₦airaland Forum

Katsumoto: Haka nai is correct somewhat.

Too many Igbo posters are too fond of telling others they are the best in Nigeria. Even Sam Ikenna, who is more sensible in his posting, is bragging about how the Igbo beat everyone else in every sphere of life.

Sadly, like Ndu chuks stated, the Igbo don't have the political sagacity to produce a Nigerian president. Boasting all the time makes others suspicious and more determined to stop you.

Achievers don't go about bragging to everyone, especially those whom they need their help.

In any case, what does it matter, where the president hails from? The solution to the problems bedeviling Nigeria requires a majority of Nigerians to change their mindset. Even a German would struggle to transform Nigeria with the sort of myopic outlook of the average Nigerian.


@ Onlylies

Quit telling lies about the NCNC. The NCNC political machinery was developed by Yoruba politicians in Lagos. See the list of officers appointed in the NCNC at its third meeting.

Herbert Macaulay - President, Azikiwe - General Secretary, Oyeshile Omage - Financial Secretary, Dr Olorun-Nimbe - Treasurer, Onojobi and Ogedengbe - Auditors, Akerele and Odunsi - Legal advicers.

Well, my brother when certain people keep beating this political drum like we, Igbos, are doomed to second, third, or fourth position it starts getting on my nerves. So, my response to them is - what have you gained from the power? Are you better than the people you kept away from power? I can see why it sounds like I was boasting, the fact is there isnt much to gain from Aso rock except being the Nigerian gate man. You know quite well that some folks show up on thi kind of thread to laugh at Igbo, and its natural to make those folks have a hard long moment of silence in which they will look inwards.

The truth is - every region has made progress in different areas. There is always something thats lacking in region A thats abundant in region B. Laughing at A because of her lack is idiotic. If B so much cares about A then B should help A, end of story.

On the bolded, I dont know if your point was that Haka nai was corect to think we're on a revenge mission. Well, if thats what you think, I can assure you nobody in Igbo land is interested in revenge. What keeps that myth up high is the open secret that Nigeria will never let Igbo be president. Who do you think want to go to war? Who wants to die ? Certainly no Igbo man wants to die. The more some folks dangle this presidency the more we say screw it. Nigeria was created with many legs but if we, at this stage, say we dont need one of the legs then what option does that let have? You're right - either that leg becomes a spanner in wheels or it begs the other legs for reintegration.

I can tell you that if some regions were to be in our shoes they would be throwing bombs and poisoning waters by now.

We put aside what Nigeria did to us and moved on and for some folks to taunt us after many years of excruciating labor and agony that we went through is wrong. If you want to vote for an Igbo go ahead, but if you have something smart to say to me to make me feel bad then I'm gonna say something to feel good, its just the nature of life.

Anyway, dont get offended if you think your region was insulted. The point is no region is made up of super humans hence no one can be good in everything.

CyberG: Does any data exist to compare for Asians, Africans, Caucasians, Native, etc? This will be a good reference point. I believe the major reason why Nigeria does not get the right credit it deserves is the totally useless, generational bad leadership, poor followership leading to a poor image in the international community. Imagine if Nigeria actually is "working" well and progressing as a country? Imagine we're minting bright Ph. Ds, Masters, Bachelors, Professors, nobel laureates, technologists and technicians, competent administrators who are coming together to form a critical mass inventing things in Nigeria, building the infrastructure, expanding international trade, creating rival educational systems to the best in the world, excellent healthcare, a growing and strong military, an effective forward-looking foreign policy, technology, expansive, mechanized agriculture and also given birth to many smart kids to take over, we will be getting a lot more credit.

Yes, it does exist. What I wrote above is based on what I read from a data that exists. Its been long anyway so I'm not sure I can find it, the funny thing is how an Asian tried to explain African performance away.

[quote author=haka_nai]My position on this is simple.Right now the Igbos mostly sound as if they are on a vendetta,than coming out to stabilize and fix the mess in Nigeria.The view presented by most Igbo is almost like seeking an opportunity to get power and reck havoc to a faith and some regions.I for one feel that way.This is not by rumour, it is by the action of the Igbos everyday and everywhere.The Igbos most learn that at this critical moment of our nation,A Nationalist and qualitative leader is what the nation needs.Not some Ethnic representation.If that is what you want then better stick to the house of assembly.Do show me as a Northern person that you will represent me and identify with my problems.Also when this Issues need attention you will address in the same way as if were you kins men.Right now The Igbos have not shown a nationalistic position and always prefer to act an ethnic group at war with others or atleast seeking to avenge a lost war!
I understand the violence in the North towards certain people and it is not my place to support and enjoy same.I have not and remain innocent of any atrocities against anybody.Since in no way, have i harmed any Igbo.So how come do the Igbos prefer to see me as someone that is an Igbo murderer?Except they breed on old anger.Let me tell you that if the Igbos show concern and extend friendship they could win more hearts even in the northern enclaves.I can tell you this because i know the mood up North when some people heard Ropchas visited Kano and cleared the air about the rumours.I appreciated his bold stance and that simple room to hear from the other side than feed on the jingos in the SE.HE showed his balance view.He knew what is happening to the Igbos was not fear but also went to clear the view that they were the prime targets.
The Igbos can do it but they need to act right and leave this agenda of vendetta and identifying some section of the country as mortal enemies.If you most leade at the national level you most be the father of all and leader of NIgeria.Right now i await the contenders.Even thought Fashola,El-rufai,Dora Akunyili and Rochas are on my mind. [/quote]Nwanne, no body is on revenge mission. Igbo is neither a vindictive nation nor a war mongering nation. Always, what we seek for is better life. How Igbo became this devil hiding in the dark is beyond me. Have you asked yourself if its plausible that a man can come to Kano and build a mansion with his family in it only to be planning to burn Kano down? How can we be this vindictive knowing we have more properties in other people's lands than any group in Nigeria. The fact is you people created that myth. We dont seek revenge on any one. Besides, I thought you guys believed we're disunited so how can we then sit together to say we want revenge? You know what, I think I want revenge - good roads, electricity, education, Ending open grazing and fenced ranches for Fulani cattle owners, ending Berom vs Fulani tit-for-tat, Ending Boko Haram, Getting almajiris to school, enacting one man one wife law, returning Nigeria to regional govt with rescource control, and ending this oil-based economy is my revenge.

bayooooooo: The chance of Igbo producing the president in 2015 is close to zero irrespective of the candidate they present- either good or bad.

Good candidates don't win [b] presidential[/b]l elections in Nigeria, what works is political structure. If you don't control the dominant structure, forget it, you don't even stand a chance. If you control the structure, you can even rig, suspend all the judges that will sit on your election petitions and bulldoze your way to "victory". No presidential election has been upturned in the history of Nigeria.

The emerging configuration of PDP leadership structure, if anything, does not suggest 2015 is for SE. SE can vote en mass but that does not translate to great bargaining chip if you do not have a platform to articulate your positions. If no SE candidate is presented in 2015, you will still vote anyway. But do you have a platform to extract a commitment or make a deal for something in return? You need to form an alliance but who in the east do you discuss the deal with? Who controls the structure and how tested and formidable is it? The Igbo society is highly individualistic and the idea of a leader looks more of an abberation or abomination.


If such good platform does not exist or exist and not within the dominant political structure, when that time comes that SE chapter is opened, don't be surprised that the worst political character in the East will be imposed. The choice will not be that of the East but of the guys who control the dominant structure. Check the characters that have been imposed-OBJ, Yar'Adua, Jonathan, who knows may be Theodore Oji.


You can only talk of alliance if you have a structure that other considers formidable! Forget about 2015 and start building the structure now.

I take exception to some of the points you raised but nonetheless you gave a constructive criticism and I respect you for that.

The bolded is true, however, what folks dont realize about Igbo is that we're too quick in embracing what works. We might be individualistic but as soon as we believe in something or a in someone we always show up in full force. Did you believe we would vote for GEJ the way we did? I can tell you Ijaw people including the rest of SS and Nigeria didnt see it coming because they've been taught to see us as politically unserious, divided, and soon on. In fact most comedians used to make jokes about Igbos not voting but what they didnt realize was that we didnt take voting seriously because we didnt take Nigeria seriously after the civil war. Everything that took place after the war was like a joke from the Military and we're not ready to get into the trenches with anyone rather we were interested in rebuilding our lives, establishing our Biz, and sending our kids to school to make up for the lost time. Today, that mindset is changing because we've amassed relatively substaintial resources coupled with education so we're not as doomed as we were during the early 70s and 80s.

So, back to the point I was making, even though most folks didnt anticipate what we did for GEJ, I knew we would show up in force for GEJ because we believed our votes would count and that he deserved to be president for obvious reasons. So, the issue of disunity or individualism of the Igbos is an over flogged issue, its like the belief that people have on Igbos and education - Igbos dont go to school, they only trade! Is it true all the time? nope!, was it true at some point - yes I think so, but then you ask why do people still go on today saying it like its eched in stone - Bro, stereotype is very difficult to dismantle. Like I said above, our disunity or individualism has been way over blown, pure and simple.

Its a known fact even long before the media started calling Asia "model minority." The whole of African immigrants put together still perform better than Asians yet they wont say it in the media. I even read where one Asian wrote that the reason is African immigrants are upper class Africans - you see how they now twist it? Anyway, I hope the trend continues.

Onlytruth: hehehe!
My brother you are right on the first bolded.
The second bolded reminds me of my days in physics and chemistry classes. I don't know if I agree with it though.

For the bolded, I can understand why you disagree with that. In an ideal country, that my assertion will be false but in a nation like Nigeria its easy to see that its the gospel.

Onlytruth: hehehe!
My brother you are right on the first bolded.
The second bolded reminds me of my days in physics and chemistry classes. I don't know if I agree with it though.

Nwannem, you know its physics thats been taking most of my time, its the reason I havent sent you the email like I promised. I have so much work load as I speak. However, I have typed the answer to the question you raised concerning MASSOB but there are other Igbo issues that have bugged daylight out of me and I want to articulate and send them to you.

My brother, when I say it bugs life out of me I literarily mean that. You know what - I will send you the MASSOB response in the morning 'cause I already typed that long ago and then take my time to write you the "epistle" by next month 'cause thats when I will be a little bit free.

Nwanne m, no vex for your brother because of the delay. I have a lot to say but that'll wait for now, next month will be my free time to write everything. Igbo issue is no small issue for any nwafor Igbo.

[quote author=ndu_chucks]The bolded does not happen anywhere on earth. If they want the Presidency, they should fight for it by playing the political game like everyone else. Shikena.[/quote]You talk like we've ceased to exist because we didnt have the presidency. Bro, with or without Aso rock Igbo will keep moving on. The fight you're talking about is it for the good of the usual "one Nigeria" or for the region that's fighting for it? Who wins when all is said and done? I may not be the president, Igbo may not be the president of Nigeria ever, you hear me - I say ever! its very possible, but guess what? we're still not losing. it might sound boastful but look around you, does it look like we lost? I said earlier that what we do and how we do it is cultural, you can define it as "lost" because in recent time no Igbo fool has occupied Aso rock.

In my dictionary I define "win or loss" based on "food or no food and education or no education." If Igbo is president while Igbo race is racing to the bottom then of what good is the presidency? Look around you again and check out your brother by your side - ask him if he thinks his life is any better with all the years of "your Aso rock occupation."

Nigerian president is a little more than a gate keeper who makes sure no body (no group) leaves the house (breaks away from Nigeria) whether they're happy or not - if you doubt it show me what significant good has come to the region that produced the presidency.

Let me put it this way - the amount of time any given region produces the president is inversely proportional to the progress of that region.

alj harem: I don't know about one-ness, No group is one in Nigeria I can tell you that. Igbos can not get more united than this. Even the yoruba and the hausa we all talk about are not as united as you make them look so Yes Afam has a point on this.

From the last election, it is clear that 2015 is Igbo chance if they real want it but at the end of the day it all depends on the candidate Igbos bring out.

If Ndigbo make a mistake by bring out a reta.rd, then be rest assure that the middle belt and SW is gone. Right now I can tell you that the middle belt and the SW are irritated by GEJ.

Now To appease the north, One way of doing that is by building a railway through GEJ that connects the northern states

2. More northerners in your carbinent

3. Reduce Aljmaris by building up institutions for them


To appease the SW

1. By doing true federalism

2. Constant electricity

To appease the Middle belt

1. true federalism

2. Security


I would expect SS to automatically vote for the Igbo leader.

that is it, you have not only targeted the leaders by also the youths.

All we the common man want is ONE that can make Nigeria better for us. We don't care if he is Igbo yoruba or hausa. We just want the country to move forward.

First, I agree to the bolded. Whoever says we're disunited is repeating this worn-out cliche. In democracy you cant get more united than it already is. Its only in war time that a nation can achieve close to 100% unity.

Talking about we should do this or that to get to Aso rock is not gonna happen. What we should do is stand up for election and reach out to other regions, if we win - fine, if not I say shove it and move on. No region did this or that for us before we voted for them and we're not about to lick anybody's bottom for that.

If GEJ does well - good for him, if he doesnt then thats his headache, its got nothing to do with me or any other Igbo. Like I said earlier, in the end its about poverty or better life so my question is - who do you think will deliver it? Who do you think has the gut to cut to the chase and solve Power, Education, Fulani vs Berom, 10 million Almajiris, increase wealth, modernize and put Nigeria back to greatness? who will do that? What if hes Igbo - do you choose him because he got it or do you reject him because you cant stand Igbo?

[quote author=ndu_chucks]@beneli & Eze Onlytruth, in order to make a serious run for President, you have to be presented by either PDP, CPC, or ACN. Other parties are irrelevant for now.

Which Igbo candidate do you think PDP can successfully put forth, how about ACN, or CPC? You'll agree with me that ACN or CPC will not put forth an Igbo candidate in 2015. That leaves PDP. Here again, its not possible!

I'm sure you see why Igbo candidates should not even make an attempt in 2015. Be honest to yourselves, 2015 is out of the question, don't lie to yourselves.[/quote]After 2015 life goes on. Believe it or not, there is something each group has that the other doesnt have. Maybe we have something thats capable of lifting Nigeria out of deep poverty, who knows. What I will never do is to stoop low to beg for whats my right. If and when an Igbo throws himself up for Aso rock, two things will happen - either win or lose. If he wins fine, if not he goes home with his plans for the nation and whoever wins will either lift Nigerians from poverty or sink them deeper. In the end Igbo will never be in the bottom of abject poverty in Nigeria, its not a boast because its our culture - just like Fulani stands a better chance at rearing cattle than any Igbo dead or alive. So my brother, in the end we will not be the worst hit for any Aso rock choice Nigeria makes either in 2015 or beyond.

In as much as presidency is not bad, we cant argue that the more a region holds on to it the more lazy they become. Igbos have been out of power for ages yet they've K.Oed every region in poverty rate, literacy level, infant mortality, female literacy, etc.

While the "owners" of Nigeria have mastered the art of keeping us out of power, we've mastered the art of survival against every odd thrown our way and if any Igbo must beat his chest, I say beat your chest to that. When and if Nigeria finally kisses the canvas we'll be going home with a highly educated and mobile workforce thats on survival overdrive while the "owners" of this sunk ship will be going home with political dangerous, poorly educated, moneyless shallow pockets, religous extremists, and self entitlement minded citizens.

The only thing good about presidency is its bragging rights - no more no less. If we get it we get, if we dont then screw it. We've been forced and backed into worse corners before yet we're here while those that either took the initiative or joined in the orgy of hate are either begging on the streets of PH and Enugu or they're blowing up themselves and their friends. Karma is a B.

God blesses without permision from any man and its him that we, Igbos, fear not earthly douchebagz. Let no Igbo lose sleep over Aso rock instead lets strategize - if we win we win, if we dont, life goes on.

Eko Ile: Why bother? Gt it out of your head, ibo in Aso Rock is not happening. never ever.


You need the north and sw to get you there, but we all know the north is now down with anything ibo talk less in Aso Rock with your hate and petty jealousy Yoruba ain't down for you either...

Even showing your hands with GEJ and your crooked votes didn't help.

Y'all are fcukkkeedd..

How will SW get there next time? OBJ got there because the north and SS/SE voted for him, next time SW might not be that lucky given how emasculated the core north feels now. Your best bet is to vote according to your conscience not according to hate 'cause if thats the way forward from now on then count SW,SE,and SS out of Aso rock.

SE has a good chunk of Nigerian population, SS also has a nice amount of population, and MB is also endowed with substaintial population - these groups are either related to SE or friends of the East. SW will be commiting political suicide if they feel the north will just hand power to them 'cause no one is handing anyone any power in Nigeria again. You must win by having people vote for you, you dont win by alienating people - people vote not spirits. Winning today means you must to the trenches and slug it out. What best way to do it than make allies and friends across the board.

Nigeria did not make a good headway for 50 yrs because we in the south allowed a section of this nation to play God, we will be making the same mistake again if we continue with the mindset you just displayed above.

Personally, I would want us to have SNC so we can decide our future but since that is not yet here with us, the second best option is to elect wise or semi wise leaders from anywhere we find them. We shouldn't be fixated on which region we must block from Aso rock. As long as we're electing to block rather than electing to lead then we will be here in 50 yrs complaining about the same thing.

You dont have to take my word.

andrewza: We only spend 1.2% to 1.6% of the GDP on defense. So the government is under funding the SANDF since the international average is 2% of the GDP. And if you consider the amount of solders deployed over seas, we have more force over seas now than we ever had in Angola during the war there. So it not like these things just sit around wasting tax payer money.



There is a saying. "If you want peace prepare for war"

ok.

Zik said he was satisfied provided Nigeria became independent on october 1st 1960.

My heart bleeds for people that have lost their lives and those that will lose their lives in future because of 1st october. Nigerian people are not inherently evil but whats evil is the forcing together of people that've shown no interest in working together.

When are we going to learn? I'll like to believe Nigeria is going to be better but when I look at the issues that divided us before and during independence I shake my head in disbelief - its like 1945 to 1970 is here again. who in his right mind wants to deal with the same problem for 50 to 60 years? to make matters worse that same problem is getting more and more compounded by the day.

When are we going to look beyond hate, tribe, and oil money to finally accept the obvious and find a way to save the future of our children? Is it when Nigerian population hits 300 million with no more oil money to grease the wheel of fat cows? Those fat cows with their families will leave us high and dry when the oil is finished - meaning the poor from the north to the south will be the sacrificial lamb.

Nigerian govt has no plans for extra I million people now so what makes us think they will handle extra 150 million in about 50 yrs. Awo, Zik, and Bello may have missed it 50 yrs ago but today is another day, we all need to join in the call for SNC. Lets reroute this titanic before it hits the iceberg.

Thiza: This is part of the VISION 2020 PROCUMENT PROCESS:

SA Army Projects

2020
Overarching programme to position the SA Army for the future in terms of strategy, doctrine, vision, mission and equipment acquisition.

Acrobat
Acquisition of long-range 60mm mortar system. 102 systems ordered mid-2006 for R101 million as part of Project Acrobat, delivery expected from 2009 to 2010

Adrift
Upgrade of ZT2 anti-armour missile to ZT3 Ingwe baseline standard for the SA armoured Corps. Thirteen new launchers and 80 missiles delivered since Q3 2006. Foreseen commissioning: 2008.

Ambition 1B
Acquisition of the Gecko rapid deployment logistical vehicles for parachute and Special Forces. 112 delivered. Commissioned from June 2006. "Partial acquisition only".

Aorta
Planned acquisition of a new main battle tank to replace the Olifant. Leopard 2 considered likely choice.

Arum lily
Upgrade of 80 Rooikat armoured cars. Foreseen commissioning 2008.

Atolasa
Upgrade of the Olifant MK 1B main battle tank to MK2 status. Commissioning from late 2007

Billet
Acquisition of a new generation semi-static communications infrastructure for operation by 2 Signal Regiment.

Bioskoop
Development of local warning radar system and battery command post for air defence. Four Thutlhwa (Kameelperd, Giraffe) ordered 1996 and delivered 2006. Requirement stands for a troop command post.

Blesbok
Partial acquisition of new-generation water purification and provisioning system using a shortened acquisition process. Foreseen date for production: 2008.

Chamber
Acquisition of a new generation tactical electronic capability for 5 Signal Regiment[1].
R110 million budgeted.

Citizen
Partial acquisition of a new-generation maintenance, repair and recovery system. Foreseen commissioning 2013.

Cytoon
Development and partial acquisition of a battlefield surveillance and mobile intelligence processing system consisting of a battlefield surveillance radar, thermal imager and UAV. Foreseen commissioning: 2009.

Gijima
Upgrade of 167 Casspir APC. Project was to be completed by March 2007.

Guardian (GBADS 1) Local warning segment of the Ground-Based Air Defence System (GBADS). Two Thales PAGE warning radars, eight Lightweight Multiple Launchers for the Starstreak very short-range air defence missile

Hoefyster
Partial acquisition of a new generation infantry fighting vehicle. 264 Patria Advanced Modular Vehicles on order at a cost of R8.4 billion. Deliveries from 2010.

Isibali
New generation (insensitive) explosives.

Jury
Upgrade of 220 Mamba APC. Commissioning.

Khanyisa
Upgrade of 100 M40A1 106mm RCL, ammunition resupply.

Kingfisher
Upgrade of 30 Milan launchers to Milan ADT-ER status and acquisition of 300 missiles for R167.4 million. Delivery underway. Up to 100 more launchers can be upgraded.

Klooster
Acquisition of an artillery target engagement system. First regimental set delivered 2007, second 2008. System includes an African Defence Systems fire control subsystem and an ATE Vulture unmanned aerial system.

Legend
Acquisition of the first phase of a tactical command, control, communications and information computer (C4I) system for the brigade-and-below. A R30m+ contract awarded to Saab Systems SA in 2008.

Musuku
Development and partial acquisition of an advanced multi-role light artillery gun capability in the form of the 105mm "Light Experimental Ordnance. Foreseen commissioning: 2012.

Muhali
An artillery ammunition and charge system upgrade for the G5 and G6 155mm medium gun systems. Foreseen commissioning: 2008

Outcome (GBADS III)
Planned acquisition of the Umkhonto all weather surface-to-air-misile (AWSAM). No dates as yet.

Pantile
Acquisition of engineer earthmoving/construction equipment. Foreseen commissioning: 2009

Pigeon
Upgrade of the SS77 general purpose machine gun. Commissioning

Pirate
Partial acquisition of a new generation hand-held mine detector. Foreseen commissioning: 2008.

Prickley (sic) pear
Acquisition of a data base geographical information system for the SANDF.

Protector (GBADS II)
Development and partial acquisition of a mobile ground-based air defence system. Possible R3bn[2] budget for land-based Umkhonto IR missile. Foreseen commissioning: 2010.

Raadsaal
Acquisition of a heavy/extra heavy recovery vehicle. Commissioning. Completion scheduled for March 2008.

Radiate
A new generation tactical communications system for operation by 1 Signal Regiment.

Swatch
Development and partial acquisition of mobile camping system. No funds available at May 2007.

Teamster
Development and partial acquisition of mass field feeding system (field kitchen). Foreseen commissioning: 2008.

Tladi
"Zone 1" anti-tank. New generation portable infantry A/T rocket launcher to replace RPG7 and FT5.

Topstar
Partial acquisition of new-generation gyroscopic systems for the artillery. Foreseen commencement of commissioning: 2008. Not SCAMP funded.

Utolo
Partial acquisition of minefield breaching system to replace Plofadder. In study phase 2005-7.

Vistula[3]
Acquisition of 3000 logistics trucks to replace the SAMIL series. MAN, Mercedes Benz short-listed. Award delayed by allegations of corruption and interference in the tender process.

Vlooimark
Partial acquisition of infantry 40mm Y3 automatic grenade launcher. Commissioning.

Vundulula
Partial acquisition of field fire fighting system. Project not funded beyond study phase (in 2005).

Warrior
Dismounted soldier system. Acquisition study for low risk items completed 2006. Development plan for complex sub-systems underway.

Wyandotte
Study of deeper level logistics: Transport by truck, train and ship. Project not funded beyond study phase.

Not registered as a project by Sep 2008
Acquisition of a new light armour system for the Armoured Corps to replace the Eland-series armoured car. Required Operational Capability Study completed.

{mospagebreak title=SA Air Force Projects}
SA Air Force Projects

Adobe
Acquisition of a self-protection system for the Oryx. Project complete, June 2007.

Assegaai
Development of a short-range air-to-air missile for the SAAF fighter stream. Being developed as a joint venture with Brazil by Denel Dynamics. Each country is said to have allocated R500 million to the missile development phase. It is not clear how much SA has spent additionally on the project between conceptualisation and 2006 when the JV was announced.

Bandsman
Upgrade and replacement of airport fire tenders. Phase 1 to upgrade existing fire tenders was completed in 2006. Phase 2 for the acquisition of further fire tenders is in progress with a completion date for 2010.

Continent
Acquisition of between 8-14 Airbus A400M Loadmaster future medium transports. Delivery was due from late 2010, but project now substantially delayed as a result of development problems.

Deer
Acquisition of a stand-off radar jammer for the Denel Oryx medium helicopter. Project completed, June 2007.

Design
Aircrew training simulator. Final acceptance of the system at 80 Air Navigation School. Operational Test and Evaluation scheduled to end late August 2008.

Drummer
Midlife upgrade for the remaining Denel Oryx medium helicopters that came into service in 1989. About 38 out of 51 still fly.

Ebb
C130 midlife upgrade. Scheduled completed March 2008

Impose
Design, development and production of Denel CSH2A Rooivalk combat support helicopter and Mokopa heavy antitank guided missile. Development to be completed by 2009 after starting in 1984; R8.1bn spent on programme to 2007. Mokopa: R70m set aside to acquire missiles. R120m spent on development to FY2007, R4.6m to be spent in FY2007/8 and Denel to spend a further R98.25m.[4]

Flange
Acquisition of 30 Agusta A109 light utility helicopters for R2.39 billion (2007 Treasury figure).

Koiler
Acquisition of a day/night tactical intelligence (reconnaissance) system for the Cessna C208 light transport inclusive of a datalink. Acquisition of three sets of mission equipment and the modification of 11 aircraft have been contracted. Operational test and evaluation scheduled 2008. Release to service planned for late 2008.

Maulstic
Acquisition of four maritime helicopters for Navy Project Sitron (the frigate acquisition). Four Agusta-Westland 300 SuperLynx delivered July 2007.

Muggie
Replacement of a radio-switching network.

Simunye[5]
"A technology project for defining, testing and evaluating Joint Air Defence Command and Control (C2) systems concepts and related systems architectures".

Ukhozi
Acquisition of an advanced lightweight fighter aircraft. Twenty-six Saab JAS39 Gripen C/D to be delivered by 2012 at a cost of R20 billion (2007 Treasury figure).

Winchester
Acquisition of a lead-in fighter trainer. Twenty four BAE Systems Mk120 Hawk delivered by 2008 at a cost of R7.2 billion (2007 Treasury figure).

Not registered as a project in 2007[6]
Acquisition of a future medium altitude long endurance (MALE) UAV. Still under consideration by SAAF not yet registered as a Required Operational Capability.

Not registered as a project in 2007
Acquisition of a future maritime patrol aircraft. Still under consideration by SAAF not yet registered as a Required Operational Capability.

Not known
Leasing of three Saab Erieye multirole airborne surveillance systems housed on Embraer platforms. Said to be a work in progress with system to be in place by June 2010, kick-off for the 2010 Soccer World Cup.

Not known
Acquisition of the Diehl BGT IRIS-T short-range infrared air-to-air missile for the Gripen advanced lightweight fighter aircraft.

Not known
Avionics upgrade for the Pilatus PC7 MkII (M) ab initio trainer. Thirty-five aircraft to be upgraded at a budgeted cost of R400 million.

Not known
Acquisition of a low-cost, side-by-side, basic trainer. Twelve aircraft @R2-3m each, R24-36m for the fleet[7].

Not known
"Pavement management system" (runway upgrades, six sub-projects).


SA Navy Projects

Biro
Planned acquisition and local construction of six to 12 multi-mission offshore patrol vessels (MMOPV) Ballpark cost R300 million each. The vessels will replace the current Warrior-class OPV, the River-class minehunter and City-class minesweeper. To run in conjunction with Project Hotel. Award scheduled for 2009.

Brutes
Half life upgrade for combat support ship SAS Drakensberg.

Hotel
Acquisition of a new generation maritime survey ship to replace the Hecla-class SAS Protea. To run in conjunction with Project Biro. Award scheduled for 2009. Ship to have a secondary OPV role and equipment fit.

Mapantsula
Acquisition of an "offboard" mine counter-measure system (autonomous underwater vehicle) for use by surface fleet. Scheduled for completion: 2010.

Millennium
Acquisition of a "strategic support ship". One or more 200m LPD/LPH vessels contemplated. Likely acquisition cost based on a similar French design €340 million per ship.

Sitron
Acquisition of four Meko A200SAN small guided missile frigates. Delivered and in service.

Stanchion
Acquisition of an underwater signature measurement system. Phase 1 (the signal measurement system) scheduled for delivery December 2007. Phase 2 (magnetic treatment centre) scheduled for completion December 2009.

Suvecs
Design and development of an indigenous frigate combat suite. Cancelled in favour of Thales Tavitac for Project Sitron. Subject to subsequent litigation and controversy.

Wills
Acquisition of a new generation submarine. Three ThyssenKrupp Type 209 1400 boats delivered and in service.

Xena
Acquisition of a C3I system and 15 10.5m inshore patrol vessels for the Operational Boat Squadron.


SA Military Health Service Projects

Beginning
Establishment of an aeromedical and specialist training facility. Likely cost R400 million.
Not budgeted for in 2007.

Mutchkin (sic)
Development and partial acquisition of a basic chemical and biological (CB) self-protection capability consisting of CB detection, protection and equipment de-contamination. Partial acquisition is planned to commence by December 2008 and first deliveries by September 2009. Six urban defence systems, three conventional systems. R422m required but only R198m on budget for next 13 years.


Command Management and Information Systems Division Projects


Domino
Redesign of the division`s structure.


Joint Operations Division Projects

Battlespace[8]
"A high-level overview of the characteristics of the current and possible future African operational environment and of some of the military implications thereof".


Special Forces Projects

Ambition 1A
Acquisition of the Hornet rapid deployment reconnaissance vehicle for the Special Forces. All 25 delivered by BAE Systems Land Systems OMC by August 2006. Commissioned. .

Sundowner
Long-range high-speed boats for the Special Forces. Delivered.

Pls these questions are for my SA brothers and I'm asking with love and respect for both SA and her citizens. Do you think anyone is about to invade you now or in the near future? Are you in any kind of arm race? If you're neither anticipating invasion nor in arm race isn't it more rewarding to use this huge resource on the poor and needy in SA?

PhysicsQED: Paul Kagame may be trying to boost his credibility with this move.

Nwanne, I kind of want to know why you go by "PhysicsQED," Are you our next Shrodinger? I would be happy if you're one.

bittyend: What's the reality, Mr. I-Know-it-all?

bittyend - Na wao! You just attacked the man just like that? I think what PhysicsQed was saying is that this whole thing is neither here nor there.

The other day you said Igbos are more of allies to Yoruba than core north but today you're saying you would not mind shooting at anything that moves. Bro take am easy, what you see online is just internet gra gra. West overlaps with SS just as East does, so eventually we all will sit down and hammer issues out. East, West, and SS are too integrated and related today for any nonsentical shooting to occur.

Like I said, take am easy bro. Also you might start easing off on this One Nigeria - its always good to have plan B incase Nigeria doesnt make it.

PhysicsQED: Too many people posting on this thread so far are disconnected from reality.

I predict at least 5 pages. Maybe 6.

Its 3 already, looks like it'll hit 10 page mark - I guess we should start using mack 1, 2, 3...., to that end I say this thread is a mack 10 thread.

Thiza: SA submarine outwits Nato force Louis Oelofse | Atlantic Ocean 04 September 2007 06:16 link A lone South African submarine left some Nato commanders with red faces on Tuesday as it "sank" all the ships of the Nato Maritime Group engaged in exercises with the South African Navy off the Cape coast. The S101 -- or the SAS Manthatisi -- not only evaded detection by a joint Nato and South African Navy search party consisting of several ships combing the search area with radar and sonar, it also "sank" all the ships taking part in the fleet.

At several times during the exercise -- which lasted throughout Monday night and Tuesday morning -- a red square lit up the screens where the surface ships thought the submarine was. But it remained elusive. This gave Defence Minister Mosiuoa Lekota something to brag about when he landed on the SAS Amatola on Tuesday to speak to the media "To be able to frustrate detection by Nato nations is no mean achievement; it speaks of the excellence of the equipment we acquired for this purpose," Lekota said. And while this left one of the world's strongest military alliances frustrated, it was also a sign that the group had a capable partner in Africa, Lekota said. "With sustained inter-operability with foreign forces such as Nato, we are well positioned to respond to any unforeseen circumstances that may confront either ourselves or other regions," he said. Lekota was quite clear that a working relationship with Nato was desired. "They have a partner of reliable capability because we are forging working relations here. We are building mutual confidence for what can be done and what we can do together as Nato and South Africa, or as Nato and Southern African nations," Lekota said. These sentiments were echoed by the commander of the Nato maritime group, Rear Admiral Mahon, who said the deployment would see the group sailing right around Africa. "I can't speak for what the future will hold but certainly this was valuable. Africa is a strategic continent. The freedom of the seas, energy, security, they are all critical issue to Nato countries," he said. The exercises would continue till the end of the week and would include, ship-to-ship refuelling, search-and-seizure exercises and various other scenarios faced by modern navies

Good that SA is doing great but dont push your luck when it comes to the US or NATO 'cause they will eat SA raw in real battle. USA is a nation on war footing 24/7. It even scares me cause I dont want to lose one eye before I relocate finally to Igboland. SA is good and I'm happy for them 'cause they're the only country in Africa that's got their head screwed right, however, I beg them not to mess with US or NATO. Remember the only going for US is war equipment and boy do they know how to make bad weapons.

vedaxcool: You see how u easily fulfill the criteria for the word derelict Imbeci1 whose intelligence is . . . as I asked where is ur evidence that I called him fool for simply disagreeing with him, or being a derelict Imbeci1 has made it impossible for you to comprehend this simple question? If you did not understand the question what derelict imbeci1s like yourselves do is to ask for clarification just as u assumed that the reason I called the OP C-fool is because I disagreed with him when in fact my reasons for calling him so are totally different.

From the look of things CyberG and I belong to different schools of thought, but at least we tried to keep the convo as civil as possible. There is one thing you, vedaxcool, havent learned and that is - if you want people to listen to you use proper language and try as much as possible, even if its personally uncomfortable, not to insult them. You can pass your message without insults.

My people have a saying that goes like this - a dog that bites does not bark. Being civil doesn't make you a push-over. You need to undersand you have a foul mouth, maybe thats who you really are or maybe thats the personna you front online to appear tough.

Name calling online is dumb, I believe if a person is red hot with anger the simplest thing should be - call out your opponent for a fist showdown, if the person shows up then its free for all. But if you know you cant do that then whats the point wasting your energy online yelling and calling names - next best thing if you cant vent your anger physically would be - go take a super cool beer afterwhich you go love your woman.

Take my advice and you'll be fine.

CyberG: ^ What is that up there that you called him? Or, the + changed what you had in mind? I bet you are so scared of the NL "post has been hidden" LOL.

@Ikenna, well whatever! You can choose to be from the moon or under the ground or be anything, that is your prerogative. However, I pointed out to you that you drew a false parallel but I can understand if it makes you mad that I got under your skin. Abeg, old man relax oooo!

I see you defend your co-apostles like OnlyLIAR, AKBottom, etc and the racist tribalist in chief Dendeson1. Well, I call them their real names and that will not change! Your boss has been so dealt with chief apostle OnlyLIES there mortal powers are now failing when the see tribalism busters like this post. . .hahaha! See, they have not even thrown a stone yet and they are spoiling for war? Nothing they can do, so impotent when it comes to matching words with action! Ihijerika and his men are waiting when you are ready to launch una offensive. . .LOL

You're a little bit more civil than others. Besides you were not getting under my skin. I'm fine.

[quote author=ndu_chucks]Awo joined a govt that launched war against his people? That's a fat lie, Nigeria never launched any war against the Yorubas or the SW. Ojukwu was the one who returned from exile and joint the govt that launched war against his people by participating in politics, forming APGA, and running for office e.t.c[/quote]Nwanne, the people there are not Yorubas or SW, I didnt put it right - people = Easterners. Now we're clear.

CyberG: @Ikenna: Ha! I can't believe a tribalist tried to be civil and not haul abuse and insult on me because I said it as it is! Well, I will wait for the day and time you will come out all guns blazing with tribal bullets. Until then, here is the answer to your post:

1. Dedenson, OnlySoFATLIES, Illogical_blackmind, etc are RACISTS black KKK tribalist and they are proud of it. I think they will do a more evil job of defending themselves than anyone ever would!

2. You are Igbo before Nigerian? Well, it is your choice BUT you are WRONG comparing with Awo's comment! Were you born before 1960? Awo was born in 1909 or so long before Nigeria came along or was amalgamated, can you say the same thing for yourself? Ojukwu was 34 at the outbreak of the civil war in 1967 so he came after amalgamation but before independence and may still have a case. Gowon, similar to Ojukwu. Now you? Dedenson1? OnlyFATTERLIES, AKBottom?, etc? C'mon be honest and own up to your age.

3. I am not here to speak for Awo, he has written more than most Nigerians will write in 10 lifetimes. However, YOU or anyone cannot question a decision he made in 1967, and within his rights, in 2012! He joined the "legitimate" government of the day which is directly traceable to anticidents created by Ironsi who practically abrogated Nigeria's federalism; after Ifeajuna, Nzeogwu, Ademoyega, Onwetewagwu, etc stirred up violence by starting the first coup, military betrayals and treachery among their comrades-in-arms. If you have any atom of fairness, a robber attacked a man's home and after the house owner teamed up with the police to overpower the thief, you still blame the house owner. Really?

4. Nigeria had a real chance to NOT be what it is today but what happened? Who spurned a "progressive" allowance of two peoples in the South of Nigeria to team-up with the Northerners who you now hold in ignominy and infamy? Please answer that question. It's like a competitive race where you get to chose a partner: an equally strong or stronger, decisive and leading light partner who will challenge all your positions to create better good for the peoples of the alliance or one you can hope to pull over his eyes with education, guile and subterfuge (like a small air head BIMBO with voluptuous titties). Well, this partner may be good for the sexxing but you cannot win any competition with such alliance and that is what happened. The SE dominated the civil service pre-civil war and pre-independence and allying with the northerners who were "most backward" ensured that the Ibos will call the shots. So, the ibo leadership spurned the alliance with the westerners and put up their tent with the northerners. When the relationship crashed, now you first tried to steal the other strong man's house through the attack in the Midwest, and an incursion into the West. Well, this woke the sleeping giant and at Ore, all hell broke lose! The offensive from that part on into the Ibo hinterland still makes Odenson1, IamONLYLies, etc to cry today. I bet he will kick the bucket and find that Naija is still here. . .LOL.

5. Well, when Naija is renegotiated, we can all breathe easy because I and many people are TIRED of e-fighters. The real fight, they won't fight, yet they are not happy with "no victor, no vanquished". When are the tribalists going to bring their BEST A-GAME to a real fight, better than the 1967 war, I ask again? See hot air here: https://www.nairaland.com/899348/nigerian-civil-war-rematch#10456293

1. If you're still bent on hanging on to this your "tribalist" tag then its your Biz. I have nothing to gain or lose in making you check my posts in NL to see if this "tribalist" name calling is real or fluke.

2. Quit dragging Onlytruth or Dede1 into this convo unless thats your clever way of drawing them into a fight. Besides when you write peoples' monikers or names please do you mind writing it the proper way? even if you disagree with people courtesy demands that you accord people the same respect you would want accorded to you.

3. I was Igbo before I became Nigerian - has nothing to do with date of indepence or amalgamation. Britain made me Nigerian but God made me Igbo - big difference. Nigeria has "production" date unlike Igbo, Isoko, Ijaw, etc so I'm 100% right to say that I was Igbo before I became Nigerian. I'm Igbo by DNA but same cant be said of Nigeria. Its understandable that some folks get so rilled up when they hear oppinions that are contrary to theirs with regards to Nigeria but then I ask - if you're so fed up with me why do still want me to be part of your "great" country?

4. That Awo joined Gowon's admin was not the only thing in my post but I guess thats the only thing you disagree with hence this back and forth.

5. You posting a link where you're calling for War rematch speaks volumes, I guess I should have ask how old you are.

My own is - please Nigeria better not go into war with anyone, even if its Benin Republic. The reason is not because we're not strong enough to bully others but because we're as divided as anything divisible. Any huge outside adventure will end in disaster. If we start as one nation at war we will pull out as 5 or 10 different countries, in fact you will be hearing different exit dates for different nations that went to war as one nation. I hope this message is quickly forwarded to Abuja.

CyberG: @Vedaxcool: So, he (Ikenna) is a fool because you don't agree with him? Look in the mirror and you will see you are the real one to take home that title.

Ikenna, I know you to be an ardent tribalist and an apostle of Dede1 and many loser tribalists here but I will overlook that in the interim. My questions to you is this: Were you in any way privy to the happenstance of those days to now be in a position to criticize, Zik, Awo and Bello? These people were not perfect, just like you, but they took hard decisions without a template to copy from at that time. Now, do you pontificate on your superior knowledge? You say that Awo should not have made a decision he had a personal right to make and join the "legitimate" government of the day, why?

Another BIG FALSITY is that the government launched a war against the people. C'mon don't try to be stupid because that is a big lie. Lots of very informed people using extensive cross-referenced sources have hung tribalists like you and ODedenson1, OnlyLIES, AKliar47, Illogical Bottom, etc to shame on this lie. The declaration of secession was the declaration of WAR! Got it? Now, after that declaration, there was a long interlude before the commencement of hostilities why the government was trying to negotiate a way out of impending war and violence and that is what resulted in Aburi accord. Stop lying and showing your ignorance here.

Nwanne, sorry to burst your bubble a bit, I'm not a tribalist rather I'm a staunch believer in personal destiny. tribalists dont see anything good in others, they're ethnocentrists, they're egomaniacs, and they love no one other than themselves and their people. Now do you still think I belong to that group? I want you to search my posts when you're done then tell me if the title you gave me is accurate. If you must know, I'm not mad at you.

In the interim, Dede1, Onlytruth, Logic_mend, etc. Those people you mentioned are not tribalist, the fact that they want a better deal for their people is not a benchmark for that title. If that was a benchmark, then Awo would not be seen by people like me as a wise man. Awo always, always sought for the best deal for Western region. He said in one of his numerous pronouncements that a leader must always seek for the good of his people. Now if I get upset because my people are perenially blown up in churches and mosques does that make me a tribalist? If I question why Nigeria forced my people back to a nation that wasnt ready to see me as a Nigerian does that make me a tribalist?

If Awo decided to join Gowon Admin and he was judged to be right by you why then do you see me as a tribalist? You dont have to pick and choose. You have a right to be who you want to be and its none of my Biz and I would hope you also accord me that little respect. I was Igbo before I became Nigerian, Awo also said something similar. Nigeria is a geographical expression - I didnt say that.

The point is - dont call people tribalist because they feel unwelcome or hurt due to your actions or actions of our founding fathers, get to know why they feel the way they feel then maybe you would understand. I hate no ethnic group in Nigeria, the fact that I dont feel Nigeria the way you probably do does not mean I hate the people that make-up Nigeria - Hell no! I think its time for people to seperate Nigeria from their person or their group. If I have beef with Nigeria it doesn't mean I have beef with Ijaw or Isoko- its none of that. Nigerian state and govt is a wayward govt thats corrupt and irresponsible. The fact that I would like to negotiate a different govt or would want out does not make me a tribalist. I bet you those people that got roasted on chritmas day would have loved to be Somalians than Nigerians if anyone told them what was in the offing.

Nwanne, if you want us to sit and negotiate the future of this nation - fine, but if you tag me tribalist because I dont want to be in a sinking ship then its your choice.

vedaxcool: @OP I think u r a compounded fo+ol, the 3 leaders all knew each others angle and this means they did not trust each other. All 3 wanted to dominate Nigeria, in fact ZIK was d conciliatory one amongst them. I think daft Nigerians like d OP hang on to d past focusing on other peoples' failure than addressing todays problem. Besides if Ahmadu Bello and his limited education can pocket Awo and Zik then he must be saluted as being extraordinary, but I will like to look at the issues differently they failed to look at the Big picture just as Nigerians today are all failing to see that the Nigerian project can be beneficial to all seeing that the world over country are expanding their borders by way of forming superstate such as the EU. But I doubt if our lowly OP can see beyond his nose.

Thanx for the insults, when you're done pls free to go your usual Islamic section of NL. If you think I'm ready for your kind of slugfest then Im sorry, I dont swing that way. If you have something serious devoid of this your childish rant above then holla me. Till then, bye.

[quote author=ndu_chucks]This Adebibu worshipper, Remi Oyeyemi remains dumb, myopic, and outsight silly. How can one conclude that the South of Nigeria has always been more populous than the North simply because Sadauna negotiated a favourable term for his constituents?

Sadauna asked for 50% of the seats in the National Assembly and he got 48.76% including Kwara. How in the world does this translate to “The South has always been more populous than the North”? How can anyone take such a writer seriously?



Duhh! What a revelation by Remi Einstein !!

This article is filled with so much crap that I will not spend any more time exposing the writer’s follies.

@Sam Ikenna, I’m disappointed that you fell for this quack of a writer. Would you please expatiate on your statement “I think Awo was the Bad Dude of the day”[/quote]The bolded was your question and thats what I ansd. You wanted to know why Awo was the "bad dude" of the day and I told you why. Go back to my post and read why I think Awo was wiser and more cunning than his comrades.

Yes, I said if he had stayed away from Gowon's admin he would've been revered by all is also true. I dont care if he wanted one Nigeria or not, the fact that he joined a govt that launched war against his people puts a serious dent on him but thats not to say he wasnt wiser than his friends.

[quote author=ndu_chucks]This Adebibu worshipper, Remi Oyeyemi remains dumb, myopic, and outsight silly. How can one conclude that the South of Nigeria has always been more populous than the North simply because Sadauna negotiated a favourable term for his constituents?

Sadauna asked for 50% of the seats in the National Assembly and he got 48.76% including Kwara. How in the world does this translate to “The South has always been more populous than the North”? How can anyone take such a writer seriously?



Duhh! What a revelation by Remi Einstein !!

This article is filled with so much crap that I will not spend any more time exposing the writer’s follies.

@Sam Ikenna, I’m disappointed that you fell for this quack of a writer. Would you please expatiate on your statement “I think Awo was the Bad Dude of the day”[/quote]Awo was more pragmatic and wiser than Zik and Bello. He knew the British better than all, in fact I would say that I believe he knew the Brits better because they taught him like they they taught Ojukwu. Zik was more American in his thoughts and ideals while Bello was conservative and feudalistic. Awo saw us as different while Zik say all as one, maybe its because Zik was Igbo as much as he was Hausa (he was born in the north), in addition Zik was trained in the US so its like everything was set for him to believe he could be one with everyone. I might be wrong but I doubt it.

Anyway, I'm not exaulting Awo because I believe he made a bad strategic move by joining Gowon's Admin. If he had stayed away from Gowon's govt even if he had pitched tent with One Nigeria, his place would've been second to God in Nigeria.

Anyway, whats happened has happened, but to deny the wisdom and cunniness of Awo is to play dumb.

naptu2: Sir Ahmadu Bello was the Sardauna of Sokoto. His cousin Sir Siddiq Abubakar III was Sultan of Sokoto between 1903–1988 (there are rumours that Ahmadu Bello envied his cousin and longed to be sultan).

ok, didnt know that. thanks 4 the info.

naptu2: Sir Siddiq Abubakar III was Sultan of Sokoto between 1903–1988

What happened to the fellow above, was he mentioned in error in the post?

Guys not that we dont know most of the stuff in the write-up below, I posted this for us to take another look at the Nigeria we've been dying for since 1960. I may be wrong but I think Awolowo was wiser than Zik, I wish Awo never joined Gowon's Govt even if he supported Nigeria in 1967, if he had done that the East would've loved him more than they love Ojukwu. Well, back to the issue, I think Awo was the Bad Dude of the day, he understood Bello more than Zik.

Anyway, another perspective to this is that its very easy to be caught up in your game. Beware what you play 'cause you might lose your head in it. I believe the ones that played dangerous games with Nigerian politics got high in their supply and in one swoop they all lost their heads in the process. I suppose the question in Nzeogwu's mind was - should we act or not? If we dont the south and entire Nigeria is up for feudalism but if we do there's a chance for civility and normalcy. Well, they did and the rest is history. This is why I believe GEJ is not going to ousted by any coup, as bad or as good as his govt is we all should suck it up and move on 'cause those that did before paid severely.

Anyway, enjoy.

How Federalism was destroyed in Nigeria
By REMI OYEYEMI
Monday, April 02, 2012


• Amadu Bello
Photo: Sun News Publishing
More Stories on this Section
It was Uthman Dan Fodio, a Fulani and great Islamic scholar who described “Conscience” as “an open wound” that could only be healed by “the truth.” Whatever served as the inspiration for this concept could not be anything other than awesome.

The fact that this same Dan Fodio is the great grandfather of Sir Ahmadu Bello, the late Sultan of Sokoto and Premier of Northern Region, the man who have played a prominent role in the Nigerian vicissitudes makes it highly imperative that we all open our “consciences” and allow “the truth” to heal them, if Nigeria must be saved.

It is important that Nigeria returns to true Federalism if it must survive. In this era when there is clamour for the Sovereign National Conference (SNC), it is important that we try to look back in History and examine how our Federalism was unmade. This is because as the Spanish born American Essayist Geoge Santayana once contended, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” In this venture, all of us, regarfless of our ethnic background must allow “the truth” to nurture and heal our “consciences” for the sake of our collective survival as a country.

The Nigerian Federalism was unmade via two fronts: (1) Structural or Political and (2) Fiscal or Financial
In 1952, Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sultan of Sokoto and the leader of the Northern Peoples Congress (NPC) made the following request to the Nigerian Colonial Seceretary, Mr. Oliver Lyttleton:“If you want us (the North) to be part of this Nigeria you have in mind, then we want 50% of the membership of the National Assembly.”

It would be recalled that as a result of the elections of 1954, there were 162 seats in the Nigerian National Assembly. Out of this, the South had 83 seats (51.23%) and the North had 79 seats (48.76%), including the Yoruba people of Kwara. This means that if the Kwara people were not lumped with the North, they would still have less number of seats than 79, since this was based on population.

This shows that the South of Nigeria has always been more populous than the North of Nigeria. But Sultan Bello, as evident from this 1952 request, has a different idea. If one considers his aristocratic background, one would have an understanding of his fear of “pure” democracy. Aristocracy is “the government of a country by a small group of people especially a hereditary nobility” which is “a group believed to be superior to all others of the same kind.”

Thus for the Sultan to seek to dominate by any means necessary, would seem natural to him.
In 1957, he refused the independence of Nigeria because he insisted the North was not ready. But the North was ready when he got what he wanted, and more, before Nigerian Independence in 1960. The British overlords, in order to assuage Sultan Bello’s fears and put Nigeria in his control, created in 1959, 312 seats for the Nigerian National Assembly without any election or new Census. Out of this 312, the North was allocated 174 and the South 138 in the anticipation of the Parliamentary Political System being put in place for Nigeria’s independence. Sultan Bello asked for 50% of the seats in the National Assembly, he got 55.7%. Suddenly, an apartheid system was put in place as the majority South, became the minority and the minority North became the majority.

This is where the future of Nigeria was unmade, and the seed for the destruction of the Nigerian Federalism was sowed. This development gave unburnished confidence to Sultan Bello who declared on October 12, 1960, in an interview with The Parrot, just days after independence the following words: “This New Nation called Nigeria, should be an estate of our great grand father, Uthman Dan Fodio. We must ruthlessly prevent a change of power. We use the minorities in the North as willing tools, and the South, as conquered territory and never allow them to rule over us, and never allow them to have control over their future.”

With Alhaji Tafawa Balewa firmly in charge in Lagos, Sir Bello’s confidence became ebullient. To him Chief Obafemi Awolowo has been a thorn in his flesh politically, having mainatained an effective opposition to the feudalisation of Nigeria. Earlier in 1959, he had vowed to make Chief Awolowo pay dearly for forcing him to canvass for the votes of his Northern people. Awolowo had to be caged. Thus in the Daily Times of May 3, 1961, Sir Bello said the following:

“I’m set and fully armed, to conquer the Action Group, AG, in the same ruthless manner as my grandfather conquered Alkalawa, a town in Sokoto province, during the last century.” In May 1962, twelve months after this statement, the NPC Prime Minister of Nigeria, Tafawa Balewa, acting on instructions from Sultan Bello moved a motion to Declare A State of Emergency in Western Region. Below is an excerpt of Chief Awolowo’s contribution opposing the motion of Prime Minister Balewa on May 29, 1962:

“Not long ago after independence, there was rioting of a most severe nature in the Tiv Division of Northern Nigeria. Several lives were lost, several properties were destroyed, there was arson and a host of other crimes were committed. At that time, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa was the Prime Minister as he is today. He did not think it fit to call this parliament to declare a state of public emergency in the Northern Region. Also in Okrika - there was widespread rioting in Okrika; again, several lives and properties were lost. I understand that this widespread rioting in Okrika occurred twice in the Eastern Region. The Prime Minister and the cabinet did not think it fit on that occasion to declare a state of public emergency in the Eastern Region.

“But, because the Action Group is pursuing the normal democratic processes as laid down in our constitution to oust someone who happens to be a very close friend of the Prime Minister, and also because the AG is looked upon as a moral foe to the NPC, this very far-reaching provision of our constitution is now being invoked, …..It is doing violence to our constitution and doing violence to the construction of words to suggest that what happened in the Western House of Assembly amounts to a state of public emergency.”

On July 16, 1962, exactly 46 days after Chief Awolow moved this motion and fourteen months after Sir Bello made the statement of conquest of the AG, Chief Awolowo was arrested on the trumped up charges of Treasonable Felony. On November 2, 1962, Chief Awolowo and 28 other members of his party were put on trial. After a hearing lasting eleven months, he was sentenced (September 11, 1963) to ten years imprisonment. This effectively shut down the opposition to the unmaking of Nigerian Federalism which continued unabated.

Thus, why Awolowo was incarcerated, the Northern Peoples Congress led Federal Government embarked on headcount. This exercise was headed by a Briton as Federal Census Officer, Mr. J. J. Warren. The exercise was later cancelled because it was unacceptable. Daniel Agbowu in his book “NIGERIA: The Truth” quoted from M. Crowder’s book, “Story of Nigeria” published in 1966 noting that “The 1962 figures were first questioned in the first place not by politicians but by the civil servant in charge of the Census.”

The Census was reconducted in 1963 but not without controversy. The figure released on February 24, 1964 is as follows:
North: 29,809,000
East: 12,394,000
West: 10,931,000
Midwest: 2,536,000
TOTAL: 55,670,000.

This was in contrast to the initial figure of over 60 million. Dr. Michael Okpara, Premier of Eastern Region described it as “worse than useless.” Chief Dennis Osadebey characterised it as the “stupendous joke of our age.” Chief S. L. Akintola, revelling in his supposed invulnerability having allied himself to the NPC, which mastermined the incarceration of Awolowo, gladly “accepted the census figures” and said “the figures were accurate.”

Dr. Nnamdi Azikwe, encumbered by his involvement in the Balewa government, could not effectively artculate the anger of his people as he pleaded that “all should remain calm” because the Census controversy “might plunge the nation into disaster.” Chief Awolowo was meanwhile effectively out of circulation. Sultan Bello had come out smoking as he threatened that “he and his party were ready for a complete showdown” and “warned all Nigerians” that his “Government has accepted the published figures.” Tafawa Balewa ignored all the protestations and went ahead to distribute the seats in the National Assembly as follows:

North 168 53.8%,
East 69 21 %,
West (Lagos included) 61 19.6%,
Midwest 14 4.5%.

The Eastern Region Soilicitor General, Mr. D. O. Ibekwe “took out a writ in the Supreme Court to restrain the Federal Government from using the 1963 Census figures for delineation of the country.” But the Supreme Court said it had no jurisdiction over the case, thus the unmaking of Nigerian Federalism continued.

Crisis followed that action of 1964 by Tafawa Balawa. In the West, the people took their destiny in their hands to confront the government of S. L. Akintola in an episode ingloriously referred to as “wet e.” The Tiv Riots, simmering since 1960 also came to a head in 1964 in what was called “nande nande” (burning burning) and “atem ityough” (head breaking). The whole country went up in flames which unfortunately, consumed the main actors, Sir Ahmadu Bello, Sir Tafawa Balewa and Chief S. L. Akintola, as the Military ascended the political pedestal to continue the serial rigging of Nigeria’s Federalism.

As at the time the First Republic went up in flames in 1966, there were different constitutions for each region and Nigeria. Each region has its own High Commissioner in London. What does this mean? It meant that every region was in control of its destiny. Most historical analysts believed that General Aguiyi Ironsi who took over the reign of power from the uncoordinated plotters of the coup was the first leader who actually practicalised Unitarism of the Nigerian political space, at least officially.

Reasons for this should not be difficult to decipher given the chaos that ended the First Republic. But this particular act coupled with the fact that in the January 15, 1966 coup led by mainly Igbo officers, Sultan Ahmadu Bello, Alhaji Tafawa Balewa (both Fulani) and Chief S. L. A. Akintola (Yoruba) were killed. But this was reportedly an excuse for the July 25, 1966 coup led by Murtala Mohammed that eventually saw the installation of Lt. Colonel Yakubu Gowon as the military Head of State.

If the Northern soldiers abhored Unitarism, part of the reason they had allegedly staged a vengeance coup, one would have thought that things would have been different on taking power. But alas, that was not the case. The Aburi Agreement meant to calm the nerves after the 1966 pogrom that would have guaranteed each region the control of its own destiny was violated by the North led Federal Government which went ahead to break Nigeria into twelve states. One region, the North ended up with six states. The three other regions ended up with 6 states in yet another rigging of Nigeria. And then there was the Civil War and the unmaking of Nigerian Fiscal Federalism commenced in earnest.

The Constitution establishing Nigeria stipulated 50% derivation “in respect of any Mineral extracted from that region.” Sub-sections 1,2 3,4 and 5 of the Constitution explained this in detail. But this would not deter the rigging of Nigeria as Yakubu Gowon unilaterally took off 5% oil receipt of the Niger Delta leaving them with 45%. He then proceeded with another Census in 1973. At first, Gowon came out with a total of 79,758,969. The six states of the North got 51 million while the Southern six states were given barely 28,758,969.

“This meant that the population of the North had jumped from 53.6% in 1963/64 to 63.8 in 1973/74 census. The Southern population had dwindled to 36.2% from 46.4%....” The Chairman of the census board late Sir Adetokunbo Ademola said “the figures published by Gowon were not my making.” Chief Obafemi Awolowo, now out of incarceration called the 1973 census a “barren exercise..”

To appreciate the extent of the rigging of the census figures, a comparative analysis of the figures alloted to the North of Nigeria showed that Niger Republic with 1,266,700sq km in land space in the desert has 5,013,966 population in 1973. Chad with 1,259,200 sq km of space had 4,011,856 population in 1973. But the North of Nigeria sharing boundaries with Chad and Niger Republic and with 679,534 sq km of space had 51million! The 1990/91 Census gave the North 47,261,959. Nothing points more to rigging when you look at the 1973 figures of 51 million and 1990 figure of over 47 million. There is no scientific explanation for the reduced difference of almost 4 million.

The Northerners rigged the population in favour of the North and used it as a basis to create States and local governments to the North’s advantage as ameans to siphoning resources to the disadvantage of the South. The Northern Military rulers who created states made sure that the North always had more states than the South as the table below shows:

At the risk of stating the obvious, it is an open seceret that the North has 64 more local governments than the entire South – North 419 LGs to South’s 355. What is obvious is the careless abandon with which money is allocated to the states and local governments of the North such that the North takes home 21/2 times what the former Eastern Region took, and 3 to 4 times what the Western Region took and at times, as much as 10 times what the former Mid-Western Region took.

According to “Nigeria: The Truth,” since 1980 when the Federation Account was introduced before the 13% derivation was resuscitated, the take home of each region in percentage of the total accrued money is as follows:
North 54%
East 22%
West 18%
Midwest 6%
Not many Nigerians are aware that the Northern Region paid custom duties to the Western Region until 1976, when Murtala Mohammed took over the reigns of Government. Or that as at 1975 when Murtala Mohammend overthrew the Yakubu Gowon administration, the Niger Delta enjoyed 45% rents and royalties? Murtala Mohammed slashed it to 20% (Decree No. 6 of 1975) to assuage the Northern States, before Olusegun Obasanjo, through the Aboyade Technical Commission which recommended the removal of the remaining 20% of the rents and royalties, finally nailed the coffin of the Southern States without any protest from the people of the Niger Delta or other parts of the South.

Since then the North has been having advantages in appointments and resource distribution and have been robbing Peter to pay Paul. Now that the call for Sovereign National Conference is increasing, it is important that Nigerians isolate where the country went off the track and seek ways to retrace their steps as a way of moving forward. The way to go include but not limited to the following: Install True Federalism and allow each region to have its own constitution according to the Principles of Self Determination;

This will put an end to the apartheid system where the minority North is lording it over the majority South.;
This will end the injustice against the South, the goose laying the eggs being deprived of appropriate entitlements to its resources; Allow a minimum of 45% derivation if we cannot go back to the old 50%;
Allow state or regional police force and dismantle the Nigeria Police Force;

Decentralise the Nigerian Armed Forces and allow each region to manage its own defence;
Decentralise power generation; and Let each Region or zone be able to enunciate its own economic plan without the Central Bank being able to overrule them.

http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/politics/2012/apr/02/politics-02-04-2012-001.html

chima12: The oil would have been tribalized,almajirized,arabised and then alqaedarized.

Man, I stopped looking at the line above 'cause each time I see it laughter bursts out of me.