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Nigeria: State of Denial
Lack of Credible Leaders
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Nigeria as we know it today is facing the danger of an imminent collapse that will eventually come to agreement with the predictions of those who have studied her evolution over the years. The United States stated few years ago that the Nigerian state is very fragile and is in the danger of collapse and this was waved off by those ruling Nigeria. We have now been faced with a direct challenge to the forces that have held all peoples of the entire landscape hostage on their drive to spread the jihadist religion of Islam. Presently, there is no head of government in Nigeria and there is also militancy in the Eastern Niger Delta where natives, who have been marginalized are up in arms against the government. Oil installations are going up in flames and gas prices are on the increase here in North America. This is a wake up call to the governments and people of the western world.Many may not care what or how Nigerian leaders emerge and the fact that there are no common borders with North America, even makes stories such as Nigerian news less desirable. Events taken place in Africa will have direct effect on how things go here in Canada or the United States. Lack of credible leadership or presence of criminal leaders, will lead to a lot of pressure not just upon the local populations in Nigeria's fragile regions but can also lead to incidents such as the attempted bombing of United Airlines as it was approaching the United States.
Many may not know how Umaru Musa Yar'adua after his famous collapse on the campaign trail, and being airlifted to Germany for treatment had to pay a visit to Babangida Nigeria's former military ruler in Minna, Niger State once Obasanjo had succeeded in making him president to cover his tracks. To this day, not few people have thought to enquire why Umaru had to make that visit as a first act having been selected to rule under criminal circumstances. Ibrahim Babangida while in office as a military president, took Nigeria and registered her into an all muslim nation organization called Organization of Islamic countries or OIC. The process of Islamization started before independence on October 1st, 1960. Nigeria's Islamic oligarchy have never looked back in their desire to convert the entire country into islamic state. It was to this effect Nigeria's first Prime Minister late Abubarkar Tafawa Balewa stated that they will continue the drive to spread islam until they deep the Koran in the Niger Delta, an oil and other natural resources rich all Christian/Jewish Eastern part of the country.
Though the (s)election process was a do or die affair for Obasanjo since it was all designed to cover his tracks and set the entire country into the wilderness of confusion while he is left free from any form of trials for crimes committed while in office, today as we all can see it is Umaru that is now on admission in a Saudi Arabian hospital battling to save his life while the same cabal that foisted him upon the docile landscape, are once again engaged in horse trading to once again decide on the fate of the people and who they will foist on the fragile country to continue the 'good work' of ruinous-rudderless leadership. This is a time when all sorts of charlatans speak from both sides of their mouth just to appear to be on the side of the power brokers. A beneficiary of the stolen presidency, Goodluck Jonathan have been warming up to the northerners just to curry their support as he looks forward to filling the vacuum created by the pericarditis challenged Umaru Yar'adua. While this is all going on, David Mark a lousy notorious senator, a man planted in the upper chamber to serve the interest of IBB, have been busy parading himself as catholic priest and calling for endless prayers to save Umaru as if he really cares that much about him.
To deal with this problem, greater emphasis must be placed on the source and not where this guy spent the last three years. His training started from birth until he bought the ticket to fly to the United States. His abode for those twenty years happens to be northern part of Nigeria, where strict anti western ideology is taught on daily basis from kindergarten. It is not good for the United States to ignore islamic militancy in West Africa, while investing heavily providing for the same hostile population muslim adherents. If this terrorist had been arrested in Nigeria, he would have been quietly released considering his fathers connections in government. It must also be noted that his father is the head of the largest Islamic bank in Nigeria-another source of funding terror.
(Excerpts only full article is on oil Industry/Energy Page)
Emeka Eze
Syndicated Column only. Send all correspondence to Email:ezeces@gmail.com
South African Enjoys Role of Africa's Leadership
As Nigerian Leadership Problem Lingers
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Abuja - As the dust settles on the final accord reached at the Copenhagen meeting, plans for Mexico is already underway. One fact is now apparent, when the world needed a country to represent Africa, no one bothered to seek any view of the leadership deficient Nigeria. Instead South Africa enjoys the lone nation status to be considered in Africa. Unfortunately, with all the good works of Ghana, its GDP is just to small for any serious world leadership consideration. The Northern Africans have the same problem with smaller GDP and their Arab influence does not give them the strong enough plurality base to emerge. The East Africans have the same problem of lower GDP, that leaves Nigeria and South African comfortably to share the leadership role. However since the Obasanjo's PDP INEC flawed elections of 2007, his fraudulency emerged in Nigeria and the results has seriously eroded Nigerian leadership image abroad. President Umar Yar'Adua have not been able to show up in any international comference, nor has any Nigerian initiative arouse of any significance in the region since he took over the Obasanjo "Baba's Africa View" father Africa view of Nigerian's foreign policy. If you have any doubt about the diminished image, see what has not emerged from Copenhagen.
The head of a United Nations panel on climate change, Rajendra Pachauri, chairman of the U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, said the emergence of India, China, Brazil and South Africa as new established leaders on the global change scene is the most important and significant change in the climate change for now. It is certain now that developed nations will not be able to craft an agreement without these nations taking a leadership role. The next global meeting on climate change is scheduled for next year in Mexico. Indian in the meantime has intensified its communications with the other important partner in the group of four China. The Indian External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna spoke with Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi by phone to discuss continued cooperation on climate change. All of these have happened and continue to unfold without a single consultation or regards for any role Nigeria has played or can possibly contribute. If the corrupt establishment in Abuja needs any single reason to be alarmed, there dont have to look to far.
Guinea Junta Leader's Aide Confess Shooting President Camarra
Aide is on the Run
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An undisclosed interview with Radio France was released today of Lt. Diakite who is the alleged aide of President Camarra who shot at the Guinea Junta leader. Mr. Diakite in the interviw confessed to shooting the erratic leader in the neck."I categorically state that a bullet, around one or two bullets, hit the right-hand side of the back of his neck," he said in the Radio France Internationale interview.
"I shot him because at some point there was utter betrayal towards me, a complete betrayal of democracy, he tried to lay all responsibility for the events of 28 September on me." The interview with Lt Diakite was recorded three days ago, and it was unclear whether he was still in Guinea or had fled the country. Sources says that he was still in Guinea at the time of the interview but the fugitive Diakite may have received assistance to flee Guinea to a neighbouring African country since the interview. Previous reports however have said, he was on the run inside Guinea.
Nigerian President's Wife Denies Resignation Feud
I did Not Ask My Son To Resign
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The controversy surrounding President Umaru Yar'Adua's health deepened on Monday with his mother, Hajia Dada, denying reports that she asked him to resign.She said in a statement by her daughter, Hajia Mairo Yar'Adua, that it was untrue that she was at loggerheads with her daughter-in-law, Turai.
Hajia Dada was reacting to media reports (not in THE PUNCH) that she was unhappy with the President's continued stay in office in spite of his ill-health and that she was not in the best of terms with Turai.
The statement by Mairo coincided with fresh revelation that Yar'Adua's health had not recorded significant improvement.
It also came just as a former President of the Senate, Chief Ken Nnamani, called for the President to prove his reported recovery by addressing Nigerians through a video conference from Saudi Arabia where he is receiving treatment. In the statement, Hajia Dada warned those playing politics with the President's health to desist ,and join her family and other well-wisher meaning Nigerians in praying for the President's quick recovery.
Nigerian Ruling Party Leaders Targets Former Speaker of House
For Calling For Resignation of the Ailing President Yar'Adua
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The drama sorrounding the health of president Umar Musa Yar'Adua and his ability to remain in office took a turn for the worst yesterday when a meeting of party chairmen from the 34 local government chapters of Katsina State agreed to punish the six "wayward" Katsina politicians who had dared to demand that the president resign on the grounds of ill-health. The meeting was presided over by the state's People's Democratic Party chairman.
"Each party chairman arrived the venue with truck loads of supporters and thugs. Among their missions was to get the party's nod to attack the homes and properties of the six Katsina State indigenes who signed the petition calling for the President's resignation" our sources said.
Restrained by the heavy presence of a police anti-riot detachment at the meeting, the angry delegates who had planned a rally after the meeting resolved instead to adopt the position of the local party chairman calling for the dismissal of Aminu Masari, former speaker of the House of Representatives who was also a signatory had lend his voice to the call that the president resigns.
Guinea President is Shot By His Aide
Flown To Senegal For Treatment
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Guinea's military leader has been fired on by one of his aides in the capital, Conakry, a government spokesman says. Capt Moussa Dadis Camara came to power in a bloodless military coup months ago and had been very popular at the onset promising to had over power to a civilian government. However Mr. Camara popularity has taken a nose dive, since his intention to hang on to state power had become evident in recent months.
Meanwhile, neighbouring Senegal has sent a medical plane to evacuate Capt Camara, Senegalese officials said. "He is injured. We don't know the degree and the nature of his injury." Earlier in August Mr. Camara announced that presidential elections would be held in January 2010. But in September, government troops opened fire on an opposition rally at a stadium in Conakry, called to protest Captain Camara's rumoured intention to stand as a candidate. West African alliance Ecowas, African Union and the EU has all called for Capt Camara to be tried for crimes against humanity, while the African Union has been further urging him to stand down.
Why The Nigerian President Should Resign
From Sahara Reporters
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The Immediate Removal of President Umaru Yar'Adua from Office: a Constitutional and Political Imperative. As Nigeria is in the throes of a constitutional and political crisis. A disabled President confronts his mortality in a foreign land while a captive Vice President comes to terms with his impotence at home. A brutalised people do not know the identity of the usurpers that fill the presidential vacuum. The overriding principle of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria shall not be governed, nor shall any persons or group of persons take control of the Government of Nigeria except in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution, has been violated. Constitutional order has been overthrown.
As for the Mr. Yar'adua himself, given the nature of his sickness, I strongly believe that he should resign. I very much doubt that there could be a better decision he could take. This is better for him, better for his family and better for the country. We have toed with the sickness of the President for long now, we have seen an incredibly active person deteriorate in weight and retard in vigour as his health continued to collapse since he assumed office. The optimism that he can survive at least his first term despite the failed state of his kidneys is still there in many of us.
Email:saharareporters@ttimesmail.com
Ruling Party Set to Win in Namibia's Election
President Pohamba Sure To Get a Second Term
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Namibians voted on the final day of an election today that is almost certain to give President Hifikepunye Pohamba a second five-year term and extend the ruling party’s 20-year reign. Pohamba won 76 percent of the vote in presidential elections five years ago and his South West African People’s Organization won parallel parliamentary elections by a similar margin. This year’s vote is being contested by 14 parties, 12 of which have fielded presidential candidates.
“There won’t be a dramatic change in leadership,” said Warren Booth, 35, a foreign-exchange trader at the Namibian unit of Nedbank Group Ltd., South Africa’s fourth-largest bank, who took less than 10 minutes to cast his vote in the capital Windhoek today. The election is unlikely to affect Namibian markets, he said. Swapo’s dominance of Namibian politics is rooted in the leading role it played in securing independence from neighboring South Africa in 1990, and its popularity has been reinforced by the government improving access to water and education. Last year, Namibia was ranked the sixth-best governed country in Africa by a foundation started by Mo Ibrahim, the founder of telecommunications company Celtel International BV. Namibia is the world’s largest source of offshore diamonds, most of them mined by Namdeb, a joint venture between the government and De Beers, the world’s largest diamond company. It is also Africa’s second-biggest producer of uranium, with mines operated by Paladin Energy Ltd. and Rio Tinto Group, and has gold and zinc deposits. Namibia was ruled by Germany for three decades before relinquishing control to South Africa, which invaded the territory at the start of the First World War. Following an armed conflict led by Swapo, the country gained independence in 1990 and Sam Nujoma was appointed president. He served three terms before relinquishing the post. Pohamba, 74, studied politics in the Soviet Union and held several senior Swapo posts prior to independence. Before being appointed president he served as minister of land affairs.
Bode George Denied Bail
Requested Bail Pending Appeal on Health Grounds Not Approved
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Olabode George, the convicted former chairman of the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) board, and five co-conspirators applications for bail were refused yesterday. Justice Olubunmi Oyewole of the Lagos High Court in Ikeja, refused the bail applications, which were submitted on health grounds. He noted that the applicants could be granted bail on health grounds, however, they failed to provide concrete evidence to justify that they deserve to be admitted to bail. "Health will on its own constitute a compelling ground but evidence based on medical grounds must be from an expert in that medical field," the judge said. Olatunji Ayanlaja, Dele Adesina, Gbenga Ojo, Rotimi Sanni, Olutoyin Uko and Yinka Farohunbi, all counsel to the applicants, had filed an application before the court urging it to admit the convicts/applicants to bail, pending the determination of their appeal.
While Mr. George, a leading member of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, was said to have hypertension and arthritis, the second applicant, Aminu Dabo was said to have a series of life threatening diseases, ranging from "compensated heart failure to complicated/chronic hypertension and renal impairment" which his counsel, Mr. Adesina, said needs weekly medical attention. The prosecution counsel, Festus Keyamo, in his counter affidavit and written submissions, urged the court to refuse bail. He noted that with the diligence of the counsel to the applicants, the appeal can be disposed off within a short period of time. Mr. Keyamo also stated that the medical reports attached by the applicants were from private doctors and not from any government-owned hospital or from the prison hospital. He noted that the doctors are not known specialists in those fields of medicine for which reason he urged the court to refuse the applications. "Application failed and consequently refused," the judge said
Atiku Abubakar Named in Bad Debt List That Endagered Nigerian Banks
Emmanuel Edokpayi
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The central bank of Nigeria has published a new list of bank customers whose bad debts endanger five of the country’s banks. And the list of about 700 customers includes the name of Abubakar Atiku, a former vice president of Nigeria. Atiku is reported to owe about $1 million. Information on the central bank’s website listed the customers of banks including Bank PHB Plc, Spring Bank Plc, Wema Bank Plc, Equitorial Trust Bank Plc and Unity Bank Plc. Each of these banks has non-performing loans of more than ₦100 million ($655,000).
Nigeria’s new central bank head, Sanusi Lamido has vowed to clean-up the banking system in Nigeria. He recently told the BBC that he was not afraid to do the right thing and he would continue with the crusade to save the Nigerian banking system from collapse. Sometime in August Lamido fired the chief executive officers of five banks over a mounting debt crisis in the industry and said he would inject 400 billion naira ($2.6 billion) into the companies.
By Emmanuel K. Edokpayi
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