₦airaland Forum

ONE of Nigeria’s literary giants and world acclaimed author, Prof. Chinua Achebe, has now completed his semi-autobiographical book on the country’s civil war, also known as the Biafran War.

Also, the publishers of the highly anticipated memoir, Penguin Books USA, have confirmed its release for next September.

Family members of the author, and his academic associates in United States (U.S.) said the book, which title is “There was a Country: A Personal History of Biafra,” would provide new insights into the controversial claims and counter-claims in the rhetoric and historical accounts of the Nigerian civil war, which was fought between 1967 and 1970.

Penguin Group USA and Achebe’s U.S.-based son, Dr. Chidi Achebe, confirmed the book’s scheduled release date.

A chapter in the book would also be dedicated to the famous poet, Christopher Okigbo, with whom Achebe in 1967 co-founded a publishing company at Enugu. Okigbo was killed during the civil war.

According to a statement by Penguin Books publicist, Luke Ingram, after a media inquiry about the status of the book project that Achebe has been working on now for some time, “Penguin Press plans to publish the book in September 2012.”

http://ngrguardiannews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=69127:achebe-finishes-work-on-biafra-memoir&catid=1:national&Itemid=559

I Told Odumegwu- Ojukwu To Apologise Over Civil War, Says Obasanjo


FORMER President Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday disclosed that he discussed the possibility of an expression of remorse from the late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu “on the Nigerian civil war which in itself was a culmination of actions and reactions.”

Obasanjo said this while paying tributes to the late Ikemba Nnewi. He said: “It is with deep sadness that I received the news of the demise of my friend and colleague. He and I were subalterns in the Army at Nigeria’s independence in 1960.

“In a way, his death marks the end of an era in Nigeria.”

In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) from London, Obasanjo said that he condoled “with his family and pray for the repose of his soul.”

Also paying tributes yesterday were Governors Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State and Gabriel Suswam of Benue State, Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker Adeyemi Ikuforiji and President of the Civil Rights Congress based in the North, Shehu Sani.

Others included Senator Andy Uba; the Prelate, Methodist Church, His Eminence Ola Makinde; former Managing Director of News Agency of Nigeria and Special Adviser to erstwhile President Obasanjo on Political Affairs, Chief Akin Osuntokun; the Chairman of Nzuko Ora Nnewi, Chief Charles Agu-Onyeka; Eastern Vanguard; and Igbo Leadership Forum.

Sani said that an Igbo president should be encouraged as a way of immortalising the late Biafran leader.

Oshiomhole said that with the death of Chukwuemeka-Ojukwu, Nigeria had lost a major personality and “an advocate for distributive equity” in the governance of the nation.

In a condolence letter to the Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, Oshiomhole said: “Given your personal and political proximity to the Ikemba, I can appreciate how much pain his demise has caused you and several others, who found inspiration in his aversion to the opportunistic politics of the ‘Mainstream.’

“By his death, Nigeria has lost a major personality, who played a unique role in its modern history. We have also lost a well-acknowledged advocate for distributive equity in the governance of our federation.”

The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Dahiru Musdapher, said Odumegwu-Ojukwu was a man who loved his country and had immense pride in the tradition, culture and heritage of his people.

Musdapher, who expressed these sentiments in two separate letters to the bereaved family and the people/government of Anambra State, said the death of Odumegwu-Ojukwu was a monumental loss.

He noted that Odumegwu-Ojukwu was “courageous in the Army, consistent in politics and in the long and protracted battle for his life, it must be said that he was as forbearing as he was brave.”

The Lagos State chapter of the Action Congress described the death of Odumegwu-Ojukwu as an irreparable loss, not only to the Igbo but the Nigerian nation that was fast running out of real leaders that would guide the march to national greatness.

In a statement in Lagos by the Lagos State Publicity Secretary of the ACN, Joe Igbokwe, the party said that the death of Odumegwu-Ojukwu should serve as a reminder to the nation that it still needed to settle yearning questions of true federalism so as to address the many agitations in the minds of Nigerians since independence.

“When it eventually arrives in Nigeria in the next couple of days, the body of the former Biafran leader will be taken to all states and communities in the South-East and South-South zones of the country that supported Biafra.

“This is in line with the wishes of Odumegwu-Ojukwu. A seven-day mourning from December 1 has been declared throughout Igboland in honour of the former Biafran leader.”

Anambra State Governor, Mr. Peter Obi, who disclosed this to The Guardian in an interview shortly on arrival to Nigeria from London yesterday, said moving the body round the communities that supported the Biafran cause would satisfy the aspiration of the late Ikemba.

However, Chief Sam Ubachukwu, Leader of the Eastern Vanguard, described the former Biafran warlord as a phenomenon whose sustenance and legacy would live for generations to come.

He said Odumegwu-Ojukwu, perhaps the most fluid orator in Nigerian history, would certainly be missed.

“Nigerians would certainly miss his unsmiling visage, carriage, charisma and doggedness.”

He regretted the absence of a monument, especially in the South-East to reflect the contributions he made in socio-political development in Nigeria.

Ubachukwu, a pharmacist, said by his death, a vacuum has been created in Igbo leadership and urged all Igbos to close rank and remain united so that Odumegwu-Ojukwu’s struggles and death would not be in vain.

The leader of Igbo Leadership Forum, Dr. Eustace Ejike, also described Odumegwu-Ojukwu as a courageous leader who provided leadership at a time the Igbo nation was in dire need for it.

“No one, not even his ardent critics, will overlook his monumental contributions to Nigerian nationhood, his love for the downtrodden and the passion for the development of his people,” it said.

To the senator representing Odumegwu-Ojukwu zone in the Senate, Dr. Uba, Ojukwu’s death is a big blow to the Igbos and indeed to the nation. He described Odumegwu-Ojukwu as a great man whose indelible mark and contributions to the zone and the country at large would never be forgotten in a hurry.

He recalled the contributions of the late Biafran warlord in the fight against oppression and injustice and stated that he deserves the entire encomium being showered on him.

“Our heart goes to his family, especially Bianca and children at this period of grief of her departed husband, uncle and brother. Our condolences go to the entire Igbo sons and daughters all over the world.”

http://ngrguardiannews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=69131:i-told-odumegwu-ojukwu-to-apologise-over-civil-war-says-obasanjo-&catid=1:national&Itemid=559

I cannot believe the IGNORANCE of people. How come young people refuse to see ask questions and see things objectively? OJUKWU is BAD. Ibos lost the war. Ibos are marginalized. IBOS are everything bad you can think of, Have you asked yourself who is the HERO in Nigeria & what are his legacies. Gowon has a bigger war going On at the back of his house. Has the civil war ended in Jos? Nigerian federation defeated Biafra in 1970, from that date till today? Where is the PEACE? where is the PROGRESS? All the people that saw EVIL during the civil war & said that it is GOOD. How did they end up? Ibos LOST the war, but Northern Nigeria remains the WRETCHED of the earth. SOUTHWEST did not lose any war, Obasanjo ruled for 8years, whatever lacks interms of development inn the SOUTHEAST, is in abundance in the SOUTHWEST. You speak ill of Ojukwu, this same Ojukwu asked a QUESTION in 1966, "Why Brig. Babafemi Ogundipe will not take charge of Nigeria. Ogundipe was Ironsi's deputy & going by military command,he was suppose to take over, but it did not happen & Ojukwu asked WHY

Show me who is a Nigerian, and I will show you who is a COWARD, POVERTY STRICKEN, UNDERDEVELOPED, LIVES IN DARKNESS, UNHAPPY, A TABOO IN THE EYES OF THE INT'L COMMUNITY and will FOREVER BE HELD HOSTAGE by the same forces that Ojukwu and Nzeogwu fought.

Ojukwu is THIS & THAT, but, how far have you, your family, tribe & the Nigeria country fared better after the civil war?? Tell me one LEGACY Obasanjo left for the yourbas or how much did he empower the yourba race? People that are suppose to BURY their head in SHAME, FEW HAUSA/FULANI enslaved you all. You all will continue to live in MISERY called Nigeria. Ojukwu has done his BIT

FYI, Ojukwu was born RICH, it is on RECORD & was never in WANT before he died. Obasanjo & his likes were born poor, and have been stealing piblic funds all their lives. If Obasanjo walk on the street, people will stone him.

I cannot believe the IGNORANCE of people. How come young people refuse to see ask questions and see things objectively? OJUKWU is BAD. Ibos lost the war. Ibos are marginalized. IBOS are everything bad you can think of, Have you asked yourself who is the HERO in Nigeria & what are his legacies. Gowon has a bigger war going On at the back of his house. Has the civil war ended in Jos? Nigerian federation defeated Biafra in 1970, from that date till today? Where is the PEACE? where is the PROGRESS? All the people that saw EVIL during the civil war & said that it is GOOD. How did they end up? Ibos LOST the war, but Northern Nigeria remains the WRETCHED of the earth. SOUTHWEST did not lose any war, Obasanjo ruled for 8years, whatever lacks interms of development inn the SOUTHEAST, is in abundance in the SOUTHWEST. You speak ill of Ojukwu, this same Ojukwu asked a QUESTION in 1966, "Why Brig. Babafemi Ogundipe will not take charge of Nigeria. Ogundipe was Ironsi's deputy & going by military command,he was suppose to take over, but it did not happen & Ojukwu asked WHY

Show me who is a Nigerian, and I will show you who is a COWARD, POVERTY STRICKEN, UNDERDEVELOPED, LIVES IN DARKNESS, UNHAPPY, A TABOO IN THE EYES OF THE INT'L COMMUNITY and will FOREVER BE HELD HOSTAGE by the same forces that Ojukwu and Nzeogwu fought.

Ojukwu is THIS & THAT, but, how far have you, your family, tribe & the Nigeria country fared better after the civil war?? Tell me one LEGACY Obasanjo left for the yourbas or how much did he empower the yourba race? People that are suppose to BURY their head in SHAME, FEW HAUSA/FULANI enslaved you all. You all will continue to live in MISERY called Nigeria. Ojukwu has done his BIT

FYI, Ojukwu was born RICH, it is on RECORD & was never in WANT before he died. Obasanjo & his likes were born poor, and have been stealing piblic funds all their lives. If Obasanjo walk on the street, people will stone him.

I cannot believe the IGNORANCE of people. How come young people refuse to see ask questions and see things objectively? OJUKWU is BAD. Ibos lost the war. Ibos are marginalized. IBOS are everything bad you can think of, Have you asked yourself who is the HERO in Nigeria & what are his legacies. Gowon has a bigger war going On at the back of his house. Has the civil war ended in Jos? Nigerian federation defeated Biafra in 1970, from that date till today? Where is the PEACE? where is the PROGRESS? All the people that saw EVIL during the civil war & said that it is GOOD. How did they end up? Ibos LOST the war, but Northern Nigeria remains the WRETCHED of the earth. SOUTHWEST did not lose any war, Obasanjo ruled for 8years, whatever lacks interms of development inn the SOUTHEAST, is in abundance in the SOUTHWEST. You speak ill of Ojukwu, this same Ojukwu asked a QUESTION in 1966, "Why Brig. Babafemi Ogundipe will not take charge of Nigeria. Ogundipe was Ironsi's deputy & going by military command,he was suppose to take over, but it did not happen & Ojukwu asked WHY

Show me who is a Nigerian, and I will show you who is a COWARD, POVERTY STRICKEN, UNDERDEVELOPED, LIVES IN DARKNESS, UNHAPPY, A TABOO IN THE EYES OF THE INT'L COMMUNITY and will FOREVER BE HELD HOSTAGE by the same forces that Ojukwu and Nzeogwu fought.

Ojukwu is THIS & THAT, but, how far have you, your family, tribe & the Nigeria country fared better after the civil war?? Tell me one LEGACY Obasanjo left for the yourbas or how much did he empower the yourba race? People that are suppose to BURY their head in SHAME, FEW HAUSA/FULANI enslaved you all. You all will continue to live in MISERY called Nigeria. Ojukwu has done his BIT

FYI, Ojukwu was born RICH, it is on RECORD & was never in WANT before he died. Obasanjo & his likes were born poor, and have been stealing piblic funds all their lives. If Obasanjo walk on the street, people will stone him.

I cannot believe the IGNORANCE of people. How come young people refuse to see ask questions and see things objectively? OJUKWU is BAD. Ibos lost the war. Ibos are marginalized. IBOS are everything bad you can think of, Have you asked yourself who is the HERO in Nigeria & what are his legacies. Gowon has a bigger war going On at the back of his house. Has the civil war ended in Jos? Nigerian federation defeated Biafra in 1970, from that date till today? Where is the PEACE? where is the PROGRESS? All the people that saw EVIL during the civil war & said that it is GOOD. How did they end up? Ibos LOST the war, but Northern Nigeria remains the WRETCHED of the earth. SOUTHWEST did not lose any war, Obasanjo ruled for 8years, whatever lacks interms of development inn the SOUTHEAST, is in abundance in the SOUTHWEST. You speak ill of Ojukwu, this same Ojukwu asked a QUESTION in 1966, "Why Brig. Babafemi Ogundipe will not take charge of Nigeria. Ogundipe was Ironsi's deputy & going by military command,he was suppose to take over, but it did not happen & Ojukwu asked WHY

Show me who is a Nigerian, and I will show you who is a COWARD, POVERTY STRICKEN, UNDERDEVELOPED, LIVES IN DARKNESS, UNHAPPY, A TABOO IN THE EYES OF THE INT'L COMMUNITY and will FOREVER BE HELD HOSTAGE by the same forces that Ojukwu and Nzeogwu fought.

Ojukwu is THIS & THAT, but, how far have you, your family, tribe & the Nigeria country fared better after the civil war?? Tell me one LEGACY Obasanjo left for the yourbas or how much did he empower the yourba race? People that are suppose to BURY their head in SHAME, FEW HAUSA/FULANI enslaved you all. You all will continue to live in MISERY called Nigeria. Ojukwu has done his BIT

FYI, Ojukwu was born RICH, it is on RECORD & was never in WANT before he died. Obasanjo & his likes were born poor, and have been stealing piblic funds all their lives. If Obasanjo walk on the street, people will stone him.

@ Beaf, Sir,  I do not think rolling out names will make any difference, in regards to the TERRORISM that Nigeria is dealing with now. Anybody can wake up & call my name or decide to implicate me about something,but, in the eyes of the LAW, you have to prove ( EVIDENCE) that he has sponsored terrorism in the real sense of SPONSORSHIP. Mind you, the names to be called is what I termed ( Na dem- dem), PDP? Give this drama one week. And I found it very funny, that the " supposed Boko spokesman" just pleaded guilty instantly. I stand to be corrected, I read that the magistrate tried asking him a question & the SSS men rejected him answering, that it will jeopardize investigation. You don't have all your facts & you're in court. I don't get it. Someone can educate moi.

Personally, I do not believe the SSS & the supposed Boko Haram's spokesman's stories. This is what I deducted from what is going ON. The SSS perceived an imminet SHAKE-UP, due to the National Assembly's pressure on Jonathan concerning Boko. Consequently, the have to come up with this DRAMA.

Analysis, some of the individuals mentioned by the "supposed spokesman " held political offices some years back and he's talking about THREAT messages that he sent and Nigerians are worried about a BOKO HARAM made up of SUICIDE BOMBERS, that hit FORCE HQ, UN HQ (Abj) & not sure they are done yet.

Remember, we have seen this type of drama when Bola Ige was killed. @ the end of the day, what came out of it? I am not dismissing every the guy's story, but something is not ADDING UP TO ME. I smelled conspirancy.

I think there's POLITICAL BOKO HARAM which has expired or snowballed into a BOKO HARAM TERRORIST GROUP. The

What do you make out of the guy's confession? Pls intellectual discussion. No name callling or tribalism. This I think, What do you think?

What are they all UP TO?

http://www.thenationonlineng.net/2011/index.php/news/27140-boko-haram-sponsors-sss-detains-senator.html

I see 90% of Nigeria's problem reflecting here, we abandon the critical issues for irrelevant things.
We don't have to always compare them in order to prove their worth! We can learn from their lives and become
better first as an individual, then as a nation!

These are the two most excellent Nigerians of all times with their various aspects of global influence.
I am proud to be a Nigerian because of them.


To the initiator of this topic, would you say you did not know you were about causing something silly
knowing that Nigerians are likely to tilt towards tribalism? What do you expect, that soonest we will start bad
mouthing each other with the Ibos calling the Yorubas names and vice versa.

I have carefully X-rayed the duo, they had same educational foundation (of those old good days when
our education was well valued over those of the UK & US) from the same university around the same period,
what this should remind any agent of change is that we need an educational revolution back to the prestige of
those good old days.

How many Nigerians can speak good english like the duo today? Do we say minority or majority?
How many Nigerians have their level of integrity?
What value will comparing them add to our present situaton?
How do we tackle corruption without being selfish or tribal?
How do we salvage this country from this great political and economic tribulation melted on us by our politicians?
Do you have power to run your business?
Is your certificate fully accepted even in your country?
Does your vote count?
Have you actually had a balanced meal this morning?
Can your parents enjoy their old age without your input?
How many bills passed by the senate touched your life since 1999?
What percentage of Nigeria's budget touched your life since 1999?
Can you prevent a terrorist plane from crashing into your country's defence H/Q or Aso rock
like the Americans did for Pentagon?
How many Nigerians are poets?
How many Nigerians are even writers?
Who are you today and what are you hoping to become tommorrow?

Instead of allowing these rare gems (Soyinka & Achebe) divide us, why not use them as yardstick to measure
our national deviation.

I expect us to weep for our country and refuse evil leaders whos worth could only be reconciled
to corruption. They pretend loving Nigeria and therefore would die for political offices whereas in real terms
they are after money and political influence.

I see Nairaland as a forum of national unity and will be proud of a new Nigeria initiating its course
through this forum. Let's be Nigerians for the sake of Nigeria. Let's not propagate the silent fact; that
the only reason why Nigeria has not splitted is not that we love each other as ethnic nationalities but that
corruption has formed a vehicle for our leaders to understand themselves and bind us together through it.

I love Nigeria, i love Nairaland!

^^^^^^
WHOEVER U ARE, YOU EARNED MY RESPECT. KINDRED SPIRIT.PLS KEEP IN TOUCH

Dele99:
[b]

YOU MADE MY DAY! PLS KEEP IN TOUCH, KINDRED SPIRIT

I CREATED THIS THREAD NOT BECAUSE I DO NOT KNOW OF ACHEBE & SOYINKA'S GREATNESS. BUT, BECAUSE I WANT THOSE ETHNIC BIGOTS TO SHOW THEIR INGORANCE THE MORE & THEY ALL DID,EXCEPT FOR "swintiney" & HE OR SHE CAPTURED MY MIND. I AM NEW HERE & WAS SO DISAPPOINTED @ THE LEVEL OF IGNORANCE, BIAS, & TRIBALISM THAT OVERSHADOW EVERY TOPIC HERE. I CHOSE TO GIVE THEM MORE REASON TO FOOL THEMSELVES. NOW I UNDERSTAND WHY YOUNG PEOPLE REFUSE TO KEEP TRIBE & RELIGION ASIDE & RECLAIM THEIR COUNTRY. LITTLE DID THEY KNOW THAT tribalism HAS HELPED YOUR CORRUPT LEADERS TO FLOURISH & LOOT WITH IMPUNITY. YOUTH IN ARAB NATIONS USED FORUMS LIKE THIS TO CHASE AWAY BAD RULERS,BUT NIGERIANS ARE USING THEIRS TO STOKE THE FLAME OF TRIBALISM. HOW IN THIS WORLD CAN ANY SANE PERSON LIVING IN THAT JUNGLE (NIGERIA) WITHOUT BASIC THINGS OF LIFE THINK OR BE BOASTING OF HOW better HIS TRIBE IS? I WEEP FOR THEE!

I watched this video & I'm not going to  say anything much. Nigeria is slowly & gradually heading to this ROUTE,no doubt,Nigeria will definietly get there. However, I personally think that GREED,GREED & SELF HATE by some of the African rulers fueled some of these conflicts. The blame should not be heaped on the corridors of colonial powers alone. For instance,they've been advicing Nigerian rulers to stop looting & improve the lives of its citizens,for decades, this advice have fallen on deaf ears because of GREED. And when Nigeria finally gets to the ABYSS,someone will blame the WEST. It is the easiest thing to do, BLAMING OTHERS!

IT seemed a perfect way to celebrate our wedding anniversary, on a cruise, with friends who had been there all along. In fact, three of them were at our first date including the one who had earlier linked us up. And then there was the wedding of the son of one of us for the day before the cruise.

To be honest, the idea of the cruise was not ours. We had earlier toyed with idea of going to South Africa since neither of us had been there before. Then this friend-one of the three who had been at our first date but now based in the U.K-decided to celebrate his 50th birthday with a week long cruise and invited the ‘old gang.’ So we, my wife and I, decided it would be more fun to join the cruise. A wedding, a birthday and an anniversary all rolled into ten days of togetherness. Perfect.

Or was it? Of all the people making the trip, I was about the only person who was not a frequent traveller to the U.S. In fact, I had not been to the states in 26 years. The longer it was the more I felt it wasn’t worth the bother.

So when my friend told me of the wedding about six months ago, he specifically told me he was giving me a long notice so I could put my papers together. His son virtually grew up in my arms. I had attended his ‘idawo.’ I had watched him go through school. But more importantly he is my ‘godson.’ Still I hesitated. Then the two other ‘items’ came up and I felt I needed to at least make a try.

My wife was relieved. She decided to take up the challenge knowing I could change my mind. Fortunately, her visa was up for a renewal, so she decided to do both together. We were warned to start early and to get professionals ‘help’ so we could get an earlier appointment. We go a date which was over three months away and we were not booked as a couple which probably might have made things easier, so much for the so-called professional help. My wife’s appointment was on a Friday at 6.30 a.m. Mine was the following Tuesday at 10 a.m. On a good day, we live just about five minutes drive away from the embassy so the timing was not at all inconvenient. In two hours she was out and her application was approved. Maybe it was not so bad after all I reasoned. So buoyed up by her success, I looked forward to my appointment.

After all what could go wrong? I tried to focus on the positives. I had been to the U.S. before and did not overstay. I live in my own apartment and relocating was never on the cards, even when I was younger. And I certainly did not contemplate driving a cab at my age. I had a confirmed boarding pass for the cruise and an invitation for the wedding. I also had a warm letter from the groom’s dad saying he had a four-bedroom apartment and that my wife and I were welcome to stay with his family. I also had my bank detail.

So come Tuesday, I was ready and dare say optimistic? I was at the embassy at 9.30 a.m. for my 10 a.m. appointment. You were expected to form a queue when your appointment time was called. There was this air of ‘efficiency’ of ‘confidence’ and of ‘importance’ on the part of the security personnel and embassy staff. You were on their turf and they made you realise it. On the other hand, there was this willingness to please, to conform on the part of those who came for interview. It was as if these ‘gate men’ could keep them away from the all-important appointment if they did not behave.

The first exercise was to ensure that you had your passport, passport photograph, confirmed appointment date and of course evidence that you had contributed your quota to the coffers of the United States of America by paying your visa fee.

Then the waiting started. You were called in batches of five before moving into an ‘inner chamber’ there could be an activity for five, ten minutes, then nothing for another hour. It wasn’t uncomfortable at first. But as the sun rose so was the level of discomfort and the waiting. Not knowing if it would be over in an hour or five could psychologically break you. I tried to read but there were too many distractions and it was hard to concentrate. By the time my batch was called around 2 p.m., I was hot, sticky and uncomfortable. I quickly went through security checks and crossed the road to the ‘inner chamber.’

The inner chamber’ was chilled – a welcome relief. Again, there was this same air of ‘efficiency’ on the part of the officials and this willingness to please bothering on being obsequious on the part of those on appointments like madus. We the ‘interviewees’ watched on numbers light up in front of the cubicles where the officials, were like hawks and jumped even before we were called. It really was not amusing. You need to go to visa sections out side this country to appreciate the contrast.

Finally, it was getting to my turn and I must say the waiting and the expectation were getting to me. The butterflies were floating in my belly, which was strange. As a journalist I had been one on one with heads of governments and VIPs around the world in he past without losing my composure. I knew I would calm down once the interview proper started and given the opportunity to present my documents.

But I never had the chance to present any document. It was all over before it even started. Whatever my interviewer say, or read, or heard – I wish I know which – wasn’t favourable. He asked me why I was going to the U.S. I told him I had three reasons. I was on the first one when he asked a tangential question. Three questions later, my passport was pushed back at me. It was curt, it was dismissive and it was very humiliating. Not only was I denied a visa, I was denied a fair hearing. And it hurt.

In my profession, you use your skill and patience as an interviewer to ferret the truth. Neither was employed in my situation because the truth which was that I was going to spend ten days with old friends while celebrating an important landmark in my life was not revealed. It is that simple.

Outside, I was so disoriented that I walked to Ozumba Mbadiwe before I realised I had not sent for the driver who had gone to pack at home after dropping me. There was this voice telling me that I should not have bothered, that I don’t need this. Another voice reasoned that at least my friends would know that I made an effort. I thought of walking home to clear my head but then I am not the young men I used to be. So I hailed a taxi and went home.

My phone – you can’t take your phone to the embassy – had 26 missed calls. It helped to remind me that my life had been on hold for more than six hours. Some of the calls came from friends who had arrived in the U.S. and wanted to know my travel plans. It was then the finality of it hit me. I would not be on the cruise that I had already paid for. You cannot imagine how I felt.

Ps; A friend, a retired ambassador, called from the U.S. when he learnt I would no longer be coming. He said he had not been able to close his mouth since he heard of my refusal. Why should our elites be humiliated this way? He asked. He asked. He joked that he would carry a placard should a protest be organised. He then said something which I think is worth mentioning. ‘All of these will not happen if Nigeria had gotten her economics right. These countries will be running after us instead of the other way round.’ Food for thought eh”

Adetiba, a former editor of Sunday Punch, lives in Lagos.


http://ngrguardiannews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=68074:adetiba-a-day-at-the-american-embassy&catid=38:columnists&Itemid=615#comments

IT seemed a perfect way to celebrate our wedding anniversary, on a cruise, with friends who had been there all along. In fact, three of them were at our first date including the one who had earlier linked us up. And then there was the wedding of the son of one of us for the day before the cruise.

To be honest, the idea of the cruise was not ours. We had earlier toyed with idea of going to South Africa since neither of us had been there before. Then this friend-one of the three who had been at our first date but now based in the U.K-decided to celebrate his 50th birthday with a week long cruise and invited the ‘old gang.’ So we, my wife and I, decided it would be more fun to join the cruise. A wedding, a birthday and an anniversary all rolled into ten days of togetherness. Perfect.

Or was it? Of all the people making the trip, I was about the only person who was not a frequent traveller to the U.S. In fact, I had not been to the states in 26 years. The longer it was the more I felt it wasn’t worth the bother.

So when my friend told me of the wedding about six months ago, he specifically told me he was giving me a long notice so I could put my papers together. His son virtually grew up in my arms. I had attended his ‘idawo.’ I had watched him go through school. But more importantly he is my ‘godson.’ Still I hesitated. Then the two other ‘items’ came up and I felt I needed to at least make a try.

My wife was relieved. She decided to take up the challenge knowing I could change my mind. Fortunately, her visa was up for a renewal, so she decided to do both together. We were warned to start early and to get professionals ‘help’ so we could get an earlier appointment. We go a date which was over three months away and we were not booked as a couple which probably might have made things easier, so much for the so-called professional help. My wife’s appointment was on a Friday at 6.30 a.m. Mine was the following Tuesday at 10 a.m. On a good day, we live just about five minutes drive away from the embassy so the timing was not at all inconvenient. In two hours she was out and her application was approved. Maybe it was not so bad after all I reasoned. So buoyed up by her success, I looked forward to my appointment.

After all what could go wrong? I tried to focus on the positives. I had been to the U.S. before and did not overstay. I live in my own apartment and relocating was never on the cards, even when I was younger. And I certainly did not contemplate driving a cab at my age. I had a confirmed boarding pass for the cruise and an invitation for the wedding. I also had a warm letter from the groom’s dad saying he had a four-bedroom apartment and that my wife and I were welcome to stay with his family. I also had my bank detail.

So come Tuesday, I was ready and dare say optimistic? I was at the embassy at 9.30 a.m. for my 10 a.m. appointment. You were expected to form a queue when your appointment time was called. There was this air of ‘efficiency’ of ‘confidence’ and of ‘importance’ on the part of the security personnel and embassy staff. You were on their turf and they made you realise it. On the other hand, there was this willingness to please, to conform on the part of those who came for interview. It was as if these ‘gate men’ could keep them away from the all-important appointment if they did not behave.

The first exercise was to ensure that you had your passport, passport photograph, confirmed appointment date and of course evidence that you had contributed your quota to the coffers of the United States of America by paying your visa fee.

Then the waiting started. You were called in batches of five before moving into an ‘inner chamber’ there could be an activity for five, ten minutes, then nothing for another hour. It wasn’t uncomfortable at first. But as the sun rose so was the level of discomfort and the waiting. Not knowing if it would be over in an hour or five could psychologically break you. I tried to read but there were too many distractions and it was hard to concentrate. By the time my batch was called around 2 p.m., I was hot, sticky and uncomfortable. I quickly went through security checks and crossed the road to the ‘inner chamber.’

The inner chamber’ was chilled – a welcome relief. Again, there was this same air of ‘efficiency’ on the part of the officials and this willingness to please bothering on being obsequious on the part of those on appointments like madus. We the ‘interviewees’ watched on numbers light up in front of the cubicles where the officials, were like hawks and jumped even before we were called. It really was not amusing. You need to go to visa sections out side this country to appreciate the contrast.

Finally, it was getting to my turn and I must say the waiting and the expectation were getting to me. The butterflies were floating in my belly, which was strange. As a journalist I had been one on one with heads of governments and VIPs around the world in he past without losing my composure. I knew I would calm down once the interview proper started and given the opportunity to present my documents.

But I never had the chance to present any document. It was all over before it even started. Whatever my interviewer say, or read, or heard – I wish I know which – wasn’t favourable. He asked me why I was going to the U.S. I told him I had three reasons. I was on the first one when he asked a tangential question. Three questions later, my passport was pushed back at me. It was curt, it was dismissive and it was very humiliating. Not only was I denied a visa, I was denied a fair hearing. And it hurt.

In my profession, you use your skill and patience as an interviewer to ferret the truth. Neither was employed in my situation because the truth which was that I was going to spend ten days with old friends while celebrating an important landmark in my life was not revealed. It is that simple.

Outside, I was so disoriented that I walked to Ozumba Mbadiwe before I realised I had not sent for the driver who had gone to pack at home after dropping me. There was this voice telling me that I should not have bothered, that I don’t need this. Another voice reasoned that at least my friends would know that I made an effort. I thought of walking home to clear my head but then I am not the young men I used to be. So I hailed a taxi and went home.

My phone – you can’t take your phone to the embassy – had 26 missed calls. It helped to remind me that my life had been on hold for more than six hours. Some of the calls came from friends who had arrived in the U.S. and wanted to know my travel plans. It was then the finality of it hit me. I would not be on the cruise that I had already paid for. You cannot imagine how I felt.

Ps; A friend, a retired ambassador, called from the U.S. when he learnt I would no longer be coming. He said he had not been able to close his mouth since he heard of my refusal. Why should our elites be humiliated this way? He asked. He asked. He joked that he would carry a placard should a protest be organised. He then said something which I think is worth mentioning. ‘All of these will not happen if Nigeria had gotten her economics right. These countries will be running after us instead of the other way round.’ Food for thought eh”

Adetiba, a former editor of Sunday Punch, lives in Lagos.


http://ngrguardiannews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=68074:adetiba-a-day-at-the-american-embassy&catid=38:columnists&Itemid=615#comments

Chinua Achebe wrote AFRICA's most successful NOVEL. Personally, I think Chinua Achebe has achieved more than Wole Soyinka and I ran into this article which confirmed it. Do you have a different opinion?

by John Campbell:

Today, November 16, is acclaimed Nigerian author Chinua Achebe’s eighty-first birthday. A few days ago, he declined again to accept Nigeria’s second highest national honor, Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR). In 2004, he did not accept it from then-president Olusegun Obasanjo, essentially in protest over Nigeria’s governance with special reference to his home state of Anambra. At the time, he wrote, “Nigeria’s condition today under your watch is…too dangerous for silence. I must register my disappointment and protest by declining to accept the high honor awarded me in the 2004 honors list.”

This time, he wrote, “The reasons for rejecting the offer when it was first made have not been addressed let alone solved. It is inappropriate to offer it again to me. I must therefore regretfully decline the offer again.”

The Jonathan administration’s response has been that Achebe is out of touch with Nigerian realities, and Reuben Abati, the presidential press spokesman, made specific reference to “widely acclaimed electoral reforms” to refute Achebe.

In my view, Achebe’s massive integrity and his icon status call to mind Nelson Mandela. They are probably the most widely known Africans in the United States. Achebe’s Things Fall Apart and A Man of the People routinely populate high school and college reading lists. The American poet Maya Angelou has said of Achebe’s work that “all readers meet their brothers, sisters, parents and friends and themselves along Nigerian roads.”

And he will not be silenced.

http://blogs.cfr.org/campbell/2011/11/16/chinua-achebe-refuses-national-honor/

This FAILURE called jonathan,& his cohorts are positioning DANGOTE for presidency & Abdy Uba or Ngozi Iweala will be the VICE-president. I so much LOVE what is going ON in Nigeria and Jonathan has not started with you people yet. During the PRESIDENTIAL election,all you people became BLIND to Jonathan's incompetences.All people wanted was a niger-delta, or southern president,here he is. Shame on Nigerians, U get the leader you deserve! As for ACHEBE,he is a typical IBGO MAN,that says the TRUTH,no matter whose OX will gored. He have said his mind & to them that have ears,let them hear. HISTORY WILL VINDICATE THE JUST. As for Dangote, he should ask, where is ABIOLA & all his wealth? When u steal from the people,it will not stand the taste of time. Shame on him, genuine entrepreneurs stood mile apart from the govt. COCA-COLA,IBM,APPLE,MICROSOFT,NEWSCORP,TATA,INGVAR KAMPRAD(IKEA),OPRAH, DONALD TRUMP,RUSSELL SIMONS,SAM WALTON (WALMART),BILL HEWLETT(HP),TED TURNER(CNN),ZUCKERBERG(FACEBOOK)etc. Dangote, is a ROUGE. Obasanjo, sold a lot of Nigeria govt assets to Dangote & Obasanjo controls a huge stake in Dangotes establishment,through Andy Uba. And this evil businesses at the expense of the common man will not stand the taste of time. Abiola had much WEALTH than him. So, time will tell if he is a ROUGE or an ENTREPRENEUR.

This FAILURE called jonathan,& his cohorts are positioning DANGOTE for presidency & Andy Uba or Ngozi Iweala will be the VICE-president. I so much LOVE what is going ON in Nigeria and Jonathan has not started with you people yet. During the PRESIDENTIAL election,all you people became BLIND to Jonathan's incompetences.All people wanted was a niger-delta, or southern president,here he is. Shame on Nigerians, U get the leader you deserve! As for ACHEBE,he is a typical IBGO MAN,that says the TRUTH,no matter whose OX will gored. He have said his mind & to them that have ears,let them hear. HISTORY WILL VINDICATE THE JUST. As for Dangote, he should ask, where is ABIOLA & all his wealth? When u steal from the people,it will not stand the taste of time. Shame on him, genuine entrepreneurs stood mile apart from the govt. COCA-COLA,IBM,APPLE,MICROSOFT,NEWSCORP,TATA,INGVAR KAMPRAD(IKEA),OPRAH, DONALD TRUMP,RUSSELL SIMONS,SAM WALTON (WALMART),BILL HEWLETT(HP),TED TURNER(CNN),ZUCKERBERG(FACEBOOK)etc. Dangote, is a ROUGE. Obasanjo, sold a lot of Nigeria govt assets to Dangote & Obasanjo controls a huge stake in Dangotes establishment,through Andy Uba. And this evil businesses at the expense of the common man will not stand the taste of time. Abiola had much WEALTH than him. So, time will tell if he is a ROUGE or an ENTREPRENEUR.

This FAILURE called jonathan,& his cohorts are positioning DANGOTE for presidency & Abdy Uba or Ngozi Iweala will be the VICE-president. I so much LOVE what is going ON in Nigeria and Jonathan has not started with you people yet. During the PRESIDENTIAL election,all you people became BLIND to Jonathan's incompetences.All people wanted was a niger-delta, or southern president,here he is. Shame on Nigerians, U get the leader you deserve! As for ACHEBE,he is a typical IBGO MAN,that says the TRUTH,no matter whose OX will gored. He have said his mind & to them that have ears,let them hear. HISTORY WILL VINDICATE THE JUST. As for Dangote, he should ask, where is ABIOLA & all his wealth? When u steal from the people,it will not stand the taste of time. Shame on him, genuine entrepreneurs stood mile apart from the govt. COCA-COLA,IBM,APPLE,MICROSOFT,NEWSCORP,TATA,INGVAR KAMPRAD(IKEA),OPRAH, DONALD TRUMP,RUSSELL SIMONS,SAM WALTON (WALMART),BILL HEWLETT(HP),TED TURNER(CNN),ZUCKERBERG(FACEBOOK)etc. Dangote, is a ROUGE. Obasanjo, sold a lot of Nigeria govt assets to Dangote & Obasanjo controls a huge stake in Dangotes establishment,through Andy Uba. And this evil businesses at the expense of the common man will not stand the taste of time. Abiola had much WEALTH than him. So, time will tell if he is a ROUGE or an ENTREPRENEUR.

This FAILURE called jonathan,& his cohorts are positioning DANGOTE for presidency & Abdy Uba or Ngozi Iweala will be the VICE-president. I so much LOVE what is going ON in Nigeria and Jonathan has not started with you people yet. During the PRESIDENTIAL election,all you people became BLIND to Jonathan's incompetences.All people wanted was a niger-delta, or southern president,here he is. Shame on Nigerians, U get the leader you deserve! As for ACHEBE,he is a typical IBGO MAN,that says the TRUTH,no matter whose OX will gored. He have said his mind & to them that have ears,let them hear. HISTORY WILL VINDICATE THE JUST. As for Dangote, he should ask, where is ABIOLA & all his wealth? When u steal from the people,it will not stand the taste of time. Shame on him, genuine entrepreneurs stood mile apart from the govt. COCA-COLA,IBM,APPLE,MICROSOFT,NEWSCORP,TATA,INGVAR KAMPRAD(IKEA),OPRAH, DONALD TRUMP,RUSSELL SIMONS,SAM WALTON (WALMART),BILL HEWLETT(HP),TED TURNER(CNN),ZUCKERBERG(FACEBOOK)etc. Dangote, is a ROUGE. Obasanjo, sold a lot of Nigeria govt assets to Dangote & Obasanjo controls a huge stake in Dangotes establishment,through Andy Uba. And this evil businesses at the expense of the common man will not stand the taste of time. Abiola had much WEALTH than him. So, time will tell if he is a ROUGE or an ENTREPRENEUR.

IGNORANCE UNLIMITED, If you ever think Soyina is better than Achebe. Every informed Nigerian, knows how Soyinka got his NOBLE peace prize ( IT WAS BECAUSE HE BELONGS THE SAME FRATERNITY with the founder of NOBLE). and how he associates with corrupt govts in Nigeria. and when they fail to do his BIDDINGS he'll be criticizing them in the media. Soyinka, was the pioneer chairman of FRSC. Soyinka, is a typical ( HYPCOCRITE) yourba man, Soyinka, has done well for himself & will never match the achievements of ACHEBE. I have more respect for Gani, than Soyinka. Achebe? do you know how much of him the world crave for? I have US & european friends that have read & still keep a copy of his EVERGREEN, THINGS FALL APART. Two presidents have begged achebe for a national award & he turned it down. Soyinka never had such an opportunity. Achebe's literature is INDISPENSIBLE globally & have stood the taste of time. Same cannot be said of Soyinka's writing. Be honest to youurselves and GOOGLE their records.

Former governors, party elders, current state governors and party officials of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) reportedly benefited from an extortion bazaar of N500 million from the governor of Bayelsa state, Timipre Sylva, as he went on a spending spree to regain his candidacy at the  PDP primaries in the state.

SaharaReporters learnt tonight that a group led by for PDP board of trustees, Anthony Anenih, got Nigeria's president Jonathan to back down from disqualifying the Bayelsa state governor after they succeeded in extorting about N500 million from the governor for themselves and party officials.


A source close to Governor Sylva told Saharareporters tonight that huge cash amounts were moved to party leaders to save the governor whose name had been yanked off party list of qualified candidates by last night.


http://saharareporters.com/news-page/pdp-excos-extort-n500-million-gov-sylva-restore-his-candidacy

@ OP, Anyone with LEGITMATE JOB,will get involve with CREDIT, both in  Nigeria & abroad. Do you think it is that easy? There is so much ILLEGAL wealth in circulation in Nigeria & it has DEBASED alot of people thinking that CREDIT is bad. Alot of working class Nigerians live on CREDIT,but you fail to see it as credit. What do you call it,when people collect loan from CO-OPERATIVE UNIONS & SALARY ADVANCE from their offices?? I mean go to Nigerian BANKS,OIL COMPANIES & offices, then you will see how so many working class people are struggling to execute projects like buliding a house or buying a new car.
However, CASH BASED economy promotes BRIBERY and CORRUPTION, and some of these BRIBES people CASH based economy ( NIGERIA) receives helps them to buy things cash,not that they can AFFORD it. Nigeria is the HQ of credit, if you see any RECHARGE CARD seller near a bank or office environs, ask him or her to show you the list of people OWING her CREDIT" and have not paid back as promised. MILLIONS OF NIGERIANS DO NOT HAVE THE CASH & NO CREDIT FACILTIES, is it fair enough?

However, do not use the GREED that triggered the financial crisis as a yardstick to criticize the CREDIT BASED ECONOMY of the WEST. I perosnally think that the CREDIT SYSTEM contributed to the GREATNESS of their society. What do you think of a society that can give you access to HIGHER EDUCATION without cash? It gives you HOPE. It goes a long way to prove that POVERTY should not be an OBSTACLE  when you have the brain. Do you know how many SMART people that end up on the streets in Nigeria because they can't afford a CASH BASED EDUCATION?

CREDIT makes people to LIVE above their MEANS & it does not mean that CREDIT is bad. Nigerians are guilty of living above their means too. What do you call someone that does not have a job using BLACKBERRY?or someone owing his LANDLORD,but choose to do OWAMBE?

It is also important to inform you that Nigeria have been destroyed. If people were TAXED properly and all the social amenities were provided and people pay for them,there will not be much CASH left for people to waste and NIGERIA's ECONOMY WOULD HAVE BEEN CREDIT BASED TOO.

CASH & CREDIT is relative,but if it is based on Nigeria's cash society, there is nothing to ADMIRE IN NIGERIA as it is presently CONSTITUTED.

@OP, Do not be deceived, POLITICS is all about sentiments. Your RULERS read newspapers and they have read about the agitation for PAY CUT on their side and what is the TRCIK? Just make the announcement,as they did, & little minds will be carried away. PAY CUT WILL NEVER HAPPEN, NEVER!!! YOUR RULERS WILL NEVER SUSCRIBE TO IT. Have you forgotten their REACTION WHEN THE CBN, GOVERNOR told them how they are MILKING the nation dry?? Did they do anything to reduce it? NO. Rather, they wanted to "HANG HIM ON THE CROSS.

PEOPLE SHOULD PLEASE WAKE UP, WAKE UP!!!

@ OP, I find it very funny when you people choose to blame the WEST for your woes. Most develop countries always conduct research & opinion poll of happenings in their society, it's simply an AVENUE to inform the society how they are FARING. Recently, a research finding disclosed how people are slipping more into POVERTY in the US. They are not covering the shortcomings in their own society,period.

However, we failed to grab the salient point here, " LIVE ON LESS THAN $2 , they did not tell  you "SPEND $2 DOLLARS A DAY. LIVING AND SPENDING are too different things. When you do not have basic things of LIFE, i.e, ELECTRICITY,HEALTHCARE, GOODROADS,etc, that means you are not LIVING! and the EARLIER we realize that over 80% of Nigerians are not living, (i don't mean having access to BLACKBERRY & INTERNET ,which you rely on a noisy generator to charge) they earlier you all will begin to challenge your leaders for ACCOUNTABILITY & GOOD GOVERNANCE.

If you can doubt this research findings, then you can also doubt that " your leaders are not LOOTING your treasury". Do not waste your energy QUESTIONING the assertion, channel your energy into asking "WHY DO PEOPLE LIVE IN ABJECT POVERTY IN A COUNTRY SO BLESSED WITH RESOURCES? If you can be a little bit SELFLESS & look at people around you with your heart,not your EYES, then you will not wait for a WESTERN sponsored research to tell you that Nigeria have lost it in all SPHERES of LIFE.

And to those that wants to CONSOLE themselves because they are not opportuned to HAVE A TASTE OF THE GOOD LIFE IN THE WESTERN WORLD. I have to let you know this, IF YOU HAVE A GOOD LIFE IN NIGERIA,by paying all your BILLS & TAXES, you will find out that YOU WILL ALSO BE LIVING ON CREDIT. All the noise about credit in the WEST, is borne out of IGNORANCE. In Nigeria, people collect car loan, salary advance & borrow money from office CO-OPERATIVE UNIONS to build a house OR to execute one project or the other. ISN'T THAT CREDIT? We have been DEBASED by GREED & GET RICH QUICK MENTALITY,we no longer see any good in anything that is STRUCTURED to make life easy for people. Which UNIVERSIT CAN YOU ATTEND IN NIGERIA ON CREDIT? We lose smart brains becuase of POVERTY,but in the western world, you will be given the opportunity to get a university education, when you get a JOB ,you then pay back. Is there anything wrong with credit,as long as you are REPAYING IT?

@ OP,Finally, YES,i mean YES, over 80% of Nigerians live on less than $2 a day.

The most COURAGEOUS, RIP, ADEKUNLE FAJUYI ( SELFLESSNESS reDEFINED)

Chinua Achebe
Chukwuemeka Nzeogwu
Muhammadu Buhari

It is so amusing ti hear pple tlk abt china overtaking the US. Can smone tell me one thing China has ever invented ? IBM, APPLE, GM,GE, Coca-cola ,etc .are all US firms. What u are witnessing is nothing but the dynamics of GLOBALISATION & it is not sustainable. Businesses taking the advantages of cheap chinese labors does not mean they av overtaking the US. Do your research china is alwz begging US for technological transfer & China only steals technology. There is nothing to admire in them. They keep supressing their people & the people will soon explode like the Arabs.