₦airaland Forum

stagger: What happened to Danny Gwira?

Dem don break up decades ago!

They were an item in those days when the fitness craze just hit Naija.

She seems to court heart-break controversy.

Note the use of the word "seems."

She used to apear regularly on NTA2 Channel 5, I think.

Rotty32: last 25 years perfomance

Marian Babangida -1st
Marian Abacha -2nd
Patient Jonathan -3rd
Stella Obasanjo -4th

Patient?

But the poor woman said she never admitted at the hospital!

And these are "Maryams" not "Marians"!

@op,

How would I know if I haven't visited the section?

A call to serve (4)
Wednesday, 23 March 2011 00:00 JK Randle


[b]It is of course common knowledge that virtually every Lagos family has moslems and Christians in almost equal proportion. Hence, we celebrate Christmas and Ramadan with gusto and devotion - as a joint endeavour in recognition of what we inherited from our forefathers. At the risk of sounding immodest, it was Oluyomi McGregor who yesterday thanked me for a donation of N10 million to Holy Cross School (a Catholic School), of which he is the Patron; but the Randles are not Catholics !!

We make it a point of duty not to discriminate. Hence, we have donated similar amounts to Ahmaddiya College (Moslem); The Boys' Scout; Federation of Boys and Girls etc.

Also, my aunt Esther (born and baptized as a Christian) appointed me as her executor and mandated me to hand over her property at 14 Alhaji Bashorun Street, Ikoyi to Lagos Central Mosque. I have handed the property over to Alhaji Garba Akinola Ibraheem who responded by offering prayers for the entire Randle family and supplicating Allah to shower his abundant blessings and limitless mercies on us. We are not entitled to ask for more.
[/b]
By way of digression, permit me to add that [b]sixty years ago the Akerele family house at 123 Bamgbose Street, Lagos was right next door to the Da Silva family house and then the McGregor family house. They were all staunch catholics and remain so till today. However, just across the road from them (on the opposite side of Bamgbose Street) was the Salvador mosque. What was amazing was that owing to the bond of genuine love that existed between the Christians and moslems, whenever a new baby was born to the Akereles; the Da Silvas; or the McGregors the Lemomu (Chief Priest) from the Salvador mosque would send a moslem name "suna" across together with a token sum of five shillings as the name of the new baby!! Under such circumstances, there was no way the Catholics would ever complain about being disturbed by the call to prayers by their moslem neighbours. On the contrary, on a number of occasions when there were disputes among the catholic families - within the Akerele family or within the Da Silva family; or the McGregor family or sometimes Akerele versus Da Silva or McGregor (or vice-versa), it was the Lemomu from the mosque across the road who would be invited to come over and settle whatever the quarrel was !![/b]

Also, the Secretary to Archbiship Leo Taylor (Catholic) was a moslem, Alhaji Jubril Martins. Indeed, when he retired his successor was another moslem - Alhaji L.A.B. Agusto !!

As for the Lagos Central Mosque on Nnamdi Azikiwe it was actually built by Italians (G. Cappa) who were catholics. However, the old mosque was designed by a Christian, Engineer Agbebi who sadly died while on an inspection of the mosque. He fell from the roof.


I also have it on good authority that when the Cathedral Church of Christ was built in the 1920's, the moslem community in Lagos raised a substantial sum to assist their Christian brothers who were confronted with the dire prospects of an uncompleted cathedral. The embarrassment would not have been exclusively for Christians. The entire community rose to the occasion and declared:

"Eko oni baje" !! (Lagos must not be disgraced).



Unfortunately, these days the same slogan has been tainted with mockery by our detractors who are snidely prompting us that while non-Lagosians are harvesting the opportunities that abound in Lagos, the indigenes are idling away and living on past glories.


I am emboldened to add that s[b]ixty years ago there was neither rivalry nor malice between Lagosians and non-Lagosians. I am most grateful to Alhaji Umaru Saro for reminding me that about sixty years ago, his mother (a Lagosian) dragged him early one morning to the shop of the late Chief J. A. Ajao who was then the richest non-Lagosian. Being a hardworking man, Ajao was already open for business at the crack of dawn. However, he was taken aback when Alhaji Saro's mother disclosed her request:

"This is my son Umaru. I want you to pray for him so that one day he too will become as successful and prosperous in business as you, Chief Ajao."

Chief Ajao duly obliged and the evidence of the power of prayers is before us.

Today, Alhaji Umaru Saro is one of the most successful businessmen in Lagos. He is a devout moslem but I have lost count of the number of occasions I have seen him at various churches to celebrate birthdays, marriages, etc. or mourn at funerals with his Christians friends. He is most unassuming and demonstrates all the sterling attributes of Lagosians regardless of his Ilorin, Kwara State connection.
[/b]


I believe it is only appropriate that I should add that it was not uncommon for Moslem families to send their sons and daughters to live with Christian families largely in order to be close to certain primary/secondary schools. Also, both Lady Oyinkan Abayomi and Lady Ayo Alakija took in both Christian and Moslem girls as boarders to be groomed to behave as proper ladies!!

Furthermore, it was not uncommon for Moslems to attend Christian secondary schools where they distinguished themselves by their brilliant performance.


A case in point is that of [b]Justice Teslim Elias, a devout moslem who attended Igbobi College (Anglican/Methodist) where he was an outstanding scholar before proceeding to Oxford University to read law. He became the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation of Nigeria under General Yakubu Gown and later became the Chief Justice of Nigeria. All the leading Christian schools in Lagos e.g. St Gregory's College; Baptist Academy; CMS Grammar School; St Finbarrs College and Igbobi College have consistently and vehemently denied any discrimination against the admission of moslem students or any overt attempt to convert them to Christianity.

The Alafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi is a Christian who distinguished himself as a boxer while he was a student at St Gregory's College. He remains a great friend of Anthony Cardinal Okogie and often stays with him in Lagos.

I also recall that the goal-keeper of St Gregory's College football team which trounced King's College in 1958 to win the Principal's Cup was Lamidi Albert, who many thought was a moslem going by his name Lamidi (a moslem name).

[/b]In any case, in Lagos Christian versus Moslem has always been a non-issue. Last Friday, the Chief Imam preached a sermon in which he enjoined the congregation to abide by the Koran particularly its emphasis on "ododo" (truth) and "iberu olorun" (fear of God). Last Sunday, Rev Pelu Johnson delivered his own sermon at the Cathedral Church and quoted exactly the same message from the Bible!!

Permit me to mention that about sixty years ago when Dr Ladipo Oluwole, the Chief Medical Officer of Lagos launched a crusade against mosquitoes in order to wipe out malaria, the scourge of the white colonialists, both the native Christian and Moslem community pleaded with the exuberant Dr Oluwole (a foundation student of King's College) to tarry a while otherwise Lagos would become too comfortable for the colonialists who may consequently change their mind about leaving and granting independence to Nigeria!! Being a King's College Old Boy ("KCOB", the eminent doctor got the joke.


I assure you, I am not exaggerating, sixty years ago; you could count the number of "houses with doors in Lagos. The few that had doors kept them wide open in order to let in fresh air. When the doors were locked, it meant that the occupants were out. Guess what? They would leave the keys under the foot mat or in the custody of their next door neighbours, just in case their children came home from school early or unexpected visitors turned up.

I do also recall that whenever my father, Chief JK Randle, my cousin late Adeyinka Majekodunmi and I went to Onikan Stadium to watch football matches, the driver would join us as a spectator. The key of the car would be left in the car with the door wide open just in case anyone wanted to move our car out of the way.

Of course, nobody would dare do that now when car-hijacking and armed robbery have become the order of the day.

As an illustration of the quality of life in Lagos and the transparent honesty of Lagosians, I am tempted to share with you an event that occurred in 1952. Adeyinka and I were shopping for shoes for Christmas. Our cousin Moji kept the money in her wallet while we tried several shops on Broad Street - Bata; Lennards; Kingsway Stores; UTC, etc. and back to Bata. After we had decided on the shoes we wanted, and it was time to pay, it turned out that Moji had lost her wallet containing the money my father had handed over to her. She was in tears. The sales lady amazed us by confidently assuring us that the wallet would be found. All we needed to do was to report the loss to the Central Police Station and St Paul's Church, Breadfruit - both on Broad Street so that whoever found the wallet would be able to contact the owner. In the meantime, she packed the shoes into cardboard boxes and handed them over to us. She did not bother to ask for our address. It was sufficient to let her know that my father's name was Chief JK Randle.

Anyway, true enough the wallet was found by the side of the road and handed over to the policeman on duty at Central Police Station who in turn informed the nearest church - St Paul's Breadfruit. The police did not seize or steal the money. The contents of the wallet were intact when it was returned to the rightful owner.

The real tragedy of Lagos is that we are being seduced by the boastful claim to being a "mega-city" regardless of the evidence before us - squalor, poverty, despair, wickedness, ruthlessness and absolutely no moral authority to distinguish between what is wrong and what is right. It is what you can get away with and even if you are caught you can always bribe your way through. Even if the city is mega, the people have become mini. We may have wide streets but they are no compensation for narrow minds and licentious perfidy.

We should be thankful to "Daily Sun" newspaper for its wake-up call on February 15 2011:

http://businessdayonline.com/NG/index.php/analysis/columnists/19360-a-call-to-serve-4
http://businessdayonline.com/NG/index.php/analysis/columnists/19696-a-call-to-serve-5

JK Randle hands over building to mosque

January 5, 2012 by Kunle Falayi

Renowned accountant, Jaiye Randle, has handed over a one-storey building located at 14, Bashorun Street, Ikoyi, Lagos, to the leadership of the Lagos Central Mosque.

While handing over the property on Monday, Randle, a Christian, said that he was fulfilling the wish of his late aunt, Esther Adebakin.

Adebakin was said to have been born into a Christian family but later converted to Islam having adopted the new name, Munirat Muhammed.

Randle said she died 20 years ago and bequeathed the property to the Central mosque in her Will.

“My aunt picked me and someone else who is now late as the executor of her Will. The execution of the Will has been delayed because there was a litigation, which had passed through a High court, Appeal court and Supreme Court for the last 20 years. But the Supreme Court later ruled in favour of the Central Mosque to inherit the property,” Randle said.

He said the bequest was a symbol of the peaceful coexistence between Christians and Muslims of the “good old days.”

Randle said, “Christians and Muslims communities were was so close-knit in those days that we considered it a collective shame if any side failed to accomplish a religious feat like building of mosques or churches.

“When an Islamic cleric, Apalara, was murdered in Lagos in 1953, the whole state shook to its very foundation as if the end of the world has come.

Today, if 100 people are massacred in cold blood in Nigeria, people will go about their normal businesses as if it is part of normal life.”

Randle condemned the activities of Boko Haram, describing them as “signs of end time.”

Baba Adini of Lagos, Sheikh Abdul-Hafeez Abou, who received the property on behalf of the Chief Imam of Lagos, Sheikh Garuba Ibrahim, expressed the appreciation of the community.

He assured the deceased family that the property would be properly maintained and put to use.

http://www.punchng.com/metro/jk-randle-hands-over-building-to-mosque/

asha 80: erhhm johniee is this article supposed to counter the original topic?

Just to put the facts on the table and allow for objective discourse.

Tension in Ogun as Muslims, traditionalists clash
On July 29, 2012 · In News
12:45 am
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By Daud Olatunji, Abeokuta

There was palpable tension in Ikenne,Ogun State, yesterday, when the Oro cult imposed a 24-hour restriction of movement in the town in defiance of an order by Ogun State government.

The flagrant defiance occurred few hours after some Islamic leaders in the town were attacked by Oro cultists for reporting them to government over the planned restriction of movement.

Muslims in the area had petitioned the state government and other stakeholders in the state which led to a peace meeting held on Wednesday at the instance of the state governent.

At the end of the meeting, government ordered the Oro cult group in Ikenne to restrict their activities of their on-going annual festival to their own section of the town.

It further ordered the deployment of policemen in the town to enforce the order,but, when Sunday Vanguard visited the town yesterday, neither policemen nor any other security operatives were seen.

The whole town was deserted as doors and windows of houses in the town were firmly shut.
There was also no human and vehicular movement in the town except the adherents of the Oro cult group that were seen in some parts of the town dressed like females.

By tradition,it is forbiden for women to behold the Oro cult members while on procession.

It was gathered that several residents of the town who did not want to be caught up in the no-movement order imposed by the Oro cult group left the town on Friday for neighbouring communities.

In his reaction, the Chairman of Ikenne local government, Mr Tajudeen Salako, said the action of the group should not be seen as a defiance of the state government order.

He however appealed to the people of Ikenne to endure the restriction imposed by the Oro cult in the town.

When asked to comment on the attack on Muslims, Salako said he was aware that Oro cultists threatened Muslims, adding that it had been reported to the police.

The Police Public Relations Officer in Ogun State, Muyiwa Adejobi, however, said that the police were monitoring the situation in the town.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2012/07/tension-in-ogun-as-muslims-traditionalists-clash/

Ibadan masqueraders protest alleged assault
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KEMI OLAITAN 06/07/2012 08:26:00
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Following the alleged assaults on the most fearful masquerade in Ibadanland, “Oloolu’, the masquerade fraternity yesterday stormed the palace of Olubadan, Oba Samuel Odulana Odugade, to formally lodge complaint. It will be recalled that some interior parts of the ancient city, including Popoyemoja, Idi-Arere and Beere among others were in turmoil on Tuesday and Wednesday as a result of the crisis involving the supporters of the masquerade and some youths in the affected areas.

National Mirror gathered that the masquerade and his supporters were injured in the fracas which was described as unprovoked by the leader of the Oloolu family, Ojetunde Akinleye Asoleke, who led the team to the Olubadan Palace.

Asoleke, who is the Olori Alaagbaa of Ibadanland, said the development was a desecration of the tradition and culture of the city, stat-ing that it was the first time such would happen to the masquerade.

He said the assault was orchestrated by some Muslim youths, decrying the indiscriminate arrest of about 20 of his supporters.

Asoleke noted that the most bizarre of the incident was the removal of the traditional regalia of Oloolu as well as the arrest of the carrier.

He dismissed the claim on some local electronic media that the carrier of Oloolu died during the fracas, adding that the news was mischievous.

Asoleke said the Oloolu carrier was critically injured, but not killed as claimed by the media report.

He said: “We feel sad-dened by the report that our man was killed as this was farther from the truth. No doubt, he was badly wound-ed as you can all see (showing the wounds sustained by the Oloolu on his arm and head), but was not killed.

“The costume seized by the men of Operation Burst has been retrieved and the festival would resume in earnest.”

The Olori Alaagbaa, who appealed to the Olubadan to ensure the release of all the supporters arrested and detained by the police, also urged him to prevail on security agencies not to allow them to be used to cause disaffection among the people.


http://nationalmirroronline.net/news/44485.html

Abiala, Titus
c. 1845 to 1944
Anglican
Nigeria

Titus Abiala was born around 1843 at Ajibesin compound, Modakeke via Ile-Ife, in Modakeke Local Government Area, Osun State, Nigeria. His parents were part of the Modakeke people group, and were followers of Obatala (a Yoruba divinity). In the late 1890s Abiala converted to Christianity after being influenced by the catechist of St. Stephen's Anglican Church, Ita Asin in Modakeke. He then was baptized and took on the baptismal name "Titus." Although he had no formal education, Abiala was able to read the Bible in the Yoruba language.

In 1909 there was a political clash between the Modakeke and Ife people that led to the dispersal of the Modakeke to different Yoruba towns, including Gbongan, Ikire, Apomu, Tonkere, and Odeomu. Abiala decided to settle in Gbongan and became the first person to make Christianity known there.

The place where Abiala settled in Gbongan was named Ajibesin compound after his ancestral home in Modakeke. Here he began a Bible study group with a few Christian immigrants from Modakeke. They met near a blacksmith's workshop, in the house of a man named Ogundele.

However, the people of Gbongan were very hostile toward this new religion. Mainly Muslims or worshippers of Egungun (the collective spirit of the ancestors, worshipped through masquerades), they considered it an assault against their traditional beliefs, and persecuted Abiala and the other Christian converts. Sacrifices were put at the place where they met, and on several occasions masqueraders beat the Christians. Christians and Muslims clashed when the latter were accused of disturbing the Christians' Sunday worship with noise. In 1910 this even led to litigation at the high court of justice in Ibadan. Another time the Christians protested when the Kanmoloolu masqueraders disturbed their Sunday worship with the beating of their drums. This led to a brawl in which Abiala's wife, Mrs. Merian Omirinde, was injured with a charm. The wound would not heal, even with medicine, and she died as a result.

Abiala was a man of prayer and faith, even treating those who had small pox with prayers. His activities led to the founding of St. Paul's Anglican Church, Gbongan, in Ayedaade Local Government Area of Osun State. Many of his children and grandchildren have taken up service as priests. His eldest daughter, Julianah Abiala, became an Iya Aladura (prophetess) and one of his grandchildren, the Venerable Babatunde Ebenezer Abiala, is an archdeacon in the Ijebu dioceses of the Anglican Communion in Nigeria (2008).

Ayodele Adetayo Ajayi
Sources:

Pa Caleb Oyetayo, member of Ajibesin house in Gbongan, age 79, interview by author, April 8, 2007, Oke-Elu, Gbongan, Ayedaade Local Government Area, Osun State, Nigeria.
Pa G. O. Adegbenro, Abiala's son-in-law, age 82, interview by author, April 8, 2007, Olufi Area, Gbongan, Ayedaade Local Government Area, Osun State, Nigeria.

This article, received in 2008, was researched and written by Mr. Ayodele Adetayo Ajayi, a student at the Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary, Ogbomoso, under the supervision of Rev. Dr. Deji Ayegboyin, DACB liaison coordinator.

http://www.dacb.org/stories/aa-print-stories/nigeria/abiala_titus.html

Are the Yoruba the number one in religious tolerance?
August 24, 2012 by Azuka Onwuka

When it comes to religion, are the Yoruba people of Nigeria the most tolerant race in the whole world? It may not be wise to say yes because of the absence of any endorsement of such a position by a global body like the United Nations. But having travelled to many parts of Nigeria and some parts of the world; having read books about several peoples of the world, I can comfortably say that I have not seen or heard of any country or people that tolerate one another on the issue of religion like the Yoruba of Nigeria.

As a child growing up in Igboland, I thought the Igbo were the most tolerant in matters of religion. For example, the only mosque in my hometown Nnewi was built right at the gate of the Diocesan Church Centre of the Anglican Church, which was the central church for Anglicans in the town when the head of the diocese was in Onitsha. The mosque was owned by the Hausa-Fulani community. Items like sugarcane, carrot and kulikuli were sold beside the mosque, and cobblers took care of people’s shoes there. I never missed the sugarcane and kulikuli any time I had cause to be at the church. Christians never bothered that Muslims (who were not sons and daughters of the community) situated their mosque by the gate of the central church of the Anglican Communion in the town.

There was no Muslim in my primary school; in my secondary school, there was a Muslim boy – a boy whose father was a policeman posted to the town. On Thursdays when we had our moral instruction classes, the chaplain of the school who was also the vice-principal, always announced that the Muslim boy was the only one exempted from participating in moral instruction classes because the school had no Islamic teacher. Other pupils must either be at the Roman Catholic section or the Protestant section. We all envied the boy for the preferential treatment he always got as the only Muslim boy in our school.

With this type of background, I grew up with the assumption that the Igbo must be the most tolerant in matters of religion in Nigeria. But there were events that made me have a rethink later in life. When I was growing up, my community had two major Christian denominations: Anglicans and Catholics. Almost all the schools in the town were founded by the two churches. Parents usually sent their children to these schools based on their Christian denominations, even after the state government took over the schools. At the close of school each day, there was usually a point where pupils of the Anglican Church-founded schools met pupils of the Catholic Church-founded school. Preachers, church teachers and parents had indoctrinated the children that only their denomination was the one endorsed by God. So at such meetings, taunting songs would be sung and a fight would ensue between Anglican and Catholic children.

But that was not all. Many young men and women could not marry one another because one was Anglican and the other was Catholic. Especially from the Catholic community, it was always an uphill task for a girl to be allowed to be married by an Anglican or a member of the Protestant Church. But one thing that was shared by all the Christian denominations was that no married woman was allowed to attend a church different from the one her husband attended. The few who insisted on continuing with the church of their birth while in their matrimonial homes either caused a deep rift in their marriage or even lost their marriage entirely.

Compare that with a typical Yoruba family. A couple with six children could have a family like this: the man is a Muslim; the wife attends the Celestial Church of Christ; the first child started as a Muslim but converted to Christianity and is now a member of a Pentecostal church; the second child is a devout Muslim; the third and fifth children are members of the Methodist or Baptist church; the fourth child attends no church or mosque but prefers the Yoruba gods whenever he has any spiritual needs; and the last child is an Anglican.

One would assume that with this seemingly cacophony of religions in this family, there would be constant religious tension, hatred, quarrels and fights in it. No. In Yorubaland, no one disturbs the other because of religion. Interestingly, during Islamic festivals, Christians join their Muslim relatives to celebrate. Also during Christian festivals, the Muslims join their relatives to celebrate. For example, the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, is a Muslim, while his wife is a Christian.

In the larger Yoruba society, the issue of religion is not a factor while considering a candidate for an elective post. For example, Bola Tinubu, a Muslim, did two terms as Lagos State governor and handed over to Fashola, a Muslim, who is doing his second tenure in office now.

Such high level of religious tolerance is not even obtainable in countries that are known for freedom and rights like the United States of America and the United Kingdom. In such countries, even though there is religious freedom, there are certain social and political positions that some people may never dream of.

This wonderful trait of the Yoruba needs to be publicised. If such a trait were from an American community, several documentaries, films and books would have been produced based on it. If the Federal Government would not publicise such, it behoves the Yoruba nation to sponsor the production of such materials.

In addition, the Yoruba nation should embark on a religious-tolerance campaign across the federation and even the world. That will offer them the opportunity through which they will teach other races how they have mastered the art of religious tolerance. There is no denying that religion is a major threat to world peace today. Nigeria is getting its share of violence. Therefore, any effort that will help to reduce the threat will be a welcome development.

•Onwuka, a brand management strategist in Lagos, wrote in via azonwuka@yahoo.com

http://www.punchng.com/opinion/are-the-yoruba-the-number-one-in-religious-tolerance/

lastpage: I have seen too many of this "Chinese Shakara" to start clapping or shouting Halleluyaah!

Let me see them finish the road within one year, let me watch the road undergo just one season of rainfall, if it is still standing, then l will give both Fashola and the Chinese lads A STANDING OVATION.

Until then, my fingers are crossed and l am holding my breath.

Lastpage!

Three dead in newly-built Chinese bridge collapse
24 August 2012 Last updated at 06:59 GMT

Yangmingtan Bridge in Harbin in China's north-east Heilongjiang province

The Yangmingtan Bridge in Harbin City cost 1.88bn yuan ($286m) to build



A section of a multi-million dollar bridge in China that opened in November has collapsed, leaving three people dead and five injured, state media say.

Four lorries fell off the Yangmingtan Bridge in Harbin City, Heilongjiang province, when part of it collapsed, Xinhua news agency said.

Shoddy construction and over-loading have been blamed for the incident, it added.

Officials said they will investigate to see if the lorries were overloaded.

The bridge, which spans the Songhua river and is 15.42km (9.58 miles) long, was finished nine months ago and cost 1.88bn yuan ($286m), Xinhua said.

A 100m (328ft) ramp section collapsed, causing the lorries to plummet to the ground.

Sun Qingde, an official on Harbin's construction committee, was quoted by Xinhua as saying that the ramp "tilted to one side and crashed onto the ground".

This is the sixth major bridge collapse in China since July 2011, the agency said.

The lorries were carrying feed and stones, officials from the Harbin municipal government was quoted by People's Daily Online newspaper as saying at a press conference.

They added that the bridge and other city roads will be checked.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-19365154

.

You need to read the comments of South Africans on this page:

http://www.timeslive.co.za/politics/2012/08/17/politicians-unions-call-for-investigation-into-lonmin-deaths

BTW, RSA and playmode what are your comments?

andrewza: Though loss of life is sad they brought it on them. Let's look at the big picture.


The entire protest and strike is illegal. Though they do have the right to strike and march peacefully there are certain protocols and laws to be followed. Non of witch where.


There are armed. And have used there weapons. 7(+ 3 by police) people died by there hands including 2 cops and more where wounded including 1 cop. They all so stole 1 pistol and a R5 assault rifle from the dead cops. So it is fact they had fire arms.

there demands are insane. They want to earn more money than many people who had to get training. Eg a mechanic in the south african navy who has a college level degree or a student constable in the police who gets shot at.

They refused to disband peacefully when given the option.

They first braved the water canons and tear gas. This show intent. They want to get at the police.

They charged at the police lines. Who defend themselves. Once the charge was stopped they stopped shooting. They did not shoot at people fleeing from them.

In short the miners got what the deserved maybe next time they will think first before believing that some witch doctors blessing and potions can stop a 5.56mm piece of metal traveling faster than the speed of sound.

I watched the news report on the South African TV channel (e-news) this morning.

Brilliant conclusion you have there!

I totally agree with you.

Massacre at Lonmin mine

Johannesburg -The site of an illegal strike, that had already claimed the lives of 10 people, turned into a kill zone on Thursday with the dead lying scattered across the veld in Marikana in North West.

On Friday morning, the North West health department said 25 people had been killed in the shootout between police and miners at the Lonmin mine in Marikana, while Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa put the death toll at 30.

At the scene late on Thursday, the injured, said to number up to 86, lay groaning in pain as the gunfire continued.

Next to them the corpses of their comrades bore gruesome bullet wounds and gashes.

The day had begun when North West police head Lieutenant-General Zukiswa Mbombo vowed to end the Lonmin wage strike. No one, not the unions, the strikers on the hill nor the journalists at the scene, expected the mayhem that followed.


During the course of the day, thousands of strikers began leaving the hill they had occupied when they saw police begin erecting barbed-wire barricades.

[b]When asked shortly before the shooting if the strikers’ gathering was a peaceful protest, national police spokesman Captain Dennis Adriao said it could not be “when people are armed”.

“We’ve accommodated them for four days, 10 people are now dead; property has been damaged and burnt. We now have to use force,” he said.

Until Thursday afternoon, the death toll had stood at 10 – two police officers, two security guards, three striking miners and three bystanders since the illegal strike began on Friday.

Those on the hilltop had vowed not to leave until their salaries had been upped from R5 000 to R12 500.

Attempts by police and union representatives to negotiate a truce with the strikers, who were armed with home-made weapons including axes, sharpened steel rods, pangas and knobkerries, had failed.

Just before the police moved in, representatives from the new union, the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu), tried to intervene and get management to address the striking workers.

The workers did not want anyone but Lonmin’s chief executive Ian Farmer to address them. But Lonmin released a statement saying Farmer was on sick leave and in hospital so the workers dug in their heels.

The shooting began as the group of protesters moved down the hill towards a nearby informal settlement.

Police began advancing towards them. The workers scattered, some running into the open veld, others towards the informal settlement.

Helicopters hovered overhead and police – some in armoured Nyalas, others on horseback – followed in hot pursuit.

Police used water canon, teargas and live ammunition. Police claimed they fired because they were shot at first.

After the shooting stopped, paramedics and ambulances were brought in to treat and move the injured.

Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa’s office said on Thursday that police had done their best in a volatile situation. “The minister is considering requesting the president to institute a full inquiry into this whole situation, not just around what happened today,” said spokesman Zweli Mnisi.

“Now what should police do in such situations when clearly what they are faced with are armed and hardcore criminals who murder police?”

Mnisi said police initially tried to disperse the crowd, using water cannons and teargas, but this did not help. Such efforts were countered with the murder of police officers.

“We had a situation where people armed to the teeth, attacked and killed others, even police officers and… one of the firearms used was that of a deceased police officer.”

Late on Thursday, President Jacob Zuma expressed his concern over the stand-off.

“I have instructed law enforcement agencies to do everything possible to bring the situation under control and to bring the perpetrators of violence to book. We extend our deepest condolences to the families of all who have lost their lives since the beginning of this violent action,’’ he said.

National Police Commissioner Riah Phiyega was due to address media on Friday at 11.30am at the Lonmin Training Centre.

On Thursday night, Cosatu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi said: “Broadly we believe there is an orchestration, a planned violence, because the violence people are seeing today has been going on since January. Scores of people have been killed and systematically targeted. We can’t put our finger on it, but someone is orchestrating that violence.”

Vavi said Cosatu was concerned about the loss of lives and hoped the matter would be resolved through the intervention of the leadership of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) and Amcu.

Amcu leaders on Thursday condemned the police action.

Amcu secretary-general Jeff Mphahlele said the killings happened after their failed meeting with Lonmin’s management, who refused to address the striking workers about their demands.

“There was no evidence that the workers who were sitting on the hilltop fired any shots at the police,” he said. “Prior to the killings, we tried to talk to the police and pleaded with them to refrain from using force but they threatened us with guns.”

The union has called for an investigation.

NUM’s Lesiba Seshoka said Amcu should take responsibility for the killings alleging they had condoned the workers’ demand for R12 500.

The Star, Sapa

http://www.iol.co.za/business/business-news/massacre-at-lonmin-mine-1.1364592

The protesters

Politicians, unions call for investigation into Lonmin deaths

A shoot-out between police and strikers at the mine left at least 36 people dead or wounded according to the National Union of Mineworkers.

African National Congress spokesman Jackson Mthembu said it needed to be determined who had caused the confrontation between police and striking miners.

Mthembu said the ANC was shocked about what happened.

“All of us feel very saddened by the violence we have seen on television,” he said.

“We are requesting that our government hold an inquiry on what happened today so that all of us South Africans can come to a conclusion on who is responsible.” The Democratic Alliance said it was shocked and appalled by what had happened at Lonmin.

“We call on union leaders, the police and everyone else involved to immediately work towards a de-escalation of the conflict,” the party said in a statement.

“All action must be taken to avoid further bloodshed.” The DA said an urgent independent investigation was required to determine what happened and who was responsible.

“The families of everyone involved, and indeed the nation, deserve to know how and why this bloodshed occurred,” it said.

Brewing tensions

The Inkatha Freedom Party on Thursday said the massacre at the mine highlighted the brewing tensions within South African society and should not be underestimated.

“Its horror should not only shock us but bring to the fore how too often conflicts in this country are dealt with through violence,” IFP MP Mario Oriani-Ambrosini said in a statement.

“For too made years irresponsible leaders have spread throughout the country the culture of rebellion, lawlessness and violence as a tool of political action. Unless there is a fundamental change of culture at the highest level of government things will worsen.”

“We call on the President to order a for full, expedited and independent investigation of whether police action was justified, proportional and necessary under the circumstances.” Oriani-Ambrosini said

The Congress of the People also called for an investigation by an independent body into what instigated the killings.

“In order for calm to return in that area proper policing packaged with genuine political and trade union solution to the problem must be found urgently,” Cope MP Leonard Ramatlakane said in a statement.

“Cope believes the magnitude of this massacre warrants a comprehensive report by the police to Parliament’s portfolio committee on police.”

Echoes of Sharpville

The Azanian People’s Organisation compared the violence in Marikana to the Sharpeville and Soweto shootings.

“As Azapo we can only describe the situation as a massacre not different from March 21, 1960 in Sharpeville; June 16, 1976 in Soweto and June 17, 1992 in Boipatong,” the party said.

“It was the police that killed Andries Tatane, a protester who was demanding better services from government. Today police kill miners who are protesting for better working conditions and better remuneration.”

Azapo called for the immediate suspension of all police who were at the scene and called for an immediate criminal investigation by an independent international body.

A tragedy

President Jacob Zuma was alarmed and deeply saddened at the way the dispute at Lonmin’s mine in Marikana in the North West had degenerated to the tragic loss of so many lives, the presidency said in a statement on Thursday.

“We call upon the labour movement and business to work with government to arrest the situation before it deteriorates any further,” the presidency said.

Zuma said he had instructed law enforcement agencies to do everything possible to bring the situation under control and to bring the perpetrators of violence to book.

Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa’s office said in a statement on Thursday that police at the mine did their best in a volatile situation.

“The Minister [Mthetwa] is now considering requesting the President to institute a full inquiry into this whole situation, not just around what happened today but holistically at this situation,” said spokesman Zweli Mnisi.

“Now what should police do in such situations when clearly what they are faced with are armed and hardcore criminals who murder police?”

Public order?

Lonmin were treating developments at the mine with the utmost seriousness, chairman Roger Phillimore said in a statement.

“The South African Police Service have been in charge of public order and safety on the ground since the violence between competing labour factions erupted over the weekend,” he said.

The violence claimed the lives of eight of the company’s employees and two police officers, said Phillimore.

The company deeply regretted the loss of life in what it saw as clearly a public order rather than labour related matter.

It was self defence: SAPS

“The police, in order to protect their own lives and in self-defence, were forced to engage the group with force.”

Adriao said this had followed extensive and unsuccessful negotiations by police to disarm and disperse a heavily armed group of illegal gathers at a hilltop near the mine.

“This resulted in several individuals being fatally wounded, and others injured.” The crime scene which covered a vast area was being managed by senior officials from the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) and supported by an expert team of detectives and forensic experts, he said.

Unions regret violence

NUM said on Thursday the violence at the mine was extremely regrettable.

“We are saddened and regret this further loss of life which has just happened, bringing roughly the total number of deaths to 30,” said general secretary Frans Baleni.

“It is extremely regrettable. We hope a full investigation will be done and hope the perpetrators will be brought to book.”

Orchestrated?

Cosatu said the violence that resulted in the shooting of a number of people on Thursday at the mine in Marikana was being orchestrated.

“Broadly we believe there is an orchestration, a planned violence, because the violence that people are seeing today has been going on since January,” said general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi.

Vavi said Cosatu was extremely concerned about the loss of so many lives.

SACC calls for peaceful resolution

The South African Council of Churches said the problems at Marikana should be peacefully resolved.

A SACC delegation paid a pastoral and fact-finding visit to both workers and management at the mine, the council said.

“The impression we gained is that both parties are willing to engage one another provided the level of hostility is reduced to allow peaceful interaction and resolution.” The SACC committed itself to assist in mkaing negotiations proceed and called on police to exercise restraint in the use of force as they sought to maintain law and order.

http://www.timeslive.co.za/politics/2012/08/17/politicians-unions-call-for-investigation-into-lonmin-deaths

cap28: none, you can see from Mrs Obama's body language that she views herself as an equal to Mrs Cameron, as a matter of fact Mrs Obama stands head and shoulders above Mrs Cameron as she is an ivy league educated lawyer while Mrs Cameron only finished secondary school at a posh finishing school for daughters of the rich and famous and then went on to do some rubbish course in art (a favourite past time of the idle rich) .

I am actually referring to Mrs. Cameron's body language. What does it tell us?

Pardon me?

[quote author=$ammy]Mr. President, also I saw the picture of you taking instructions from Hilary Clinton. Her pose was not that of someone commending. It was more of someone commanding. And your pose wasn’t that of a lion or a Pharaoh or an army general. Yours was that of a school boy taking instructions from the headmistress.
-Rudolf Okonkwo[/quote]So what instructions did Samantha Cameron get from Michelle Obama here?

Michelle Obama to lead delegation to London Olympics

US First Lady Michelle Obama Tuesday announced she [/b]would lead the US delegation to the London Olympics, as she celebrated the Games with Samantha Cameron, wife of the British prime minister.
[b]
It has been traditional during recent presidencies for first ladies to lead the presidential delegation to the Olympics.

Former first lady Laura Bush traveled to the 2006 Winter Olympics in Torino, Italy and Hillary Clinton went to the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway, while her husband Bill was president.

Obama welcomed Samantha Cameron to the event to mark the London Olympics as President Barack Obama took the British Prime Minister David Cameron to a college basketball game in Ohio.

The couples will be back together on Wednesday night for a state dinner at the White House.

http://www.alternet.org/rss/breaking_news/854491/michelle_obama_to_lead_delegation_to_london_olympics

DailyNews: Only in Nigeria will a first lady be more active & popular than the foreign affairs minister & even state governors.

How about Michelle Obama at London 2012?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/michelle-obama-jokes-about-olympic-moment-on-jay-leno/2012/08/14/f7dc20cd-0297-44e1-83af-79f340d40220_video.html (read the comments on this webpage, please)

DailyNews: Only in Nigeria will a first lady be more active & popular than the foreign affairs minister & even state governors.

How about Michelle Obama at London 2012?

Don't tell me its okay because they topped the medals table o!

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2179712/London-welcomes-First-Lady-fashion-Michelle-Obama-dons-ANOTHER-patriotic-outfit-support-Team-USA.html

DailyNews:
Only in Nigeria will a first lady commission national military weaponry & gadgets.

BRB

Wife of former America president, Nancy Regan christened the warship USS Ticonderoga

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Ticonderoga_%28CG-47%29

and USS Ronald Regan

http://www.watercraftsonline.com/how-do-navy-ships-names-come-about/

lagerwhenindoubt: Now these Guys are worth the Medals -International Recognition, 21st Century Legacies in the Film Industry WORLDWIDE . not jocular midgets and a girl-friend to Anambra State Deputy Governor with no international reckon to her name. National Honor (IN TRUTH) value men/women of mediocre state than truly intelligent people who contribute meaningfully to society and humanity as a whole

How about Salma Hayek who was awarded France's highest national honour presumably for being married to businessman Francois-Henri Pinault, who happens to be a close personal friend of Mr Sarkozy?

https://www.nairaland.com/639186/nigerian-political-class-foreign-counterparts/5#9887363

or David Cameron who gave awards for the Olympics months before the games began:

https://www.nairaland.com/639186/nigerian-political-class-foreign-counterparts/5#9887363

and even gave awards to ex-convicts and party donors?

https://www.nairaland.com/639186/nigerian-political-class-foreign-counterparts/5#9871695

Saintsquare: Only in naija will a graduate of Yoruba Literature becomes a banker.

How about this biochemist working for a financial institution in NY?

https://www.nairaland.com/774898/weve-arab-spring-american-autumn#9727236

bigdoo: Only in Nigeria will you find policemen in uniform collecting bribes openly on the roads.

See these:



https://www.nairaland.com/639186/nigerian-political-class-foreign-counterparts/4#9671114


https://www.nairaland.com/736118/south-african-officers-caught-camera#8926885

The General: Only in Nigeria will citizens sleep in darkness for 3 days but yet finds no problem with it.

Only in 9ja that electorates don't have choice on who rules them

Only in nigeria people vote purely based on ethnicity.

Really?

See these:

https://www.nairaland.com/639186/nigerian-political-class-foreign-counterparts/6#11050984

https://www.nairaland.com/639186/nigerian-political-class-foreign-counterparts/6#11048880

And this:

https://www.nairaland.com/639186/nigerian-political-class-foreign-counterparts/6#11007378

abbey37: Only for Naija members of our national assembly dey fight boxing and wrestling inside the house

Only for Naija national assembly dey spend 25% of the national budget

Only for naija athletes and sportsmen they start preparation for international competition in two wks b4 the start,jst like d concluded olympics

Only for Naija pple dey import water as petrol enter country and collect Subsidy

BRB

Really?

See this:

https://www.nairaland.com/639186/nigerian-political-class-foreign-counterparts/1#8175059