Posted by 9jabook.com on September 17, 2009 at 6:30am
Beware! The handset being used by the man sitting next to you in the bus may be a weapon of destruction – gun.
The mobile that calls you only once: Mafia gun was disguised as a phone
Beware! The handset being used by the man sitting next to you in the bus may be a weapon of destruction – gun.
The mobile that calls you only once: Mafia gun was disguised as a phone
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The invention of the mobile gun phone is already causing some ripples in the security circle, because of its propensity to increase crime rate such as armed robbery and murder/assassination.
The gun phone was discovered recently by the Italian Police Force.
The mobile phone was said to have been seized in an operation against the Camorra, the Naples-based mafia. It is described as a .22 calibre weapon, which is capable of firing four shots in quick succession through the antenna, using buttons on the keypad as the trigger.
What is the implication of this deadly product to Nigeria and Nigerians? This is against the backdrop of Nigerians’ taste for ostentatious products and flamboyant life style.
Another major source of worry is the increasing crime wave in the country, ranging from armed robbery, kidnappings, assassinations, political thuggery, among others.
The pistol, which carries four bullets, can be fired from a button on the phone's keypad
Killer call: A policeman demonstrates how the bullets were loaded
Some people said if the Federal Government doesn’t take steps to prevent the importation of the killer-phone, the country is going to witness crime explosion. Those spoken to by Daily Sun are, however, pessimistic about the ability of the government to stop the deadly phone from finding its way into the country.
Their reasons are as follows; Nigeria, being a large market and target of foreign investors and manufacturers, the producers of the gun would like to target Nigerian market. Second, like car manufacturers, who target Nigerian market for sale of very expensive and posh cars, the manufacturers of the killer-phone would like to penetrate Nigerian market because of high taste of its citizens, for expensive products.
Third, the increase in crime wave is another reason the government should be concerned about the gun phone.
Fourth, the porous nature of Nigerian borders and the corruption among the security agencies, especially, the Nigerian Customs, which was supposed to check the importation and exportation of goods into or out of the country. Products that were banned in the country, including arms and ammunition still find their way into the country on daily basis, because of corrupt securitymen who make fortunes from importers and allow any manner of product to come into the country.
Recently, the Cross River State Police Commissioner, Mallam Mohammed Bala, alerted members of the public on the presence of the gun phone in the country. There is allegation that some of the militants already have gun phone in their possession.
Bala Ahmed told Daily Sun in his office that intelligence reports have revealed that the deadly phone were manufactured in America and some countries in Europe.
The Police Commissioner said the European law enforcement agencies, had condemned Global System Mobile phone manufacturers for inventing the decoy, which he said, security operatives were still battling to stop its production and distribution.
The Police Public Relations Officer of the Cross River State Police Command, Mr. Etim Dickson, who took his turn to comment on the phone, said there was need for members of the public to be vigilant, in order to report any person found with the phone in Nigeria, to the nearest police station or any other security agency.
Worried about the situation, Mr. Dickson said the Nigeria Police had already taken steps to check the distribution of the phones in the country, as security activities were said to have been beefed up at various airports, sea ports and other entry points, to screen every mobile phone that may be imported into the country.
According to the police image maker, the keypad of the phone has digits number 5 to 8 as the trigger, with high destructive power.
At first sight, he said, the gun appeared to be like normal cell phone, but has extra weight when handled, explaining that the weapon has an in-built bullet magazine.
He said: “We want to draw the attention of members of the public to the existence of the mobile phone gun that is now being sold to armed robbers and other men of the under world. We are calling on members of the public to cooperate with the police in our stop-and-search operations at various checkpoints, in order to fish out those who may have acquired the deadly weapon.”
He said another feature of the phones was, short barrels, which appeared like camera, phone lens, as well as short antenna, which was said to be one of the components of the gun.
Mr. Charles Fakrogha, who also spoke with Daily Sun, however, said the gun phone would be useful to security operatives. He said if allowed to be imported into the country, its use should be restricted to the security agents. He said even if government wants to allow people to have access to the gun, it should be given to those who have licence.
“Allowing such product into the country now is like making mess of the amnesty programme. The Customs should take full charge to prevent the item from getting into wrong hands.
Also Pius Agbamukoro said it would be dangerous to allow such phone to get into the country.
“Why will they tell militants in the Niger Delta to lay down their arms and still encourage the importation of such items,” he queried.
To Chidi Chukwudubem, government should not give the product any chance to be imported into the counrty.
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The invention of the mobile gun phone is already causing some ripples in the security circle, because of its propensity to increase crime rate such as armed robbery and murder/assassination.
The gun phone was discovered recently by the Italian Police Force.
The mobile phone was said to have been seized in an operation against the Camorra, the Naples-based mafia. It is described as a .22 calibre weapon, which is capable of firing four shots in quick succession through the antenna, using buttons on the keypad as the trigger.
What is the implication of this deadly product to Nigeria and Nigerians? This is against the backdrop of Nigerians’ taste for ostentatious products and flamboyant life style.
Another major source of worry is the increasing crime wave in the country, ranging from armed robbery, kidnappings, assassinations, political thuggery, among others.
The pistol, which carries four bullets, can be fired from a button on the phone's keypad
Killer call: A policeman demonstrates how the bullets were loaded
Some people said if the Federal Government doesn’t take steps to prevent the importation of the killer-phone, the country is going to witness crime explosion. Those spoken to by Daily Sun are, however, pessimistic about the ability of the government to stop the deadly phone from finding its way into the country.
Their reasons are as follows; Nigeria, being a large market and target of foreign investors and manufacturers, the producers of the gun would like to target Nigerian market. Second, like car manufacturers, who target Nigerian market for sale of very expensive and posh cars, the manufacturers of the killer-phone would like to penetrate Nigerian market because of high taste of its citizens, for expensive products.
Third, the increase in crime wave is another reason the government should be concerned about the gun phone.
Fourth, the porous nature of Nigerian borders and the corruption among the security agencies, especially, the Nigerian Customs, which was supposed to check the importation and exportation of goods into or out of the country. Products that were banned in the country, including arms and ammunition still find their way into the country on daily basis, because of corrupt securitymen who make fortunes from importers and allow any manner of product to come into the country.
Recently, the Cross River State Police Commissioner, Mallam Mohammed Bala, alerted members of the public on the presence of the gun phone in the country. There is allegation that some of the militants already have gun phone in their possession.
Bala Ahmed told Daily Sun in his office that intelligence reports have revealed that the deadly phone were manufactured in America and some countries in Europe.
The Police Commissioner said the European law enforcement agencies, had condemned Global System Mobile phone manufacturers for inventing the decoy, which he said, security operatives were still battling to stop its production and distribution.
The Police Public Relations Officer of the Cross River State Police Command, Mr. Etim Dickson, who took his turn to comment on the phone, said there was need for members of the public to be vigilant, in order to report any person found with the phone in Nigeria, to the nearest police station or any other security agency.
Worried about the situation, Mr. Dickson said the Nigeria Police had already taken steps to check the distribution of the phones in the country, as security activities were said to have been beefed up at various airports, sea ports and other entry points, to screen every mobile phone that may be imported into the country.
According to the police image maker, the keypad of the phone has digits number 5 to 8 as the trigger, with high destructive power.
At first sight, he said, the gun appeared to be like normal cell phone, but has extra weight when handled, explaining that the weapon has an in-built bullet magazine.
He said: “We want to draw the attention of members of the public to the existence of the mobile phone gun that is now being sold to armed robbers and other men of the under world. We are calling on members of the public to cooperate with the police in our stop-and-search operations at various checkpoints, in order to fish out those who may have acquired the deadly weapon.”
He said another feature of the phones was, short barrels, which appeared like camera, phone lens, as well as short antenna, which was said to be one of the components of the gun.
Mr. Charles Fakrogha, who also spoke with Daily Sun, however, said the gun phone would be useful to security operatives. He said if allowed to be imported into the country, its use should be restricted to the security agents. He said even if government wants to allow people to have access to the gun, it should be given to those who have licence.
“Allowing such product into the country now is like making mess of the amnesty programme. The Customs should take full charge to prevent the item from getting into wrong hands.
Also Pius Agbamukoro said it would be dangerous to allow such phone to get into the country.
“Why will they tell militants in the Niger Delta to lay down their arms and still encourage the importation of such items,” he queried.
To Chidi Chukwudubem, government should not give the product any chance to be imported into the counrty.
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Name: Yetunde Onasesan
9 - 5: Student
Age: Undisclosed
“I’m an Accounting student of the Federal College of Technology, Akoka. I’ll describe myself as a short, easy going person that likes making friends. I’m the second child from a family of three and we all live together in Lagos. Living with my brother and sister is fun, except for the little quarrels I frequently have with my younger sister but it is nothing out of the ordinary.
I like music a lot but I don’t go to parties, especially the all night ones. I believe some of these parties cause bad influences that can lead to raping, so I try to avoid parties in general.
Although I’ll love to be an accountant someday, I also have a passion for trading. My mum is a trader and I used to help out at her store a lot, so I have developed a passion for trading. My mum deals in clothing material and the proceeds from it encourages me, so I’m studying hard and at the same time trying to accustom myself to trading while helping my mum and hopefully I will be able to achieve at least one of these dreams someday.
Right now I’m into two different relationships. I’m keeping two boyfriends just to be able to compare and know which is the best. I love both of them though they are totally different. One, we quarrel a lot, while with the other, it’s less quarrels. Anytime I’m with one, I either delete the other’s number or change the name with which I’ve saved it on my phone. They are not aware of the existence of each other but one of them is getting (suspicious) that I may be into another relationship but I always deny it. I think it’s possible to love two people at the same time!”
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Detectives from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Imo State Police Command, Owerri are working assiduously to unravel the mysterious death of Miss Mary Oguchukwu of Ime Owerre in Isu Njaba Local Government Area of the state.The late Mary, a hair stylist based in Onitsha, was reported to have gone to see off a male friend, one Christian Mmereukwu of Uburu Ekwe in the same council area who was alleged to have come to see her on August 21, 2009.But she could not return to her house as she was found dead in a nearby bush with blood gushing out from her private part with her clothes torn.Narrating the ugly incident to Daily Sun, the immediate younger brother to the late Mary, Mr Nnorom Oguchukwu, a former judiciary correspondent of Business Day, Abuja, said that his late sister had come back to the village from Onitsha hail and hearty to see him on learning that he was coming home from aboard.According to him, the suspect, Mr Mmereukwu, had been severally warned by members of their family to steer clear from his late sister as he had continuously been proposing marriage to her.“My sister, Miss Mary Oguchukwu was healthy. She came back from Onitsha, Anambra State. She returned home to see me when she heard that I was coming back from abroad, unfortunately, she was hacked to death on August 21, 2009.According to my younger ones, who alerted me on what had happened, they said that on the fateful day of August 21, 2009 evening at about 4 p.m. to 6p.m. one man from Uburu Ekwe, Mr Christian Mmereukwu, came to our compound.On that fateful day, my late sister was with my younger ones and according to them, Christian arrived at our compound and the first person that saw him was my aunty, Agnes Nnanna, who confronted him. She reminded him that he has been warned not to be visiting our compound, but he allegedly ignored her and went straight where my sister was staying.They said that he stayed for a longer period and when he was about going home he beckoned on my sister Mary Oguchukwu to escort him after much pressure and my sister now followed him.She escorted him not knowing that would be her last day on earth.Explaining further, Mr Nnorom alleged that Christian dragged her inside the bush and raped her after which he hacked her to death.He tore her brazier, left it somewhere, killed her and left her in her pool of blood. While I was at Enugu where I took my son for medical treatment I didn’t know that this thing was happening. I only heard a telephone call the following day that one Christian Mmereukwu had killed my elder sister.Any misunderstanding with both families ?Not at all; not to the best of my knowledge. We are good neighbours even where he had his maternal home. We were never in enmity with them. They visit us and we visit them. I don’t actually know what had gone wrong. I don’t really know why the man should come to our place, picked my sister to go and killed her.Marriage proposalI don’t think that my sister was bluffing him, but from his character she may have seen somebody, you cannot attest to his character. She may start distancing herself from such request. The said Christian has that tendency of fighting when he was growing up in his maternal home.My sister’s professionShe is a hair dresser and she wanted to start her own business again in Onitsha, but she heard that I was coming back from abroad and she came back home to stay with me.AppealThe matter was first reported at the Umudugba Divisional Police station. It has now been transferred to State Police Command, Owerri. I believe that this is not a matter that should be swept under the carpet. My humble request is that my sister has been raped, and killed for nothing sake. I am calling on the police and international organizations on anti-rape to take over this matter and see to the last point of it. I want the security agencies to conduct proper investigations on this matter to see that justice is done in this matter. It will be the only way the soul of my sister will have rest. I am also appealing to the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Ogbonnaya Onovo and human rights organizations to come to my rescue. I am shedding tears in my heart.our sourceslearnt that the suspect Mr Mmereukwu is now held at the state CID where he has been telling the police all he knows about the death of Mary.The police spokesman, ASP Linus Nwaiwu who confirmed the incident said that, investigations are still going on.
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President Barack Obama called Kanye West a “jackass” for hijacking Taylor Swift’s acceptance speech during the VMAs.The audio was recorded just before Obama went on camera to do an interview with CNBC. Before the interview began, Obama referring to Kanye’s antics on stage saidWe have the audio of President Barack Obama calling Kanye West a jackass. President Barack Obama called Kanye West a “jackass” for hijacking Taylor Swift’s acceptance speech during the VMAs.The audio was recorded just before Obama went on camera to do an interview with CNBC. Before the interview began, Obama — referring to Kanye’s antics on stage — said “I thought that was really inappropriate,” then adding, “He’s a jackass.”After making the remarks, Obama said “Where’s the pool?” Presumably, he was worried the joke would go wide. He noted the last time that happened, he got burned for killing a fly.Obama said, “Cut the President some slack.”
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Posted by Jane Okinedo on September 15, 2009 at 9:08pm
Leggy and pretty Matilda Obaseki is one of the newly discovered actresses currently serenading on the set of MNET’s intrigues-filled soap, Tinsel. At 23, the Edo State-born emerging screen diva is so optimistic that acting will definitely take her to the next level, in the next couple of years.Obaseki, who is also an aspiring writer, aside wave-making Tinsel, has in the time past proved her acting prowess in a few hit Nollywood movies and soaps. Despite her intimidating height, Obaseki, has refused to combine her fledging acting career with that of modeling. In fact, she openly confessed that the stress that comes with modeling scares her much.Proudly single and not keen on settling down for now, the soft-spoken and sultry thespian, in this her first major interview, told Daily Sun the story of her chequered life and blossoming career. Obaseki also spoke on her reasons for dropping out of the university, a couple of years ago, the sad demise of her loving dad, coming on board of Tinsel, men, romance and many more in this enchanting encounter that took place at a high brow joint in the heart of Surulere, Lagos.You’re no doubt a damsel; let’s meet you officially?Thanks, my name is Matilda Obaseki, I’m from Benin City, Edo State. I grew up in Benin where I was also born on March 19, 1986, but lost my dad when I was eight years old. I’m also the last child in a family of seven. However, as the baby of the house, I was not pampered, I was only loved and shown love by my parents and siblings.You’re currently one of the hottest faces on Tinsel, the wave making soap on DSTV, how has it been so far?I’ve been with them for more than a year now. I play the character of Angela, a personal assistant working in a production studio in the soap. The role of Angela is such that you can’t put her in a box. Her strongest point is her ability to compartmentalize, meaning, she can live two lives, she is two-faced as a Janus, the Roman god.How did you come about the role on the set of Tinsel?I got information about the audition and reluctantly went on the last day.And on getting there, I discovered there was no more form to fill. I was eventually forced to get a torn sheet of paper to write my name and other details, which I did. I was later invited for the casting, after which I went back to school in Benin. In fact, while all these were happening, I did not have a phone. Luckily for me, I was finally taken, thus making the whole thing to be fun.And I’m so happy because this is my first major job with MNET.Officially, when did you go into acting?I started two years ago on TV and later a few Nollywood movies, but nothing major.As a rising actress, what would you say are the major challenges since your arrival in the industry, especially on the set of Tinsel?Well, at Tinsel, they do not look at how long you’ve been acting, but how well you’re doing. The challenges are there, but I wasn’t trying to compare myself with anybody on set and that helped to make my job easy. It was like a baby learning how to talk, the producer made things easy for me and all the other acts on set. Truth is that I was very scared when we first started.I was even jittery and said to myself that God didn’t actually ask me to act. But as we progressed, I realized that art is life and acting is the greatest form of art. That was when I also accepted the fact that acting is what I want to do. I have shot more than 50 fascinating and challenging episodes with the cast and crew of Tinsel.What thrills and fascinates you most about being on the set of Tinsel?The way everybody comes to the table with their A-Game, its like a fight, and we all strive to be the best and biggest. It’s like a family thing too, very fun and intriguing.So, how is your relationship with the other members of the cast?I cope with them very well; the relationship is very okay and cordial. We tell ourselves the truth always. In fact, we have all realized that if one of us is not doing well, it means Tinsel is not doing well. So, in essence, we always work like a team.In a nutshell, what is Tinsel all about?Tinsel is basically a reflection of what the Nigerian film industry will be or look like in the next couple of years. It is our visualization of what the industry will be. The intrigues and power plays, inside the companies that made up Tinsel, we have cheating husbands and wives, those cutting corners and several other shocking events.Your take home for the two seasons plus that you’ve been on Tinsel, has it been financially rewarding?Sincerely, it’s been good, the pay is good but I can’t disclose it here. I never dreamt of getting to where I am now courtesy of Tinsel, so soon. I’m really grateful to my bosses at Tinsel.After Tinsel, what’s the next level for Matilda Obaseki?The next level for me is much more than Tinsel, Tinsel is just the stepping-stone, I want to be in my own comfort zones and do things that will outlive me. Aside acting, which is my first love, I also write scripts and do other creative stuffs.Are you a model, because you’ve got the height?No, I’m not a model because I just do not have the strength.You lost your darling dad almost 15 years ago, any fond memories of him?Sure! It was a big house and we all had fun while he was alive. I truly miss everything about him even till date. He was and remains a hero to me. My dad never hit me while alive. I have stepsiblings but my dad was always bringing all of us together under his love and care without any rancour, under one roof.Are you married?No! Not-at-all.Are you in any relationship currently?No, I’m single, happy and not searching. And the reason is simple and straight; I’m putting all my strength into Tinsel and my blossoming acting career. I also do not have time to trade my acting career for any relationship now.So, when exactly do you intend having time for a man or serious and steady relationship in your life?Is not as if I’m scared of men, in fact, I had a few affairs, but it was not something serious. I became fully single when I started Tinsel. Truth is that I didn’t choose to be single, it just happened like that and I found out that I also like it that way.Are you keen on getting married soon?I’m not itching to be married in the next couple of years. When the time comes, I will be looking for a confident and God fearing man. But for now, I’m okay being single. I always say that you can’t lose what you never had. I believe in love so much. For me, there is no time frame on when I will be getting married; there are a whole lot of things that I want to accomplish before settling down.Why not share some of the things with us?First and foremost, I want to set up a foundation that will cater for kids, women and single parents. I was going home one day and it was very late, I saw a woman and her two kids sleeping on the road. I felt bad but there was nothing I could do, but that was not right. Those children I saw that night did not do anything bad to deserve that kind of treatment and rejection from the society. And my foundation will strive to help such people when it becomes fully operational soon.Back to Tinsel, as a major member of the cast on set, what would you say makes you and your character unique?I kept asking why me for the role of Angela. Truth is that I do not know anybody prior to joining the cast and crew of Tinsel. I also never lobbied to be part of Tinsel. A day before they called me, I was in school, very broke and could not pay my school fees. I sat down and was crying and asking God why he has chosen to abandon me. I was thinking of what to do when my sister called me the next morning and told me about the Tinsel invitation. I’ve always believed in God and have so much faith in him.As a single, popular and dashing damsel, how are you coping and handling pressures from men, especially the stubborn ones?Of course, you don’t expect me to say to men, hey! I’m here, come get me. I just cope somehow, but do not dwell on it. Besides, I work most time and do not have the space and time too. That does not mean I do not come in contact with them, even the stubborn ones.Having come on board Tinsel, what does stardom mean to you?Sincerely, I don’t think I consider myself a star. Not until I can prove myself to not only Nigerians but, the rest of the world, that is when I can call myself a star.Can you pay your bills now?Yes, I can pay my bills very well now and I’m so happy and thanking God always for making that possible, all thanks to Tinsel.So, how rich are you now?I’m not hungry and do not think I will ever be hungry.Now, tell us, why did you drop out of school?I left school because of so many pressures, that was in my 100 level, at the University of Benin, Edo State. Now, that I’m working and have enough money, I intend to get myself back to school soon. I’m going back to University of Lagos, to continue with English, a course I love so much.In a nutshell, how would you describe yourself?Most people generally misunderstand me, because I hate to be hypocritical and hate hypocrites with a passion. Above all, I have a good heart and very focused.Can anything make you quit the set of Tinsel?I don’t know how to answer that, but not anything I know of for now.What are the circumstances that could easily move you to fears?I cry when I watch touchy scenes in movies or read emotional parts of a novel. I also cry when I see people, especially kids suffering or when people talk to me anyhow.Have you ever cried for love?Not for me, but for other people’s ugly love stories and heart breaks. I want to also thank all the cast and crew members of Tinsel for their love and team spirit.
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Posted by 9jabook.com on September 15, 2009 at 8:58pm
At 3:25pm on Tuesday, September 15, 2009, the man who famously said of himself - “I am not a middle of the road man” - finally came to the end of his road, six feet beneath the earth, in his Oka, Ondo hometown, next to his mother.
The journey to the final resting place for Gani Fawehinmi, fondly called ‘Gani’, had commenced earlier in the day, with a lying-in-state at the Oba Adesanoye Civic Center in Ondo Town.
The roll call
Tuesday turned out to be a day government officials fell over themselves to identify with the late lawyer, to be seen by his side as the world bade him goodbye. Three state governors: Edo’s Adams Oshiomhole, Jigawa’s Sule Lamido and the host governor, Olusegun Mimiko were in attendance. The Osemawe of Ondo, Victor Kiladejo was represented by his wife.
Also present were former presidential aspirant, Olu Falae; Reuben Fasoranti, Frederick Fasheun and Gani Adams of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC); Ledum Mitee, President of the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP); former Kano State governor, Abubakar Rimi; Publicity Secretary of the Action Congress (Lagos State), Joe Igbokwe and human rights lawyer Femi Falana. Former Head of State, Muhammadu Buhari was represented by Yomi Tokoya.
Gani’s body arrived the Civic Center at 10:34am, in a procession of students, labour activists, National Conscience Party members, lawyers, musicians and family members.
Ten minutes later, Mr Mimiko arrived in an unmarked bus, along with his wife and former minister, Olu Agunloye. Mr Lamido arrived at 11am, closely followed by the flag-waving MOSOP contingent who started a dance procession around the Center.
Homily
At the Ondo Central mosque where some of the funeral rites were held, the Chief Imam, Basiru Alimi advised Nigerians to emulate the commendable life Gani led.
In his words; “Gani has done his own part on earth, let us all be courageous enough to stand against injustice and oppression which was Gani’s hallmark.
“We should all endeavour to always say the truth at any point in our lives, so that people will be able to say good things after our exit.”
Day of tributes
It was essentially a day of tributes, from the Civic Center to the graveside, as all those present paid homage to the departed lawyer, politician and human rights activist.
Adams Oshiomhole, describing himself as a “beneficiary of Gani’s services,” said: “Gani left us with an unfinished business, the business of building a country; one that can provide for all its citizens, one in which the University system cannot be shut down for twenty-four hours because that is locking out the future; one in which no one will throw excess food in the dustbin when there are millions who are starving; one in which no one will be denied justice, merely on account of the fact that he cannot afford legal fees.” Deebari Gbaranor Keeper, spokesperson for MOSOP was profuse in his appreciation of the late Gani’s contributions to the Niger Delta struggle. “This man came, fought for the Ogoni people, stood by us in the time of trauma, when the military under Abacha wanted to crush the Ogoni people... after the death of Ken he continued to support us, till today, so we’ve come all the way from Ogoni to pay him [our] last respects, and we are praying that more people like this who are not hindered by boundaries , who are not limited by their tribes,
who see human beings as human beings, no matter where you come from, more of these should come in Nigeria...” According to him, the relationship between the late Ken Saro Wiwa and Gani was essentially of “a star here [recognising] a star in Ogoniland.”
A rejected leader
Omosolape Fawehinmi, son of the late activist’s elder brother, described his Uncle as “a leader that Nigeria rejected.” “I was at the Akure Township Stadium yesterday (Monday), those people that were fighting him, that did not see any good thing in what he was doing, were the same ones sitting down [in] the VIP [stands]. Shame on them!” He told NEXT of his wish to see people “come up and continue” his uncle’s struggles, adding ruefully, “but a lot of people are cowards, they will not do it...” Against the backdrop of the fact that Gani spent his life fighting the failings of Nigeria’s successive governments, few could resist the temptation to lash out at the current crop of leaders. Constitutional lawyer and professor of law, Itse Sagay, speaking about the ongoing University teachers’ strike described Nigeria’s leaders as “insensitive” and “unreasonable.” “Our present leaders are barbarians and they really have to be compelled to accept the view that without education there is no development. Everything will turn out well - at the end; because the struggle that ASUU is engaged in now is like a do-or-die battle for the survival of education in this country.”
Future of activism
Regarding the future of activism, he was also hopeful. “I remember that when Chief Awolowo died, we were all very depressed, but see what has happened. Great people have come up after him, inspired by him and I think Gani too was one of them. So he has created a spirit of activism, of resistance to injustice, and that spirit lives on. There are many young people who will pick up the fight from where he stopped, I have no doubt about it.” Frederick Fasheun, founder of the Oodua People’s Congress, said: “Every Nigerian knows about the death of Gani Fawehinmi, every Nigerian knows what Gani Fawehinmi was and I’m sure there is a bit of Gani Fawehinmi in every Nigerian by now.”
Buried in tiled grave
The torrent of tributes didn’t cease even as the golden casket lay in the tiled grave, moments away from being sealed.
Gani’s fellow activist and human rights lawyer, Femi Falana assured him that “we shall never betray you. All your dreams shall come to pass...” From the USA, Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka sent a wreath and a poetic tribute, AFTER GANI, read on his behalf by Joe Okei Odumakin of the Campaign for Democracy (CD).
“Weighed beneath loss, the people moan: “Who next?” Alas, the streets and pavings cry: Who’s left?” Hours earlier, as though in pre-emptive answer to Soyinka’s fitting query, Adams Oshiomhole had declared, at the Civic Center: “Gani cannot die for as long as a Nigerian lives, because when [a] man lives in the hearts of the people, [for] as long as those people are alive, the man is alive.”
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Posted by Oladipupo on September 15, 2009 at 3:23am
I have a very good Pure white colour, pitbull female puppy for sale. It's going for a give away price of =N=40,000.Order now while stock last.
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Posted by 9jabook.com on September 15, 2009 at 3:00am
Not a few Nigerians were incensed with Oprah Winfrey when she maligned Nigeria and Nigerians in a TV discussion about the global scourge of cyber crimes. In an attempt to lend credence to her inflammatory pronouncement, Oprah purportedly played the video clip of a popular Nigerian hit-track that celebrates cybercrimes (Yahoo-Yahoo) to millions of viewers hooked on to her Oprah Winfrey Talk Show worldwide. Whatever that meant, I believe Oprah is entitled to her own opinion.
Only last week, Sony Corporation issued an apology to Nigeria over a TV commercial for its latest PlayStation which attacks with innuendo, the reputation of Nigerians. The Sony apology came shortly after Nigeria’s official image maker, Information and Communications Minister, Prof. Dora Akunyili issued a release condemning and demanding an unreserved apology from Sony Corporation. Good for Nigeria and kudos to Madam Dora, Sony has withdrawn the commercial, but not before it had been posted on YouTube, entrenching our global reputation in the liminal limbo between death and dying.
And just as Nigerians were still smarting from the attack delivered by the Sony advert came a new assault, this time from the world’s movie capital – Hollywood. In District 9, a 2009 science fiction directed by Neill Blomkamp, written by Blomkamp and Terri Tatchell, and released on August 14, 2009, Nigerians are portrayed as voodoo experts, gangsters, drug dealers, pimps, prostitutes, cannibals and an unintelligent bunch of weapon traffickers. For the sake of our cinemas, let me avoid a sheepish regurgitation of the plot within this discourse.
I saw District 9 on the evening of September 9, 2009. Shot on location in Chiawelo Soweto, South Africa, District 9, apparently another Hollywood sell-abroad in the league of movies like the famed Indian Slumdog Millionaire, grossed $US 37 million on the weekend of its release and has been attracting reviews some of which have critiqued it for its apparent selection and demonization of the Nigerian people. This is where I have a problem. Whether the likes of Oprah Winfrey, Sony and now Neill Blomkamp acted in good faith or whether they were right in their assertions about Nigeria is first, not as important, as telling ourselves the truth about Nigeria and the need for us to do something serious about it. Before we be begin to roar in outrage, before we begin to call for the heads of those who amplify our national notoriety, let’s do a bit of introspection here. Are we truly not what they say we are?
Talking about cyber crimes (Yahoo-Yahoo), we rank third globally. Corruption nko? Until Nuhu Ribadu appeared on the scene in 2004, Nigeria was globally reputed as one of the most corrupt nations of this world. Sadly, in the last one year, Nigeria has begun a steady relapse into the dark days of the past. Or is it prostitution? Let us leave Italy out of this matter. Our electoral process is reality stranger than fiction! Since independence, our leaders have been powerless about the power issue plunging the entire nation, particularly our manufacturing sector into the recklessness of fruitless darkness. Our terrible roads are probably too long an issue to discuss here. Or is it our sharply declining per capita income or lazy theories of seven sleeping agendas? Maybe we should talk about the deprived communities of the Niger-Delta and the resultant carnage unleashed upon us by militant youths who should be in school to make their families and our nation proud. Tell me; where else in the world do people get slaughtered over cartoons they know absolutely nothing about?
It is this same Nigeria of rock star bankers in shiny suits and armoured car convoys dishing out may-God-forgive-them loans in billions of dollars to their friends, families and well-wishers. It is this same Nigeria where people live and die to understand that the police who ought to protect them could indeed, be their worst enemy. Can we just wake up from this lame sentimental slumber and picture a country whose Minister of Education wasted over 150 million naira on his birthday and wedding anniversary party at the Transcorp Hilton in Abuja while millions of Nigerian undergraduates are wasting away at home over government’s inability to provide better welfare for university lecturers? And then, when some overfed over-inspired overseas buffoon begins the lame game of name-calling, we cry blue murder! Are we not worse than what they even call us? Has our own Nollywood not portrayed Nigeria and Nigerians in far more injurious perspectives than this Hollywood flick we have made so popular by our untamed crocodile tears?
More worrisome is how far all these will go to validate the doctrine of rebranding Nigeria. These are perhaps some of Madam Dora’s brightest moments. And for all the self-styled consultants and apostles of branding and rebranding Nigeria, this is one glorious opportunity to step up their game; sell new ideas to the government, and get paid the Abuja way – all at the expense of taxpayers’ money. “Why I dey vex? Is it my money?”
If Nigerians can devote the same amount of energy and attention they expend on ignoble distractions like District 9, Nigeria will have moved a few more miles away from Hades. Our worst enemies are not the Oprahs, the Sonys or Blomkamps of this world. We are our own greatest enemies, and interestingly too, our greatest messiahs.
Regardless of the foregoing, for whatever it is worth, I am averse to the creative recklessness of Neill Blomkamp and Terri Tatchell, director and writer of the movie District 9, respectively. If it was contemptuous labelling the gang of neighbourhood terrorists in District 9, Nigerians, it was far more distressing calling their leader ‘Obasanjo’. At its best, this was creativity debased and by all means a demonization of our cultural dignity and identity.
By singling out Nigerians and the immediate past president of the country for such undesirably bizarre and stereotypical castings, District 9 comes crashing down the pedestal of ‘great’ science fictions placing the movie at the very heights of self-conceited racial prejudice. Coming from a South African director, and viewed from the lens of prevailing socio-political and cultural realities in the African continent, one can hardly deracinate its thematic preoccupation from its hideous xenophobic expression. Whatever good, satirical or allegorical outcome the makers of this movie planned to achieve, they rubbished with their audacity of slanted imagination.
By daring to depict the world’s largest conglomerate of black souls in such despicable candour, Neill Blomkamp plunges his audiences globally, into the paradox of distorted worldviews of not just Nigeria, but South Africa and the African continent as a whole. Let somebody remind the young South African director that this same Nigeria produced Africa’s first Nobel Laureate for Literature, the legendary Prof. Wole Soyinka. Philip Emeagwali, regarded as one of the fathers of the Internet, is a Nigerian. The Chinua Achebes, Emeka Anyaokus, Gamaliel Onosodes, Nuhu Ribadus, Chimamanda Adichies, and the Asas of recent memories are not from space like Blomkamp’s aliens in District 9. They are all Nigerians. Ikponmwosan ‘IK’ Osakioduwa, current host of the Big Brother Africa TV show ongoing in South Africa, is a young Nigerian. It is also on record that a Nigerian university, the University of Ibadan emerged winner of the recently concluded Zain African Schools Challenge. But all these are facts, the Oprah Winfreys, Sonys and Neill Blomkamps of this world chose to ignore because the good among us have allowed the bad and the ugly to take prime positions in our fatherland. Perhaps, more instructively, this is a lesson to future filmmakers.
For us as Nigerians, we have a long way to go. We are the embodiment of aspiration, audacity, ability and achievement in the entire African continent but we have this constantly nagging challenge of good governance which has brought the nation to its very knees since independence. Today, the way out may not be etched in a bloody revolution. No, maybe not yet. But before us, especially my generation of young people lies a formidable opportunity to kick out our bad leaders using the ballot box. If we can get it right with the quality of candidates that emerge as our leaders; if we can identify our potential leaders as candidates and begin to mobilise for them; if we can register to vote at the polls; if we can stay with our votes to ensure that they count, then the good men can have a chance to emerge and clean up decades of rot and rubbish in both high and low places. Then we will have no need for rebranding; we will begin to receive befitting welcomes in airports world over; we will have good, great movies named after us. Then, our story will become an inspiration to the world.
Ohimai Godwin Amaize
September, 2009
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Posted by Jane Okinedo on September 14, 2009 at 9:38pm
By Oluwaseyi BanguduStanbicIBTC Bank is said to have sacked hundreds of its workers over the weekend, but the exact number of affected workers is still uncertain, as the bank has not said anything on the development.But sources at the bank said yesterday that the number ranges from 200 upwards, and cuts across various cadres and divisions within the group.One of the sources confirmed in a telephone interview, "Yes, the bank sacked about 300 people," adding "Our subsidiary is yet to be affected but people are now on edge," without giving further details.While another bank source said "We don't know if we would be affected, the whole bank branches, stock broking and different operational bits are affected, but so far, it was 300 people in an organisation of... not sure of the total. I am in the asset management session with a different human resource management team, so we may still be affected."The global crisis and the recent cleansing by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), has seen many bank workers relieved of their duties, similar to the pre-consolidation era, when banks which could not shore up their capital base to n25 billion, or be acquired by another bank or merge with others, had to close shop rendering their workers jobless.Shocks industryThe news of the StanbicIBTC sack came as a shock to many industry watchers, especially as the bank, along with two others - because of their foreign ownership - will not be audited by the CBN, and therefore, had no cause to fear for its operations.Besides, analysts believe that the October 2007, $5.5 billion investment for 20 per cent stake in Standard Bank, South Africa's largest bank by assets and earnings, by China's largest bank, the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, should have helped get the Nigerian unit, StanbicIBTC, out of the woods.But the recent sack tends to suggest that the Nigerian unit might be in deeper trouble than anticipated, and underscores queries on why the CBN should leave the foreign-affiliated banks out of the stress audits.Also, Friday's signing of a $1 billion loan facility between Standard Bank and four major Chinese banks, apparently did not impact on the fortunes of the Nigerian unit, reputed to be one of the strongest units of the bank group in Africa.Bank UnionObukese Orere, the Acting Sectary General of the Association of Senior Staff of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions, an affiliate of the Nigeria Labour Congress, noted that even though it wants to take up the issue of job losses in the banks with Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, the CBN governor, he admitted, "We cannot really stop these people from laying off their staff but they must be well packaged before they are laid off. That is where we come in; that those who are leaving do not suffer much. Nothing is permanent."IMF's RecommendationMeanwhile, Dominique Strauss-Kahn, the Managing Director International Monetary Fund, in an interview with a German magazine on Saturday, urged banks in various nations to do more to adopt financial market regulations and find exit strategies, as the global economic crisis will continue.
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Posted by Jane Okinedo on September 14, 2009 at 9:30pm
What does an Atomic Energy Conference have to do with Turai Yaradua ? Dont we have Atomic Physics professors in Nigeria ? O sorry, they are on strike . Send the presidents wife instead . na wa o !The wife to Nigeria's president, Turai Yar'Adua, on Monday arrived in Vienna to attend the 53rd Session of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), scheduled to hold from September 14 to September 18.The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent in Vienna reports that Mrs. Turai was received at the airport by the Nigerian Ambassador to Austria, Jerry Ogokwe, and other top embassy officials.While in Vienna, Mrs. Turai will have separate meetings with the IAEA Director General, Muhammed El-Baradei, and the Secretary General of the OPEC FUND, Suleman Al-Herbish. She would also meet with the IAEA Director General designate, Yukiya Amano; the Director General of the UN Organisation in Vienna (UNOV), Antonio Costa; and the Director General of the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), KK Yumkellah.Similarly, she will have private meetings with the First Lady of Austria and that of Slovakia, Silvia Gasparovicova.Mrs. Turai would also hold discussions with officials of the IAEA on the agency's Programme of Action Against Cancer Theraphy (PACT) on behalf of her International Cancer Centre, Abuja (ICCA as well as inaugurate the Nigerian Embassy's website, before meeting the Austrian chapter of the Nigerians In Diaspora Organisation (NIDO).
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Agency reportsSeptember 13, 2009 06:53PMTSerena Williams is about to be investigated over an outburst that prompted her exit from the U.S. Open.Yahoo! Sports revealed yesterday that Williams will be asked to explain her actions toward a female line judge at the end of her semifinal defeat to Kim Clijsters on Saturday night.A source revealed that representatives from the tennis' governing body, the International Tennis Federation with members of the Grand Slam Committee, which oversees the four major tournaments were to convene along with U.S. Open referee, Brian Earley yesterday.The group is expected to review the video footage of the incident, seek clarification from the line judge and most likely hand down a heavy fine to Williams.A representative from the Women Tennis Association (WTA) Tour is also expected to be included, although the Tour does not have jurisdiction over Grand Slam events.Williams lost her cool after being called for a foot fault on a second serve while trailing 15-30 and 5-6 in the second set.Clijsters won the first set 6-4.Point to ClijstersThe call gave Clijsters a match point, but it was never played as Williams exploded into a verbal tirade at the line judge. According to the Associated Press, Williams screamed at the official, "If I could, I would take this ... ball and shove it down your ... throat," Williams said.The line judge then reported the comments to umpire Louise Engzell, as tournament referee Earley rushed on to the court. Williams was heard to yell again at the line judge, loudly insisting "I didn't say I would kill you. Are you serious? Are you serious? I didn't say that."A code violation was issued for unsportsmanlike conduct, which indicates that Williams was penalised a point, thereby ending the contest.
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Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina battled back to upset five-times champion Roger Federer 3-6 7-6 4-6 7-6 6-2 and win the U.S. Open title on Monday.The 20-year-old Argentine, who stayed alive by winning two tiebreaks, gained confidence as he moved through his first career grand slam and charged to victory, breaking Federer in the last game to end their four-hour, six-minute struggle.The 6-foot-6 Del Potro lay down on his back and covered his face with his hands after the 28-year-old Swiss sailed a backhand long on the Argentine's third championship point.Del Potro, seeded sixth, became the second Argentine to win the U.S. men's crown, joining compatriot Guillermo Vilas who won on clay in 1977, and was watching Monday's final at Arthur Ashe Stadium.The Argentine had never beaten Federer in six previous meetings, losing to the Swiss master in the semi-finals of the French Open after taking a two sets to one lead.
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Posted by Jane Okinedo on September 14, 2009 at 8:00pm
LOS ANGELES - Patrick Swayze, the hunky actor who danced his way into moviegoers' hearts with "Dirty Dancing" and then broke them with "Ghost," died Monday after a battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 57."Patrick Swayze passed away peacefully today with family at his side after facing the challenges of his illness for the last 20 months," his publicist, Annett Wolf, said in a statement Monday evening. Swayze died in Los Angeles, Wolf said, but she declined to give further details.Fans of the actor were saddened to learn in March 2008 that Swayze was suffering from a particularly deadly form of cancer. He kept working despite the diagnosis, putting together a memoir with his wife and shooting "The Beast," an A&E drama series for which he had already made the pilot.Swayze said he opted not to use painkilling drugs while making "The Beast" because they would have taken the edge off his performance. The show drew a respectable 1.3 million viewers when the 13 episodes ran in 2009, but A&E said it had reluctantly decided not to renew it for a second season.When he first went public with the illness, some reports gave him only weeks to live, but his doctor said his situation was "considerably more optimistic" than that. Swayze acknowledged that time might be running out given the grim nature of the disease."I'd say five years is pretty wishful thinking," Swayze told ABC's Barbara Walters in early 2009. "Two years seems likely if you're going to believe statistics. I want to last until they find a cure, which means I'd better get a fire under it."C. Thomas Howell, who costarred with Swayze in "The Outsiders," "Grandview U.S.A." and "Red Dawn," said: "I have always had a special place in my heart for Patrick. While I was fortunate enough to work with him in three films, it was our passion for horses that forged a friendship between us that I treasure to this day. Not only did we lose a fine actor today, I lost my older 'Outsiders' brother."Other celebrities used Twitter to express condolences, and "Dirty Dancing" was the top trending topic for a while Monday night, trailed by several other Swayze films.Ashton Kutcher whose wife, Demi Moore, costarred with Swayze in "Ghost" wrote: "RIP P Swayze." Kutcher also linked to a YouTube clip of the actor poking fun at himself in a classic "Saturday Night Live" sketch, in which he played a wannabe Chippendales dancer alongside the corpulent and frighteningly shirtless Chris Farley.Larry King wrote: "Patrick Swayze was a wonderful actor & a terrific guy. He put his heart in everything. He was an extraordinary fighter in his battle w Cancer." King added that he'd do a tribute to Swayze on his CNN program on Tuesday night.A three-time Golden Globe nominee, Swayze became a star with his performance as the misunderstood bad boy Johnny Castle in "Dirty Dancing." As the son of a choreographer who began his career in musical theater, he seemed a natural to play the role.A coming-of-age romance starring Jennifer Grey as an idealistic young woman on vacation with her family and Swayze as the Catskills resort's sexy (and much older) dance instructor, the film made great use of both his grace on his feet and his muscular physique.It became an international phenomenon in the summer of 1987, spawning albums, an Oscar-winning hit song in "(I've Had) the Time of My Life," stage productions and a sequel, 2004's "Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights," in which he made a cameo.Swayze performed and co-wrote a song on the soundtrack, the ballad "She's Like the Wind," inspired by his wife, Lisa Niemi. The film also gave him the chance to utter the now-classic line, "Nobody puts Baby in a corner."Swayze followed that up with the 1989 action flick "Road House," in which he played a bouncer at a rowdy bar. But it was his performance in 1990's "Ghost" that showed his vulnerable, sensitive side. He starred as a murdered man trying to communicate with his fiancee (Moore) with great frustration and longing through a psychic played by Whoopi Goldberg.Swayze said at the time that he fought for the role of Sam Wheat (director Jerry Zucker wanted Kevin Kline) but once he went in for an audition and read six scenes, he got it.Why did he want the part so badly? "It made me cry four or five times," he said of Bruce Joel Rubin's Oscar-winning script in an AP interview."Ghost" provided yet another indelible musical moment: Swayze and Moore sensually molding pottery together to the strains of the Righteous Brothers' "Unchained Melody." It also earned a best-picture nomination and a supporting-actress Oscar for Goldberg, who said she wouldn't have won if it weren't for Swayze."When I won my Academy Award, the only person I really thanked was Patrick," Goldberg said in March 2008 on the ABC daytime talk show "The View."Swayze himself earned three Golden Globe nominations, for "Dirty Dancing," "Ghost" and 1995's "To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar," which further allowed him to toy with his masculine image. The role called for him to play a drag queen on a cross-country road trip alongside Wesley Snipes and John Leguizamo.His heartthrob status almost kept him from being considered for the role of Vida Boheme."I couldn't get seen on it because everyone viewed me as terminally heterosexually masculine-macho," he told The Associated Press then. But he transformed himself so completely that when his screen test was sent to Steven Spielberg, whose Amblin pictures produced "To Wong Foo," Spielberg didn't recognize him.Among his earlier films, Swayze was part of the star-studded lineup of up-and-comers in Francis Ford Coppola's 1983 adaptation of S.E. Hinton's novel "The Outsiders," alongside Rob Lowe, Tom Cruise, Matt Dillon, Ralph Macchio, Emilio Estevez and Diane Lane.Other '80s films included "Red Dawn," "Grandview U.S.A." (for which he also provided choreography) and "Youngblood," once more with Lowe, as Canadian hockey teammates.In the '90s, he made such eclectic films as "Point Break" (1991), in which he played the leader of a band of bank-robbing surfers, and the family Western "Tall Tale" (1995), in which he starred as Pecos Bill. He appeared on the cover of People magazine as its "Sexiest Man Alive" in 1991, but his career tapered off toward the end of the 1990s, when he also had a stay in rehab for alcohol abuse. In 2001, he appeared in the cult favorite "Donnie Darko," and in 2003 he returned to the New York stage with "Chicago"; 2006 found him in the musical "Guys and Dolls" in London.Swayze was born in 1952 in Houston, the son of Jesse Swayze and choreographer Patsy Swayze, whose films include "Urban Cowboy."He played football but also was drawn to dance and theater, performing with the Feld, Joffrey and Harkness Ballets and appearing on Broadway as Danny Zuko in "Grease." But he turned to acting in 1978 after a series of injuries.Within a couple years of moving to Los Angeles, he made his debut in the roller-disco movie "Skatetown, U.S.A." The eclectic cast included Scott Baio, Flip Wilson, Maureen McCormack and Billy Barty.Off-screen, he was an avid conservationist who was moved by his time in Africa to shine a light on "man's greed and absolute unwillingness to operate according to Mother Nature's laws," he told the AP in 2004.Swayze was married since 1975 to Niemi, a fellow dancer who took lessons with his mother; they met when he was 19 and she was 15. A licensed pilot, Niemi would fly her husband from Los Angeles to Northern California for treatment at Stanford University Medical Center.In February, Swayze wrote an op-ed piece in the Washington Post titled, "I'm Battling Cancer. How About Some Help, Congress?" in which he urged senators and representatives to vote for the maximum funding for the National Institutes of Health to fight cancer as part of the economic stimulus package.He also appeared in the September 2008 live television event "Stand Up to Cancer," where he made this moving plea: "I keep dreaming of a future, a future with a long and healthy life, a life not lived in the shadow of cancer, but in the light. ... I dream that the word 'cure' will no longer be followed by the words 'is impossible.'"
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Posted by Jane Okinedo on September 14, 2009 at 9:55am
An 11-year-old boy was on Saturday flogged to death by his father for disobedience.It was gathered that the suspect, Friday Obot, who is at the State Criminal Investigations Department (SCID), Panti, Yaba, Lagos Mainland, flogged the victim Michael Friday with a cable wire.The incident occurred at 61, Awolowo Way, Ikeja, Lagos.Sources disclosed to The Nation that the suspect had directed his son to carry out some assignments in their shop at the stated address but the boy refused.It was in the process of being disciplined that the boy collapsed.The boy was rushed to the General Hospital Ikeja, where he was confirmed dead.The matter was reported to the police and the suspect was arrested.Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, Onyeisi Nwaolai, said that the Commissioner of Police, Mr Marvel Akpoyibo, directed the homicide section of the SCID to take over the case.Also, a customer of one of the commercial banks in FESTAC Town was shot dead by armed robbers at the weekend.According to sources, the deceased had gone to the bank in company of a relative to withdraw N1million around 11am on Friday when the incident occurred.The deceased whose name was given as Olufemi Abiola by the police was in the company of his relative, Kemi Akinremi.It was gathered that the hoodlums who were on a motor cycle, double-crossed the duo on 71 Road immediately they came out of the bank and demanded for the money.There was a little resistance from the deceased who was holding the money, hence the shooting, The Nation learnt.The bandits sped off with the motorcycle while the victim slumped and died on the spot.Nwaolai confirmed the incident. He said that efforts to track down the suspects had begun.Also at the weekend, a bricklayer in a construction company in Maroko was killed by assassins.Jide Moses was killed in a bush path at the new market settlement area.Nwaolai said police were investigating the murder.
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Posted by Politics X on September 14, 2009 at 1:30am
Senator Polycarp NwiteIf the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) intends to make good its threat to resume attacks at the end of the 60-day amnesty period – (September 15) offered by the Federal Government, let Government Ekpumopolo aka Tompolo and his men remember this: they would be up against not the usual rag-tag Nigerian army. Rather, they will be confronting a highly trained and sophisticated, well equipped, battle-tested contingent of American commandos and South African Special Forces who are poised to take over security of oil and gas installations in the Niger Delta region.Faced with the threat of renewed militant attacks and economic sabotage that had seen Nigeria’s oil production drop by almost one-fifth, President Umaru Musa Yar’adua and his top advisers are now considering a proposal to strengthen Nigeria’s security for its oil fields and installations. The project: “Nigeria Delta Onshore and Offshore Oil Security Plan” will be led by the former NATO Supreme Allied Commander; an American 4-star General; Wesley K. Clark (Rtd).Gen. Clark will receive “Strategic advice” on the project from Richard A. Clarke who spent eleven years at the White House advising three American Presidents on national security and counter-terrorism. Mr. Clarke, who also spent 19 years in the Pentagon, the US intelligence Community and the State Department, is now a partner in Good Harbor – a Virginia based global strategic security consulting firm with expertise in oil and gas security. In a letter addressed to Senator Polycarp Nwite, Senior Political Adviser to President Yar’adua, (See copy attached)Gen. Wesley Clark indicated that the proposed security assessment for the offshore and onshore oil facilities will be done in three phases: threat assessment, on-site security surveys and gap analysis and risk mitigation. He outlined the full range of different threat scenarios to Nigeria’s oil and gas installations “including armed conflict, insurgency, terrorism, sabotage or insider action, as well as the possibility that these threats could occur simultaneously or in conjunction with one another.”Aso Rock is treating the proposal as top secret but barring any serious domestic opposition, there are strong indications that President Yar’adua will outsource the security of the Niger Delta to safeguard oil and gas installations, while sending a strong message to recalcitrant unrepentant militants that their days of glory are over. Going forward, peace will reign in the Niger Delta at all costs!Huhuonline.com also learnt from sources close to Good Harbor Consulting that recruitment of the commandos and private military contractors for the Niger Delta assignment is currently underway in the United States. The team is expected to comprise mostly battle-tested US ex-marines and Special Forces from the Iraqi and Afghan campaigns whose task would be to comb the Niger Delta region with instructions to shoot-to-kill anyone suspected of trying to sabotage oil and gas installations.Good Harbor Consulting intends to “assist the Nigerian government in developing a plan to secure its onshore and offshore facilities.” Details of the Niger Delta Security plan; a copy of which was obtained exclusively by Huhuonline.com from impeccable K-Street sources in Washington DC makes for very interesting reading as it is based more on official western assumptions including assessments by the US Navy of maritime threats in the Niger Delta region than the practical realities on the ground.The plan also considers such non-conflict related risks – direct action groups, labor unions, refugees or migrant exodus from the Niger Delta and piracy. It examines patterns and precedents for targeting and tactics used by militants to attack offshore and onshore oil and gas installations in the Niger Delta and assess how these are likely to evolve over a ten-year period. The central nexus of the project is to identify, design and employ risk reducing systems and technologies to remove, reduce or mitigate threats and risks, including procedures and protocols which may be required for additional security teams escorting vessels.The aim is to provide a “comprehensive system of sensors and communications technology to improve security of Nigeria’s oil and gas infrastructure.” Such a system will involve the use of UAVs – Unmanned Aerial Vehicles linked to satellites and Aerostats, maritime radar, motion and pressure sensors and GPS cameras linked to a regional command center to monitor oil tankers and offshore and onshore platforms. Special operations patrol boat units will provide back-up but the technological components will be inter-operable and fully integrated into what the project documents described as C4ISR - (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance) centers at appropriate locations in the Niger Delta. (See diagram illustration below)Although the possibility of private US and South African military contractors (ex-marines and Special Forces) battling militants in the creeks of the Niger Delta with civilians caught in the crossfire evokes memories of the ongoing guerrilla warfare in Iraq and Afghanistan and raises very grim prospects of escalating the conflict into open civil war, hawks within the Nigerian government led by Defense Minister, Major General Godwin Abbe (Rtd) are said to back the plan.Nigerian defense sources told Huhuonline.com that Abbe is bent on retaliating that attacks on the Oil installations in Lagos (blamed on militants) that he is prepared to give the Americans a free hand to turn the Niger Delta inside out, including killing innocent civilians as collateral damage, if that is what it will take to pacify the region and rid it of militants. In both his public and private statements, Abbe is quoted as warning the militants not to resume attacks on oil installations, saying they have lost the support and sympathy of Nigerian public opinion.Whether or not the defiant MEND militants decide to go back to militancy is their choice, the Defense boss has been saying to anyone who cared to listen, but he warned that the authorities would not fail to deploy the armed forces to curtail insurgence from any part of Nigeria and provide security to its citizens and oil facilities.Bayelsa State Governor, Timi-pre Sylva, who has been briefed on the project, and wholeheartedly supports it, has suddenly become a hardliner; telling the defiant MEND militants that they have much more to lose if they fail to accept the amnesty deal before expiration. He has even dared the militants to make good their threatened resort to violence which he dismissed as empty rhetoric.MEND had vowed to resume attacks on oil installations on September 15 in order to prove that the guns being surrendered by militants were owned by the government. The threat came on the day repentant militants in Bayelsa State returned over 95,970 rounds of ammunition and 520 rifles at a colorful ceremony held at the Isaac Boro Peace Park in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.How much the project will cost the Nigerian tax payer and how the government intends to pay for the project is yet to be determined. Above all, whether the American commandos and Special Forces will succeed in ending militancy in the Niger Delta remains to be seen. One thing is certain: Huhuonline.com investigations into the project will continue.
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Posted by Politics X on September 14, 2009 at 1:11am
Why should the Minister for Information and Communication, Prof Dora Akuyili, decide to employ the services of the former NTA bosses, namely Mr. Ben Bruce and Mr. Tony Iredia, to rescue.The public may likely not be pleased with such because it looked orchestrated. In short, the duo should be the last to be consulted in this issue because of their remote involvements on the issue of N8billion refurbishment of the NTA equipment. As a matter of fact the two immediate past Directors General of NTA can easily be roped in as people wanting to cover their own past contributions to what has now become controversial. They stand involved.It should be simpler for the NTA current management to rise up to the defense of the matter, throwing more light to the inquest rather than this Akuyili’s PR try . For all that is necessary to be noted is that it has been proven that to purchase a new equipment would cost almost the same, if not less than, what is now the case.Nigeria should not remain just where frauds are committed and the perpetrators go free, without properly accounted for. Let this matter be properly investigated as the NCC’s License issue.Mr. Effiong Israel, 79 Tayo Kehinde Street, Egbeda-Lagos.
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Posted by Politics X on September 14, 2009 at 12:54am
ByChukwuma IwuanyanwuPolitics, they say is a dirty game but most games are dirty. Soccer, basket ball, field and track events, just name it, they are all dirty. The pushing, the hackles, the muscular squabbles, the hard tackles, the willful fouls, the fighting and even head boots are some of the things that make games repulsive sometimes; but these notwithstanding, each opposing partner always presents the best, experienced and tested team so as not to suffer humiliation in the field or court of play. In politics, any serious nation presents her best and even when the field is open for all, the peoples’ will and the unfailing mechanism put in place serve as a natural selection to weed out those unproductive elements so that the nation is not fouled by pinheads, whose stock in trade is nothing but selfish predilection for grandstanding, corruption and subversion of the will of the people.Have you been privileged to be one on one with some of those people leading Nigeria? Some of us in Diaspora see them all the time and you will be surprised of how hollow they are in thoughts, actions and thinking. Dr. Chris Ngige was the one who first gave some us a peep into these people, the so called Nigerian leadership. In one of the places he was received in Los Angeles years ago after he was removed from office, he stunned the gathering that those people we thought that had something upstairs were just flowing chaffs. He also used the opportunity to ask most of us to come home and compete for leadership, because the brilliant ones, he continued were in overseas while the riff raffs spread their wings like eagles to reign in the land. The truth is that Nigerian brains are in overseas and anybody who contests that is foolish; we also know that there some brilliant Nigerians at home, but the hooligans, the so called politicians will push them over the cliff if they attempt to come nearer.The bad news for Nigeria is that the country is not in hurry for development, and the hooligans are not in a hurry to quit. An average Nigerian politician does not understand problem solving skill strategies; ask them to write policy statement, the seat on which they sit will shake until both the seat and the seated fall on the ground. An Average Nigerian politician does not know critical thinking map process and they don’t want to be bothered with task analysis and strategic management. They only language they are good at is how much money do I get at the whole deal process? All of them are contractors. Some of them are well read, but their education has stopped to be functional. Their big business is not growing grey hair for good governance and the art of law making but women, pepper soup, nkwobi, travelling and dexterity for corruption. The governors use state money to spruce the lives of women other than their wives and it is permissible because it is Nigeria. The legislators quarrel sometimes not because of disagreements on bills for the people, but the sharing of Ghana-must-go.Ever wonder why the country is in stagnation; two steps forward, four steps backwards. President Barack Obama is pushing his health care programs, so that common man will be insured as it is practiced in some of the westernized countries. It has been a big war between the Democrats and Republicans, a robust debate, which will produce superior health care overhaul, and if he succeeds, he will write his name on stone as the only president who has succeeded where others failed. What is Umaru doing in Aso Rock and what has he achieved since he stole the election with Olusegun via the enabler, Maurice Iwu?When the problem is enormous, one has to start somewhere, but the most important thing is to set goals of what to be achieved. Do our leaders know what goal setting is? Every Engineering Manager knows project evaluation and review technique (PERT); strength, weakness, opportunity and threat (SWOT); specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timeline (SMART). These are management instruments that managers use to produce results in competitive environments involving different kinds of projects and marketing endeavors. If there is a problem, define it, give it a name, and draw out the task analysis, what are the strategies to solve the problems? Brainstorm about it to produce arrays of solutions, set the goals you want, to measure the efficacies of the solution strategies. Did it work; is it achievable, what are the obstacles on the way? If not revisit the solution sets with the goals in mind. Engage experts and not anybody picked from the streets or the ones recommended by the Emirs, Obas or any local chief somewhere who does not know the difference between a control key and the delete key of a computer’s key board. Tell me why things don’t work in Nigeria? Nigerians hold strategic positions in USA as experts and in some other industrialized nations of the world. Can we invite these people to develop our country? Whither Boko Haram!I am always amused when I read both the federal government and some state governments inaugurating the vision 20-20. Are all these people bitten by mosquitoes that they have incurable malaria? Nigerians are not happy unless they find avenues for siphoning money or splashing money to their political patronage. The university students have been at home now for more than three months, the lecturers beaten to kiss the dust, yet these people are not ashamed to talk about being among the first 20 developed economics of the world. Both the federal and the state governments cannot even fix the roads lying at their noses, cannot provide the people with portable drinking water, cannot provide workable hospitals, cannot provide one-quarter a day’s electricity, cannot feed the hungry, cannot provide housing for her citizen and cannot provide employment to millions of the hapless ones and they are busy wasting peoples’ wealth. They cannot even plan and execute simple project for the people.It is not bad to have an ambition, but it is mere fool-hardy when you are throwing up challenges you cannot tackle since you are floored by simple things due to corruption, nepotism, lack of political will, procrastination, deceit and selfishness. If Nigeria should know the electricity capacity of South Africa, Umaru should bury his head in shame for celebrating 6, 000 megawatts by December this year. Tell him that South Africa with a small population is at present producing 45,000 megawatts and electricity there is 24/7 and the electricity company there is publicly run. If Nigeria is serious for develop, the politicians who are not all that smart should for the sake of the country, step aside for the smart ones to lead the country and the world will see the economic, political and social revolutions never seen before in the country.My last commentary on this news site was the probing questions I asked why a country like Nigeria refused to develop. In one of my solutions, I proposed an important stakeholders state of the nation summit, where we will assemble the friends of Nigeria to discuss why we are still operating from the era of 15th century. Among the notable patriots I mentioned was our own indomitable Gani and three days later, he died. Folks, Nigeria is dead, because who will whip our erring power grabbers into line? Gani’s tribute will be another time. Just last week, the broken system of the country hit me home. I received a telephone call that my brother Sylvester Iwuanyanwu was sick. I sent money for him to be rushed to the hospital. It turned out that in all the hospitals he was taken to, none was able to diagnose what he was suffering from. One hospital recommended the services of a native doctor, and this is what Nigerian hospitals and the doctors have turned into; no facilities and no capable hands. My family was frustrated that they took my brother to a church place for prayers and after fruitless search for cure, my brother died. He died because my family has no money to fly him to South Africa or Ghana for proper medical attention. Nigeria, a failed state and no thanks to the power grabbers.Frustration in the land: Few Nigerians have been making indirect speeches aimed at sensitizing the military to sack the government of Umaru. Of course in a democratic setting, there should be the freedom of speech, but the subtext of all these is the pent-up anger reigning in the land. No person in his or her right thinking cap will advocate the return of the military in this stage of world development. Successive military incursions into Nigerian politics have proved a disaster time and time again, but what will the people do when their votes do not count. How will our votes count so that people like Umaru and the countless state governors are voted out of Aso Rock and the state houses respectively? Don’t forget the federal and state legislatures. Throughout the civilized nations including Ghana, regime change is feasible through the ballot boxes, but Maurice Iwu and his cohorts always deny us this important franchise. Military coup is now unpopular, but 90% of Nigeria will pour onto the streets to jubilate if these crass and crop politicians we have now are sacked for good and jailed. Can they save us from the dark days of the military boys, because the sufferings are becoming unbearable?Chukwuma Iwuanyanwu, Executive Director of Harcourt Foundation, writes from Los Angeles.
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Kanye spoils country star's big moment by grabbing the mic to tell crowd 'Beyonce had one of the best videos of all time!'Kanye West has apologised for interrupting Taylor Swift's acceptance speech for best female video at the MTV VMA awards in New York last night. The rapper rushed the stage while the 19-year-old country singer accepted an award for her song You Belong With Me, telling the audience that Beyonce should have won for her video Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It). "Taylor, I'm really happy for you, and I'm gonna let you finish, but Beyonce had one of the best videos of all time," said West, as an embarrassed Beyonce looked on from the audience."I was standing on the stage and I was really excited because I had just won the award," Swift said after the awards. "And then I was really excited because Kanye West was on the stage. And then I wasn't so excited anymore after that."West offered an apology on his blog, but still wrote "Beyonce's video was the best of this decade!!! I'm Still Happy for Taylor!!!!" It seems he isn't the only one carrying this sentiment, as Beyonce actually did win the video of the year for Single Ladies, and promptly invited Swift to join her on stage during her acceptance speech. Swift said afterwards "I thought I couldn't love Beyonce more and then tonight happened."It's not the first time West has rushed the stage at an awards ceremony to protest over an award's recipient. During the MTV Europe Music awards in 2006, the rapper lost it after Justice v Simian's We Are Your Friends scooped best video instead of his own Touch the Sky. Just as he did last night, West grabbed the mic and said: "Oh hell no, you guys already won. This video cost a million dollars and Pamela Anderson was in it."But the rapper seems to have gone too far for MTV this time. While Beyonce and Taylor Swift put on a show of solidarity, West was booed off the stage and subsequently asked to leave the show. Numerous attendees tweeted their disapproval during the awards: Katy Perry tweeted "F*** Kanye, it's like you stepped on a kitten" while Pink wrote "Kanye West is the biggest piece of shit on earth. Quote Me."Read more…
Michael Egwu, the first child of his parents, left Makurdi, Benue State for Lagos in 2000 to seek better opportunities for himself, including education. Nine years later, his search for a better future was cut short by a police officer's bullet on August 19, 2009 at a road checkpoint.Eyewitness accountMike's guardian, who crave anonymity, told NEXT that her driver, Chidi and Mike, were on their way back home from her shop when the incident occurred. Chidi was driving her vehicle, a red Toyota Sienna. A recharge card seller who identified himself as Steve, said he was down the road from the checkpoint at the time of the shooting. Steve said that the vehicle was stopped by police at the checkpoint on 52 Road in Festac Town and from what he could tell, the police officers got into what sounded like an argument with the occupants of the vehicle. Steve said he could not make out what the argument was about. According to him, the Toyota Sienna moved forward about 50 metres towards where he was, and then he heard two gunshots. Steve said the vehicle stopped close to where he was and Mike stepped out. Just then, two of the police officers rode up on an Okada (commercial motorcycle) they had waved down to see what was happening."When they (police officers) got here, I heard the driver shouting at them, ‘you wan shoot me too, shoot," said Steve. "After seeing what happened, they asked the Okada man to turn back, and they went away, all of them. They didn't arrest the driver or anything."By then, according to Steve, Mike had struggled across the road and tried to speak. No sound emerged and he slumped in the middle of the road.Steve said that Chidi then sped off, leaving Mike in the middle of the road. Mike's guardian said Chidi came home to tell her that Mike had been shot.She said that by the time she and Chidi arrived at the scene, a crowd was arranging to take Mike to the hospital. He was taken to Ituah Hospital, 512 road, J Close, Festac town, on a Keke Marwa (commercial tricycle), where the doctors contemplated whether to attend to him because of the gunshot wound. The doctors later referred Mike's case to Ikeja General Hospital, but it was too late.Field of dreamsBorn in October 1976 to Godwin and Owo-Oche Egwu, Mike, as he was popularly called by his family and friends, had always played big brother to his seven siblings. After he finished from Army Command School, Bauchi, he convinced his father to let him move to Lagos."He wanted to raise the family up," said Christopher, his youngest sibling who has just finished secondary school. "He wanted us to further our education, so he wanted to make money to send (to) us, especially me. He loved me so much."Michael's father, in a telephone conversation, described his son as likable. He remembered going to the farm with Mike after he retired as a master warrant officer from the Nigerian Army. He said the last time he saw Mike was in December when he came home for Christmas.According to Mr. Egwu, his son was also his friend, especially after losing his wife, Mike's mother, in 2003."He's my tomorrow's future," Mr. Egwu said, sobbing. "I still don't know where I am now. I don't know how I am now. I am the only son of my father, now I have lost Mike. I trained him. Mike doesn't disobey me. He loved farming and assist me on the farm."Hustle and flowWhen Mike arrived in Lagos, life was not easy. For eight years, he washed clothes and cars, mowed lawns, and was a casual worker with Amuwo-Odofin Local Government in its street beautification programme. Earlier this year, he got admitted to study political science as a part-time student at the Lagos State University."It was the high point for him," said Nixon Anyanwu, who had known Mr. Egwu for four years. "He was aspiring for councillorship in Otukpo, his hometown in Benue State in the next election. That was the reason he wanted to study political science."Three days before his death, Mike had shared one of his dreams with Mr. Anyanwu after a party."He...had plans to go into farming," Mr. Anyanwu said. "He complained a lot about how much food costs in Lagos. He spoke about a plot of land his father gave him at his hometown, and how he could be bringing food to Lagos at a cheaper rate. He said he would discuss it with someone at Amuwo Odofin Local Government, to see if the local government could reach an agreement with him that could benefit the indigenes as well."BuddiesEven though Mike supported a different club side - Chelsea FC - he was on good terms with Ofonime Umoh, an Arsenal fan."Sometimes, we would argue into the night talking about football," said Mr. Umoh who knew the dead student for four years. "He once joked about joining Arsenal one day (that) Chelsea didn't do well. Everyone knew he was joking. He used to be one of the organisers of MAGNUG (an annual end-of-year party for youth in Festac town). Five days to his death, he called some of us to highlight some things he wanted to handle."Mr. Umoh, who also came to the shooting scene after receiving a phone call and found his friend sprawled on 52 road, said they were close."I thought it was a brush, but when I saw the amount of blood on the car seat, I knew it wasn't something small," he said.Killer copThe Festac police officer who shot Michael Egwu is believed to be in the custody of the Homicide Department of the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti Yaba, Lagos. A senior officer of the homicide department who spoke on condition of anonymity said: "I know about this case that a police officer in Festac shot the student. We have since arrested the officer and he is in our custody. It was one officer that shot the guy, not officers, as is been alleged. I am sorry; I cannot tell you the name of the officer."Parting wordsMr. Umoh said he was angry at the circumstances surrounding Mike's death."Mike would rather want to please you and displease himself," he said. "I still remember blood coming out of the bullet hole each time he tried to breathe.""He was a sweet boy," said his guardian. "So respectable and likable; there is no one that came across him that didn't get anything good."
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Posted by 9jabook.com on September 13, 2009 at 12:55am
When new ads highlighting the PS3 Slim price cut hit the the airwaves, gamers frustrated with Sony’s past attempts to market the PS3 let out a collective sigh of relief at the realization Sony had finally made an effective, funny, and not at all vague commercial. The entire nation of Nigeria, however, was not amused.
Those who have seen the commercial might remember the always funny fictional Director of Rumor Confirmation, Kevin Butler, saying this line in response to a price cut rumor:
“You can’t believe everything you read on the internet. Otherwise, I’d be a Nigerian millionaire by now.”
Apparently, that was a little too close to home as Nigeria’s Minister of Information and Communication, Prof. Dora Akunyili, released a statement not only declaring the line, “[an] unwarranted attack on the reputation and image of the country”, but also demanding “an unconditional apology from Sony Corporation for this deliberate negative campaign against the country’s image and reputation”.
In response to the complaints raised by the Nigerian government, Sony quickly pulled the ad and released this public apology:
“It has come to our attention that a recent TV advertisement for PlayStation may have offended some members of the Nigerian community. We never intended to create a situation that would upset anyone, and we have taken action to immediately remove the advertisement from the air. We apologize to anyone this may have offended.”
Considering how quick Nigeria was to express their discontent and publicly accuse Sony, they are obviously aware of the issues involving scams and other fraudulent practices that stem from their country. We can understand where Nigeria is coming from on this one, as it only makes matters for them worse. But honestly, if they cared so much about the “reputation and image” of their country, maybe they should stop pretending the problem doesn’t exist and start with trying to not make us millionaires twenty-five times a day.
Below is the new politically correct ad that has taken the original’s place. Not much has changed, but we’ll deposit US$ 522,000,000.00 {Five hundred and Twenty Two million US Dollars only} into your corporate or personal Bank Account if you can spot the difference!
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