₦airaland Forum

oludashmi:
Okuta means stone. Even with that the language similarities with Igbo is 0.01%. If you say cultural and lang similarities with the Itsekiri and Edos, I agree.

What does the remaining 2 words mean?

Maybe you're not reading the whole thing. All of those words mean stone.

oludashmi:
Pls those boldened words do not exist in Yoruba AT ALL. Probably it sounds like yoruba but the pronunciation is not and neither is the spelling.

He meant Okuta/Okwuta/Okwute.They are all similar/related and have the same meaning.

[size=18pt]UN revises DRC 'genocide' report[/size]
Document detailing attacks by Rwandan and Ugandan troops against civilians toned down.
Last Modified: 01 Oct 2010 15:31 GMT

https://english.aljazeera.net/mritems/Images/2010/10/1/201010115655882734_20.jpg




The report claims that Rwandan and Ugandan troops were involved in attacks in the DRC during the 1990s [AFP]

The UN has reportedly toned down a document detailing 10 years of gruesome attacks by Rwandan and Ugandan troops against civilians in the Democractic Republic of Congo (DRC) after both countries angrily protested a draft version describing the slaughter of tens of thousands of ethnic Hutus during the 1990s.

But according to the Associated Press, the report continues to suggest that Rwandan troops and others may have engaged in genocide and crimes against humanity.

However, Navi Pillay, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights told reporters in Geneva that "the substance [of the report] remains the same".

The final report shows that Pillay's office rewrote sensitive sections of the 545-page document to couch them in less inflammatory language.

For instance, an earlier reference to "damning elements" that could be used by a court to conclude that genocide took place has been changed to "inculpatory elements".

Another section elaborates at length - compared with the earlier draft - on a number of "countervailing factors" that could be used to argue that such a crime did not take place.

A draft section that dismissed mitigating arguments was dropped entirely.

'Flawed and dangerous'

Despite the changes, Louise Mushikiwabo, a Rwandan government spokeswoman said on Thursday that the document was "flawed and dangerous from start to finish".

Mushikiwabo claimed the report had been manipulated by "organisations and individuals" seeking to rewrite Rwanda's history.

Rwandan president Paul Kagame has long claimed the moral high ground for ending the 1994 genocide in his country, during which more than half a million people, mostly Tutsis but also some moderate Hutus, were killed.

But the UN report casts doubt on Rwanda's claim that it was only pursuing those responsible for the Rwandan genocide when it sent troops across the border into eastern Congo in 1996.

Mushikiwabo said the $3 million report, which details more than 600 incidents between 1993 and 2003 in which tens of thousands of people - mostly women and children - were killed, ignored the historical situation and relied overly on questionable sources.

Ugandan officials also dismissed the report.

A spokesman for Uganda's army, which was involved in several conflicts in the area of eastern DRC in
the 1990s called the report "rubbish".

"We have not taken it kindly," said Lt. Col. Felix Kulayigye.

"They have not asked us about the allegations. They did not get our side of the story."

Threats of withdrawal

Ugandan foreign affairs minister Sam Kutesa warned in a letter to the UN human rights office that the report undermined efforts made by countries in the region toward regional peace and security.

"Such sinister tactics undermine Uganda's resolve to continue contributing to, and participating in, various regional and international peacekeeping operations," he said.

Rwanda and Uganda have threatened to withdraw their troops from peackeeping operations.

If both countries make good on their threat it could create a headache for the United Nations.

Rwanda contributes thousands of soldiers to UN peacekeeping operations in Chad, Haiti, Liberia and mainly Sudan. Uganda is also a significant contributor to the African Union force in Somalia.

Pillay had delayed publication for several weeks to give affected governments time to publish
their comments alongside the final version.

The report, which includes interviews with over 1,280 witnesses, concludes by suggesting ways in which the DRC government, together with the international community, could prosecute the perpetrators of crimes and assist survivors.

Amnesty International described the report as "a very thorough investigation'' and called for pressure by donor countries to make the DRC prosecute alleged perpetrators.

"What we want now is for action to be taken,'' said Veronique Aubert, deputy director of the group's Africa programme.

"The cycle of violence in the region will only stop if those responsible for these horrific crimes are held
to account."


http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2010/10/2010101129611907.html

I hope you all are ready for Africom.

That one statement has killed Jonathan severely.

opuro:
SO YOU ARE DISAPPOINTED AS THEY DID NOT TELL US IS DOKPESI OR IBB?
see what poverty has done to my pple
bringing religion into politics.
if na your bros that were affected by the blast, you no go de talk like this

Obviously its a lie. and the funny thing is Al-jazeera happened to make a fake interview video with "MEND" two days before the bombing. I dont know about you but that is too much of a coincidence to me.

jabbok:
Okah confirms in a telephone interview on Aljazeera now that GEJ's camp called him to ask him to come out openly and revert the MEND claims, and also direct the blame to the north. He says Niger Delta was better of under Yaradua than Jonathan. Live now on Aljazeera, Stay tuned

And I guess we are suppose to believe that his words are true when being interviewed my a pro-muslim news station?

asha 2:
Are those uniforms not military uniforms?

Exactly. MEND does not dress like that. It's a fake. Also the area does not look like the same area mend were usually taped at. Its funny how they happened to have an interview with "MEND" two days before the bombing. Also the main "MEND" guy's english seems to be too clear for him to be a real mend rebel. Nollywood in the making.

Happy Birthday Ms. Modifier, enjoy!

Ehoi:
It seems to me the government want to recognize only the small MEND faction that accepted the amnesty as the real MEND while ignoring the larger faction. If this is the case, its an unwise move. What is stopping us from sitting in a round table and negotiate with these guys?

GEJ's immediate comment of mend not being the attackers has really scarred his game.I say this because even if it were mend, the presidency will lie and even arrest and jail innocent people to save the president the embarrassment of making such a false and misguided statement.

I've noticed since the 2-week ultimatum has been over the half-dead guy from the north,ciroma, or whatever his name is has been really quiet. . Its funny because everything that he spoke of his happening. And another thing, since when did MEND start calling Henry Okah their leader again? Something's fishy. Also I thought the presidency reported that MEND denounced the bombings.

[size=18pt]Expect more bombing, MEND threatens[/size]
By SEYE OJO
Tuesday, October 05, 2010

https://www.sunnewsonline.com/images/militants-youths.gif




Threats of fresh bomb explosions heightened yesterday, as the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) said it would wreak more havoc should the Federal Government repatriate and put its leader, Henry Okah to trial over the October 1 bomb attack in Abuja.

Spokesman of MEND, Jomo Gbomo during an online interview with the Daily Sun maintained that the group was responsible for the bombings, which coincided with the parade ceremony during the nation’s 50th Independence anniversary.
If Okah is repatriated, he contended, he would not get fair trial because the MEND leader has always been blamed for what he is not involved in.

“We will come down very hard on the system because it will be another Ken Saro Wiwa kangaroo trial.
“Henry Okah has always been blamed for what he is not involved in. This is not the first-time, so, it is not coming as a surprise to us. If he was not arrested during the Bonga and Atlas Cove attacks, he would have been blamed as the mastermind,” he said.

Gbomo averred that MEND had made its point with the bombings in Abuja and would employ the same method of attack on military targets. This, he explained, would happen when the group declares resumption of hostilities.
He, however, tendered apology to the families of innocent Nigerians that lost their lives to the Abuja explosions, saying, it was not their intent to kill them.
According to him, “Our apology stems from the avoidable loss of innocent lives as this was not our intent. We wanted to use the opportunity to blame the security agencies for not playing their roles considering the forewarning we gave them.

“We have made our point and we will use this method of attack on military targets after we declare a resumption of hostilities.”
Reacting to President Goodluck Jonathan’s statement that MEND was not responsible for the attacks but perpetrated by terrorists, Gbomo asserted: “It is an obvious political comment which any smart person can see through.”

Jonathan had said last Saturday: “It’s a small terrorist group that resides outside Nigeria and sponsored to carry out the evil act. We are on their trail and we will ensure that until they are arrested and brought to book, we will not rest. Government will no longer condone impunity and any culprit, no matter how highly placed or connected, will not go scot-free.”

The first explosion was said to have taken place about 11:00 a.m., while the second one went off after a 10-minute interval. Both bombs reportedly went off from two cars, which were on their way to the Eagle Square, the venue of the Independence celebration but turned back by the police.?
The blasts occurred opposite the Federal Ministry of Justice and the Federal High Court Headquarters, on Shehu Shagari Way, some 500 metres from the Eagle Square.

Police spokesman, Emmanuel Ojukwu, in a statement named two persons suspected to be the ‘masterminds’ of the bomb blast. He gave the names of the suspects as Ben Jessy and Chima Orlu.
“By this release, they are declared wanted by the Nigerian Police, and are hereby requested to come forward and clear their names. Any person who sees them or knows their whereabouts is requested to kindly report to the nearest Police Station anywhere in the Federation of Nigeria, or send SMS to the following telephone numbers: 1. 0803-3225-349, 2. 0806-2700-000, 3. 0803-8305-707,” Ojukwu stated.

The ugly incident, he revealed, resulted in the death of 10 persons, while 36 others, including 11 policemen were seriously injured. He added that the blasts completely destroyed six cars, damaged 18 others and shattered the glasses of a hotel in the vicinity.
Okah was arrested in Angola three years ago and transferred to Nigerian custody. He was released as part of an amnesty programme offered to militants in the Niger Delta, the heart of Nigeria’s oil industry. Presently, he lives in Johannesburg. Again, he has been arrested by the South African police last Thursday in connection with the Abuja bomb blast.

MEND reportedly warned the Federal Government last Thursday that the group would strike on October 1. In an email message, MEND warned all guests, dignitaries and attendees of the golden jubilee anniversary at the Eagle Square, Abuja, to evacuate the area because “several explosive devices have been successfully planted in and around the venue by our operatives working inside the government security services. In evacuating the area, keep a safe distance from vehicles and trash bins.”

Gbomo noted that there was nothing to celebrate in the 50 years existence of Nigeria since the Niger Delta region, which produces the oil that sustains the country’s economy, has been neglected.
“There is nothing worth celebrating after 50 years of failure. For 50 years, the people of the Niger Delta have had their land and resources stolen from them. The constitution before independence, which offered resource control, was mutilated by illegal military governments and this injustice is yet to be addressed,” he maintained.


http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2010/oct/05/national-05-10-2010-005.htm

Freewilly:
forgive me my brother, but when I tried to post on the culture section it just kept logging me off

maybe a mod will see this thread and move it over.


What lengthy threads ? I'm in the mood to socialize with my people right now, leave the seriousness for later pls.

My sista Nno ooooo. i've never heard of your town before can you tell us a little about it? also meet of on the culture section.alot of us are on their.Anything to do with igbo will be responded to so type,type,type my dia.

wrong section my sista.

Ehoi:
Example abound all over the world where events less important went ahead even when there were bomb blast.

was there a postponement?

jabbok:
More questions:

Let us rewind back to the OCT 1 bombings. Few metres from where our President, foreign heads of state, nigerians and foreigners were "celebrating", the 1st bomb  goes off; followed minutes later by the second; fatalities followed.

In hearing all those bangs, what gave the presidents security details the courage to advise the President to continue with the occasion? For crying aloud, this was a serious security breach, and yet the occassion continued.

How were they sure that there wasn't more bombs ready to explode somewhere else even closer to our dear President?

Would one be nuts to assume they(the security details on ground) knew the number of bangs they were expecting?

Another angle: Is IBB too large a factor that GEJ is not sure of defeating the evil genuis at the poll, hence a frame up of his campaign structure or self?
I just dey wonder
. Too many questions , no answer

The bolded is a damn good question.

I'm sorry but it sounds fake. Like a bad nollywood movie.

[size=18pt]Gen. Azazi is New National Security Adviser[/size]





President Goodluck Jonathan has made Retired General Owoye, Andrew Azazi as his new National Security Adviser (NSA).

Pointblanknews.com learnt Azazi replaces former NSA, General Aliyu Gusau who resigned to run for office of the President.

Gen. Azazi, was General Officer Commanding 1 Division, Kaduna, Chief of Defence Staff under Ex President Olusegun Obasanjo, and Chief of Army Staff between 2006 and 2008.General Azazi holds a MSc in Strategic Studies from the University of
Ibadan, and has completed the Staff Intelligence and Security Course, School of Service Intelligence, Ashford, Kent, UK and Combined Strategic Intelligence Training Programme, Defence Intelligence College, Washington DC, United States. He is a graduate of the Command and Staff College Nigeria, and the National War College, Nigeria where he won the President and Commander-in-Chief's merit award for best all round performance

Azazi was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant on 14 December 1974. At the end of the combined training he won the bronze medal for being first in Art subjects. He has served as a Brigade Intelligence Officer, Divisional Intelligence Officer and Colonel Coordination, Headquarters Directorate of Military Intelligence. He was assistant Defence Attaché at the Embassy of Nigeria, Washington DC, United States for three years. He served as a member of the Directing Staff of the Command and Staff College from where he was posted to Lagos Garrison Command as the Intelligence Officer and subsequently to the Directorate of Military Intelligence as Colonel Coordination. He was later posted to the Training and Doctrine Command as Colonel Research and Development and then Director of Training. On graduation from War College, he was appointed Colonel General Staff, 81 Division of the Nigerian Army and later Deputy Chief of Defence Intelligence, Defence Intelligence Agency. General Azazi also served as a member of Directing Staff of the National War College Abuja, rising later to become its Principal Staff Officer Coordination. He was appointed Director of Military Intelligence in 2003.

The senior officer is an external examiner at the National War College and a Guest Lecturer on Military Operations Other Than War and Revolution in Military Affairs. General Azazi was a member of Nigeria’s Defence Policy Review Committee 2000/2001. He was appointed Chairman of the Committee of Nigerian Army in the Next Decade in May 2004. He was appointed the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 1 Division, Nigerian Army in January 2005, and subsequently appointed Chief of Army Staff (COAS) in June 2006. On August 20, 2008, Umaru Yar'adua replaced Azazi with Paul Dike as CDS and announced Azazi's retirement from military service.

Azazi, has had one of the fastest growing military careers in present day democracy in Nigeria, between May, 2006 and June, 2007 the General wore the ranks of Major General, Lieutenant General and General


http://www.pointblanknews.com/News/os3997.html