₦airaland Forum

The calabar township stadium is good to host a match as this considering the tourism advantages of the state.
Long live King Kanu

I doubt the fee.

An international, interdisciplinary research conference on the diversity of conceptions and
cultural images of conflicts.


Cross-cultural perspectives on methods of conflict analysis, forms of conflict transformation, and the role of culture and religious worldviews for and in conflicts.

General information


Venue
University of Aarhus, Lakeside Auditoriums, is located close to the town centre and Aarhus international airport.


Date:

August 19 - 22, 2008
Satellite Event with Bishop Desmond Tutu August 23 (confirmation pending)

Language
The official language of the Congress is English.


Conference Secretariat
All inquiries should be addressed to:
UC 2008
c/o DIS Congress Service A/S
Herlev Ringvej 2C
DK-2730 Herlev
Denmark
Phone: +45 44 92 44 92
Fax: +45 44 92 50 50
e-mail: uc2008@discongress.com


Registration/Hospitality desk - opening hours during the conference

Lakeside Auditorium

Tuesday, 19 August 12:00-18:00 hrs.

Wednesday, 20 August 08:30-17:00 hrs.

Thursday, 21 August 08.30-17:00 hrs.


Contact Organizer

Conference program and reduced registration:

Conference Organizers: Johanna Seibt,
Email: filseibt@hum.au.dk



All other questions pertaining to the conference:

Conference Secretary: Ulrik Lehrskov-Schmidt,
Email: lehrskov@gmail.com




Registration fee for participants include:
Congress material, welcome reception, opening ceremony, scientific programme, poster presentations, lunch, coffee breaks and closing ceremony. Conference dinner ticket is not included.



Social Events
The Social Programme will consist of a Welcome Reception and Conference Dinner. Global City will furthermore arrange for two optional tours in Aarhus as described below.


Welcome Reception

The welcome reception will take place Tuesday 19 August at 18:00 hours.



Conference Dinner and Concert

The conference dinner will take place Friday 22 August from 18:30 hours (400 DKK).

The Concert takes place at Aarhus Music Hall and is performed by the Middle East Peace Orchestra. The concert is an integrated part of the evening program.


Optional Tours

Tuesday 19 August in the morning



Tour 1

"The Historic City of Aarhus" from 9:00-11:00 hours. A walking tour through over one thousand years of city's history, featuring historic sites from the Viking times through the 19th century. (80 DKK)


Tour 2

"Aarhus: Then and Now" from 11:00-13:00 hours, Overview and highlights of history and contemporary life in Aarhus, partly on foot, mainly by bus. (150 DKK)

Note, that conference participants may also arrange for individual tours. For further information on Aarhus and sightseeing activities, please see VisitAarhus

Part 2

Babangida got his first taste of live battle when Nigeria tore itself apart at the seams and civil war broke out in 1967.  During the Nigerian civil war he commanded the 44th infantry battalion (nicknamed “The Rangers”) and was promoted to Captain in August 1968.  One of his neighbouring battalion commanders was his childhood buddy Mamman Vatsa who commanded the 21st  infantry battalion.

Both Babangida and Vatsa served under Colonel Mohammed Shuwa’s 1st division.  Babangida was wounded during the civil war in April 1969 and a bullet remains lodged in his body till this day.  He got married in September 1969 to a lady named Maryam King.  Although her father was from Asaba, Maryam was the cousin of Babangida’s school classmate and army colleague Garba Duba, and was the daughter of Duba’s aunt.  Although originally from Asaba she had spent most of her life in Kaduna having attended the Queen Amina College and Federal Training Centre.  The irony was that Maryam’s father was killed during the war shortly before his daughter married Babangida.  The couple subsequently had four children named Mohammed, Aminu, Aisha and Halima.  Babangida was the best man when his old school classmate and childhood friend Mamman Vatsa got married to a lady from Calabar named Nwaeza Onwuka (who later changed her name to “Safiya”).


Babangida was promoted to Major in 1970 and was sent to a company commanders’ course at Warminster in the United Kingdom from October to November 1970, and on his return to Nigeria, he was appointed an instructor at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA).  One of his students at the NDA was a young blue blooded Fulani cadet named Abubakar Umar.  Babangida made an immense impression on Umar who would later attend Harvard University and risk his life to raise Babangida’s profile further.  This was the beginning of a common theme of Babangida's personality.  His adroitness at winning the loyalty and affection of junior officers would later serve him well as these junior officers would protect and propel him to political power in the future.  Once again keeping up their military equivalence, his friend Vatsa was also appointed an instructor at the NDA.



MKO ABIOLA, OBASANJO AND “COUP BAITING”


The corrupt incompetence of the civilian democratic government of Shehu Shagari gave some politically ambitious military officers an excuse to abandon the barracks for another political rescue operation.  A cabal of the officers that handed over to President Shagari (including Babangida) resolved to depose Shagari and replace him with another military regime.  Overthrowing the government involved extremely subtle operations within the military and in civil society.  Babangida and his colleagues required the collaboration of their civilian friends.  President Shagari reported that several frustrated politicians engaged in what he termed “coup baiting”.  Shagari’s ruling party, the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) had an elaborate zoning system for the distribution of government portfolios - including the presidency.  Since the presidency had been zoned to President Shagari (from the north), the multi-billionaire businessman, Moshood Abiola hoped he would benefit from the NPN’s zoning system.  Abiola assumed that when President Shagari’s term of office expired, the NPN would “zone” the presidency to the south, and he would be allowed to run for President.   He was wrong.  When Abiola articulated his presidential ambition, he was rebuffed by the powerful Minister of Transport Umaru Dikko who told him that “the presidency is not for sale to the highest bidder”.  Abiola “retired” from politics soon after – totally exasperated with the NPN.  Abiola would have his revenge.  He had been a close friend of Babangida since 1974 when Abiola was selling radio systems to the military.  Back then Babangida was sent to evaluate the quality of devices being sold by Abiola.  According to Babangida “From that time the relationship developed and he was always around”.

Abiola’s publishing empire was used to launch frequent vitriolic attacks on the government with the intention of discrediting it sufficiently to psychologically prepare the public for its replacement by a military regime.  In his memoirs (Beckoned to Serve), President Shagari later obliquely referred to the financing and support given to military conspirators by an unnamed “well known business tycoon”.  Although he declined to name this tycoon, contextually it was an obvious reference to Abiola.  Babangida went further in unequivocally confirming Abiola’s role in financing the plot against Shagari and using his influence to destabilise Shagari’s government.  He later revealed that Abiola:

“was also very good in trying to mould the thinking of the media.  We relied on him a lot for that.  So there was both the media support and the financial support.” (Karl Maier – Midnight in Nigeria)

An overlooked aspect of the plot against President Shagari is the role played by former Head of State General Olusegun Obasanjo.  Many have speculated that the coup which overthrew Shagari was carried out with the connivance, or support of retired military officers.  In his memoirs President Shagari also accused Obasanjo of engaging in “coup baiting”.  Shagari alleged that Obasanjo and other retired officers severely criticised his regime with the aim of inciting the military to overthrow Shagari.  Senior serving military officers were reported to have frequently visited Obasanjo at his Ota farm.  Shagari’s observations are given credence by a recent interview with Babangida.  In that interview Babangida claimed that the original aim of the coup plot was to bring Obasanjo back to power.  However on being informed of the plan, Obasanjo refused as he felt it would destroy his credibility as a statesman.  Babangida himself was then approached to become the new Head of State but he too declined.  The text from this part of the interview is reproduced below:



Question:  “It was also said that those of you who ousted Shagari actually wanted to bring back General Obasanjo as Head of State in 1984. Is this true?”

Babangida: “It is true. But to be very fair to General Obasanjo, he rejected the offer. He said no. He said it would destroy his integrity, that he handed over to Shagari and that it is not right for him to get involved. But he (Obasanjo) said he was not stopping us from going ahead with the plot”.

Babangida got his first taste of live battle when Nigeria tore itself apart at the seams and civil war broke out in 1967. During the Nigerian civil war he commanded the 44th infantry battalion (nicknamed “The Rangers”) and was promoted to Captain in August 1968. One of his neighbouring battalion commanders was his childhood buddy Mamman Vatsa who commanded the 21st infantry battalion.

Both Babangida and Vatsa served under Colonel Mohammed Shuwa’s 1st division. Babangida was wounded during the civil war in April 1969 and a bullet remains lodged in his body till this day. He got married in September 1969 to a lady named Maryam King. Although her father was from Asaba, Maryam was the cousin of Babangida’s school classmate and army colleague Garba Duba, and was the daughter of Duba’s aunt. Although originally from Asaba she had spent most of her life in Kaduna having attended the Queen Amina College and Federal Training Centre. The irony was that Maryam’s father was killed during the war shortly before his daughter married Babangida. The couple subsequently had four children named Mohammed, Aminu, Aisha and Halima. Babangida was the best man when his old school classmate and childhood friend Mamman Vatsa got married to a lady from Calabar named Nwaeza Onwuka (who later changed her name to “Safiya”).


Babangida was promoted to Major in 1970 and was sent to a company commanders’ course at Warminster in the United Kingdom from October to November 1970, and on his return to Nigeria, he was appointed an instructor at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA). One of his students at the NDA was a young blue blooded Fulani cadet named Abubakar Umar. Babangida made an immense impression on Umar who would later attend Harvard University and risk his life to raise Babangida’s profile further. This was the beginning of a common theme of Babangida's personality. His adroitness at winning the loyalty and affection of junior officers would later serve him well as these junior officers would protect and propel him to political power in the future. Once again keeping up their military equivalence, his friend Vatsa was also appointed an instructor at the NDA.



MKO ABIOLA, OBASANJO AND “COUP BAITING”


The corrupt incompetence of the civilian democratic government of Shehu Shagari gave some politically ambitious military officers an excuse to abandon the barracks for another political rescue operation. A cabal of the officers that handed over to President Shagari (including Babangida) resolved to depose Shagari and replace him with another military regime. Overthrowing the government involved extremely subtle operations within the military and in civil society. Babangida and his colleagues required the collaboration of their civilian friends. President Shagari reported that several frustrated politicians engaged in what he termed “coup baiting”. Shagari’s ruling party, the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) had an elaborate zoning system for the distribution of government portfolios - including the presidency. Since the presidency had been zoned to President Shagari (from the north), the multi-billionaire businessman, Moshood Abiola hoped he would benefit from the NPN’s zoning system. Abiola assumed that when President Shagari’s term of office expired, the NPN would “zone” the presidency to the south, and he would be allowed to run for President. He was wrong. When Abiola articulated his presidential ambition, he was rebuffed by the powerful Minister of Transport Umaru Dikko who told him that “the presidency is not for sale to the highest bidder”. Abiola “retired” from politics soon after – totally exasperated with the NPN. Abiola would have his revenge. He had been a close friend of Babangida since 1974 when Abiola was selling radio systems to the military. Back then Babangida was sent to evaluate the quality of devices being sold by Abiola. According to Babangida “From that time the relationship developed and he was always around”.

Abiola’s publishing empire was used to launch frequent vitriolic attacks on the government with the intention of discrediting it sufficiently to psychologically prepare the public for its replacement by a military regime. In his memoirs (Beckoned to Serve), President Shagari later obliquely referred to the financing and support given to military conspirators by an unnamed “well known business tycoon”. Although he declined to name this tycoon, contextually it was an obvious reference to Abiola. Babangida went further in unequivocally confirming Abiola’s role in financing the plot against Shagari and using his influence to destabilise Shagari’s government. He later revealed that Abiola:

“was also very good in trying to mould the thinking of the media. We relied on him a lot for that. So there was both the media support and the financial support.” (Karl Maier – Midnight in Nigeria)

An overlooked aspect of the plot against President Shagari is the role played by former Head of State General Olusegun Obasanjo. Many have speculated that the coup which overthrew Shagari was carried out with the connivance, or support of retired military officers. In his memoirs President Shagari also accused Obasanjo of engaging in “coup baiting”. Shagari alleged that Obasanjo and other retired officers severely criticised his regime with the aim of inciting the military to overthrow Shagari. Senior serving military officers were reported to have frequently visited Obasanjo at his Ota farm. Shagari’s observations are given credence by a recent interview with Babangida. In that interview Babangida claimed that the original aim of the coup plot was to bring Obasanjo back to power. However on being informed of the plan, Obasanjo refused as he felt it would destroy his credibility as a statesman. Babangida himself was then approached to become the new Head of State but he too declined. The text from this part of the interview is reproduced below:



Question: “It was also said that those of you who ousted Shagari actually wanted to bring back General Obasanjo as Head of State in 1984. Is this true?”

Babangida: “It is true. But to be very fair to General Obasanjo, he rejected the offer. He said no. He said it would destroy his integrity, that he handed over to Shagari and that it is not right for him to get involved. But he (Obasanjo) said he was not stopping us from going ahead with the plot”.

Who remembers having some rich relatives coming to your house and you hanging around so they could give you a few naira notes when they were about leaving? Your parents would make sure that you hung around no matter what you know, strategically speaking, lol

Or did the cane in your house ever develop wings multiple times and henceforth the parents used an alternative method for whacking you

Who remembers watching Sesame Street? I saw the 1980-1985 opening themes on YouTubes and i was overwhelmed,

If you went to boarding house, can you remember the feeling that enveloped you as you got into the car to leave for school? Mehn, i never wanted those holidays to end.

Or do you remember putting pencil under a classmate's yansh in school just for the fun of it (Once a classmate actually sat on the pencil and my, it was a disaster!)

How about your first toasting runs? I used to send tonnes of letters to those girls in those days, and when thry replied, they would even put lipstick on them! Nowadays i doubt if the growing ones can even compose a love letter!

Do yo remember VIP? And the funny carton it used to come in?

You can't imagine that sometimes memories from as far back as Nursery school still sit in my head. For example, i always imagine everytime i see my mates or thier friends whether they used to poo-poo in thier pants in nursery school! I had this friend back then who was a fine boi but could just never stop pooping! He he, So each time i just see all these fine bois and gals these days, i just wonder, did dey poop in thier pants in school? cruel, he he.

@dejimayor

Even if you have been refused a UK visa before, you may make another application at any time, but if the reasons for your refusal still apply you may be refused again.


But you can still contact the tribunal about the appeal , here is the contact details

Asylum and Immigration Tribunal
Arnhem Support Centre
PO Box 6987
Leicester LE1 6ZX
United Kingdom
Tel: (+44) (0)845 600 0877
Fax: (+44) (0)116 249 4130

@dejimayor

Even if you have been refused a UK visa before, you may make another application at any time, but if the reasons for your refusal still apply you may be refused again.


But you can still contact the tribunal about the appeal , here is the contact details

Asylum and Immigration Tribunal
Arnhem Support Centre
PO Box 6987
Leicester LE1 6ZX
United Kingdom
Tel: (+44) (0)845 600 0877
Fax: (+44) (0)116 249 4130

@boy steve

here is my email vikiviko2002@yahoo.com

Thanks Vicjustice for the referal.

Its Chelsea's

Keyamo is as controversial as the case itself.

But i doubt the allegation

When applying for student visa in canada you must be double sure when to submit your application, must be 3 months b4 the commencement of the school calandar.

"Strong Family Ties" IS a common language at the high commision in LAGOS, yOU HAVE TO SHOW ENOUGH EVIDENCE WHEN GIving details about family members.

Was it aprogram or student visa you applied for?

I really can't remember the song that well, Perhaps some of you ladies can help me out. It was one those games y'all played during lunch time in primary school.

"I beat Mary she no cry, i kill Mary she no die , which kind Mary be this oh, Amina, amina don come , a lazy girl , a foolish girl, waka joko waka joko supe pepper ogooni piom."

Not sure sure i got it right.

Everywhere you go,(x2)
Sisi Eko
Baba Ibadan

Most peeps that were in the 80's should remember this next one, its a testament to the nigerian ability to remix

Drop that pant, you may loooose your life

Wili Wili don die,na who kill am, na nchle kill am , clap for Nchele

Our father two times eleven,hallowed be thy name

Your papa and mama they hate each other
as they sit at the dining table
papa said to mama, this food's DISGUSTING
mama carry apo stone am for head
aye ye ye yeeeeeh ,oh Remi oh,
just pack your load oh, and leave this house(x2)

this one is much later ,probably only those that were around in the time of Makaso may remember this

I buy kuli kuli they no give me change(x2)
kuli kuli palaver, kuli kli palaver

not sure if i got that one exactly right too

Anyone that knows the accurate songs, please feel free to correct me

MORE TO COME SOON, AS LONG AS I CAN DIG INTO THE TRENCHES OF CHILDHOOD MEMORY,LOL

For invitations to various Schengen states, you can contact me for more info.

One payment is made an admission letter will be provided by the school.
For documents to be used to support your application, you will need a sponsor's bank statement,sponsorship letter, origin of his funds and your relationShip be defined.
Your academic documents will aslo be part of the docsto be used.

@Tinx
u can pay percentages installmentally
Though the arrangement you want to use is quite intricate.

Ashoka's Youth Venture Academy
A forum of young people creating social change
Tällberg, Sweden, 22nd -26th June 2008

Do you have an idea to improve your community? Have you started a project to address a social or environmental issue?

Ashoka is looking for young changemakers who have had strong social impact and brought on sustainable change in their communities. Selected participants will be invited to a unique three days event in Tällberg, Sweden and will also receive a grant of €1000 to advance their initiatives.

Are you a changemaker?

www.europe.genv.net

For obvious reasons, many of us had a naija hoodie background, and a large percentage are living in diferent countries now. Although some claim Naija based on the fact theor parents are from there but they them selves have never been there for longer than a few months or so at a stretch.Personally if you were never flogged in school or terrorized by "seniors" , you don't count,lol.

But truly what is the best thing about growing up in Naija. What are those little things that bring a smile to your face whenever u remember them. What are those things that can only happen in Najia.Those little idiosyncharcies that seperate Nigerians from all other Africans.Those expression that if u heard on the streets of London ,New York or Milan, you'd instantly know it's a Nigerian talking.

For me the expression "see me see trobule oh" or the Nigerian way of remixing songs eg "kimon, it cosign you, see your face like gorilla, always bring a smile to my face.

So let it out people, let's remember those cool things about GROWING UP NAIJA.

With news from UK, Cairo, Spain, Italy, SA about Nigerians being deported, humiliated and harrassed by foreign immigration AND Nationals, i wonder if the same treatment is meted to foreigners in Nigeria.

Except perhaps for kidnapping of foreign oil workers i don't see any harsh treatment either from the NIGERIAN GOVT or Nigerians on foreigners.

This thread is meant to see views about foreign national you know in Nigeria who have been humiliated, harrased or probably deported.

Or what do you think?

When  i hear Nigerians being attacked or deported back home , i wonder if foreign nationals are deported or harrased here.

When i hear Nigerians being attacked or deported back home , i wonder if foreign nationals are deported or harrased here.

The integrity of an application is not all about the volumes of documents submitted but the basic requirements should be met .

This is an appeal to our dear 'Princess' to preserve her honour and that of Obasanjo's household as the first daughter of our ex-president who was popularly elected twice, who signed series of Nigerian laws including the law that established the EFCC, to curb the endemic corruption which is fast destroying us as a people of quality before the eyes of the world. As a Senator, you, our dear 'Princess' Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello,owe it to yourself to preserve the integrity and dignity of your office if you fully understand what is at stake for any one in that representative capacity to dis-respect the law. Good luck our dear 'Princess' and please behave.

I expect she will not run away or abscond.

Report a crime to crimewatchnews@yahoo.com

The British airways i still think should be sanctioned by the courts.

Nigerians should possibly boycott the airline for a month and lets see the effect.

One thing i know if Nigerians decides to remain home, most airlines will pack up.

We are travellers.

Plot 664, Zone A5, Maitama, Abuja. Phone: +234 9 4139883; Fax: +234 9 4139834

@NKC
I don't think there is any law distincting a savings account from current account in visa application.
I have used a savings account for a client some years ago ,it was granted, funnily it was not even a commercial bank rather a savings/mortgage bank.

The manner at which Nigerians are humiliated and harrassed calls for concern.

When did Nigerains start travelling to cairo to cross border to israel, its a sad story.

We will one day cross the Nile.

Poor Arsenal , you are allowing your best legs to go again, can't afford 144,000 weekly for Flamini.

Next season will be worse.

THIS is not the best of times for British Airways as its Nigerian passengers are fighting back either to recover their lost luggages or to enforce their fundamental human rights against maltreatment or negligence by the airline.

For instance, a Federal High Court, Lagos has ordered the airline to pay ?9, 000 to a Nigerian passenger, Mr. Emeka Ngige (SAN), being value of the contents of his luggage lost in transit aboard the airways while returning to Lagos from London.

This garnishee order was made by Justice Ibrahim Auta while dismissing the application brought by British Airways asking the court to stay the execution of the court's earlier judgement made in June 26, 2007 by Justice Oyindamola Olomojobi directing the airline to pay ?9,000 to Ngige as judgement sum for the value of the contents of his suitcase lost by officials of the airline.

By this order, the airline is ordered to go and respect the Nigerian laws by complying with the judgement of a Federal High Court of Nigeria, which has directed it to pay the judgement sum to the Nigerian passenger for negligence.

The Beechcraft 1900D airplane belonging to Former Governor James Ibori said to have crashed since March 15 with all the occupants allegedly dead may have been flown out of Nigeria with cash running into several millions of Dollars and documents belonging to the former Governor.

Ibori’s worldwide assets said to worth about $35 Million alleged to have been stolen from Delta State coffers was frozen by the crown court in London. He is also being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for abuse of office and embezzlement in Nigeria.

Sources told Pointblanknews.com on the eve of the plane alleged disappearance that the former Governor had treacherously arranged with some high level Aviation Authorities to fly the aircraft across Nigeria with several millions of Dollars and some documents. The aircraft according to the sources might have been flown to Sierra Leone.

Documents reportedly carried by the alleged “missing aircraft” according to sources includes those of the former Governors properties in: 76 Woodhill Crescent, Kenton, Harrow Middlesex HA3 0LZ, 42 Great Ground, Shaftbury, Dorset SP7 8FF, purchased for £298,995 Flat 23, 20 Abbey Road, purchased with an initial deposit of £157,000, London NW8 9BJ, 7 Westover Hill, London HA3 0LZ with title number MX 207021, documents relating to the several companies and shares purchased by the former Governor and several Millions of Dollars said to have been withdrawn from a Nigerian based bank. The documents and several others where those that would have nailed the former Governor in his trail.

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Sources hinted that the move was to forestall and frustrate the prosecution of the former Governor who is said to have used his connection with President Musa Yar’Adua to secure his bail from the Kaduna Prison in February.

The sudden disappearance of the aircraft exposed the inadequacies of the Nigerian Aviation system as calls heightened for foreign experts to help in the search of missing plane alleged to have crashed. The Federal Bureau of investigation, FBI and British Investigators were tipped to help in the search.

However, with fears that the FBI and British Investigators involvement might unravel the where about of the “crashed plane” some Nigerian security officials confirmed to pointblanknews.com that the “missing aircraft” was after all not missing. A security source said “It might have been flown to Sierra Leone or somewhere close.”

The source continued: “We have been made fools for many weeks now and I think it is high time we began to look at it from another angle. I can confirm to you that the plane is somewhere in one of the African countries.”

Officials from the United Kingdom invited by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to help recover the airplane had warned that they cannot perform any magic or go further than NEMA had while Search and Rescue experts from the United States were still studying the situation before making a decision on whether or not to join in the search.

The Beechcraft 1900 with three crew members on board got missing on March 15 2008. It was declared missing hours after it should have landed at Obudu, Cross River State. The aircraft belonging to Wings Aviation took off at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos at about 7.30am. The aircraft, with registration number 5N-JAH, was supposed to get to Obudu. The whereabouts is still unknown.

The pilot of the plane, Captain Augustine Egbedi, his co-pilot, Captain Tanko and another occupant said to be Miss Tuberata A., were all declared dead.

-------------------------------------------------------------

If you have a crime story or report, please forward story and reports to crimewatchnews@yahoo.com