'Those Who Think They Can Smuggle The President In And Then Begin To Call The Shots Must Be Tragically Mistaken'

By Godwin Ijediogor, Samson Ezea and Ajibola Amzat

Some Nigerians react to the sudden and unceremonious 'return' of ailing President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua from medical treatment in Saudi Arabia, the manner and state he brought back and its implications.

I AM not convinced that the President has returned, as is being rumoured. If the President is truly back, then it must be that he is so infirm that he has to be driven out of the airport in an ambulance. In that case, it follows that his return is of no legal consequence, as far as the constitutional crisis precipitated by his medical evacuation since November 23 last year is concerned.

The reason for the resolutions of the two chambers of the National Assembly was that the President traveled out of the country for months on medical grounds without informing the National Assembly, as required by Section 145 of the constitution.

Furthermore, the basis of the resolutions was the alleged BBC broadcast of the President, wherein he admitted that he was ill.

The implication of his secret and furtive return (if at all he has returned) is that we have our first circumstantial evidence that the President is truly permanently incapable of discharging the functions of his office.

The implication is clear: the Executive Council of the Federation should proceed under Section 144 of the constitution to declare him permanently incapable of discharging the functions of his office.

The Senate President then should immediately convene a Panel of five medical experts to verify the declaration and if found true ask the President to quit immediately.

The point must be made clearly and loudly that it is not enough for the President to be in Nigeria, the constitution envisages a healthy President. Those who think they can smuggle the President in and then begin to call the shots must be tragically mistaken.

The President clearly has serious health problems, otherwise he would not be smuggled in the way they did. It is not enough for him to do a broadcast that he is fit to discharge the functions of his office; he must submit himself for medical examination according to law.

Clearly, some people imagine that this is a Banana Republic. We need to correct that impression by the way we, as citizens, rise up to challenge those behind the secret operation. We must also call for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deployment of troops to the airport and its environ. We know without any doubt that up till the time the President was airborne from Saudi Arabia, there was only one indisputable Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, who did not deploy the soldiers.

The question is: Who did? We must fish them out and I dare suggest try them for treasonable felony, for without doubt, they were attempting to overawe the Acting President.

The frightening scenario is that a cabal in Abuja is bent on running government by proxy. These people were not elected or rigged into office by Nigerians; they are therefore violating the constitution by taking over the government of Nigeria by means not prescribed by the constitution in utter violation of Section 1 of the 1999 Constitution.

If they want to exercise executive powers, they should be patient to contest or rig themselves in, as usual, in 2011. But it is absolutely unacceptable for them to govern us by proxy. We will resist that vehemently.

The irony of the whole matter is that those who are said to have access to the President, if at all, do so either informally or illegally. Take the wife of our President, Hajia Turai, she is not known to the constitution. So, she has no formal or legal role to play in the day-to-day governance of Nigeria, which her husband signed for.

I have just been alerted to the fact that the ADC to the President, being a soldier, is occupying that office also illegally, as Section 419 of the Police Act prescribes that only the IGP can appoint an ADC for the President.

Yet, these are the people who are said to have access to the President. These are the people who will then be governing Nigeria if the Executive Council of the Federation and the National Assembly do not act quickly and decisively.

I am not in a position to speculate as to whether the President will return soon or later to his office. All I can say is that from the available evidence, circumstantial and otherwise, the President is not in a good state of health. Without doubt, the desperation attending the shielding of the President from the generality of Nigerians will involve some untoward practices, including looting. The depth or magnitude of the looting will be a matter for a full investigation after we have sorted out the current unnecessary succession crisis.

Everyone is already having a good laugh at us. Not many serious nations can take us seriously with the way we have handled a simple matter of presidential infirmity. It is amazing that we have not moved on Abuja yet.

Nigerians must resist the cabal steadfastly. Our citizenship places no less a demand on us. We must call on the Executive Council of the Federation to invoke Section 144 of the constitution immediately and for the National Assembly to also commence impeachment proceedings simultaneously.

If these people or institutions are not willing to act, then we must shake all of them off. We must make the country truly ungovernable for people who want to govern us by proxy.

It is not what becomes of Jonathan, but what becomes of Nigeria. It is not Jonathan's personal problem; it is our problem and that is why we must all do something to solve the problem.

In the next few days, something would have to give. What, when and how is certainly what no one can tell.

-Bamidele Aturu, lawyer and rights activist

'It Is Disgraceful And Has Painted Nigeria As Lawless And Prodigal Country'

I THINK Nigerians are not fools, even if the cabal feels so. As far as the CLO and I are concerned, Yar'Adua has not returned from Jeddah. It is either that he has passed on and his corpse was smuggled into the country into the dead of the night or that it was a case of the more you look, the less you see concoction that the hawks have plotted to deceive Nigerians and hang on to power to continue to loot the country and cripple development.

When the President travelled to, and returned from other countries he first went for medical treatment, journalists saw him. His ministers saw him and so his Vice, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan saw him. Several other Nigerians, including I, saw him on the television and read about it in the media. Can you mention one person who saw your President return to Nigeria, except those hawks?

For us in the CLO, Yar'Adua is not back and Jonathan is in charge. This is our take and this shows that he is either dead or thoroughly incapacitated.

It behoves on the Acting President, who is the Number One citizen in Nigeria today to tell us the outcome of the Ministerial Mission to Saudi Arabia, so that we know if we should start the struggle to get the National Assembly to pass a resolution appointing him, on behalf of Nigerians, as the Executive President of the Federal Republic or not.

Nobody can hold this country to ransom. Nigeria is too big for anybody or group. Like they say soldier go, soldier come. The day the President dies, another President will arise, because nature hates vacuum. Death awaits everybody.

So, let nobody use it to cajole anybody. I must die. You too must die and when we die, the society continues; it does not die with us.

The scenario is agonising. It is disgraceful and has painted Nigeria as lawless and prodigal country, where any iniquity and abuse can be condoned. These hawks have painted us black and we have become a laughing stock in the comity of global nation. It is terrible!

I have maintained that the man is not back, because that is not how to come back. When he left, we knew; we saw him. Why should we not have the right to see our President now? When he was campaigning for the office, we saw him; we felt him. When he was healthy, we saw him. It was not only Turai and the select few that had access to him. Not even the Saudi monarch.

Then, he was our President, but now that he is either dead or incapacitated, we are no longer qualified to see him and they now sell these dummies to us. This is laughable. Jonathan is in charge and will continue to be in charge until they produce Yar'Adua in public and we see him capable of discharging his duties as the President of Nigeria.

The cabal presenting Yar'Adua as fit to rule Nigeria in such incapacitation are not friends of Nigerians, but thieves, whose interests are primitive and self-serving. So, I do not see the possibility of his return to the office as President any tome soon, if at all. It is a ploy by those criminals to hide under him to continue to plunder Nigeria.

Like the Secretary of States of the United States, Senator Hillary Clinton, said, a few persons who find themselves in the corridors of power are responsible for the agonies of Nigerians. Most of our rulers are conscienceless and shameless. Nigeria is a country whose name is synonymous with stinking corruption, abuse of due process and disrespect for the rule of law.

The present situation depicts is a confirmation of this already held opinion by the international community. This will augment the disdain and loss of respect that people from other climes have for Nigeria and Nigerians.

The whole exercise favours the cabal, not the common people, including the North that the cabal leaders claim to be representing their interest. The country has had more rulers from the North, but has this changed the mass poverty, hunger, illiteracy and deprivation in the area? The answer is No! What we don't know is if the only qualified persons to hold ministerial positions from the North are the current ones in this cabinet.

Nigerians should rise up and finally crush these devils and rescue Nigeria from them forever. We must not look at it as Jonathan or Niger Delta cause; it is the cause of all oppressed and dehumanised Nigerians. If they crush succeed, they will have crushed all of us. But if we fight it as our own struggle, we will have crushed the enemies of Nigeria and free our country from the vandals forever.

Jonathan is the Acting President and nothing can detract from this until and unless we see a fit President Yar'Adua in public, fit to conduct official business.

There is an end to this drama if Nigerians will take up the struggle as theirs and not allow Jonathan to fight it out as if it is his personal fight.

However, the Acting President should stand his feet now that he has the support of the world and when the ovation is loud and ensure that the hawks do not win him. He should not allow the SGF Yayale Ahmed and other appointees, whether National Security Adviser (NSA) or whatever to override him or take charge.

It was Yar'Adua and Jonathan that were elected by Nigerians, not these cabal or whoever else. Not even Turai. So, the Acting President should do his part by refusing instructions from anybody who is not President Yar'Adua. Let the war starts from there and let us see who would lose. They are using intimidatory approach to make Jonathan submit. There is nothing they can do; they have lost.

The Acting President should be cautious and suspicious of everybody, environment and situation, including what he eats, where he stays, what he drinks, the microphone he uses and where he sits, because those hawks can go to any length.

The international community and African Union (AU), Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), United Nations (UN) and civil society should not watch, because if anything worse happens it will affect all of us.

-Ibuchukwu Ezike, Executive Director of Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO)

'It Is Not Well For Our Governance That The Jewel Of Our Crown Has To Be Hidden From Public View'

I BELIEVE we can all surmise what it means when the Head-of-State returns to Nigeria and he has to be received by an ambulance, screened

from view, and fails to make a speech or address the country he has been absent from for over 85 days.

We can only wish him good tidings, because it does not appear to bode well for our governance that the jewel of our crown has to be hidden from public view. It is best under the circumstances not to be presumptuous, but to hope that whatever the circumstances will be the interest of Nigeria and Nigerians must be made paramount.

Keep in mind that the agitation of Nigerians has not been that he should be super-human and not be able to fall sick, as that will be an

unfair expectation from any mortal. But what has been very painful is the disdain with which the whole apparatus of government around the

President has become a tool for lies, deceit and falsehood, because people want to keep their jobs, even if it means that the affairs of

Nigeria should go to the dogs.

Regarding the President's state of health, I don't want to guess, because we having been made to guess all along and look where it got

us. We must all be proactive and get the facts now. When he was in Saudi Arabia, all sorts of stories where purveyed. Now he is in Nigeria and there is no question as to what must be done.

He must either put-up or put-out. He will be expected to do the job or give a very good reason why he can't do so with the constitutional procedures followed to the letter. Otherwise, we will want to know why the legislature cannot make him account for not doing so. He has already breached constitutional provisions, which is graver than a "Lewinsky affair."

Public office is not a secret cult. The position of Nigerian President is held in trust on behalf of the people (note the word trust). If anyone thinks otherwise, he/she needs an education, and Nigerians should not shy away from providing that education.

Even military heads of state in the past would not dare to run government in such a cloak and dagger fashion. It tells us of very arcane motivations. I would like to throw that question back in a Socratic fashion. Is not a government, which cannot be honest in public, cannot account to the people and cannot make a statement that will be taken as certain, an antithesis of democracy?

The last time we saw public deceit to this degree was after the June 12 elections, and we all know what followed. Public credibility is very difficult to earn, but easy to loose. Under the present circumstances, we can only assume that the President was forced down to Nigeria, at the risk of his health, so that some sinister forces can wield power by proxy.

What we must find out is why these forces are so desperate to do so? Why are they so keen to make our country dysfunctional? And what is our response? Nigeria has spent the better part of six months in an unproductive endeavour of determining substantive leadership. If we are certain that those behind our predicament do not mean well for our welfare, we should not hesitate to go the distance with them. It will be a mile race not a sprint, so they better come prepared, and they should have the appetite for the fight, because Nigerians are fighting for our lives and they are fighting for profits, the public motivation is stronger.

When the president returns, we will surely know. The job is like a pregnancy; you can't keep it a secret for too long. The current situation portrays Nigeria in very bad light, and the government as a disorganised group only keen on power for its sake.

Just after we were placed on the watch-list for terrorism, the world finds our government terrorising its people with lies and deception, unable to abide by simple constitutional provisions, elevating arbitrariness to statecraft.

The ruling party should take a very critical look at its vision and mission, because it has lost the plot.

As for whose interest this really serves, I believe the hidden hands of the puppeteers will reveal itself as time goes on. When we probe very deeply at the benefactors of the final outcome, we will certainly know from those who get to reap from the outcome, both locally and their international backers; we will know make no mistake about it.

But when we know, what should we do? That is the question we should address our minds to. Why can the President not be able to take a medical vacation? Who cannot wait for the President to convalesce properly? Who cannot stand to hear that the President declares that he will be away for a while?

We have tried heuristic pathways to that answer with little results; we must now try normative pathways.

What should we do? We must keep asking questions, because good leadership derives from good follower-ship. A docile people will get a foolish leader. Make them account, applaud them when they do well, chastise them when they fail you. It is a symbiotic relationship, because if the leaders fall short, we all suffer for it. If they are good, the society will be the better for it.

I want to believe that Jonathan is a full-fledged member of the PDP and an elected Vice President, whose actions are derived from party consensus. His actions must be deeply woven in the Woof and Warf of the PDP political tapestry, and we must look at that big picture, otherwise we may look only at the trees and fail to see the forest.

If they are a strong political group, they should be able to smoothen things out like a strong family. If they are the discordant choir that we have seen in the recent months from the party chairperson to the ministers who do not defer to hierarchical order or who put themselves above the country, then like Max said, first the farce, then the tragedy!

This drama has a very definitive terminus; the coming elections. The reality of that terminus will soon come to light. Everyone who is sane is currently earning the respect of the electorate; the profane believe that as always, they don't get their mandate from the people and so they owe no one any accountability.

But take note that this is the first time in the history of this country that civil leadership has lasted over such a long time. The populace is now more aware of their rights and the politicians have given them a good lesson of what to expect at elections and what the consequences of allowing such anomalous elections to go forward can mean to their destinies.

The next election is an uncertainty for all of us- the politicians and the electorate. The politicians know what they can do, the electorate know what the politicians can do, but the politicians do not know what Nigerians will do.... So watch out! -Mike Igini, lawyer and rights advocate 'What A Shame'

OH, what a shame that the Nigerian President, who should have come into the country in a blaze of glory, bearing in mind the good wishes and prayers offered for him by the good people of Nigeria, is now the same person being smuggled in like a contraband.

It confirms, without any iota of doubt, that the President's health is very bad.

Once again, the image and sensibility of the average Nigerian is being assaulted by this show of shame. Haba, is it a crime for someone to be sick and seek help, instead of engaging in the game of hide seek in order to confuse Nigerians and the international community?

The truth of the matter is that President Yar'Adua is incapable of presiding over the affairs of the Nigerian state and it means that the international community will continue to view us as unserious people, who should be avoided, lest we contaminate other decent beings with our shameless conduct.

The circumstances of stealing into the country confirms that the President is not in control of his health, let alone state matter. So, nobody should try to pull over our eyes by claiming that a man on a life support machine, who is unaware of happenings around him, is still in charge.

I don't see him coming back and I must alert Nigerians that the smuggling in of President Yar'Adua is a ploy to continue the looting spree. It shows that we are unserious and don't know what we are doing. It is in every other interest, except the interest of Nigerians.

Nigerians should demand that Acting President Goodluck Jonathan remain in office, because Yar'Adua is incapacitated and cannot rule. So, nobody should attempt removing a fit as fiddle Jonathan for a Yar'Adua, whose health is very bad. Jonathan should remain in office and continue to exercise the duties and responsibilities of the President.

I don't see an immediate end to this drama, because these looters are capable of anything. But we must warn that we would not permit any lie of Yar'Adua coming back to office, except he comes out publicly for his state of health to be ascertained to determined.

Nigerians should expect more from the cabal's bag of tricks; this is just another episode. These enemies of progress have ridiculed us again in the comity of nations and the consequence is that sooner or later, we would be labeled a human smuggling nation.

In decent environments, the return of the President or anyone who has gone out for treatment from any type of ailment is usually celebrated with fun fare and gratitude to God for bringing the person back home alive and we have instances that we can refer to in the past, such as the celebrations that greeted the arrival back in the country from France of Gen Ibrahim Babaganda.

The crux of the matter now is that a lot of Nigerians have taken the smuggling in of the President with a pinch of salt, after all, we don't have any form of independent confirmation of his arrival, since he was smuggled in.

The motive behind this condemnable act is other than national and patriotic and is not farfetched, because evil is carried out in the dark.

I also want to alert the Nigerians, most especially the media, not to allow themselves to be deceived and used to deceive an already bewildered nation watching how the Nigerian state has been turned into a theatre of absurd by official state policy of lies.

Nobody has seen President Yar'Adua since they claimed he left the country last year November and up till this moment, his whereabouts is unknown.

This idea of smuggling is another chapter in the script by the cabal to continue to hold us all down and should be discountenanced. But we should be alert to the cabal bag of tricks, because there are still more to come.

We have passed this road of lies before since President Yar'Adua disappeared from the Nigerian nation space and will only believe he is back in the country if and only if he makes a live public appearance and not the supposed arrangee style BBC interview.

-Nelson Ekujumi, Lagos chairman of the United Action for Democracy (UAD)

'The Situation Is More Confusing Than Ever Imagined'

FIRST and foremost, all lovers of Nigeria and its civil rule should join Nigerians in welcoming back home their 'runaway' President. Let it be known that Nigerians' love for their first citizen should not be in doubt. After all, including, of course, our President, are mortals and all mortals are, where and when need be, victims of the "vagaries of ill-health."

That our President could return to the country without our foreknowledge and without the usual apparratti of state to welcome him back home speak volume of the level of power-play in Nigeria's high places. That his ministers- his appointees- were unaware of the plans for their appointor's homecoming and, as such, did not know when the President came home, was not only embarrassing, but also an attestation to the fact that all is not rosy with the Rock.

Again, that our President should return to Nigeria "like a thief in the night" means more than meets the ordinary eyes. It shows the 'Oath of Secrecy' at its best.

First, what was his condition, his state of health? Better or worse, improved or permanently incapacitated? No one could tell exactly! Here as well, positing that only an empty air ambulance came to treat Nigerians to another round of deception, leaving our President back in Saudi Arabia could not be out of place.

Further to this is the mode of transporting, or moving the President to Aso Rock; from an air ambulance to a waiting Ford 'land' ambulance; air ambulance taxied far into the bush, where the Ford 'land' ambulance was waiting; no light in place to at least show who or what was moving; journalists and even the President's supposed confidants either barred from covering this all-important occasion or kept in the dark.

All these are alien to civilised democracies. More so, they continue to tell us that we were the ones who voted him into power. Why on earth were we prevented to behold the man we 'voted' into power? Honestly, the situation is more confusing than ever imagined.

President Yar'Adua's mode of entry left all lovers of Nigeria more confused. Again, it leaves one more confused as to the state of health of their President. But, think of it, a father who has been out of his home for a week needs to be welcomed back home by his wife and children. If it is longer, then, such a family may need to invite all to come and chop anything, simply because they are happy that the head of their household is back.

When such a father is from a sick bed, the fanfare certainly gets merrier. Now, think of a country's first- the President of more than 140 million people and one who has been out of the country due to ill-health. What more; he left without the people's consent and the people have all along been worried about what would have become of the President they all love.

His medical expenses were paid for from our commonwealth. Further to this is that all along, we have been contracted to pray for our President. Now, the President, or, those who think they love him more than those of us who 'voted' him into power, believed that the best way for him to return to the seat of power without our knowledge.

The appalling part is that when the President was indisposed, we were all contracted to pray for him. But now that he is back in the country, fit to govern (so we were made to believe), those who turned us into prayer warriors are now denying us the opportunity of seeing pronto the results of our prayers. What a nation? What a cabal?

Now, if we say that the President still remains unwell, we will not be far from the truth. If we say he is permanently incapacitated, well, nobody can challenge our position. If we say that the signature on the Appropriation Bill was forged, we may be right. If we say 'his' interview with the BBC was manipulated, we may not be far from the truth. Added to this is that this cabal has delighted in turning us into Doubting Thomases over what we have the voting power is not only amusing, but also threateningly disturbing. And it shows our level of development, as a nation state.

There is no doubting it that Nigeria still remains an unserious democratic nation. Again, it shows that there is division in the camp of the ruling party and that the cabal that has for long been holding the nation by the jugular is not ready to let go.

On the other hand, it shows that Nigerians remain a 'siddon looking' people, who are not yet prepared to take their destiny in their hands and stand their oppressors in the face. And as long as this continues, Nigerians should await more democratic abracadabra- the more you try to look, the less you try to see.

On the international scene, the United States has said it all, that it is not about the President's return to the country, it is all and importantly too, about his being fit to rule and putting the sad past behind us. Anything other than this remains an invitation to anarchy.

In all of this, the truth remains sacrosanct: those who think the best way to lead us is by playing pranks with our future will not escape the wrath of justice. Niger Republic should have taught our rulers, those who think that ruling the state even without the ruled's consent, some important lessons on the transience of power.

How on earth could a man so wrapped into the country be said to be in control of his own affairs, let alone the affairs of the Nigerian state? That the President was brought into the country in a cult-like manner spoke volume of his health. But, wait a minute, what has a healthy individual got to do with an air or car ambulance? Why the shielding away of his close official allies and why the exclusion of journalists from partaking of this all-important occasion? Why the darkness and why the absence of Acting President Jonathan?

Events in the last two days have not shown any enthusiasm about the President's state of health as warranting his ability or capability, in taking over the running of the affairs of the Nigerian state. Interestingly, feelers and/or statements from the Rock depicts all is still not well with the President, health-wise.

Based on what we have been treated to, especially, in the last two days, there is no sign of the president's taking over anytime soon. Further to this is the president's statement through his Special Adviser on Media that Acting President should continue to act, pending when the president is fully recuperated. Well, how soon and how well depends on how good we are at conjecturing.

On the looting spree, the fact remains that even when the President was hale and hearty, there was no stopping the looters. After all, looters brought him into office; they paid for his nomination form and ensured that he not only 'won' the election, but also succeeded in putting their men in positions that matter.

If one may ask: Why was Nuhu Ribadu removed? How was corruption case against some former government officials 'resolved?' When he was our physical President, how much of the anti-corruption was he able to achieve?

Without doubt, those who are holding the nation to ransom have their own reasons. Again, that the Acting President is acting without knowing what to act on is not only worrisome, but also sad.

If we may ask: Would the Yar'Adua phenomenon have happened in civilised climes where those who lead know that they are holding power in trust for the people and will one day be called upon to account for their (mis)deeds? Would Yar'Adua have happened even in Saudi Arabia, our President's custodian in this instance? Was there any difference between former President George Bush's going on medical surgery just for some hours and transmitting power to his deputy and our President leaving the shores of the country on account of ill-health without leaving the running of the affairs of state behind?

Verily, verily, ours is an amusing democracy!

The interest is as diverse as it is disturbing. First, the truth is that those who think that Nigerians are such a gullible people that will accept anything, while continuing to merely praying, will want to stop at nothing to perpetuate their grip on the nation.

Secondly, a people who think that manna will continue to pour down from heaven, even when they have conveniently forgotten that a man who only prays without working is as good as dead. Such is the present plight of Nigerians.

Thirdly, since we are- and remain- such a gullible people being ruled by a power-drunk cabal; being taken seriously by saner climes becomes arduous. In other words, our reputation is at stake.

Over and above all, it is Mother Nigeria that suffers, for while so many interests continue to compete for recognition and attention, the country continues to suffer, both nationally and internationally. But do our rulers care a hoot? I may not know!

Since President Yar'Adua has not convinced us that he is now well and fit enough to take over power, he should be advised to willingly relinquish power to his deputy. After all, the road to Katsina is wide and well tarred enough to accommodate as many ambulances as will want to convey a sick President to his hometown.

Failure to do this should automatically saddle the National Assembly with commencing the process of his impeachment. As we all know, "this thing of being a hero is to know when to die ..."

In all honesty, there is an urgent need for us to put the sad past behind us and face the future with equanimity. The 'Seven-point Agenda' is currently as good as dead and we need a leader who can inject new life into every facet of the Nigerian life.

For now, no one actually knows whether or not to wholly wish Acting President good luck, simply because, with the situation of things, he is an outsider in the power play that has been rocking the nation. And it seems as if he is a General without his own army; a warrior with neither chest nor crest.

Or, how do we describe a man who was kept in the dark on the affairs of a state he was said to be presiding over? This man, we were told, did not know when his boss came into the country. He could not meet (with) his boss, both in Saudi Arabia and since his return to the country. And both of them were rumoured to be on a joint ticket! Or, so the Supreme Court made us to believe.

Certainly, in situations like this, the best thing to do is wish Goodluck, this time, not only good, but the very best of luck.

There may not be an end to this melodrama any time soon, except the people are ready to put an end to it! Or, how do you ask a usurper to willing vacate his convenient zone? How do they get relevance, except by being who they are?

Without doubt, it is only when the people are ready to arrest this tragicomedy better referred to as an era of madness that any semblance of progress can be witnessed.

The choice is ours: either to put an end to all this mess or allow things to go the way they are presently going and regret our passivity later.

-Joe Okei-Odumakin, president of Campaign for Democracy (CD)

'People Should Not Use Yar'Adua As A Booster To Continue To Manipulate Nigerians'

I WAS initially misled into believing that the directives issued by the President's spokesman, Segun Adeniyi, asking Jonathan to continue to steer the ship of the state was directly from the President. But I have since realised that it is not so.

We want to ask Nigerians to remain calm in the face of this development. I know that one way or the other, this issue would be resolved in a manner that democracy would not be truncated. What is at play now is power game. A lot of people want to use this opportunity to create further crisis that can threaten the present democracy in the country. That is why I am calling for calm.

President Yar'Adua was away for 93 days and nobody from Nigeria, including those that travelled to Saudi Arabia, had access to him. He came back under an atmosphere shrouded in secrecy again, with nobody seeing him. But we are made to believe that he is in the country. We have also heard that the Acting President Goodluck Jonathan has not seen him.

This is the most disgraceful part of the whole thing. As soon as the President came, in whether he is half alive, the first person that should see him in the country should be Jonathan, to welcome him back. The fact that Jonathan was denied access to President Yar'Adua shows that he is still gravely sick.

People should not use Yar'Adua as a booster to continue to manipulate Nigerians; it cannot happen. The President is sick and we do not wish him death, but it is unfortunate that we cannot do things right. We pray for his quick recovery, but pending his recovery, he should do the right thing. If he is in the Villa, as alleged, he should write to the National Assembly to notify them that he is capacitated.

As things are today, nobody could argue whether he is incapacitated, because he is incapacitated. Otherwise, why are they hiding him even from people close to him? What they are doing is very unfortunate.

An obvious situation had arisen that was envisaged in the constitution; that the President can be indisposed, being mortal. The constitution provides that his deputy should run the affairs of the government if the President or governor is indisposed. That is the way of filling vacuum that may be created by the indisposition of people that were elected into office.

So when the President is incapacitated, his Vice takes over and begins to oversee the affairs of the country. That is why the recent constitutional amendment by the National assembly on Sections 144 and 190 of the constitution is a welcome one.

Right now, they (cabal) are gambling with Nigeria. Those power hungry people around Yar'Adua should know that they are not God.

What they should be doing is pray for Yar'Adua to recuperate fully. If they want to benefit from his ill-health, God would send them to hell, because they are not wishing the President well. They want to take advantage of the situation to make profits; they are power mongers.

Ordinarily, this is something that should not generate all these controversies if people in the corridors of power are patriotic enough. I don't want us to proceed as a country without knowing who is really in charge. Jonathan cannot preside over the affairs of the country by taking instructions from Turai. Nigerians will not allow it, because the wife of the President is not elected with the President and she has no role in the constitution of the country. Jonathan cannot even consult her at all, because it is unconstitutional and unacceptable.

-Victor Umeh, National Chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) 'Jonathan Must Act Fast'

ORDINARILY, his Yar'Adua's reappearance should have been a welcome development, rather than having an invisible offshore President. The fact that they tried to shield him from the people tells me that there is a lot than meet the eye. It is going to raise question as to his recovery, as to his capacity to operate as President.

In fact, some people have said the man was brought in dead and they are just looking for a different opportunity to announce his demise. If he were hale and hearty, then he must have allowed himself to be seen; he would have made an address on national television, thanking Nigerians for their prayers.

The fact that three days after he returned, he has not made any contact with the rest of us, first of all, tells me that maybe what was brought back was not truly Yar'Adua.

The President is not a private person; whatever he does is a matter of public interest. In fact, once you offer yourself to serve in that capacity, you, your children and wife or wives have no private life. You are public property, and in a democratic system, the people have the right to know everything about their governance.

So, you might say that those who want to shield Yar'Adua from the public are violating the right of the people to know and their right to democracy and good governance. The people deserve the right not only to be governed, but also to be governed properly, and part of proper and due governance is for people to know how they are being governed, because they pick the President's bill. In that token, they have been short-changed by not being allowed to know the state of his health.

For me, the status ante of Jonathan subsists. To all intents and purposes, he should remain Acting President, and what that suggests is that he must now assert himself by changing the service chiefs, heads of diplomatic missions and reminding the cabinet, in case they forgotten, that power has changed hands. It is as simple as that; there are no two ways about.

If he does not act now, his Presidency might soon be in the past tense. Jonathan must act fast to consolidate his position as the Acting President right now until the contrary emerges.

He must be fighting a battle for his political survival, because there are real, direct and subtle threat to his position. They want to undermine, undercut and remove him from that position.

He has to appoint new service chiefs that would be only and totally loyal to him. Then he must dissolve the cabinet, which has reached a dead end. He must change people in key positions, especially ambassadorial positions. He must look for new people that would be speaking for Nigeria abroad.

In other words, he must immediately put into place measures that will render the Yar'Adua Presidency in the past tense. He must cut his loses, because they have challenged his authority and he must demonstrate the capability of not taking prisoners, because he has been challenged.

Now he must pick up the gauntlet, rise up to the challenge and carve his own niche as an effective person. The general impression is that he is a weakling, spineless, unobtrusive, self-effacing and ineffectual. He must now re-write the characterization and confound his critics.

Those who have dared to challenge his power and authority should be shoved aside. A man lives only once, so he just must rise up to the need of the moment. After all, Gen. Murtala Mohammed was in government for only six months, but there is no way you are going to write the history of Nigeria without remembering him.

So even if he is going to be in power for only three months, let Jonathan make that three months momentous. That is my honest advise for him, if he needs one.

I don't see Yar'Adua coming back; he is damaged. To all intents and purposes, he is no longer able to function in the office of the President and Commander-in-chief. He is already history.

-Akin Oyebode, Professor of International Law, University of Lagos
Source: The Guardian, 27^th Feb 2010.

Steer Clear Of Jonathan, CNPP Warns Obasanjo
Written by Shuaib Shuaib, Abuja

The Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP) has warned former president Olusegun Obasanjo to stay away from Aso Rock Villa and Acting President Goodluk Jonathan.

The national publicity secretary of CNPP, Osita Okechukwu, said yesterday in a statement that:" We are tempted to ask: what did Chief Obasanjo leave in the State House, Aso Villa after eight years of misrule that he wants to pick up now? CNPP is asking this question in the Obasanjo tradition, because barely 48 hours after the February 9, 2010 National Assembly controversial but common ground Resolution, we sighted Chief Obasanjo at the Aguda Lodge, Aso Villa, the official residence of the Acting President".

"Without prejudice to the right of every Nigerian to associate freely, it has come to the notice of CNPP that the ex-president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, is rudely intruding in the affairs of the Acting President, Dr Goodluck Jonathhan, GCON, and, by extension, attempting a third term through the back door", Okechukwu said.

"For the avoidance of doubt, Chief Obasanjo's nocturnal visit is neither in the interest of the nation nor in the interest of the Acting President; consequently, we strongly plead with him to stay away. He cannot recover the third term; it is gone forever".

He said it could be recalled that Chief Obasanjo contributed generously through the sham 2007 elections he simulated to the recent political impasse.

"He denied Nigerians the opportunity to elect a president of their choice which from all indications, led to the 79 days power-vacuum induced constitutional crisis".

"It is on record that some of those who opposed Dr Goodluck Jonathan from acting as president fingered Chief Obasanjo's unbridled influence as their reason".

CNPP, he said, is worried that Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, if allowed to meddle in the Jonathan presidency, might halt genuine electoral reform, the Niger Delta post-amnesty programme and revamping of infrastructure that collapsed under Obasanjo's watch.

"Now that we are out of the woods, or so it seems, what Nigerians do not need at this point in time, is the leprous fingers of Chief Obasanjo to pollute the subsisting fragile peace of the graveyard.

He should, therefore, be barred from Aguda Lodge so that our Acting President can take his decisions independently".
Source: Leadership, 14^{th Feb 2010.}

CNPP warns Obasanjo to leave Jonathan alone
By Gbenga Omokhunu

The Conference of Nigerian political Parties (CNPP) yesterday warned former President Olusegun Obasanjo against meddlesomeness in the administration of Acting President Goodluck Jonathan.

CNPP also accused Obasanjo of attempting a third term bid through the back door.

The opposition parties flayed the former president for attempting to exert an undue influence on the Federal Government after his "inglorious eight year rule" left the nation prostrate.

"CNPP is worried because, barely 48 hours after the February 9 National Assembly controversial but common ground resolution, we sighted Chief Obasanjo at the Aguda Lodge, Aso Villa, the official residence of the Acting President", the group said in a statement.

The parties said they were worried that Obasanjo if allowed to meddle in the Jonathan presidency might cripple genuine electoral reform, Niger Delta post-amnesty programme and revamping of infrastructure that collapsed under him .

The statement signed by CNPP's National Publicity Secretary, Osita Okechukwu said: "Without prejudice to the right of every Nigerian to associate freely, it has come to the notice of CNPP that ex-president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo is rudely intruding in the affairs of third term through the back door.

"For the avoidance of doubt, Chief Obasanjo's nocturnal visit is neither in the interest of the nation nor in the interest of the Acting President; consequently, we strongly plead with him to stay away. He cannot recover the third term; it is gone forever.

"Chief Obasanjo contributed generously through the sham 2007 elections he simulated to the recent political impasse. He denied Nigerians the opportunity to elect a president of their choice; which from all indications led to the 79 days power-vacuum induced constitutional crisis.

"It is on record that some of those who opposed Dr. Goodluck Jonathan from acting as president fingered Obasanjo's unbridled influence as their reason.

The CNPP has also insisted on the reconstitution of the Federal Executive council (FEC) in view of the loss of credibility of some of its members.

Its Secretary General Chief Willy Ezugwu, in a statement made available to The Nation yesterday said the legitimacy crisis around the emergence of the Acting President remains but that Nigeria must move on.

"In other lands, some of these ministers, who continued to deceive Nigerians about President Umaru Yar'Adua's health and ability to stay in office contrary to the truth, would have voluntarily resigned by now out of remorse," he said.

Ezugwu emphasised that the Acting President technically noted that the constitutional crisis had posed a threat to the nation.

"We have said it before. These ministers who fooled Nigerians for a while have serious credibility issues with Nigerians and they can no longer be trusted to deliver on governance. The only way out now is for Acting President Goodluck Jonathan to dissolve the cabinet and get credible Nigerians on board to work with him now that he has the full powers of the President," Ezugwu said.

The statement said the removal of Michael Aondoakaa as Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice to Special Duties is a positive development.
Source: The Nation, 15^{th Feb 2010.}

^Back

Nigeria not a nation yet–Ojukwu
Thursday Sun, December 31, 2009

From LUCKY NWANKWERE, Abuja

Worried by the country's protracted political logjam, the Ikemba Nnewi, Dim, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu has declared that Nigeria is not a nation yet but a country of many nations.

 Ojukwu who has been critical of the state of the country, in a foreword to a book, "Reflections on Revenue sharing amongst tiers of Government in Nigeria" written by a don and a political economist, Prof. Ralph Nwokedi, argued: "All must realize that Nigerian nation that what we have now is a group nations that we hope to fuse into one. We may wish for one, we may dream of one, whatever we do, in order to have Nigeria we have to face each other across a conference table, redraw our plans or make adjustments, restructure or structure abinitio a new Nigeria. This is what this situation demands".

Ojukwu who has been a strong advocate of the convocation of a sovereign national conference observed: "Whenever I say that a con-federal structure is best suited to our temperament, I say so in the context of a Nigeria that must exist. I do not say it in order to break up Nigeria. I say confederation as possible glue for keeping the big Nigeria alive. If we are nailed willy-nilly into a union, which we find unacceptable, then the inevitable must be a break up. This is not a self-fulfilling wish. It is logic".

The Biafran warlord, however, blamed the British government for the woes of African countries which they granted independence whilst at the same time maintaining an unquestionable sphere of influence over the territories: "The wind of change was blowing across Africa British-inspired federalism became the most touted and most popular political philosophy. The philosophy had the magic of keeping desperate nations together in one party".

He contended that the concept on the surface appeared attractive but the reality of it condemned states to long period of self questioning, pointing out "No British inspired federalism ever worked. A great deal had been said about the withdrawal of colonialism from Africa, but it would seem that the most vital effect of that withdrawal has been ignored by many writers.

When the British Government in Whitehall imposed a federal structure on any African polity, it set up also a train of concomitant events, which is best, described as a comedy of errors. Politics became a drama played out between an intangible philosophy called federalism and a people totally ignorant of the philosophy. Federalism to work has to come from within and not imposed from outside. Federalism works more from the spirit than from the law. Nigeria had struggled for and had regained her independence, whereas on the other hand Britain deftly put on her a straitjacket called federalism.

I was witness to the joy of the occasion. The departing imperialists rejoiced at having won a very basic independence. The two sides rejoiced, but the each for a different reason. It is this that renders our entire encounter with one another very tense and it is this that makes nation building impossible. The basic theory of federalism has always been that no federating unit in federalism should ever be preponderant over a combination of the other federating units.

For a federation to succeed, all federating units must share a basic culture. In Nigeria, the North, peopled by the Hausa/Fulani, remain preponderant over the south and derived from a pagan-Islamic culture, while the south-multi ethnic derived from a pagan Christian culture.

We resent the British because we feel that Britain short-changed Nigeria. We at Independence received from the British, an independence only in name but not in content. Within Nigeria we cannot find cohesion, because we have always seen the North as intimidating and always threatening to swallow the rest of Nigeria. When we look back at Nigeria whenever we try to rationalize our fate, we discover that of the three founding fathers Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Sir. Ahmadu Bello and Chief Obafemi Awolowo, we find that only Dr. Azikiwe saw the new Nigerian state as a nation, which had arrived, whereas the other two partners saw Nigeria as an entity, which could be used.

It is not surprising; therefore, that Dr. Azikiwe saw Nigerian march towards African leadership. His brother leaders saw Nigeria as a vast land of opportunity within which to propel Moslem supremacy in the case of the North, the Yoruba supremacy in the case of the West. At independence, Dr, Azikiwe believe he had witnessed the arrival of the Nigerian nation, mighty in size and mightier in resources, whereas Sir Ahmadu Bello welcomed a British sphere of influence, which he could exploit to raise the pillar of Islam in this part of Africa. Obafemi Awolowo like his brother from the North saw Nigeria as a land of vast opportunities for him to exploit to the benefit of his Yoruba nation. Accordingly, from the moment when the new Nigerian flag was raised the founding fathers of Nigeria each moved along his own chosen path. Today, the North, because of the concept of Sir Ahmadu Bello, has become a giant in the Nigerian society, the West, because of Chief Awolowo's concept has been pulled-up by its bootstraps to control in its totality the finances of this country, the East not surprisingly has since independence continuously made sacrifices for the nation it hopefully wishes to exist", Ojukwu contended.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu lauds Obi's style,
development strides

From Uzoma Nzeagwu, Awka

THE Ikemba Nnewi, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, yesterday praised the leadership style and development strides of Anambra State Governor Peter Obi.

According to the Igbo leader and elder statesman, Obi represents goodness and has the type of spirit needed for the rebuilding of the state which, according to him, he has not seen among others seeking at present to govern Anambra.

The Ezeigbo Gburugburu said this yesterday at the flag-off of the Peter Obi Anambra-South Senatorial Campaign at Ekwulobia Stadium.

He, therefore, enjoined the people to vote massively for Obi at the February 6, 2009, gubernatorial election.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu, whose arrival in an All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) helicopter threw the venue into ecstasy as people struggled to catch a glimpse of him, said he would personally be in the field on the day of election and warned all those that believe in rigging to keep off the state.

He also described the governor as an astute manager of men and resources.

Earlier, National Chairman of APGA, Chief Victor Umeh, who commended the people of the area for the overwhelming turnout at the rally, urged them to also come out en masse to cast their votes. He said no other contestant would command the type of crowd that attended the event in their own senatorial districts, much less in Obi's senatorial district.

Describing the massive turnout as the fruit of the excellent job the governor was doing in the state and in all sectors, he said that a vote for him would guarantee the continuation of the good work.

In his response, Obi, who remarked that he was humbled by the turnout and the outpouring of emotion, said he had nothing to say but to renew his pledge to the people that his integrated development of the state, under which all sectors are being developed simultaneously, would continue.

He cautioned against being deceived by people who make empty promises and assured that his government would not be tied to any external influence.

The APGA chieftain in the area, Titus Anigbogu (Orthon Palace), said there was no reason for the people of the zone not to vote for Obi considering what he had done.

He insisted that all the towns in the area, as in all the parts of the state, had benefited from the governor's developmental strides.

Using Ekwulobia as an example, he said that under the current administration, the town had witnessed the construction of a bypass (on-going), rebuilding of Maduka Secondary School, the building of a classroom block at the Ekwulobia Boy's High School, Community Secondary School and the Central School.

He said a borehole had been drilled at the Ekwulobia Girls' Secondary School, an administrative block for the judiciary constructed, the motor park modernised and the general hospital in the town under massive renovation.

He added that the massive work going on at the Umuchiani erosion site was highly commendable.
Source: The Guardian, 31^st December 2009.

Back

Reviving Igbo language: A task for Ndigbo
By PAT ANYADUBALU
Thursday Sun, December 31, 2009

Language is the first and strongest identity of a person or people. And every person or group of persons try to protect and project their language. A declining language is a disappearing people.

The rate by which Igbo language is declining among the people calls for caution. My encounter with the new generation of ndigbo shows that many of them have lost their identities. People are known and measured for their value for their culture. Language is the beginning of every culture. There is no difference between the language of an ethnic group and its culture.

The history of ndigbo is not yet clear; however it could be traced to the lost tribe of Israel , Ujah (2008) probably during the Babylonian war. The history of Igbo nation is not important in this write up. The purpose of this piece is to find the causes of the decline of Igbo language and how to revive it without further delay.

Igbo is a language spoken by the people of South East of Nigeria. The state comprises, Anambra, Imo, Enugu , Abia, Ebonyi, and some communities in Delta, Cross River , Akwa Ibom, Edo and Rivers states. History believes that the language has been with us since the inception of Igbo nation. Igbo language gained prominence during and after colonial rule. The language was among the first indigenous languages to be translated by the missionaries. The language became a major language among the people of old Eastern Region.

IT became a medium of exchange (just like money) among people of the old Eastern region. Igbo was among the three indigenous language spoken in the federal owned media Houses (NTA and FRCN). It was equally among the first to be translated into indigenous Bible by the missionaries. By this rate, the culture of Igbo was deeply rooted into their blood. Every Igbo man was proud to be associated with his culture. Our culture then directs our ways of life. Ralph Linton states that "the culture of a society is the way of life of its members; the collection of ideas and habits which they learn, share and transmit from generation to generation"  I remembered when and how the new yam festivals were widely celebrated in Igbo land. Every Igbo man from far and near do return home and gather at the village squares to celebrate the arrival of the new yam. Should I talk of the annual masquerade (mmanwu) festivals that were held in Nnamdi Azikiwe stadium in 1980s/90s? Today, nobody cares about what happened to this rich cultural heritage. In those days, Igbo culture flows like a blood in the veins of every Igbo man. It is true that ndigbo speak different dialect just like other tribes but the culture remains the same. Igbo nation constitutes a greater number of Nigerian populations. The people called indigbo are found all over the world displaying their different God gifted talents.

Ndigbo are enterprising, industrious, accommodating and they also have the spirit of self-reliance. They don't beg for alms. They are the only tribe in Africa that is proud to own properties outside their home states. Ndigbo believe that wherever they reside is their home. They settle down for the development of the area at the detriment of their original hometown. This is one of the reasons Igbo land still remain underdeveloped.

It is no longer news that ndigbo are the most industrious people in Nigeria . Any area of human endeavor you did not find them en mass, it is either the government has denied them the opportunity to excel or the business is not lucrative. However, where they chose to trade, they make use of the opportunity to consolidate their feet. Igbo, until now, do embark on exploration of Nigeria . Discovering Nigeria villages for Nigerians. Any village/ town you did not find Igbo man it is either the town is full of witch craft or there is communal war going on there. Ndigbo are the people who would do all kinds of legitimate work/business to make ends meet.

They would accommodate their relatives for apprentice which the latter would be settled in a future date according to Bible injunction. Among the tribes in Nigeria , ndigbo constitute the majority in any populated city ( Lagos , Kano , Jos and Port Harcourt ) in these cities, they built the most expensive houses. I pray that the case of abandoned property won't come up again. The busiest market in Nigeria belongs to ndigbo. Is it Alaba International Market, Idumota, trade fair complex Lagos are dominated by them? Sabo-ngeri market in Kano , Kaduna , Jos and other markets were developed by them. Outside Nigeria , the Missebo markets popularly known as Biafra market in Benin Republic/Togo are widely dominated by Igbo traders.

The history of Nigeria will not be complete without mentioning ndigbo. They have made indelible marks in the history of Nigeria , especially in commerce, industry and technological inventions. They have made great achievements in areas where others found difficult to dare. After the civil war, nobody believed that ndigbo can rise again. What I do not understand about the life of ndigbo is the rate other languages are absolving ours. Igbo Parents no longer teach their children the indigenous language of ours. What most parents teach to their children is English and other Nigerian languages. The kids are encouraged to speak only English at school by their teachers.

Other languages they learnt at school with their peers depend on the location. In the north, they speak Hausa, in the west, they would embrace Yoruba. Their parents do not have time to control them in choice of languages they speak. This is because their children spent most of the time with their friends both in school and other places. Fine and good. I don't dispute such development. What I am against is the use of another language at home, which is the only time parents have to speak Igbo and teach the children our history and culture. I did not mean idol worshipping as a culture but our pattern of behaviour.

The dos and don'ts in Igbo land. When all are seated at home, parents are expected to teach their children Igbo language including their history. I mean, borrowed languages should not be thought to our children at the detriment of ours, especially when they are with their parents. The only time parents have to be at home with them.. It is unfortunate that the English parents teach their children is not good enough to make them master of it.

The language is full of pigin or broken as it is popularly called. Among their peers, the English they claim to be conversant with becomes another problem to them. That is what the late Fela described as double wahala for dead body and the owner. During the time of this write up, I discovered that some parents have not visited home since they left Igbo land. There is no way their children could have mixed up with their relations except they visit home frequently. Those who claim to be visiting home at interval don't travel with their children. Some have sold their daughters to nothing in the name of marriage to strange people.

The last time some visited home was the time of Jun 12 crises. Why is it that ndigbo could no longer accept their God given language and culture. Many have denied the language because they are not fluent with the language. What a shame? If you speak Igbo to them, they would reply you in English or the language they understand better. A young sister asked me whether dem dey take am collect money for bank? I am aware that culture is dynamic and no culture is stagnant. It changes with time, but not to the extent that one won't be able to express oneself in one's language. Our good neighbors, The Yoruba and the Hausa cannot do without their languages no matter how learned they are. Meet Hausa/Yoruba man anywhere in the world he would maintain his identity irrespective of his status in the society. In the office and at home Yoruba and Hausa must uphold their culture and identities.

How would our forefathers feel in their graves if one informs them that Igbo language and culture are gradually disappearing among the people? It can't be true. I can't believe it. I remembered when Igbo was widely spoken among the people. I remembered when students use to be proud that they made high marks in Igbo language at school. Today, how many of our schools teach Igbo language. How many Igbo teachers/lectures do we have in our schools? How many students have graduated from the department of Igbo language in our universities for the past twenty years? Has anybody asked questions concerning this development?

This day, Politics and materials wealth have occupied our minds. It is a duty of every Igbo man including the writer to spread the massage beyond this piece. It will be a shameful thing if Igbo language disappears in Nigeria . If it would be possible for somebody to take up this challenge, i would like areas like wrong spellings of some Igbo towns and names to be corrected immediately. Names like Onitsha , Owerri, Mgbowo, Enugu , Nawffia, Awkuzu, Afikpo, Awka, Orlu and other towns were wrongly spelt by the colonial masters. English words like window, ball, and others should be provided in Igbo language.

The great Ogbalu O. Ogbalu did his best to sustain Igbo language before his death. Somebody has to start from where he stopped. The South East state House of Assemblies should pass a bill encouraging the modification and use of Igbo language at school. And also mandate every state Education Authority to set up a committee that would revive Igbo language. Schools should also be encouraged to take up Igbo language as a subject/course. Students should be encouraged to speak and write Igbo at school. A law should be established by the affected states to mandate students of Igbo extraction to pass Igbo language in primary and secondary schools.

A Scholarship scheme should be established in all the Igbo states to award scholarship to students who take up the language in the universities. Our universities should be encouraged to teach Igbo language by equipping their libraries. The south East governors, traditional rulers, well-meaning Igbo citizens, all Igbo Communities in diaspora and Ohaneze ndigbo should support this call to revive Igbo language both at home and in diaspora. If the South east traditional rulers led by Dr, Eze C.I Ilomuanya can ban the use of Eze ndigbo in diaspora. They can as well revive our language. The traditional rulers are the chief custodian of Igbo culture and tradition. If anything happens to our language and culture, our forefathers would hold them accountable. Igbo kwenu! Kwenu!! kwe zue nu!!!  Ka chineke mezie okwu. Isee e.

Language is the first and strongest identity of a person or people. And every person or group of persons try to protect and project their language. A declining language is a disappearing people. The rate by which Igbo language is declining among the people calls for caution. My encounter with the new generation of ndigbo shows that many of them have lost their identities. People are known and measured for their value for their culture. Language is the beginning of every culture. There is no difference between the language of an ethnic group and its culture. The history of ndigbo is not yet clear; however it could be traced to the lost tribe of Israel , Ujah (2008) probably during the Babylonian war. The history of Igbo nation is not important in this write up. The purpose of this piece is to find the causes of the decline of Igbo language and how to revive it without further delay.

Igbo is a language spoken by the people of South East of Nigeria. The state comprises, Anambra, Imo, Enugu , Abia, Ebonyi, and some communities in Delta, Cross River , Akwa Ibom, Edo and Rivers states. History believes that the language has been with us since the inception of Igbo nation. Igbo language gained prominence during and after colonial rule. The language was among the first indigenous languages to be translated by the missionaries. The language became a major language among the people of old Eastern Region. IT became a medium of exchange (just like money) among people of the old Eastern region. Igbo was among the three indigenous language spoken in the federal owned media Houses (NTA and FRCN). It was equally among the first to be translated into indigenous Bible by the missionaries.

By this rate, the culture of Igbo was deeply rooted into their blood. Every Igbo man was proud to be associated with his culture. Our culture then directs our ways of life. Ralph Linton states that "the culture of a society is the way of life of its members; the collection of ideas and habits which they learn, share and transmit from generation to generation"  I remembered when and how the new yam festivals were widely celebrated in Igbo land.

Every Igbo man from far and near do return home and gather at the village squares to celebrate the arrival of the new yam. Should I talk of the annual masquerade (mmanwu) festivals that were held in Nnamdi Azikiwe stadium in 1980s/90s? Today, nobody cares about what happened to this rich cultural heritage. In those days, Igbo culture flows like a blood in the veins of every Igbo man. It is true that ndigbo speak different dialect just like other tribes but the culture remains the same. Igbo nation constitutes a greater number of Nigerian populations. The people called indigbo are found all over the world displaying their different God gifted talents.

Ndigbo are enterprising, industrious, accommodating and they also have the spirit of self-reliance. They don't beg for alms. They are the only tribe in Africa that is proud to own properties outside their home states. Ndigbo believe that wherever they reside is their home. They settle down for the development of the area at the detriment of their original hometown. This is one of the reasons Igbo land still remain underdeveloped.

It is no longer news that ndigbo are the most industrious people in Nigeria . Any area of human endeavor you did not find them en mass, it is either the government has denied them the opportunity to excel or the business is not lucrative. However, where they chose to trade, they make use of the opportunity to consolidate their feet. Igbo, until now, do embark on exploration of Nigeria . Discovering Nigeria villages for Nigerians. Any village/ town you did not find Igbo man it is either the town is full of witch craft or there is communal war going on there. Ndigbo are the people who would do all kinds of legitimate work/business to make ends meet.

They would accommodate their relatives for apprentice which the latter would be settled in a future date according to Bible injunction. Among the tribes in Nigeria , ndigbo constitute the majority in any populated city ( Lagos , Kano , Jos and Port Harcourt ) in these cities, they built the most expensive houses. I pray that the case of abandoned property won't come up again. The busiest market in Nigeria belongs to ndigbo. Is it Alaba International Market, Idumota, trade fair complex Lagos are dominated by them? Sabo-ngeri market in Kano , Kaduna , Jos and other markets were developed by them. Outside Nigeria , the Missebo markets popularly known as Biafra market in Benin Republic/Togo are widely dominated by Igbo traders.

The history of Nigeria will not be complete without mentioning ndigbo. They have made indelible marks in the history of Nigeria , especially in commerce, industry and technological inventions. They have made great achievements in areas where others found difficult to dare. After the civil war, nobody believed that ndigbo can rise again. What I do not understand about the life of ndigbo is the rate other languages are absolving ours. Igbo Parents no longer teach their children the indigenous language of ours. What most parents teach to their children is English and other Nigerian languages. The kids are encouraged to speak only English at school by their teachers. Other languages they learnt at school with their peers depend on the location.

In the north, they speak Hausa, in the west, they would embrace Yoruba. Their parents do not have time to control them in choice of languages they speak. This is because their children spent most of the time with their friends both in school and other places. Fine and good. I don't dispute such development. What I am against is the use of another language at home, which is the only time parents have to speak Igbo and teach the children our history and culture. I did not mean idol worshiping as a culture but our pattern of behaviour. The dos and don'ts in Igbo land. When all are seated at home, parents are expected to teach their children Igbo language including their history. I mean, borrowed languages should not be thought to our children at the detriment of ours, especially when they are with their parents.

The only time parents have to be at home with them.. It is unfortunate that the English parents teach their children is not good enough to make them master of it. The language is full of pigin or broken as it is popularly called. Among their peers, the English they claim to be conversant with becomes another problem to them. That is what the late Fela described as double wahala for dead body and the owner. During the time of this write up, I discovered that some parents have not visited home since they left Igbo land. There is no way their children could have mixed up with their relations except they visit home frequently.

Those who claim to be visiting home at interval don't travel with their children. Some have sold their daughters to nothing in the name of marriage to strange people. The last time some visited home was the time of Jun 12 crises. Why is it that ndigbo could no longer accept their God given language and culture. Many have denied the language because they are not fluent with the language. What a shame? If you speak Igbo to them, they would reply you in English or the language they understand better. A young sister asked me whether dem dey take am collect money for bank? I am aware that culture is dynamic and no culture is stagnant.

It changes with time, but not to the extent that one won't be able to express oneself in one's language. Our good neighbors, The Yoruba and the Hausa cannot do without their languages no matter how learned they are. Meet Hausa/Yoruba man anywhere in the world he would maintain his identity irrespective of his status in the society. In the office and at home Yoruba and Hausa must uphold their culture and identities. How would our forefathers feel in their graves if one informs them that Igbo language and culture are gradually disappearing among the people? It can't be true. I can't believe it. I remembered when Igbo was widely spoken among the people. I remembered when students use to be proud that they made high marks in Igbo language at school. Today, how many of our schools teach Igbo language.

How many Igbo teachers/lectures do we have in our schools? How many students have graduated from the department of Igbo language in our universities for the past twenty years? Has anybody asked questions concerning this development? This day, Politics and materials wealth have occupied our minds. It is a duty of every Igbo man including the writer to spread the massage beyond this piece. It will be a shameful thing if Igbo language disappears in Nigeria . If it would be possible for somebody to take up this challenge, i would like areas like wrong spellings of some Igbo towns and names to be corrected immediately. Names like Onitsha , Owerri, Mgbowo, Enugu , Nawffia, Awkuzu, Afikpo, Awka, Orlu and other towns were wrongly spelt by the colonial masters. English words like window, ball, and others should be provided in Igbo language.

The great Ogbalu O. Ogbalu did his best to sustain Igbo language before his death. Somebody has to start from where he stopped. The South East state House of Assemblies should pass a bill encouraging the modification and use of Igbo language at school. And also mandate every state Education Authority to set up a committee that would revive Igbo language. Schools should also be encouraged to take up Igbo language as a subject/course. Students should be encouraged to speak and write Igbo at school. A law should be established by the affected states to mandate students of Igbo extraction to pass Igbo language in primary and secondary schools.

A Scholarship scheme should be established in all the Igbo states to award scholarship to students who take up the language in the universities. Our universities should be encouraged to teach Igbo language by equipping their libraries. The south East governors, traditional rulers, well-meaning Igbo citizens, all Igbo Communities in diaspora and Ohaneze ndigbo should support this call to revive Igbo language both at home and in diaspora.

If the South east traditional rulers led by Dr, Eze C.I Ilomuanya can ban the use of Eze ndigbo in diaspora. They can as well revive our language. The traditional rulers are the chief custodian of Igbo culture and tradition. If anything happens to our language and culture, our forefathers would hold them accountable. Igbo kwenu! Kwenu!! kwe zue nu!!!  Ka chineke mezie okwu. Isee e.

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THERE IS NO TERRORISM IN NIGERIA; "SO SAYS DORA AKUNYILI, NIGERIA'S MINISTER OF (DIS) INFORMATION

BY BIAFRA FOUNDATION

It is a surprise that it took the US this long to realize that the terrorists in Nigeria will sooner than later metamorphose into international terrorists ripe for the picking by Al Qeada especially as Bin Laden openly expressed interest in Nigeria. It is really a surprise.

THERE IS NO TERRORISM IN NIGERIA; "SO SAYS DORA AKUNYILI, NIGERIA'S MINISTER OF (DIS) INFORMATION

On December 25, 2009 the world woke up to the shocking news that a Nigerian citizen, Umar Farouk AbdulMutallab had attempted unsuccessfully to detonate a bomb on board a Delta Airlines flight from Amsterdam as the plane was descending into Detroit airport in preparation for landing. As the Nigerian man was arrested and questioned he claimed that he acquired the bomb from Yemen while collaborating with Al Qeada. The United States Government conscious of the seriousness of this failed terrorist attack and the devastating consequences on its citizens and their property if it had been successful immediately instituted security measures to protect its citizens and other passengers flying into the USA. On Tuesday January 5, the United States President Barack Obama after consultation with his top security team announced additional measures to further strengthen security of the lives and property of people flying into the United States. One such measure was the expanded security check of people flying into the United States from a list of fourteen countries one of which is Nigeria. 

Foto: Islamist violence in Northern Nigeria. If this is not terrorist act, then what is?

On Wednesday January 6, 2010, Dora Akunyili, the Minister of Information in Nigeria's Federal Government gave an interview to Steve Inskeep of the National Public Radio. During the interview Dora Akunyili expressed her strong disapproval of the action taken by the President of the United States in including Nigeria in the list of 14 countries the United States had shortlisted for extra security measures. She described the US action as discriminatory and punishment for the 150 million Nigerian.citizens. When reminded by Steve Inskeep that experts have been concerned about the possibility of Al Qeada recruiting terrorists from within Nigeria because of the record of numerous conflicts involving Islamic groups in Nigeria and asked how she would describe Nigerian problems with extremism she retorted: 

"Which terrorism groups are you referring to? We don't have people who indulge in terrorism or any form of suicide bombing. It is not in our culture. It is not us. It is not part of our system. We don't have any terrorist groups. Once in a while, not too often, we have religious conflicts which have died down. Yes I accept it has happened in the past. It has not happened for some time now. But that is not terrorism. That is conflict. We in this country we don't have terrorist tendencies. We know that this child was influenced outside this country. There is no terrorism in Nigeria. Which terrorist group are you referring to?

Anybody who has dealt with Nigerian government officials will not be surprised by this response. It is the rule among Nigerian government officials to "deny, obfuscate, deceive, lie even when the lie makes them sound delusional, psychotic, mentally retarded or plain stupid. They will still lie. The so-called president of Nigeria has been missing for more than 40 days. Nobody knows where he is. If you ask Dora Akunyili, the minister of information she will lie to you. That is how bad the Nigerian situation is. 

Back to the issues of terrorism in Nigeria: Dora Akunyili is well educated and should at least have looked up the definition of terrorism in the dictionary. If she did she would have known that "terror" means violence or threats of violence used as a means of intimidation and coercion; Terrorism, the use of violence and threats to intimidate or coerce; Terrorize, to dominate or coerce by intimidation; and terrorist, one who uses terror against another.

Dora Akunyili should know that in the context of international terrorism Nigeria's Umar Farouk AbdulMuttalab has cemented Nigeria's place as a major strand in the web of international terrorism. Yes Dora Akunyili has a point about the unfairness of subjecting all Nigerians to discriminatory treatment because of the action of one person. However the US government has not said that it will discriminate against all Nigerians. Surprisingly it is Dora Akunyili who as Director of NAFDAC shut down the entire Medicines Section of Onitsha Market because a few individuals were selling fake drugs. For four months she sealed the entire section of the market off with hundreds of soldiers and when traders who were selling genuine drugs complained that she had destroyed their livelihood she boasted that she did not care but will subject them to collective punishment even if there was only one trader who sold fake medicines "and she did. Akunyili has also been trying desperately to rope in Ghana, and Togo into her scheme to extricate Nigeria from the actions of Nigerian citizen, AbdulMutallab. Her actions do not make for good politics or international relations. 

As she engages in her delusional claims that: 

We don't have people who indulge in terrorism or any form of suicide bombing. It is not in our culture. It is not us. It is not part of our system. We don't have any terrorist groups. Once in a while, not too often, we have religious conflicts which have died down. Yes I accept it has happened in the past. It has not happened for some time now. But that is not terrorism. That is conflict. We in this country we don't have terrorist tendencies. There is no terrorism in Nigeria.

We simply point out these facts and ask her as minister of information to characterize these events and define them to herself and to the world. 

1. January 17 2010, Jos in Plateau State erupted in a fresh orgy of violence, which left no fewer than 360 persons dead and thousands of properties destroyed.
    
2. December 30 2009, Bauchi, (Northern Nigeria) Radical Islamic sect Kala-Kato a branch of Maitasine attacked Christians and burned Churches; 70 people were killed.
    
3. July 26 2009 Maidugiri, Yobe, Bauchi, Kano, (Northern Nigeria) Radical Islamic fundamentalist sect, Boko Haram [translated "Western civilization is evil"] goes on rampage burning churches, and looting homes belonging to Christians and murdering them. Three Christian pastors including George Orji (Igbo) were killed by beheading. Officially 800 people were reported killed.
    
4. November 2008, Jos (Northern Nigeria) hundreds of people killed in two days of fighting triggered by a rumour that majority - Muslim All Nigeria People Democratic Party had lost a local election to the mainly Christian Peoples Democratic Party.
    
5. 2007, Adamawa (Northern Nigeria) Moslem jihadists invade Christian community of Yugor killing hundreds of Christians, looting and burning churches and Christian's homes and property.
    
6. 2006 Maidugiri, (Northern Nigeria) Islamic fundamentalists protesting cartoon of Prophet Mohammed by Danish cartoonist killed hundreds of Christians, burned down scores of Churches, and looted shops and homes belonging to Christians.
    
7. 2006 All over Northern Nigeria. Similar riots by Islamic jihadists were held in numerous towns in Northern Nigeria "Katsina, Bauchi, Minna, Potiskum, Kano, Kotangora. Thousands of Christians were killed, scores of churches were looted and burned and personal homes and businesses of Christians were looted and burned. One week before that Nigerian MP's burned Danish and Norwegian flags in the parliament premises.
    
8. June 28 2006, Abuja (Northern Nigeria) The Federal government of Nigeria accused Kano State of Northern Nigeria of collaborating with foreign powers to train 100 Muslim militants in 'intelligence gathering' and the "practice of jihad". In a news release, Information Minister Frank Nweke said the "Hisbah", a group employed by the mainly Muslim state of Kano to enforce sharia law, was "a parallel security outfit that poses a potential threat to national security".
    
9. April 2003, Kano (Northern Nigeria) Islamic jihadists go on a rampage A pastor, Sunday Madumere (Igbo) and six of his family members were killed
    
10. April, 2003, Jos (Northern Nigeria) Armed Muslim insurgents attacked Wereng village near Vom a suburb of Jos killing people, burning homes and looting people's property.
     
11. April, 2003, Langtang (Northern Nigeria) A group of armed Muslims attacked a village in Langtang killing people and burning down homes.
     
12. 2003 Gusau (Northern Nigeria) Governor Ahmed Sani, who came to the United States and used the VOA to advertise the introduction of fundamentalist Islamic Sharia Law in Nigeria promising that it will never be applied to Christians gave an order that more than 20 of the Christian churches in the State be demolished. They were demolished promptly. No reasons were given.
     
13. March, 2003 Jos (Northern Nigeria) Thousands of jihad warriors attacked the town of Kardako in Wase Local Government Area (LGA) shouting “Allahu Akbar” killing Christians and burning down homes.
     
14. February, 2003 Ibadan (Western Nigeria) Muslims jihadists from the National Council of Muslim Youth Organizations attacked Christian schools in Ibadan in an effort to force the schools to require women to wear Islamic head coverings. Hundreds of students and teachers were injured in the attack.
     
15. December 26, 2002, Bauchi, (Northern Nigeria) Islamic jihadists attacked Christians concluding a Christmas celebration in Bauchi killing Christians, looting and burning churches and Christian's homes.
     
16. December 2002, Jos, (Northern Nigeria). Muslim Jihadists attack Christians. During the attack Rev. Bitrus Manjang, his son, daughter-in- law and their six-month old child were shot to death outside their home. The jihadists went on killing people looting and burning churches and Christian’s homes.
     
17. November, 2002 Kano, Kaduna (Northern Nigeria) Muslim jihadists went on a rampage after an article in the This Day newspaper suggested that the prophet Muhammad would probably have married a contestant from the Miss World pageant scheduled to be held in Abuja. Muslim mobs ransacked the newspaper's office, issued a fatwa on the author of the article, Miss Isioma, killed Christians and burned down numerous churches.
     
18. October 2002, Jos, (Northern Nigeria) Hundreds of Christians were killed when a mob of several Muslims jihadists attacked the town of Fajul in Plateau State. Mercenaries from Chad and Niger were believed to be among the group, which burned down homes, churches, and raped several women.
     
19. September 11, 2002, Jos, (Northern Nigeria) A bomb exploded at the Church of Christ in the Laranto suburb of Jos. No one was injured, but there was some structural damage to the church building.
     
20. August 2002 Kano, (Northern Nigeria) The government of Kano State ordered half of the churches in Kano State closed because of Muslim complaints about too many churches.
     
21. June 2002, Jos, (Northern Nigeria) Several  Christian communities in Plateau state including Yelwa, Shendam, Wase, Barakin Ladi, Vom and Miango were invaded by Islamic jihadists who killed people and burned down homes and churches.
     
22. June, 2002, Minna, (Northern Nigeria) At least 75 Christians were arrested in Niger state for opposing the state's Islamic sharia law.
     
23. April 8-22, 2002, Kano (Northern Nigeria) At least seven churches in Kano State were destroyed by authorities. There is a growing trend in states that have enacted Sharia law to destroy Christian churches on the pretense that the churches have violated building codes. Christians believe it is a step toward wiping out the Christian faith in northern Nigeria.
     
24. April 2002, Sokoto (Northern Nigeria) Two Christians in Zamfara State were tried on the charge of apostasy, converting from Islam to Christianity. According to Islamic law, the penalty for apostasy is death. However the two Christians, Lawali Yakubu and Ali Jafaru, claim they were never Muslims to start with. The two belong to an ethnic group that has practiced Christianity for many years.
     
25. February, 2002 Ilorin (Northern Nigeria) Muslims in Ilorin turned violent while celebrating Eid-el-Kabir and began attacking and killing Christians and burning their houses and businesses.  
     
26. February 2002, Kano (Northern Nigeria) The Kano state government revealed that it had closed down 122 Christian schools for failing to meet state requirements. The requirement in question is the compulsory study of Islam. Christian schools have refused to allow Muslim clerics into their schools, thus risking closure.
     
27. February, 2002, Gombe, (Northern Nigeria) A Christian lady, Esther Bulus was kidnapped from her school by four Muslims who slit her throat and left her to die. Esther had refused to marry a Muslim politician in Gombe on grounds of religious differences. She was murdered because of this.
     
28. December 30, 2001, Jos, (Northern Nigeria) Armed Muslim jihadists attacked the Christian community in southern Jos, killing people, looting and destroying property worth several million dollars.
     
29. December 2001, Yola (Northern Nigeria) Muslim army soldiers from the 23rd Armored 7th Brigade in Yola, burned a Christian church building, which was constructed in the army barracks. They justified the act by saying it was an illegal structure. However, the army officially allows both Islam and Christianity to be practiced in the barracks.
     
30. December 10, 2001, Kano, (Northern Nigeria) Truck driver Uche Nwama was killed by Islamic jihadists for allowing the exhaust from his truck to drift into an open-air Islamic meeting. Islamic jihadists claimed the exhaust had desecrated the Quran.
     
31. November 6 2001; Ibadan (Western Nigeria) Islamic jihadists hold a massive rally in Ibadan in support of Osama Bin Laden and his attack and slaughter of thousands of Americans during the 9/11/2001 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center in New York. They condemn the United States for attacking the Taliban in Afghanistan and vow to fight alongside Bin Laden and his fellow terrorists.
     
32. November 2001 (Northern and Western Nigeria) Islamic jihadists hold massive rallies in Osogbo, Sokoto, Kano, Zaria, Kaduna, and other towns in Western and Northern Nigeria in support of Osama Bin Laden and his attack and slaughter of thousands of Americans during 9/11/2001 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center in New York. They condemn the United States for attacking the Taliban in Afghanistan. They also vow to fight alongside Bin Laden and his fellow terrorists in a jihad against America.
     
33. November 28, 2001Enugu (Eastern Nigeria) Christian Biafrans organize a peaceful rally in Enugu in solidarity with and support of the government and people of the United States over the terrorist attack in New York on 9/11/2001 and in support of the United States action against the terrorists. The Nigerian paramilitary police brutalized the participants, disbanded the rally and arrested the leaders.
     
34. October 14-18, 2001 Kano (Northern Nigeria) Massive anti-American protests in Kano by Islamic jihadists. Thousands of Christians are slaughtered and scores of churches are burned. Property of Christians worth billions of dollars are looted and destroyed.
     
35. October 2001, Kaduna (Northern Nigeria) Islamic jihadists attack Christians in churches, on the street and in their homes. Thousands of Christians are slaughtered, scores of churches are burned and looted, and thousands of Christian homes are looted, and burned.
     
36. September 2001, Kano (Northern Nigeria) Islamic jihadists attack Christians burning down churches slaughtering thousands of people, looting churches and private homes. Kano State government demolishes the few remaining churches.
     
37. September 2001, Jos (Northern Nigeria) In a well planned and highly coordinated program Islamic jihadists attack Christians in the city of Jos, burning down churches, and private homes of Christians, looting the churches and private property of Christians. Hundreds of churches were burned and thousands of Christians were slaughtered some burned while worshipping in their churches.
     
38. August 2001, Bauchi, (Northern Nigeria). The Bauchi state government is alleged to be using Muslim mercenaries to attack Christians in the Tafawa Balewa and Bogora districts. On several occasions vehicles loaded with Islamic jihadists were intercepted by vigilant Christians. Several hundred Christians were killed and houses, shops and churches looted, burned and destroyed.
     
39. June 2001, Gawaram (Northern Nigeria) Islamic jihadists attack Christians, burn down dozens of churches and kill Christians.
     
40. February 24-25, 2001, (Gombe) A visit to Gombe state by an Israeli ambassador sparked a riot by Islamic jihadists. During the riot the jihadists kill Christians, loot and burn down churches, loot and burn down Christian homes and render thousands of people homeless. The Calvary Baptist Church and the Bishara Baptist church are among those looted and burned.
     
41. September 2000 Gombe (Northern Nigeria) In Bambam, Gombe state Islamic jihadists attack and kill Christians, burn down and loot churches and private homes and businesses of Christians.
     
42. May 2000, Kaduna (Northern Nigeria) For several days Islamic jihadists attack and slaughter hundreds of people in Kaduna. They loot thousands of Christian people's homes, churches, businesses and then burn them down. Thousands of Christians are mindlessly slaughtered and more than 200 churches are burned
     
43. February 2000, Kaduna (Northern Nigeria) Islamic jihadists attack and slaughter Christians opposing the implementation of Sharia law in Kaduna, northern Nigeria. Christian homes, businesses and churches are looted, and burned. Thousands of Christians are mercilessly slaughtered and property worth billions of dollars are looted and destroyed by the jihadists.
     
44. 2000 Damboa, Maidugiri, (Northern Nigeria) Islamic jihadists attack and slaughter Christians, loot and burn Christian homes, businesses and churches
     
45. We will stop at the year 2000. This is not even comprehensive. There is documentation of numerous other attacks by Islamic jihadists including: Kano, 1994; Ibadan, 1993; Lagos, 1993; Funtua, 1993; Zango Kataf 1992; Kano 1991; Katsina, 1991; Bauchi, 1991; Kafanchan, 1986; Kaduna, 1986; Gombe, 1985; Yola, 1984; Maidugiri, 1982; Kano, 1980. If you are interested you can go as far back as May/June; July/August; and September/October 1966 when Moslem jihadists slaughtered 100,000 Christian Igbo and other Easterners in Northern Nigeria. We suspect that Dora and her parents may have been escapees from Northern Nigeria during the jihad of 1966 in Northern Nigeria.

We challenge Nigeria's minister of information, Dora Akunyili to deny or disprove any of the documented acts of terrorism committed against innocent Christians in Nigeria by Islamic terrorists. Some official sources have estimated that between 1980 and 2009 about 10,000 Nigerians were slaughtered in these barbaric attacks. But more reliable independent sources have put the number at closer to 100,000 most of them Christians from Eastern Nigeria (Biafra).

This record of terrorism in Nigeria is what Dora Akunyili is defending, telling the world that Nigeria doesn't have people who indulge in terrorism; that it is not in their culture; that it is not part of their system; that Nigeria does not have any terrorist groups such as Boko Haram, Maitasine, Taliban, Kala Kato, Hisba, Hezbollah. She is telling the world that only once in a while, has there been what she calls religious conflicts  in Nigeria and of course that they have died down. And then she goes on to assert authoritatively that this is not terrorism; and that there is no terrorism in Nigeria.

Are this picture of killing done by Yeman too. Let call a spade a spade. 

The mindless slaughter of 10,000 or 100,000 innocent Christians in Nigerian by Muslim jihadists does not amount to terrorism according to Dora Akunyili. The looting of churches, private homes and businesses of Christians and the destruction of their property worth hundreds of billions of dollars for no justifiable reason than to intimidate and coerce them to convert to Islam by force is not terrorism according to Dora Akunyili.  The willful demolition of hundreds of Christian churches by Islamic jihadists is not terrorism according to Dora Akunyili. What can we say? You be the judge.

Dora Akunyili, the Nigerian minister of information reminds us of 'Bagdad Bob'; Saddam Hussein's minister of information who as Coalition forces were closing in on Bagdad and bombs were landing few feet behind the building in which he was giving a press conference with the walls, tables and even blinds shaking like leaves in a wind storm, kept telling the world press conference that Saddam's forces have wiped out the American and coalition forces that had invaded Iraq and that Iraq forces were chasing the remaining stragglers into the desert. Few minutes later he ended the press conference and ran away. Dora Akunyili, the 'Bagdad Bob' of Nigeria may ultimately be forced to run away from her own lies.

All the information here is public knowledge. It is a surprise that it took the US this long to realize that the terrorists in Nigeria will sooner than later metamorphose into international terrorists ripe for the picking by Al Qeada especially as Bin Laden openly expressed interest in Nigeria. It is really a surprise.

The Terror State Called Nigeria

By Awenlimobor Sylvester
Wednesday Sun, January 13, 2010

The act of terrorism is in itself an age long instrument that has been used my man to score ideological, religious or even political goals. Terrorism in itself is not a sole preserve of a class, clan, religion or race, anyone can be a terrorist. Popes and Khalifahs as well as Atheist have in the past exerted terror on the people. Children and Old men alike have used this apparatus to satiate the mysteries of their souls.

However global terrorism assumed a new definition after the September 11, 2001 attack by the Al Qaeda group on the United States of America, and terrorism according to America now has a religion, a race and an appearance. Unfortunately for us though, Nigeria has now been listed as one of the apparitions of terrorism.

It is true that we are a country known for its joyful mien in the face of so much tribulation and wretchedness, but this is no guarantee that we do not have tormentors amongst us who are of great threat to the international community. I do assert that we have amidst us terrorist that pose significant threat to the global community as much as they do to us, for while we were laughing in our miserable state, we left the door open and the lizard crept in.

In November 2002, Nigeria was scheduled to stage the Miss World beauty pageant, this was coming barely a year after Agbani Darego won the priced crown as the first black person to do so. It should ordinarily have been something of joy for all Nigerians, but violent riots by Islamic fundamentalists in the northern states of Kaduna and Zamfara left over 200 civilians dead, as well as a death threat (fatwa) issued to Isioma Daniel a reporter with ThisDay Newspaper by the then deputy governor of Zamfara state for good measure, sending out terrifying messages to the world about Nigeria.

This was beamed to the rest of the world to see. America and its allies watched.

In 2003, the world's most famous terrorist personage, Osama Bin Ladin, allegedly declared that Nigeria was 'ripe' for a Jihad or a holy war according to reports monitored on Reuters May 10 of the same year. It wasn't so long after the denounced Saudi prince declared this infamous statement that we started noticing upspring of clandestine religious groups in the North, joining their misguided "Freedom-fighting" brothers in the south that had their oil-business as excuse for their brigandage.

In September 2007, the American embassy through its consular in Nigeria stated that the country was under threat of being turned into a terrorist haven by Islamic fundamentalists. This advice was ignored by the Federal government of Nigeria, who had always treated religious violence in the past with acute levity.

About the same period also, the country started noticing the offshoot of several Islamic fundamentalist groups in the Northern part, especially in Zamfara, Bauchi, Kano, Yobe, Katsina, Kebbi, and Jigawa states. The notorious Hisbah, Boko Haram, the Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat, Al Sunna Wal Jamma, the Zamfara State Vigilante Service (ZSVS), and the Al Qaeda all set up camps and operating sites in these states.

According to West Point's Combating Terrorism Center, Osama Bin Laden found Somalia very difficult for operational bases due to the poor state of infrastructures and excessive political violence rampaging the region, and Yemen was too much of a distance for a quick offensive. Nigeria offered Osama his perfect and conducive breeding pot for his African operations, and while he was getting all his machineries in place to set up shop, we Nigerians were busy "smiling" in the face of our adversity.

In November 2007, 5 suspected Al Qaeda terrorists were arrested by Nigerian security forces and arraigned a month later (VOA, December 9, 2007). That is about the last we have heard of that incidence, as no conviction was ever made and there is no known record of any Nigerian tried and convicted for any terrorist act. America was listening and watching, while we continued in our folly.

In 2008, the then Inspector General of Police of the Nigerian Police Force, Mike Okiro informed Nigerians that based on intelligence reports gathered, the country was soon to be a major threshold of Al Qaeda. This was a one-off statement that was neither followed up nor investigated afterwards, and as quickly as his words came out, they vanished. Nigerians jollied about in their smiling nature and ignored the severity of the hushed-up report of the IG. The Americans sure did not, they watched and made notes.

While it is arguably mutually exclusive, but a failing state does offer a proper breeding ground for terrorist organizations to operate from. Nigeria is undoubtedly one and a glance at the twelve indices used in evaluating the endurance of a state, one would find that the Nigerian state falters in ten of these indicants and sparsely fulfills the others.

I like to draw our minds back to the actions of Nigerian citizens in Gusau, Sokoto and Damaturu who were caught on camera celebrating wildly after the infamous 911 attack. This was beamed to the world, as the "Happy people" were jubilating and making merry in the face of a global chaos. Even some southern fundamentalist politicians like Rauf Aregbesola joined in the infamous celebration. America and its western allies watched on.

When the Afghan bombings started in earnest, Nigerian citizens of the Muslim faith in the Northern states of Kano and Niger along with their ilk in several other "terrorist" countries worldwide, like Indonesia, Pakistan, Algeria, went on the streets in violent protests killing innocent civilians, majority of which were of the Christian faith. This was also broadcast on several television stations. America and its western allies took notes.

What probably must have irked America and its allies most in these episode was the placidity and flaccidity displayed by the Nigerian government in the face of all these carnage.

Whilst all these Northern chaos was going unabated, another form of terrorism was being wrought in the southern part of the country by the conceited self-styled "freedom-fighters" cum terrorists from the lower Delta region.

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