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Four officials of the National Union of Journalists kidnapped near Aba in South East Nigeria last week were freed earlier today. Details of how the journalists regained their freedom are still sketchy. The four men were abducted on their way from a meeting of the executive council of the NUJ in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state last week Sunday.
Four Kidnapped Journalists Freed; Return Home To Lagos (http://www.saharareporters.com/news/6572-four-kidnapped-journalists-freed.html)
Dear President Goodluck Jonathan: The unfortunate kidnap of four journalists and their driver in Abia State last Sunday has, once again, exposed the high level of insecurity in the country. At a meeting held a few days ago by Mr. Ogbonnaya Onovo, the Inspector-General of Police with selected traditional rulers of the South East zone he accused unidentified police personnel of complicity in the rising wave of kidnapping in the region.
Connivance Of Police Authorities In The Rising Wave Of Kidnapping In Nigeria (http://www.saharareporters.com/letters/your-letters/6577-connivance-of-police-authorities-in-the-rising-wave-of-kidnapping-in-nigeria.html)
According to the 2010 Failed States Index Report recently released by the Fund for Peace, Nigeria is sinking, and therefore needs salvation. Nigeria was ranked by the group to be among 20 States that are most vulnerable to state failures. Sadly, Nigeria was placed in the same category with the troubled or war-ravaged countries like Chad, Sudan, Zimbabwe, Iraq, North Korea, Kenya, Niger, etc.
Kidnappings: Nigeria Is A Failed State-Says Intersociety (http://www.saharareporters.com/letters/press-releases/6582-kidnappings-nigeria-is-a-failed-state-says-intersociety-.html)
The four journalists released by kidnappers in Aba yesterday are now the subject of deep controversy following their disclosure that their abductors robbed them of N3 million ($25,000). In their testimonies to their colleagues shortly after they arrived in Lagos yesterday, the group, led by Wahab Oba, the head of the Nigeria Union of Journalists in Lagos state and a staff of the federal ministry of information and communication, Adolphus Okonkwo of the Voice of Nigeria, Sylvester Okere of the Champion Newspapers, and Sola Oyeyipo, another Lagos-based freelance journalist, said the kidnappers took away the money from them as soon as they were carjacked and driven into the bush.
Kidnappings: Freed Journalists Dogged By Bribery And Money-Laundering Allegations (http://www.saharareporters.com/real-news/sr-headlines/6585-kidnappings-freed-journalists-dogged-by-bribery-and-money-laundering-allegations.html)
A comprehensive expose on how elections are rigged in the country has been unveiled by one of the insiders in the political process and former Cross River State Governor, Mr. Donald Duke. Last Wednesday at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Duke gave a blow by blow account to a gathering of pro-democracy advocates, including the Save Nigeria Group (SNG), of the modus operandi of State Chief Executives and Resident Electoral Commissioners to thwart the mandate of the electorate, not just in states controlled by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), but all the others.
A MUST READ: How Governors Rig Elections, By Donald Duke-Guardian (http://www.saharareporters.com/reports/exclusive/6588-a-must-read-how-governors-rig-elections-by-donald-duke-guardian.html)
Last Tuesday was the 76th birthday of Wole Soyinka, extraordinary dramatist, poet, professor of literature, renaissance man, and one of the world’s greatest humanists. I had intended to mark the occasion with a column celebrating Soyinka’s record of unstinting commitment to a Nigeria founded on justice and humane values. Sadly, I was unable to write last week. Still, given my debt to the man, I thought it would be meet to say a few words, even if belatedly, both about an aspect of his meaning as well as the cruel paradox that Nigeria, in its current state, poses to Soyinka’s longstanding work.
An Apology To Wole Soyinka (http://www.saharareporters.com/okey-ndibe/6589-an-apology-to-wole-soyinka.html)
Donald Duke - a former state governor in Nigeria used to intrigue me. Intrigue in the context that I know so little of him not having visited Cross Rivers, or in fact anywhere in the East beyond Benin City, yet he comes across as a pretty privileged model, compared to the rest of his crew - political gangsters that run - or used to run the show in Nigeria.
Nigeria: Donald Duke. An Eureka moment? (S)elections And Smoking Guns... (http://www.saharareporters.com/blogcity/blogtown/gbloggers/6595-nigeria-donald-duke-an-eureka-moment-selections-and-smoking-guns.html)
Michael Kaase Aondoakaa, the former Attorney-General of Nigeria and Minister of Justice who was recently prohibited from holding public office in Nigeria and banned from entering the United States, may soon lose his prized professional title as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).
Michael Aondoakaa "Unfit" To Remain SAN, Says CDHR In High-Powered Petition (http://www.saharareporters.com/real-news/sr-headlines/6596--michael-aondoakaa-unfit-to-remain-san-says-cdhr-in-high-powered-petition.html)
It is surprising, one may say, how a chain of innocent and apparently well-intentioned acts and rules, may amount to a consummate oppression of a section of the populace. Usually this happens in such a subtle, gradual and nearly imperceptible manner that neither the oppressed nor the oppressors seem to harbour any resentment against or even consciousness of it. This appears to be the case of the poor in the Nigerian society in their treatment by the law of the land. How valid this assertion is, will be determined by a few illustrations below.
Is Nigerian Law Oppressive To The Poor? (http://www.saharareporters.com/articles/external-contrib/6598--is-nigerian-law-oppressive-to-the-poor.html)
Bolade my cerebral lawyer friend; pulled a call through to me the other day. He wanted to talk about the just concluded FIFA mundial. For obvious reasons you could also tell he was not in the mood to discuss about the dismal performance of the Super Eagles. I really had not been looking forward to squabble on why the giant of Africa had wobbled and fumbled until it was shown the way out of the tournament.
Let Nigeria Run On BOT (http://www.saharareporters.com/articles/external-contrib/6601-let-nigeria-run-on-bot.html)
China's state companies advance billion-dollar oil and banking deals while India's plans are now on hold. The Lagos State government, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation and the China State Construction Engineering Corporation signed an US$8 billion deal this month for a 300,000 barrel-per-day oil refinery and a liquefied petroleum gas refinery that will produce 500,000 tonnes a year in the Lekki Free Trade Zone.
In Nigeria: Beijing Gazumps New Delhi-AfroAsia Confidential (http://www.saharareporters.com/reports/exclusive/6604-in-nigeria-beijing-gazumps-new-delhi-afro-asia-confidential-.html)
The U.S economy lost another 125,000 non-farm jobs in June. Unemployment figures are slightly below 10%. This translates to between 26 million to 30 million able-bodied Americans that are seriously looking for work.
How Africa Can Help To Solve US Unemployment Problems (http://www.saharareporters.com/articles/external-contrib/6605-how-africa-can-help-to-solve-us-unemployment-problems.html)
The Lagos State chapter of the Action Congress has described the insistence of INEC to conduct the up coming 2011 election with the old, discredited INEC voters register is suspicious and a pointer that the new INEC wants to bungle another historical opportunity to break through the vicious circle of electoral fraud. It says that by that statement, Nigerians should watch the new INEC to ensure it doesn’t treat Nigerians to yet another jamboree in 2011.
Lagos AC Insists On New Voter's Register for 2011 (http://www.saharareporters.com/shop/6614-lagos-ac-insists-on-new-voters-register-for-2011.html)
It has recently been reported that new INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, is seeking N55.6 billion to compile a “substantially more credible” voters’ register for the 2011 general elections. The new kid on the block has come under blistering attack for daring to mention the amount needed for the project. The attacks are grounded in the simple belief that the money needed is too much. I am not sure what Prof. Attahiru Jega means with “substantially more credible” voters register and he will have to explain that to Nigerians. Despite this observation, the federal government must immediately make the needed money available to him.
A Good Soup Does Not Come Cheap: Give Prof. Jega the N55.6 Billion For New Voters Register (http://www.saharareporters.com/articles/external-contrib/6617-a-good-soup-does-not-come-cheap-give-prof-jega-the-n556-billion-for-new-voters-register.html)
(http://www.saharareporters.com/images/stories/bannigerianleaders.jpg)
Request for United Kingdom Travel Ban on Corrupt Nigerian Political Leaders (http://www.saharareporters.com/reports/petitions/6619-request-for-united-kingdom-travel-ban-on-corrupt-nigerian-political-leaders.html)
The hullabaloo about abolishing zoning is completely misconceived. The call to abolish zoning seriously underestimates and ignores the complex political character of Nigeria. Nigeria is not a Federation by accident. It is a Federation because it is composed of diverse peoples from different ethnic, religious and linguistic backgrounds. Nigeria is a divided society. Federalism is the only known political system that accommodates divisions and diversity.
Clearing Up Misconceptions About Constitutional Zoning And Power Rotation-Olisa Agbakoba (http://www.saharareporters.com/articles/external-contrib/6620-clearing-up-misconceptions-about-constitutional-zoning-and-power-rotation-olisa-agbakoba.html)
It sounds cynical, but we must thank God that our journalist colleagues were kidnapped over a week ago. For once, the issue of the near-complete breakdown of life in several parts of Nigeria has concentrated minds about the problem of kidnap-for-ransom, in contemporary Nigeria. If minds have been concentrated, we have also seen how shallow the minds of our rulers are. Nigeria is in trouble, and this is not alarmist.
The Ruling Class Kidnapped Nigeria, Criminals Kidnap Citizens (http://www.saharareporters.com/articles/external-contrib/6622-the-ruling-class-kidnapped-nigeria-criminals-kidnap-citizens.html)
Emeka Ugwonye, the Washington DD -based lawyer who made a habit of using libel lawsuits to suppress public debate about the controversial sale of properties belonging to the Nigerian embassy in Washington DC and Maryland, has lost a second lawsuit at the Maryland Circuit Court for Montgomery.
Mr. Ugwuonye had sued Professor Mobolaji Aluko at the US District court regarding a comment the professor made in a popular chatroom,"Naijapolitics", following the publication by Saharareporters of a detailed report about the controversial sale of the embassy's properties.
Nigeria Lawyer, Emeka Ugwonye, Loses Libel Lawsuit Aimed At Suppressing Activists (http://www.saharareporters.com/real-news/sr-headlines/6626-nigeria-lawyer-emeka-ugwonye-loses-libel-lawsuit-aimed-at-suppressing-activists.html)
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) yesterday said they are investigating the allegations of fraudulent practices the Executive Director, Finance and Information Technology, Mr. Clement Aviomoh, African Petroleum Plc (AP) made against the Chairman of the company, Mr. Femi Otedola.
AP: SEC, NSE Investigate Fraud Allegations Against Femi Otedola (http://www.saharareporters.com/news/6627-ap-sec-nse-investigate-fraud-allegations-against-femi-otedola.html)
Irrespective of the political debate on maintaining zoning arrangement in PDP, there is one feeling spreading around the South East and some part of South South political zones. That feeling is the anti-Igbo conduct of President Goodluck Jonathan.
It is often said that "name says it all", but in this case, I am not too sure if that is right. I am referring to the middle names of the president, Azikiwe Ngozi. These names are Igbo, but I do not want to bother myself on how he came about these names.
Is Goodluck Jonathan Anti Igbo? By Jideofor (http://www.saharareporters.com/article/goodluck-jonathan-anti-igbo-jideofor)
I do not mind the ijakadi festival orchestrated inside a bus recently by two corrupt members of the PDP, Governor Gbenga Daniel of Ogun state and Ogbeni Dimeji Bankole of the Federal House of Representathieves; I do not mind the fact that the opportunistic Gbenga Daniel apparently sought to milk political capital by going to commission a bridge that Ogbeni Bankole had rescued from abandonment; (http://www.saharareporters.com/sites/default/files/page_images/articles/2010/payopics_255.jpg?1280552596) I do not mind what increasingly appears to be a set-up carefully orchestrated by those who knew that the latent Molue conductor in Dimeji Bankole would be unleashed once they sufficiently provoked him; I mind what happens to the grass beneath their feet whenever the accursed members of Nigeria's political rulership treat us to their routine and primordial spectacle of mediocrity. The grass beneath their feet? That would be you and I: we, the people! And you know what happens in that Yoruba proverb to the grass beneath the feet of two feuding elephants.
The Grass Beneath Their Feet By Pius Adesanmi (http://www.saharareporters.com/article/grass-beneath-their-feet-pius-adesanmi)
These are indeed sad and conflicting times for Nigeria as she approaches her fiftieth year of dependency...oops I meant independence. Though, I do not know what we are independent of? We depend on either German or Chinese built roads, the rail, space satellites, and refineries are given to the Chinese to build. For many of our utilities we go to America and Europe for the expensive and trust China, Taiwan, and Dubai for the cheap.
Nigeria's Blind Flight To An Uncertain Destination By Prince Charles Dickson (http://www.saharareporters.com/article/nigerias-blind-flight-uncertain-destination-prince-charles-dickson)
The National Assembly in Abuja is where statesmen gather to make laws for the good governance of Nigeria. True or false? Well, it depends on what you are looking.
By Sam Amadi
The Problem With The National Assembly (http://www.saharareporters.com/article/problem-national-assembly)
Charles Sogbesan: All Baby Kisser's (Politicians) will do anything to remain consonant or get elected; they're all the same in that regard. That by itself is universal. A narrative that includes benchmarking ourselves against developing countries will no doubt make our predicament in Ogun State (or Nigeria) more glaring.
Gbenga Daniel And Dimeji Bankole, The Brawl Over A "Bridge To Nowhere", Our Ogun State Ancestors Must Be Turning In Their Graves- Part 1 (http://www.saharareporters.com/article/gbenga-daniel-and-dimeji-bankole-brawl-over-%E2%80%9Cbridge-nowhere%E2%80%9D-our-ogun-state-ancestors-must-b)
By Jude Egbas A friend of mine posted something on my facebook wall that read somewhat like this: “ Your ex-governor is not ashamed to tell Nigerians that he had been rigging elections through this machinery for the past two tenures (sic) he was the Governor General of Cross River State.
Donald Duke's Can Of Worms And Separating The Message From The Messenger (http://www.saharareporters.com/article/donald-duke%E2%80%99s-can-worms-and-separating-message-messenger)
(http://www.saharareporters.com/sites/default/files/page_images/news/2010/nigeria-embassy-dc.jpg?1280719202) SaharaReporters, New York Emeka Ugwuonye, the Nigerian born, Maryland based lawyer at the centre of a roiling controversy involving the questionable sale of properties owned by the Nigerian Embassy in the Washington DC area, has forfeited the companies used in the transaction to the state of Maryland for failure to pay property taxes.
Embassy Property Scandal: State Of Maryland Forfeits Ugwuonye's Companies (http://www.saharareporters.com/news-page/embassy-property-scandal-state-maryland-forfeits-ugwuonyes-companies)
Emmanuel Onwubiko Convinced that the recent amendments made to the extant constitution of the federal Republic of Nigeria by the National and state legislatures were not far-reaching and altruistic, a pro-democracy, development -focused and pro-transparency group Human Rights Writers’ Association of Nigeria, (HURIWA) has dismissed the exercise as “self-serving,” “unpatriotic” and ‘retrogressive’.
HURIWA Faults Constitutional Amendments (http://www.saharareporters.com/press-release/huriwa-faults-constitutional-amendments)
Ifeanyi Izeze When the Minister of Finance, Remi Babalola recently disclosed that "The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) was insolvent (bankrupt) as current liabilities exceeded current assets by 754 billion naira (5 billion dollars) as at December 31, 2008," he was very correct.
NNPC's Insolvency: A Memorandum of Misunderstanding By Ifeanyi Izeze (http://www.saharareporters.com/article/nnpc%E2%80%99s-insolvency-memorandum-misunderstanding-ifeanyi-izeze)
Written By Olaitan Ladipo You have to admire the Fulani. Their effective dominance of Nigeria’s political power and control of resources, since independence, is almost comparable (even if it is on a smaller scale) to Britain’s governance of the world in the 18th to early 20th century.
The Trouble With The Hausa – Feudalism Gone Crazy (http://www.saharareporters.com/article/trouble-hausa-%E2%80%93-feudalism-gone-crazy)
(http://www.saharareporters.com/sites/default/files/page_images/articles/2010/ogd_london.jpg?1280773473) By Nigeria2day Online Nigeria's anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is investigating the source of the
(http://www.saharareporters.com/sites/default/files/page_images/reports/2010/Sebastian_Joseph.jpg?1280774414) Reported By Patrick Naagbanton The Centre for Environment, Human Rights and Development (CEHRD) is seriously worried about the safety of its officials given their continued brutalization which is fast assuming a pattern.
Police Brutality Alert!-Alarm Over Torture of Activists from CEHRD by The Nigerian Police (http://www.saharareporters.com/report/police-brutality-alert-alarm-over-torture-activists-cehrd-nigerian-police)
By Bamidele Aturu In Abuja last week with unbelievable and provocative fanfare the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Federal Government and the Bank of Industry publicised what will go down in the annals of this country as one of the most barefaced organised crime against the poor masses of Nigeria, namely the award, essentially gratis, of the sum of 500 billion allegedly to manufacturers and the power sector.
500 Billion Naira CBN Largesse: Crime Against The Masses (http://www.saharareporters.com/article/500-billion-naira-cbn-largesse-crime-against-masses)
(http://www.saharareporters.com/sites/default/files/page_images/press_releases/2010/avomoh.jpg?1280809812) Aviomoh M.S Clement, MBA, FCA Good Morning Ladies and Gentlemen of the Press: I have facts and data that show without any doubt that Mr Femi Otedola has been Milking African Petroleum for his private gains for the past two years.
How Femi Otedola Milked African Petroleum (AP)-Clement Aviomoh (http://www.saharareporters.com/press-release/how-femi-otedola-milked-african-petroleum-ap-clement-aviomoh)
By Emmanuel Onwubiko In 2005 when I did the second and concluding segment of my book titled “Politics and Litigation in contemporary Nigeria”, I dedicated three chapters in the 516 page work to analyze the negotiations that took place between Nigeria and her South Eastern Neighbor – Cameroon on the contentious issue of who owns Bakassi Peninsula even though it was controversially resolved by the International court of Justice [ICJ] in favor of Cameroon.
Who Wants Obudu Mountain Ceded? (http://www.saharareporters.com/article/who-wants-obudu-mountain-ceded)
(http://www.saharareporters.com/sites/default/files/page_images/news/2010/Erastus_Akingbola.jpg?1280930077) SaharaReporters, New York The brazen return to Nigeria by its most wanted economic criminal, Erastus Akingbola, former MD/CEO Intercontinental Bank has exposed the ring of racketeers in Goodluck Jonathan’s government. It is now being described as a RICO government, meaning a Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations government.
RICO Government: How NSA, Attorney General and Jonathan's Chief Of Staff Rake In Billions From Economic Criminals (http://www.saharareporters.com/news-page/rico-government-how-nsa-attorney-general-and-jonathans-chief-staff-rake-billions-economic-)
(http://www.saharareporters.com/sites/default/files/page_images/articles/2010/0209-goodluck-jonathan-nigeria-president_full_600.jpg?1280930625) Written by Kayode Ogundamisi Recently I heard someone say that history will record Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo as one of the greatest Nigerians ever. Whao! I felt my bowels do a somersault as my heart raced down to the pit of my stomach.
Goodluck to Jonathan But Not On Obasanjo's Recommendation (http://www.saharareporters.com/article/goodluck-jonathan-not-obasanjo%E2%80%99s-recommendation)
(http://www.saharareporters.com/sites/default/files/page_images/news/2010/akingbola.jpg?1280938846) Saharareporters, New York Returning fugitive and rogue banker, Erastus Akingbola, the former MD/CEO of Intercontinental Bank surrendered to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) officials in Abuja today after his 'safe" return to Nigeria yesterday.
Akingbola Arrested By EFCC (http://www.saharareporters.com/news-page/akingbola-arrested-efcc)
(http://www.saharareporters.com/sites/default/files/page_images/articles/2010/Jonah_abetiaja.jpg?1280976015) Written By Kennedy Emetulu In the early hours of Thursday, 05 August 2010, I was browsing through Facebook when I chanced upon a comment by the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, His Excellency, Dr Goodluck Jonathan. As part of his effort to engage with ordinary Nigerians on the net, he was responding to a question by a Nigerian, Imade Ayanru. Please find below the President’s comment and my own response to that comment on the same Facebook page:
President Jonathan And The Textile Industry In Nigeria (http://www.saharareporters.com/article/president-jonathan-and-textile-industry-nigeria)
By Kayode Oladele The controversy whether or not the amended constitution by the National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria requires presidential assent is an academic exercise. This is because presidential assent to constitutional amendment is superfluous, unnecessary and not required by the provisions of Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution.
Constitutional Amendment Requires No Presidential Assent (http://www.saharareporters.com/article/constitutional-amendment-requires-no-presidential-assent)
(http://www.saharareporters.com/sites/default/files/page_images/articles/2010/bayelsa_3.jpg?1281027179) By Ojo Ukanna Those who thought the exit of Hajia Turai Umar Yar’Adua automatically freed Nigeria from the manipulative claws of a power lusting Presidential spouse, need to worry about the perfidious script currently playing out in Abia State under the direction of Dame Patience Goodluck Jonathan.
Jonathan's Wife Begins Her Power-Grab Career From Abia (http://www.saharareporters.com/article/jonathan%E2%80%99s-wife-begins-her-power-grab-career-abia)
By Ikechukwu A. Ogu The promise by President Goodluck Jonathan to set up Special Courts for Electoral Offences is laudable, although I do not know the form the special courts will take.
How to Structure The Proposed Special Courts For Electoral Offences (http://www.saharareporters.com/article/how-structure-proposed-special-courts-electoral-offences)
Bank Forum I want to draw the attention of the CBN Governor to the activities of Banks on the issue of “contract staff” in Nigeria banks. If the Senators, Reps. Ministries of Labour, and the NLC are not responsive to the plight of Nigerian youths who are unjustly subjected to slavery in their own country because of unemployment problems in Nigeria, then the CBN should take appropriate actions about this issue. The restructuring exercise in the banking industry will not be completed if this is not checked.
Attention: CBN Governor-Nigerian Banks And Their Outsourcing 419 Strategies (http://www.saharareporters.com/letter/attention-cbn-governor-nigerian-banks-and-their-outsourcing-419-strategies)
by Bolaji Aluko "My own assertion is simple: the US case of "no presidential assent" [Hollingsworth vs. Virginia (1789)] does not apply in Nigeria because in Section 12(3) of Nigeria's 1999 constitution on Treaty approval, the original drafters of our Constitution had shown their hand, together with Sections 9, 58 and 59(4).."
THURSDAY ESSAY: Asserting the Necessity of Presidential Approval to Our Constitutional Amendments (http://www.saharareporters.com/article/thursday-essay-asserting-necessity-presidential-approval-our-constitutional-amendments)
(http://www.saharareporters.com/sites/default/files/page_images/news/2010/nigeria_police.jpg?1281109056) AFP KANO, Nigeria — Authorities shot three people dead as a mob threatened to burn down a police station in an area of northern Nigeria that has been a hotbed of political and religious violence, police said Friday.
Three Killed As Mob Storms Nigerian Police Station-(AFP) (http://www.saharareporters.com/news-page/three-killed-mob-storms-nigerian-police-station-afp)
(http://www.saharareporters.com/sites/default/files/page_images/news/2010/agusau.jpg?1281119082) SaharaReporters, New York Authorities of Kansas University in Lawrence, KS, have fired a Nigerian-born professor at the center of a controversy over funds for the training of Nigerian legislators.
Kansas University Let Go Of Nigerian Professor Involved In Controversy Over Training Funds For Nigerian Legislators (http://www.saharareporters.com/news-page/kansas-university-let-go-nigerian-professor-involved-controversy-over-training-funds-niger)
Fellow Nigerians: I address you today with a deep sense of world history and particularly of the history of our great country. In the aftermath of the recently annulled Presidential Election, I feel, as I believe you yourself feel, a profound sense of disappointment at the outcome of our last efforts at laying the foundation of a viable democratic system of government in Nigeria.
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Enemy Of Democracy: IBB's 1993 Presidential Election Result Annulment Speech (http://www.saharareporters.com/article/enemy-democracy-ibb%E2%80%99s-1993-presidential-election-result-annulment-speech)
As part of efforts to mobilize Nigerians to participate effectively in the 2011 general election, MakeYourVotesCount (MYVC), an organisation dedicated to free, fair and credible elections is set to launch a national Election Fraud Monitoring Committee.
By Chido Onumah
MakeYourVotesCount to Launch Election Fraud Monitoring Committee (http://www.saharareporters.com/press-release/makeyourvotescount-launch-election-fraud-monitoring-committee)
Saharareporters has obtained an August 2008 letter by George Obiozor, Nigeria's former ambassador to the United States, in which he appealed to Emeka Ugwuonye, the controversial Embassy lawyer, to disburse the IRS tax refund he had "seized," to the Embassy as Mr. Ugwuonye had promised.
(http://www.saharareporters.com/sites/default/files/page_images/news/2010/amb1.jpg?1281150393)
SaharaReporters, New York
Releasing Embassy's Seized Funds "The Proper And Honourable Thing," Obiozor Told Emeka Ugwuonye Two Years Ago (http://www.saharareporters.com/news-page/releasing-embassy%E2%80%99s-seized-funds-%E2%80%9C-proper-and-honourable-thing%E2%80%9D-obiozor-told-emeka-ugwuony)
Between Tuesday 13th July and Monday 19th July, 2010, a period of about one week, history was recorded as twenty (20) Nigerian artistes converged on the Ilupeju Lagos recording studio of Delta State born music producer Magege Theophilus (Ex-O) to lend their voices to the Cool2Vote Nigeria campaign with the recording of "I Go Vote"
(http://www.saharareporters.com/sites/default/files/page_images/art_life/2010/recording_cooltovote.jpg?1281210874)
By Fi'ammari Machar Zoaka
2011 Polls: 20 Nigerian Artistes Record "I Go Vote" (http://www.saharareporters.com/art-life/2011-polls-20-nigerian-artistes-record-i-go-vote)
It was August 5, 2010, at the International Conference Centre, Abuja. In a well attended World Press Conference, Malam (Dr) Ibrahim Shekarau, the Governor of Kano State officially made a declaration of aspiration to seek nomination as Presidential candidate of All Nigeria People's Party (ANPP).
By Saka Raji Audu
2011 Presidency: Now that Governor Shekarau has declared (http://www.saharareporters.com/article/2011-presidency-now-governor-shekarau-has-declared)
By Olaitan Ladipo: In 1972, five civil servants stole what, between them, amounted to about N76000 in a case that also involved bribery. It made huge headline news in all of Nigeria's media and sparked off investigations by the then equivalent of the EFCC.
Nigeria's Debt And Corruption – Slippery Slope To Perdition (http://www.saharareporters.com/article/nigeria%E2%80%99s-debt-and-corruption-%E2%80%93-slippery-slope-perdition)
Even at the best of times, election is a controversial issue in Nigeria and understandably so. Ordinarily, the process of electing men into power elicits more than passing interests even in more stable climes, it is therefore understandable why it generates frenetic motions here, where access to power is construed as life itself and lack of it the opposite of life.
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By Akin Goldsmith
Spare Ondo Of Ayoka Adebayo (http://www.saharareporters.com/article/spare-ondo-ayoka-adebayo)
A coalition of civil society has condemned as "a let down and a cover-up" the statement credited to the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Mohammed Bello Adoke SAN that the Pius Okigbo Panel report, which allegedly indicted the regime of former military president, General Ibrahim Babangida, for mismanaging the funds, remains missing.
By Adetokunbo Mumuni
$12.4bn Oil Windfall: AG's Statement A Let-Down And A Cover-up, Says Coalition (http://www.saharareporters.com/article/124bn-oil-windfall-ag%E2%80%99s-statement-let-down-and-cover-says-coalition)
Gentlemen of the press: We feel highly saddened as Nigerian students in Ekiti state as recent occurence of arm-robbery, assasinations,fraud and violence attacks has become the order of the day in our dear State, Ekiti State.
By Adeolu OYEBODE
Nigerian Police Force: An Embarrassment To The Nation's Security (http://www.saharareporters.com/press-release/nigerian-police-force-embarrassment-nations-security)
M.P. Ogele Eso, Justice Kayode Eso, Afe Babalola
Dear Sir: I commend your Lordship for the recent condemnation of corruption among tribunal judges in Nigeria. Your Lordship´s call for the investigation of those judges who have subverted democracy through corruption is long overedue.
(http://www.saharareporters.com/sites/default/files/page_images/press_releases/2010/afe.jpg?1281521646)
Afe Babalola Is Guilty Of Corrupting Tribunal Judges (http://www.saharareporters.com/press-release/re-demand-investigation-corrupt-judges-and-lawyers-afe-babalola-guilty-corrupting-trib)
I have watched some of the initiatives of President Goodluck Jonathan's administration with keen interest and scepticism.
Edwin Odunze
I See No Changes (http://www.saharareporters.com/letter/i-see-no-changes)
The minister of state for finance, Remi Babalola, who recently stated that the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) is insolvent, has been moved to special duties in a minor cabinet reshuffle announced by Goodluck Jonathan today in Abuja.
(http://www.saharareporters.com/sites/default/files/page_images/news/2010/r_babalola.jpg?1281530220)
SaharaReporters, New York
Minister Of State For Finance, Remi Babalola, Moved To Special Duties (http://www.saharareporters.com/news-page/minister-state-finance-remi-babalola-moved-special-duties)
By Arnold Obomanu Nigeria still does not have a law that demands prompt emergency treatment of gunshot and accident victims and so we still have a situation where Good Samaritans are arrested and doctors are harassed for treating patients without first obtaining police report.
Pass The Emergency Treatment Bill (http://www.saharareporters.com/press-release/pass-emergency-treatment-bill)
Senior lawyers have offered to defend a human rights organization, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) in court following a reported threat by former Military President, General Ibrahim Babangida (rtd), to sue the organization over its leadership role seeking the release of the Pius Okigbo panel's report on the $12.4 billion oil windfall, which allegedly indicted the former president.
(http://www.saharareporters.com/sites/default/files/page_images/news/2010/ibthief.jpg?1281546458)
By Adetokunbo Mumuni
Missing 12.4 billion Gulf War Windfall : Senior Lawyers Offer To Defend SERAP Over Libel Lawsuit Threat By Ex-Dictator Babangida (http://www.saharareporters.com/news-page/missing-124-billion-gulf-war-windfall-senior-lawyers-offer-defend-serap-over-libel-lawsuit)
Most people can hardly remember now, but on April 12 2010, few weeks after officially assuming the title of 'acting president', and about 3 weeks before the demise of President Yar Adua, Mr Goodluck Jonathan was in Washington DC at the invitation of the white house, and gave an address to the American Council for Foreign Relations.
(http://www.saharareporters.com/sites/default/files/page_images/articles/2010/newsna24.jpg?1281580681)
By Seun Kolade
The Case Against Goodluck Jonathan (http://www.saharareporters.com/article/case-against-goodluck-jonathan)
Erastus Akingbola, the former CEO of Intercontinental Bank arrives Lagos today accompanies by officials of the EFCC. The rogue banker and pastor of the Redeem Church of God returned to Nigeria recently after striking a multi-million dollar deal with officials of the Goodluck Jonathan regime namely the AGF, Bello Adoke, Jonathan's chief of staff, Mike Oghadiome and the National Security Adviser, Aliyu Gasau.
(http://www.saharareporters.com/sites/default/files/page_images/galleries/2010/akingbola_arrives.jpg?1281624516)
Erastus Akingbola: The Rogue Banker Returns To Lagos (http://www.saharareporters.com/gallery/erastus-akingbola-rogue-banker-returns-lagos)
By Patrick B. Naagbanton The heat is still on; not the choking thermal heat oozing from the gas flaring sites of the oil/gas companies seated in the frangible village communities of the Niger Delta region of Nigeria, where bulk of Nigeria’s oil production takes place.
From The Niger Delta To The Gulf of Mexico (http://www.saharareporters.com/article/niger-delta-gulf-mexico)
Former Nigerian dictator Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida is adopting more desperate measures in the face of signs that his campaign for the Nigerian presidency has no steam.
(http://www.saharareporters.com/sites/default/files/page_images/news/2010/voteoutibb.jpg?1281640725)http://www.youtube.com/v/spa26lGvBOA?fs=1&hl=en_US
SaharaReporters, New York
Babangida Takes Desperate Measures In Face of Collapsing Campaign (http://www.saharareporters.com/news-page/babangida-takes-desperate-measures-face-collapsing-campaign)
President ,Goodluck Jonathan (middle) ,Vice President, Namadi Sambo (left) and National Chairman Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Okwesilieze Nwodo during the National Executive Committee Meeting of the party in Abuja on Thursday .
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PDP YesMen Committee: Everybody Say "Yea" To Jonathan (http://www.saharareporters.com/gallery/pdp-yesmen-committee-everybody-say-yea-jonathan)
The Centre on Housing Rights and Evictions (COHRE), an international human rights organisation based in Geneva, Switzerland, today wrote to President Goodluck Jonathan to express grave concern about reports of an impending forced eviction of 350,000 people in Port Harcourt by the Rivers State government.
Eliane Drakopoulos
Nigeria: Hundreds Of Thousands Face Forced Eviction In Port Harcourt, In Violation Of Human Right Standards (http://www.saharareporters.com/press-release/nigeria-hundreds-thousands-face-forced-eviction-port-harcourt-violation-human-right-st)
Dr. Olusegun Owotomo The 5th season of the Big Brother Africa (BBA) Reality TV show came on live on July 18, with millions of viewers all across the globe. While some are really having fun watching, others are of the opinion that this season’s edition is not as interesting as the previous ones.
BBA All Stars: Why The Smoke? (http://www.saharareporters.com/article/bba-all-stars-why-smoke)
(http://www.saharareporters.com/sites/default/files/page_images/news/2010/internetnigeria.jpg?1281723340)
Michael Malakata, Computerworld Zambia, Nigeria Claims Top Internet Spot In Africa
Nigeria, recording more than 43 million Internet users, has surpassed Egypt, Morocco, South Africa and Kenya as the largest Internet market in Africa.
Nigeria Claims Top Internet Spot In Africa (http://www.saharareporters.com/news-page/nigeria-claims-top-internet-spot-africa)
The Maryland State Courts has denied (without sanctions) the motion by embattled Nigerian lawyer Emeka Ugwuonye to reconsider or alter/amend the judge's July 23 judgment of summary dismissal of his case against Bolaji Aluko. Professor Aluko's opposition to the motion is reproduced below.
Saharareporters,New York
Again, Maryland Court Denies Ugwuonye's Motion To Reconsider Ruling Throwing Out Libel Suit Against Aluko (http://www.saharareporters.com/news-page/again-maryland-court-denies-ugwuonye%E2%80%99s-motion-reconsider-ruling-throwing-out-libel-suit-ag)
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The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), desperate to hire a new coach for the Super Eagles, is this weekend mired in confusion following its inability to come to terms with former Olympic team coach, Samson Siasia. The Super Eagles have an African Nations Cup qualifying match on September 5.
Employment Contract For A Super Eagles' Coach, Samson Siasia, Treated With Disdain (http://www.saharareporters.com/news-page/employment-contract-super-eagles-coach-samson-siasia-treated-disdain)
In 1984 Bob Geldof and some of his friends came out with the hit song 'Do they know it's Christmas' to draw attention and raise fund for the famine stricken people of the horn of Africa. While people in other countries were having a merry Christmas the people of Ethiopia could only think of where their next meal would come from and the celebration of Christmas was far from their thoughts.
By Imohimi Uduigwome Airenevboise
Do They Know People Are Suffering? (http://www.saharareporters.com/article/do-they-know-people-are-suffering)
After a week of frantic political hocus-pocus, the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has finally come up with a very definite and unambiguous position for the 2011 general elections: it is hopelessly divided and those Nigerians who lose sleep over that can go jump into the lagoon.
By Garba Deen Muhammad
Jonathan's People (http://www.saharareporters.com/article/jonathans-people)
Prominent legal scholars in Nigeria have written divergent opinions on whether the president's assent is required in the constitutional amendment process; particular mention must be made of the opinions of Chief Richard Akinjide, SAN, Prof Taiwo Oshipitan, SAN, Mr. Olisa Agbakoba, SAN and most recently the official position of the Nigerian Bar Association who have argued that the proposal for the alteration of the 1999 Constitution as passed by the National Assembly and approved by more than two-thirds majority of the State Houses of Assembly cannot take effect as amendments to the 1999 Constitution in the absence of the assent of the President.
By Kayode Oladele
The President Has No Formal Role In Constitutional Amendment -Part Two (http://www.saharareporters.com/article/president-has-no-formal-role-constitutional-amendment-part-two)
It is both interesting and remarkable quoting from the Facebook page of our President (the writer of this piece is a curious and courageous follower), he wrote, inter alia, on 11th August, 2011: “If Nigeria's economy must grow, the citizens of Nigeria must care enough about their country and their future to be watchful over the governments at all levels (Local, State and Federal Governments) and hold them to account.
Open Letter to President Jonathan Goodluck and Prof Attahiru Jega on the 2011 Elections: Making a case for Nigerians in Diaspora (http://www.saharareporters.com/article/open-letter-president-jonathan-goodluck-and-prof-attahiru-jega-2011-elections-making-case-ni)
Mr. Nuhu Ribadu's attention has been drawn to claims in the Sunday (August 15, 2010) sermon of respected preacher, Pastor Tunde Bakare, to the effect that Mr. Ribadu desires to hijack the Save Nigeria Group (SNG) for the purpose of his political ambition.
(http://www.saharareporters.com/sites/default/files/page_images/press_releases/2010/ribadu_exec.jpg?1281897949)
By Chido Onumah
Nuhu Ribadu Refutes Pastor Bakare's Sermon Claims (http://www.saharareporters.com/press-release/nuhu-ribadu-refutes-pastor-bakare%E2%80%99s-sermon-claims)
I want to bring to the attention of Mr President, Governor Fashola and all well meaning and thoughtful Nigerians about the plight of a seventeen year old girl named Comfort from a dirt poor family from Rivers State who is now languishing in Kirikiri prison where she recently gave birth to a baby boy named Monday.
(http://www.saharareporters.com/sites/default/files/page_images/reports/2010/comfort.jpg?1281903113) Pastor Benjamin Uzor(Chicago)
Fashola, Please Help Release 17-Year Old Girl Imprisoned At KiriKiri By Her Uncle After He Impregnated Her (http://www.saharareporters.com/report/fashola-please-help-release-17-year-old-girl-imprisoned-kirikiri-her-uncle-after-he-impregnat)
Racked by frustration over his still-born presidential campaign, former Nigerian dictator, Ibrahim Babangida yesterday in Minna issued a rambling statement at a restricted media parley that saw some of malleable editors and media executives in attendance smiling home with N10 million in "transportation money."
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SaharaReporters, New York
Babangida "Buys" Media Executives, Talks Down Dele Giwa, June 12 And Okigbo Report (http://www.saharareporters.com/news-page/babangida-%E2%80%9Cbuys%E2%80%9D-media-executives-talks-down-dele-giwa-june-12-and-okigbo-report)
You must be wondering who "they" are! Well, 'they' would be the political gladiators and the men and women who hold sway in Nigeria as the custodians of our destiny.
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Written by Kayode Ogundamisi
Not God! Not Jerry Rawlings! Only Nigerians Can Save Nigeria From Them! (http://www.saharareporters.com/article/not-god-not-jerry-rawlings-only-nigerians-can-save-nigeria-them)
Citizen Reporter, Kayode Ogundamisi, interviews fiery Lagos pastor of the Latter rain Assembly and convener of the Save Nigeria Group.
Pastor Tunde Bakare, Fiery Lagos Preacher Speaks (http://www.saharareporters.com/video/pastor-tunde-bakare-fiery-lagos-preacher-speaks)
Next Saturday's elections of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), if it holds at all, may yield a new crisis as the old order seems unwilling to yield to the new. As with most issues concerning Nigeria, the remnant of the current NFF stakeholders, having usurped and perverted authority under the ousted Chairman, Sani Lulu, are determined to maintain their status and pre-eminence in the Federation in order to continue to feed on the system.
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SaharaReporters, New York
NFF Elections In Danger, As Old Guard Plays A Slippery Game (http://www.saharareporters.com/sports-page/nff-elections-danger-old-guard-plays-slippery-game)
Widespread corruption in the Nigeria Police Force is fueling abuses against ordinary citizens and severely undermining the rule of law in Nigeria, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today. Human Rights Watch called on Nigerian authorities to take immediate steps to improve budgetary transparency in the police force and to investigate and bring to justice police officers at all levels implicated in corrupt practices.
(http://www.saharareporters.com/sites/default/files/page_images/press_releases/2010/police_corrupts.jpg?1282055056)
Human Rights Watch Reports (Lagos, August 17, 2010)
Nigeria: Corruption Fueling Police Abuses Government Should Rein In Extortion, Embezzlement, and Related Abuses (http://www.saharareporters.com/press-release/nigeria-corruption-fueling-police-abuses-government-should-rein-extortion-embezzlement)
Mimiko is the one in charge. He recently traveled to Poland to change the design...
- We failed to meet the July deadline for completion because we want to provide the best dome in Africa.
- Dome consultant Dream Media Network Limited has experience only in event planning and public relations
(http://www.saharareporters.com/sites/default/files/page_images/news/2010/dome2.jpg?1282062156)
Tokunbo Adewole , Liberty News, Akure
How Gov. Mimiko Awarded N1.5billion "Dome Project" To An Event Planning Company-Liberty News (http://www.saharareporters.com/news-page/how-gov-mimiko-awarded-n15billion-dome-project-event-planning-company-liberty-news)
Let me state upfront that I admire Ibrahim Badamaci Babangida in some ways, especially his studied silence after his inglorious exit from power in 1993. I am quite aware of the scornful remarks this admiration will earn me irrespective of the fact that the constitution of Nigeria and the universal declaration of human rights grant me the right to hold such private opinion.
By Chike Orjiako
2011: Babangida Should Stop Insulting The Igbos (http://www.saharareporters.com/article/2011-babangida-should-stop-insulting-igbos)
ABUJA (Reuters) - Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan is considering not standing in elections due next January but will make his intentions known by the end of the month, a presidency source told Reuters on Tuesday.
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By Felix Onuah
Jonathan May Not Contest 2011 Polls: Source-Reuters (http://www.saharareporters.com/news-page/jonathan-may-not-contest-2011-polls-source-reuters)
Afenifere Renewal Group is using the occasion of the birthday of former military dictator, General Ibrahim Babangida to sound it clear to him that contrary to the false impression the political renegades of Yorubaland are giving to him, the southwest geo-political zone is going to be his political waterloo in 2011 as against the swing zone he is claiming.
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By Yinka Odumakin
Birthday Message To IBB: Southwest Is Your Waterloo!-Afenifere Renewal Group (http://www.saharareporters.com/press-release/birthday-message-ibb-southwest-your-waterloo-afenifere-renewal-group)
Goodluck Jonathan today denied he is considering not running for the job next year. But he did not confirm that he will run, either.
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SaharaReporters, New York
Presidency: Jonathan Denies He Won't...But Doesn't Say He Will...Run (http://www.saharareporters.com/news-page/presidency-jonathan-denies-he-won%E2%80%99t%E2%80%A6-doesn%E2%80%99t-say-he-will%E2%80%A6run)
President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has said the Federal Government will put all machinery in motion to ensure that Nigerians in diaspora can vote during elections that follow the 2011 general elections. The President has also assured that more distinguished Nigerians in the diaspora will be considered subsequently for inclusion in the National Honours list.
President Jonathan Promises More Recognition For Nigerians In Diaspora (http://www.saharareporters.com/press-release/president-jonathan-promises-more-recognition-nigerians-diaspora)
MAIDUGURI, Nigeria — Officials with Nigeria's security services say they've intercepted 52 Kalashnikov rifles and tens of thousands of ammunition rounds heading for an area that has been the scene of religious violence.
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Associated Press
Nigeria: Assault Rifles, Ammunition Headed For Jos Intercepted-(AP) (http://www.saharareporters.com/news-page/nigeria-assault-rifles-ammunition-headed-jos-intercepted-ap)
Chronicle Of Recent Activities Of NARD: The agitations for a better training and conditions of service for resident doctors in Nigeria dated as far as the last 15 years. However the intensity of the latest struggles increased because of the increasing disconnect between the leaders and the led in Nigeria.
National Association Of Resident Doctors (NARD)/ Federal Government: The Story So Far (http://www.saharareporters.com/report/national-association-resident-doctors-nard-federal-government-story-so-far)
What sort of hanky-panky is going on at the official website of the Federal Republic of Nigeria paid for by the hard-working Nigerian Tax Payers? www.nigeria.gov.ng (http://nigeria.gov.ng/)
(http://www.saharareporters.com/sites/default/files/page_images/news/2010/nigeriagov.jpg?1282264402)
Citizen Report By Olumide Joseph
The "Hack Team" Behind Goodluck Jonathan's Facebook And Campaign Games (http://www.saharareporters.com/news-page/hack-team-behind-goodluck-jonathans-facebook-and-campaign-games)
This mid-term Citizens Report has been prepared with the input of Nigerians at home and abroad. As a performance evaluation, it is unscientific, but it reflects popular assessment of the presidency and of Goodluck Jonathan. We invite the presidency to pay attention to this evaluation. A copy of the report may be downloaded and used as a poster on cars, buses and okada, as well as in offices, schools, hospitals, restaurants, churches, mosques, bars, community centers and others public places.
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SaharaReporters, New York
President Goodluck Jonathan's 100 Days Report Card (http://www.saharareporters.com/news-page/president-goodluck-jonathans-100-days-report-card)
By Tokunbo Olukunle My dear mother, who spent her early childhood in a village in Edo state, is full of old African sayings. Some sound serious, some ridiculous, but almost all have deep and rich meanings. One of her favorites which I always found amusing was the saying “he who the gods want to kill they first make mad”.
He Who The Gods Want To Kill: The IBB Model (http://www.saharareporters.com/article/he-who-gods-want-kill-ibb-model)
Few days ago, the West African Examination Council (WAEC) officially released the May/June 2010 SSCE results for more than 95% of registered candidates. While details of the overall performance of the candidates are still sketchy, previous dismal results indicate that the Nigerian education is falling rapidly off the quality cliff.
Our Schools Are Bad; We Are All To Blame (http://www.saharareporters.com/article/our-schools-are-bad-we-are-all-blame)
Now that General Ibrahim Babangida, Nigeria's former military dictator has declared his intention to contest for the right to rule and lead one hundred and fifty million of us Nigerians, it is incumbent on us, those ordinary mortals he aspires to lead, to question and access this right to rulership and leadership as well as his moral and ethical eligibility to aspire to this right.
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By Nosa James-Igbinadolor
Now That IBB Wants To Be President (http://www.saharareporters.com/article/now-ibb-wants-be-president)
NEW YORK – From a cubicle in midtown Manhattan, a Nigerian publishes staggering examples of his country's government corruption online—information that would get him killed back home. Philip Shenon reports.
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Written By Philip Shenon
SaharaReporters Is Africa's WikiLeaks (http://www.saharareporters.com/news-page/saharareporters-africas-wikileaks)
The Education Rights Campaign (ERC) consider as an embarrassment to Nigerians and the memories of the martyrs of the pro-democracy struggle the ill-advised calls for the release of Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, former Chief Security Officer (CSO) to former Head of State late General Sanni Abacha.
ERC Condemns OPC, AYCF, NDVF And Others Calling For Al-Mustapha's Release (http://www.saharareporters.com/press-release/erc-condemns-opc-aycf-ndvf-and-others-calling-al-mustapha%E2%80%99s-release)
Anybody, any political observer, any political analyst, any critical mind, watchers of events in Nigeria who want to know how 2003 and 2007 elections were rigged should go to the achieves and search for the copies of THISDAY's so-called opinion polls on the likely winners and losers.
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Rigging of 2011 Elections Has Started: Recalling The Latest THISDAY So-Called Opinion Polls (http://www.saharareporters.com/article/rigging-2011-elections-has-started-recalling-latest-thisday-so-called-opinion-polls)
I have followed with deep interest and some times high degree of amusement the charade which I will refer to as count down to 2011 in Nigeria. What I find most galling is the so called zoning arrangement in the PDP. First, it is only in Nigeria that such absurdity will play itself out in the 21st century.
Zoning And The PDP: Count Down To 2011 (http://www.saharareporters.com/article/zoning-and-pdp-count-down-2011)
The arguments that Presidential assent is not required in the amendment of the Nigerian Constitution is erroneous, specious, and without sound basis in law. There is no case law or statutory provision that backs these assertions. We don't need the United States law or other country's law as a precedent when our own laws are clear on the issue.
Written by Felix Ayanruoh Esq.
Presidential Assent Is Required In The Amendment Of The Nigerian Constitution (http://www.saharareporters.com/article/presidential-assent-required-amendment-nigerian-constitution)
American has an abundance of capital; Nigeria has an abundance of human and natural resources. According to a statement by President Felipe of Mexico, "you need labor and capital to generate economic activity"
Why America Needs Nigeria (http://www.saharareporters.com/article/why-america-needs-nigeria)
It was in 1998 when he turned 60. In acknowledgement of his un-paralleled contribution to ensure good governance that is cultured in transparency, accountability, responsibility to the people with respect for the rule of law in Nigeria, late Chief Gani Fawehinmi was asked a question on what he would have wanted to achieve in his life time?"
A Wasted Generation? (http://www.saharareporters.com/article/wasted-generation)
My initial reaction after reading your sermon on the hilltop was to ignore it and treat it as one of those stuffs by a PR consultant doing the job he's paid to do. But on a second thought, ignoring it will amount to doing violence to myself and your so-called younger generations of yorubas who may swallow your concoction and accept it as the gospel truth.
Re - Chidi Amuta's Babangida And The Western Bypass (http://www.saharareporters.com/article/re-chidi-amutas-babangida-and-western-bypass)
Nigerian are considered some of the most brazenly corrupt in the world. They routinely set up "extortion roadblocks", they torture, maim and kill for bribes and also, sadly, remain in denial. But photos don't lie!
(http://www.saharareporters.com/sites/default/files/page_images/galleries/2010/p1.jpg?1282896601)
Nigeria Police Of Bribery And Corruption (http://www.saharareporters.com/gallery/-police-bribery-and-corruption)
"There may be times when we are powerless to prevent injustice, but there must never be a time when we fail to protest" Elie Wiesel
- Adebayo Adejare
Ibrahim Babangida: Presidential Candidate Or Fugitive From Justice? (http://www.saharareporters.com/article/ibrahim-babangida-presidential-candidate-or-fugitive-justice)
The attention of International Society for Civil Liberties and the Rule of Law (Intersociety) has been drawn to the reaction by the Nigeria Police Force High Command through its Force Public Relations Officer, Assistant Commissioner of Police Emmanuel Ojukwu over the above subject matter.
(http://www.saharareporters.com/sites/default/files/page_images/reports/2010/p5.jpg?1282957978)
By Comrade Emeka Umeagbalasi /Comrade Justus Ijeoma
(Onitsha-, August 26, 2010)
Corruption In The Nigeria Police Force: Putting The Records Straight (http://www.saharareporters.com/report/corruption-nigeria-police-force-putting-records-straight)
Fire gutted the offices of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the early hours of Saturday August 28 2010.The cause of the fire was attributed to a minor electrical fault which sparked off from an air conditioning terminal socket. It took the combined efforts of Federal Fire Service, the Nigerian Police and Civil Defence corps to put out the raging fire that almost engulfed the entire secretariat.
(http://www.saharareporters.com/sites/default/files/page_images/galleries/2010/pdpfire_conf.jpg?1283001741)
Official Fires: PDP Secretariat Gutted By Fire (http://www.saharareporters.com/gallery/official-fires-pdp-secretariat-gutted-fire)
Chidera, who studied Latin twice a week in her lunch break, has gained a scholarship to attend King's School, Canterbury, where she will study chemistry, physics, biology, maths and further maths A-levels.
(http://www.saharareporters.com/sites/default/files/page_images/news/2010/Chidera.jpg?1283011369)
UK Dailymail
Meet Chidera Ota-The Nigerian Supergirl Who Racked Up 15A*s In UK GCSEs (http://www.saharareporters.com/news-page/meet-chidera-ota-nigerian-supergirl-who-racked-15as-uk-gcses)
Communiqué issued at the end of the public tribunal on police abuses in Nigeria organized by network on police reform in Nigeria (NOPRIN) in collaboration with National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and National Committee On Torture (NCOT) in Owerri, Imo state for the southeast region on august 19 and 20, 2010.
(http://www.saharareporters.com/sites/default/files/page_images/reports/2010/police_victim.jpg?1283020096)
Nwanguma/NOPRIN
The Communiqué Of The Public Tribunal On Police Abuses In Nigeria (http://www.saharareporters.com/report/communiqu%C3%A9-public-tribunal-police-abuses-nigeria)
The buzz word in the political hemisphere of Nigeria in the past few weeks is the word zoning purportedly inserted into the constitution of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and on the basis of which the contestants for the 2011 tickets in the party and their presidential candidature should be determined.
2011: Zoning And The Theory of Reasoned Actions By Bankole Olubamise (http://www.saharareporters.com/article/2011-zoning-and-theory-reasoned-actions-bankole-olubamise)
Folake Temenu Olanrewaju One cannot but wonder what Mrs Jonathan had in mind when she put up that show of shame in Okrika. Her public misconduct is one of the reasons a lot of Nigerians have advocated for the containment of these official wives who do not know the extent of decent boundaries.
Mrs. Jonathan And The Okrika Smackdown (http://www.saharareporters.com/article/mrs-jonathan-and-okrika-smackdown)
Now that President Goodluck Jonathan has ordered the Police and the State Security Service to investigate his wife's alleged public misdemeanor and scolding of the executive governor of Rivers state, Rotimi Amaechi, he should know that what actually transpired at the event in Okrika transcended mere cantankerous outburst but an outright rehearsal of a pre-arranged script given to the first lady and which she had waited for the opportunity to play it out.
(http://www.saharareporters.com/sites/default/files/page_images/articles/2010/patiencejonathan.jpg?1283176428)
By Senior Fyneface
Jonathan And His Misconducting First Lady (http://www.saharareporters.com/article/jonathan-and-his-misconducting-first-lady)
A 57-year-old Nigerian woman died today on a airline flight from Lagos to Atlanta. The woman died about an hour before Delta flight 53 was scheduled to land at the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in Atlanta, Georgia.
(http://www.saharareporters.com/sites/default/files/page_images/news/2010/Delta_Airlines_Sucks.jpg?1283180671)
Saharareporters, New York
Nigerian Woman Dies On Delta Airline Flight From Lagos (http://www.saharareporters.com/news-page/nigerian-woman-dies-delta-airline-flight-lagos)
In the next few weeks, Nigeria will be 50 years old. I was born in 1956 which means that I am older than Nigeria with four years. I got married in 1990 and have five children, and my first child will leave university next year. At 54 I am a full blown adult with some grey hair on my head.
By Joe Igbokwe
50 Years of Rudderless And Inept Leadership In Nigeria (http://www.saharareporters.com/article/50-years-rudderless-and-inept-leadership-nigeria)
Domestic goats are known to be stubborn animals. In a traditional African market, traders wield long sticks as a deterrent to market goats, which roam with the intention of stealing from unsuspecting sellers.
(http://www.saharareporters.com/sites/default/files/page_images/articles/2010/ibb_stressed.jpg?1283252907)
By Tunde Chris Odediran
Why We Must Whip Babangida Into Submission By Tunde Chris Odediran (http://www.saharareporters.com/article/why-we-must-whip-babangida-submission-tunde-chris-odediran)
Ottawa LL.M. graduate Gideon Emcee Christian ('08) has been awarded a doctoral fellowship of $105,000 for the next three years from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) to support his thesis, "Sustainable Legal Framework for Transboundary Movement and Management of Electronic Waste."
(http://www.saharareporters.com/sites/default/files/page_images/press_releases/2010/gideon_christian.jpg?1283281660)
Nigerian Student, Gideon Emcee Christian receives SSHRC Doctoral Fellowship (http://www.saharareporters.com/press-release/nigerian-student-gideon-emcee-christian-receives-sshrc-doctoral-fellowship)
I have just returned from a our fatherland. It was a special trip because I managed to travel across the nation by road.
Will the true Nigerian Hero, please stand up? (http://www.saharareporters.com/article/will-true-nigerian-hero-please-stand)
In a contemporary Nigeria plagued by anomie, it is hardly surprising to witness the kind of brazen political opportunism and dishonesty that have been on display amongst key elements of the PDP and the civil society in general regarding the zoning arrangement of the ruling party at the centre.
By Aonduna Tondu
2011: President Jonathan And The Anti-Zoning Apostates (http://www.saharareporters.com/article/2011-president-jonathan-and-anti-zoning-apostates)
Farida Waziri's recent the US has enabled her to make a case for her lack luster anti-corruption drive, and to pass the buck. And the person upon whom she is heaping the blame for her failures is her current boss: 's president, Goodluck Jonathan.
(http://www.saharareporters.com/sites/default/files/page_images/news/2010/farida_waziri.jpg?1283376614)
By SaharaReporters
Farida Turns On Jonathan, Tells US Officials The President Is Interfering With Anti-Corruption Efforts (http://www.saharareporters.com/news-page/farida-turns-jonathan-tells-us-officials-president-interfering-anti-corruption-efforts)
From 26th to 29th of August, Aspen Institut organized the 9th edition of their Europe-Africa conference that took place in Annecy - France, and the theme for this year's conference was GLOBALISATION AND THE CREATION OF AFRICAN INTERNAL MARKET. Very important people in the decision making of the world that surrounds me attended this conference, and I tell you, never in my life have I felt this out of place, the only young person and the only artiste.
By Qudus ONIKEKU
Youth And Culture As The Mechanism For Africa's Development (http://www.saharareporters.com/article/youth-and-culture-mechanism-africas-development)
They Won't Even Build Toilets For Themselves! Thinking Through The Corruption Complex With Frantz Fanon
(http://www.saharareporters.com/sites/default/files/page_images/articles/2010/ogaga_ifowodo.jpg?1283384406)
How bad is corruption in and what are its root causes? Leaving aside root causes for now, let me tell you a story. It was told to me in Lagos and corroborated in Warri, just two months ago. My good friend, Emenike, and I had not seen each other for three years.
By Ogaga Ifowodo
They Won't Even Build Toilets For Themselves! Thinking Through The Corruption Complex With Frantz Fanon (http://www.saharareporters.com/article/they-won%E2%80%99t-even-build-toilets-themselves-thinking-through-corruption-complex-frantz-fanon)
Intersociety Welcomes The Dismantling Of Roadblocks In Southeast Nigeria And Frowns At The Incompetence Of The Police Service Commission
The news filtered in yesterday, 31st day of 2010 to the effect that the controversial Police roadblocks nationwide, especially in the Southeast Zone were being dismantled.
By Comrade Emeka Umeagbalasi & Comrade Justus Ijeoma
Dismantling Of Roadblocks In Southeast Nigeria (http://www.saharareporters.com/press-release/intersociety-welcomes-dismantling-roadblocks-southeast-nigeria-and-frowns-incompetence)
Recently, President Jonathan appointed a committee to recommend how to create 1 million jobs in Nigeria.
After looking at all the appointees, I recognized a few of them, most notably, Mr. Aliko Dangote and Mr. Earnest Ndukwe. These two Nigerians have proven themselves as job creators. Mr. Dangote has created thousands of jobs in various industries, including cement manufacturing, commodity sales and even oil and gas. We need 1000 Dangotes in our mist. Mr. Earnest Ndukwe led the revolutionary growth of our telecom industry from barely 500,000 subscribers ten years ago to over 70 million today and growing.
Even though I may not be familiar with the rest of the panel, I am sure the President is aware of their accomplishments in their various fields of endeavor. Most Nigerians dream of a stable and prosperous country. Therefore, we should all join together to support the President and all the members of the committee.
By Toyin Dawodu, MBA
How to Create One Million Jobs in Nigeria (http://www.saharareporters.com/article/how-create-one-million-jobs-nigeria)
Dear Mr. President: With a deep sense of responsibility, a heart of duty and an utmost concern for the future of this great nation of ours, I write you this letter to offer my profound opinion on saving Nigeria from sinking into debt once again.
Rufus Kayode Oteniya
How To Raise $4.43 Billion Without Borrowing (http://www.saharareporters.com/article/how-raise-443-billion-without-borrowing)
Before I begin this article, let me categorically state that my intent is not to stage a revolution. But if after , you think I have crossed the lines, forgive me. It is borne out of the continuous genocide that Nigerians have long endured from the captors who engage themselves in the reproduction of corruption.
By Tor King
Nigerian Youth And The Responsibility Revolution (http://www.saharareporters.com/article/nigerian-youth-and-responsibility-revolution)
Foreigners are often surprised to discover how religion is deep-rooted in the psyche of the overwhelming majority of Nigerians. When the Egyptian-American doctoral student of Harvard, Sarah al-Tantawi, visited me early this year to ask some questions regarding the impact of Sharia implementation on women, she did not fail to show her amazement at our religiosity.
By Dr. Aliyu Tilde
Nigeria: Religion Without Faith. Is it Worth the Trouble? (http://www.saharareporters.com/article/nigeria-religion-without-faith-it-worth-trouble)
I am not a soothsayer and my prognosis has no scientific research support, it is based on the analytical framework, a deciphering mind of what has been happening in Nigeria for the past twenty years.
By Chukwuma Iwuanyanwu
Nigeria Has No Future (http://www.saharareporters.com/article/nigeria-has-no-future)
BACKGROUND: WHEN the editor of The Guardian Newspapers, Lagos, Nigeria, Debo Adesina assigned me to do an enterprise story on FIFA and CAF executive board member, Amos Adamu, sometime in 2002, I did not know it was the beginning of a long journey that peaked with Adamu suing for libel in 2007 and demanding the sum of N500 million (A little over two million pounds) as damages.
(http://www.saharareporters.com/sites/default/files/page_images/sports/2010/amos_adamu_kayd.jpg?1283554767)
Journalist Olukayode Thomas Versus Amos Adamu's Libel Case: How A David Defeated Goliath In A Nigerian Court (http://www.saharareporters.com/sports-page/journalist-olukayode-thomas-versus-amos-adamus-libel-case-how-david-defeated-goliath-nig)
Dear Sir: Further to our telephone conversation of Monday, August 16, 2010, I write to tell you, once again, that I found it rather insulting to read in your report that I was hired to cover General Babangida's meeting with over thirty journalists.
(http://www.saharareporters.com/sites/default/files/page_images/news/2010/sumi_smart_cole_1.jpg?1283556054)
By Sunmi Smart-Cole
IBB's Meeting With Media Executives-A Rejoinder By Sunmi Smart-Cole (http://www.saharareporters.com/news-page/ibbs-meeting-media-executives-rejoinder-sunmi-smart-cole)
For more than three months I refrained from writing about Nigeria, and this in spite of request to write. I have decided to break the silence at this time.
By Leonard Karshima Shilgba, PhD
Shilgba: Breaking the Silence (http://www.saharareporters.com/article/shilgba-breaking-silence)
Pius Adesanmi, SaharaReporters weekly columnist and Professor of Literature and African Studies at Carleton University in Canada, has won the inaugural Penguin Prize for African Writing in the non-fiction category.
(http://www.saharareporters.com/sites/default/files/page_images/news/2010/pius_adesanmi.jpg?1283665385)
By SaharaReporters, New York
Pius Adesanmi, SaharaReporters Weekly Columnist, Wins Penguin Prize for African Writing (http://www.saharareporters.com/news-page/pius-adesanmi-saharareporters-weekly-columnist-wins-penguin-prize-african-writing)
The Goodluck Jonathan government is finally taking action over the Halliburton scandal: it is taking to court some of the Nigerians involved.
(http://www.saharareporters.com/sites/default/files/page_images/news/2010/gej_0.jpg?1283700787)
By SaharaReporters, New York
The Halliburton Hoax: Jonathan's Joke Corruption Trial (http://www.saharareporters.com/news-page/halliburton-hoax-jonathans-joke-corruption-trial)
Rising new Member of Parliament Chuka Umunna expressed his support for a new campaign seeking to ban corrupt Nigerian politicians and officials and their families from travelling to the EU and freezing their assets.
(http://www.saharareporters.com/sites/default/files/page_images/press_releases/2010/citizen_change_ummuna.jpg?1283719352)
By Democracy and Governance
UK MP Supports Call For Travel Ban Against Corrupt Nigerian Politicians (http://www.saharareporters.com/press-release/uk-mp-supports-call-travel-ban-against-corrupt-nigerian-politicians)
As we plan to celebrate a golden jubilee, it is impractical to think of our country Nigeria, without having a concoction of feelings. Depending on who and what you are, such feelings are expected to be wide ranging and go from satisfaction to contentment. It could also be a feeling of hope or optimism. However, for the majority, the mood is that of disappointment and sadness, exasperation and defeat.
By Dr. Wole Ameyan Jr
Zoning And 2011: A Test For Patriots And Compatriots (http://www.saharareporters.com/article/zoning-and-2011-test-patriots-and-compatriots)
In the wake of unending oil drilling catastrophes giving rise to massive destruction of the ecosystem, irresponsible onshore/offshore drilling practices, environmental concerns such as increased green house emissions (GHG), political instabilities within the oil producing regions, rising concerns over the continual availability of fossil fuels- Nigeria's cardinal source of foreign exchange, fluctuating oil market, politics of oil trading within the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), brain drain as a result of underemployment of Nigeria's university and polytechnic graduates, it has become exigent for Nigeria to join the rest of the world in the search for renewable energy which is biofuel.
By Ugochukwu Anieto
Biofuels: How Prepared Is Nigeria? (http://www.saharareporters.com/article/biofuels-how-prepared-nigeria)
Nigerians desperately need not how to fix Nigeria, because that is now an impossible task; what we need now is SOMEONE who can FIX US -Nigerians! You can say we have been blessed with many men with spines of soft rubber.
By Habu Dauda Fika
Honourable Nigeria? (http://www.saharareporters.com/article/honourable-nigeria)
ATM frauds have become incessant in Nigeria, as is worldwide, but the menace is more pronounced in our new generation banks. Users could compromise their ATM cards and PINs or lose same to skimming, spy cameras, phishing through the internet, false key pads on ATM boards, card trapping, etc. Sometimes, however, the circumstances that surround certain ATM frauds suggest the involvement of some staffers of banks and Interswitch who have access to depositors' ATM information. Why is it that when these fraudulent withdrawals occur - mostly on weekends and public holidays – banks fail to alert the affected depositors through sms or email even where they subscribed for same?
By Ikechukwu A. Ogu
Regulatory Inertia Vis-à-Vis Predatory Banking Practices in Nigeria - Part 2 (http://www.saharareporters.com/article/regulatory-inertia-vis-%C3%A0-vis-predatory-banking-practices-nigeria-part-2)
A few months ago, I wrote about the prospects of a Ribadu presidency and the great excitement it had generated. If that possibility seemed like a fantasy then, it looks more like a reality today thanks to the extraordinary efforts of young Nigerians.
(http://www.saharareporters.com/sites/default/files/page_images/articles/2010/Team_Ribadu.jpg?1283772517)
By Chido Onumah
The Team Ribadu Phenomenon (http://www.saharareporters.com/article/team-ribadu-phenomenon)
South-South (Niger Delta) Pre-Election Assessment Report By The Election Project of the Centre for Environment, Human Rights and Development (CEHRD)
Preamble: There are six States that make up the South-South geo-political zone, sometimes known as the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. The States are Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, Cross River, Edo and Rivers. Each State has its peculiar political situation though the events building up to the 2011 elections look similar to one another across the states in the region.
By Naagbanton, Patrick
South-South (Niger Delta) Pre-Election Assessment Report By The Election Project of the Centre for Environment, Human Rights and Development (CEHRD) (http://www.saharareporters.com/article/south-south-niger-delta-pre-election-assessment-report-election-project-centre-environment-h)
The attention of the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has been drawn to a statement by the Minister of Finance, Mr Olusegun Aganga, on the issue of withdrawal of subsidies on petroleum products.
(http://www.saharareporters.com/sites/default/files/page_images/press_releases/2010/2010-01-23_Protest_1.jpg?1283865080)
By Onah Iduh
Planned Withdrawal of Subsidy: NLC Will Not Guarantee Industrial Peace (http://www.saharareporters.com/press-release/planned-withdrawal-subsidy-nlc-will-not-guarantee-industrial-peace)
History has shown that nations need a combination of factors in order to develop and grow. These include, but are not limited to a measure of natural resources, an educated and healthy workforce, a culture of saving and innovation, an enlightened middle and upper class, viable and evolving public institutions, a national culture and a governing system that is enriching.
By Sabella Ogbobode Abidde
Awolowo, Gowon and Buhari: Rethinking Leadership Imperatives In Nigeria (http://www.saharareporters.com/article/awolowo-gowon-and-buhari-rethinking-leadership-imperatives-nigeria)
Following two terms of office in which he impoverished Ogun State by milking it of almost all of its resources, Governor Gbenga Daniel has now embarked on desperate measures to militarize the state.
(http://www.saharareporters.com/sites/default/files/page_images/news/2010/gbenga-daniel.jpg?1283882474)
By SaharaReporters, New York
Criminal Politics: Gbenga Daniel Now Runs A Quasi-Military Regime In Ogun State (http://www.saharareporters.com/news-page/criminal-politics-gbenga-daniel-now-runs-quasi-military-regime-ogun-state)
Stop corrupt politicians but do nothing about corrupt political parties. -Dr. Wumi Akintide.
I just listened to a very powerful interview by a Sahara Reporter with Pastor Tunde Bakare who has very forcefully and persuasively argued in the very educative interview that all Nigeria needed was just one right leader who will set a new template in purposeful vision and leadership that can move our country forward.
By Dr. Wumi Akintide
The Absurdity Of Entertaining Any Hope For Nigeria In 2011 (http://www.saharareporters.com/article/absurdity-entertaining-any-hope-nigeria-2011)
The religious sect known as Boko Haram this evening in Bauchi State demonstrated the porousness of Nigerian security by carrying off an audacious prison break and freeing over 700 people being held in the federal prison there.
(http://www.saharareporters.com/sites/default/files/page_images/news/2010/Nigeria_violence_Kano_432_20090729.jpg?1283891442)
By SaharaReporters, New York
Breaking News: Boko Haram Organizes Prison Break In Bauchi (http://www.saharareporters.com/news-page/breaking-news-boko-haram-organizes-prison-break-bauchi)
Third Session of the Nigerian Peoples' Parliament in Diaspora (NPPID): "Nigeria At 50: Problems, Progress And Prospects".
As Nigeria reaches the milestone of 50 years as an independent nation, Nigerians from all backgrounds will converge in New York on Saturday September 25th 2010 under the auspices of the Nigerian Peoples' Parliament in Diaspora (NPPiD) at its 3rd parliamentary session. The session will be devoted to reflecting on Nigeria's trajectory after 50 years of existence as a postcolonial entity.
The theme for the forthcoming parliamentary session is "Nigeria At 50: Problems, Progress And Prospects".
(http://www.saharareporters.com/sites/default/files/page_images/press_releases/2010/okey_nppid.jpg?1283943837)
By Bukola Oreofe Sept. 1st 2010: New York, NY:
Third Session of the Nigerian Peoples' Parliament in Diaspora (NPPID): "Nigeria At 50: Problems, Progress And Prospects". (http://www.saharareporters.com/press-release/third-session-nigerian-peoples-parliament-diaspora-nppid-%E2%80%9Cnigeria-50-problems-progress)
When in February this year, I wrote a piece calling on Nigeria's new President, Goodluck Jonathan to quickly settle down and make it up to Nigerians, it was out of a gut feeling that here was a man not ready for the moment. A leader untested in leading a pack of school prefects marauding as Ministers and unskilled in the art of governance. In that piece titled-" Jonathan-The fierce Urgency of Now", I said- "After the dead bodies are buried, the wreaths laid and the trumpet sound of the victors peters off, the urgency to put Nigeria back to work will be more demanding than ever.
By Sunday Dare
Mr. Jonathan- It Is Past Midnight (http://www.saharareporters.com/article/mr-jonathan-it-past-midnight)
It has been more than a few weeks now following the publication of a piece in this medium in which some unnamed sources that claimed close association to Mr. Nuhu Ribadu and his ambition to become Nigeria's de facto leader went beyond what had prior to then become an insidious style of flying the kite of Mr. Nuhu Ribadu's possible run for the presidency in the shaky elections that have been slated early next year, to state categorically that he would run.
By E. C. Ejiogu
The Deceit About Saint Ribadu? (http://www.saharareporters.com/article/deceit-about-saint-ribadu)
Just as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was releasing the timetable for the 2011 elections, the news came that President Goodluck Jonathan has sacked all the service chiefs and the Inspector General of Police and appointed others in their place. In principle, no one doubts the power or prerogative of the President to sack these persons and appoint others to replace them.
By Kennedy Emetulu
Sack of Security Chiefs: Election Game of Musical Chairs (http://www.saharareporters.com/article/sack-security-chiefs-election-game-musical-chairs)
Nigeria has earned far more income in the last ten-eleven years of its 4th republic democratic experiment than the prior 35 years before 1999. Nigeria's GDP had grown from a paltry $90Billion in 1998 to about $350 billion in 2009 alone which means that on a year to year basis our GDP has grown by about 300% and on an absolute value, has quadrupled in size in about ten years.
By Tony Ishiekwene
State Legitimised Treasury Looting And Budget Padding In Nigeria (http://www.saharareporters.com/article/state-legitimised-treasury-looting-and-budget-padding-nigeria)
Irate students in Abeokuta, Ogun State yesterday disrupted a campaign rally for former military dictator Ibrahim Babangida. The students then chased away Babangida's ragtag band of campaigners from the ancient town in the southwest state of Ogun.
(http://www.saharareporters.com/sites/default/files/page_images/news/2010/protest_ibb.jpg?1284052906)
Saharareporters, New York
Students Chase Babangida's Campaigners From Abeokuta (http://www.saharareporters.com/news-page/students-chase-babangida%E2%80%99s-campaigners-abeokuta)
Nigeria became independent in October 1960 and since then, we have had series of constitution and basically had 1960, 1963, 1979 & 1999 constitution. The basic objectives of each constitution being its supremacy and overriding authority.
By Olutoyin Adeyinka-Eweje
Political Insanity Or Legislative Rascality (http://www.saharareporters.com/article/political-insanity-or-legislative-rascality)
Nairobi, Kenya - Kenya's parliament has opened an investigation into the disappearance of millions of shillings after the sale of property owned by the Kenyan High Commission in Abuja, Nigeria.
PANA, Nairobi
Kenyan MPs Probe Funds Diversion After Embassy Sale In Nigeria-PANA (http://www.saharareporters.com/news-page/kenyan-mps-probe-funds-diversion-after-embassy-sale-nigeria-pana)
On September 9, 2010 Saharareporters talks with Nigeria's top media execs in a panel called "Elections in Nigeria: An exercise in democracy or just an exercise?"
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Elections in Nigeria Roundtable (http://www.saharareporters.com/gallery/elections-nigeria-roundtable)
It may be correct to say that Nigeria's social sickness is deepening. In the past 24 hours, three major unhealthy events have enveloped the country. First was the tight nature of elections' timetable and its legality problem. The second came the news of the summary and despotic removal of the service chiefs by President Goodluck Jonathan. And the third had to do with the resurgence of Boko Haram militancy and attacks on the prisons' facilities in Bauchi State and freeing of about 732 prisons' inmates including over 120 Boko Haram militants, held for the 2009 bloody religious violence.
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By Comrade Emeka Umeagbalasi
The State Of Nigeria Is Under Threat (http://www.saharareporters.com/press-release/state-nigeria-under-threat)
Associated Press (AP) ABUJA, Nigeria — A Nigerian media mogul says his family has received kidnap threats over his support for a former military dictator in country's the upcoming election.
(http://www.saharareporters.com/sites/default/files/page_images/news/2010/raymond_dokpesi2.jpg?1284225020)
Babangida's Campaign Manager, Raymond Dokpesi, Says Pro- Jonathan Groups Threatened To Kidnap His Son-AP (http://www.saharareporters.com/news-page/babangidas-campaign-manager-raymond-dokpesi-says-pro-jonathan-groups-threatened-kidnap-his)
(http://www.saharareporters.com/sites/default/files/page_images/press_releases/2010/goodluck.jpg?1284231633) By Ima Niboro Our attention has been drawn to statements by the Director General of the General Ibrahim Babangida campaign organisation, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, to the effect that the Presidency is after his life.
Kidnap Threat Against Dokpesi: A Tissue Of Lies, Let Him Pay Up His Taxes –Jonathan Fires Back (http://www.saharareporters.com/press-release/kidnap-threat-against-dokpesi-tissue-lies-let-him-pay-his-taxes-%E2%80%93jonathan-fires-back)
Dear Patriot: You, like majority of Nigerians, must be aware of the grave injustice we have been subjected to by the so called politicians of the Fourth Republic. They have pillaged our common wealth, and in the name of so called western democracy; they are throttling us.
By Akpojevwe Okpako
Letter To A Patriot (http://www.saharareporters.com/letter/letter-patriot)
By Majek Adega Since assuming office as the acting and later president of Nigeria, I have carefully followed the actions, inactions, speeches and silence of President Goodluck Jonathan. After several months of this exercise, I have come to the conclusion that the President is but a bundle of contradictions.
The Contradiction Called President Jonathan (http://www.saharareporters.com/article/contradiction-called-president-jonathan)
By Adetokunbo Mumuni Six civil society groups in the country have dragged the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke, SAN, and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to the Federal High Court in Abuja seeking information on the spending of the allegedly missing accrued $12.4 billion oil windfall between 1988 and 1994.
Coalition Sues AGF, CBN Over $12.4 Billion Babangida's Oil Windfall Scam (http://www.saharareporters.com/news-page/coalition-sues-agf-cbn-over-124-billion-babangida%E2%80%99s-oil-windfall-scam)
Jide Olaoluwa: A mock presidential debate by ordinary Nigerians to provoke demand for competitive debate among political aspirants as a sure-fire way to resurrect the dying culture of programme-based leadership, galvanize Nigerians to demand change and raise the stake for good governance come 2011 and beyond.
2011 Elections are around the corner...
If I Were President (http://www.saharareporters.com/letter/if-i-were-president)
Azu Robert-Mary: I must admit that out of respect, I felt very reluctant to join issues with an accomplished diplomat of Ambassador John Campbell's standing. But the minor misinformation contained in his recent article, 'Nigeria on the brink- what happens if the 2011elections fail?' published in SaharaReporters and Nigeria village Square websites are too weighty and consequential to be ignored. The article in sum reduced the 2011 election as simply an impending clash between the Christian south and Muslim north of Nigeria and sadly dwelt on the religious consequences of the said election rather than ways of guaranteeing its credibility.
Ambassador John Campbell's Country – A Reply To 'Nigeria On The Brink- What Happens If The 2011 Elections Fail?' (http://www.saharareporters.com/article/ambassador-john-campbell%E2%80%99s-country-%E2%80%93-reply-%E2%80%98nigeria-brink-what-happens-if-2011-elections-fai)
By Joe Igbokwe: The Lagos State chapter of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has charged the federal; government and the people of Nigeria to treat what has come to be known as "The Doomsday Prophecy" of the former United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. John Campbell, very seriously and do all to prevent such a scenario.
"Take Campbell's Warning Serious", Lagos ACN Tells Nigerians (http://www.saharareporters.com/press-release/%E2%80%9Ctake-campbell%E2%80%99s-warning-serious%E2%80%9D-lagos-acn-tells-nigerians)
By Dr. Chukwuma O. Nwaonicha: "Catholic Bishops in Nigeria have attributed the nation's poor development to reckless looting of the nation's treasury by public office holders. The bishops described the level of pilfering of the nation's wealth as disturbing and advised the Independent National Electoral Commission and relevant bodies on the need to ensure credible, free and fair elections in 2011.
Looting of Nation's Resources Worries Catholic Bishops (http://www.saharareporters.com/report/looting-nation%E2%80%99s-resources-worries-catholic-bishops)
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By Olokun Ayorinde/Abuja: Daniel Kanu, the man behind the one million man march campaign organised in support of the presidential ambition of the late Nigeria's military dictator, General Sanni Abacha, is leading the campaign team of President Goodluck Jonathan to the United States.
Abacha's Man Leads Jonathan's Campaign In U.S-PM News, Lagos (http://www.saharareporters.com/news-page/abacha%E2%80%99s-man-leads-jonathan%E2%80%99s-campaign-us-pm-news-lagos)
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PM News, Lagos: The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has confirmed that its head of forensic unit, Abdullahi Muazu was killed in Kaduna this morning.
EFCC's Forensic Unit Head Assassinated in Kaduna-PM News (http://www.saharareporters.com/news-page/efccs-forensic-unit-head-assassinated-kaduna-pm-news)
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PM News, Lagos: The Special Fraud Unit, SFU, Force CID, Milverton Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, Nigeria, has declared the Managing Director of Spring Bank Plc, Mrs. Ayodele Olushola wanted over an alleged N5.208 billion fraud in the bank.
N5.2b Fraud: Spring Bank MD Flees, Declared Wanted (http://www.saharareporters.com/news-page/n52b-fraud-spring-bank-md-flees-declared-wanted)
By Mr. Lai Oyeduntan & Diipo Famakinwa: Background/Scenario: On October 1, 2010, Nigeria will turn 50 years as an independent country. From all indications, the government of the day is rolling out the drums in celebrations.
A Summit On Yoruba Development Agenda (http://www.saharareporters.com/press-release/summit-yoruba-development-agenda)
By Folake Temenu Olanrewaju: Arguments on zoning or no zoning should not even have come up in the political discourse in Nigeria if we were to be a nation aspiring to greatness. It is all hogwash by people who have nothing but ethnic card to play in the politics of Nigeria. Such people like Babangida have a condescending, sneering attitude to Nigeria.
The Type Of Leadership Needed In Nigeria (http://www.saharareporters.com/article/type-leadership-needed-nigeria)
By Jackson Ude: Even the devil has followers. And so it came to pass that the gap-toothed retired General and military dictator, General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida whose eight years misrule from 1985 to 1993 marked the beginning of fraud, corruption, lawlessness and killing, on Wednesday at the eagles square, Abuja, shamelessly declared to run for the Presidential elections in 2011 amidst his crowd of goons.
IBB's Declaration And His Hawks Of Goons And Sycophants (http://www.saharareporters.com/article/ibb%E2%80%99s-declaration-and-his-hawks-goons-and-sycophants)
By Sunday Njokede: The storm of declaration-intention that Jonathan Goodluck wrote is an insult, taunt and a direct slap on the faces of Nigerians who lived via Yar'Adua Hitlerism.
Jonathan Goodluck's Declaration-Intent As An Insult To Nigerians! (http://www.saharareporters.com/article/jonathan-goodlucks-declaration-intent-insult-nigerians)
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By Ada Owojela: As opposition mounts against former military dictator, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, IBB, (retd) over his ambition to contest next year's presidential election, a group has warned Nigerians not to trust him.
Don't Trust IBB, Group Begins Media Campaign-PM News, Nigeria (http://www.saharareporters.com/news-page/don%E2%80%99t-trust-ibb-group-begins-media-campaign-pm-news-nigeria)
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The much delayed trial of the wife of Nigeria's most infamous former governor, James Ibori, and his United Kingdom lawyer, will commence at the Southwark Crown Court in London, next Monday, September 20.
Theresa Nkoyo and Bhadresh Gohil, who are to face trial for money laundering, will face a grueling six-week trial before a UK jury starting from Monday.
Mr. Gohil is widely involved in the worldwide money laundering affairs of James Ibori, his wife and his associates. First arrested in 2008 but subsequently granted bail, he faces four counts of money laundering.
Money Laundering Trial of James Ibori's Lawyer And Wife Commences on Monday In London (http://www.saharareporters.com/news-page/money-laundering-trial-james-iboris-lawyer-and-wife-commences-monday-london)
(http://www.saharareporters.com/sites/default/files/page_images/news/2010/BABAibba.jpg?1284671865) By SaharaReporters, New York: Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida, Nigeria's former self-appointed president who wants to be popularly-elected president, yesterday in Abuja made a formal proclamation of his ambition.
Acute Nerve Damage: Babangida Has One Leg Left, And Daughter Slumps At Declaration (http://www.saharareporters.com/news-page/acute-nerve-damage-babangida-has-one-leg-left-and-daughter-slumps-declaration)
By Majek Adega: In a meeting with media chiefs today, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu gave the clearest indication that he will be running for the presidency of Nigeria come 2011. His declaration has re-ignited the debate about his experience for the presidency. The accusation that Nuhu Ribadu is lacking the requisite experience to be the president of Nigeria is grounded in the covert assumption that the other candidates for the presidency are blessed with the necessary experience.
The "Relevant"Experience That Nuhu Ribadu Is Lacking (http://www.saharareporters.com/article/%E2%80%9Crelevant%E2%80%9Dexperience-nuhu-ribadu-lacking)
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By Naiwu Osahon: All that Babangida, (nicknamed IBB), has to show for his over eight years in power in Nigeria, is private colossal wealth, and the edification of corruption in our body politics. Yes, he is richer than many African governments and can buy who ever he wants, but he ruined our lives to reach there.
General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida-The Evil Candidate (http://www.saharareporters.com/article/general-ibrahim-badamosi-babangida-evil-candidate)
(http://www.saharareporters.com/sites/default/files/page_images/press_releases/2010/Achebe2.jpg?1284729441) Professor Chinua Achebe (Brown University) award winning novelist and author will deliver the first Audrey Richards Lecture in African Studies at Cambridge University this fall.
New Audrey Richards Annual Lecture In African Studies (http://www.saharareporters.com/press-release/new-audrey-richards-annual-lecture-african-studies)
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[SaharaReporters, New York] - A validation of the recent exclusive report by Saharareporters that other presidential candidates of the People's Democratic Party in the north are working for former Nigerian dictator Ibrahim Babangida (http://www.saharareporters.com/news-page/%E2%80%98corruption-incorporated%E2%80%99-ibb-campaigning-through-bukola-saraki-picks-odili-running-mate-c), emerged today as four presidential aspirants of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) this afternoon issued a declaration that northern Nigeria must produce "one candidate" in the next presidential candidate in accordance with the party's power rotation policy.
Presidential Election Scam Latest: Atiku, Gusau, Saraki Set To Step Down For Babangida (http://www.saharareporters.com/news-page/presidential-election-scam-latest-atiku-gusau-saraki-set-step-down-babangida)
By Johnson James: Nigerians are again caught in a frenzy of political activities. For those close to where presidential candidates declare their intentions to run for the 2011 election, the proverbial daily bread is cheap to come by: simply attend and you get your 'transport fare.'
2011 Presidential Elections: What The Nigerian Opposition Must Do (http://www.saharareporters.com/article/2011-presidential-elections-what-nigerian-opposition-must-do)
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By Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani: My father's generation will never relinquish their tribalism, but my generation has thankfully learned to look forward.
Nigeria Tribalism: A Personal Love Story (http://www.saharareporters.com/art-life/nigeria-tribalism-personal-love-story)
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By SaharaReporters, New York: Goodluck Jonathan, the Nigerian academic whose rise to power has been out of sheer luck than rather than hard work, today in Abuja formally announced his run for the presidency before a crowd of "supporters" mobilized by state governors at the same venue where former dictator, Ibrahim Babangida, threw down the gauntlet last Wednesday.
Jonathan Declares For Re-Election, Amidst Cautious Endorsement By Northern Governors (http://www.saharareporters.com/news-page/jonathan-declares-re-election-amidst-cautious-endorsement-northern-governors)
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By SaharaReporters, New York: President Goodluck Jonathan has cancelled his planned trip to the United States where he had planned to attend the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Jonathan Cancels US Trip Amid Political and Security Concerns (http://www.saharareporters.com/news-page/jonathan-cancels-us-trip-amid-political-and-security-concerns)
By Majek Adega: Today at the Eagles Square, Abuja, President Goodluck Jonathan formally declared his no-longer-a-secret decision to vie for the presidency of Nigeria, come 2011. He delivered a speech what would ordinarily inspire voters, except that it came from a man they have had months to observe and have been disappointed with his approach to the business of government and governance.
Jonathan Declares For 2011 Presidential Race With False Promises, Outright Fabrications And Attempts To Re-Write History. (http://www.saharareporters.com/article/jonathan-declares-2011-presidential-race-false-promises-outright-fabrications-and-attempts-r)
Concerned Nigerians: On the 8th of September 2010, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan surprised the whole nation and the security community, when he announced the sack of all service chiefs alongside the IGP and Director of SSS, and immediately replaced them with new ones.
Why Hafiz Ringim Is Not A Good Choice As IGP (http://www.saharareporters.com/report/why-hafiz-ringim-not-good-choice-igp)
By Charles Jiduwah: Fellow Nigerians, the political and socio-economical hardship in Nigeria is no longer a thing to wave off. Elite corruption has touched every community in our country. In every town, village, suburb and city, job losses, failing businesses, no electricity, bad roads, poor education and healthcare are taking their toll.
My Covenant With You (http://www.saharareporters.com/article/my-covenant-you)
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A Special Issue of the Journal of Contemporary African Studies, "Nigeria At Fifty: The Nation in Narration" edited by Dr. Ebenezer Obadare of the University of Kansas, Lawrence, and Dr. Wale Adebanwi, University of California, Davis, will be publicly presented in Lagos on Saturday, October 9, 2010.
Public Presentation Of "Nigeria At 50: A Nation In Nation" (http://www.saharareporters.com/press-release/public-presentation-%E2%80%9Cnigeria-50-nation-nation%E2%80%9D)
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By Adepoju Paul Olusegun: Last week, Thursday to be precise, some contenders for the 2011 Presidential Elections took various bold steps toward the actualization of their closet desires. These steps were characterized with strong underlying political indications, thoughtful strategies, and technically sound counterstrikes.
Viral Jonathan took the shine off IBB's Eagle Square rally by flawing the retired General's ingenious multi-million Naira game plan with the aid of a free Facebook status update that got to thousands of Nigerians.
Judging By Their Speeches (http://www.saharareporters.com/article/judging-their-speeches)
Abuja, the capital of Nigeria was literally speaking, on fire yesterday the 18th day of September 2010, before, during and after the declaration of President Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan to contest the 2011, Presidential election. Let me not detain you with the details of the said declaration but suffice to say that the planners of the event deserve commendation. My interest in the event is to attempt a post analysis that will capture some of the salient issues most people would have taken for granted.
Jonathan's Declaration: A Post Analysis (http://www.saharareporters.com/article/jonathan%E2%80%99s-declaration-post-analysis)
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The High Level United Nations Summit which is considering how to end poverty by 2015 is underway in New York, but Nigeria is missing.
Goodluck Jonathan, Scheduled To Speak 6th, Is Missing At United Nations Summit (http://www.saharareporters.com/news-page/goodluck-jonathan-scheduled-speak-6th-missing-united-nations-summit)
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By Nuhu Ribadu: My Brothers and Sisters: It is with deep humility and a profound sense of responsibility that I am writing to inform you of my intention to join politics and seek your support to participate in the forthcoming general elections.
Ribadu Writes A Letter Announcing Presidential Run-"A New Nigeria, Our Time Is Now!" (http://www.saharareporters.com/article/ribadu-writes-letter-announcing-presidential-run-new-nigeria-our-time-now)
By Joe Igbokwe: The Lagos State chapter of the Action Congress of Nigeria has asked Nigerians to support whatever it would take for the new INEC to deliver on the critical demand for a free and fair election in 2011. It therefore agrees that more time be given to the new INEC to conduct a credible election in 2011 especially as it pertains to conducting a proper voter's registration exercise for the critical election.
Lagos ACN Backs INEC's Demand For More Time (http://www.saharareporters.com/press-release/lagos-acn-backs-inec%E2%80%99s-demand-more-time)
Citizen reports: The former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, yesterday declared he would run for president under the newly formed Action Congress of Nigeria. He made this declaration at his campaign office in Abuja, while meeting with journalists.
Ribadu To Run For President On Action Congress Of Nigeria Platform (http://www.saharareporters.com/news-page/ribadu-run-president-action-congress-nigeria-platform)
By Dr. Wumi Akintide: The North and the South of Nigeria must now understand that no condition is permanent. What goes around comes around and neither of the two power blocs in Nigerian Politics have a monopoly of wisdom or domination. The North has continuously dominated the political landscape of Nigeria for no less than 39 out of 50 years of Nigeria's Independence if you are paying as much attention as I do as a historian and a political scientist.
The Long Awaited Power Shift To The South In Nigeria Is God At Work. No Man Can Stop It (http://www.saharareporters.com/article/long-awaited-power-shift-south-nigeria-god-work-no-man-can-stop-it)
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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has proposed March 2011 as the new dates for general election in Nigeria.
INEC Proposes March /April 2011 To Hold Nigerian General Elections (http://www.saharareporters.com/news-page/inec-proposes-march-april-2011-hold-nigerian-general-elections)
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Adebayo Adejare: (A thousand years will pass and the guilt of Nigerian Military for the desolation of her peoples will not be erased)
Barbarossa: Resistance To Army Generals' Siege On Nigeria's Democracy (http://www.saharareporters.com/article/barbarossa-resistance-army-generals-siege-nigerias-democracy)
(http://www.saharareporters.com/sites/default/files/page_images/news/2010/team_ribadu.jpg?1285202957) Citizen Reporters The former President of the Nigeria Bar Association, Mr. Olurotimi Akeredolu (SAN), yesterday declared his support for Mallam Nuhu Ribadu who plans to run for president in 2011 under the platform of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).
Ribadu Is The Change Nigeria Needs – Former NBA President, Akeredolu (http://www.saharareporters.com/news-page/ribadu-change-nigeria-needs-%E2%80%93-former-nba-president-akeredolu)
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By Bamidele Aturu: It is already five years that Chima Ubani passed on in a motor crash on his way from Maiduguri where he had, as one of the leaders of the civil society, participated in a sensitisation rally organised by the labour movement to resist the plan by the Nigerian state to increase the cost of petroleum products and make life more miserable for the toiling poor masses of the country.
Chima Ubani: Remembering A Peoples' General In The Era Of Empty Sloganeering (http://www.saharareporters.com/article/chima-ubani-remembering-peoples%E2%80%99-general-era-empty-sloganeering)
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The culture of profligacy and waste of public funds that has come to define the Goodluck Jonathan regime will be on full display Thursday morning when he arrives in New York at 6:00a.m. Saharareporters has obtained a list of Jonathan's entourage, indicating that he will be accompanied by a 120-strong contingent during his short trip to address the General Assembly on Friday. Jonathan's wife, Patience, is also headed for New York with her own much smaller retinue.
Jonathan Storms New York with 120-Man Delegation For A 36-Hour Trip To The UN (http://www.saharareporters.com/news-page/jonathan-storms-new-york-120-man-delegation-36-hour-trip-un)
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By SaharaReporters, New york: The South African police invaded the Johannesburg home of Henry Okah, the leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) early today, apparently acting on the request of the Nigerian authorities who claimed that Mr. Okah was stockpiling weapons and re-arming fighters in the volatile Niger Delta region of Nigeria.
South African Police Raid Home Of Exiled MEND Leader, Henry Okah (http://www.saharareporters.com/news-page/south-african-police-raid-home-exiled-mend-leader-henry-okah)
[SaharaReporters, New York] - Patience, wife of President Goodluck Jonathan, on Friday demonstrated utter disrespect for her husband and the office of the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria at the 50th anniversary parade in Abuja.
Our correspondent at the ceremony reported that Patience, dressed in a white blouse, a white skirt and a green head gear, refused to rise up in respect for the president who was returning to his seat after decorating the army, navy, airforce and police chiefs with commemorative badges, and letting off of pigeons as a sign of peace.
As the president approached his seat on the VIP stand, Vice President Namadi Sambo and his wife, Amina, who were seated right of Jonathan rose in respect as demanded by protocol.
First Lady Patience Jonathan Dismiss Protocol At the Independence Day Anniversary (http://www.saharareporters.com/news-page/first-lady-patience-jonathan-disses-protocol-independence-day-anniversary)
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SaharaReporters, New York - Exiled MEND leader Henry Okah was picked up today by the South African police.
MEND Leader, Henry Okah, Arrested In South Africa (http://www.saharareporters.com/news-page/mend-leader-henry-okah-arrested-south-africa)
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Press statement from Ima Niboro - President Goodluck Jonathan has appointed General Andrew Owoye Azazi as National Security Adviser. Gen Azazi takes over from Col Kayode Are (rtd).
BREAKING NEWS: Gen. Azazi (rtd) Appointed National Security Adviser (http://www.saharareporters.com/news-page/breaking-news-gen-azazi-rtd-appointed-national-security-adviser)
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The Director General of the IBB 2011 Presidential Campaign Organization, High Chief Raymond Aleogho Dokpesi was invited Sunday, 3rd October 2010 by the State Security Services [SSS] to report to their headquarters by 11am Monday, 4th October 2010. As a law-abiding citizen, he promptly complied and reported to the State Security Services headquarters by 10:00 am this morning as directed.
Press Statement: Arrest Of Raymond Dokpesi, Babangida Reacts (http://www.saharareporters.com/news-page/press-statement-arrest-raymond-dokpesi-babangida-reacts)
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Saharareporters, New York - The Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee (LPPC) of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has suspended the former Attorney General of the Federation, Michael Aondoakaa as a "Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN)," pending investigations over a petition submitted by the Committtee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) requesting his removal as a SAN (http://www.saharareporters.com/news-page/michael-aondoakaa-%E2%80%9Cunfit%E2%80%9D-remain-san-says-cdhr-high-powered-petition).
BREAKING NEWS: Aondoakaa Suspended As SAN (http://www.saharareporters.com/news-page/breaking-news-aondoakaa-suspended-san)
(http://www.saharareporters.com/sites/default/files/page_images/news/2010/protest_indyday.jpg?1286482074) By SaharaReporters, New York Nigerian pro-democracy activists based in New York today warned governors and other public office holders planning to visit the city to participate in the annual Independence anniversary celebration to steer clear of the city and remain at home in Nigeria.
Activists Plan "Free Nigeria Rally", Warn Nigerian Governors Against Visiting New York For "Independence Day Parade" (http://www.saharareporters.com/news-page/activists-plan-free-nigeria-rally-warn-nigerian-governors-against-visiting-new-york-indepe)
Robert Palmer - British high street banks have accepted millions of pounds in deposits from corrupt Nigerian politicians, raising serious questions about their commitment to tackling financial crime, warned Global Witness in a report published today (http://www.globalwitness.org/media_library_detail.php/1055/en/international_thief_thief_how_british_banks_are_co). By taking money from corrupt Nigerian governors between 1999 and 2005, Barclays, NatWest, RBS, HSBC and UBS helped to fuel corruption and entrench poverty in Nigeria.
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British Banks Complicit In Nigerian Corruption, Court Documents Reveal-GlobalWitness Report (http://www.saharareporters.com/news-page/british-banks-complicit-nigerian-corruption-court-documents-reveal-globalwitness-report)
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SaharaReporters, New York - Despite promises made to the organizers of the annual independence day parade in New York city, not a single Nigerian state governor showed yesterday up at the Nigerian House venue of the ceremonial salute after members of the Nigeria Democratic Liberty Forum (NDLF) issued a statement warning state governors to stay away from the event.
Nigerian Governors Keep Off Nigeria Independence Day Parade In New York Over Protests (http://www.saharareporters.com/news-page/nigerian-governors-keep-nigeria-independence-day-parade-new-york-over-protests)
Saharareporters, New York - London cemented its reputation as the money laundering capital of the World and as corrupt Nigerian politicians' laundry place of choice in 2001 when the UK's financial services regulator, the Financial Services Authority (FSA), announced that UK banks helped the former Nigerian head of state, late Sanni Abacha, his family members, and close associates to launder $1.3 billion between 1996 and 2000.
London Games: Financial Services Authority Investigation Into UK Banks Helping Abacha Launder Money (http://www.saharareporters.com/news-page/london-games-financial-services-authority-investigation-uk-banks-helping-abacha-launder-mo)
Njadvara Musa And Jon Gambrell (Associated Press Writers) - GAMBORU, Nigeria – Rioters set a police station ablaze in northern Nigeria near where a radical Islamic sect operates, a police spokesman said Tuesday. The attack was similar to one that sparked a wave of violence last year that left more than 700 people dead.
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Boko Haram: Rioters Burn Police Station in Northern Nigeria-AP (http://www.saharareporters.com/news-page/boko-haram-rioters-burn-police-station-northern-nigeria-ap)
GIN – More than 100 African scholars and human rights defenders are demanding the cancellation of a UNESCO science prize named for the president of Equatorial Guinea.
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African Leaders Blast UNESCO Prize Named For Despot (http://www.saharareporters.com/news-page/african-leaders-blast-unesco-prize-named-despot)
SaharaReporters, New York - The hoax trial of so-called Halliburton bribe-takers in Nigeria, which was first reported by SaharaReporters only five weeks ago (http://www.saharareporters.com/news-page/halliburton-hoax-jonathans-joke-corruption-trial), on September 5, predictably collapsed today as the Goodluck Jonathan government formally withdrew charges against almost all the individuals accused of collecting bribes.
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At the Federal High Court in Abuja, only Bodunde Adeyanju, who ran bank errands for President Olusegun Obasanjo in his heydays in Aso Rock, remained charged by the police prosecutor, but he, too, enjoyed an easy time before the judge after pleading non-guilt and received lenient bail conditions.
Today's validation of our story that the Jonathan regime was creating a hoax trial is the latest in a series of developments since the former Vice-President assumed office that confirm he has no true intention of combating corruption. Upon his first visit to the United States, he told President Obama and interest groups such as Nigerians in the country and the Council on Foreign Relations that he would be relentless in fighting corruption.
And last month, as he planned a trip to the United Nations General Assembly in New York, the Jonathan government continued to create the impression that it was serious about prosecuting Halliburton bribe-takers. Indeed, the "start" of the prosecution was in the first draft of the Jonathan speech to the Assembly, but was eliminated later.
Halliburton Trial Collapses As FG Withdraws Charges Against Bribe Takers (http://www.saharareporters.com/news-page/halliburton-trial-collapses-fg-withdraws-charges-against-bribe-takers)
Prize is an Affront to Efforts to Promote Human Rights and Good Governance in the Continent
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Citizens of Equatorial Guinea and prominent African figures including Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, Graça Machel, Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka, and author Chinua Achebe wrote to UNESCO's Executive Board today urging them to cancel definitively the UNESCO-Obiang Nguema Mbasogo Prize for Research in the Life Sciences.
The letter, signed by 127 African laureates, scholars, human rights defenders, and citizens of Equatorial Guinea, cited the record of serious abuses and mismanagement of the country's wealth by the eponymous funder of the prize, President Teodoro Obiang Nguema of Equatorial Guinea.
UNESCO: Africans Urge Cancellation of Obiang Prize (http://www.saharareporters.com/news-page/unesco-africans-urge-cancellation-obiang-prize)
The Supreme Court of Nigeria this morning in Abuja this adjourned ruling in the Sokoto State gubernatorial election case until November 26, 2010 a few months before the next gubernatorial election in the state.
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Supreme Court Hangs Sokoto Gubernatorial Ruling Until November 26, 2010 (http://www.saharareporters.com/news-page/supreme-court-hangs-sokoto-gubernatorial-ruling-until-november-26-2010)
The candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in the 2007 gubernatorial election in Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, whose electoral victory was proclaimed yesterday by the Federal Court of Appeal sitting in Ilorin, is set to declare a set of measures to inaugurate a what he described as "New Era" of governance in Ekiti State today at his swearing scheduled for 12 in Ado Ekiti.
Sources close to Dr. Fayemi, an expert in war studies and a reknowned pro-democracy activist disclosed to Saharareporters that Fayemi's inauguration speech will include the announcement of some "critical measures" which will seek a return to the "glorious days of Chief Obafemi Awolowo's leadership of the Western Region."
Fayemi To Declare a "New Era" Reminiscent Of Awo's Period in Ekiti State (http://www.saharareporters.com/news-page/fayemi-declare-%E2%80%9Cnew-era%E2%80%9D-reminiscent-awo%E2%80%99s-period-ekiti-state)
The trial of former Federal Capital Territory Minister; Mallam Nasir el Rufai before a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja this morning suffered a set back as the court has declined jurisdiction to try the former minister who was alleged to have abused his office by revoking parcels land allocated to Power Holding Company of Nigeria and allocating same to his wives and cronies.
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El Rufai and 2 others who were in charge of land matters while he held sway at the helm of affairs at the FCT Ministry were charged before the court on the provisions of the ICPC Act of 2004. They were alleged to have abused their offices as they conducted official functions in such manners as to enrich themselves.
The former minister challenged his trial before the Federal High Court stating that the ICPC Act provides for trial of alleged contraventions to be conducted at a state High Court of the FCT High Court in the case of the Federal Capital Territory. He urged the court to decline jurisdiction as it lacks the jurisdiction to try him.
Land Fraud: Court Discharges El Rufai-PM News, Lagos (http://www.saharareporters.com/news-page/land-fraud-court-discharges-el-rufai-pm-news-lagos)
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SaharaReporters, New York - UNESCO has suspended the controversial President Teodoro Obiang Nguema prize.
UNESCO Suspends African Dictator's Prize (http://www.saharareporters.com/news-page/unesco-suspends-african-dictators-prize)
As the trial of the suspected MEND leader, Henry Okah, unravels in South Africa and that of his older brother, Charles, begins in Abuja, the broader Okah family is internally battling another of the brothers who is alleged to be the one who sold out his siblings.
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Known as "Dr. Bowie," the 41-year old's original name is Sonny Bowie Okah, and he is the younger brother of Henry. Members of the family believe he has been providing the Nigerian government with unusual help in tracking down two of his brothers - Henry and Charles!
Sunny is number six in line in the Okah family of 9 children. For some reason, he has been at loggerheads with Charles and Henry dating back to the 1990s when Henry is alleged to have actively engaged in serious arms business.
Family sources told Saharareporters that Sunny had business disagreements with Charles which prompted Henry's intervention. From that time, the relationship went sour and family ties were irretrievably broken.
The sources told Saharareporters that Sonny's troubles started after he was kicked out of the Nigerian Defence Academy. He returned to Lagos to live with his father and later his elder brother, Charles, in the Apapa area of Lagos.
Turmoil, As Okah Family Identify "Enemy Within" (http://www.saharareporters.com/news-page/turmoil-okah-family-identify-%E2%80%9Cenemy-within%E2%80%9D)
Investigations by Saharareporters have revealed that three main targets of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) are fully back in Nigeria and walking free – after they were declared wanted by the anti-corruption agency.
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The three are businessman Mike Adenuga, former Governor Ahmed Adamu Muazu, and an Abuja-based lawyer, Dele Oye.
Adenuga, a controversial businessman who has acted for long as a financial front for former military dictator, Ibrahim Babangida, publicly showed off his presence and freedom last week. He attended a packed event at Eko Hotel in Lagos where he launched fiber optic cable from London. Numerous public officials, including the Senate President, David Mark, and the governors of Lagos and Ogun states attended the event.
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The EFCC recently made a fan-fare of declaring Adenuga wanted following revelations that that he and his wife, Titi Adenuga, had received bribes from Siemens officials. After ignoring a series of invitations to appear before the EFCC in the guise of attending the World Cup in South Africa, Mr. Adenuga sneaked out of the country, leading the EFCC to declare him wanted.
"I can confirm that Chief is back in town, he is not hiding, and nobody from the EFCC has come to his door yet," said a source close to Mr. Adenuga who is the proprietor of Glo, a Nigerian telecommunications company.
EFCC Looks Other Way As Three High-Profile Fugitives Walk Free (http://www.saharareporters.com/news-page/efcc-looks-other-way-three-high-profile-fugitives-walk-free)
Global Information System, a privately run thinktank of retired U.S. military strategists, has published a report attacking the government of Goodluck Jonathan for the "corruption of the Nigerian political process, now in full swing."
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The report, published on the rightwing website WorldTribune, alleges that "major payments are now being made to each of the delegates of the political parties, particularly the overwhelmingly large ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP), who decide the primary elections which then select the party candidate for the presidential elections in 2011."
PDP Primaries: US Military Strategists Claim Jonathan Is "Bribing" $13,000 Per PDP Delegate (http://www.saharareporters.com/news-page/pdp-primaries-us-military-strategists-claim-jonathan-bribing-13000-pdp-delegate)
Africa's foremost novelist Chinua Achebe yesterday declared himself a "lucky man." Achebe, who holds the Mariana Fisher Professorship at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, made the statement last night at the Hudson Theatre in New York City where he received the 2010 Dorothy and Lillian Gish Prize.
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The prize, established under the will of Lillian Gish, is awarded annually to "a man or a woman who has made an outstanding contribution to the beauty of the world and to mankind's enjoyment and understanding of life." Lillian Gish and her sister, Dorothy, were actresses who ruled the big screen in the first half of the 20th century.
"Though I did not meet the two sisters," Chinua said, "I feel that I know them. And that they knew me in my little corner."
Achebe was honored for excelling in his field of writing and for being a role model for others. The managing Director of JPMorgan Chase Bank, Lisa Philip, called Achebe one of the world's greatest living writers. JP Morgan Chase Bank is the trustee of the prize.
In his stirring remark to introduce Achebe, Jamaican novelist Ekwueme Michael Thelwell exalted Achebe's humanity. He narrated tales of Achebe's demonstration of courage, integrity and generosity. "Unlike some other prizes, the recipient of this prize is enhanced by the prize. He equally enhances the prize," said Thelwell, a visiting professor of Africana Studies at Brown University. He noted that Achebe was joining a distinguished list of past winners. Past winners of the Gish Prize include Ingmar Bergman, Bob Dylan, Arthur Miller, Robert Redford and Peter Seeger.
"I'm Lucky," Says Chinua Achebe, As He Receives Gish Prize (http://www.saharareporters.com/news-page/%E2%80%9Ci%E2%80%99m-lucky%E2%80%9D-says-chinua-achebe-he-receives-gish-prize)
Named importers: Sheikh Ali Abbas Othman; Mr. Azimi Agajany; Mr. Sayed Akbar Tahmaesebi and Mal. Aliyu Oroje Wamakko.
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Sheikh Ali Abbas Othman Hassan, better known in Nigerian activist Muslim circles as Sheikh Abbas Jega, was the man who facilitated the importation of the controversial arms consignment into Nigeria, Daily Trust learnt from top security sources in Abuja yesterday. It was Sheikh Abbas who issued invitations to the two Iranian businessmen who imported the arms to come to Nigeria and thus helped them to secure visas, the sources said. His name was also given on the shipping documents as the owner of the 13 containers in Nigeria. The Sheikh is currently in Tehran.
Iranian Arms Imports To Nigeria: The Men Who Did It- A Report By Daily Trust Newspapers, Abuja (http://www.saharareporters.com/news-page/iranian-arms-imports-nigeria-men-who-did-it-report-daily-trust-newspapers-abuja)
In the latest Presidential memo on the Petroleum Industry Bill, obtained by Saharareporters, the Goodluck Jonathan regime reveals its final plan for the so-called "10 percent" Niger Delta community payments measure announced by late Umaru Yar'Adua over a year ago.
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The so-called plan was drafted by Dr. Emmanuel Egbogah, Presidential Adviser on Energy. (For details of his contentious contributions, see pp.88f and pp.289f of the attached document).
Under the latest terms, oil companies will enjoy unrestricted profits - the pesky 10 percent share with Niger Delta residents having been excised by the drafter.
When Yar'Adua's administration first announced the 10% in September 2009, it was said communities would "own" a 10 percent equity stake in the Federal Government's 6 Joint Ventures (JVs) with Shell, Mobil, Chevron, Total, Agip, and Panocean. But under Egbogah's revision, communities are only pledged $600m a year - regardless of company profits - in "host community dividends" as "compensation." Of course, the National Assembly can yank these back whenever it chooses.
Jonathan's PIB Memo: '10 percent' Profit Share For Niger Delta 'Disappeared' Under New Petroleum Industry Bill (http://www.saharareporters.com/news-page/jonathan%E2%80%99s-pib-memo-10-percent-profit-share-niger-delta-disappeared-under-new-petroleum-in)
The United States government has slammed a punitive fine of N35.8 billion or $236 million on six foreign companies for offering hefty bribes to Nigerian government officials during the Olusegun Obasanjo presidency.
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The bribes were paid between 2002 and 2007 by Shell, the giant multi-national oil producing company, Panalpina, the Swiss-based freight forwarding company and Transocean, an oil drilling company and three other oil service companies.
Reports by Bloomberg and Reuters last night said the fines settled several years of probes of the companies by the US Justice Department and court actions by the US Securities and Exchange Commission over the illegal payments to Nigerian officials. All the six companies and some of their subsidiaries also agreed to violations in Angola, Brazil and Russia and Equatorial Guinea, all oil producing nations.
Panalpina will pay the heaviest penalty—$81.5 million. Shell will pay $48.1 and Transocean $20.6 million.
Bribes To OBJ's Govt: US Slams $236m Fines On Shell, Others-PM News, Lagos (http://www.saharareporters.com/news-page/bribes-obj%E2%80%99s-govt-us-slams-236m-fines-shell-others-pm-news-lagos)
Constitutional lawyer, Prof. Itse Sagay has revealed that a legislator in the National Assembly, Abuja, Nigeria, earns far more than the United States President, Barack Obama.
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This revelation was made by Sagay yesterday when he delivered a lecture to mark the 47th birthday celebration of the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Opeyemi Bamidele held at the Eko FM Multi-Purpose Hall, Ikeja, Lagos.
In the lecture, Sagay lamented that a Nigerian Senator, in 2009 earned N240 million in salaries and allowances annually while his House of Representatives counterpart earned N203.8 million annually.
"In other words, a senator earned about $1.7 million and a member of the House of Representatives earned $1.45 million per annum," he said.
Nigeria's Federal Legislator Earns More Than Obama-Prof. Itse Sagay (http://www.saharareporters.com/news-page/nigeria%E2%80%99s-federal-legislator-earns-more-obama-prof-itse-sagay)
(http://www.saharareporters.com/sites/default/files/page_images/news/2010/lukman.jpg?1289214237) In what appears to be a resumption of hostilities in the Niger Delta region militants last night attacked an oil block owned by Nigeria's Former Petroleum Minister Rilwan Lukman
Militants Attack Rilwan Lukman's AFREN Oil Rig In Akwa Ibom, Abduct Expatriates (http://www.saharareporters.com/news-page/militants-attack-rilwan-lukmans-afren-oil-rig-akwa-ibom-abduct-expatriates)
(http://www.saharareporters.com/sites/default/files/page_images/news/2010/Mend_speedboat_AFP.jpg?1289228457) By SaharaReporters, New York AFREN, Nigeria, an oil firm owned by Nigeria’s former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Rilwan Lukman, (http://www.saharareporters.com/letter/real-owners-afren-plc)has confirmed the abduction today of five oil workers at its Okoro oil fields in Akwa Ibom State.
UPDATED: Five Oil Workers Kidnapped, Two Injured, At Rilwan Lukman's AFREN; Drilling Operations Stalled (http://www.saharareporters.com/news-page/updated-five-oil-workers-kidnapped-two-injured-rilwan-lukman%E2%80%99s-afren-drilling-operations-s)
(http://www.saharareporters.com/sites/default/files/page_images/news/2010/agbakoba.jpg?1289228951) Channelstv.com A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has held that the amendment to the 1999 Constitution recently carried out by the National Assembly cannot become operational without the assent of President Goodluck Jonathan.
Court Declares Constitutional Amendment Inchoate (Null And Void)-Channelstv.com (http://www.saharareporters.com/news-page/court-declares-constitutional-amendment-inchoate-null-and-void-channelstvcom)
(http://www.saharareporters.com/sites/default/files/page_images/news/2010/Olusegun%20Obasanjo.jpg?1289261236) By SaharaReporters, New York Earlier today former Nigerian President, Olusegun Obasanjo received a dose of the widespread hatred in which ordinary Nigerians hold him, when a man forced his way into his car. The angry Nigerian believed to be in his 40s forced his way into his car, grabbed him by his "Agbada" and pummeled with vicious punches.
Irate Nigerian Man Rains Punches On Obasanjo At Lagos Airport (http://www.saharareporters.com/news-page/irate-nigerian-man-rains-punches-obasanjo-lagos-airport)
(http://www.saharareporters.com/sites/default/files/page_images/news/2010/nigeria_nlc.jpg?1289356034) By SaharaReporters, New York Nigeria's economy will be effectively shut down on Wednesday as workers across the country under the aegis of the Nigeria Labour Congress down tools over government's refusal to implement the N18,000 minimum wage earlier agreed in negotiations.
Minimum Wage Showdown: Strike Goes Ahead As NLC, Jonathan Meeting Deadlocked (http://www.saharareporters.com/news-page/minimum-wage-showdown-strike-goes-ahead-nlc-jonathan-meeting-deadlocked)
(http://www.saharareporters.com/sites/default/files/page_images/news/2010/shut%20down.jpg?1289395506) By SaharaReporters, New York The Nigeria Policemen with a handful of workers at the gate of Federal Secretariat in Abuja this morning. Nigerian workers are on strike due to the Nigeria Labour Congress induced workers strike across Nigeria over demands for the increase of the minimum wage.
PHOTONEWS: Workers Go On Strike In Nigeria (http://www.saharareporters.com/news-page/photonews-workers-go-strike-nigeria)
(http://www.saharareporters.com/sites/default/files/page_images/news/2010/ken-8.JPG?1289389622) GIN Nov. 9 (GIN) – The Guardian newspaper of London has reported this week that internal documents of the oil giant Royal Dutch Shell described a “crisis management strategy and plan” in response to the execution of Nigerian activist Ken Saro Wiwa.
Shell Tried To 'Re-Brand' Itself After Execution Of Nigerian Activist, New Docs Say (http://www.saharareporters.com/news-page/shell-tried-%E2%80%98re-brand%E2%80%99-itself-after-execution-nigerian-activist-new-docs-say)
(http://www.saharareporters.com/sites/default/files/page_images/news/2010/kalejaiye.jpg?1289393302) By SaharaReporters, New York SaharaReporters has obtained the report of a disciplinary panel of the Nigeria Bar Association, which indicted a lawyer to Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola of Osun State, Kunle Kalejaiye, SAN, for unprofessional communication with tribunal judges who adjudicated over the Osun State governorship election petition.
NBA Panel Indicts Oyinlola's Lawyer For Misconduct Over Osun Tribunal Text Messages (http://www.saharareporters.com/news-page/nba-panel-indicts-oyinlolas-lawyer-misconduct-over-osun-tribunal-text-messages)
(http://www.saharareporters.com/sites/default/files/page_images/news/2010/nlc_strike_4.jpg?1289407838) By SaharaReporters, New York Photo shows Secretary of the Nigeria Labour President, John Odah
(left), Acting President Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Promise
Adewusi and President Trade Union Congress, Peter Esele (right)
at the National Coordinating Committee meeting where the decision was made to suspend the three-day warning strike in Abuja on Wednesday.
UPDATED With NLC Communique: NLC Suspends Strike Action (http://www.saharareporters.com/news-page/updated-nlc-communique-nlc-suspends-strike-action)
(http://www.saharareporters.com/sites/default/files/page_images/news/2010/NigerianPoliceMen.jpg?1289430214) By SaharaReporters, New York An orderly to Justice Monica Dongban-Mensan, the lead judge who yesterday gave the Court of Appeal ruling sacking Delta State governor Emmanuel Uduaghan has accidentally shot a labour leader, Godwin Ehikioya, at the Benin City airport.
Police Orderly To Uduaghan's Court of Appeal Justice Shoots Labour Leader In Benin (http://www.saharareporters.com/news-page/police-orderly-uduaghans-court-appeal-justice-shoots-labour-leader-benin)
(http://www.saharareporters.com/sites/default/files/page_images/news/2010/alaibe3.jpg?1289565025) Reuters PORT HARCOURT, Nigeria (Reuters) - Gunmen armed with explosives have attacked the home of Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan's top adviser on the Niger Delta oil region, police in the southern state of Bayelsa said on Friday.
Militants Attack Home Of Jonathan's "Amnesty" Adviser, Timi Alaibe-Reuters (http://www.saharareporters.com/news-page/militants-attack-home-jonathans-amnesty-adviser-timi-alaibe-reuters)
(http://www.saharareporters.com/sites/default/files/page_images/news/2010/achebe.jpg?1289619796) The 2010 Brown University Achebe African Colloquium focuses attention on three important African nations: RWANDA, CONGO and NIGERIA and the crucial issues that are impacting these nations, the continent and the world.
Brown University Announces The Achebe African Colloquium 2010 (http://www.saharareporters.com/news-page/brown-university-announces-achebe-african-colloquium-2010)
(http://www.saharareporters.com/sites/default/files/page_images/news/2010/Nigeria_militaryboat.jpg?1290070565) AlJazeera At least 19 recently abducted oil workers rescued in the country's oil-rich delta region, sources say.
Nigeria Military Frees Oil Hostages-AlJazeera (http://www.saharareporters.com/news-page/nigeria-military-frees-oil-hostages-aljazeera)
(http://www.saharareporters.com/sites/default/files/page_images/news/2010/amos_adamu.jpg?1290075263) By SaharaReporters, New York Claudio Sulser, Chairman of FIFA Ethics Committee says FIFA Ethics committee investigated allegations of bribe-soliciting by two FIFA officials including Amos Adamu of Nigeria.
BREAKING NEWS: Nigeria's Amos Adamu Suspended For 3 Years By FIFA Ethics Committee (http://www.saharareporters.com/news-page/breaking-news-nigerias-amos-adamu-suspended-3-years-fifa-ethics-committee)
:) ;) :D ;D >:( :( :o 8) ??? ::) :P :-[ :-X :-\ :-* :'(