civil war. The 212 officers killed in the Ejigbo Air Force aircraft crash of 1992, the phantom coup of Mamman Vatsa, the Gideon Orkar coup where the best officers from the middle-belt and the south were murdered.
It was General Babangida’s policy that all the military aircrafts, the naval ships and all Army tanks were grounded so that they could not stage coup again him. In fact training was suspended by his military regime.
Finally to cap his maladministration, and his hatred for democracy, IBB annulled June 12, formed a contraception called Interim National Government (ING) under Ernest Shonekan and left his ‘boy’ the bespectacled general there to stage his own coup. Nigerians are all aware of the outcome of the Sani Abacha military regime.
This was despite the fact that he had stolen $12.4 billion from the Nigerian state.
We are looking forward to seeing IBB on the national TV for the presidential debate. It is then we will have the chance to know why he annulled June 12 election, why he stole $12.4 billion dollars from the treasury, why he killed Dele Giwa, Why he refused to attend the Oputa panel, why he bastardized the Naira, why he introduced religion into the Nigerian body polity and finally why he thinks he can benefit from democracy which he hated with a passion ant together with eight years of military misrule which was disastrous christened the locust years of Nigeria.
IBB sir, he who comes to equity must surely come with clean hands after annulling June 12, 1993, do you really think your hands are clean to benefit from a democratic election?
We leave the rest to Nigerians to decide. Dr Goodluck Jonathan must give us the option A4 system of voting so that our vote must count and counted. That is the only legacy he can leave for himself and his family. Otherwise he will be struggling just like IBB to come back to power again but his sins will find him out. Always do it right the first time.
Doctors call his type geriatric. We have far better younger Nigerians with better ideas not crude ideas as was seen when OBJ his boss and buddy was re-cycled.
Nigerians have seen when young talented Nigerians like Nuhu Ribadu, Nasir El-Rufai, Dr Ngozi Okonjo- Iweala, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili have performed if given the opportunity.
His Eight years of military misrule is hunting IBB badly. That is why in life, we must make every effort to do it right the first time and we will be rest assured that history will be kind to us. Unfortunately for Babangida, he had eight solid years and he wasted it. Reading Kasim Afegbua’s article as to Babangida’s right to contest the 2011 election, a sane Nigerian will start wondering if Babangida’s achievements as military Head of State is unsurpassed in Nigeria’s history then what does he want as president again?
Let him stay aside and work for a good candidate as a kingmaker. At 70 years Babangida even said he is an old man. We need young honest persons like Nuhu Ribadu, Tunde Fashola, Adams Oshiomhole or even Dora Akunyili.
When one reads newspapers like the Sun, Leadership and lately Nigerian Tribune, one is still wondering what IBB’s so called achievements are in his eight years of maladministration.
In addition to the US$12.4 billion, he is indicted in the Dr. Pius Okigbo report to have stolen, he is the number one enemy of democracy in Nigeria for single-handedly annulling the June 12, 1993 election.
If IBB now wants to participate in democracy, he must explain to Nigerians in plain language why he annulled the June 12, 1993 election.
Certainly IBB must know that he who comes to equity must come with clean hands. He who wants equity must do equity or must have been seen to have done equity. Unfortunately for General Babangida alias IBB, he has failed these two basic tests to start with for the simple fact that he hated democracy with a passion when he was the military head of state. His banning and un-banning and re-banning of politicians like Bamanga Tukur, Adamu Ciroma, Olu Falae, Iwuanyanwu and many others are still very fresh in our minds which he capped it all the annulment of the freest and fairest election ever held in Nigeria.
We are still waiting for IBB to tell Nigerians why he annulled June 12 election and follow it up with an apology.
General Babangida knows that in a free and fair election, he can never win in Niger State.
As for his achievements in office as a military Head of State, those of us old enough to decipher good from bad will readily remember that IBB met our Naira stronger than the US dollars. Where One Naira was fetching Two US dollars in 1985, while the British pound sterling was about 75 Kobo. By the time IBB was chased out of Aso Rock Villa by bloody civilians in 1993, he has bastardized the Naira to sell for 80 Naira to One US dollars and 145 Naira to the pound sterling. Since then, the Naira has never recovered.
It is on record that the Nigerian educational system was killed ‘patapata’ finally by IBB and his boys. In 1988, 1989 and 1990, all university students in Nigeria lost one academic year because students embarked on anti-SAP riots and IBB stone-heartedly closed all universities and polytechnics in Nigeria for one year. That was the first and only time in Nigeria’s academic system students lost a whole academic session. Even Kasim Afegbua was affected.
When Babangida staged his palace coup in August 1985, the Nigeria Airways, the Nigeria Railway Corporations were all functional. I remember flying Nigeria airways to Maiduguri even in 1987. The Trains still ply the Kano- Lagos route but by the time IBB was chased out in 1993, the Railways and Nigeria Airways have become history. It was then in 1987 we were told that flying was not for the poor.
Ditto for NITEL, it was still functional when IBB staged his coup but by the time he stepped aside in 1993, the NITEL had crumbled.
Nigerians should note that one is not whipping up sentiment or castigating General Babangida because he wants to aspire to be president of Nigeria again. No we are just trying to set the records straight which can be checked in the archives of the various ministries and department. We are just letting people know that all the press statements by the Kasim Afegbuas are blatant lies.
A good leader must always take responsibility for acts and actions and apologize when necessary. But not IBB, he always wants power and authority but without responsibility. That is not the quality of a good leader.
Times and times again we have stated the fact that it was the irresponsible divide and rule antics of IBB that brought us to this stage where we are now in Nigeria where once beautiful Northern Nigerian cities like Jos, Kaduna, Bauchi are in ruins and are divided along religious lines. The IBB military misrule is the genesis.
Of course it is on record that he killed more military officers than even during the civil war. The 212 officers killed in the Ejigbo Air Force aircraft crash of 1992, the phantom coup of Mamman Vatsa, the Gideon Orkar coup where the best officers from the middle-belt and the south were murdered.
It was General Babangida’s policy that all the military aircrafts, the naval ships and all Army tanks were grounded so that they could not stage coup again him. In fact training was suspended by his military regime.
Finally to cap his maladministration, and his hatred for democracy, IBB annulled June 12, formed a contraception called Interim National Government (ING) under Ernest Shonekan and left his ‘boy’ the bespectacled general there to stage his own coup. Nigerians are all aware of the outcome of the Sani Abacha military regime.
This was despite the fact that he had stolen $12.4 billion from the Nigerian state.
We are looking forward to seeing IBB on the national TV for the presidential debate. It is then we will have the chance to know why he annulled June 12 election, why he stole $12.4 billion dollars from the treasury, why he killed Dele Giwa, Why he refused to attend the Oputa panel, why he bastardized the Naira, why he introduced religion into the Nigerian body polity and finally why he thinks he can benefit from democracy which he hated with a passion ant together with eight years of military misrule which was disastrous christened the locust years of Nigeria.
IBB sir, he who comes to equity must surely come with clean hands after annulling June 12, 1993, do you really think your hands are clean to benefit from a democratic election?
We leave the rest to Nigerians to decide. Dr Goodluck Jonathan must give us the option A4 system of voting so that our vote must count and counted. That is the only legacy he can leave for himself and his family. Otherwise he will be struggling just like IBB to come back to power again but his sins will find him out. Always do it right the first time.
Doctors call his type geriatric. We have far better younger Nigerians with better ideas not crude ideas as was seen when OBJ his boss and buddy was re-cycled.
Nigerians have seen when young talented Nigerians like Nuhu Ribadu, Nasir El-Rufai, Dr Ngozi Okonjo- Iweala, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili have performed if given the opportunity.
AKWA IBOM AND THE BURDEN OF STALINISM
UDO AKATA
The recent callous incarceration of a prominent and respected son of Akwa Ibom State, the outspoken Minority Leader of the Federal House of Representative in the second Republic, Chief (Hon.) Effiong Ononokpono, by the government of Barrister Godswill Akpabio (see Sunday Punch 28/3/10) for daring to ask a few pertinent questions of the governor in public – such questions as have for sometime agitated the minds of most Akwa Ibomites – speaks volumes of the ominous shadow that Stalinism has cast over the State.
Even when generous allowance is made for the propaganda demands of re-election politics, there is still something decidedly sinister about the cult of personality that is being erected in Akwa Ibom State around Governor Godswill Akpabio. I can hear the incredulous questions: Personality cult? Akwa Ibom State? Chief (Dr.) Barrister Akpabio? It probably all sounds somewhat far-fetched to those who have not visited Akwa Ibom lately or paid close attention to what has been happening in the State. But make no mistake about it; Governor Akpabio and the sundry mendicants he has surrounded himself with, have borrowed a leaf or two from none other than Joseph Stalin himself.
If his propagandists are to be believed, Godswill Akpabio can walk on water. Almost every junction and street corner in Uyo, the state capital, now boasts a billboard with the man’s visage and loud proclamations of his wondrous deeds. Commercials and advertisements in government-owned information organs have but one theme; the miracle of development and progress wrought by Akpabio. There exists continuous and rapid birth of faceless, but obviously generously funded associations dedicated to nothing but the adulation of Barrister Godswill Akpabio. In fact, this has become something of a growth industry (and why not, in the absence of real industries). Rather than float companies, the real enterprising people amongst young men and women in Akwa Ibom State now find it more profitable to establish political organizations and groups in the sure knowledge of massive government patronage.
In addition, informed source has put the number of groups and organizations that have sprung up literally overnight to proclaim support and undying affection for Governor Akpabio, at nothing less than 200. Moreover, each seems to have access to huge sums of money with which to purchase vehicles. Between them, just two or three of the more prominent groups have acquired minibuses than the state-owned Akwa Ibom Transport Company, which has been farmed out to be run as a private franchise. Leaving aside, for now, the very germane subject of how these groups are funded, can there be a worse misdirection of the energies of Akwa Ibom youth than such mobilization for the glorification of one man and to the detriment of genuine development?
If one is inclined to be charitable, young Akwa Ibom men and women can perhaps be forgiven for signing up as foot soldiers in the unholy war to keep one man and his family in power. In the absence of decent employment opportunities, perhaps we should expect no less. But what are we to make of the spectacle of grown, even old, men who got together recently under the aegis of something called the “Ibibio nation” to anoint the governor for a second term? Perhaps we should look for an answer to the inscription often found on the hand carts that are so popular for moving goods in and around Onitsha market: “Man must Wack”. All these and more of what is happening in Akwa Ibom and what Godswill Akpabio is doing, point clearly to the creation of Stalinist personality cult.
Political historians generally attribute the term “cult of personality” to Nikita Khrushchev who employed it in his famous denunciation of Joseph Stalin in a “secret speech” to the 20th Congress of the Soviet Communist Party in 1956. (Khrushchev, by the way, had paraphrased Marx who, in one of his correspondences, spoke of his aversion to the “cult of the individual”). Cults of personality are generally associated with dictatorships and Stalinist governments. The list of historical figures who erected cults around their personalities is nothing but a roll call of some of the most terrible totalitarian rulers the world has known in recent times; Joe Stalin (himself), Sani Abacha, Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini, Nicolae Ceausescu, Ferdinand Marcos, Mao Zedong, Kim II-Sung, Mobuto Sese Seko, Saddam Hussein, etc.
It cannot be entirely a coincidence that each time the conduct of Governor Akpabio as a leader is placed in historical perspective, a parallel keeps emerging with people like Adolf Hitler and Saddam Hussein. It may be recalled that former Governor Obong Victor Attah has had cause to point out that Akpabio’s penchant for gigantic white elephant projects closely mirrors the inclination of the Saddam Husseins of this world whose megalomania led them to embark on the erection of self-glorifying monuments and wasteful civil projects. It is particularly instructive that such leaders are precisely those who indulged most in the cult of personality. Some are inclined to dismissing what is happening in Akwa Ibom as a mere politics. The more simple-minded may even be tempted to wonder what can be wrong about a politician orchestrating such apparent adulation. Such naiveté is not borne out by the lessons of history; in fact, it is downright dangerous.
The erection of personality cults has a direct material cost on the public treasury. Even if all the hundreds of billboards, the fawning commercials and advertisements, websites advertorials, congratulatory messages; the state-managed awards, honorary degrees and recognition events with the attendant lavish celebrations and parties, were to be paid for from private sources, there would still be a legitimate concern about how those sources expect to recoup such massive outlays. And massive they truly are. Who is paying for the offices, uniforms and the fleets of hundred of vehicles that the AKPFs and ADVs of this world are using to trumpet the infallibility of one man; who, if not ultimately, the impoverished masses of Akwa Ibom?
The practice of personality cult is very undemocratic. Indeed precisely, because its main purpose is to perpetuate someone of dubious suitability in office, contending forces are crowded out of the political space, so that one man can dominate it. Everywhere, personality cults are accompanied by the intimidation and deliberate emasculation of the opposition. Such emasculation frequently assumes the form of physical elimination. And of course, the policy of impoverishment of the broad mass of the people by willfully concentrating government patronage within a narrow circuit of close associates and family members; all of which we have seen playing out in Akwa Ibom today, remains a major defining feature of the wicked practice.
Speaking of impoverishment as a state policy, this explains why even yesterday’s men of power have become shameless sycophants and so-called men of god (note the small “g”) have been driven to the brink of blasphemy by declaring that it is god’s will for the regime of Godswill Akpabio to toy with our collective destiny. You also have to wonder what manner of man can stomach the sycophancy running rampant in Akwa Ibom State today. How does Akpabio feel seeing his pictures everywhere; reading the false proclamations of his divinity, in paid advertisement and orchestrated tributes? Isn’t he nauseated by it all? The absence of an elementary sense of modesty is also the mark of the practice of the cult of personality. So perhaps we should not be entirely surprised that Governor Akpabio has such an infinite capacity for flattery, sycophancy and self-glorification. After all Stalinism now reigns over what was once the land of promise.
The recent callous incarceration of a prominent and respected son of Akwa Ibom State, the outspoken Minority Leader of the Federal House of Representative in the second Republic, Chief (Hon.) Effiong Ononokpono, by the government of Barrister Godswill Akpabio (see Sunday Punch 28/3/10) for daring to ask a few pertinent questions of the governor in public – such questions as have for sometime agitated the minds of most Akwa Ibomites – speaks volumes of the ominous shadow that Stalinism has cast over the State.
Even when generous allowance is made for the propaganda demands of re-election politics, there is still something decidedly sinister about the cult of personality that is being erected in Akwa Ibom State around Governor Godswill Akpabio. I can hear the incredulous questions: Personality cult? Akwa Ibom State? Chief (Dr.) Barrister Akpabio? It probably all sounds somewhat far-fetched to those who have not visited Akwa Ibom lately or paid close attention to what has been happening in the State. But make no mistake about it; Governor Akpabio and the sundry mendicants he has surrounded himself with, have borrowed a leaf or two from none other than Joseph Stalin himself.
If his propagandists are to be believed, Godswill Akpabio can walk on water. Almost every junction and street corner in Uyo, the state capital, now boasts a billboard with the man’s visage and loud proclamations of his wondrous deeds. Commercials and advertisements in government-owned information organs have but one theme; the miracle of development and progress wrought by Akpabio. There exists continuous and rapid birth of faceless, but obviously generously funded associations dedicated to nothing but the adulation of Barrister Godswill Akpabio. In fact, this has become something of a growth industry (and why not, in the absence of real industries). Rather than float companies, the real enterprising people amongst young men and women in Akwa Ibom State now find it more profitable to establish political organizations and groups in the sure knowledge of massive government patronage.
In addition, informed source has put the number of groups and organizations that have sprung up literally overnight to proclaim support and undying affection for Governor Akpabio, at nothing less than 200. Moreover, each seems to have access to huge sums of money with which to purchase vehicles. Between them, just two or three of the more prominent groups have acquired minibuses than the state-owned Akwa Ibom Transport Company, which has been farmed out to be run as a private franchise. Leaving aside, for now, the very germane subject of how these groups are funded, can there be a worse misdirection of the energies of Akwa Ibom youth than such mobilization for the glorification of one man and to the detriment of genuine development?
If one is inclined to be charitable, young Akwa Ibom men and women can perhaps be forgiven for signing up as foot soldiers in the unholy war to keep one man and his family in power. In the absence of decent employment opportunities, perhaps we should expect no less. But what are we to make of the spectacle of grown, even old, men who got together recently under the aegis of something called the “Ibibio nation” to anoint the governor for a second term? Perhaps we should look for an answer to the inscription often found on the hand carts that are so popular for moving goods in and around Onitsha market: “Man must Wack”. All these and more of what is happening in Akwa Ibom and what Godswill Akpabio is doing, point clearly to the creation of Stalinist personality cult.
Political historians generally attribute the term “cult of personality” to Nikita Khrushchev who employed it in his famous denunciation of Joseph Stalin in a “secret speech” to the 20th Congress of the Soviet Communist Party in 1956. (Khrushchev, by the way, had paraphrased Marx who, in one of his correspondences, spoke of his aversion to the “cult of the individual”). Cults of personality are generally associated with dictatorships and Stalinist governments. The list of historical figures who erected cults around their personalities is nothing but a roll call of some of the most terrible totalitarian rulers the world has known in recent times; Joe Stalin (himself), Sani Abacha, Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini, Nicolae Ceausescu, Ferdinand Marcos, Mao Zedong, Kim II-Sung, Mobuto Sese Seko, Saddam Hussein, etc.
It cannot be entirely a coincidence that each time the conduct of Governor Akpabio as a leader is placed in historical perspective, a parallel keeps emerging with people like Adolf Hitler and Saddam Hussein. It may be recalled that former Governor Obong Victor Attah has had cause to point out that Akpabio’s penchant for gigantic white elephant projects closely mirrors the inclination of the Saddam Husseins of this world whose megalomania led them to embark on the erection of self-glorifying monuments and wasteful civil projects. It is particularly instructive that such leaders are precisely those who indulged most in the cult of personality. Some are inclined to dismissing what is happening in Akwa Ibom as a mere politics. The more simple-minded may even be tempted to wonder what can be wrong about a politician orchestrating such apparent adulation. Such naiveté is not borne out by the lessons of history; in fact, it is downright dangerous.
The erection of personality cults has a direct material cost on the public treasury. Even if all the hundreds of billboards, the fawning commercials and advertisements, websites advertorials, congratulatory messages; the state-managed awards, honorary degrees and recognition events with the attendant lavish celebrations and parties, were to be paid for from private sources, there would still be a legitimate concern about how those sources expect to recoup such massive outlays. And massive they truly are. Who is paying for the offices, uniforms and the fleets of hundred of vehicles that the AKPFs and ADVs of this world are using to trumpet the infallibility of one man; who, if not ultimately, the impoverished masses of Akwa Ibom?
The practice of personality cult is very undemocratic. Indeed precisely, because its main purpose is to perpetuate someone of dubious suitability in office, contending forces are crowded out of the political space, so that one man can dominate it. Everywhere, personality cults are accompanied by the intimidation and deliberate emasculation of the opposition. Such emasculation frequently assumes the form of physical elimination. And of course, the policy of impoverishment of the broad mass of the people by willfully concentrating government patronage within a narrow circuit of close associates and family members; all of which we have seen playing out in Akwa Ibom today, remains a major defining feature of the wicked practice.
Speaking of impoverishment as a state policy, this explains why even yesterday’s men of power have become shameless sycophants and so-called men of god (note the small “g”) have been driven to the brink of blasphemy by declaring that it is god’s will for the regime of Godswill Akpabio to toy with our collective destiny. You also have to wonder what manner of man can stomach the sycophancy running rampant in Akwa Ibom State today. How does Akpabio feel seeing his pictures everywhere; reading the false proclamations of his divinity, in paid advertisement and orchestrated tributes? Isn’t he nauseated by it all? The absence of an elementary sense of modesty is also the mark of the practice of the cult of personality. So perhaps we should not be entirely surprised that Governor Akpabio has such an infinite capacity for flattery, sycophancy and self-glorification. After all Stalinism now reigns over what was once the land of promise.
UN AGENCY URGES ZAMBIA TO HALT DEPORTATION OF REFUGEES
The United Nations refugee agency today urged the Zambian Government to halt the expulsion of refugees and asylum-seekers to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) after 36 individuals were recently sent back.
According to Melissa Fleming, spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (<"http://www.unhcr.org/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/home">UNHCR), the affected individuals are from the Meheba refugee settlement in Zambia’s northwest.
Six people were sent back in February, including a pregnant woman, and another group of 30 were sent back earlier this month.
“The refugees,” <"http://www.unhcr.org/4bc443fc9.html">said Ms. Fleming, “were given no explanation regarding the reasons for their deportation or the possibility of challenging the decision under Zambian law.”
They were deported following a security and police operation in Meheba on 24 February, which brought an end to a protracted demonstration by refugees, she noted. During the operation, a refugee woman was shot and killed, several others were injured and some 150 persons were arrested.
The 15,000 people at the Meheba settlement come from Angola, Burundi, DRC, Rwanda, Somalia and Uganda, and are among the 57,000 refugees currently hosted by Zambia, which has provided asylum for over 30 years to those fleeing war and civil strife in their homelands.
Ms. Fleming said UNHCR fully shares the Zambian Government’s interest in ensuring security and order in the refugee camps and settlements, and that refugees and asylum-seekers are bound to conform to the laws and regulations of the country.
“The consequence of their failure to do so, however, should be prosecution under national laws and not forcible expulsion to their country of origin,” she stressed, adding that a note verbale was sent to the Zambian authorities today expressing alarm at the recent developments.
According to Melissa Fleming, spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (<"http://www.unhcr.org/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/home">UNHCR), the affected individuals are from the Meheba refugee settlement in Zambia’s northwest.
Six people were sent back in February, including a pregnant woman, and another group of 30 were sent back earlier this month.
“The refugees,” <"http://www.unhcr.org/4bc443fc9.html">said Ms. Fleming, “were given no explanation regarding the reasons for their deportation or the possibility of challenging the decision under Zambian law.”
They were deported following a security and police operation in Meheba on 24 February, which brought an end to a protracted demonstration by refugees, she noted. During the operation, a refugee woman was shot and killed, several others were injured and some 150 persons were arrested.
The 15,000 people at the Meheba settlement come from Angola, Burundi, DRC, Rwanda, Somalia and Uganda, and are among the 57,000 refugees currently hosted by Zambia, which has provided asylum for over 30 years to those fleeing war and civil strife in their homelands.
Ms. Fleming said UNHCR fully shares the Zambian Government’s interest in ensuring security and order in the refugee camps and settlements, and that refugees and asylum-seekers are bound to conform to the laws and regulations of the country.
“The consequence of their failure to do so, however, should be prosecution under national laws and not forcible expulsion to their country of origin,” she stressed, adding that a note verbale was sent to the Zambian authorities today expressing alarm at the recent developments.
Senate, House Disagree On FCT Budget
There is disagreement between the Senate and the House of Representatives over the appropriate expenditure profile for the 2010 budget for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja.
The development has brought fears that the budget may stay longer in the National Assembly resulting in apprehensions that release of funds to contractors for project might be held up.
The disagreement is on the actual size of the capital budget and overhead cost in the budget.
While the Senate is working on a N347.8 billion budget with a capital vote of N278.193 billion for developmental projects, the House has already passed a higher N362.3 billion with an elevated capital vote of N293.206 billion.
Also the House has passed a total of N39.590 billion for personnel cost and N29.528 billion for overheads while the Senate is considering a total of N36.183 billion for personnel and N33.427 billion for overheads.
If Senate goes ahead to pass the budget proposal before it, the final passage of the appropriation for the FCT may be delayed as both chambers will have to go for a joint conference committee to harmonize the budget.
There are fears that the process might be delayed as indications are rife that the House may not bulge on its position on its version which made more provision for capital development than that of the Senate.
The House is said to be uncomfortable with the N33.4 billion overhead provision preferred by the Senate as against its N29.5 billion.
The development has brought fears that the budget may stay longer in the National Assembly resulting in apprehensions that release of funds to contractors for project might be held up.
The disagreement is on the actual size of the capital budget and overhead cost in the budget.
While the Senate is working on a N347.8 billion budget with a capital vote of N278.193 billion for developmental projects, the House has already passed a higher N362.3 billion with an elevated capital vote of N293.206 billion.
Also the House has passed a total of N39.590 billion for personnel cost and N29.528 billion for overheads while the Senate is considering a total of N36.183 billion for personnel and N33.427 billion for overheads.
If Senate goes ahead to pass the budget proposal before it, the final passage of the appropriation for the FCT may be delayed as both chambers will have to go for a joint conference committee to harmonize the budget.
There are fears that the process might be delayed as indications are rife that the House may not bulge on its position on its version which made more provision for capital development than that of the Senate.
The House is said to be uncomfortable with the N33.4 billion overhead provision preferred by the Senate as against its N29.5 billion.
PDP Disowns Illegal Pro Yar’Adua Group
ABUJA April 11, (THEWILL) - Ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has dissociated itself from a controversial organization operating as "PDP Leadership Forum."
The group is said to be made up of elements loyal to ailing President Umaru Yar’Adua who are apparently not happy with the turnout of events since the installation of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan as Acting President.
PDP National Publicity Secretary, Professor Rufai Ahmed Alkali in statement in Abuja today (Sunday) emphasized that the organization which is said to have former federal legislators at its leadership has nothing to do with the ruling party and does not represent its interest in any form.
Alkali said the group is made up of some politicians who have not been happy with the installation of Jonathan as Acting President and have been employing various methods to derail the system.
He said those behind the organization have been trying various methods to sow seeds of discord in the party in order to divide it and weaken its resolve to approach the 2011 elections as one united entity.
Alkali described the organization as faceless and unconstitutional adding that it has been illegally using the address of National Secretariat of the party to "propagate falsehoods against the leadership of the party."
The statement made available to THEWILL said, "From our findings, they are unhappy over the efforts made by the national leadership of our party in conjunction with the National Assembly and the Governors Forum to strengthen the hands of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan to assume office as the Acting President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
"Having been exposed for the fraud that they are, they have gone underground to regroup and device further destructive methods against the smooth running of our great Party, the PDP.
"After painstaking efforts to determine the identity of these persons and their sponsors, we have discovered the leaders of these groups to be some former top legislators who are now virtually jobless and who have used every available means to draw attention to themselves. They are being backed up by a media mogul whose electronic outfit is always available for subversive activities.
"They are now operating under another unconstitutional and faceless organization called 'PDP Leadership Forum.'
"The Peoples Democratic Party wishes to advise all law abiding members to steer clear of these people as they are hell bent on sowing seeds of discord and weakening our resolve to approach the forthcoming elections as one united entity."
The PDP spokesman noted that most of those in the group held sensitive positions in the past and should be held to render account for what he described as their "misdeeds."
He therefore charged all PDP members to close ranks and resist attempts by the group to derail the party.
The group is said to be made up of elements loyal to ailing President Umaru Yar’Adua who are apparently not happy with the turnout of events since the installation of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan as Acting President.
PDP National Publicity Secretary, Professor Rufai Ahmed Alkali in statement in Abuja today (Sunday) emphasized that the organization which is said to have former federal legislators at its leadership has nothing to do with the ruling party and does not represent its interest in any form.
Alkali said the group is made up of some politicians who have not been happy with the installation of Jonathan as Acting President and have been employing various methods to derail the system.
He said those behind the organization have been trying various methods to sow seeds of discord in the party in order to divide it and weaken its resolve to approach the 2011 elections as one united entity.
Alkali described the organization as faceless and unconstitutional adding that it has been illegally using the address of National Secretariat of the party to "propagate falsehoods against the leadership of the party."
The statement made available to THEWILL said, "From our findings, they are unhappy over the efforts made by the national leadership of our party in conjunction with the National Assembly and the Governors Forum to strengthen the hands of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan to assume office as the Acting President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
"Having been exposed for the fraud that they are, they have gone underground to regroup and device further destructive methods against the smooth running of our great Party, the PDP.
"After painstaking efforts to determine the identity of these persons and their sponsors, we have discovered the leaders of these groups to be some former top legislators who are now virtually jobless and who have used every available means to draw attention to themselves. They are being backed up by a media mogul whose electronic outfit is always available for subversive activities.
"They are now operating under another unconstitutional and faceless organization called 'PDP Leadership Forum.'
"The Peoples Democratic Party wishes to advise all law abiding members to steer clear of these people as they are hell bent on sowing seeds of discord and weakening our resolve to approach the forthcoming elections as one united entity."
The PDP spokesman noted that most of those in the group held sensitive positions in the past and should be held to render account for what he described as their "misdeeds."
He therefore charged all PDP members to close ranks and resist attempts by the group to derail the party.
Nigerian Takes Over A NYSE Listed Oil Company
Dr. Kase Lukman Lawal, the Nigerian born US oil mogul, and Chairman of CAMAC on Wednesday bought controlling shares in a New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) listed oil company, Pacific Asia Petroleum, PAP.
CAMAC bought over 62% shares in PAP, and accordingly changed PAP's name into CAMAC Energy Inc on Wednesday at an impressive formal signing ceremony witnessed at CAMAC's head office in Houston, Texas by top American and Nigerian government officials including the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Alhaji Yayale Ahmed.
Empowered Newswire reports said while speaking at the signing ceremony, Dr. Lawal, CAMAC's founder and Chairman stated that "our first meeting with Pacific Asia was 4 years ago and we talked about collaboration. We wanted to diversity, we from West Africa to China, where PAP has substantial oil holdings."
He added that CAMAC was attracted to PAP because of that diversity, "and they knew our focus was Africa," he added.
Praising the President of PAP, who will continue as President of the new CAMAC Energy, Frank Ingriselli, Lawal said he had been formerly Texaco president before leading other senior Texaco Management officials to start PAP in 2005.
According to Lawal, the current management team at PAP provided strong leadership at Texaco and "gave the shareholders real value," adding that in the new CAMAC Energy Inc, the new management is also going "to earn the respect" of the shareholders and the public.
In his remarks, Ingriselli expressed similar sentiments, assuring that the new company will "grow shareholder value." According to him, "we are looking forward to the future, we will work hard to make this a profitable venture"
In fact by close of trading at the NYSE on Wednesday the company was trading at $4.09, indicating a 9 cents rise or a 2.25%. The following day, by close of business Thursday, the company was trading at the NYSE at $4.45. And at the end of the week on Friday, the stock had recorded an high of $4.94, a further rise indicating investor confidence since CAMAC took over.
Both officials of CAMAC and PAP noted at the signing ceremony that with the take-over and merger this week between CAMAC, a Nigerian-owned US based oil and gas exploration firm, and New York Stock Exchange listed Pacific Asia Petroleum, the potential to raise greater capital to finance oil and gas operations including at the Oyo Oilfield has increased tremendously
A joint statement issued on the day of the formal signing between CAMAC and Pacific Asia, quoted Pacific Asia Petroleum President and CEO, Frank Ingriselli, stating "Today's closing caps a many months-long process and hard work by all of the parties involved in the transaction."
"We are now prepared to capitalize on the opportunities presented by this acquisition. We expect that the addition of the Oyo Oilfield asset, combined with our existing China assets and the wealth of experience from the new board members and CAMAC, will further enhance our capacity to achieve the Company's strategy to aggressively grow shareholder value with high-return and early cash flow assets."
On his part, Dr. Kase Lawal, Chairman and CEO of CAMAC International, and new chairman of the Board of Directors, noted, "We are very excited about the possibilities our new relationship presents. We are very pleased to be a part of the next phase of the development of CAMAC Energy Inc. on the NYSE Amex platform. I look forward to working with the management and the Board to continue creating value for all our shareholders."
Frank Ingriselli, who is continuing as CAMAC Energy Inc president added that the overwhelming approval from the shareholders for the transaction, is "a manifestation of their confidence in the Company's future. We are very excited to close this acquisition ... so that the value we anticipate to be generated for our shareholders from this acquisition and our continuing operations on our China assets can grow shareholder value."
An earlier statement from Pacific Asia on Wednesday just before the formal signing ceremony and change of name disclosed that the company shareholders already voted to approve the company’s take-over of the Oyo Oilfield of CAMAC’s Nigeria’s affiliate Allied Energy, a vital aspect of the deal by CAMAC to take over the company.
CAMAC had earlier in November bought controlling shares, over 62% in Pacific Asia, giving it the inroad to the take over and change of name this week.
With CAMAC's controlling majority of the Pacific Asia, and the name change to CAMAC Energy Inc, CAMAC, the company’s new trading name on the New York Stock Exchange is the first Nigerian originated company to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange, and the third in Africa, coming after Ashante from Ghana and South African Telecom, two previously listed African firms on the NYSE.
However CAMAC also became the first African energy firm and first African-American energy firm to be listed on the NYSE.
According to the statement issued in New York by Pacific Asia Petroleum, "more than 99% of the shareholders voted at the meeting approved all of the recommendations made with respect to this acquisition, including the issuance of shares to CAMAC which will constitute 62.74% of the outstanding shares of the Company, and the change of the Company's name to "CAMAC Energy Inc."
Before CAMAC bought over controlling shares in Pacific Asia, it already had substantial oil investments in China, being a leading global oil firm.
Now, the new firm will now own the Oyo Oilfield, which commenced production in December 2009. Dr. Kase Lawal said while Ingriselli will continue as President, the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the new firm operating Oyo Oilfield will come from Nigeria.
CAMAC owns 60% of the interest in the Oyo Oilfield, with the other 40% owned by the field's operator, Nigerian Agip Exploration Ltd., a subsidiary of Italy's ENI SpA. In 2008, CAMAC earned revenues of $2.43 billion.
CAMAC bought over 62% shares in PAP, and accordingly changed PAP's name into CAMAC Energy Inc on Wednesday at an impressive formal signing ceremony witnessed at CAMAC's head office in Houston, Texas by top American and Nigerian government officials including the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Alhaji Yayale Ahmed.
Empowered Newswire reports said while speaking at the signing ceremony, Dr. Lawal, CAMAC's founder and Chairman stated that "our first meeting with Pacific Asia was 4 years ago and we talked about collaboration. We wanted to diversity, we from West Africa to China, where PAP has substantial oil holdings."
He added that CAMAC was attracted to PAP because of that diversity, "and they knew our focus was Africa," he added.
Praising the President of PAP, who will continue as President of the new CAMAC Energy, Frank Ingriselli, Lawal said he had been formerly Texaco president before leading other senior Texaco Management officials to start PAP in 2005.
According to Lawal, the current management team at PAP provided strong leadership at Texaco and "gave the shareholders real value," adding that in the new CAMAC Energy Inc, the new management is also going "to earn the respect" of the shareholders and the public.
In his remarks, Ingriselli expressed similar sentiments, assuring that the new company will "grow shareholder value." According to him, "we are looking forward to the future, we will work hard to make this a profitable venture"
In fact by close of trading at the NYSE on Wednesday the company was trading at $4.09, indicating a 9 cents rise or a 2.25%. The following day, by close of business Thursday, the company was trading at the NYSE at $4.45. And at the end of the week on Friday, the stock had recorded an high of $4.94, a further rise indicating investor confidence since CAMAC took over.
Both officials of CAMAC and PAP noted at the signing ceremony that with the take-over and merger this week between CAMAC, a Nigerian-owned US based oil and gas exploration firm, and New York Stock Exchange listed Pacific Asia Petroleum, the potential to raise greater capital to finance oil and gas operations including at the Oyo Oilfield has increased tremendously
A joint statement issued on the day of the formal signing between CAMAC and Pacific Asia, quoted Pacific Asia Petroleum President and CEO, Frank Ingriselli, stating "Today's closing caps a many months-long process and hard work by all of the parties involved in the transaction."
"We are now prepared to capitalize on the opportunities presented by this acquisition. We expect that the addition of the Oyo Oilfield asset, combined with our existing China assets and the wealth of experience from the new board members and CAMAC, will further enhance our capacity to achieve the Company's strategy to aggressively grow shareholder value with high-return and early cash flow assets."
On his part, Dr. Kase Lawal, Chairman and CEO of CAMAC International, and new chairman of the Board of Directors, noted, "We are very excited about the possibilities our new relationship presents. We are very pleased to be a part of the next phase of the development of CAMAC Energy Inc. on the NYSE Amex platform. I look forward to working with the management and the Board to continue creating value for all our shareholders."
Frank Ingriselli, who is continuing as CAMAC Energy Inc president added that the overwhelming approval from the shareholders for the transaction, is "a manifestation of their confidence in the Company's future. We are very excited to close this acquisition ... so that the value we anticipate to be generated for our shareholders from this acquisition and our continuing operations on our China assets can grow shareholder value."
An earlier statement from Pacific Asia on Wednesday just before the formal signing ceremony and change of name disclosed that the company shareholders already voted to approve the company’s take-over of the Oyo Oilfield of CAMAC’s Nigeria’s affiliate Allied Energy, a vital aspect of the deal by CAMAC to take over the company.
CAMAC had earlier in November bought controlling shares, over 62% in Pacific Asia, giving it the inroad to the take over and change of name this week.
With CAMAC's controlling majority of the Pacific Asia, and the name change to CAMAC Energy Inc, CAMAC, the company’s new trading name on the New York Stock Exchange is the first Nigerian originated company to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange, and the third in Africa, coming after Ashante from Ghana and South African Telecom, two previously listed African firms on the NYSE.
However CAMAC also became the first African energy firm and first African-American energy firm to be listed on the NYSE.
According to the statement issued in New York by Pacific Asia Petroleum, "more than 99% of the shareholders voted at the meeting approved all of the recommendations made with respect to this acquisition, including the issuance of shares to CAMAC which will constitute 62.74% of the outstanding shares of the Company, and the change of the Company's name to "CAMAC Energy Inc."
Before CAMAC bought over controlling shares in Pacific Asia, it already had substantial oil investments in China, being a leading global oil firm.
Now, the new firm will now own the Oyo Oilfield, which commenced production in December 2009. Dr. Kase Lawal said while Ingriselli will continue as President, the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the new firm operating Oyo Oilfield will come from Nigeria.
CAMAC owns 60% of the interest in the Oyo Oilfield, with the other 40% owned by the field's operator, Nigerian Agip Exploration Ltd., a subsidiary of Italy's ENI SpA. In 2008, CAMAC earned revenues of $2.43 billion.
SOMALIA: UN AGENCY TRAINS HEALTH-CARE WORKERS IN TRAUMA AND OBSTETRIC SURGERY
The United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) is training trauma and emergency obstetric surgery workers in Mogadishu, the Somali capital where fighting between Government forces and their supporters and Islamic militant rebel groups killed or injured more than 900 people last month.
“This training is essential as its boosts the skill levels of the very health staff who see on almost a daily basis victims of the conflict, as well as expectant mothers needing emergency obstetric care,” said Omar Saleh, Emergency Preparedness and Humanitarian Action focal point for Somalia, and the WHO surgeon who trained the latest round of 33 doctors, nurses and midwives.
“We were able to conduct this training successfully, despite the obvious security threats and resource constraints,” he added, according to a press release issued today by WHO.
At least 3.2 million Somalis are affected by the country’s almost two decade-long humanitarian crisis.
The UN estimates that 100,000 people were displaced from or within Mogadishu since the beginning of the year.
Conditions are especially dangerous for pregnant women and infants. Some 1,400 women die per every 100,000 live births, and at least 86 out of 1,000 infants die before reaching their first birthday. In addition, nearly daily shooting and shelling between the various groups killed 30 people in March and wounded 900 others.
Children under five years of age accounted for 10 per cent of the reported injuries, which included shrapnel and gunshot wounds, fractures and crush injuries.
The UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia, Mark Bowden, today expressed dismay over the continuing injury and death of civilians in the conflict, and called on all parties involved to comply with international humanitarian law to protect civilians against the indiscriminate use of arms.
“I am deeply disturbed by the plight facing civilians in Mogadishu, who are caught amidst the warring parties. This latest incident follows on the heels of one of the most injurious months for Mogadishu residents,” said Mr. Bowden in a statement, referring to the deaths of 19 people and wounds to 55 others in the latest round of fighting.
The continued fighting and lack of resources has strained the health-care system, as health workers are among the casualties of the violence, while others have fled the city.
To fill the gap, WHO has tried to improve the skills of the health-care workers who remained. In the past year, the agency has trained over 100 workers in emergency medical services.
“It shows that despite enormous challenges, the international humanitarian community is still making a difference for Somalis,” Mr. Saleh said.
WHO and its health partners are seeking $46 million in the 2010 Consolidated
Appeals Process for Somalia, to support further training, provide essential medical supplies, undertake monitoring and assess the health situation on the ground. As of last month, the appeal was only 8 per cent funded.
“This training is essential as its boosts the skill levels of the very health staff who see on almost a daily basis victims of the conflict, as well as expectant mothers needing emergency obstetric care,” said Omar Saleh, Emergency Preparedness and Humanitarian Action focal point for Somalia, and the WHO surgeon who trained the latest round of 33 doctors, nurses and midwives.
“We were able to conduct this training successfully, despite the obvious security threats and resource constraints,” he added, according to a press release issued today by WHO.
At least 3.2 million Somalis are affected by the country’s almost two decade-long humanitarian crisis.
The UN estimates that 100,000 people were displaced from or within Mogadishu since the beginning of the year.
Conditions are especially dangerous for pregnant women and infants. Some 1,400 women die per every 100,000 live births, and at least 86 out of 1,000 infants die before reaching their first birthday. In addition, nearly daily shooting and shelling between the various groups killed 30 people in March and wounded 900 others.
Children under five years of age accounted for 10 per cent of the reported injuries, which included shrapnel and gunshot wounds, fractures and crush injuries.
The UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia, Mark Bowden, today expressed dismay over the continuing injury and death of civilians in the conflict, and called on all parties involved to comply with international humanitarian law to protect civilians against the indiscriminate use of arms.
“I am deeply disturbed by the plight facing civilians in Mogadishu, who are caught amidst the warring parties. This latest incident follows on the heels of one of the most injurious months for Mogadishu residents,” said Mr. Bowden in a statement, referring to the deaths of 19 people and wounds to 55 others in the latest round of fighting.
The continued fighting and lack of resources has strained the health-care system, as health workers are among the casualties of the violence, while others have fled the city.
To fill the gap, WHO has tried to improve the skills of the health-care workers who remained. In the past year, the agency has trained over 100 workers in emergency medical services.
“It shows that despite enormous challenges, the international humanitarian community is still making a difference for Somalis,” Mr. Saleh said.
WHO and its health partners are seeking $46 million in the 2010 Consolidated
Appeals Process for Somalia, to support further training, provide essential medical supplies, undertake monitoring and assess the health situation on the ground. As of last month, the appeal was only 8 per cent funded.
MOBILE TELEPHONES MORE COMMON THAN TOILETS IN INDIA, UN REPORT FINDS
More people in India, the world’s second most crowded country, have access to a mobile telephone than to a toilet, according to a set of recommendations released today by United Nations University (<"http://www.unu.edu/">UNU) on how to cut the number of people with inadequate sanitation.
“It is a tragic irony to think that in India, a country now wealthy enough that roughly half of the people own phones, about half cannot afford the basic necessity and dignity of a toilet,” said Zafar Adeel, Director of United Nations University's Institute for Water, Environment and Health (IWEH), and chair of UN-Water, a coordinating body for water-related work at 27 UN agencies and their partners.
India has some 545 million cell phones, enough to serve about 45 per cent of the population, but only about 366 million people or 31 per cent of the population had access to improved sanitation in 2008.
The recommendations released today are meant to accelerate the pace towards reaching the Millennium Development Goal (<"http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/">MDG) on halving the proportion of people without access to safe water and basic sanitation.
If current global trends continue, the World Health Organization (<"http://www.who.int/">WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (<"http://www.unicef.org/">UNICEF) predict there will be a shortfall of 1 billion persons from that sanitation goal by the target date of 2015.
“Anyone who shirks the topic as repugnant, minimizes it as undignified, or considers unworthy those in need should let others take over for the sake of 1.5 million children and countless others killed each year by contaminated water and unhealthy sanitation,” said Mr. Adeel.
Included in the nine recommendations are the suggestions to adjust the MDG target from a 50 per cent improvement by 2015 to 100 per cent coverage by 2025; and to reassign official development assistance equal to 0.002 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) to sanitation.
The UNU report cites a rough cost of $300 to build a toilet, including labour, materials and advice.
“The world can expect, however, a return of between $3 and $34 for every dollar spent on sanitation, realized through reduced poverty and health costs and higher productivity – an economic and humanitarian opportunity of historic proportions,” added Mr. Adeel.
“It is a tragic irony to think that in India, a country now wealthy enough that roughly half of the people own phones, about half cannot afford the basic necessity and dignity of a toilet,” said Zafar Adeel, Director of United Nations University's Institute for Water, Environment and Health (IWEH), and chair of UN-Water, a coordinating body for water-related work at 27 UN agencies and their partners.
India has some 545 million cell phones, enough to serve about 45 per cent of the population, but only about 366 million people or 31 per cent of the population had access to improved sanitation in 2008.
The recommendations released today are meant to accelerate the pace towards reaching the Millennium Development Goal (<"http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/">MDG) on halving the proportion of people without access to safe water and basic sanitation.
If current global trends continue, the World Health Organization (<"http://www.who.int/">WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (<"http://www.unicef.org/">UNICEF) predict there will be a shortfall of 1 billion persons from that sanitation goal by the target date of 2015.
“Anyone who shirks the topic as repugnant, minimizes it as undignified, or considers unworthy those in need should let others take over for the sake of 1.5 million children and countless others killed each year by contaminated water and unhealthy sanitation,” said Mr. Adeel.
Included in the nine recommendations are the suggestions to adjust the MDG target from a 50 per cent improvement by 2015 to 100 per cent coverage by 2025; and to reassign official development assistance equal to 0.002 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) to sanitation.
The UNU report cites a rough cost of $300 to build a toilet, including labour, materials and advice.
“The world can expect, however, a return of between $3 and $34 for every dollar spent on sanitation, realized through reduced poverty and health costs and higher productivity – an economic and humanitarian opportunity of historic proportions,” added Mr. Adeel.
NEW UN STUDY URGES SUSTAINED MOMENTUM TO TACKLE HUMAN, ANIMAL INFLUENZA THREATS
While there has been substantial global progress towards pandemic preparedness in recent years, it is vital to maintain that momentum to respond effectively to existing and possible future threats, according to a new study by the United Nations and the <"http://www.worldbank.org/">World Bank.
“Continued global vigilance for infectious disease outbreaks and pandemics is of critical importance for health security and well-being,” says the report, entitled “Animal and pandemic influenza: a framework for sustaining momentum.”
The report notes that an estimated 75 per cent of new human diseases originate in animals and an average of two new animal diseases with cross-over capabilities emerge every year.
The emergence of three major epidemiological events into the first decade of the new century – SARS, H5N1 avian influenza and H1N1 pandemic influenza – is an indication of the rate at which threats may continue to arise, it adds.
“Sustaining momentum,” states the report, “will require a strategic use of resources and a move away from emergency response-driven projects and special, single-focus initiatives, to long-term capacity-building.”
The report will be taken up by delegates from over 80 countries when they meet at the International Ministerial Conference on Animal and Pandemic Influenza, which will be held in Hanoi, Viet Nam, from 20 to 21 April.
“This is a really significant conference,” David Nabarro, Senior UN System Influenza Coordinator, told reporters in New York, noting that the gathering will take stock of where the world is with regard to bird flu and the H1N1 virus, review preparedness and consider lessons learned from countries with successful control efforts.
The threats from bird flu and H1N1 are not over yet, he noted, stressing the need for further measures to ensure an effective global response.
“We have to find ways to put the work on bird flu and on pandemics more into the routine business of ministries of health and ministries of agriculture, into the routine work of disaster preparedness units in countries,” he stated. “And so an important element of the discussions in Hanoi will be the way forward.”
Part of the work in Hanoi, he added, will be to consider whether or not extra preparedness is necessary to ensure that those who look after animal health and those that look after human health are working together well enough to prepare for disease threats that come from animals.
A key question, he noted, is: “Are we well enough organized as a world to be prepared for diseases that can jump from the animal kingdom and lead to sickness and possibly quite widespread suffering among humans?”
“Continued global vigilance for infectious disease outbreaks and pandemics is of critical importance for health security and well-being,” says the report, entitled “Animal and pandemic influenza: a framework for sustaining momentum.”
The report notes that an estimated 75 per cent of new human diseases originate in animals and an average of two new animal diseases with cross-over capabilities emerge every year.
The emergence of three major epidemiological events into the first decade of the new century – SARS, H5N1 avian influenza and H1N1 pandemic influenza – is an indication of the rate at which threats may continue to arise, it adds.
“Sustaining momentum,” states the report, “will require a strategic use of resources and a move away from emergency response-driven projects and special, single-focus initiatives, to long-term capacity-building.”
The report will be taken up by delegates from over 80 countries when they meet at the International Ministerial Conference on Animal and Pandemic Influenza, which will be held in Hanoi, Viet Nam, from 20 to 21 April.
“This is a really significant conference,” David Nabarro, Senior UN System Influenza Coordinator, told reporters in New York, noting that the gathering will take stock of where the world is with regard to bird flu and the H1N1 virus, review preparedness and consider lessons learned from countries with successful control efforts.
The threats from bird flu and H1N1 are not over yet, he noted, stressing the need for further measures to ensure an effective global response.
“We have to find ways to put the work on bird flu and on pandemics more into the routine business of ministries of health and ministries of agriculture, into the routine work of disaster preparedness units in countries,” he stated. “And so an important element of the discussions in Hanoi will be the way forward.”
Part of the work in Hanoi, he added, will be to consider whether or not extra preparedness is necessary to ensure that those who look after animal health and those that look after human health are working together well enough to prepare for disease threats that come from animals.
A key question, he noted, is: “Are we well enough organized as a world to be prepared for diseases that can jump from the animal kingdom and lead to sickness and possibly quite widespread suffering among humans?”
Nigerian Takes Over A NYSE Listed Oil Company
Dr. Kase Lukman Lawal, the Nigerian born US oil mogul, and Chairman of CAMAC on Wednesday bought controlling shares in a New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) listed oil company, Pacific Asia Petroleum, PAP.
CAMAC bought over 62% shares in PAP, and accordingly changed PAP's name into CAMAC Energy Inc on Wednesday at an impressive formal signing ceremony witnessed at CAMAC's head office in Houston, Texas by top American and Nigerian government officials including the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Alhaji Yayale Ahmed.
Empowered Newswire reports said while speaking at the signing ceremony, Dr. Lawal, CAMAC's founder and Chairman stated that "our first meeting with Pacific Asia was 4 years ago and we talked about collaboration. We wanted to diversity, we from West Africa to China, where PAP has substantial oil holdings."
He added that CAMAC was attracted to PAP because of that diversity, "and they knew our focus was Africa," he added.
Praising the President of PAP, who will continue as President of the new CAMAC Energy, Frank Ingriselli, Lawal said he had been formerly Texaco president before leading other senior Texaco Management officials to start PAP in 2005.
According to Lawal, the current management team at PAP provided strong leadership at Texaco and "gave the shareholders real value," adding that in the new CAMAC Energy Inc, the new management is also going "to earn the respect" of the shareholders and the public.
In his remarks, Ingriselli expressed similar sentiments, assuring that the new company will "grow shareholder value." According to him, "we are looking forward to the future, we will work hard to make this a profitable venture"
In fact by close of trading at the NYSE on Wednesday the company was trading at $4.09, indicating a 9 cents rise or a 2.25%. The following day, by close of business Thursday, the company was trading at the NYSE at $4.45. And at the end of the week on Friday, the stock had recorded an high of $4.94, a further rise indicating investor confidence since CAMAC took over.
Both officials of CAMAC and PAP noted at the signing ceremony that with the take-over and merger this week between CAMAC, a Nigerian-owned US based oil and gas exploration firm, and New York Stock Exchange listed Pacific Asia Petroleum, the potential to raise greater capital to finance oil and gas operations including at the Oyo Oilfield has increased tremendously
A joint statement issued on the day of the formal signing between CAMAC and Pacific Asia, quoted Pacific Asia Petroleum President and CEO, Frank Ingriselli, stating "Today's closing caps a many months-long process and hard work by all of the parties involved in the transaction."
"We are now prepared to capitalize on the opportunities presented by this acquisition. We expect that the addition of the Oyo Oilfield asset, combined with our existing China assets and the wealth of experience from the new board members and CAMAC, will further enhance our capacity to achieve the Company's strategy to aggressively grow shareholder value with high-return and early cash flow assets."
On his part, Dr. Kase Lawal, Chairman and CEO of CAMAC International, and new chairman of the Board of Directors, noted, "We are very excited about the possibilities our new relationship presents. We are very pleased to be a part of the next phase of the development of CAMAC Energy Inc. on the NYSE Amex platform. I look forward to working with the management and the Board to continue creating value for all our shareholders."
Frank Ingriselli, who is continuing as CAMAC Energy Inc president added that the overwhelming approval from the shareholders for the transaction, is "a manifestation of their confidence in the Company's future. We are very excited to close this acquisition ... so that the value we anticipate to be generated for our shareholders from this acquisition and our continuing operations on our China assets can grow shareholder value."
An earlier statement from Pacific Asia on Wednesday just before the formal signing ceremony and change of name disclosed that the company shareholders already voted to approve the company’s take-over of the Oyo Oilfield of CAMAC’s Nigeria’s affiliate Allied Energy, a vital aspect of the deal by CAMAC to take over the company.
CAMAC had earlier in November bought controlling shares, over 62% in Pacific Asia, giving it the inroad to the take over and change of name this week.
With CAMAC's controlling majority of the Pacific Asia, and the name change to CAMAC Energy Inc, CAMAC, the company’s new trading name on the New York Stock Exchange is the first Nigerian originated company to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange, and the third in Africa, coming after Ashante from Ghana and South African Telecom, two previously listed African firms on the NYSE.
However CAMAC also became the first African energy firm and first African-American energy firm to be listed on the NYSE.
According to the statement issued in New York by Pacific Asia Petroleum, "more than 99% of the shareholders voted at the meeting approved all of the recommendations made with respect to this acquisition, including the issuance of shares to CAMAC which will constitute 62.74% of the outstanding shares of the Company, and the change of the Company's name to "CAMAC Energy Inc."
Before CAMAC bought over controlling shares in Pacific Asia, it already had substantial oil investments in China, being a leading global oil firm.
Now, the new firm will now own the Oyo Oilfield, which commenced production in December 2009. Dr. Kase Lawal said while Ingriselli will continue as President, the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the new firm operating Oyo Oilfield will come from Nigeria.
CAMAC owns 60% of the interest in the Oyo Oilfield, with the other 40% owned by the field's operator, Nigerian Agip Exploration Ltd., a subsidiary of Italy's ENI SpA. In 2008, CAMAC earned revenues of $2.43 billion.
CAMAC bought over 62% shares in PAP, and accordingly changed PAP's name into CAMAC Energy Inc on Wednesday at an impressive formal signing ceremony witnessed at CAMAC's head office in Houston, Texas by top American and Nigerian government officials including the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Alhaji Yayale Ahmed.
Empowered Newswire reports said while speaking at the signing ceremony, Dr. Lawal, CAMAC's founder and Chairman stated that "our first meeting with Pacific Asia was 4 years ago and we talked about collaboration. We wanted to diversity, we from West Africa to China, where PAP has substantial oil holdings."
He added that CAMAC was attracted to PAP because of that diversity, "and they knew our focus was Africa," he added.
Praising the President of PAP, who will continue as President of the new CAMAC Energy, Frank Ingriselli, Lawal said he had been formerly Texaco president before leading other senior Texaco Management officials to start PAP in 2005.
According to Lawal, the current management team at PAP provided strong leadership at Texaco and "gave the shareholders real value," adding that in the new CAMAC Energy Inc, the new management is also going "to earn the respect" of the shareholders and the public.
In his remarks, Ingriselli expressed similar sentiments, assuring that the new company will "grow shareholder value." According to him, "we are looking forward to the future, we will work hard to make this a profitable venture"
In fact by close of trading at the NYSE on Wednesday the company was trading at $4.09, indicating a 9 cents rise or a 2.25%. The following day, by close of business Thursday, the company was trading at the NYSE at $4.45. And at the end of the week on Friday, the stock had recorded an high of $4.94, a further rise indicating investor confidence since CAMAC took over.
Both officials of CAMAC and PAP noted at the signing ceremony that with the take-over and merger this week between CAMAC, a Nigerian-owned US based oil and gas exploration firm, and New York Stock Exchange listed Pacific Asia Petroleum, the potential to raise greater capital to finance oil and gas operations including at the Oyo Oilfield has increased tremendously
A joint statement issued on the day of the formal signing between CAMAC and Pacific Asia, quoted Pacific Asia Petroleum President and CEO, Frank Ingriselli, stating "Today's closing caps a many months-long process and hard work by all of the parties involved in the transaction."
"We are now prepared to capitalize on the opportunities presented by this acquisition. We expect that the addition of the Oyo Oilfield asset, combined with our existing China assets and the wealth of experience from the new board members and CAMAC, will further enhance our capacity to achieve the Company's strategy to aggressively grow shareholder value with high-return and early cash flow assets."
On his part, Dr. Kase Lawal, Chairman and CEO of CAMAC International, and new chairman of the Board of Directors, noted, "We are very excited about the possibilities our new relationship presents. We are very pleased to be a part of the next phase of the development of CAMAC Energy Inc. on the NYSE Amex platform. I look forward to working with the management and the Board to continue creating value for all our shareholders."
Frank Ingriselli, who is continuing as CAMAC Energy Inc president added that the overwhelming approval from the shareholders for the transaction, is "a manifestation of their confidence in the Company's future. We are very excited to close this acquisition ... so that the value we anticipate to be generated for our shareholders from this acquisition and our continuing operations on our China assets can grow shareholder value."
An earlier statement from Pacific Asia on Wednesday just before the formal signing ceremony and change of name disclosed that the company shareholders already voted to approve the company’s take-over of the Oyo Oilfield of CAMAC’s Nigeria’s affiliate Allied Energy, a vital aspect of the deal by CAMAC to take over the company.
CAMAC had earlier in November bought controlling shares, over 62% in Pacific Asia, giving it the inroad to the take over and change of name this week.
With CAMAC's controlling majority of the Pacific Asia, and the name change to CAMAC Energy Inc, CAMAC, the company’s new trading name on the New York Stock Exchange is the first Nigerian originated company to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange, and the third in Africa, coming after Ashante from Ghana and South African Telecom, two previously listed African firms on the NYSE.
However CAMAC also became the first African energy firm and first African-American energy firm to be listed on the NYSE.
According to the statement issued in New York by Pacific Asia Petroleum, "more than 99% of the shareholders voted at the meeting approved all of the recommendations made with respect to this acquisition, including the issuance of shares to CAMAC which will constitute 62.74% of the outstanding shares of the Company, and the change of the Company's name to "CAMAC Energy Inc."
Before CAMAC bought over controlling shares in Pacific Asia, it already had substantial oil investments in China, being a leading global oil firm.
Now, the new firm will now own the Oyo Oilfield, which commenced production in December 2009. Dr. Kase Lawal said while Ingriselli will continue as President, the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the new firm operating Oyo Oilfield will come from Nigeria.
CAMAC owns 60% of the interest in the Oyo Oilfield, with the other 40% owned by the field's operator, Nigerian Agip Exploration Ltd., a subsidiary of Italy's ENI SpA. In 2008, CAMAC earned revenues of $2.43 billion.
Why President Yar’Adua Should Resign or be Impeached Now
FELIX AYANRUOH Esq.
Are we as a nation going to sit by and submissively watch as the Nigerian Constitution is bludgeon to the status of a vague reference document? Will we watch it become nothing more than a showcase in court rooms, legislative chambers and law school lecture halls among others? Or are we going to stand up for the "living" Constitution, honor and defend it, and actively seek to restore the sanctity of government?
If recent history is any guide, the impeachment of a President is not an act that ought to be considered lightly or one that ought to be taken for purely partisan reasons. Unfortunately the irresponsibility of our political class and the judiciary has made the consideration to impeach President Yar’Adua even more difficult. Having said that, however, I submit that a convincing case can be made that barring Yar’Adua doing the honorable thing and resigning, impeachment is demanded by the negligent and bordering on the criminal acts of this administration.
If President Yar’Adua could have been removed from office for being a bad president, he would have been sent back to Katsina a long time ago. The Yar’Adua presidency is a lot of things; it’s a secret cabal, corrupt and a cavalcade of incompetence. If incompetence were a criminal offense, he'd be behind bars. After all, there is abundant evidence that, in terms of leadership, he is a spectacular flop as our president. But seen from the point of view of the Nigerian people, what it increasingly resembles is a bad marriage. Nigerian finds itself married to a guy who has turned out to be a complete dud. He has spent more time out of office than in office.
The sins of the Yar’Adua administration are so extensive and so outrageous; they could never be adequately addressed in a single article. History will be the final judge. But I've no doubt about the ultimate verdict. Our nation seems, very belatedly, to be catching on the grave failures and monumental ineptitude of this president
By any objective measure the Yar’Adua Presidency has been an abject failure. The recent actions taken by the Yar’Adua presidency since early November 2009 when the president was secretly flown to Saudi Arabia for medical treatment and the commando style he was smuggled back into the country, however, collectively amounts to impeachable offence and also justify the argument for resignation by anyone with even a modicum of honor.
As if we needed more proof, the circumstances surrounding the signing of the 2009 supplemental budget are questionable. I wonder how a man who can barely acknowledge his surrounding sign such a document of monumental significance. Also, we have the example of squandering of over seven billion naira -security vote by members of his cabal to force an incapacitated man on a nation in the brink of disintegration.
The problem is that the Nigerian people are not judging Yar”Adua by the standards of law. The Yar’Adua years have further weakened Nigeria's fragile democratic state to a nation of bandit, corrupt and the rule of lawlessness. This society-wide diminution of respect for law has helped Yar’Adua and the cabal immeasurably. If president Yar’ Adua refuse to resign for the good of the country then, the Federal Executive Council should set the ball rolling by declaring the president incapacitated.
Are we as a nation going to sit by and submissively watch as the Nigerian Constitution is bludgeon to the status of a vague reference document? Will we watch it become nothing more than a showcase in court rooms, legislative chambers and law school lecture halls among others? Or are we going to stand up for the "living" Constitution, honor and defend it, and actively seek to restore the sanctity of government?
If recent history is any guide, the impeachment of a President is not an act that ought to be considered lightly or one that ought to be taken for purely partisan reasons. Unfortunately the irresponsibility of our political class and the judiciary has made the consideration to impeach President Yar’Adua even more difficult. Having said that, however, I submit that a convincing case can be made that barring Yar’Adua doing the honorable thing and resigning, impeachment is demanded by the negligent and bordering on the criminal acts of this administration.
If President Yar’Adua could have been removed from office for being a bad president, he would have been sent back to Katsina a long time ago. The Yar’Adua presidency is a lot of things; it’s a secret cabal, corrupt and a cavalcade of incompetence. If incompetence were a criminal offense, he'd be behind bars. After all, there is abundant evidence that, in terms of leadership, he is a spectacular flop as our president. But seen from the point of view of the Nigerian people, what it increasingly resembles is a bad marriage. Nigerian finds itself married to a guy who has turned out to be a complete dud. He has spent more time out of office than in office.
The sins of the Yar’Adua administration are so extensive and so outrageous; they could never be adequately addressed in a single article. History will be the final judge. But I've no doubt about the ultimate verdict. Our nation seems, very belatedly, to be catching on the grave failures and monumental ineptitude of this president
By any objective measure the Yar’Adua Presidency has been an abject failure. The recent actions taken by the Yar’Adua presidency since early November 2009 when the president was secretly flown to Saudi Arabia for medical treatment and the commando style he was smuggled back into the country, however, collectively amounts to impeachable offence and also justify the argument for resignation by anyone with even a modicum of honor.
As if we needed more proof, the circumstances surrounding the signing of the 2009 supplemental budget are questionable. I wonder how a man who can barely acknowledge his surrounding sign such a document of monumental significance. Also, we have the example of squandering of over seven billion naira -security vote by members of his cabal to force an incapacitated man on a nation in the brink of disintegration.
The problem is that the Nigerian people are not judging Yar”Adua by the standards of law. The Yar’Adua years have further weakened Nigeria's fragile democratic state to a nation of bandit, corrupt and the rule of lawlessness. This society-wide diminution of respect for law has helped Yar’Adua and the cabal immeasurably. If president Yar’ Adua refuse to resign for the good of the country then, the Federal Executive Council should set the ball rolling by declaring the president incapacitated.
BAN READIES MULTIFACETED CAMPAIGN TO COMBAT MATERNAL MORTALITY WORLDWIDE
With hundreds of thousands of women and girls dying in pregnancy or childbirth every year and 10 to 15 million more suffering long-lasting disabilities, the United Nations today announced steps for a multi-pronged campaign to fight the scourge.
Calling for urgent and strategic efforts, the Joint Action Plan urges all stakeholders, developed and developing countries, civil society actors, private businesses, philanthropic institutions and the multilateral system to each offer new initiatives and adopt an accountability framework that will keep maternal and child health high on the national and international development agenda.
“The fact remains that one preventable maternal death is too many; hundreds of thousands are simply unacceptable – this, in the 21st century,” Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon <"http://www.un.org/apps/news/infocus/sgspeeches/statments_full.asp?statID=788">told key partners on the eve of a formal meeting that he has convened for tomorrow to further develop a set of concrete actions to advance the Plan.
“It has been 10 years since the launch of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), he said of the ambitious targets set by the UN Summit of 2000 to slash a host of social ills by 2015, including reducing the maternal mortality ratio by three quarters. “We are making great strides in some areas. In some countries maternal deaths are declining. That is great news.
“But progress on maternal health is still lagging far behind. For too long, maternal and child health has been at the back of the MDG train, but we know it can be the engine of development. So we say: women and children first. After all, a health system that delivers for mothers will deliver for the whole community. But, first, we must deliver.”
Those present included President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete of Tanzania, Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg of Norway, Vice President Boediono of Indonesia and United States Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius.
On a personal note, Mr. Ban recalled that he himself was born not in a hospital but at home in a small rural village in Korea, where hospitals and clinics were then faraway luxuries, and older women from the community, often with experience as their medical training.
“One of my strongest memories is the custom of women at the time as they went into labour,” he said. “They would look at their shoes before entering into the room and....just stare at their shoes, their simple rubber shoes. I remember seeing this once and asking my mother, but why? What is she doing? And my mother said, ‘she is wondering if she will ever be able to step into those shoes again,’ because at that time, there was no such medical help for women.
“It was a plea, a quiet prayer: Let me make it through. Let me walk this earth again. Always, there were doubts. Far too often, there were tragedies. Many women died. Even today, in villages, towns and cities around the world, these fears remain all too real. In our world today, too many women lose their lives giving life.”
Mr. Ban highlighted the collective success in tackling HIV/AIDS and the enhanced coordination of the governments and partners that has been instrumental in putting the world on the path to zero deaths from malaria by 2015 as precedents for the joint action to accelerate support to countries to improve maternal and newborn survival.
“Make no mistake, all of us must do more, Member States, civil society, the business community, the private sector, foundations, NGOs (non-governmental organizations), the United Nations,” he said, stressing that the action plan must emphasize coordination and evidence-based interventions, offer a platform for new commitments and promote unprecedented accountability.
“The clock is ticking. Between now and the MDG Summit in September, every partner must step up… Developed countries can mobilize the full range of human and material resources – and increase their financial commitments. Developing countries can update national health plans to prioritize financing, implementation and monitoring of delivery services for women and children. Foundations can spotlight this issue.
“Businesses can develop new drugs and vaccines and work to bring the newest technologies to even the most remote communities. Civil society groups and citizens everywhere can advocate, mobilize, and hold policymakers to account,” he added.
“Let us act so every expectant mother can get back in her shoes...every child can get a head-start in life...and their daughters and granddaughters can truly step into a better world.”
Calling for urgent and strategic efforts, the Joint Action Plan urges all stakeholders, developed and developing countries, civil society actors, private businesses, philanthropic institutions and the multilateral system to each offer new initiatives and adopt an accountability framework that will keep maternal and child health high on the national and international development agenda.
“The fact remains that one preventable maternal death is too many; hundreds of thousands are simply unacceptable – this, in the 21st century,” Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon <"http://www.un.org/apps/news/infocus/sgspeeches/statments_full.asp?statID=788">told key partners on the eve of a formal meeting that he has convened for tomorrow to further develop a set of concrete actions to advance the Plan.
“It has been 10 years since the launch of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), he said of the ambitious targets set by the UN Summit of 2000 to slash a host of social ills by 2015, including reducing the maternal mortality ratio by three quarters. “We are making great strides in some areas. In some countries maternal deaths are declining. That is great news.
“But progress on maternal health is still lagging far behind. For too long, maternal and child health has been at the back of the MDG train, but we know it can be the engine of development. So we say: women and children first. After all, a health system that delivers for mothers will deliver for the whole community. But, first, we must deliver.”
Those present included President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete of Tanzania, Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg of Norway, Vice President Boediono of Indonesia and United States Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius.
On a personal note, Mr. Ban recalled that he himself was born not in a hospital but at home in a small rural village in Korea, where hospitals and clinics were then faraway luxuries, and older women from the community, often with experience as their medical training.
“One of my strongest memories is the custom of women at the time as they went into labour,” he said. “They would look at their shoes before entering into the room and....just stare at their shoes, their simple rubber shoes. I remember seeing this once and asking my mother, but why? What is she doing? And my mother said, ‘she is wondering if she will ever be able to step into those shoes again,’ because at that time, there was no such medical help for women.
“It was a plea, a quiet prayer: Let me make it through. Let me walk this earth again. Always, there were doubts. Far too often, there were tragedies. Many women died. Even today, in villages, towns and cities around the world, these fears remain all too real. In our world today, too many women lose their lives giving life.”
Mr. Ban highlighted the collective success in tackling HIV/AIDS and the enhanced coordination of the governments and partners that has been instrumental in putting the world on the path to zero deaths from malaria by 2015 as precedents for the joint action to accelerate support to countries to improve maternal and newborn survival.
“Make no mistake, all of us must do more, Member States, civil society, the business community, the private sector, foundations, NGOs (non-governmental organizations), the United Nations,” he said, stressing that the action plan must emphasize coordination and evidence-based interventions, offer a platform for new commitments and promote unprecedented accountability.
“The clock is ticking. Between now and the MDG Summit in September, every partner must step up… Developed countries can mobilize the full range of human and material resources – and increase their financial commitments. Developing countries can update national health plans to prioritize financing, implementation and monitoring of delivery services for women and children. Foundations can spotlight this issue.
“Businesses can develop new drugs and vaccines and work to bring the newest technologies to even the most remote communities. Civil society groups and citizens everywhere can advocate, mobilize, and hold policymakers to account,” he added.
“Let us act so every expectant mother can get back in her shoes...every child can get a head-start in life...and their daughters and granddaughters can truly step into a better world.”
NEWSMAKER: UN ENVOY FOR MALARIA OPTIMISTIC ON REACHING NEAR-ZERO DEATHS BY 2015
Malaria will cease to be a killer by 2015 if the world can keep up its current momentum in efforts to combat the disease, the official spearheading United Nations efforts against malaria says.
Ray Chambers, the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Malaria, says the most effective way to reach the goal of zero or near-zero deaths by 2015 is to strive to provide bed nets to all people who live in malaria-endemic countries by the end of this year, a milestone he is hopeful will be reached provided that donors continue funding the ‘Counting Malaria Out’ campaign.
The two-year campaign is designed to intensify global efforts to make mosquito nets available for all populations at risk and to reduce the number of malaria cases and deaths by 50 per cent by the end of 2010.
“Once we reach that goal we must be ever diligent and vigilant after 2010. We have to keep replacing bed nets and we have to be aware of the malaria parasites developing resistance to the medication or the mosquito developing resistance to the insecticide on the net,” Mr. Chambers told the UN News Centre in an <"http://www.un.org/apps/news/newsmakers.asp?NewsID=19">interview ahead of World Malaria Day on 25 April.
“If we stay vigilant, if we accomplish our goal this year, we are predicting zero deaths from or near-zero deaths from malaria by 2015,” says Mr. Chambers, who was appointed by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in February 2008 to help raise awareness of the global malaria problem and to lead efforts to raise funds to fight the disease.
Malaria, which is caused by a parasite transmitted to humans through the bites of infected mosquitoes, kills an estimated one million people around the world every year with most of these deaths occurring in Africa.
“I believe very strongly and with heartfelt passion that if we keep working all together as hard and as cooperatively as we’ve been working, we will have taken a disease that had become a ‘genocide’ and virtually eliminate deaths from it until a vaccine comes along,’ says Mr. Chambers.
“This is really unprecedented in our lifetimes and it should encourage us with regard to maternal health, child mortality, HIV/AIDS, TB [tuberculosis] and other diseases. I think malaria can stand up as an example of just what progress we can make by all working together,” he adds.
Ray Chambers, the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Malaria, says the most effective way to reach the goal of zero or near-zero deaths by 2015 is to strive to provide bed nets to all people who live in malaria-endemic countries by the end of this year, a milestone he is hopeful will be reached provided that donors continue funding the ‘Counting Malaria Out’ campaign.
The two-year campaign is designed to intensify global efforts to make mosquito nets available for all populations at risk and to reduce the number of malaria cases and deaths by 50 per cent by the end of 2010.
“Once we reach that goal we must be ever diligent and vigilant after 2010. We have to keep replacing bed nets and we have to be aware of the malaria parasites developing resistance to the medication or the mosquito developing resistance to the insecticide on the net,” Mr. Chambers told the UN News Centre in an <"http://www.un.org/apps/news/newsmakers.asp?NewsID=19">interview ahead of World Malaria Day on 25 April.
“If we stay vigilant, if we accomplish our goal this year, we are predicting zero deaths from or near-zero deaths from malaria by 2015,” says Mr. Chambers, who was appointed by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in February 2008 to help raise awareness of the global malaria problem and to lead efforts to raise funds to fight the disease.
Malaria, which is caused by a parasite transmitted to humans through the bites of infected mosquitoes, kills an estimated one million people around the world every year with most of these deaths occurring in Africa.
“I believe very strongly and with heartfelt passion that if we keep working all together as hard and as cooperatively as we’ve been working, we will have taken a disease that had become a ‘genocide’ and virtually eliminate deaths from it until a vaccine comes along,’ says Mr. Chambers.
“This is really unprecedented in our lifetimes and it should encourage us with regard to maternal health, child mortality, HIV/AIDS, TB [tuberculosis] and other diseases. I think malaria can stand up as an example of just what progress we can make by all working together,” he adds.
More NNPC Top Shots To Go
The new Group Managing Director of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Mr. Shehu Ladan has taken full charge amidst fears that more top officials of the corporation may be sacked.
The fears may not be unconnected with the alleged involvement of top officials of the NNPC is some shady deals for which the immediate past GMD Mohammed Barkindo was last week sacked by Acting President Goodluck Jonathan.
Barkindo was removed the same day Jonathan swore in new ministers and named Mrs. Dieziani Allison Madueke as Minister of Petroleum.
Presently the former GMD who is being investigated for alleged involvement in some shady deals along with other players in the oil and gas industry is said to have been quizzed at the weekend by officials of the State Security Service (SSS) on the matter.
Though Ladan had in a meeting with NNPC staffers on Monday assured that he was not on a sack mission, it was gathered that certain top officials of the corporation who have been fingered to be involved in the said illegal deals and may be shown the way out ahead of their possible inclusion in investigation list.
Meanwhile the Senate has said it will still summon and investigate Barkindo and the other NNPC officials despite the investigation by other relevant authorities.
The officials are being accused of involvement in illegal deals concerning crude oil sales and remittances into the Federation Account or other accounts during the time Barkindo was in charge of NNPC.
They are also being accused of involvement in shady deals in the areas of procurements, payments and award of contracts without following due process.
Already Senate has scheduled for debate next week a motion seeking it to empower its Committee on Petroleum to summon Barkindo and other NNPC officials and commence its independent investigation on the matter.
The committee may also summon former Petroleum Minister Dr. Rulwanu Lukman over the matter.
13 Senators including principal officers of the Senate have already signed in favour of the motion.
The motion came on the backdrop of Barkindo's refusal to furnish the Senate Committee on Petroleum (Upstream) certain documents on the revenue and expenditure profile of the corporation while he was in charge.
The motion seeks the Senate to allow investigation into the profile of all revenues from all sources accruing to and paid to NNPC including all income statements within the period under review.
Investigation is also sought on all monies paid the corporation as well as all internal approvals and intra corporation expenditure and audited accounts of the corporation for the period.
The fears may not be unconnected with the alleged involvement of top officials of the NNPC is some shady deals for which the immediate past GMD Mohammed Barkindo was last week sacked by Acting President Goodluck Jonathan.
Barkindo was removed the same day Jonathan swore in new ministers and named Mrs. Dieziani Allison Madueke as Minister of Petroleum.
Presently the former GMD who is being investigated for alleged involvement in some shady deals along with other players in the oil and gas industry is said to have been quizzed at the weekend by officials of the State Security Service (SSS) on the matter.
Though Ladan had in a meeting with NNPC staffers on Monday assured that he was not on a sack mission, it was gathered that certain top officials of the corporation who have been fingered to be involved in the said illegal deals and may be shown the way out ahead of their possible inclusion in investigation list.
Meanwhile the Senate has said it will still summon and investigate Barkindo and the other NNPC officials despite the investigation by other relevant authorities.
The officials are being accused of involvement in illegal deals concerning crude oil sales and remittances into the Federation Account or other accounts during the time Barkindo was in charge of NNPC.
They are also being accused of involvement in shady deals in the areas of procurements, payments and award of contracts without following due process.
Already Senate has scheduled for debate next week a motion seeking it to empower its Committee on Petroleum to summon Barkindo and other NNPC officials and commence its independent investigation on the matter.
The committee may also summon former Petroleum Minister Dr. Rulwanu Lukman over the matter.
13 Senators including principal officers of the Senate have already signed in favour of the motion.
The motion came on the backdrop of Barkindo's refusal to furnish the Senate Committee on Petroleum (Upstream) certain documents on the revenue and expenditure profile of the corporation while he was in charge.
The motion seeks the Senate to allow investigation into the profile of all revenues from all sources accruing to and paid to NNPC including all income statements within the period under review.
Investigation is also sought on all monies paid the corporation as well as all internal approvals and intra corporation expenditure and audited accounts of the corporation for the period.
Full Text Of Goodluck Jonathan’s Address At The Council on Foreign Relations
1. I wish to commend the esteemed members of the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) for its continued interest in Nigerian Affairs.
2. We are always ready to work with the Council on areas of mutual interest especially those that foster greater understanding, facilitate growth and promote the mutual development of our two Nations.
3. In this regard the signing of the Bi-National Commission last week opens up a new vista of opportunity for Nigeria/US relations. The BNC marks a new threshold for greater collaboration between the private sectors of our two countries which we must support to drive our economies.
4. Distinguished ladies and gentlemen there is no doubt in my mind that we are presented with an opportunity to make a lasting impact on the future direction of Nigeria.
5. When I was a young man growing up in the Niger Delta, I had great dreams for the future. I was fascinated by science and discovery and the transformational powers of technology. So I pursued a course of study in science and for 10 years I remained in the field of science as a teacher nurturing the growth of young scientists in Nigeria. When I ventured out of the classroom it was again another opportunity to apply my background in science to protect the delicate ecosystem of the Niger Delta.
6. In both the classroom and my environmental protection work I came face to face with the challenges of sustainable development in Nigeria. The challenges of insufficient funding of critical sectors, mis-prioritization and low infrastructural base were always an obstacle to surmount.
7. But as an individual I continued to make progress and never conceded to these difficulties although of course I was later diverted into politics in 1999.
8. Throughout my political career I have applied the lessons of scientific inquiry and technological innovation to meet the challenges that my constituents face.
9. Today I am confronted with the greatest test of my political career. While we continue to pray for the recovery of our President, Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’ Adua it is my responsibility to work with all Nigerians to improve the pace of development and to do so facing the right direction.
10. We have chosen for ourselves what I will call foundational responsibilities which if well shouldered will form a solid base for the development of Nigeria from this point onwards.
11. In this responsibility of consolidating and deepening our democracy, we are committed to ensuring that the remaining period of the administration is not a transitional period but one which, we hope, will one day be viewed as a watershed, a transformational time in our young democracy. For us in Nigeria this is our time. Either we continue with more of the same or we change the game.
12. There is no doubt that we have been faced by some challenges in our country but we have stabilized the polity and we are determined to consolidate on the gains so recorded. And for now our domestic focus must be on electoral reform, delivering peace dividends to the Niger Delta and standing strong on our resolve against corruption.
13. Internationally we are determined to restore Nigeria’s image and traditional role as a key member of the international community. In an increasingly uncertain world Nigeria is a key partner in our collective efforts to maintain peace and security in Africa and beyond. Nigeria will reiterate its commitments to fight terrorism and rededicate our efforts to promote development, democracy and a shared value for human progress.
14. Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, I thank you for the opportunity to share our thoughts and hopes with you on the present and future.
15. I thank you for your attention.
2. We are always ready to work with the Council on areas of mutual interest especially those that foster greater understanding, facilitate growth and promote the mutual development of our two Nations.
3. In this regard the signing of the Bi-National Commission last week opens up a new vista of opportunity for Nigeria/US relations. The BNC marks a new threshold for greater collaboration between the private sectors of our two countries which we must support to drive our economies.
4. Distinguished ladies and gentlemen there is no doubt in my mind that we are presented with an opportunity to make a lasting impact on the future direction of Nigeria.
5. When I was a young man growing up in the Niger Delta, I had great dreams for the future. I was fascinated by science and discovery and the transformational powers of technology. So I pursued a course of study in science and for 10 years I remained in the field of science as a teacher nurturing the growth of young scientists in Nigeria. When I ventured out of the classroom it was again another opportunity to apply my background in science to protect the delicate ecosystem of the Niger Delta.
6. In both the classroom and my environmental protection work I came face to face with the challenges of sustainable development in Nigeria. The challenges of insufficient funding of critical sectors, mis-prioritization and low infrastructural base were always an obstacle to surmount.
7. But as an individual I continued to make progress and never conceded to these difficulties although of course I was later diverted into politics in 1999.
8. Throughout my political career I have applied the lessons of scientific inquiry and technological innovation to meet the challenges that my constituents face.
9. Today I am confronted with the greatest test of my political career. While we continue to pray for the recovery of our President, Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’ Adua it is my responsibility to work with all Nigerians to improve the pace of development and to do so facing the right direction.
10. We have chosen for ourselves what I will call foundational responsibilities which if well shouldered will form a solid base for the development of Nigeria from this point onwards.
11. In this responsibility of consolidating and deepening our democracy, we are committed to ensuring that the remaining period of the administration is not a transitional period but one which, we hope, will one day be viewed as a watershed, a transformational time in our young democracy. For us in Nigeria this is our time. Either we continue with more of the same or we change the game.
12. There is no doubt that we have been faced by some challenges in our country but we have stabilized the polity and we are determined to consolidate on the gains so recorded. And for now our domestic focus must be on electoral reform, delivering peace dividends to the Niger Delta and standing strong on our resolve against corruption.
13. Internationally we are determined to restore Nigeria’s image and traditional role as a key member of the international community. In an increasingly uncertain world Nigeria is a key partner in our collective efforts to maintain peace and security in Africa and beyond. Nigeria will reiterate its commitments to fight terrorism and rededicate our efforts to promote development, democracy and a shared value for human progress.
14. Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, I thank you for the opportunity to share our thoughts and hopes with you on the present and future.
15. I thank you for your attention.
CONFLICT-RELATED RAPE THE FOCUS OF UN OFFICIAL’S VISIT TO DR CONGO
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict Margot Wallström is on her first tour since her appointment, conducting a week-long visit to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) where both rebels and the national army have been accused of mass rape.
Ms. Wallström, who was appointed in February, will go to ground zero of the alleged conflict-related sexual violence in the vast country, the eastern provinces of North and South Kivu where more than 8,000 women were raped by warring factions last year, according to UN Population Fund (<"http://www.unfpa.org/">UNFPA) estimates.
Sexual violence is not exclusively African and even less so Congolese but “a result of conflicts and war and the absence of peace in the DRC,” she said. “It is possible to fight sexual violence and find solutions; we must fight against impunity.”
Although the mainly ethnic Hutu rebel militia, known as the Forces démocratiques de libération du Rwanda (FDLR) – who have been operating in the Kivus since the 1994 Rwandan genocide – are thought to be responsible for most of the rapes, members of the national army are also guilty of sexual abuse in North and South Kivu provinces, according to UN experts.
In a newspaper column last month, Mr. Wallström said sexual violence during conflicts was all too often downplayed and treated as part of local cultural traditions instead of being viewed as a war crime.
Ms. Wallström, who was appointed in February, will go to ground zero of the alleged conflict-related sexual violence in the vast country, the eastern provinces of North and South Kivu where more than 8,000 women were raped by warring factions last year, according to UN Population Fund (<"http://www.unfpa.org/">UNFPA) estimates.
Sexual violence is not exclusively African and even less so Congolese but “a result of conflicts and war and the absence of peace in the DRC,” she said. “It is possible to fight sexual violence and find solutions; we must fight against impunity.”
Although the mainly ethnic Hutu rebel militia, known as the Forces démocratiques de libération du Rwanda (FDLR) – who have been operating in the Kivus since the 1994 Rwandan genocide – are thought to be responsible for most of the rapes, members of the national army are also guilty of sexual abuse in North and South Kivu provinces, according to UN experts.
In a newspaper column last month, Mr. Wallström said sexual violence during conflicts was all too often downplayed and treated as part of local cultural traditions instead of being viewed as a war crime.
UN EXPERTS URGE CHILE TO PUT NEEDS OF THE DISABLED INTO QUAKE REBUILDING PLANS
The United Nations committee on the rights of people with disabilities today urged the Chilean Government and the international community to include needs of the handicapped in the reconstruction plans of areas affected by the earthquake that jolted the country in February.
As a matter of priority, reconstruction plans should take into consideration access to physical space, information, communications, transportation, products and services, the Committee on the Rights of the Persons with Disabilities said in a statement issued in Geneva.
“Reconstruction in the areas affected by the devastating February earthquake and tsunami must also become a reality for the disabled,” said the current committee’s chairperson, Ronald McCallum. “A recent survey shows that an estimated 12.9 per cent of the Chilean population has disabilities, and many in the affected areas were persons with various forms of disabilities,” he added.
In a recent statement, the 12-member committee also recommended that relief measures take into account the special needs of persons with different forms of disabilities, in particular, in warning procedures, evacuation, information and communications.
“Equal attention shall be given to sign language and video captioning of public information regarding the emergency situation in accordance with the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities,” it said.
The committee stressed the urgent need to provide services to the disabled, including post-traumatic stress care. It called for “special support in rebuilding their homes, whether in urban or rural areas and those sites that host associations of persons with disabilities and centres that serve them, which have been destroyed or damaged.”
It said it recognized the efforts of the Chilean Government in the earthquake emergency, but urged the country to “take all necessary measures to ensure the protection and safety of persons with disabilities in situations of risk, including situations of armed conflict, humanitarian emergencies and the occurrence of natural disasters.”
The committee is made up of independent experts who monitor the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which so far has been endorsed by 140 countries, including Chile. The Convention was adopted in December 2006 by the General Assembly, and entered into force in May 2008.
The 8.8-magnitude quake on 27 February claimed the lives of more than 480 people and triggered a tsunami that devastated several coastal towns in south-central Chile.
As a matter of priority, reconstruction plans should take into consideration access to physical space, information, communications, transportation, products and services, the Committee on the Rights of the Persons with Disabilities said in a statement issued in Geneva.
“Reconstruction in the areas affected by the devastating February earthquake and tsunami must also become a reality for the disabled,” said the current committee’s chairperson, Ronald McCallum. “A recent survey shows that an estimated 12.9 per cent of the Chilean population has disabilities, and many in the affected areas were persons with various forms of disabilities,” he added.
In a recent statement, the 12-member committee also recommended that relief measures take into account the special needs of persons with different forms of disabilities, in particular, in warning procedures, evacuation, information and communications.
“Equal attention shall be given to sign language and video captioning of public information regarding the emergency situation in accordance with the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities,” it said.
The committee stressed the urgent need to provide services to the disabled, including post-traumatic stress care. It called for “special support in rebuilding their homes, whether in urban or rural areas and those sites that host associations of persons with disabilities and centres that serve them, which have been destroyed or damaged.”
It said it recognized the efforts of the Chilean Government in the earthquake emergency, but urged the country to “take all necessary measures to ensure the protection and safety of persons with disabilities in situations of risk, including situations of armed conflict, humanitarian emergencies and the occurrence of natural disasters.”
The committee is made up of independent experts who monitor the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which so far has been endorsed by 140 countries, including Chile. The Convention was adopted in December 2006 by the General Assembly, and entered into force in May 2008.
The 8.8-magnitude quake on 27 February claimed the lives of more than 480 people and triggered a tsunami that devastated several coastal towns in south-central Chile.
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