₦airaland Forum

For the curious, Goodluck Jonathan is Ijaw from Nembe in Bayelsa. His father was a canoe maker, but the man has risen to become President (there really is God).
I've included a few pics of Nembe life and culture below;

War dance
https://nigeriaworld.com/images/news/big/niger-delta/ijaw-war-boats.jpg

A mask
https://farm4.static.flickr.com/3198/2923628762_4eb6e0bb59.jpg

A hut on Nembe creek
https://farm1.static.flickr.com/131/383543751_62debdfd27.jpg

King of Nembe land
https://www.uniqueeventsnigeria.com/uimages/coropix_0882.JPG

EzeUche:
Is this a sign that many Muslim youth in the North are getting tired of these Northern elite who hold so much power in the region?

If it is, then I think there is going to be an uprising in the North that will throw away the yoke of servitude.

It isn't any such sign. All I can see are the signs of a failed state; marabouts controlling kids and getting them to murder and allegations of attempted murder against a sitting governor (in connivance with the police) to the President. Every day, there are tales of religious massacres, while our "leaders" visit various shrines and fight in public. Failed state.

Failed state.

[size=14pt]Emir of Kano Escapes Assassination Attempt[/size]
•Suspects arrested •Alao-Akala wants to kill me, Alaafin alleges
From Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano and Zachaeus Somorin in Lagos, 07.12.2010

But for providence, the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, would have been killed over the weekend.

The traditional ruler escaped assassination last Friday by a lone gunman who attempted to kill him during the Muslim Juma’at prayer in Kano.

The suspect, 19 year-old Usman Abubakar, who lives in the Doraji Quarters in Kano Metropolis, was however, apprehended by the Police before carrying out the act.

Also arrested is one Alhaji Abubakar Batakaye who allegedly asked Abubakar to carry out the act.
Abubakar told THISDAY at the Kano Police Command headquarters yesterday that he was sent by a Mallam (marabout) with a specific instruction to kill the emir.

“I arrived the mosque as early as 9 am that day. I was sent to the place of worship by a 65 year-old Mallam Abubakar Batakaye, a marabout with a specific instruction to kill the emir,” he told the newspaper.
He said Batakaye allegedly asked him to recite one of the verses in the Holy Quran, Qurisiyu, 12,000 times before the congregational prayers to ensure the success of the deadly assignment.

Abubakar also stated that the marabout gave him a small amulet to conceal inside his mouth in order for him to garner courage in executing the task and to mysteriously disappear after.
He said: “I regret this attempt to kill the emir; I seek for his forgiveness and pardon. I am under the influence of the mallam who directed me to commit this ugly act.

“I was influenced by the mallam who told me to commit the act. For over ten years, I have been an ally of the mallam and his order or directive for me is like a blessing.”
Spokesman of Kano Police Command, SP Baba Mohammed Azare, confirmed the story and the arrest of the duo, saying “the state commissioner of police has ordered immediate investigation of the matter and the investigating team will be led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mr. Lawal Tanko.

Also speaking with THISDAY, Batakaye denied ordering Abubakar to engage in the Emir’s murder.
“I have been attending that particular mosque for more 20 years without failing; I have a place reserved for me inside the mosque. I cannot think of attacking a monarch because our religion teaches us to regard them as the father of all,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi 111, has alleged that Oyo State Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala is planning to kill him.

The paramount ruler in a petition to President Goodluck Jonathan and the Inspector-General of Police alleged that the governor in collaboration with a prominent businessman in the ancient city of Oyo and a commander of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in the state hatched the plot to kill him in his palace.
He, however, said the plot failed because the collaborating senior police officer buckled at the last minute and reported the plot to him.

But reacting to the development, the governor denied the allegation, saying it should be discountenanced.
The governor’s Special Adviser, Media and Publicity Dotun Oyelade said: “Governor Akala discountenanced the so-called allegation as not only unfounded but a cooked up story much in line with the serial misinformation that the opposition has always engaged in where there is no motive or serious disagreement, it is spurious to concoct this kind of story.

Alaafin remains the father of the governor from whom he draws profound wisdom.”
Police sources confirmed Alaafin’s petition to THISDAY, saying the Inspector-General of Police Ogbonna Onovo has ordered a high-level investigation into the alleged murder plot.

According to THISDAY checks, the directive to investigate the plot was complied with at the weekend as a team of investigators drawn from the cream of the intelligence community swung into action, visiting the SARS in Oyo and interrogating officers implicated by the petition.

In his petition, the monarch gave details of the alleged plot, claiming the governor and a businessman conspired with the senior police officer based in the town to invade his palace under the guise of seeking the arrest of suspects in the murder of the late Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo, Alhaji Azeez Adegbile, on April 4 this year.
He further alleged that the plan was to have him and other palace residents shot in the melee that was to ensue during the invasion.

Alaafin alleged that the senior SARS officer was recruited into the plot by the businessman, who provided him with logistics for the operation, including a brand new Toyota Hilux Jeep and N2million cash reward.
The officer, the monarch alleged, initially declined to participate in the plot but agreed to play along when the governor came into the picture and offered to raise the cash reward to N10million.

Oba Adeyemi stated that rather than carry out the plot, the police officer reported the murder plot to him, and that after his (the monarch’s) personal investigation showed that the plot was real, he decided to write the petition to the President.
The monarch further stated that when the plotters found that their plan had leaked to him and eventually failed, they enlisted the intervention of some prominent South-west traditional rulers and leaders of thought to pacify him.

The paramount ruler said that much as he respected his colleagues that sought to intervene, he could not accede to their overture because of the grave implication of the plot.
Oba Adeyemi, therefore, called on the President to investigate the murder plot and ensure that the plotters are brought to book.

http://www.thisdayonline.com/nview.php?id=178077

[size=14pt]New attacks on Christians in Kaduna state [/size] 
Posted: Sunday, July 11, 2010 12:57 pm

At least seven people, including a mother of six, have been killed by Islamic militants in Nigeria's Kaduna state just four months after attacks left more than 500 dead in neighbouring Plateau.

The charity Release International, which serves persecuted Christians around the world, is calling on the new Nigerian president to ensure greater protection for vulnerable Christians of all denominations in the country.

Partners of Release say that armed men in military uniform shot dead seven Christians in Kizachi Dawai Chawai, Kaduna state, on July 3.

The gunmen surrounded the village at about 8.30pm and began shooting indiscriminately. The dead included a primary school teacher and a mother of six. Five others were taken to hospital with gunshot wounds.

The following day, assailants wielding guns and machetes attacked Ganawuri, a village near Jos, in neighbouring Plateau state. The Jos area was the scene of brutal violence against Christians in March which left 520 people dead, including many women and children.

Release sources say that the gunmen in both these latest raids were suspected Fulani militants from Kaduna.

These same sources now accuse the Nigerian military of not doing enough to protect vulnerable Christian communities. One source reports that police had withdrawn from Kizachi Dawai Chawai the day before the attack, because the government had allegedly failed to pay their salaries.

Release CEO Andy Dipper, who is currently on a fact-finding trip in Nigeria, said: "We're appalled to hear of yet more violence against Christians, who have been warning for some time now that they feared further attacks.

"We appeal to President Goodluck Jonathan and his administration to take firm action now to ensure that the military and police carry out their full responsibilities and protect Christians properly. We acknowledge it is a huge task - but enough is enough."

President Jonathan, who is from the mainly Christian south of Nigeria, was officially sworn into office in May, after the death of the previous incumbent, Umaru Yar'Adua.

Plateau is located in the centre of the country between the largely Muslim north and the south. Along with religious tensions, tribal and political differences have seen an increasing polarisation between different ethnic groups there.

Kaduna, just north of Plateau, has also been a flashpoint for conflict between Christians and Muslims, most notably during the 'Miss World riots' in 2002 when a newspaper's alleged blasphemy against Islam's prophet Mohammed sparked widespread violence against Christians.

Release's Andy Dipper urged Christians in the UK and Ireland to stand with the church in central and northern Nigeria. "Christians in Plateau and Kaduna are standing firm despite intolerable persecution - but they desperately need our prayers.

"And let's pray too for strength and wisdom for those in authority, including President Jonathan, so they can find a lasting solution to end this cycle of violence."

http://www.indcatholicnews.com/news.php?viewStory=16471

bidell1:
@Ajadudu, u r very right,
even "oyibo" is a racist comment as well.

Abeg!
Oyibo is not racist!
Paki and chinko are derogatory, oyibo is not; so where is the idea that it is racist from?

Becomerich, the Grand Lord of engrrrrrrisssss is now defining junk English for us! The end of the World is at hand!

At last, one side has scored, but its now 9 yellow and one red to Holland!

The saga continues! 8 yellow cards and one red for a team of 11! Damn!

So far 6 out of 11 for Holland have a yellow cards. They will make a great commando squad.
Thats got to be a World Cup record.

It looks like the Dutch have sent thugs and assassins to terrorise Spain off the ball!
There have been live wrestling moves, boxing tricks. . . Even karate kicks!!!!

Who will win this thing?

Rich, coming from an IBB lover.

Alonso also basically told his team to shut up over the radio. That dude is slowly crumbling in his own bile!

MRbrownJAY:
Vettel had KARMA put him right back at his place.
Alonso. . . . . . . . . . . . oh well, there's always a next time!

Alonso has stumped off, too angry to give an interview, I guess to save himself from strangling a reporter.
. . .Yesterday, he actually mocked the Silverstone crowd : "Bye-bye, go home, go home." Dude is just nasty. I think that was because, he beat Lewis to 3rd place in qualifying.

[quote author=~Bluetooth link=topic=477084.msg6366254#msg6366254 date=1278849393]now you can sing true federalism now abi ? I can't remember the last time we had that.[/quote]Clap for yourself and move on if you have nothing to say. Thank you.

What a race, driven in red anger to victory by Mark Webber. Pumped it out!

Race results for Silverstone
1    M Webber Red Bull
2    L Hamilton McLaren
3    N Rosberg Mercedes
4    J Button McLaren
5    R Barrichello Williams
6    K Kobayashi BMW Sauber
7    S Vettel Red Bull
8    A Sutil Force   
9    M Schumacher Mercedes
10    N Hulkenberg Williams
11    V Liuzzi Force   
12    S Buemi Toro Rosso
13    V Petrov Renault
14    F Alonso Ferrari
15    F Massa Ferrari
16    J Trulli Lotus
17    H Kovalainen Lotus
18    T Glock Virgin
19    K Chandhok Hispania
20    S Yamamoto Hispania
21    J Alguersuari (ret.)  Toro Rosso
22    P de la Rosa (ret.)  BMW Sauber
23    R Kubica (ret.)  Renault
24    L di Grassi (ret.)

Mark Webber on being congratulated for the race victory; "not bad for a number two driver, eh?" Shame on Red Bull.

To make matters worse for Alonso, the safety car is now out! Now, Alonso and Ferrari got the safety car rules changed with their foolish whining after the last race. Alonso can't serve his penalty yet and has to hold station now at safety car speeds!

Poor Alonso, I think his gonna blow up this time!

Poor Alonso gets a drive through. Grumble, grumble.
A bit harsh, but he shouldn't have been so stup!d about the FIA and the safety car. Its best never to foolishly challenge authority.

Its looking like Vettel is gonna be lapped soon by Webber and Lewis! After what happened with the wing, this is really funny!

Katsumoto:
Beaf,

did you guys enjoy that? I loved what happened to vettel.

Yes o! What a start! How I wish Vettel was on the hard tyre when he had his punture. . . Alonso was too busy looking right (watch the replays) for a fast get away

As Agaba123 said, its karma! Pure, baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaad karma!!

Many of our "big" men too are involved. How will these guys be monitored?

monkeyleg:
@Beaf,

these are well accepted facts in the outside world, why we as Nigerians fail to see this and act with the required urgency, I dont understand.

It is because we are used to zero standards, zero organisation and zero responsibility. The state is failed and the people are in danger of failing too, but that is another massive topic.

[quote author=~Bluetooth link=topic=477084.msg6365433#msg6365433 date=1278833407]Are you aware that the igbo have started calling Obasanjo a betrayal because he's trying to do away with zoning and encourage so-called true federalism ? What does that makes the yoruba[/quote]I am not interested in this nebulous, tribalistic make-believe. Thank you.
What do you as an individual think about true federalism?

According to the list, Yemen and Niger Republic are less failed than Nigeria.

[size=14pt]Again a failed state[/size]
July 11, 2010 01:27AM

These are interesting times for Nigeria. Just as the country is settling down to the month-long presidency of the United Nations Security Council, as well as the (admittedly controversial) chairmanship of the Developing Eight Countries (D8); and just as we should be preparing to reap the economic and diplomatic benefits of the US-Nigeria bi-national commission, the news has emerged of another ‘achievement’: Nigeria is the 14th most failed state in the world.

We first made an appearance in the top 20 of the Failed States listing in 2007, the year that Olusegun Obasanjo rather reluctantly handed over the Presidency to Umar Yar’Adua, following elections that were roundly condemned by local and international observers. Every year since then, we have faithfully maintained our position on the list. We’re Africa’s ninth failed state, coming behind Somalia, Chad, Sudan, Zimbabwe, Democratic Republic of Congo, Central African Republic, Guinea, Cote d’Ivoire and Kenya, in that order. Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan and Haiti are the four non-African countries that come before Nigeria on the list.

Since 2008 our ranking has progressively worsened, from number 19 that year to number 15 in 2009, and now number 14. We appear to be gaining devious confidence by the year, and inching closer to the top of the Failed States listing.

Our government will definitely not agree with that listing. In the coming days we expect them to protest, even more vehemently than they did on the release of the ‘Welcome to Lagos’ documentary. Dora Akunyili will soon hit the airwaves to lament bitterly about a conspiracy against Nigeria, and to mouth platitudes about how a few failings do not a failed state make. Of course not many will believe her, especially because the Failed States Listing is not a nebulously assembled document – commentary accompanying it provides detailed justification for Nigeria’s position on the list.

Here’s the verdict on the great nation of good people: “The Nigerian police force is highly corrupt, poorly trained, and has been accused of committing widespread human rights abuses with near impunity. They have been unable to prevent violent riots in many major cities, the most serious of which resulted in over 400 deaths in November 2008. The police have been accused of shooting over 90 of the victims. The judiciary is poorly trained and underpaid, making it susceptible to corruption. Civil servants are poorly paid and consistently fail to perform their duties. Positions are often appointed based on ethnic, religious, or political backgrounds instead of merit, and corruption is widespread.” Late President Umar Yar’Adua’s administration got a damning assessment. The listing concluded that that government “has done little to curb the widespread corruption that exists in the Nigerian government, has been unable to unify the competing religious and ethnic groups in the country, and has not invigorated the economy.” A challenge automatically goes out to any official of that administration, or the current one – which in many ways is merely a continuation of the old – to convincingly prove that the assessment above is false.

At a time like this we are reminded, very painfully, that Nigeria has made scant progress – relative to the opportunities available for true progress – in the last decade or so since the military dictatorships gave way to democracy.

We have now grown used to commentator after commentator expressing fears and concerns about Nigeria. Last year US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton described Nigeria’s situation as “a heartbreaking scene.” Earlier this year former US Ambassador to Nigeria, John Campbell warned of the possibilities of severe crisis as the fallout of the intrigues that accompanied late President Yar’Adua’s illness and subsequent abdication of office.

None of these “foreign concerns” can however match the ones that Nigerians themselves have cried themselves hoarse expressing. The truth is that the average Nigerian does not need a listing by an international organisation to convince himself or herself that Nigeria is a failed state. Any citizen who has to provide electricity, water, security and justice (often expressed as jungle justice) for himself knows what state failure is with far greater certitude than the best-equipped international pollster or researcher.

This is nothing but a harsh wake-up call to the Jonathan administration. Beyond the PDP politicking, and the exciting diplomatic junketing, and the hosting of presidential guests, and the Facebooking; this administration is confronted with massive challenges in every sphere of national life. The task is daunting, the scope of reform and transformation that needs to be done beggars belief.

The choices are clearly laid out before Mr. Jonathan: either he continues to play a status quo game, investing most if not all his energy in scheming to stay in power and cultivate a political empire; or he boldly hits the road never travelled, and commences the take-no-prisoners reform needed to move Nigeria from the edge of failure onto the path of genuine recovery.

There’s no agenda more critical than that, at this time.

http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/Opinion/Columns/5592185-146/story.csp