MONDAY MIDNITE-1897

MONDAY MIDNITE-1897
From the campaign for the return of Benin's looted artifacts by British invaders in 1897 to the no-holds-barred condemnation of Nigeria's corrupt past and present leaders in tracks like PISSY PISSY, AZZHOLEZ ROCK and BRING BACK THE MONEY, this 1897 album is loaded with thought-provoking and inspiration songs. A click on the image will direct you to an online store where you can purchase the album or songs from the album.

Saturday, December 31, 2011

President Jonathan Declares State Of Emergency In Parts Of Nigeria

 


The Nigerian presidency has just issued a proclamation declaring a state of emergency in certain parts of Nigeria as follows:

Fellow Nigerians, it has become necessary to address you on recent events in some parts of the country that have threatened our collective security and shaken the foundations of our corporate existence as a nation.

2.    You are all aware of the security challenges which the activities of the Boko Haram sect have foisted on the country. What began as sectarian crises in the North Eastern parts of the country has gradually evolved into terrorist activities in different parts of the country with attendant negative consequences on our national security.

3.      Government in an effort to find a lasting solution to the security threats occasioned by the activities of the Boko Haram sect, constituted a Presidential Committee under the Chairmanship of Ambassador Usman Gaji Galtimari, to ascertain the immediate and remote causes of the crises. While efforts are being made to implement the recommendations of the Committee, the crises have assumed a terrorist dimension with vital institutions of government including the United Nations Building and places of worship becoming targets of terrorist attacks.

4.   While the search for lasting solutions is ongoing, it has become imperative to take some decisive measures necessary to restore normalcy in the country especially within the affected communities. Consequently, I have in the exercise of the powers conferred on me by the provisions of section 305(1) of the Constitution, declared a state of emergency in the following parts of the federation, namely:

(i)  Borno State
a)  Maidugiri Metropolitan LGA
b)  Gamboru Ngala LGA
c)   Banki Bama LGA
d)  Biu LGA
e)   Jere LGA
(ii)  Yobe State
a)  Damaturu LGA
b)  Geidam LGA
c)   Potiskum LGA
d)  Buniyadi-Gujba LGA

e)   Gasua-Bade LGA

    (iii) Plateau State
a)  Jos North LGA
b)  Jos South LGA
c)   Barkin-Ladi LGA
d)  Riyom LGA
   (iv) Niger State
a)  Suleja LGA

The details of this proclamation will be transmitted to the National Assembly as soon as they reconvene from their current recess, for their necessary action.
5.    The Chief of Defence Staff and the Inspector-General of Police have been directed to put appropriate measures in place to ensure the protection of lives and properties of residents in the affected parts of the country. I therefore urge the political leadership in the affected states and Local Government Areas to give maximum cooperation to the law enforcement agencies deployed to their respective communities to ensure that the situation is brought under control within the shortest possible time.

6.   The Chief of Defence Staff, in collaboration with other Service Chiefs, has also been directed to set up a special force unit within the Armed Forces, with dedicated counter terrorism responsibilities.

7.   As part of the overall strategy to overcome the current security challenges, I have directed the closure of the land borders contiguous to the affected Local Government Areas so as to control incidences of cross boarder terrorist activities as terrorists have taken advantage of the present situation to strike at targets in Nigeria and retreat beyond the reach of our law enforcement personnel.

8.  Let me assure our neighbours, especially within the ECOWAS sub-region, of Nigeria’s commitment to its international obligations as provided by the ECOWAS Protocol on Free Movement of Persons. The temporary closure of our borders in the affected areas is only an interim measure designed to address the current security challenges and will be reviewed as soon as normalcy is restored.

9.   I commend the efforts of our political leaders at various levels as well as our traditional and religious leaders for their support for the various conflict resolution mechanisms and peace building measures that have been initiated by this administration. We call on the citizenry to continue to provide useful information to our law enforcement agencies to enable us arrest the situation.

10. Terrorism is a war against all of us. I call on all Nigerians to join hands with government to fight these terrorists.
11. I wish all Nigerians a very happy New Year.
12.   Long Live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
_______________________________________


Nigeria: President Jonathan Declares State Of Emergency In Parts Of Nigeria | Sahara Reporters
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Thursday, December 29, 2011

Landlord Defends 'Whites Only' Pool Sign

Landlord Defends 'Whites Only' Pool Sign

An Ohio landlord wants a state civil rights commission to reconsider its decision that found her to have discriminated against a black girl by placing a "Whites Only" sign at a swimming pool.

Reconsider what? Unless this woman has a custom-made Webster's dictionary in her house that allows her her own definition of "discrimination," we have no idea how she believes that the commission's decision was wrong.
The landlord, Jamie Hein, who is white, posted the sign at the duplex where the teenage girl's parents lived. When the girl walked toward the pool and saw the sign, she alerted her parents, who filed a discrimination charge with the commission. The family subsequently moved out of the duplex.

The worst part of this story is the reason behind the sign: Hein claims that the girl used chemicals in her hair that would make the pool turn from crystal clear to "cloudy," according to the commission.

The commission found that the sign "restricted the social interaction between Caucasians and African-Americans and reinforced discriminatory actions aimed at oppressing people of color."
If officials for the state of Ohio have any self-respect, they won't even grant this landlord the time of day; she doesn't deserve it.

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Another Explosion Reported In Sapele, Delta State


A bomb ripped through a Mosque in Sapele on December 10



Citizen reporters affiliated with Saharareporters have reported another bomb explosion in the Hausa quarters in Sapele, Delta state. The explosion happened at  an Arabic school along Urhobo Road. The explosion was similar to the one that ripped through a Mosque in the township on December 10.

There are unconfirmed reports of 3 injuries.
 Saharareporters will continue to provide details as they become available.


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Monday, December 26, 2011

Bomb blast: A burden we must live with – Jonathan


President Goodluck Jonathan on Sunday in Abuja described the bombings in the county as a burden Nigerians must live with until it fizzles out.
Jonathan made the remark when he received in audience a delegation of the Christian Community in FCT led by FCT Minister Bala Mohammed.
Jonathan said there was no justification for the crime and called on Nigerians to continue to pray for peace in the country.
The president was reacting to the bomb blast that occurred in the early hours of Sunday in Madalla, in Niger, shortly after the end of a church service.
“We have challenges as a nation; even this morning, a very ugly incident happened in a Catholic Church. We are yet to get the number of deaths in the incident.
“The issue of bombing is one of the burdens we must live with. It will not last forever; I believe that it will surely be over,’’ he said.
Condoling with the families of those who lost their lives in the incident, Jonathan said that there was no reason for such an act to be carried out on a Christmas day.

Buhari: This is Dastardly

0105F05.Muhammadu-Buhari.jpg - 0105F05.Muhammadu-Buhari.jpg
Maj-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari


 From Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja
Former Head of State and presidential candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) Maj-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), has condemned “in the strongest terms” the series of bombings that took place in four states in Nigeria on the day Christmas is being celebrated across the world.

In a statement issued by Buhari's spokesman, Mr. Yinka Odumakin, the former head of state described the bombing of churches in Suleja and Jos; the SSS office in Yobe State and another location in Adamawa State as dastardly acts.

“Buhari commiserates with all those who have lost their loved ones in these heinous acts of terror and prays that the Almighty would grant them the fortitude to bear their irreparable losses,” he said.

He called on all people of goodwill to condemn these occurrences that had sent sorrows to many families in a festive season.

“Bombing other human beings to death at any time is callous. It becomes much more reprehensible on a Christmas day and all
lovers of peace must condemn these gruesome acts and demand that the perpetrators be fished out and brought to book,” he said.
He is however worried about the seeming mute indifference of the Nigerian authorities to these unfortunate incidents.

“How on earth would the Vatican and the British authorities speak before the Nigerian government on attacks within Nigeria that have led to the deaths of our citizens? This is clearly a failure of leadership at a time the government needs to assure the people of the capacity to guarantee the safety of lives and property," he added.

He called on the Nigerian government to rise up to the challenge of security in the country and not to believe that “it is just about voting almost a quarter of the budget to security”.

“You can devote the entire budget to security and there won't be any result if there is no competence in leadership to know what to do at the right time," he said.
Buhari: This is Dastardly, Articles | THISDAY LIVE





Sunday, December 25, 2011

Christmas Day Bomb Blast Rocks Catholic Church In Suleja

 December 25, 2011 - 09:2
 


Two bombs exploded during christmas church service at a Catholic church today in Madalla, Suleja, Niger state. Several church goers have died and many are severely injured.
Christmas day worshippers at St. Theresa's Catholic Church, Madalla near Abuja in Niger State were caught up in a blast that has killed several people.

Citizen reporters for Saharareporters have counted 20 bodies so far and 10 vehicles destroyed entirely in the attacks, one of the vehicles was carrying a family leaving the church after church service, the entire  family died in the car.
Eyewitnesses said a massive bomb was driven by a suicide bomber in a BMW car and a second car rigged with explosives was parked at the premises of the church. Both exploded minutes apart. The first explosion happened around 8: 30 AM as church members left the church premises after the christmas day mass.


Soldiers, police and road safety officials have taken over the premises of the church but angry youths in the area have prevented them from taking away dead bodies.

Emergency services could not reach many injured person as there was chronic shortage of ambualnces and medical supplies.


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Tuesday, December 20, 2011

"Shoeless & Schoolless"-The Dismal State of Nigerian Children In 2011

 At a campaign rally earlier this year, President Goodluck Jonathan offered a detailed depiction of the deprivations he suffered in Otuoke, now in Bayelsa State, as a schoolboy whose parents were impoverished. Said Mr. Jonathan: “In my early days in school, I had no shoes, no school bag. I carried my books in my hands, but never despaired. There were days I had only one meal, but I never despaired. My story is the story of a young Nigerian whose access to education opened up vast opportunities that enabled me to attain my present position.”
But, as the following heartbreak pictures reveal, most Nigerian children born in the decades since Jonathan was in school live under worse circumstances. Indeed, the situation is grimmer as many present-day Nigerian children not only fend for themselves but often also contribute to the income of the family by engaging in different odd or menial jobs. The question is: Without a sound education, what does the future hold for these children, especially in the contemporary, technology-driven world?























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