₦airaland Forum

[size=14pt]Gambian President hits out at African Union over Gaddafi protests[/size]
Leader says the union's lack of action against brutal responses to protests is unacceptable
BY: Melissa Rudd | Sat Feb 26, 2011
TAGS: African Union, Gambia, Libya, Muammar Gaddafi, North Africa, revolts, Yahya Jammeh

https://www.africanbusinessreview.co.za/sites/default/files/imagecache/Slideshow_656x400/Gambian%20President%20Yahya%20Jammeh%20has%20criticised%20the%20AU.jpg
Gambian President Yahya Jammeh has criticised the AU

Gambian President Yahya Jammeh has hit out at the African Union for its "unacceptable silence" on the violent responses to revolts in North African nations and urged Libya's Moammar Gaddafi to step down immediately.

"It is a shocking reality that in all the happenings, beginning with the crisis in Tunisia, to that in Egypt, and now Libya and countries in North Africa, the leadership of the African Union (AU) neither made a statement nor took action despite the fact that these were uprisings affecting member states," said Jammeh's statement read on national television.

The Gambian government said the African Union should have at least discussed how to avoid brutality. Instead, the Gambians said, the lead has been taken by non-African countries.

"The AU should not and cannot play second fiddle in situations as we now see them happening on the continent," Jammeh's statement said.

"If the AU cannot stop the carnage taking place in some of its member states, then it cannot be in a position to bring a continental government capable of lifting Africa out of abject poverty and under-development. Whether Black or Arab Africa, we are all Africans without discrimination."

A statement from the chairman of the AU's commission Wednesday condemned the "disproportionate use of force against civilians" in Libya and deplored "the many human lives lost so far."

"The chairperson of the Commission reiterates the appeal made by the (African Union) Peace and Security Council for an immediate end of the repression and violence," said the statement from Jean Ping.

"He stresses that only dialogue and consultation will enable the Libyans to find appropriate solutions to the challenges facing their country and to embark upon the necessary reforms to fulfill the aspirations of their people."

The Gambian president's statement, which also urged Gaddafi to resign, has come as a shock considering the relations between Libya and Gambia.

http://www.africanbusinessreview.co.za/tags/libya/gambian-president-hits-out-african-union-over-gaddafi-protests

tkjoke:
Now i understand why peeps apply for US visa lottery and go to make a home abroad.
Nigeria is such a hell hole and can so frustrate the life out of you.

You pay your taxes, provide your own electricity, water and repair your car countless times due to the bad roads and now with this new law one may be forced to park his car at home and take the public transport just because of countless harassment from our corrupt policemen.

The annoying thing is that the road blocks would be just a few metres away from each other.
I tire for this our country o!

The love of tinted glasses drives Nigerians abroad?
. . .And by the way, 99% of Nigerians do not pay taxes.

[size=14pt]I’ve blueprint to turn Nigeria around- Jonathan[/size]
Headlines Feb 26, 2011
*Pledges 2nd Niger Bridge in Anambra
*Uduaghan embraces Clark

By Emma Amaize, Austin Ogwuda, Vincent Ujumadu & Enyim Enyim
President Goodluck Jonathan took his campaign train to Anambra and Delta states yesterday, and declared that he has what it takes to turn Nigeria into the nucleus of a petro-chemical revolution in Africa.

He said Delta State in particular would be transformed and the much talked about Second Niger Bridge in Anambra State built within the next four years if voted into office.

Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, at the Asaba rally, hugged former Federal Commissioner for Information and PDP leader, Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, who has given him most trouble as governor of the state, and yelled his time-honored greeting, “Gogorogo” three times when he addressed the mammoth crowd.

The campaign was graced by PDP bigwigs and eminent Nigerians, including Vice President Namadi Sambo; acting national chairman of the PDP, Dr. Haliru Mohammed; former chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees, Minister of Niger-Delta, Elder Godsday Orubebe; Minister of State for Education, Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi; Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross River State, PDP chairman in the state, Chief Peter Nwaoboshi and Ide of Asaba, Chief Sonny Odogwu,

https://www.vanguardngr.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/JONARALLY2.jpg
From left: Vice-President Namadi Sambo, President Jonathan and Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan at the People’s Democratic Party 2011 Presidential Campaign rally held in Asaba, Delta State yesterday. Photo: Nath Onojake
President Jonathan, who wore Delta North (Anioma) traditional dress with a red cap said the Federal Government would add value to its crude oil, rather than exporting it unprocessed, and also generate jobs for the unemployed youths. Governor Uduaghan, Chief Anenih, Dr. Mohmmed and others adorned the same apparel.

He said he was happy that peace had returned to Delta State and urged the people to “give us the next four years to witness development that you have never imagined”.

On the industrial sector, he said his overall plan was for Nigeria to become “the nucleus of petro-chemical revolution in Africa”, adding, that the government would not allow its youths to go in the search opportunities in other parts of the continent, and so, it has to prepare itself ahead of time.

“His words, “All along, we have been exporting crude, exporting gas without adding value to it. We must add value to our crude, we must add value to our gas before we export and we can only do that with latest investment in the petro-chemical industry ”.

He said it was such investments that would create jobs for the youths, pointing out that that was why the Ministry of Niger-Delta is emphasizing on skills training, where internationally recognized certificates would be acquired because the petroleum sector is a global industry and “you must be well paid, you must be qualified, you must be certified internationally for you to work in that area”.

Clark apoligises

Also speaking, Ijaw leader, Chief Clark apologised to Nigerians for whatever statement he might have made in his role to get the President elected as PDP flagbearer.

He said “I want to use this occasion to thank all Nigerians and to apologise to all others who felt being insulted, being hurt or aggrieved for the role we have been playing. On behalf of the people of the South-South I say, please, forgive us.”

Former national chairman of the party, Chief Anenih, in his speech noted that President Jonathan’s visit early January for a PDP rally ahead of the January 6 gubernatorial re-run helped in giving the party victory in the election and thanked Deltans for the support.

He said: “I want to say that but for the President’s visit, the strong rumour that was going round would have kept up in anxiety on the eve of the election. His presence put the doubting Thomases in check. Why I am here is to thank the people of Delta state for the respect they had and still have for the President and the vice president”.

“Having said that, it is true that the President is from South-South zone, it is true that the South-South zone is an oil producing region, but that is not why Nigerians want the President. They want the President for many reasons. He does not believe in ethnic politics, he believes in one Nigeria and indeed, his humility has no bounds. The person we want today in Nigeria is somebody like the President, who does not want to know the tribe that one comes from before he gives one his dues.”

Besides the unusual circumstances that catapulted Jonathan to power, Anenih said God had a reason for making him Nigeria’s “consensus candidate” and enjoined Deltans to do more than they did in January in the April elections, adding, “this time, we expect 99.9 per cent of the total votes to be cast”.

On his remarks at Port-Harcourt that there was no vacancy in Aso Rock, he said he stood by his comments, pointing out that so far, he had not seen any presidential candidate campaigning as Jonathan was doing, touring the zones and states.

“Only the person who is right to be in Aso Villa is the one going from state to state, so that seat (presidential seat) cannot be vacant.”

Anenih noted, however, that other political parties were planning on how to challenge elections that have not been held, but, said, the PDP was waiting for them.

Also speaking, Governor Uduaghan commended President Jonathan for his support to him in the January 6 gubernatorial election, saying that the 1.9 million voters in the state would give their votes to Jonathan.

He, however, reminded the President that the state would strengthen its request for empowerment of Deltans after he had been sworn-in again just as he thanked him for the direction he had given the post-amnesty programme and non-militant youths.

Uduaghan drew the President’s attention to the plight of Ndokwa nation, which is not enjoying electricity despite the presence of a Federal Government power plant at Okpai. He urged the Federal Government to direct the Agip oil company to step down electricity to the area for the benefit of the people and Deltans.

Vice President Sambo, Chief Clark and acting national chairman of the PDP, Dr. Mohammed described President Jonathan as a viable candidate that would change the face of the country and urged the people to vote for him.

I will build 2nd Niger bridge

And at the Awka rally in Anambra State, President Jonathan promised that all federal roads and the 2nd Niger Bridge in the area would be completed within four years if voted into power in the April election.

Besides, the President said within four years in office he would tackle the erosion problem in the South East[/b].

He said the federal government was committed to creating an enabling environment for industry and commerce to thrive in the state, saying that they (FG) were working hand in hand with the APGA controlled government of Mr Peter Obi to achieve the goal.

He said: “We are working with the APGA government, one of the strong parties in Nigeria and the first party to endorse me. We shall work with you to ensure that good governance which you have been giving to the people of Anambra is sustained”

Speaking earlier, the national chairman of APGA, Umeh said the party endorsed the President because of his acceptability by majority of Nigerians that he be given the mandate to rule the country.

The President’s visit to Anambra State provided a rallying point for the factions of the PDP which have been at each other’s throat for some time.

Among the party top shots that graced the occasion were Dr. Andy Uba and Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu who are both battling to be the senatorial candidate for Anambra South, Chief John Emeka and Mrs. Margery Okadigbo who are both claiming to be candidates for Anambra North, Chudi Offodile and Chief Okoye also claiming to be the flag bearers for Anambra Central. None of them was handed the PDP flag was usually done during such occasions.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2011/02/i%E2%80%99ve-blueprint-to-turn-nigeria-around-jonathan/

[size=14pt]My plans for Nigerian child, by Jonathan[/size]
Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja 25/02/2011 01:25:00

President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday restated his love for the country, saying anything he ever owned in life is in Nigeria.

He said he was determined to ensure that no child goes to bed hungry.

In a write-up posted on his Facbook page and entitled: “I love Nigeria”, Jonathan said he would do everything to ensure that Nigerian is rated among the best in the world.

Jonathan said: “The promise I give to you my friends on Facebook and Nigerians is that my uncommon story made possible by God and the Nigerian people be the story that every child of Nigeria can become a part. It is my determination to ensure that no Nigerian child goes to bed hungry or goes to school without shoes or school bags to put his or her books in when he or she takes those promising steps to school.

“The time for transformation is now. It is now nine months since I was sworn in following the painful passage of our brother and late President to glory. I have no choice but to work hard to make the Nigeria of our dream come true. I have no where to go. Anything that I ever own in life is in Nigeria . Please join me in prayers as we continue the conversation for transformation across our great country.”

Jonathan went on: “I have been going round Nigeria , state to state and city to city. My God, Nigeria is beautiful! I have been talking about our plans to improve our ailing infrastructure, our education standards, Power, Agriculture and the health sector among others’’.

http://thenationonlineng.net/web3/news/29098.html

Good one from Mrs Ciroma! There is some sense in the family afterall, sadly it all from the maternal side.

The way some are screaming themselvesd silly here, you'll think their so called degrees have developed Nigeria one bit. Everyone trips off to Abuja for their daily meal.

The country was built on the principle of wazobia, in which the bigger ethnic groups grab off the smaller ones and everything is centred around the Ciroma's, Kanti Bello's, Yakasai's and other leaches and parasites. What you should be crying about is our fake federal structure that was built to allow all sorts of shenanigans, anything short is a failure of your so called degree's, intellects and years of schoolling.

lol

I blame those fools that are in Libya as mercenaries. It has made Nigerians easy political pawns.
In the meantime, we can't even send a warship like Aradu to Benghazi (which has been liberated from Gaddafi), because the Libyan masses have become very hostile to Nigerians. Its catch 22.

This creates a healthy alliance for GEJ in the SW. Nice one.

10cirenoh:
Now i am very angry, what's all these rubbish?

Can someone just shoot that second hand cowboy?

I wonder if you are in Nigeria.

[quote author=Chyz* link=topic=612154.msg7802122#msg7802122 date=1298669145]Why is this guy constantly spending our money on his people.Nigeria isnt just about the niger delta.[/quote]Really? lol
Then lets practise true federalism. Simples.

^
I concede thats correct.

[quote author=Chyz* link=topic=612363.msg7803050#msg7803050 date=1298682420]Are you not worried that GJ could be working with the cabal? This just seems too funny.Where is that change that we want going to come from if he's surrounding himself with all of the crooks of the former FG.[/quote]ANPP and PDP are different parties, so if IBB leaves, he leaves with his cabal. It would have nothing at all to do with GEJ, in fact they are mortal enemies.

kabukabu50:
Let me get this straight,no tints but the President has tinted windows on his vehicles,another epic failure for Naija,once again the illiterates have taken over the college campus.Thank God I dont have to deal with that rubbish.

So you want to be able to spot the President in his car? Thats bloody airy.
There are very good reasons for you not to be able to pinpoint the Presidents location, but there are none for the police not to be able to pinpoint yours. Its simple logic.

texazzpete:
So the words 'factory tinted' means nothing to you?

The law isn't new, but with a proper police permit you were permitted to use tinted vehicles. This has now been changed.
Suggesting this law has been in place in this form for a long while is totally untrue.

There has been a change to the law, but it isn't such a massive one and is for the security of the country. There are some cars on our roads you cannot see into; thats not something that should be allowed to carry on in a country where the elite settle scores with bombs and massacres.

Scaled back vanity is not such a huge price to pay if it leads to improved security.

appletango:
INEC extended the registration date for presidential candidates until the 28th of February.

Then I pray the news is true. IBB's entry (if Shekarau allows it) would make GEJ's landslide victory much bigger.

[size=14pt]Why We Adopted Jonathan -AD[/size]
Written by Kolawole Daniel and Taiwo Adisa, Abuja
Saturday, 26 February 2011

THE Alliance for Democracy (AD), on Friday, formally adopted President Goodluck Jonathan and Vice President Namadi Sambo as its presidential standard-bearers in the April general elections.

Addressing journalists in Abuja, national chairman of the party, Senator Mojisoluwa Akinfenwa, said that the party decided to adopt the president because of his leadership quality, foresight and humility.

He said that the party would embark on a programme to enlighten the electorate on the need to only vote for Jonathan and Sambo at the presidential election, as the party had candidates for other offices except presidency.

Reeling out the qualities the party noticed in the president before its decision to adopt him, the AD boss said that, “He is youthful, educated, intelligent and energetic. Above all, he is not a charlatan or a rascal, and the nation will benefit from the full application of these assets to the processes of governance.

“He is humble and respectful. He has not allowed being president to get into his head, and he is always ready to bend backwards to reconcile with critics and accommodate opponents. These are qualities that will avail him much as president of a diverse nation as Nigeria.

“Most importantly, Jonathan’s humility makes him amenable to advice, in respect of his commitment to those programmes and priorities which constitute the generally accepted agenda of the AD and the nation, Yoruba inclusive.

“We urge you, our people, to cast your votes in the coming presidential election for the Jonathan/Sambo ticket.”

http://www.tribune.com.ng/sat/index.php/news/3421-why-we-adopted-jonathan-ad.html

lol

The sun thinks this is April fools day!
It is too late for anyone to become a presidential candidate or any sort of candidate for that matter. INEC has published the final least since last Sunday. Apparently, the Sun newspaper never heard the news! Damn!

^
In ACN, it is Ribadu's place to do that, not Fashola's. There is decorum and there is protocol, both have been cast in the dirt by Fashola.

ASL33:
According to GEJ: ACN = Rascals

According to Jason123: AD = F0ols

Mathematically: ACN + AD = Rascals + F0ols'

But ACN + AD = Yorubas.

Then ******* = Rascalfools

GEJ + Jason123 = SS(South South).

SS people this insult is getting outa hand.

Oba of Ondo is still on their mind and you people are on it again.

Funny shyte!
But there'll never be a quarrel between SS and SW. All na shakara.

violent:
@Beaf

Would you be more supportive if Ribadu had called for the debate in the place of Fashola?

Is your grouse about the individual calling for the debate or the idea of a the debate itself?

Yes, I would. Fashola is just being an id!ot.
I'm certain GEJ would also accept a challenge from either Ribadu or Buhari. Fashola is not a presidential candidate, so is just being really stoopid.

Nigeria is finally finding direction! Just last week, there was an announcement by GEJ that 1% of our GDP will be set aside for Research and Development. Nigeria is finally becoming a country we can really be proud of.

Minister of Information and Communications, Mr. Labran Maku, has commended the House for the passage of the bill.

He told journalists yesterday in Abuja that the passage of the FOI was a plus for Nigerians and the country's democracy.

"I congratulate the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the entire House for a job well-done. What is happening today is a plus for Nigerians and its democracy. It is my belief that with the passage of this FoI Bill, Nigeria's democracy has been consolidated as the bill is not for the media alone but for the growth of the country," Maku said.

Another GEJ success. He made the passage of this bill a personal thing. Nice one, Senate next!

^
We are still waiting for wild eyed sharia zealot, Buhari to deny that he intends to institutionalise sharia across Nigeria. lol
Thats one good ol' neanderthal!

When will Buhari stand and be knocked right through the floor by GEJ in zi fresidential devate?

[size=21pt]LOL![/size]

honeric01:
@Beaf

Are you okay at all? what are you afraid of? you're not sure of what GEJ is likely going to say if a debate is organized?

BEAF, PLEASE HOW'S A DEBATE A HARD THING FOR A PHD HOLDING PRESIDENT WHO CLAIMS TO KNOW HOW TO SOLVE THE PROBLEMS OF NIGERIA?

Why do you always come across like a daft agbero? Are you pretending to be remarkably dim or is that you simply can't understand English?

Fashola is making himself and his party look like fools when he keeps demanding things above his station, its that simple.
It is Ribadu's place to make any challenge, not that of a mere governor thats little more than a polished criminal selling up his state to both himself and Tinubu.

What is so difficult about the above? I hate foolishness! lol

kcng:
wind don blow we don see fowl yansh, lol.if jonathan ever attempt to a debate with bb, he will loose  5million voters ever time he opens he's mouth,cause he's a trash talker.they will take him to the cleaners, men i know pdp can never risk it.But i pray they do so we can all see how intelligent ex-president Goodluck is.

Is it Buhari that talks as if yams grow in his mouth? lol
Buhari can't even pronounce "debate."

NL is truly hilarious!

I would have thought peeps would be saying, "we have a high population, so produce a lot of money and help the Nigerian economy." No?
This is one hell of a daft thread. Sorry.

Dis Guy:
bigots have a way of spining things!!

im not racist, i have black friends

So, praising the SW as educated and civilized and very rightly calling the likes of Tinubu and Fashola rascals now amounts to racism? This is getting comical.
Does Fashola's usurping of Ribadu's position not make him a rascal? How about his selling Lagos state to himself and his cronies, while planting flowers? Does he really think the World is blind?

I canvassed this position right here on NL a year ago. Bravo!

Dis Guy:
Whats more bigoted than calling a group ELECTED leaders from a particular region rascals? we know he wasnt elected he stumbled on there!

oh a personal entry in a diary by one person via wikileak equates to the wider world?? maybe we should claim the world recognise fashola by giving him an international award
you actually make it sound like the fisherman is being bullied by the radical rascals at least we see results not these headless leadership claiming everyone is his father!

Guilt has a way of expressing itself as foolishness. What person aside from the damn stoopid would interprete this as a bigoted statement?

The South West is too educated and civilized to be left in the hands of rascals.” – President Goodluck Jonathan.

Pataki:
And you have the temerity to question my critical thinking skills and yet you utterly fail in deducing a simple glaring point. How ludicrous.
Fashola like every other well meaning Nigeria is asking for accountability from his President. How difficult is that for your comprehension? Are you really that thick in comprehension? Your blood pressure is so high simply because a Fashola is requesting for a Presidential debate. . . . . . lol. What will now happen when Clueless Jonathan is voted out from Aso Rock? I hope there is a mental hospital close-by to you.
Rascals are surely more preferable than murderers, terrorists, looters, thieves and lawless men comprising of the PDP. Please say something more reasonable or I will choose to ignore the next puerile gobbledygook you spew here.

A load of agbero crap as usual.

It isn't in Fashola's station to demand a presidential debate. He is neither an ACN leader at national level, nor is he ACN's presidential candidate. In fact (for the umteenth time) he makes Ribadu look like a fool.

What sort of organisation is ACN that is seems any clown can jump up and usurp the others offices.
Is Ribadu merely an impotent decoration in a regional party, so much so that a mere governor usurps him? Daft.

By the way, if Fashola is so concerned about good governance, her should stop selling Lagos state to himself and Tinubu. He should also take his flower planting to abandoned areas like Ikororodu and Epe, before inflicting the wider country with his foolish comments.

^
It is easy enough, don't tint. The law isn't exactly new, its just that Nigerians are a lawless bunch who claim to decry corruption, yet long for anarchy. Ironic.

Dis Guy:
are you admitting your fisherman is not better than him?

secondly how did you conclude that those guys are better than him? is it because they dont come under much scrutiny by the media or oppositions in their states, it's all good to build infrastructure but how efficient are they? they dont bother with tax because there's too much money, how diverse is their economy?

We dont just want a president prepared to spend money without telling us how he is going to spend to achieve his goals
we dont want a president that cant set a target of electricity, he doesn't want to be held to!

Only ACN dimwits and other retards make ethnicaly bigoted statements. Akpabio is recognised by the wider World as much better than the flower planter and land seller that thinks uncouth loudmouthness is a virtue. Live with it.

Akpabio is Fashola's mate, let him call for a debate between himself and Akpabio. I bet you, the result will be pathetic, except for ethnic bigots, all others can see beyond Fashola's flower planting. Lagos is a scam and Fashola is a clown making Ribadu look like a fool, lets discuss that.