₦airaland Forum

Did anyone else notice that in the past week Boko Haram, didn't carry out any bombing?? I thought they slowed down ( repented) or the "negotiation" is going on or they're losing the war, IN HINDSIGHT, they had some BIG TARGETS ( Yakowa & Azazi), hence they channel their resources and scheming on how to get these two gentlemen out of the way. The death of these two guys revealed alot of things, THERE'S A THICK PLOT TO HIT JONATHAN. If Jonathan is " UNHITABLE", these two guys were taken out ahead of 2015 election & their death will weaken Jonathan's camp & their plot.

My own conclusion? Yakowa & Azazi's death was not a mere accident ( THE NORTHERN ELITES, led by the INCUMBENT NSA, Dasuki knows about this), let's assume it is not an accident, the DESPERATION for political power on the side of the Muslim Northerners, are not doing them any favor & will never do them one.

From all indications, things are not looking good in naija, some of these QUESTIONABLE DEATHS plunged SOMALIA, RWANDA etc to a BLOODY CIVIL WAR and Nigeria will not be an exception.

Jonathan, wake up!!!! Keep Northern muslims, Obasanjo & all your enemies where they belong, before its too late for you. THE BATTLE IS ON!

This your theory is GARBAGE, the NORTHERN MUSLIM ELITES, never liked Azazi ( they felt NSA is their BIRTHRIGHT), they fought Jonathan cos of it & he bowed to their pressure ( to give peace a chance), E.g, El Rufai, used every opportunity he had to attack Azazi, insulting him on twitter, but, after his fellow FULANI MOSLEM became the NSA, El rufai hasn't CRITICIZED Dasuki, (BH, have been killing people) and never will.

Did anyone else notice that in the past week Boko Haram, didn't carry out any bombing?? I thought they slowed down ( repented) or the "negotiation" is going on or they're losing the war, IN HINDSIGHT, they had some BIG TARGETS ( Yakowa & Azazi), hence they channel their resources and scheming on how to get these two gentlemen out of the way. The death of these two guys revealed alot of things, THERE'S A THICK PLOT TO HIT JONATHAN. If Jonathan is " UNHITABLE", these two guys were taken out ahead of 2015 election & their death will weaken Jonathan's camp & their plot.

My own conclusion? Yakowa & Azazi's death was not a mere accident ( THE NORTHERN ELITES, led by the INCUMBENT NSA, Dasuki knows about this), let's assume it is not an accident, the DESPERATION for political power on the side of the Muslim Northerners, are not doing them any favor & will never do them one.

From all indications, things are not looking good in naija, some of these QUESTIONABLE DEATHS plunged SOMALIA, RWANDA etc to a BLOODY CIVIL WAR and Nigeria will not be an exception.

Jonathan, wake up!!!! Keep Northern muslims, Obasanjo & all your enemies where they belong, before its too late for you. THE BATTLE IS ON!

OP, this is IGNORANCE in the highest order. I don't think you're Igbo, an Igbo man will not write this GARBAGE about the Igbo culture. If you happen to be Igbo, write about MARRIAGE based on your personal family EXPERIENCES, and not for Igbo people. Do you know the meaning of "IHUNANYA" in Igbo?? If you do, your IGNORANT brain will restrict you from saying that Igbo's don't marry out of love.

In addition, you & that EVIL HOMOSEXUALITY has no place in HUMAN HISTORY. It's an ABOMINATION to every CULTURE and RELIGION, from the WEST, to ASIA, up to the MIDDLE-EAST and down to AFRICA, HOMOSEXUALITY is an EVIL & will NEVER survive. Even the animals that make LOVE in public ( chicken &dogs,etc)the sleep their OPPOSITE SEX.

It's all BS, the Northern muslim elites branch of boko haram, took care of Azazi & Yakowa, and the incumbent NSA, Dasuki knows & executed the assassination on their behalf. It has more to do with 2015 PDP presidential election primaries & the plot to return power to the North. Dasuki ( Fulani moslem), can't be the NSA & do Jonathan's bid.

In hindsight, Azazi was still influential in Jonathan's security setting. A million things ( Timed bomb &co) can cause engine failure. Engine failure doesn't mean that the POVERTY STRICKEN Northern elites didn't aid (bomb or whatever) the crash. They were all born in PENURY & how will they survive? ONLY BY LOOTING GOVT FUNDS.

The incumbent NSA, Dasuki, knows about this & on the long run, the northerns will lose this dirty fight which they started.

^^^Ebele is HELPLESS! He accepted a responsibility that's bigger than him. He didn't mean to punish the masses. I can assure you this, when he leaves office, he'll REGRET ALL HIS ACTIONS AND BECOMES THE BEST ADVISER IN NIGERIA, just like a PETTY THEIF like Obasanjo, has turned to a SAINT, after all the HARDSHIPS, CHAOS & RETROGRESSION that he delivered for 8 yrs

I'll advice you to take the THREAT from the Northern muslims ( peasants and elites) MORE SERIOUS. They're so POOR & LAZY and their only hope of surviving on this earth is to LOOT Govt. funds. Apparently, Azazi, was still calling the shots in Jonathan's inner security circle. Leave all these your so called MOG alone & face REALITY.

If Jonathan can diligently fight corruption, Obasanjo ( a dummy & a petty their) will rot in jail & all the WEALTH that he stole, from the 70's till date will be confiscated. Obasanjo, cannot organize his immediate family. How can any sane Nigerian listen to him or thinks that Obj, has anything good to offer? His own biological first son ( A medical Doc,if I'm not mistaken ),has know regard for him, cos he knows that his dad (an illiterate THEIF) is WORTHLESS & EMPTY and has NO MORAL GROUNDS to criticize any public office holder, Obj, is a PETTY THEIF, just as the judge describes his boy, Ibori, in a UK court.

Why is that they (Northern muslims) don't want to go their own way? Why do they HATE the Christians, but, they love the resources from the infidels Jonathan should use all the resources at his disposal to go dirty with them all.

Did anyone else notice that in the past week Boko Haram, didn't carry out any bombing?? I thought they slowed down ( repented) or the "negotiation" is going on or they're losing the war, IN HINDSIGHT, they had some BIG TARGETS ( Yakowa & Azazi), hence they channel their resources and scheming on how to get these two gentlemen out of the way. The death of these two guys revealed alot of things, THERE'S A THICK PLOT TO HIT JONATHAN. If Jonathan is " UNHITABLE", these two guys were taken out ahead of 2015 election & their death will weaken Jonathan's camp & their plot.

My own conclusion? Yakowa & Azazi's death was not a mere accident ( THE NORTHERN ELITES, led by the INCUMBENT NSA, Dasuki knows about this), let's assume it is not an accident, the DESPERATION for political power on the side of the Muslim Northerners, are not doing them any favor & will never do them one.

From all indications, things are not looking good in naija, some of these QUESTIONABLE DEATHS plunged SOMALIA, RWANDA etc to a BLOODY CIVIL WAR and Nigeria will not be an exception.

Jonathan, wake up!!!! Keep Northern muslims, Obasanjo & all your enemies where they belong, before its too late for you. THE BATTLE IS ON!

The signs are very OBVIOUS. He's to complete the team of Northern MUSLIM Governors that will SECRETLY plot how to wrestle power from Jonathan, cos, the late Governor will LEAN towards Jonathan, or any other christian in the power tussle. With this Governor, they Northern delegates to the PDP Presidential convention will work against any NON MUSLIM agenda.

The incumbent NSA, is doing a wonderful job, by TAKING OUT all the Governors that will deliver Northern PDP delegates to Jonathan ahead of 2015 PDP presidential primaries. A war that BH, couldn't win, the NSA, is fighting it silently. A mole in Yakowa's security apparatus gave out his itinerary to the ELITE BRANCH OF BOKO HARAM

All hail the INCUMBENT National Security Adviser, seems like his handwriting, doing the bid of his masters.

Is it not common sense? The people that stole public treasury in Nigeria and become billionaires, from Nigeria's past presidents, to the incumbent president, down to your local govt. councillor and co. Where do they send their kids to get good education? Where do they go for medical treatment ( HEADACHE & STOMACH ACHE) Obviously, they're telling you there's NOTHING TO DO IN NIGERIA, COMO'N people!!! How else do you want to be told that the FUTURE in Nigeria is BLEAK & BLEAK Your rulers leave you in darkness, LOOT YOUR COMMON WEALTH & BRING IT TO THE USA, to keep. What does that mean? (where person money dey,na there in heart dey ooo) USA, is the FUTURE ( they INVENT & THE ENVIRONMENT IS CONDUCIVE FOR IT), if you missed out, your kids might not, remember, here is the home of FORTUNE 500 companies ( they go to Asia, for cheap labor) e.g, Coca Cola, Exxon Mobil, Apple, Microsoft,Google, Facebook, Dell,GE, Lockheed Martin,Chevron,Pfizer,IBM, JP Morgan,etc. So, the PROOF of the PUDDING is in the EATING!!!!!!!!!

What do u expect from a country where someone ( Obasanjo), that his BEST, (Nzeogwu),friend describes as a DUMMY ended up being the president twice and because his UNINTELLIGENT & SLOW, hence, he refuse to get him involve in the 1966 coup. However, Nzeogwu, was the FIRST military INTELLIGENCE officer Nigeria had. Do the math, failure begets failure.

You'll judge a society by how it treats its ANIMALS, DISABLED, CHILDREN & ELDERLY people. In addition, check out the LEADERS of USA, & the RULERS of Nigeria, which inspires HOPE? and which is filled with ROGUES?( As a UK Judge describes Ibori, ( a PETTY THIEF) after being ruling a state for 8 years. As it stands,I'll not even advice my ENEMY to waste time in LEAVING that HELL hole ( Nigeria). If you're not from Nigeria, you'll not risk going there. The same way you'll not risk going to Pakistan,Somalia,Afghan, Borno & other Northern Nigeria states.

Another IGNORANT topic, that lacked in OBJECTIVITY. USA, it's foundation, people & Govt. was not designed to fit into a Nigerian man's definition of SUCCESS. USA, with all its SOCIAL & ECONOMIC challenges will always be GREAT. Nigeria, as a society is gone! as a country, it has FAILED. In all honesty, if you have your EDUCATION & LEGAL PAPERS in USA, there's something for you & you MUST succeed (by a CONTENTED man's perspective), not by a GREEDY & VAIN Nigerian's standard.

Facts, speak for themselves. Here's a LOW INCOME( POOR) earners apartment building that was started & finished in 2012, by the city of St Paul, in Minnesota, FYI, they city, not the State Govt, built this house. Can someone show me what the Nigerian govt has done or is doing for its POOR citizens

^^^ There's a word called LEGACY. This president can't do nothing. Someone has to build ( LEAVE A GOOD LEGACY ) for him, then he can build on something. Not people like Obasanjo, that left STEALING, CRIMINAL & ALL MANNER OF EVIL LEGACIES for weaklings to follow. Failure begets FAILURE.

Addendum

To those that have little minds or have been debased because of too many years of NEPA's darkness. You can't keep settling for less. Demand more from your government. It's your RIGHT ( SOCIAL CONTRACT),not a favor to have basic amenities.

I live within this zip code 55116 and the city ( equivalent of local government in Nigeria), started this house, FOR LOW INCOME EARNERS ( POOR PEOPLE) in 2012 and they finished it in 2012, what more can one ask from his/her government? A government that has something for the RICH/POOR. If you don't make up to certain thousands of dollars in a year, you're qualified to live here. GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE IN ACTION!

Some of the amenities in this house can only be found in some houses around Ikoyi,lekki, v'i, Asokoro, maitama,etc.

Stop celebrating rogues that impoverished you & become billionaires at the expense of you & your generations unborn

To those that have little minds or have been debased because of too many years of NEPA's darkness. You can't keep settling for less. Demand more from your government. It's your RIGHT ( SOCIAL CONTRACT),not a favor to have basic amenities.

I live within this zip code 55116 and the city ( equivalent of local government in Nigeria), started this house, FOR LOW INCOME EARNERS ( POOR PEOPLE) in 2012 and they finished it in 2012, what more can one ask from his/her government? A government that has something for the RICH/POOR. If you don't make up to certain thousands of dollars in a year, you're qualified to live here. GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE IN ACTION!

Some of the amenities in this house can only be found in some houses around Ikoyi,lekki, v'i, Asokoro, maitama,etc.

Stop celebrating rogues that impoverished you & become billionaires at the expense of you & your generations unborn

All the 36 state Governors are what you call FAILURES. They're WORSE unto themselves,none is better than each other. Don't you guys get it? Name a state that can boast of basic amenities of life? None.

What a FAILED nation & people...A common THIEF like Obasanjo, will be going around blabbing. A PEASANT soldier, without any knowledge of his Dad, whose family doesn't even own a single property in his country home, STOLE from the public treasury, now become a millionaire & someone whose opinion counts. I shudder! A people get the type of leaders they deserve. From Asia, to Europe,then to Middle East and USA all the common THIEVES like Obasanjo, were SHOT DEAD or THEY'RE ROTTING IN JAIL. But, here he is, a FAILURE, becoming a HERO in a FAILED country. Goodluck to Y'all.

A common THIEF that should be in jail like Ibori, is everywhere BLABBING & displaying his LOOT. Someone should ask this PEASANT SOLDIER where he got his wealth from? Who was his Father? If he had any though. A THIEF, will forever be a THIEF, irregardless of what anyone will say.

For those that are in the KNOW, why would an OPEC country not only be importing petroleum products, the country is perpetually in SCARCITY of fuel What's responsible and it's there any HOPE in sight? Or fuel scarcity is the new NORM?

A woman who was caught on video driving along a sidewalk to avoid a stopped school bus has been ordered to wear an idiot, IDIOT sign at the intersection where it happened.
Shena Hardin, 32, of Cleveland pleaded guilty to not stopping for a school bus and reckless operation. A Cleveland Municipal Court judge ordered her driver's license suspended for 30 days and ordered her to pay $250 in court costs, according to WJW Fox 8.


As part of the sentence, Hardin must also must wear a sign that reads, "Only an idiot would drive on the sidewalk to avoid the school bus" for an hour a day for two days next week at the intersection where the incident occurred, according to Fox 8.
Hardin was arrested on Sept. 11 after a veteran school bus driver, Uriah Herron, noticed Hardin pull her driving stunt several times and recorded one incident with his cellphone camera.
"We had a very conscientious driver for 30 years. He really cares about his children and he took the extra step that this doesn't happen again," Cleveland Metropolitan School District bus manager Eric Taylor told newsnet5.com.
The judge's unique sentence predictably has drawn hundreds of comments on social media. Many agree with the sentence, saying more judges should strive for nontraditional penalties. Others, however, argue that the punishment is too degrading and humiliating for a motor vehicle violation.

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/sideshow/woman-drove-past-school-bus-must-wear-idiot-173523817.html

When, I mean, when will Nigeria ever conduct an election an allow the will of the people to count? A society gets it right from the ballot box.

To those that observed the election in the USA, is there any lesson learnt?

What will be your recommendation to the INEC Boss ?

For sane minds to DISSECT or prove me wrong. George Bush, wrecked the USA,and he has remained SILENT in any issue that has to do with USA's ELECTION, PUBLIC AFFAIRS or GOVERNANCE. Bush didn't attend the Republican party's convention, and Romney doesn't want him near his campaign, why? cos he's a BAD MARKET. Jimmy Carter is considered a BAD MARKET too, hence, Obama, doesn't want him near his campaign either. Anyone that's informed about Int'l politics, knows that from Europe to Asia, Middle East, even in South Africa (Mbeki), the moment you FAILED the citizens of your country, YOU'RE FINISHED & WILL FOREVER REMAIN SILENT.

Check this out, Bill Clinton's RECORD in USA, is OUTSTANDING, hence, he's at the FOREFRONT of Obama's campaign.

It baffles me how FAILURES & ROGUES like Obasanjo,IBB, Danjuma, Orji Kalu, El Rufai, Fani Kayode, Ibori, Fayose, Ohakim,Bode George, Uba,etc, Y'all know the ROLL CALL, keeping BLABBING in Nigeria, everyday.

Or maybe it's a case of THE CITY OF BLIND PEOPLE...

Are There Nigerians to Develop Nigeria?

by

Chukwuma Charles Soludo

Nigeria is a country and its legal citizens are called Nigerians. But do we have Nigerians whose primary and total loyalty, patriotism and commitment are to Nigeria rather than to some primordial sectional, religious or ethnic groupings? Aside from the armed forces which are duty-bound to do so if necessary, how many Nigerians are prepared to lay down their lives in defence of our collective heritage - Nigeria? How many Nigerians are losing sleep about what they can do for Nigeria rather than what they can scavenge from her? In this piece, our central premise is that not many countries in the world have developed or been transformed without a strong sense of citizenship and nationalism. Put differently, we wonder how far and how fast Nigeria can develop if our constitution and legal system have created a country as a geographical space where ethnic nationalities will perpetually be in conflict over the struggle for a diminishing national cake rather than a theatre of collective destiny and opportunity.


Transformational leadership is not a one-man affair. It requires a critical mass of people who share a common vision and strategy. In the case of countries, such a critical mass of leaders often shares an undiluted commitment to the ‘nation-state’. The kind of visionary, selfless, patriotic leadership we all dream for Nigeria cannot emerge and survive in an atmosphere where loyalty lies primarily in the primordial cleavages.


Since Lord Luggard created Nigeria almost 100 years ago, our leaders have struggled with the questions of ethnic nationalities vis-a-vis the Nigerian ‘nation’. The reported exchanges among our founding fathers are instructive. It was said that Nnamdi Azikiwe, eager to forge one nation with one destiny asked Ahmadu Bello: ‘Let us forget our differences’. Ahmadu Bello was reported to have instead responded: ‘No: let us rather understand our differences’. In another case, Obafemi Awolowo was reported as saying that ‘Nigeria is a mere geographical expression’ These seemingly contradictory visions of the ‘country’ versus ‘nation’ by the founding fathers of Nigeria continue to re-echo today. The unrelenting calls for a ‘national conference’, whether ‘sovereign’ or not, is a reminder that nearly 100 years after, Luggard’s amalgamation remains a work in progress.


The various constitutions and laws of Nigeria have pursued two seemingly contradictory objectives of forging a nation-state with common citizenship on the one hand, and seeking to recognise and accommodate our “differences” through all kinds of ‘federal character’ legislations, on the other. Section 15(2) of the 1999 Constitution states that “national integration shall be actively encouraged, whilst discrimination on the grounds of place of origin, sex, religion, status, ethnic or linguistic association or ties shall be prohibited.” Furthermore, in Section 15(4), it states that “the state shall foster a feeling of belonging and of involvement among the various peoples of the Federation, to the end that loyalty to the nation shall override sectional loyalties.” These provisions are in Chapter Two of the Constitution which relate to the so-called ‘unjusticeable’ ‘Fundamental objectives and directive principles of state policy’.


In other parts of the constitution which are enforceable as well as other laws of Nigeria, the provisions create and perpetuate allegiance primarily to ethnic nationalities and states of origin. Ministers are to be appointed on the basis of states and not on the basis of interest groups (such as labour, industry, gender, disabled, etc). Recruitment into public institutions and sometimes even promotions are on the basis of a quota system based on states or ethnic nationalities. There is quota system in the army, police, civil service, admissions in universities, etc. Literally every engagement by citizens comes down to ‘what is your state of origin?’ Since citizens depend on their states of origin and ethnic cleavages to move up in life especially in the public sector, their primary loyalty is to these primordial groupings and not to Nigeria.

If all ministers represent geographical areas (their states) rather than interests, who represents Nigeria? The Federal Executive Council (FEC) looks more like the UN General Assembly than a team united as one nation with one destiny. Our belief is that in so far as geographical locations are entrenched in the constitution as basis for national engagement, the clamour for power rotation and zoning based on geography rather than competence will continue to dominate. Nigeria will continue to move in circles!


The constitution and other enactments have the effect of producing tribal or sectional citizens and not Nigerian citizenship. Our laws emphasise what separates us than what unites us. Citizenship in Nigeria is a mechanical, legal appellation and does not evoke much patriotic feelings. If the current laws persist, Nigeria will remain an assemblage of ‘nations’ with each nation struggling to grab as much as possible for its own ‘citizens’.

Is anyone therefore surprised that under this framework, public policy is tainted by ethnic rather than national colourations? Is anyone also surprised that under this framework, continuity of public policy will remain elusive? A public official assumes office and sees the policies of previous occupants of the position as not favourable to ‘his own people’ and therefore either abandons or reverses them. That is the Nigerian story. I am not surprised that there is no national ideology, because we are not yet sure whether we are just a ‘country’ or a ‘nation’.


In Nigeria, residence means very little. Once you leave your ‘state of origin’, you remain a ‘foreigner’ or a ‘non-indigene’ even in your own country. Even if five generations of your family have lived in a place other than the original state of your forefathers, you are still a non-indigene and will be discriminated against. Let me tell a real life story. Sebastine Nwankwo was born in Kaduna, and was six months old when his parents moved to Abuja in 1985.

His primary and secondary education was in Abuja, and he attended the University of Jos. He speaks fluent Hausa, does not speak Igbo, and his parents paid their taxes in Abuja for over 25 years. When he applied for a federal employment last year, he indicated Abuja as his ‘state of origin’. He went for interview but was queried about his ‘state of origin’. The interview officer insisted that Nwankwo is an Igbo name and could not possibly have come from Abuja.

He called his father to remind him what that ‘our state of origin is’, since he couldn’t remember when last he visited Imo State—which is supposed to be his ‘state of origin’ since his parents come from there. He did not get the job. Imagine what kind of Nigerian he will become and the nature of his allegiance to Nigeria! I know many Nigerians who have now ‘modernised’ their surnames so that no one can determine or guess their ethnic origin or state of origin. You now have such names as Angela Johnson, Jimmy Peters, Edna Jerome, etc. It is the new survival strategy.


State creation has worsened matters. In many states, the concept of ‘indigenes’ vs non-indigenes has surfaced. Civil servants hitherto recruited in the civil service before states were created were required to go back to their states of origin. Those still remaining in the employment of the ‘old’ state knew that their fate hung on the balance, and were often dismissed without notice. Non-indigenes are often employed on contract basis while permanent, pensionable positions are reserved for indigenes.


Some of us believe that the first step in creating truly Nigerian citizens is to abolish the concept of ‘state of origin’ and replace it with ‘state of residence’. We must create a new Nigeria as a melting pot where every citizen can reside anywhere and proof of residence becomes the basis for all entitlements.

Funny enough, state of origin is the basis for most public sector privileges, but when it comes to population census, no one is asked to indicate his ‘state of origin’ or even his ‘religion’. For revenue allocation, states collect money from Abuja based on the population ‘resident’ in their states. When it comes to extending privileges, employment and appointments we suddenly dust up ‘state of origin’ and discriminate between indigenes and non-indigenes. Nigeria is a country in denial!
Loyalty by citizens requires some investment by the country on her citizens. What does Nigeria offer its citizens to elicit loyalty? I recall that in my secondary school days, oil money in the 1970s was used to subsidise education at all levels. In my secondary school, we received double bunk beds.

In the university, we had free tuition and subsidised meals and accommodation. I feel a sense of indebtedness to the country. What about the generations after us? They only hear that some $600 billion have been earned from oil and wasted, and the country cannot guarantee any of the basic necessities to her citizens. For the citizens, if they survive, it is not because the state provided them any of the basic institutions and facilities that citizens of other countries take for granted but largely in spite of the state. In this survival of the fittest, what is the basis for loyalty to the ‘nation’?


A starting point is the deliberate creation of a new Nigerian citizenship with absolute loyalty to Nigeria. Only then can a critical mass of national elite, with a national ideology and strategy emerge to drive sustainable transformation of Nigeria. Page 27 of Nigeria’s Vision 2020 document provides an important first step.

It argues that “the emergence of a merit-driven culture is, therefore, a key outcome of Vision 20:2020 and an area of immediate policy focus. To this end, a comprehensive review of ethnic balancing measures and diversity management related laws (e.g. federal character) will be undertaken with a view to ensuring greater promotion of merit…” Let us get started, and constitutional amendment is

http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/are-there-nigerians-to-develop-nigeria-/128999/

Thousands of immigrants were so eager to enlist in the American military during the last two years, despite the strong odds that they could be sent to combat zones, that they signed a petition on Facebook asking the Pentagon to let them join.
Related


Now they will have the chance. Late last month, the Pentagon reopened a program to recruit legal immigrants with special language and medical skills, which was active for a year in 2009 but was suspended in January 2010.

The program is small; it will enlist a total of 1,500 recruits each year for two years, mainly in the Army. But military officials said the yearlong pilot program brought an unusually well-educated and skilled cohort of immigrants into the armed services.

“Their qualifications were really stellar,” said Naomi Verdugo, assistant deputy for recruiting for the Army. “And we have been very pleased about how these folks have been performing.”

The program is open to immigrants on temporary visas, who otherwise would not be eligible to enlist. Its powerful lure is that it allows them to naturalize as United States citizens quickly, in most cases at the end of basic training, which lasts about 10 weeks. Most immigrants on temporary visas, whether they are students or workers with particular skills, must wait years — for some nationalities, more than a decade — to become citizens.

Eileen Lainez, a Pentagon spokeswoman, said the program was intended to fill “some of our most critical readiness needs.” This time around, the Army is looking for dentists and surgeons, and for psychology professionals to help with the severe emotional strains soldiers have undergone in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Officials are also looking for native speakers of 44 languages, including Azerbaijani, Cambodian-Khmer, Hausa and Igbo (both spoken in West Africa)[color=#990000][/color], Persian Dari (spoken in Afghanistan), Portuguese, and Tamil (spoken in South Asia). Spanish is not on the list of languages.

Recruiting officers were quietly frustrated that Pentagon officials took more than two years to restart the program. The renewal became tangled in a broad security review after the shooting rampage in 2009 at Fort Hood, Tex., according to accounts from military officials. The background checks for the immigrants were scrutinized with added caution, even though the man charged in the killings, Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, is a native-born American.

In renewing the program, military officials added a new layer of security screenings, Ms. Lainez said.

To make their case to the Pentagon, recruiting officers compiled dossiers on the first class of immigrants, of whom 943 out of 1,000 were in the Army. On average, immigrants who enlisted in the Army language program scored 17 points higher (on a scale of 99) than other applicants on an entrance test, said Capt. Carol Stahl, who manages the program for the Army. One-third of the first class of recruits had master’s degrees or higher.

One-third of the class went into the Special Forces, a highly selective assignment that can often lead to combat missions, Captain Stahl said. Attrition was one-quarter the rate of other soldiers who entered at the same time.

A soldier from Nepal who entered with the first class, Sgt. Saral Shrestha, just won the Army’s Soldier of the Year award after a grueling four-day competition involving fighting skills at Fort Lee, Va.

“This was a boost of very high quality people,” said Margaret Stock, an immigration lawyer in Alaska who is a retired lieutenant colonel in the Army Reserve and helped devise the program. Even before they enlist, she said, the immigrants have been screened because they have to pass background and occupational checks for their temporary visas.

To qualify, immigrants must have been living in the United States legally for at least two years. They must be high school graduates and pass the entrance test.

The program — known as Military Accessions Vital to the National Interest, or Mavni — is not open to illegal immigrants, who are barred by law from enlisting. In general, immigrants who are not citizens must have a permanent resident visa, known as a green card, to enlist.

The first round filled up quickly, and the Army turned away thousands of people. Many of them signed the Facebook petition and were hoping the program would start again.

Health care professionals, who enlist as officers, must serve either three years of active duty or six years in the Reserves. Immigrants who enlist based on their language skills must serve for a minimum of four years of active duty. Participants who fail to serve their term can lose their citizenship.

One of the first temporary immigrants the Army accepted this year was Dr. Amen Dhyllon, 33, a dentist practicing in Philadelphia who was born in India and came to the United States in 2006. Dr. Dhyllon said he completed a postdoctoral program at the University of Pennsylvania in June combining two dental specialties.

Dr. Dhyllon said he was eager to become an American citizen.

“Even in the position where I am today,” he said, “no one would appreciate me as much as people appreciate me here. This country does not differentiate between color or accent. Here, if you are good, people will put you to the front.”

Dr. Dhyllon said he was not worried about the risks of service. He said he was attracted to the Army because of the wide range of patients he would see.

“I can be part of the culture,” he said. “I can learn everything about this country from the root.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/28/us/pentagon-reopens-program-allowing-immigrants-with-special-skills-to-enlist.html?hp&_r=1&

@cuntdestroyer, Loser, go through all your post, it shows how much of a REJECTED SCUM BAG that you are. When they let you out of INSANE ASYLUM, then we can talk.

Loser, u'r FINISHED, What u going to start? How nairaland is d only meaningful thing u got going on?