- 1 kg assorted meats
- 2 medium size stockfish
- 2 medium dried fish(Asa)
- 1 tablespoon grounded pepper
- 2 tablespoon ground crayfish
- 2 cups Ukazi leaves (shredded)
- 2 small bunch ugwu
- 2 cups smoked prawns
- 1 small bulb onion
- 4 medium size cocoyam (red type)
- 2 cooking spoon palm oil
- 2 litres stock or water
- 2 maggi cubes - salt to taste

What you do

Pick, wash and shred the Ugwu leaves as well as the Ukazi leaves.(This can be done in the market)

Wash the meat thoroughly and place in a large pot.
Season with salt,onion and ground pepper, add some water and cook for 10minutes or allow steaming till juice dries up.
Add 2 cups of water and the stockfish continue cooking till the stockfish is soft and the meat cooked.
Wash and debone smoked fish and then dress and wash the smoked prawns.
Add the fish and prawns to the meat pot and add the remaining water and cook for I0 minutes.

Peel and wash cocoyam, cut each into two pieces then add to the pot continue cooking until tender.
Remove the cooked cocoyam and pound.
Mould the pounded cocoyam into small balls and add to soup as a thickener,

Stir in the crayfish,pepper, maggi cubes and palm oil.
Stir thoroughly and reduce the heat
Add the shredded Ugwu and Ukazi leaves, stir and allow cooking for about 6 minutes.
Stir and add salt to taste.

Remove from heat and serve hot with cassava fufu or pounded yam

Oven-Fried Potatoes

2  baking potatoes, unpeeled
1 egg white
1 teaspoon chili-style seasoning (such as Cajun seasoning)*
Salt and pepper to taste

* You can vary the seasonings that you add to the egg whites. Be creative!

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Spray a baking sheet with non-stick cooking spray.

Wash potatoes and cut lengthwise into 8 wedges or 4 wedges; dry well on paper towels.

In a large bowl, combine egg white, seasoning, salt, and pepper. Add potato wedges and too well to coat. Spread potatoes, in a single layer and leaving a little space between them, on prepared baking sheet, shaking off excess egg white. Spray tops of potatoes, lightly and evenly, with the non-stick cooking spray.

Place potatoes in hot oven and bake approximately 25 to 30 minutes. During cooking time, turn potatoes once or twice with tongs or a spatula. The fries should be golden brown and crisp on the outside and tender on the inside. Remove from oven, sprinkle with additional seasoning (if desired) and serve hot.

Makes 4 servings.

(FIFA.com) Thursday 8 July 2010

Stars come out for Football for Hope


International football stars took the pitch in front of thousands of delighted fans in Alexandra township in Johannesburg on Thursday in support of the Football for Hope Festival.

A celebrity team of ‘Football for Hope All Stars’, led by former France international and 1998 FIFA World Cup-winner Christian Karembeu and Ghana football legend Anthony Baffoe, took on a side from ‘Show Me Your Number’ – a campaign which uses football stars as role models in the fight against HIV and AIDS.

The two sides played out a thrilling 2-2 draw in the specially-constructed stadium which is located in the heart of Alexandra, one of South Africa’s most deprived communities.

“For me it’s a wonderful experience to come to Alexandra”, said former Real Madrid and Les Bleus midfielder Karembeu. “It’s very important for us players to give something back to communities like this. It’s our responsibility”.
I’m so happy to see that Africa has made this World Cup a success. Of course I knew we would pull it off and it’s great to see Africa united as one.
Former Ghana international Anthony Baffoe

Former Ghana international Anthony Baffoe added: “Being here today, I feel like I’m home”, he said, before taking the opportunity to reflect on the Black Stars' success at the 2010 FIFA World Cup. “I’m so happy to see that Africa has made this World Cup a success. Of course I knew we would pull it off and it’s great to see Africa united as one”, he said.

Former Bafana Bafana international and lifelong Alexandra resident Maimane Alfred Phiri and Kaizer Chiefs striker Jose Torrealba also turned out in support of Football for Hope, the movement led by FIFA and streetfootballworld, an NGO that connects a global network of organisations promoting positive social change through football.

32 delegations of young people from disadvantaged communities around the world are in South Africa to celebrate the Football for Hope movement and are taking part in a festival of education, music and culture that runs until Saturday 10 July.

The teams are each made up of young boys and girls aged 15-18 and include a joint Israeli-Palestinian team, a team of refugees from Australia, young homeless people from the UK and street children from Nigeria.

Folanre:

The full story as revealed by sahara reporters

Written by SaharaReporters, New York
Monday, 05 July 2010 10:47
 Only hours ahead of the FIFA threat to send Nigeria to the soccer freezer, President Goodluck Jonathan today rescinded his widely-criticized decision to suspend Nigeria from international soccer for two years on account of the poor performance of the national team at the 21010 World Cup. The World Cup was seen as the trigger for the decision, but Saharareporters investigations have revealed that the decision was actually aimed at breaking the back of the Amos Adamu-led mafia at the Nigeria Football Federation.  Mr. Adamu is the super-rich and notably corrupt FIFA executive who runs Nigerian football. His wide connections at the highest levels in FIFA and in the ruling elite in Nigeria has seen him holding football administration to ransom.

Mr. Adamu was recalled from South Africa a few days ago by aides to Mr. Jonathan to prevent him from using his connections at FIFA to ban Nigeria after the ill-advised decision was taken to withdraw Nigeria from all FIFA competitions for two years. FIFA then gave the Nigerian authorities 48 hours to withdraw the letter.

Earlier today, Jonathan met with Adamu and decided to change his stance.  Adamu and Jonathan became close when Jonathan superintended over the Under-20 soccer competition while he was VP. The decision, which was reportedly composed and sponsored by the governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, was rescinded for Nigeria so as to avoid FIFA from banning it from competitions that would have seen Nigeria unable to participate in any soccer competitions until 2018!

Saharareporters sources said with the "peaceful resolution" of the standoff today,  Jonathan's people would be allowed to participate and possibly take over the NFF when fresh elections are held in August 2010, a position that was earlier made impossible by Adamu cronies at the NFF who had  already decided on those who could participate in the NFF elections. An extra-ordinary convening of the  NFF congress might be underway to open the way for new members to contest for NFF positions.

For Adamu, it is great reprieve as he gets to retain his position on the FIFA and CAF boards, which would have been overturned had Nigeria been banned by FIFA.

The game of soccer indirectly employs over 1.5 million Nigerians and has become an avenue for talented Nigerians to make it in life even when Nigeria's notorious political elite refuse to provide formal employment for its teeming youth population.

Naija I weep for you

tkb417:

FIFA deals with football only

if u cant abide by their rules, they have the right to expel you

we don't have to play football, do we?

It's the principle that we are questioning.
National football teams are not just about playing football but national budget allocations etc, which are the domain of national governments and NOT FIFA.

At what point does football end and government authority begin?

I think our president agrees with you BTW. WE DON'T HAVE TO PLAY FOOTBALL (or at least not at the price we are currently having to pay

Thirty-two soccer teams from across the world are battling it out in South Africa, but this time, the young boys and girls competing are not just in it for the trophy.

Each team is fighting for a cause, hoping to make an impact on the world with more than just their soccer skills.

The 32 mixed teams of boys and girls between the ages of 15 and 18 represent teams that tackle issues such as Aids, gang violence, corruption, discrimination and drugs.

The teams are part of the Football for Hope Festival that kicked off in Alexandra on Sunday.

Like the opening ceremony of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, the Football for Hope tournament started with celebrations, dance and songs, with a number dignitaries present.

While South African artists Danny K, Kabelo and JR entertained the jubilant crowd, President Jacob Zuma and FIFA President Sepp Blatter had words of wisdom for the participating teams.

Zuma said it was an honour to host the Football for Hope Festival in South Africa and more especially in Alexandra - a place of happiness.

He described the festival as an "important development in the family of soccer".

"Soccer is loved by the majority of the world. What the leaders of soccer have decided is that it must now act more because football is more than just football, it goes beyond the game," he said.

There are important life lessons - such as being happy in victory and accepting defeat with a smile - that could be learnt through the game of soccer, the president added.

"I wish I was young once again so I could play soccer," he joked.

The aim of Football for Hope Festival was to connect people and to bring people together from all over the world, Blatter said.

The festival brought together the "characters and the essence of the game to disseminate a message of hope to the world hope through football", he said.

He described soccer as a school of life saying the game helped educate not just on the field.

"Football is a game based on discipline and respect. It's a game in which you compete with a good spirit and with fair play," Blatter added.

He encouraged the participants to display these qualities during their matches.

The first match of the tournament saw Uruguay, a team that fights for children's rights and social inclusion, play against hosts, Team Alexandra - a team made up of young volunteer coaches from Play Soccer South Africa.

Apart from the football, the teams competing in the tournament will also participate in workshops where they are expected to learn from each other. The festival also includes a programme of cultural celebrations. - BuaNews

Just come back from Alexandra watching the FFH tournament.

Our young boys are doing really well o!!

Please come and support our team if you are in Joburg.

Lotsof South Americans were there this afternoon, waving flags and cheering their teams on. Even Chile had lots of support.

I KNOW THERE ARE LOTS OF NAIJA PEOPLE IN JOHANNESBURG. COME SUPPORT OUR YOUNG BOYS AND GIRLS ABEG!!

dominique:

Amaka what are you doing in sports?

I'm in Johannesburg for the WC na! 

Thirty-two soccer teams from across the world are battling it out in South Africa, but this time, the young boys and girls competing are not just in it for the trophy.

Each team is fighting for a cause, hoping to make an impact on the world with more than just their soccer skills.

The 32 mixed teams of boys and girls between the ages of 15 and 18 represent teams that tackle issues such as Aids, gang violence, corruption, discrimination and drugs.

The teams are part of the Football for Hope Festival that kicked off in Alexandra on Sunday.

Like the opening ceremony of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, the Football for Hope tournament started with celebrations, dance and songs, with a number dignitaries present.

While South African artists Danny K, Kabelo and JR entertained the jubilant crowd, President Jacob Zuma and FIFA President Sepp Blatter had words of wisdom for the participating teams.

Zuma said it was an honour to host the Football for Hope Festival in South Africa and more especially in Alexandra - a place of happiness.

He described the festival as an "important development in the family of soccer".

"Soccer is loved by the majority of the world. What the leaders of soccer have decided is that it must now act more because football is more than just football, it goes beyond the game," he said.

There are important life lessons - such as being happy in victory and accepting defeat with a smile - that could be learnt through the game of soccer, the president added.

"I wish I was young once again so I could play soccer," he joked.

The aim of Football for Hope Festival was to connect people and to bring people together from all over the world, Blatter said.

The festival brought together the "characters and the essence of the game to disseminate a message of hope to the world hope through football", he said.

He described soccer as a school of life saying the game helped educate not just on the field.

"Football is a game based on discipline and respect. It's a game in which you compete with a good spirit and with fair play," Blatter added.

He encouraged the participants to display these qualities during their matches.

The first match of the tournament saw Uruguay, a team that fights for children's rights and social inclusion, play against hosts, Team Alexandra - a team made up of young volunteer coaches from Play Soccer South Africa.

Apart from the football, the teams competing in the tournament will also participate in workshops where they are expected to learn from each other. The festival also includes a programme of cultural celebrations. - BuaNews

By Fisnik Abrashi (CP) – 19 hours ago

JOHANNESBURG — South African President Jacob Zuma officially opened a FIFA-sponsored football tournament Sunday that brings together 32 teams of youngsters from disadvantaged communities worldwide.

Dubbed "Football for Hope," the tournament is taking place in the heart of Johannesburg's township of Alexandra, a maze of low-laying shacks spread on gently rolling dun-coloured hills.

The tournament is an attempt to use and celebrate the power and popularity of football to enact social change by bringing together teams of boys and girls from all over the world, who are using the game to help their communities.

The participating teams received a rapturous welcome from the neighbourhood kids and adults, who filled the makeshift stands and moved like a wave to the sound of music. Some climbed nearby roofs to catch a glimpse of the mini-spectacle.

Local dance groups, singers and other artists helped create a sense of celebration that the deprived townships like this rarely see. Only in 2008, anti-foreigner riots that started in this sprawling neighbourhood left dozens killed, and displaced thousands.

Walking onto a makeshift field alongside FIFA president Sepp Blatter, Zuma told the roaring crowd of happy kids that they must remember that football is more than just a game.

"It teaches (us) important lessons, things that at times are not easy to accept," Zuma said. "To be happy when you win, but to be ready to accept defeat with a smile.

"This has been a wonderful tournament," Zuma said of the World Cup. "Now, topping it up is 'Football for Hope.'"

Ubiquitous vuvuzela's provided the backdrop, just like in the big game.

The five-a-side tournament pitting young boys and girls from the Europe, Asia, Africa, the Americas, Oceania and the Middle East is played without referees.

It consists of teams who back home use the sport to help those who are disadvantaged: from mine victims in Cambodia, those raising HIV/AIDS awareness in South Africa and Kenya to others who combat drugs and discrimination from Latin American to British streets.

Nigeria (represented by Search and Groom -youth for development centre) came from behind to secure maximum points on the opening day of the “Football for Hope” Festival 2010 as they defeated their opponents Grassroots soccer (Zimbabwe, Zambia & South Africa) in Group A by 2-1.

Trailing one-nil and with less than three minutes to play, Emmanuel Egege came from the bench to level score after a solo run beating four players on the way.

The capacity crowd at the specially constructed street soccer stadium with artificial turf went wild with excitement after Kehinde Akinwande hit the roof of the net with a minute to spare to end score at 2 - 1.

Goalkeeper Ebenezer Aderemi had started the build up from the rear and Egege Emmanuel shrugged off two opponents, with only the goalkeeper to beat, he chose to pass on the ball to Kehinde Akinwande and she hit a rising shot for a spectacular goal.

With this result, Nigeria made three points from the game and another one point for fair play on the pitch.

Meanwhile, action resumes today, with Nigeria playing two games. The first match is against Team USA at 11:50 (local time) the game with Football United (Australia) will hold at 15:00 (local time).


http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/Sport/5589706-147/nigerias_team_wins_in_south_africa.csp

Action began on Sunday in The “Football for Hope” Festival 2010 (an official event of the FIFA 2010 World Cup) at the specially constructed street football stadium in Alexandra, South Africa.

Young people from disadvantaged communities around the world have gathered in Johannesburg to take part in the tourney which runs through July, 10, 2010. The competition is part of FIFA efforts to tackle social issues using football.

Thirty-two teams of boys and girls aged between 15 and 18 will face each other in a five-a-side soccer tournament The Nigerian team Nigeria will be represented by the Search and Groom team at the tourney.

The team is Captained by 15 year old Suliat Yusuf (F), an SS 2 student of Hopebay College, Alaba Oro , other players in the team are Akinwande Kehinde (F), Olatunbosun Kehinde (F), Ezeala Nkem (F), Aderemi Ebenezer (M) (Goalkeeper), Afolabi Michael (M), Egege Emmanuel (M) and Uzorka Amaechi (M) all drawn across the five implementation centres (Ajegunle, Ikeja, Agege,

Ikorodu and Ipaja/Baruwa) of Search and Groom in Lagos, Nigeria.

Olamiju Joseph is the Team Coach while Lolade Ajai, a volunteer with the organization is the young team leader and team motivator in South Africa.

President Jacob Zuma, FIFA President Sepp Blatter are amongst dignitaries expected to grace the occasion which will be televised live on South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC).

Group A Nigeria is in Group A alongside host; Team Alexandra South Africa, Uruguay, Germany, Selección Nacional de Argentina, Grassroot Soccer ( South Africa / Zambia / Zimbabwe), USA and Football United (Australia) completes the eight-team preliminary series.

On Monday July 5, Nigeria will play two games with the first match against TEAM USA at 11:50 (local time) the game with FOOTBALL UNITED (Australia) will hold at 15:00 (local time).

TEAM ALEX (South Africa) and Uruguay are up against Nigeria at 14: 40 and 16:00 respectively on Tuesday July 6.

Final preliminary games will be rounded off against Germany (11:10) and Argentina (12:30).

Four teams from this preliminary stage will advance to the “Football for Hope” Trophy Group stage, while the bottom four teams will be in the running to win the ALEXANDRIA CUP.


http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/Sport/5589243-147/football_for_hope_festival_begins_in.csp

JOHANNESBURG (AFP) -
Football governing body FIFA on Friday gave Nigeria just under two days to reverse its decision to ban the national football team from international matches following its poor showing at the World Cup.

FIFA's general secretary Jerome Valcke said he would meet the Nigerian executive member representing Nigeria at FIFA to discuss the decision.

"Nigeria went too far and Nigeria will be suspended if they don't change their position in the next 48 hours," Valcke told independent Talk Radio 702.

His comments came after Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan banned the Nigerian national football team from international matches following its disappointing first round exit at the World Cup.

Nigeria finished bottom of their group in South Africa with just one point from three matches.

The idea is to overhaul the system to avoid a repeat of the "rather embarrassing" display in South Africa, according to presidential spokesman Ima Niboro earlier explaining the decision.

[size=16pt]"You cant allow a government to say all national teams can't play anymore in any international tournaments," said Valcke.[/size]

He said the decision to suspend Nigeria would be in line with the governing body's efforts to retain the independence of football from political interference.

"Why should we be so strong on France when they did what they did and we say nothing about Nigeria," Valcke said [size=16pt]] referring to their warnings to the French government not to interfere in the infrastructure of the French football regime after the catastrophic performance of the national team at the tournament.

"We have 208 members…if you have one country going against our statute, going against the football system, the pyramid of football …all is destroyed," Valcke said.

http://g.sports.yahoo.com/soccer/world-cup/news/fifa-gives-nigeria-48-hours-to-reverse-ban--fbintl_afp-fblwc2010ngrfifa.html

[center]
_________________________-[/center]
Are these teams FIFA national Teams or Nigerian / French national Teams?

Who governs Nigeria/France? FIFA or the national Government?

Who determines who can go out on the national arena and purport to represent Nigeria/France? FIFA or the Governments?

FIFA gives the teams $250k a year, the Nigerian government alone spent over 1.2billion Naira on the WC campaign alone. Who has a higher stake in these teams? FIFA or the Governments?

What would a 1.2bn Naira injection into the Nigerian local league football f have done for Nigerian football or generations to come beyond the impending 4 year hiatus as opposed to wasting in on a futile FIFA World cup mission? Would that not have been real Nigerian football development?

If governments according to FIFA should not interfere in the structure of their football regimes then those teams should go out under the FIFA banner and flag and not those of the countries the ELECTED GOVERNMENTS have been sworn to serve defend and protect.
If they want to serve their FIFA master let them go, but they must not serve him under the Green - White - Green.

Na by force to belong to FIFA?

It’s not surprising that FIFA wants to hold Nigeria to ransom seeing as how we pay a levy proportionate to our GDP each time one of our National teams plays. Even the Olympic team is subject to FIFA levies.
Imagine the amount of money that FIFA stands to lose if NO Nigerian team plays international football for two years?

For each mach the fee is calculated based on Nigeria’s$207.12 Billion GDP  
The independence of associations has nothing to do with is. It’s about the FIFA bottom line which we finance.

SMH!!! SMH!!! SMH!!!

Who are they trying to fool?
Who pays for the training, coaches, kit, facilities, travelling expenses, accommodation, player fees etc? Not FIFA.
So the country should continue to pump money into a bottomless pit because FIFA wants to keep milking it dry in the name of football?

People are starving is in some parts of Nigeria for goodness sake. The money can be put to better use that lining Sepp Blatters pocket.!!


Our president and government need to stand up against this European hegemony. We don't even have a real voice in FIFA despite the millions of dollars we pump in. 4 British federations and some Germans cannot continue to collect egunje like this from us and not allow us to have a say about how we run and finance our national teams

 


I am on my way to the Ghana game right now in JHB. Will post pics soonest!!

24/02/2010 14:06 ABUJA, Feb 24 (AFP)


Nigeria's acting president had yet to meet President Umaru Yar'Adua more than 12 hours after the ailing leader's return from a Saudi hospital, the government spokeswoman said Wednesday.

Information Minister Dora Akunyili told reporters after a brief cabinet meeting that acting president Goodluck Jonathan had been briefed of Yar'Adua's return by presidential aides.

Jonathan "hopes to see the wife of the president this evening , and when he is eventually briefed by our president, he (Jonathan) will call us again," she said.

©2010 AFP

Source: http://www.africasia.com/services/news/newsitem.php?area=africa&item=100224140650.3s3f45nh.php

Was Maryam Babangida's dead body not also spirited into the country in the middle of the night?

na wah for these northern leaders sha

Akolawole:

@Dr Kit

You don land here.

The Lady try no be small.

@Amaka

Are you in UK?

yeah I am in the UK. Why are you asking?

thosinebro:

Aljazera news-''Nigeria president,Yaradua has fully recuperated from his illness and will be back in his country capital on saturday''This message has just been scrolled on aljazera.

If it's Ya'adisappear na scroll , If na Osama na  30 minute video

Pssshhhhttt!!!

When did Nigeria become an Islamic state sef? Al Jazeera my left bum cheek!!!

Are there no news channels in Nigeria that the Nigerian president and Nigerian government can use to address Nigerians?

Useless raggamuffins masquerading as national leaders!!!

Total rubbish!!!

A whole Nation of over 150 million people should take the word of one facecless Jamila Tangaza?

Who is Jamila Tangaza?

What is her claim to fame sef?

Do Nigerians want an incapacitated president who grants an interview to one obscure journalist from a foreign radio service from Jeddah, some person we have never even heard of till the BBC told us she exists, or do we want a president who is able to execute his function as executive head of state as "elected" by the people of Nigeria?

Arrant Nonsense!!!

The BBC should also  be ashamed of taking part in this skulduggery!!!

Would they have sent some faceless correspondent to do a 1 minute interview had Barack Obama disappeared off the face of the earth for over two months and try and convince the Americans that it was indeed the voice of their president?

Shameless people.

If they have no positive contribution to make towards resolving our crisis they should siddon look at their one eyed scotsman prime minister and leave us to resolve our issues with Yar'a dissapear, not compund them by bringing such unfounded rubbish to the international stage.

Total rubbish!!!

A whole Nation of over 150 million people should take the word of one facecless Jamila Tangaza?

Who is Jamila Tangaza?

What is her claim to fame sef?

Do Nigerians want an incapacitated president who grants an interview from Jeddah to some person we have never evn heard of till the BBC told us she exists, or do we want a president who is able to execute his function as executive head of state as "elected" by the people of Nigeria?

Nonsense!!!

The BBC should also be ashamed of taking part in this skulduggery!!!

Would they have sent some faceless correspondent to do a 1 minute interview had Barack Obama disappeared off the face of the earth for over two months and try and convince the Americans that it was indeed the voice of their president?

Shameless people.

If they have no positive contribution to make towards resolving our crisis they should siddon look at their one eed scotsman prime minister and leave us to resolve our issues with Yar'a dissapear, not compund them by bringing such unfounded rubbish to the international stage.

Well this seems to be the latest report. But Naija politicians are still continuing their cover up.


Senior members of Nigeria's political elite will hold emergency talks on Monday after President Umaru Yar'Adua was reported to have been left "seriously brain-damaged"Nigeria in crisis after president left 'seriously brain-damaged'
following medical treatment in Saudi Arabia.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/nigeria/6962983/Nigeria-in-crisis-after-president-left-seriously-brain-damaged.html

By Mike Pflanz in Abuja
Published: 6:00AM GMT 11 Jan 2010
Nigeria in crisis after president left 'seriously brain-damaged'
Nigeria president Umaru Yar'Adua Photo: AP

President Umaru Yar'Adua has not been seen or heard from since he flew to Saudi Arabia for treatment for a heart complaint seven weeks ago. His long absence has pushed Africa's second-largest oil exporter to the brink of its most serious constitutional crisis since the end of 33 years of military rule in 1999.

Anger was growing in Africa's most populous nation, evenly split between Christians and Muslims, over an alleged government cover-up designed to hide the severity of the 58-year-old's condition.


The respected Nigerian newspaper Next claimed that Mr Yar'Adua was "seriously brain-damaged and unable to recognise anyone including his wife".

Government officials immediately denied the story, which quoted unnamed sources at a hospital in Jeddah.

But sources in Britain and Nigeria have told The Daily Telegraph suggested the president may have been in coma for two weeks and could even be "clinically dead".

"Whether the guy is recovering, stable, deteriorating, it's ridiculous and very dangerous for there to have been absolutely no concrete information one way or the other," said a Western diplomat in Abuja, the capital.

"Nigeria is a country which gorges on gossip, but this is perhaps the worst possible time to have made the error of allowing these rumours to run free."

The absence of the president has conincided with the country facing a series of domestic and international crises, including the attempt by 23-year-old Nigerian, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, to blow up an airliner over Detroit on Christmas Day.

That has pushed traditionally close relations with Washington to an all-time low, yet neither Mr Yar'Adua nor his vice-president, Goodluck Jonathan, have commented publicly on the situation.

Mr Yar'Adua, from Nigeria's Muslim-majority north, has a long history of kidney ailments, a fact which raised questions over the former chemistry teacher's ability to govern in the run-up to the disputed May 2007 elections.

Last month doctors in Saudi Arabia diagnosed him with acute pericarditis, an inflammation of the membrane around the heart that restricts its action. Officials and allies have repeatedly stated that he was responding well to treatment and would soon return to work.

But there has been no visual evidence to confirm this, prompting lawyers and opposition politicians to launch legal action demanding immediate proof that Mr Yar'Adua is still alive and able to carry out affairs of state.

Three court cases are due to open in Abuja on Thursday, two days after the National Assembly reconvenes to discuss the president's health.

On Monday, the country's powerful 36 state governors will meet ahead of what many see as a crucial week for Nigeria's stumbling future political stability.

Efforts to bring peace to the petro-rich Niger Delta are likely to ground to a halt, raising fears of a return to violence there which could cut output and affect world oil prices.

Mr Yar'Adua has not officially passed power to Mr Jonathan, as demanded by the constitution, which has paralysed almost all government business.

A supplementary budget was signed by the president last week, but immediately there were claims that the signature had been forged. Government officials strenuously deny this.

"We are now a democracy, and that gives rise to many power plays, to factionalisation of political parties, and that's what's provoked these selfishly speculative claims," said Charles Dokubo, a government adviser and director of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs.

"We believe the president will soon be back with us, fit and well and working hard."

Olusegun Adeniyi, spokesman for Mr Yar'Adua, said on Sunday: "Of course the president is alive, he's not even in an emergency situation.

"I am aware that the issue of his health has become a political weapon for some people, which is sad. But he is still at the King Fahd Hospital, and he is still being treated."

Mr Adeniyi declined to comment on calls for photographic or video evidence of the president's condition.

I truly wish that I could be there too.

That he gives a rat's backside about Nigeria and the people

you could wrap them in a brown paper bag or newspaper and keep them in a dark place for a couple of days

Is this the same hospital that said he was not there?


I'm not too familiar with the intricacies of Nigerian law, but surely an official lying about state matters is a criminal offense punishable by law?

How can this man say Yar'adisappear is alive and well in Saudi Arabia when the Saudi medical authorities have since publicly stated that he is not there?

Stupid man, he should be added to the list of hose to be prosecuted when this whole saga totally unfolds

http://nigerianbulletin.com/summary-plus-news/yar%E2%80%99adua-massive-looting-in-govt-balarabe-musa-group-allege-tribune/08012010/12369/

[b]January 8, 2010 by Bunmi Awolusi

A group of independent civil society organisations (CSOs), including human rights groups and professional associations working on anti-corruption issues, has raised the alarm over what it described as the rising wave of corruption in government circles, occasioned by the prolonged absence of President Umaru Yar’Adua from the country.

Operating under the aegis of NGO Network, the group said it had commenced an independent probe of activities of ministries and other government agencies to document the level of corruption in public procurement allegedly perpetrated by public office holders within the period President Yar’Adua had been away.

The NGO Network, in a release signed by its Project Coordinator, Mallam Mahmud Attah Bougei, said preliminary investigations by its affiliate groups conducted on government activities since Yar’Adua left Nigeria, had shown that corruption among public officers had heightened, [size=14pt]accounting for approximately 15 per cent of the 2009 budget[/size].[/b]

I was wondering how long they would take.
I'm sure even a simple civil servant is now grabbing what they can.

Disgraceful state

By Omololu Ogunmade, 01.08.2010

http://www.thisdayonline.com/nview.php?id=163711

[b]Human rights crusader, Mr. Femi Falana, former presidential candidate, Professor Pat Utomi, charismatic cleric, Pastor Tunde Bakare, rights activist, Mallam Uba Sani and Yinka Odumakin, will on Tuesday in Abuja, lead a mass action to protest the continued absence of President Umaru Yar’Adua in the country.
The decision was the fallout of a meeting held at Lagos Sheraton Hotel and Towers yesterday on the auspices of Save Nigeria Group. A reliable source at the meeting, told THISDAY that the group resolved to embark on mass action in view of the untoward hardship that Yar’Adua’s absence has inflicted on Nigeria.
The group is also protesting the refusal of the President to authorize his deputy to take charge of the country’s affairs despite his obvious incapacitation.
A communiqué issued at the end of the meeting said the group lamented the “dangerous slide of Nigeria into a failed state, worsened by the power vacuum and absence of Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces in Nigeria for the past 45 days.”
The group said it was also worried that with the approach of 2011 general election, “the genuine electoral reform promised by President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua during his inauguration, seems to be vanishing due to lack of political will and outright refusal to implement the Uwais Electoral Reform Committee Bills.”
The group called on Yar’Adua to address the nation publicly through either Radio Nigeria, Nigeria Television or any authoritative medium adding that the President must act promptly on Section 145 of the 1999 Constitution to allow his deputy to act on his behalf “for the safety of our fledgling democracy, security of our dear country and for his speedy recovery.”
Also involved in the planned mass action are Alhaji Shetima Yerima, Mr Solomon Asemota, Mrs Ayo Obe, Dr Tunji Abayomi, Mr. Fred Agbeyegbe, Hon Olawale Oshun, Prof. Ropo Sekoni, Mr Babafemi Ojudu, among many others.[/b]




I wonder how much popular support this mass action initiative will get. I hope they publicize it well and mobilize the people into action sha.

They should ban all Nigerian "leadership" past and present and all these political office bearers from fraudulently inaugurated chief justices and their boot licking functionaries !!!
Gaddemit Enough is enough !!!

Fantastic!!!!

Hear!!! Hear!!!

I honestly believe the only way to break this impasse is to exert global pressure on those rogues.

Hopefully the US will heed this call and other nations will follow suit.

Although one cannot expect much from the AU and that band of troubadours masquerading as continental leaders, the leaders of the countries that buy Nigerian oil and where all these so called "leaders" stash their ill gotten loot should put pressure on them to perform or resign !!!

Makes one wonder what it will take to get those power crazy fools in Abuja to see the writing on the wall?

How much worse do things have to get before they do the right thing?

Cry the beloved country



http://2.bp..com/_bNhyYPQNIBw/Skv2KHy4XlI/AAAAAAAABDI/UfJtbAW1WyA/s1600-h/yar.jpg

A sad chapter in Nigeria's  history

Enemies of their own people and humanity