₦airaland Forum

http://www.igbofocus.co.uk/index.html

United Ijaw States
NATIONAL SELF DETERMINATION

We seek national self determination, the independence of United Ijaw States as a Sovereign State based on sustainable social and economic development, true democracy, liberty, equality, justice and positive participation of all at all levels of the economy and society. We want the complete control and management of our resources, the redistribution of our wealth, the well-being of our aged, the advancement of our youth, the liberation of our people and the protection of our children, so help us GOD, we will.

Universal Declaration of Human Rights What You Can Do
The Kaiama Declaration HRW: The Niger Delta

United Ijaw States

POPULATION: 14,055,000


We The Ijaws, the predominant indigenous people in the Niger Delta,  moved to the Delta over 7,000 years. We have a distinctive language.

The Niger River Delta, one of the largest and beautiful deltas in the world, is the largest delta in Africa, and it covers approximately 14,000 square miles (36,260 square kilometers). Its origination is in the highlands of the Fouta Djallon Plateau in western Guinea 150 miles (240 kilometers) from the Atlantic Ocean.




       
The Niger River is Africa’s third longest river covering approximately 2,600 miles or 4185 kilometers. It flows northeast into Mali. In central Mali, the Niger forms a vast inland delta, a maze of channels and shallow lakes. Just below Timbuktu, the Niger bends, flowing first east, then southeast from Mali through the Republic of Niger, and finally into Nigeria.

At Lokoja in central Nigeria, the Niger is joined by its chief tributary, the Benue. The Niger then travels south 250 miles or 400 kilometers, becoming a great  fan shaped delta before emptying into the Gulf of Guinea. It is this delta that the Ijaws have called home for over 7,000 years.


The Niger Delta covers an area of about 70,000 square kilometer, and is spread across eight of the 36 Nigerian states. These are Bayelsa, Delta, Rivers, Edo, Akwa Ibom, Ondo, Abia and Imo. It is endowed with immense natural resources, particularly crude oil. The process of the formation of the present Delta started about 75,000 years ago and over the centuries, accumulation of sedimentary deposits washed down the Rivers Niger and Benue resulted in the vast flood plain there is today. 
Quote
"I consider that Nigeria is on the verge, on the brink of a massive implosion that will make what's happening in the Sudan child's play. ) know there are movements for secession in this country. > know that everybody is preparing for the contingency of breaking up. ,ternational organisations are also studying the situation,",  Wole Soyinka, Africa's first Nobel Prize Winner for Literature,  Reuters Alert, July 8, 2004.

[/b]
http://www.unitedijawstates.com/[b][/b]

[b]A Growing 'Nigerianisation' of Ghanaian Society?


Last Updated: 13 hours ago | E-mail Article   


Accra, Sept. 23, GNA - One of the frequently played Ghanaian pseudo-gospel songs goes, "Osambarima, la-la-la-la-laa- laaaaa……" Then the chorus: "Igwe… Igwe!"

We in Ghana, interestingly, seem to be suffering from a chronic dependency syndrome in our approach to most aspects of life, all our talents and intelligence notwithstanding.

The spirit of cherishing one's own continues to elude Ghanaians, giving rise to the craving for things foreign. Exalting anything and everything that emanates from outside, while downgrading/devaluing anything local.

This tendency is manifested in the way we dress, the way some of us walk, the kind of food we prefer to eat, the music and other works of art we appreciate and invariably the way we think and act. For those who wonder why campaigns by successive governments to popularize the patronage of "Made in Ghana" products fail to make the desired impact, this is your answer.

Consequently, we have become a nation of consumers providing good market, employment and wealth for other nations that continue to flood our country with their products. It is common to see a Ghanaian youngman smartly dressed up in a pair of jeans from the United States; a designer shirt from France; a pair of shoes from Italy; a belt from Brazil and an imitated 'Rolex' wrist watch made in China, while he continues to lament about unemployment in the country.

In contemporary times, primarily as a result of the emergence of "Nollywood" (the Nigerian film industry) and the influx of Nigerian movies into Ghana, Ghanaian society and culture have begun to assume a new dimension. In what may be described as a 'Nigerianisation' of our society, one cannot fail to notice the rapidity with which certain aspects of life from our sister West African nation, both desirable and undesirable, are gaining roots in the Ghanaian society.

This phenomenon can be seen in our local movies, our music (both popular and pseudo-gospel) in the way we speak even from our pulpits. Words like "Chineke", "Orga", "Wahala" and "Tufiakwa" have gained currency both in our music and in ordinary conversation. It is common to see some Ghanaian young men trying to imitate the Nigerian Pidgin English on our campuses and at workplaces.

On the negative side of this influence, some observers this writer spoke to in the streets of Accra cited instances like '419' fraud, while others also point to endemic violent robbery as having been imported by Ghanaian hustlers, who returned from "Agege" following their expulsion by the Nigerian authorities in the 1970s.

Of course this is not to say that those vices did not exist in Ghana, or that this country was populated by angels prior to the advent of Agege. The crux of the argument lies in the intensity, frequency and sophistication of such crimes. On countless occasions the Nigerian High Commission in Accra has had to come out with caution notices for citizens of that country resident in Ghana. The inclusion of people bearing Nigerian names among armed robbers that are often nabbed by the Police has contributed in strengthening this perception.

Far from being negative alone, it must be acknowledged that the Nigerian influence referred to herein also has some positive sides. The growing popularity of the "agbada", "kaftan" and other indigenous African attire/fabric in Ghana today can be attributed to the Nigerian influence. Like them or not, no one can take away the credit due our Nigerian brothers and sisters for their dedication to indigenous culture/tradition.

On a normal day, a Nigerian Chief Executive Officer (CEO) would go to the office in a three-piece "agbada" or gown, crowned with the customary indigenous cap, rather than a Western suit and tie. To a large extent, this cultural uniqueness of the Nigerian has been the underlying secret of the Nollywood success story and which we in Ghana must copy.

Today, Nigerian movies sell like hot cake not only across the African continent, but also in Europe and the Americas, thus generating employment and wealth for thousands of young men and young women in that country.

Chinua Achebe's book "Things Fall Apart" has won global acclaim as a classic because of its originality and the vivid manner he portrays indigenous Nigerian/Ibo culture in the book

Another development from the Nigerian influence worthy of commendation is the collaboration between Ghanaian and Nigerian actors, which has undeniably brought a cast improvement in the Ghanaian movie industry so far. The fusion of different ideas can only enrich creativity and yield immense benefits for the two sides involved.

It is on this score that the two governments (Ghana and Nigeria) need to encourage and support such collaborative efforts in the interest of cultural cooperation, which both the Economic Community of West African States and the African Union Charters seek to promote.

Throughout history, societies and nations that have made it are those that have taken pride in their indigenous way of life, maximized the use of local resources while curtailing the taste for foreign goods. Check it from China, India, Malaysia and Japan, among other countries. Therefore, if it would take the influence of our Nigerian brothers and sisters for us to rediscover/revive our rich cultural heritage, foster a strong sense of belonging and eradicate the foreign taste from Ghanaian society, so be it!

The opinion of this Writer with regard to the subject of imitation is that even though it may not be an entirely bad practice to pick an idea or two from foreign lands, it should not become a permanent habit as that could kill indigenous initiative/creativity and give rise to a dependency syndrome and lead to some form of mental/cultural colonization.

In instances where one adopts a foreign idea, especially in the literary and entertainment spheres, the smart thing to do is to modify or improve upon it rather than applying it verbatim, thereby exposing oneself to sanctions under existing Copyright Laws.

It is heart-warming to note that the directive requiring Ghanaian civil servants to wear indigenous attire to work on Fridays is yielding positive results, but there is still room for improvement. The objective of that policy would have been achieved when Ghanaians in both the public and private sectors come to appreciate our locally-made products, and don themselves in rich African fabrics each day of the week rather than Fridays only. Let us Ghanaians take pride in what we have and express without apology for being Ghanaians and Africans on every convenient occasion.

Having said that, it must, however, be emphasized that the logical starting point for nurturing a sustainable citizenship consciousness and national pride is right from the pre-school level, through primary to junior and senior high schools. The concept must be enshrined in the school curricula, with parents lending a hand of support in the homes.

It is not too late yet, and the earlier the relevant Ministries took up the challenge the better it would be for both the present and future generations,[/b]
http://www.nigeriafilms.com/news/9056/33/a-growing-nigerianisation-of-ghanaian-society.html

doo doo.

biafra mean ijaw.

http://www.saharareporters.com/gallery/shooting-mtn-tower-aba

Ndigbo kwenu.

up Jonathan the ijaw man.
good news for my igbo cousins.

yoruba people.

[b]Kidnappers reduce ransom on Punch editor’s father

By Samuel Oluwalana


September 16, 2010 11:38PM
  print  email   



The kidnappers of Olubunmi Agbana, father of Gbenga Agbana, a Punch editor, have reduced the ransom placed on the 74-year-old man to N15 million, almost a week after he was abducted on his way to the farm at Irele, Ikole Local Government Area of Ekiti State.

The kidnappers had initially demanded a ransom of N20 million to free the man.

Mr Agbana, who the kidnappers have been in contact with, told journalists in Ado-Ekiti that his father’s abductors threatened to kill their captive if the family failed to pay the ransom before the end of the day.

“I spoke with my father again and those holding him have reduced the ransom demanded to N15 million,” he said. “They also threatened to waste him if we refuse to pay the money by 4pm. But where can I get such money from?”

Full of hope

Mr Agbana said members of the extended family are running round to see how the money can be raised, but he said that it is almost impossible to raise such a huge sum of money.

“I offered to pay them N200,000, but they became very angry and threatened to kill him. They also told me that he might die in their hideout because of his ill health. They said that his legs had swollen and he was very sick,” he said.

Mr Agbana said his father left the hospital a day before he was abducted by some armed youth. He said the drugs given to his father at the hospital were still at home, and the septuagenarian had relapsed in the kidnappers’ den.

Despite this, he expressed hope that his father would soon regain his freedom because “security operatives have identified some suspects.”


Back [/b]

http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/Home/5619908-146/kidnappers_reduce_ransom_on_punch_editors.csp

[b

[b]By Dimeji Kayode-Adedeji


August 1, 2010 10:57PM
  print  email   



igbo criminals everywhere.

Another member of the heavily armed robbery gang which plan to storm Abeokuta last

Tuesday has been arrested despite offering a sum of N1.8million to the villagers where he took refuge following injuries he sustained during gun duel with police authorities. Next authoritatively gathered that the 20-year -old suspect, Onyeka Ani, was apprehended at the weekend in Mawuko village, Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State by the villagers while he was trying to bolt away after spending days in the bush. Luck ran against the suspect, who emerged from the bush with gunshot wound while trying to escape to neigbouring Lagos State. Unknown to him, a radio announcement by the police intimating villagers of the escape of some criminals from the scene of the gun duel had being aired. The villagers, sighting him soaked in blood, suspected him to be member of the scattered robbery gang, as earlier announced by the police command in Abeokuta. He was subsequently apprehended. Realizing that nemesis had caught up with him, the suspect, a native of

Apkugo, in Nkanu Local Government Area of Enugu State, reportedly profusely begged the villagers, to spare him, with an offer to provide them the sum of N1.8million.

Grateful police The suspect, according one of the villagers, appealed to the them to allow him call somebody in Lagos who will arrange the money to effect his release. The unimpressed villagers turned down the offer and swiftly contacted the police. He was thereafter handed over to the police authorities and as at the time of this report, he is in police custody at Eleweran and being interrogated alongside other two suspects earlier arrested. The public relations officer of the police command, Muyiwa Adejobi confirmed the arrest and expressed appreciation to the villagers for their support for the police in nabbing the suspect. Mr Adejobi called for more cooperation from the members of the public, particularly on providing police information on crimes and criminals. “Such information will be treated in confidence,” he said.


Back [/b] [/b]
234 next news.

[b]http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/Home/5594744-146/600_kidnap_suspects_in_police_net.csp

600 kidnap suspects in police net
By Jude Atupulazi


July 24, 2010 10:04PM
  print  email   




More than 600 kidnap suspects arrested by the police in various parts of the south-east are being detained in different police cells in the zone.

The Inspector General of Police, Ogbonna Onovo, said early this month during an interactive session with traditional rulers and union leaders at the Women’s Development Centre, Awka, as part of his tour of the states of the south-east.

He expressed worry over the increasing crime rate in the region, adding that he was deeply disappointed with the activities of those he called his brothers, which had brought shame to him and the nation. He then called for a special court to try the suspects.

A visibly worried Onovo, whose 24-hour deadline to the kidnappers of four journalists in Abia State ended yesterday, recalled that kidnapping was only known about 500 years ago during the slave trade era, but said that it was regrettable that the ugly trend had resurfaced in Nigeria, especially in the south-east zone.

“The Igbo people were known as being very industrious all over the world, but today the people are fast drifting as the arrow heads to kidnapping, fraud, ‘419’, drug and human trafficking.

“Does it mean that contemporary Igbo people cannot provide leadership as Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe and Dr. Michael Okpara did? Why have we lost all the virtues we are known for?” The police boss asked.

He revealed that the greatest problems facing him as the nation’s police chief comes from the south east, his region of origin. “Our children have done unimaginable things. They have kidnapped priests in the church; they have kidnapped lawyers, doctors, professionals, and others. They don’t discriminate in their choice of victims. This is self-annihilation,” Mr. Onovo warned.


Beyond the use of force

Mr. Onovo also recalled the way groups like the Movement for the Actualisation of a Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) had attempted to scuttle the last national census exercise in the zone, pointing out that such action was self-destructive, even as he condemned the attitude of institutions in the zone which tended to honour rogues and dubious characters.

“The Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) would not allow the Igbo population to be properly determined during the 2006 census exercise and today, we are worst for it”, Mr. Onovo said.

He also explained that the issue of fighting crime had grown beyond what the police could handle with force, as doing so might endanger the lives of innocent citizens, but assured that the police were working hard to arrest the situation.

Part of such efforts, he said, included the current registration of SIM cards which, he explained, would help the law enforcement agencies to track criminals.

Earlier, the state governor, Peter Obi, represented by his deputy, Emeka Sibeudu, called for fresh action against the criminals, since according to him, all the previous efforts seemed futile. “It is our most profound position that we draw a fresh plan and new strategies for killing of the evil of kidnapping and violent robbery in our state,” Mr. Obi said.

Also, the Speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Anayo Nebe, said that the topical issue in the zone was insecurity of lives and property, and much had been done in the state to curb the problem with the passage of a security trust fund bill; yet, the problem persist.

He argued that whatever achievements the IG had recorded in the other parts of the country would “pale into insignificance and nothingness” if kidnapping and other violent crimes persisted in his zone.

Some of the traditional rulers and town union leaders present alleged that some of the police personnel in the state were aiding and abetting criminals. They claimed that many of the suspects arrested by the police through information are usually released after a few days. Others called on the National Assembly to enact a law prescribing death penalty for anyone found guilty of kidnapping.


Back [/b]

Ogbonna Onovo on kidnapping

July 24, 2010 09:44PM
  [b]print  email   




“Since these criminal elements have dared the might of the police and the might of the federal government, it has come to a point where we have to pay them in their own coins.”

“I deployed a contingent to start combing the bush, house to house search and with a charge to rescue the journalists alive because if there is confrontation, we don’t know who will survive the assault.”

“The problem of kidnapping has become so worrisome; the situation is really getting out of hand. It has taken over the South-east. We must ask, why this menace has become permanent in the South-east. Are these gangsters not human beings? Are they ghosts? From available records, virtually all the suspected kidnappers arrested across the country are Igbos.

“I will soon remove the road blocks because the objective for which they were introduced has been defeated. I don’t see what use and benefit they have achieved other than the exploitation of hapless masses. The road blocks were introduced to reduce crimes, check rampant spread of arms and ammunitions, but I don’t know how many arms and ammunitions that have been recovered in road blocks. Our men have failed woefully there but if it is extortion of money, they have excelled and succeeded.”

“Israelis are not here as erroneously been discussed in some quarters.

"People are getting it very wrong, we have members of Interpol working with us, they assist all police forces in the world, where you have a problem, you can ask them to assist We do things together, their is no question of Israelis out there. The white men with us are members of the Interpol. They assist us in terms of equipment; we have not been able to get a tracking machine, so they are here with it to help us.”


Back [/b]
http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/Home/5598154-146/ogbonna_onovo_on_kidnapping__.csp