₦airaland Forum

[quote author=ndu_chucks]Nna, na dis kind catch-22 wey dey keep me awake at nights, my brother. So how do we get out of this round box without divine intervention, if we can't wait for the decades it could take to do what Fashola suggests before we start making constitutional changes?

Let Christians pray to God, Moslems pray to God, people of other religions consult their gods, and atheists....(u people are on your own). God will see us through this mess, we shall be great one again.[/quote]No divine intervention is needed. Nigerians must help themselves. It is as simple as that. We concentrate power inordinately in the Presidency and Federal Government. It is how it is for now. We might as well use pragmatism to take advantage of what we have to get what we want.

The turn around of Nigeria will begin when we shun all forms of gambling and reject sentiments to support a proven performer to become President. Presidents/heads of States can do and undo. That is what our Nations politics has been bastardized to become since the incursion of the Military into our politics. The influence of the military still permeates and define our politics today.

We must all remember that Individuals (IBB, Shagari, Abacha, OBJ et al) 'flipped the script' to make issues essentially about corruption, indolence, cronyism and nepotism everywhere. They bastardized average ethos to leave Nigeria an arena of 'dog eat dog' within which a fragile National identity was virtually destroyed leaving in its place a neanderthal zeal to grab as much 'cake' as possible for 'you and yours'.

So also it will be an Individual, occupying the highest office, who will have the chance to revert thing to being about merit, nation-building and uprightness. This person will not be afraid or unprepared to lead by example. It is more difficult to tear down than to build, so I expect more difficulty birthing positive/progressive reform. Yet it can be done if we attempt to gain a President who believes in excellence and will require that of others around him.

We must therefore support a sincere, intelligent achiever and solutions provider, who intrinsically understands the basic elements of systems, to devise a plan that can neutralize what we have today. If we gain someone like this, we can expect them to genuinely seek square pegs for square holes. This, above all else, is the 'transformation element'. Seek out reformers , perhaps with proven ability to build from the ground up, and we will have reform in virtually every sector. When we gain an insincere President who 'floods' important sectors with shallow-minded, mediocre and corrupt individuals (like Andoakaa, Adoke Bello et al) then we are going nowhere and we can be here on this topic ,going around in circle, for days.

It is not Rocket Science. Just ask Ghanaians who were in our shoes not too long ago until a succession of sincere Presidents, devoted more or less to what is best for Ghana, turned things around. We cannot keep gaining men, as Presidents, devoted to protecting the status quo and expecting change. We simply have to look at viable 'case-studies' to note that many others began moving in the right direction appreciably when they gained a leader who is very sincere and determined to do what is best working , uncompromisingly, with the best as 'tools' of far-reaching and sustainable reform.

[quote author=Akanbi_edu]I don't know Fashola's mind as regards SE getting six states, neither can I speak on his behalf on that. But even a common man like me knows what SE/Obi is asking for is not a good solution to the injustice question. Its like being conditioned to think in a certain way. They are not thinking outside the box at all. Getting six states would provide what kind of justice? making SE equal to who? NW? Ok then what? Seven state to make it equal to NW? Meanwhile on what ground should SE be equated to the rest? landmass, population? Fine. If it is what they term justice, they should be supported to get it, but deep down we should all know it's not the solution.[/quote]Fashola does not believe in the creation of more States. He believes that creating more Local Goverment areas would be a more effective approach. I agree with this and actually believe the likes of Osun and Ekiti should not be States. More LGA's could have been created and optimally supported to tackle the agitations that some areas were 'neglected'.

Nonetheless, Peter Obi is right to argue , with consistent logic, that "what is good for the goose is good for the gander". The issue of efficiency ,or lack thereof, inherent in the notion of State creation should not be used to disqualify the agitations of some for more States. There is an aspect of the argument pertaining to fairness. This is what Obi is stressing. Why does the SE have less States than other regions? We all know everything is about 'sharing the loot'. Obviously, Obi views this as a way to cheat the SE while allocating more to others unfairly.


http://trends.com.ng/2012/06/states-creation-support-fashola/#sthash.qxBkEUtx.dpbs

More states creation: I’m not in support – Fashola


Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, Southwest Nigeria, has described the agitation for the creation of additional states by some Nigerians as an attempt to cause confusion that may result in balkanising the existing states.

The Governor made this position known on Friday during a one-day public hearing on the proposed amendment to the 1999 Constitution by the National Assembly, organised by the State House of Assembly.

Fashola, who maintained that the country would incur huge cost for administrative and personnel purposes in creating more states, added that the agitation should be for the creation of more Local Government areas as this would enhance the much needed development at the grassroots and bring government closer to the people.

According to him, “most states are currently not sufficiently viable to justify further subdivision.

“It may well be that the agitation for more inclusiveness in governance and for rapid development may be better addressed by the creation of more local governments than it can be done by the creation more states.”

Fashola also opposed the removal of the immunity clause from the Constitution as canvassed by members of the public, arguing that it is meant for the office as against individuals who occupy privileged offices.

Emphasising that the office preserves its dignity and ensures the effectiveness of administration, the Governor said: “while it is regrettable that there may have been actions which are indicative of abuses of the privilege by some office holders, the privilege of immunity is not for the benefit of the office holder.

“Retention of the clause would prevent unfounded allegations of criminality against top public officials which, if allowed, would bring massive distractions.

“Even where the allegation that necessitates trial relates to corruption or other criminal offences, it is trite that time does not run against investigation and prosecution of offenders. What would have been achieved with the removal of the immunity clause could be achieved at the expiration of the tenure of the serving officials.”

Most of the contributors at the hearing supported the creation of more local governments with some advising that states be given the powers to create local governments instead of what currently obtains.

They also called for the scrapping of the list of local governments from the constitution.

[quote]

[quote author=ndu_chucks]Even a dullard understands that there must be sincerity of purpose and the right attitude to make any constitution perform well. This is a no brainer.[/quote]Just admit you spoke hastily and desist from this show of flippancy. What you wrote is quoted below. It is clear you speak guided by the erroneous assumption Fashola is against constitution amendment. When shown this error, you now write what you do above rather than just admit you spoke against Fashola wrongly. I see too much of this on NL. Folks unable to just put aside arrogance and obduracy to agree they are wrong. Fashola has no problem with constitutional amendment. That much is clear from his utterance.

How can Fashola or anyone who hopes to rule Nigeria have any problem whatsoever with amending our constitution or even rewriting it? Is it not senseless to call for social engineering which could take generations for its effect to be actualized, instead of amending the constitution or rewriting it?

I am beginning to feel that Fashola may not have what it takes to move Nigeria forward. His talents are probably limited to managing entities such as cities and small states.

@Topic.

Fashola and Obi are clearly talking about different things pertaining to the efficacy and fairness of the constitution respectively. They 'disagree' on nothing as the title of the article erroneously suggests. Their respective arguments are not even at cross-purposes and I don't see why some forumers cannot appreciate that.

As far as I can tell, Fashola's argument is straightforward. Constitutional amendment alone, even as he is not against it, may not deliver the changes we require if sincerity of purpose is lacking.

Obi's argument is more complex but one I feel can be right if certain things are inspected. If other regions with 6-7 States have no logical/factual justification to have more States than the SE then the SE has the right to demand for a 6th State. This makes Obi's point that the constitution is ostensibly unfair for accommodating the uneven creation of States. Mind you, the case must still be made that the considerations employed to aid State creation was/is partisan.

[quote author=ndu_chucks]How can Fashola or anyone who hopes to rule Nigeria have any problem whatsoever with amending our constitution or even rewriting it? Is it not senseless to call for social engineering which could take generations for its effect to be actualized, instead of amending the constitution or rewriting it?

I am beginning to feel that Fashola may not have what it takes to move Nigeria forward. His talents are probably limited to managing entities such as cities and small states.

Obi is on point here and even the old coot Edwin Clark, is making more sense than Fashola.[/quote]My guy, read again properly and stop coming to wrong conclusions because you have not taken time to read and comprehend what is written. Fashola makes it crystal clear he is not against the constitution. His point is that there must be sincerity of purpose and the right attitude/values to make even the most brilliant constitution perform well. It is what many of us have consistently argued here.

“Those things that frustrate our people cannot be put at the doorstep of the Constitution. It lies in our diminishing values. I must not be mistaken that we don’t need a Constitution; what I am saying is that the Constitution cannot be driven by itself. It must be driven by people with values.”

ubandire: These are indeed interesting days!so Gbawe and Dayokanu are still on N/L?Is it this mediocre post that has now caught ur attention,carefully avoiding the many flops,lies and hypocrisy of ur principals,trending on N/L,FB,Twitter and so many other social media?funny how weak people are,link up with DemDem u have some work to do.

Are you Ok at all? What is your business with what topic I respond to? Some of you just enjoy talking ignorantly. I don't do social networking at all so I would not know what is "trending" on social networking sites like facebook, Twitter et al. As for NL, I see nothing new or different to the usual rantings of ants like you .

jumobi1: All na propaganda. Are the loans interest free?

Have you bothered , as the sensible course of action, to check with the bank mentioned before you conclude "all na propaganda"? Also, I don't see the relevance of asking whether loans are interest free or not. You think folks who had no source of credit whatsoever will not appreciate this facility that enables them to make more of themselves and others? Sometimes it is best to give credit where due and move on.

This is simply distasteful. A man who likely loves his children very much, never mind his personal faults as a public figure, is now being frivolously accused of 'sacrificing' one of them. OP, I can only conclude you don't have kids. This is one area you should not stray into carelessly. Some of you just come here to carelessly say whatever comes to your mind without consideration for others.

Rossikk: Hahahaha.... You guys are really jobless.

My guy, blame cheap broadband

redsun: The fact that he is giving out the money that he stole from the people of nigeria still does not make it right that he stole it.There is no justification for looting,it doesnt matter how many "good cause/s" they tend to embark with our spoils,the foundations remains bloody.There is no atonement for blood money,other than jail or execution.

Guy, be pragmatic for once. There is no politician who is not a 'thief' in Nigeria. Sensible, realistic and pragmatic Nigerians, for now, have no choice but to support the initiative of those still giving back in a system of unconscionable and blind looting of the commonwealth of a people.

We can only praise those who still have enough of a conscience to 'give back'. If this is for real, then I salute OUK. I travel around West Africa frequently and I appreciate what Kalu is doing because there are many smart Nigerians who just need funding to turn brilliant ideas into profitable reality perhaps even capable of birthing Small to medium enterprises (SME) that will employ labour. The expanded effect could be immense. You should inculcate a bit of pragmatism into your outlook.

If true, then this is good from Kalu. This will be of immense assistance to some Nigerians in Congo.

Callotti: No comment.

can't blame you. It is one of those moments one is too mad at the aberration Nigeria has become to the extent of being lost for words !!!! Dismissal ? Is Nigeria for real?

[quote author=Ricky_Ross]GOOD PEOPLE OF ONDO STATE, PLEASE DO NOT VOTE BASED ON PARTY, KINDLY SEARCH YOUR HEART AND VOTE FOR THE RIGHT CANDIDATE. DO NOT BE DECEIVED BY THESE POLITICIANS AND THEIR EMPTY PROMISES, I AM NOT FROM ONDO SO I WOULDN'T KNOW WHICH CANDIDATE IS BETTER.

MY ADVISE IS, IF THE CURRENT GOVERNOR HAS DONE WELL PLS VOTE FOR HIM AGAIN, BUT IF HE DIDN'T PERFORM WELL KINDLY VOTE HIM OUT. THIS IS WHAT WE WILL DO TO ROCHAS AT THE EXPIRATION OF HIS TENURE. DURING THAT TIME WE WILL ACCESS IMO VERY WELL, IF WE THINK HE HAS DONE WELL WE WILL VOTE FOR HIM AGAIN, IF HE DIDN'T PERFORM WELL WE WILL VOTE HIM OUT OF OFFICE LIKE WHAT WE DID TO OHAKIM...

I MUST ADD THIS, IT SEEMS MOST GOVERNORS DON'T DO WELL DURING SECOND TERM. TAKE AMAECHI AND FASHOLA FOR INSTANCE. WE ALL KNOW FASHOLA DID WONDERS DURING HIS FIRST TERM, BUT THIS TIME HE IS TOO SLOW. AMAECHI OF RIVERS STATE WAS ON CRUISE CONTROL DURING HIS FIRST TERM, HE BUILT WORLD CLASS SCHOOLS ALL OVER THE STATE, STANDARD ROADS /HOSPITALS IN MANY PARTS OF THE STATE ETC, BUT THIS TIME WE DON'T KNOW WHAT AMAECHI IS DOING. IT SEEMS THESE GOVERNORS USUALLY USE SECOND TERM TO SETTLE THEIR FRIENDS/FAMILIES AND SAVE MONEY FOR RAINY DAYS[/quote]Mature and sensible talk. Politics should not be a do-or-die affair and Nigerians should understand it is ultimately about what is best for the people. If the good people of Ondo are happy with Mimiko then they should reward his efforts with 4 more years at the helm. If they feel Akeredolu can do better, then they should demonstrate that with their votes. As long as there is no rigging, the best man, according to the people, will emerge.

@OP.

You have a penchant for deliberately misleading others here. As many have stated already, it is a faction of the PDP that has carried out the action you credit the PDP with. You should amend your title appropriately.

Olalekan 0: This is why nigeria would continually remain a failed state, you're holding brief for a semi-illiterate who should have been no more than a councillor at best just because you've been a beneficiary of his stolen wealth. what are his qualifications? post it on here for nairalanders to verify

No, you, and others like you, are the reason Nigeria will continue to fail. You show qualities of many Nigerians that means we cannot work together for the common good. I.e open egotism, heaping abuse on others needlessly, peddling ignorance, slandering others and displaying intolerance for the opinions of your fellow man.

How is your fellow Nairalander a "beneficiary of stolen wealth" merely because his opinion differs to yours? Where did you get that nonsense from? Also, from all account, it seems you are slandering an educated man by calling him "semi-illiterate". You can get your point across without the unnecessary aggression and false character assassination towards others.

An interesting development. As far as I know, majority in Scotland are pro-union but the Politicians now have till 2014 to convince most Scots that breaking away is best - enough time to succeed at doing that in my opinion. It will be interesting to see how the 'Politics' play out.

@Topic.

Accra deserves accolades as a very "livable" City by African standards. As far as I can tell, in my over 10 years association with the City, it has always been like that comparative to other populous African Cities. Whether some like it or not, it means Ghanaians are doing certain things right others can learn from. Although it must be said that Ghana's challenges are different to that of Nigeria. Lagos, for example, has challenges that means Accra is unlikely to serve as a model for conquering the greatest problems of the State.

okooyinbo: Actually, Anago is a Yoruba subgroup from Republic du Benin. Alata is the other term they used to use in reference to Yoruba / Nigerian.

Guy, Ghanaians call Nigerians "Anago". Simple. Ask those who actually know Ghana and perhaps have Ghanaian relatives. Too many people make conclusions based on what they read alone whereas real on-the-ground experience is superior to everything else. I don't see the relevance of telling us that "Anago is a Yoruba subgroup from Republic du Benin" when my point is that there is no ethnic group in Ghana called Anago as Shymexx assumed. Rather, peculiar to Ghana, "Anago" refers to Nigerians.

@OP
I am well aware of your mischief but I will indulge you because, as El Rufai stated recently and as is commonly accepted, "a lies may begin to sound like th truth if repeated a million times".

The "hatred" of Tinubu is not from the SW or even the North. It is sectional and not general. That is the bottom line.


Even the most upright men in the SW , like Wole Soyinka, will never tell you they "hate" Tinubu. They may dislike Tinubu and his methods but even the most intellectual folks in the region, perhaps grudgingly, appreciate how Tinubu ensured Alao-Akala is replaced with Ajimobi. Ditto with Fayemi replacing Oni and Aregbesola replacing Oyinlola and Amosun deposing Gbenga Daniel. This is what we have always asked for because the SW is a region that wants the best in charge. We know mistakes will be made but progress will come when men of talent, who have delivered consistently throughout their working lives, get the chance to lead. Simple concept

The brightest in Yoruba land understand that there is no better template for development than ensuring the best and most talented leaders gain control of influential office. Tinubu is ensuring that this happens , as we can all see, while OBJ and others did the opposite in the past to leave the SW a region where uncompromising criminals, because they were in power, cowered, ostracised and excluded talented and brilliant Yoruba folks.

How is Soyinka to hate Tinubu when an ACN Governor (Aregbesola) picked Soyinka to head an education summit convened to brainstorm the way forward for Osun education? Where the Soyinkas of the world were excluded in the past, they are all now being carried along in the project the SW has embarked on centred around using the brightest and most talented to move the region forward. This has been absent for a long time and this is one of the main reason it is those outside the region who hate Tinubu passionately. They perceive him to be the conductor of this symphony of united purpose they are afraid may actually come to fruition because, unlike in the past under the PDP, the best are in charge now.

There will always be PDP Yorubas who will hate Tinubu for taking away their cake but, by and large, the most vociferous haters of Tinubu on Nairaland are those from outside the SW. Your attempt to then project their warped hatred, driven by ethnic bias and intolerance, as conclusive evidence that "people" hate Tinubu is pathetic. "People" hate Tinubu indeed. It is you and yours who hate the man and are obsessed with him. You should look inside you to see why you "hate" others blindly if you are at all interested in introspection that may make you a better person. The politicians who are currently in office and failing you directly deserve your hatred and attention far more than Tinubu.

shymexx: Basically, I used to think Nigerians were the most tribalistic people on this planet, however, after reading the comments on that link - Ghanaians are worse...

It's battle royal between Ewe, Anago, Ga, Fente and Ashante... Bwahahahaha

At least, Nigerians have something to celebrate...

The black race is going to hell in a handbag!

"Anago" is their tag for Nigerians and not an ethnic group in Ghana.

6 pages? It is interesting to note the level of interest in everything to do with Tinubu on this forum. While Nigeria burns, the only topic folks want to discuss is Tinubu. With armed robbers pounding his door down the Nairalander is still typing away furiously about Tinubu while foaming at the mouth. Simply incredible the level of interest in this man for a nation with a million pressing issues and even a larger number of politicians.

GhostFaceKiller: Tinibu's quest for power has left the SW in a state of political limbo

Thank you for not only diagnosing a non-existent headache ,on behalf of the SW, but for also taking Panadol for the region. Your concern is touching. Boko Haram is destroying the North and , by extension, Nigeria. Yet you all focus on the SW 24/7 here. Talk about misplaced priority.

Tinubu must be amused he is talked about so much ,like the de-facto President of Nigeria, despite not having a government job.

naturalwaves: There are alot of other roads that's been tarred. Even in Agege LG for example, 70% of the streets av been tarred with good drainages.Unbelievable!! Do they tarr streets in other states? I doubt cos they only seem to give attention to only major and Express roads. In other states, most LG chairmen only collect their monthly allocations, pay salaries and embezzle the rest. In Lagos state, there's a good competition btw LG chairmen 4 project works. LGs even tarr d small streets within their LG. U know Y? Cos the money they collected would always be queried wrt what they did with it. There's a limited room 4 embezzlement. FASHOLA is indeed blessed with intelligence and a good team to work with.

Oga Naturalwaves how far? My brother, show a light rail project that is the only one of its kind in Sub-Saharan Africa and some will still continue calling Fashola a "flower planter". Point at the innovative Ikoyi-Lekki suspension bridge that is the first cable-stayed bridge in West Africa and some will still shout. In short, despite myriads of achievements the entire world celebrates Fashola for, some will continue to malign him because of how they are 'wired' that makes them intrinsically unable to give credit where due once it is certain folks involved.


In the end, one has to conclude those folks are not worth indulging because their 'issues' mean they have no desire or capability to ever give credit where due or even be truthful with themselves.

Dollarman101: I expected this from you, but try and think over this post and comments there jus might be truth in them.

I don't care what you expect from me or not. Furthermore, there is nothing to "think over". Some go too far blaming him daily and talking as if he has some mind control juju over grown-azz men. That is only a model enticing to children because adults and politically sophisticated citizens understand the concept of holding relevant elected officials directly responsible for certain issues of governance.

Some of us are fed up with the childishness of it and I ask again, for all the talk of Tinubu, what do you you wan't to do about it? Should some of us indulge this silliness daily or simply ask the likes of the OP and others to act instead of whining here daily?

If you are even in his Party to begin with, then you can begin talking of taking him down at that level. As things are, he has no official Government position and is a private citizen to you and others. I just see adult men acting like kids and blaming one 'invincible' bogeyman for everything. That is an extremely regrettable thing some of us don't subscribe to.

@OP.

If Tinubu is the "major problem of Lagos", what are you prepared to do to rectify that situation? Your Courts cannot jail him, your Police cannot arrest him and you , personally, cannot vote him out of any position. Guy, you are on a one way road to high blood pressure.

I suggest you pray to whatever god you worship to help you out with your Tinubu 'issues' because that is your only option. No one is going to form a lynch mob with you to go and attack Tinubu regardless of how many times many of you wish to shed Crocodile tears here over this man every single day .

afam4eva: Did I just hear someone say that Murray is among the three best tennis players in the world? I'm sure the person who said it must be British. These people should just shut up ans stop insulting the game of tennis. Just because a one a single grand-slam, we won't hear word again. I think Djokovic should be reprimanded for not beating that small boy in straight sets. What has the game of tennis turned into. I hope they'll invited a pastor to sanctify the arena where Murray won the US open. That single event has stained the world of tennis forever.

Why don't you quote folks directly, as I do here, if you have something to say in response to what others have said? Your snide remarks don't wash with me guy because I don't know when being British now amount to a lack of objectivity. If anything, you are the only one who lacks objectivity. Badly for that manner. Who is actually insulting the game of Tennis if not you?

A man gets to the Wimbledon finals, wins Olympic gold, wins the US opens and got to today's finals , all in a year, yet you talk ungraciously as if you are referring to a talentless hack. Guy give it up. He has beaten the two players ,above him in the rankings, several time this year. Your palpable hatred is nauseating and it makes you speak senselessly

Even if totally consumed with the inability to give credit where due, at least respect reality and brutally cold statistics. Murray has improved considerably under his new coach. He ran Federer close at Wimbledon (Beating Djokovic) to get there and Won the Olympic Gold by beating Federer. He then won the USA open beating Djokovic again. Today the match, by neutral folks around the World, was hailed as an epic display.

Obviously you cannot respect fact and official rankings, but it is still important to mention that Murray is officially number 3 in the WTP ranking. I don't know what you actually interprete that to mean. In the world of the balanced and neutral adults who prosecutes life with logic , and don't allow prejudice cloud judgement, I think it is safe to say Murray is indeed one of the top three players in the world currently. After wimbledon, he also now seems to have the measure of Federer. In the end, you can say what you want but those who appreciate hard work knows Murray deserves all the praise and success he is getting.

What an incredible game of Tennis !!!!! Djokovic turns it around and wins !!! Absolutely superb !!!!! Well done Murray, you are now firmly in the rank of best 3 players in the world IMO. Great game that had everything !!!!

Superb entertainment. Djorkovic wins second set. Fantastic thriller !!!! Game on !!!!!!

Tie-break second and final set. Go on Andy !!!!!!

Standing5: For those of us mapping Fashola's ''acclaimed'' succes in Lagos state to succes if he rules Nigeria, i think you guys are missing a big point. Lagos state, has a small landmass, a large population, and is relatively more industrialized compared to any other state or region in Nigeria. The implication of these features include ease of providing structures that are tied to landmass, population and industries. When you begin to consider that most of Fashola's project like road construction, rail line construction, Transport services and health sector structures are tied to the land mass of a small Lagos state. . . It becomes plain clear that Fashola has never tasted what governing 90% of Nigerias' population or 98.5% of its Land mass is like. Even his Lagos state exploit is grossly overhyped.

.....and Yar Adua had this "experience" from Katsina? Guy, It is ok not to rate Fashola as a future President but it is entirely unecessary to support that stance with totally illogical arguments. I don't know when Nigerians will stop complicating issues needlessly to understand the most important qualities leaders need that they can transfer from job to job i.e the ability to provide solutions effectively, innovatively and consistently.

Your arguments even defeats itself. Fashola is charge of the most cosmopolitan State in Nigeria. What State represents a microcosm of Nigeria more than Lagos?

All of you turning on the OP speak as if you are talking about a different Country. Is it because it has not happened to you? Did we not all see Naval ratings beating a Nigerian woman savagely at the command of their boss?

Some of you should google "brutality of armed forces against citizens in Nigeria". Stop the senseless attack against the OP and the insinuation he deserved this or is "lying". There are many reports, local and international, documenting the brutality of our armed forces against Nigerians so let us stop making out that the OP's experience is automatically dishonest or far-fetched.

http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/country,,HRW,,NGA,,3cab1e985,0.html

On October 22 to 24, 2001, several hundred soldiers of the Nigerian army killed more than two hundred unarmed civilians and destroyed homes, shops, public buildings and other property in more than seven towns and villages in Benue State, in central-eastern Nigeria. The killings in Benue State constitute clear cases of extrajudicial executions by the Nigerian military, contravening Nigeria's obligations under international human rights law. Yet the Nigerian government has so far failed to take action against the soldiers responsible or against those who ordered the operation, or even to issue a strong condemnation of these killings. At the international level, foreign governments remained conspicuously silent. While some mentioned the Benue killings in private meetings with Nigerian officials, they refrained from doing so publicly. The information in this report is based on testimonies provided to Human Rights Watch during the visit to Benue in mid December 2001.