Oil Spill: We've Failed, Says Shell

By Chika Amanze-Nwachuku with agency report

For the first time, oil giant Shell yesterday admitted that oil companies are not doing enough to deal with oil spills in their areas of operation.

The company also said it was not ignorant of its obligation under the Nigerian law to clean up oil spills, but that it would not jeopardise the safety of its staff because of the law.

Speaking at the Fortune Global Forum in Cape Town, South Africa, Chief Executive Officer of Shell, Peter Voser, said oil industries must come together to be better prepared in the future to deal with spills.

The Shell boss who was responding to criticisms raised at the Global Forum that Shell and other oil majors were not doing enough to clean up oil spills in Nigeria, said the complex situation in the country makes it difficult for the company to properly deal with it.

"We can contribute in the best way actually by doing our job properly (and) generate revenues for the government, but that has been quite problematic over the last few years because of sabotage and violence (targeting oil companies)," Reuters quoted Voser as saying.

According to him, "Shell was obliged under Nigerian law to clean up oil spills but would not jeopardise staff safety to accomplish this. I will not send people in if they are under threat."

Voser said that last year alone, 98 percent of Shell's oil spills in the Niger Delta region,  were caused by sabotage and or theft.

Oil spills have been left for decades in the Niger Delta, polluting the air, soil and water of impoverished communities.

This was the case even before the problems of sabotage and kidnapping in the region.

In fact, years of neglect led to these vices, because communities felt that was the way to protest injustice.

No one knows for sure how much oil has seeped into the rivers and creeks of the Niger Delta, but the report said environmentalists opined that the impact over time in one of the world's largest wetlands is much worse than in the United States.

He however said Shell will continue its deep-water drilling to meet rising global oil demand despite safety concerns following rival BP's Gulf of Mexico blowout.

"Given the rise in the population and rise in developing world of energy needs, we will have to develop those resources in deep waters as well, so my expectation is that we will go forward with it, but it will need some changes," Voser said.

"We would not have drilled the well in the same way. We have got other safety procedures across the globe. But I think for some companies there will be some learning from this as well," he said.

"If I look at what (US Interior Secretary Kenneth) Salazar is now proposing to change in terms of regulations in the United States, I can say this is pretty much in line with our global (safety) standards," said Voser.
Source: This Day, 29^th June 2010.

Back

New Compensation Policy on Oil Spill Coming

Olufemi Adeosun

THE Federal Government has hinted of its preparedness to initiate a new policy for dealing with compensation claims to communities and individuals involved in oil spill incidents.

Speaking while playing host to the management of National Emergency Management Agency, (NEMA), the Acting Director-General of the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), Mrs Uche Okwechime, said the existing compensation scheme could no longer assuage the damage suffered by the oil communities in the Niger Delta.

The agency announced that the country has recorded about 3,000 oil spillages in the last four years.

According to her, the agency in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is working on a new template which will address spillage in a holistically to the satisfaction of the affected communities.

She said: "By the Act establishing the agency, NOSDRA is supposed to take damage assessment of any oil imparted sites and by that extension we try to do so. At the moment, we are working in collaboration with the UNDP to come up with the guidelines on remediation or damage assessment.

"Besides, the agency is working in partnership with the UN agency to draw up a compensation rate."

Faulting the present arrangement, she further said: "What we have at the moment is not acceptable to the communities. So, we are trying to develop an acceptable rate and in that, we are working with the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) and all other stakeholders to reach an agreement on an acceptable rate. Any moment from now, we are going to subject the draft proposal for new compensation rates to stakeholders' consideration."

The Director-General said NOSDRA has been very proactive in engaging oil companies and trying to get them to respond promptly to incidences of oil spill in the country, stressing that the companies have realised the need to collaborate with the agency in dealing with oil spill.

The Director of Oil Spill Detection and Response, Mr Idris Musa, while providing further explanation on the role of the agency, noted that Act of NOSDRA covers all oil spills sites that had occurred in the country, irrespective of volume and that these are usually reported and investigated.

He said most of the 3,000 oil spills so far recorded in the last four years are not as massive as would generate serious environmental concern.

"The number that make up the 3,000 oil spills is not all that large oil spills. I can tell you from the records some of these spills are just about 0.01 per cent of a barrel of crude oil and those that are of substantial volumes are usually cleaned up as soon as they are reported," he said.

The Acting Director-General of NEMA, Dr Charles Agbo, described NOSDRA as one of the critical stakeholders in the Federal Government's disaster intervention scheme.

He said both agencies' role in disaster management are complementary. He explained that while NOSDRA relies on NEMA to provide relief materials and succour for the victims of oil spill incidents, remediation and compensation are within the purview of NOSDRA.
Source: The Nation, 26^th July 2010.

I Resigned to Face Corruption Charges - Ogbulafor
…Egwu, Nwodo top on list for replacement

Embattled national chairman of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Vincent Ogbulafor said he resigned the position to allow him pay full attention to the corruption charges preferred against him by the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC).

Ogbulafor was forced to resign his position after the three governors of the party from the South East zone threatened to announce his resignation if he failed to comply.

The three governors along with 25 other governors of the party had traded Ogbulafor to secure the vice presidential ticket for their member, Namadi Sambo of Kaduna State. In his two page letter of resignation sent to the National Executive Committee of the party and to President Goodluck Jonathan Ogbulafor said he was giving 30 days notice.

He said in the letter that :"This resignation was informed by the case I have with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Related Offences Commission (ICPC) in court; for it will give me an ample opportunity to prepare and face my case frontally in order to prove my innocence and for the interest of our party and the nation at large.

"More so, this resignation will prove to the world that some Nigerian leaders can vacate high offices in order not to be seen as using such office to obstruct justice. Once again, let me reiterate that I am innocent of all those ICPC allegations and I am confident that I will be vindicated".

It was gathered that while the party is awaiting an emergency National Working Committee meeting to take a decision on the resignation of its chairman, two candidates are already on the queue to fill the soon to be vacant office.

The two names mentioned in the party circles yesterday were former Ebonyi State governor Sam Egwu and immediate past Minister of Education, Okwesilieze Nwodo.
Source: Business Day, 15^th May 2010.

Ogbulafor: Why I Resigned
•Ohakim expresses relief
•Govs woo Pius Anyim for chairmanship

From Chuks Okocha in Abuja

The out going National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Vincent Ogbulafor has explained that he took the decision to resign on Thursday in order to face squarely the corruption charges filed against him by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Related Offences Commission.

1. His resignation was received with considerable relief by Governor Ikedi Ohakim of Imo State who in a statement yesterday commended Ogbulafor, saying that "he eventually listened to the voice of reason to toe the path of honour."
Meanwhile, following Ogbulafor's formal resignation, the search for an interim successor heightened yesterday as five state governors - Bukola Saraki (Kwara); Isa Yuguda (Bauchi); Gabriel Suswam (Benue); Danjuma Goje (Gombe) and Timi Slyva (Bayelsa) - were speculated to be wooing former Senate President, Anyim Pius Anyim for the job.

In his resignation letter dated May 13, 2010 and exclusively obtained by this newspaper yesterday, Ogbulafor said the resignation would give him ample opportunity to prepare and face his case "frontally in order to prove my innocence and for the interest of our party and the nation at large."

In the letter addressed to the National Executive Committee of the party, and copied to President Goodluck Jonathan and Governor Saraki, Ogbulafor said he would finally quit after a 30-day notice, in line with the party's constitution.
The letter reads: "In view of my recent meeting and discussions with Mr. President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan and the governors of the Peoples Democratic Party extraction, I hereby give 30 days notice of my intention to resign as the National Chairman of the PDP.

"This is in strict compliance with the provision of Article 14.4 of the constitution of the PDP, 2009."This resignation was informed by the case I have in court with the ICPC, for it will give me an ample opportunity to prepare and face my case frontally in order to prove my innocence and for the interest of our party and the nation at large.

"Moreso, this resignation will prove to the world that some Nigerian leaders can vacate high office in order not to be seen as using such offices to obstruct justice," said Ogbulafor in his letter.
Ogbulafor also insisted that he was innocent of the ICPC allegations "and I am confident that I will be vindicated."
Ogbulafor's ouster from the party started on Tuesday when President Jonathan was reported to have told some PDP governors to persuade Ogbulafor to step down on moral grounds because of the corruption allegations against him.

Three PDP South-east governors namely Sullivan Chime of Enugu, Ikedi Ohakim of Imo and Martins Elechi of Ebonyi conveyed the president's message to Ogbulafor, urging him to quit.
Sources said he initially agreed with the South-east governors and even dictated a resignation letter in front of them to his secretary, only to turn round and renege on his word.

His argument was that he got his position with the support of all PDP governors, National Assembly members and all members of the party, and therefore would not succumb to the pressure of only three governors.
"I have not resigned from my office as the national chairman of the PDP. I want to gladly tell you that it is speculation in the air.
"I have not resigned from my office as the national chairman of PDP," he said on Wednesday.

He vowed to fight on until proven guilty by a court of law. But by Wednesday night, the number of PDP governors asking Ogbulafor to go had grown to 23.
Sources said this convinced Ogbulafor that the game was over and he subsequently threw in the towel on Thursday.
With his departure, the search for Ogbulafor's successor is already gathering momentum with Anyim being tipped to take over, following overtures made to him by five governors of the PDP.It was gathered that if Anyim accepts to declare interest in the job, the five governors would convince their colleagues to support him as the next national chairman of the PDP.

As at press time, it was not clear whether Anyim had accepted the governors' proposal. Other PDP chieftains said to be interested in the job are the former governor of Enugu State, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo and Thomas Aguiyi Ironsi, a former minister during the Olusegun Obasanjo regime.

The new chairman, however, would only occupy the position for not more than six months to make way for a national convention where all the national executive offices of the party would be thrown open for all interested members to contest.
In a related development, Governor Ohakim commended Ogbulafor for eventually listening to the voice of reason by toeing the path of honour, adding "I commend him for his courage and show of love and concern for his country."

Throwing more light on the position of the governors from the South-east on Ogbulafor, Ohakim recalled that the three "PDP governors from the South-east geopolitical zone, including my humble self, had on Tuesday May 11, 2010, at the Imo Governor's Lodge Asokoro Abuja, met with Prince Ogbulafor and gave him our candid view on the situation we all found ourselves with a request that he should resign.

"After listening to us, the then chairman agreed and in our very presence dictated his letter of resignation to his secretary through his cell phone.
"The atmosphere was very brotherly and on his request, we adjourned the meeting to enable him go and sign the letter and bring back for onward transmission to the party."
Ohakim said Ogbulafor reneged on that agreement and "a big drama ensued amid insinuations that the three of us were being used by the presidency to cajole Prince Ogbulafor. We were accused of bad faith."

The Imo State governor said he was glad that the controversy was over and that Ogbulafor had eventually listened to the voice of reason "to toe the path of honour" and commended him for his courage and "show of love and concern for his country."
Ohakim added: "Prince Ogbulafor may be down but not out. So far, he has not been found guilty. If he is innocent of the charges against him, he would get justice and history will vindicate him.

"The position we took on the matter was in the national interest and not hinged on any personal hatred or animosity against him.
"Prince (Chief) Vincent Eze Ogbulafor remains the great friend I have come to respect so much.
"I recommend the example of Prince Ogbulafor to other Nigerians to be ready at all times to put national interest above personal, group or sectional interest."
Source: This Day, 15^th May 2010.

PDP Crisis: Why I resigned, by Ogbulafor

By MALACHY UZENDU, Deputy News Editor, Abuja

Embattled national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Vincent Eze Ogbulafor, yesterday, advanced reasons why he resigned from office, saying it was in order not to be seen as using such office to obstruct justice.

Ogbulafor confirmed in the resignation letter he addressed to the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party that the outcome of his recent "meetings and discussions with President Goodluck Jonathan and the state governors of the PDP extraction" convinced him to quit office.

But he had earlier on Wednesday, told journalists that he was not contemplating resigning from office in spite of pressure from both Aso Rock and state governors to do so, saying it was unconstitutional as he was not chairman to either the president or state governors.

In the resignation letter dated May 13th, 2010 however, and which was for the attention of the deputy national chairman of the party, Dr. Bello Haliru Mohammed, Ogbulafor said "I hereby give 30 days' notice of my intention to resign as the national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party."

Same letter was sent to President Goodluck Jonathan and Governor Bukola Saraki, Kwara state governor, who also chairs both the nation's Governors' Forum and the PDP group of governors.

The decision to do so, according to him, was in strict compliance with the provisions of article 14.4 of the PDP constitution (2009, as amended), which stipulates that "any officer elected into the executive committee of the party at any level may resign his or her office by giving 30 days notice in writing to the appropriate executive committee (in this instance, NEC), except in the case of resignation for the purpose of vying for an elective office, which shall be effective within the period stipulated in the guideline issued for such elective office by the national executive committee of the party."

Ogbulafor was categorical in stating that he resigned because of "the case I have with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) in court."

He explained further that his resignation "will give me ample opportunity to prepare and face my case frontally in order to prove my innocence and for the interest of our party and the nation at large," stressing that his resignation will prove to the world that some Nigerian leaders can vacate high offices in order not to be seen as using such office to obstruct justice.

Though he thanked his party members for giving him opportunity to serve them as chairman, he insisted that "I am innocent of all those ICPC allegations and I am confident that I will be vindicated."

On Thursday, issues bothering on Ogbulafor's resignation held the nation's media spellbound as virtually all journalists from major media houses laid siege at the PDP national secretariat awaiting his resignation, but in the end, went home without any discernible confirmation from officers who should know.

Rather than tell the journalists the home truth, but leaving them to speculate, the party's national secretary, Abubakar Kawu Baraje, spoke tongue-in-cheek, when he told them that "yes, we also heard about the resignation, but I cannot confirm that now. However, before the end of the day, we shall be able to speak categorically on that."

Baraje said: "I cannot confirm that to you now but maybe in the next few hours I will be able to confirm yes or no."

He said following the demand of the South East governors for the resignation of the national chairman, Ogbulafor had to consult with other stakeholders from the zone.

He said: "On a serious note, it is no longer news that three governors from the eastern states asked him to resign as a result of the case in court and you know the process of electing our chairman and various members of the executive party. They come from the zone before they are now elected through national convention. So he has to go on consultation with his zone and presently he is doing a lot of consultation from his zone.

"The outcome of the consultation is what will tell us whether he is going to resign or not; that is why I tell you that presently, I cannot confirm it and I know that before the end of the day, definitely you will know the outcome of his consultation."

Baraje said the ICPC case was not enough to remove the national chairman because his case is still on-going but his matter became complicated when the PDP governors from South East told him to resign.

"Anybody can be accused of anything, including you gentlemen. If you are accused, it does not mean that you are already convicted. You see, you are all enlightened people at certain level. There are various kinds of behaviour. I read in one of the newspapers that in Nigeria we don't resign, even in the culture where they resign you resign based on various factors. As a result, if when people who elected you into position say they don't have confidence in you any longer, you resign."

He however gave indication that Ogbulafor may not escape the sword that was dangling over him, after the PDP governors from his South East zone withdrew their support of his continued stay in office.

He said the PDP has an unwritten tradition that the governors are the leaders of the party in their states and whatever positions they take represent the position of the people of the states and the zone.

While denying speculations that President Goodluck Jonathan forced Ogbulafor out of office, Baraje said that the PDP Governors' Forum has nothing to do with the travails of the embattled chairman either and maintained that since the chairmanship was zoned to the South East, it is the people of the zone that will determine what or who holds the position in trust for them.

"In this case of the chairman, he is being accused of wrong doing and the court process is on. He has not been convicted. The only snag in this situation is that his zone that voted him to come and represent them said he should resign. He now says let me consult wider in that zone, which is what he is doing.

"So whether we are happy or not has nothing to do with the situation. If we are happy and the zone says they have rescinded their decision for him to resign, fine; he comes back. If we are unhappy we cannot remove him because all of us come from different zones and states and like you know different states and zones make up PDP."

He said the party's constitution was very explicit on how the national chairman can resign and gave assurance that there will not be any vacuum over the resignation of Ogbulafor or any other national officer.

"The process is very clear in the constitution. If he resigns then there is a vacancy and the constitution says that if there is a vacancy he hands over to the deputy national chairman pending the appointment of a new chairman from that same zone and the appointment will also have to be confirmed by the executive committee of the party.

"The process is that he will resign and hand over to the deputy and the deputy will hold forth and present the letter of resignation to the National Executive Committee (NEC) and at the same time approved."

Also, Chief Olusola Oke, national legal adviser of the party who said though he has not been formally informed of his resignation, noted that if his zone has rejected him, then, he would have no option than to quit.

"If he is going to resign, he will send his letter to the office of the national secretary not to that of the national legal adviser, so as at this moment you are talking to me, I am not aware of it. If he has done so, I am sure that by tomorrow it is not unlikely that we will have an emergency NWC meeting to look at the letter and then be able to accept or forward same to NEC at the appropriate time.

On the zone that will replace the chairman, if he eventually resigns, he said: "The issue of zoning formula will not arise now because we had an election, which produced the president and his vice and the constitution says where the office of the president becomes vacant by whatever reason, his vice should step in, which is what has been done. But at the moment, as far as we are concerned, until 2011, that is when a call to any revisit of the zoning will arise."

Controversy over the tenure of Ogbulafor heightened shortly after he publicly declared that given the convention of the PDP, the north, will produce the next presidential candidate of the party in the 2011 election.

Since then, Ogbulafor has been under pressure to resign, ostensibly from Jonathan supporters in government. Not even several visits by his wife to Dame Patience Jonathan, could douse the tension created in the relationship between the chairman and now president of the country.

Among some achievements touted by his supporters since his assumption of office, include introduction of several reforms to the party, among them the Dr. Alex Ekwueme Peace and Reconciliation Committee, whose efforts led to the return of erstwhile estranged founding fathers of the party, including Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, former vice president.

The committee's efforts, they also claim saw to the numerous electoral victories of the party both in conventional and re-run elections in parts of the country. He also set about introducing platforms that would bring about discipline and decency to the party, they argued.

Ogbulafor had told reporters that he would stop at nothing until he restored internal democracy to the PDP.

Recently, his decision to suspend some prominent members of the party, who had come under the umbrella of PDP Reform Group, led by former Senate President Ken Nnamani, seems to have worked against him, though the party's NEC had approved of the action.
Source: Daily Champion, 15^th May 2010.

Ogbulafor's Resignation a Relief,
Says Governor Ohakim

Imo State Governor Ikedi Ohakim has described the resignation of the former National Chairman of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) as "a great relief."

Recalling the events that led to the resignation of Ogbulafor, Ohakim, in a statement on Friday, said he and two other governors from the South-East geo-political zone met with the outgoing PDP chairman on May 11 at the Imo State Lodge, Asokoro, Abuja and advised him to resign. He said Ogbulafor initially agreed only to later renege on the agreement. He explained; "After listening to us, the then chairman agreed and in our very presence dictated his letter of resignation to his secretary through his cell phone. The atmosphere was very brotherly, and on his request, we adjourned the meeting to enable him go and sign the letter and bring back for onward transmission to the party."

According to the Imo State Governor, Ogbulafor did not return to them as agreed only for the party chief to accuse him and the two other governors of bad faith.

Ohakim said he was happy that Ogbulafor had finally listened to the voice of reason and toe the path of honour by resigning.

The Imo State Governor however commended Ogbulafor for "his courage and show of love and concern for his country. I recommend the example of Prince Ogbulafor to other Nigerians to be ready at all times to put national interest above personal, group or sectional interest."

Ohakim said the position they took was based on national interest and not hinged on any personal hatred or animosity against Prince Ogbulafor.
It will be recalled that the former PDP chairman carved in to pressure mounted by many within and outside the PDP to resign so that he could face the case of corruption currently instituted against him in a Federal High Court, Abuja. He resigned on Thursday.
Source: The Nation, 15^th May 2010.

Ogbulafor was not Forced to Resign –Olisah Metuh, PDP V'Chairman
• Says array of contenders good for South East

From Taiwo Amodu, Abuja

National Vice Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, South East, Chief Olisah Metuh has denied media reports that the immediate past National Chairman of the party, Chief Vincent Ogbulafor was forced to resign from office by governors from the South East geo-political zone. Ogbulafor tendered his resignation as national chairman of the party last Friday and there had been horse-trading over who assumed leadership position at Wadata Plaza

Metuh refuted the claim yesterday while speaking with newsmen at the party national secretariat in Abuja. His declaration was at variance with the submission of the national secretary of the party, Alhaji Kawu Baraje, who told journalists last Thursday that the South East governors instructed Ogbulafor to resign to face graft charges, since according to the governors, the corruption charges against him were moral burdens on the party.

Baraje had expressed consternation over the governors' action, since, according to him, the trial of Ogbulafor over graft charges was still on. Metuh however faulted the claim of Baraje.

"It was the entire country that made him national chairman, not the South East. He wasn't removed, he took a decision based on moral grounds to resign. I speak for myself and I speak for the South East; the national secretary that you are quoting is from the north central.

What he (Ogbulafor) had with the South East governors was a brotherly discussion, during which they put heads together on what to do and they arrived at the decision.

Nobody put pressure on him, nobody pushed him to resign. It was his decision after consulting with the governors. That was what he did. We commended that, because that was the first time something of such would happen in this country and I am happy that it came from the South East.

Reacting to concerns over the array of contenders for the race from the south east zone, the vice chairman denied insinuations that there was going to be a consensus candidate. He told journalists that there could not be a consensus candidate as replacement, even as he told newsmen that there were new entrants for the office.

"There can't be any consensus candidate, more people are even coming out. We are going to have a lot of them; the process would throw up the chairman. But I hope you knew how long it took Audu Ogbeh to emerge as National Chairman and how long it took Bernard Eze to emerge as national secretary after Ojo Maduekwe was made minister.

It wasn't an appointment, it wasn't something you would do the next day; it would take a process; it would take consultations at all levels. More people were even coming out and it was good. We are demonstrating our democratic talents. We always set the pace."
Source: Sun, 19^th May 2010.

Ogbulafor Resigns

By Henry Umoru

ABUJA – THE embattled National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Prince Vincent Eze Ogbulafor may have bowed to pressure today and resigned his position as the head of the National Working Committee, NWC of the party.

There were very strong indications that he tendered his letter of resignation, though as at the time of this report, there was no official confirmation from the national leadership of the party that Ogbulafor had tendered his letter of resignation, just as he was not seen in the office throughout today and his official aides were also not available to speak on the issue.

At Wadata Plaza, the National Secretariat of the party, Staff of the Party were seen discussing the issue in very low tune against the backdrop that they had not formally been briefed.

The PDP National Chairman had on Wednesday while answering questions from Journalists said he had no plans to resign and that he was still the National Chairman of the Party.

It would be recalled that some members of the party under the aegis of PDP Reform Forum with former Senate President Ken Nnamani, ex-Speaker, Federal House of Representatives, Aminu Bello Masari along side other stakeholders have been in the forefront calling for a better and more operational National Working Committee that would drive the PDP in line with the ideals of the founding fathers.

Also recall that the call for his resignation became heightened following his prosecution at an Abuja High Court along side three others by the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, ICPC over a 16-count criminal charge involving N2.3 billion fraud. This, the party members and Nigerians are of the view that it became imperative for him to resign especially as the one presiding over a party that produced the government of the day which professes rule of law, transparency as its cardinal objectives.

Before the news of his apparent resignation, the National Chairman had got the support of the twenty-eight governors of the party, but as events unfold, they started dumping him gradually starting with Governors Ikedi Ohakim of Imo, Martins Elechi of Ebonyi and Sulivan Chime who had during their meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan asked him to resign.

Also on Wednesday night, it was gathered that majority of the governors who had been his backbone at the end of the meeting held at Kwara State Governor's lodge decided to remove the ladder from his feet, leaving him to be on his own.

But answering questions from Journalists at the Party National Secretariat, the PDP National Secretary, Abubakar Kawu Baraje who noted that the National Chairman cannot resign as Chairman without his consent, was however selfish with answers, saying, "The national chairman of a party like peoples democratic party cannot resign without you hearing. I cannot confirm that to you now but maybe in the next few hours I will be able to confirm yes or no.

On whether he can deny the rumour, he said, " did you hear what I said I cannot confirm and  I am student of English too, I said in the next few hours.

"On a serious note it is no longer news that three governors from the eastern state asked him to resign as a result of the case in court and you know the process of electing our chairman and various members of the executive party they come from the zone  before they are now elected through  national convention. So he has to go on consultations with his zone and presently he is doing a lot of consultation around from his zone and the outcome of the consultation is what will tell us whether he is going to resign or not that is why I tell you that presently I cannot confirm and I know that before the end of the day definitely you will know the out come of his consultation, today definitely you will know the outcome of the consultation."

On what is the process of resignation and whom will he handover the letter of resignation to, the PDP National Secretary said, "the process is very clear in the constitution.  If he resigns then there is a vacancy and the constitution says that if there is a vacancy, he hands over to the Deputy National chairman pending the appointment of a new chairman from that same zone and the appointment will also have to be confirmed by the executive committee of the party.

"The process is that he will resign handover to the deputy and the deputy will hold forte and the letter will have to be presented to the deputy who will present it to the NEC and at the same time approved.

Asked further the role of the NWC, he said, "who is the deputy national chairman representing? It is the NWC.

When asked if the NWC members are happy with the present development, Baraje answered thus, "Any body can be accused of anything including you gentle men. If you are accused, it does not mean that you are already convicted.

You see you are all enlightened people at certain level. There are various kinds of behaviour. I read in one of the newspapers today that in Nigeria, we don't resign, even in the culture where they reside you resign base on various factors as a result of when people who elected you into position say they don't have confidence in you any longer you resign. Two, when it is proved that you have committed misconduct in your profession. And in this case of the chairman is being accused of wrong doing and the court process is on. He has not been convicted the only snag in this situation is that his zone that voted him to come and represent the party level said he should resign. He now says let me consult wider in that zone which is what he is doing. So the idea of whether we are happy or not has nothing to do with the situation.

"If we are happy and the zone says they have rescinded their decision for him to resign fine he comes back whether we are happy or not he seats down as the chairman.  If we are unhappy we cannot remove him because all of us come from different zones and states and like you know different states and zones make up PDP".
Source: Vanguard, 13^th May 2010.

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'Nigeria Was Designed At Independence To Fail But God Has Held Us Together'

Motivator and conference speaker, Paul Adeolu Adefarasin is founder and Senior Pastor of House on the Rock. He is well known for his message of hope, healing and empowerment. In this interview with BISI ALABI WILLIAMS, he spoke on PETRA Coalition, a forum for pastors of churches, ministers and women in ministry.

The PETRA Coalition

WHAT we have is an assimilation of several churches coming together under the banner of the Petra Coalition. We are grooming a much happier church, working together to achieve more. We are closing the ranks between churches that are often divided by dogma, denomination and doctrine, so that we are able to synergise as one body. As a result, we are much more effectual in our objectives in establishing God's kingdom on earth and instituting righteousness, justice and equity as a standard for national.

Network strength

The church is midwifed by the PETRA Coalition and a central working committee. Some of that facilitation comes from my local church only because that's what is presently obtainable. There are at least five hundred participating churches and about three hundred representatives. Together, we have about eight hundred churches. Our membership across the country represents at least 2000 to 2500 churches. So, it's a significant network.

Interestingly, it seems a bit stronger in Northern Nigeria than it is in the South. What we are doing is giving inspiration, counseling, direction and opportunity for kindred fellowship among pastors in this present time.

Participants on board

What we have are capable people from all walks of life, and if we are able to bring them together, as we are already doing, God can deliver his plans and possibilities for our great nation. Those possibilities include better healthcare, national development, rehabilitation of impoverished communities and power generation. As you see today, we have people from every major church in the Lagos Metropolis and many other churches across the country.

Representing those churches are doyens of industry, banking and finance, manufacturing, private sector, oil and gas. All these people are part of the process of establishing righteousness and justice, which is what our nation needs. This is how the Christian can be a part of the process of contributing responsibly to the development of the country.

Challenges in bringing the people together

You don't have to be a Christian to recognise the problems. Hence, responsibility is laid on all Christians not to be a part of the problem but part of the solution. So, when we call on the people, they come easily. This may also be because of the credibility of the coalition and the organisation.

Hence, there is a high level of subscription. Of course, we leave nothing to chance. We make choices and do what we are expected to do to increase our database. We develop this, day to day, in the public and private sectors, so that we can call and reach our people when the need arises.

Vision

First of all, this group is not looking for credit. It's not looking for glory or for measurement of success. It is not just another church. It is ideologically the Christian church in Nigeria. She is pre - existent to Nigeria, in that the church has existed long before Nigeria became a nation. When I say the church, I am not talking about a denomination or an organisation. I mean the Christian church as documented in the Scriptures. And all we are saying is let the church return to the original calling, when the Christian faith was first delivered to the saints.

The church, all through the New Testament, has always had a divine mandate placed upon her by the fact that she lives in the community, and she has responsibility to promote the values of God and His kingdom. So, there's propagation of the unity of the church and its responsibility to represent her King in righteousness, equity and justice and in development.

Measure of success

I believe that, over time, you will be able to see actual results in the polity and in the market sector. In coming together, we have a unified sense of cause. We are streamlining our objectives, so that they can be easily identified. We will begin to lobby strongly for the things we believe in, so that we see progress and development in this land. As things are today, everyone is a witness that you can't just build anyhow and anywhere in Lagos.

The laws are better enforced today than in previous administrations. So, we have to lobby for stronger representation. We will ensure that those who we identify as Christians are held accountable to their creed. Just like Queen Esther occupied the most influential position in the land. She used her influence to avert a catastrophe that threatened to engulf her nation

How can one become a part of this?

You are already a part of this! You are using the platform of media to get the message out, saying it's time to join hands together, to get accountable to our creed, to righteousness, justice and equity. It's time to stand up and do the right thing. I believe that this is what you are doing by giving your best practices and airtime to our programme.

So, you are a part of us and we appreciate that very much. Christians, who are in the church, are the people that will get involved in politics and allow righteousness to reign. God will use them to enthrone justice, equity, development and progress in Nigeria. God is looking for men with generational antecedents, men with a heart for public service, who will deliver true service.

Is disintegration the best option for the country?

No, it is not. It is the people who are not well informed that see disintegration as a better option. The marriage, which brought Nigeria forth, as a nation, was unjustly contracted by colonial midwives, under the guise of granting independence to a nation. Nigeria was designed at independence to fail but God has held us together. It was a deliberate design to hamper the progress of Nigeria and Nigerians. It is a miracle from God that has kept us together as a nation. The Bible says that if the foundation is faulty, what can the righteous do. Nigerians must have a sovereign national conference.

In the next five years, we must have a sovereign national conference. Otherwise, I personally predict that Nigeria will disintegrate. Although it is not my wish, it, however, will, unless something is done. If we are not careful to ensure that all the federating units of the country sacrifice their own personal ambition for the greater good, this country will disintegrate because it is already tottering at the brink. I believe that Nigeria can be one. It can become a true federation, which I don't believe it is presently. We must decide on what we want as a nation, whether it's a confederation, a loose federation or a federation.

The Nigeria of your dreams

I see a place where we don't have the insecurities that exist today; a place of wonderful job opportunities where the youths can achieve their dreams, a place where our children can realise their dreams, a place where everyone is free to pursue their dreams and actualise their potentials. I see a nation where everything works, where children can go to school and come home in peace, where people can walk on the streets and no one will harass them. I see a responsive and responsible leadership; a God fearing people, who sincerely love one another and work together for a great nation; a place where the best will serve the best. The list is endless. But it is the Nigeria of my dreams.
Source: The Guardian, 11^th April 2010.

Living Off Nigeria Railways Carcass

By Armsfree Ajanaku Onomo and Gbenga Adetunji

THE painful story of decay that has continued to render the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) comatose for so many years, has been repeatedly narrated. Also renowned are stories of tepid and largely uncoordinated efforts aimed at revamping this crucial means of transportation. The untold story, however, revolves around what has become the fate of those whose sources of livelihood had always depended on, or was connected to the rail system, when it worked efficiently. Although many of them have moved on with life, some have remained behind with their sad stories to tell.

Some of them nostalgically remember the good old days when the trains ran efficiently, ruing what the system has now become. From big business men to traders of all manner of goods, it was the same story of regrets at the collapse of the system. One place to find some of these people is at the NRC compound in Oyingbo and its environs.

A few of them who spoke to The Guardian reflected that the decline in the fortunes of the rail system seemed to have triggered the reversal of their own fortunes. aWhen the trains used to work well, you won't see me sitting here and selling all these petty things. We used to go to the terminal to sell and business was booming then," says Yinka Adetutu, a septuagenarian who now sells groceries just at the edge of the rail track.

Ade Olotu, who used to deal in grains in the good old days when the trains worked, says he now shuttles between jobs. He recalls that after it became almost impossible to convey goods from the North using the trains, his business began to crumble, as he suffered losses in road mishaps while conveying his goods with trailers. He bemoans the collapse of the rail system thus: aI don't know why they killed the railways. This place used to be a busy area because of constant business opportunities. People were coming with goods from all parts of the country, and there were jobs for people to do. It is not so anymore; we are only just struggling to feed our families."

EVEN so, the likes of Adetutu and Olotu are only outsiders. Those who spent years working for the system have also been lamenting. According to them, the moribund state of the NRC has continued to cause them nightmares. One of them said: aIt is sad to see that the system we worked for during our youthful days is now in shambles. Those of us who gave the corporation our best have our pensions paid far in between. And when you think of the fact that these trains used to carry people and goods across the whole of the country, you would know how painful it is to see what they have become."

Beyond counting their losses, majority of these people who have either worked with the corporation, or did their businesses around the terminals have now turned the corridor along the rail line into a vast stretch of shanties. Others have built fairly big houses a few meters from the rail line at Oyingbo.

The burgeoning of these shanties along the corridor is now the clearest manifestation of the homelessness that a number of those who worked with the corporation now experience. Efforts, in form of a few raids made in time past, especially last year to dislodge them did not yield results, and there is a continuous increase in the population of squatters along the corridor.

THE corridor at Oyingbo, for example, is a chaotic world of shanties that plays host to countless brothels, and makeshift cinema houses. The thriving ghetto in the area, with its full complement of churches and mosques, belongs not only to the wretched of Lagos's earth, but also to those who fell from riches to rags. Stories abound of people who moved to the area because of accommodation problems or loss of job. What such people deemed as short-term measures to address their difficulties soon turned to long drawn-out, resulting in years of residing in the chaotic environment.

Disorderly as the environment may seem, the law is not far from the people here. There is the Railway Police Command nearby, and interestingly, a magistrate court very close to the long stretch of matchbox dwelling places. In fact, the court is normally used as a thoroughfare in accessing the ghetto on the rail lines.

A concerned Lagosian who decried how the people in the area carry on with life said: aIs it not better for all these people here to return to their villages, instead of staying in this hell of a place. I don't understand why people would choose to live like this because it would be unfortunate for any child to be raised in this kind of environment.

This is now part of the reality of a system, which was a pillar of the Nigerian economy up till the 80s. It has turned out to be a typical Nigerian story of how graft destroys. The gross mismanagement of funds allocated to the sector by the past administrators and the long-time neglect by the federal government have been variously identified as factors responsible for the decline of the railway system.

While describing the reality of the system as pathetic, a retired staff of the corporation said that the bitter lesson from the past public investments in the corporation stem from the fact that the huge outlays have simply disappeared into the bottomless pit of graft and mismanagement. For instance, he observed that a former Minister of Transport, Abiye Sekibo in 2006 raised hopes of reviving the sector and a sum of $2bn was released as part of the take-off of the Inland Container Terminals.

Today, what do we have? Nothing. The money has gone down the drain," he said.

He recalled that another sum of $500m rail rehabilitation contract signed by the Sani Abacha junta in 1995 with the Chinese Civil Engineering and Construction Company had also failed to meet stated objectives. Later, it was discovered that the Chinese firm supplied aged and defective locomotives.

At the end, the Chinese firm, accused cronies and some politicians, who were given the contract to supply the local contents of the project, of either walking away with the money or supplying sub-standard materials. And before that deal, the government had engaged the Rail India Technical and Economic Services in 1979. That contract was also terminated in 1982 for non-performance.

Another sum of N12.3 billion contracts for the rehabilitation of 488 Kilometers Lagos-Jebba rail track was recently awarded to a Chinese firm by the Federal government, disclosed the source. The contract is said to have covered the provision of signal and telecommunication facilities for the Nigerian Railway Corporation, is expected to be completed within 10 months by China Civil Engineering and Construction Company (CCECC).

To him, there are some crook individuals and group of people in the country who are bent on making sure that the sector fails in order to satisfy their own selfish interest.

He, however, expressed optimism that things would only change for the better if the Federal government privatizes the sector.

Kehinde Ojajuni, a prominent cocoa merchant dealer in Ibadan agrees that privatization is the solution to the problems dogging the rail system. He said: aWhy should federal government allocate huge sums of money to the sector every time without any trace of development? Let the government hands off the sector and hand it over to the private sector, I am quite sure that things would change for the better".

HOWEVER, in a chat with the immediate managing director and chief executive officer of the corporation, Mazi J.C. Nwakwo, recently in Lagos, he admitted that a lot of things have gone wrong with the corporation and that majority of the locomotives were not working again simply because some of them were aged and outdated.

Nwakwo stated that urgent steps are needed to revive the sector from its present state of decay. He called on the corporation to employ the services of young school graduates and also acquire modern day locomotives that would aid the transportation of goods and persons in the country.

Callistus Uyimadu, public relations officer of the NRC, Dugbe unit, Ibadan, told The Guardian, that the corporation is presently undergoing aggressive rehabilitation as promised by the federal government. He claimed that management of the corporation was living no stone unturned in its supervision of rehabilitation, and that it was prepared to achieve completion of all the facets of repair in record time.

However, a senior staff of the NRC office in Ebute-Metta, Lagos, who spoke on condition of anonymity said contract for the construction of single-track standard gauge spanning 186km length of distance had been awarded to China Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC) on October 26, 2009 at a cost of $849m. Also, a sum of $24million has been paid to TEAM Consultants for its consultancy on Kaduna-Abuja project.

Meanwhile, it was revealed that the Kaduna-Abuja rail standardization project would be funded partly with $500m, which is to be provided by Chinese Government as concession loan. Besides, the scope of work for Lagos-Ibadan segment is under review together with its cost implications.

He said, aI am confident that the corporation will wear a new look if all these laid down projects are actualized". He admitted that a lot of funds that accrued to the corporation had gone down the drain due to selfish interests of the people who had one time served at the corporation.

Adeseyi Sijuwade, current managing director of the NRC, during the official hand over ceremony from his predecessor at the headquarters in Lagos recently, said he would endeavor to change the public perception of the corporation for the better. Tracing the woes of the nation's railways to the lack of funds, he stated that year 2010 would mark a change as the Federal Government was committed to providing the needed funds to revive the ailing corporation.
Source: The Guardian, 21^st Feb 2010.

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Ndigbo - Strategising for the Future

By Daniel Kanu

The Issue of formidable unity and the way forward for Ndigbo was at the front burner recently, at a dinner organised by Ndigbo Lagos, in honour of the new president-general of Ohaneze Ndi Igbo, Ambassador Raph Uwechue.

It was as if the gathering was designed to mark a new dawn of Igbo unity - in Nigeria and the Diaspora.

It was a gathering of prominent Igbo sons in search of a solution to re-enact their cherished values as an enterprising and hard working people.

Most especially the occasion provided a veritable platform for soul searching, articulation of a roadmap for a new beginning and a re-awakening for a people that have suffered pronounced set-back and socio-economic and political neglect since the end of the civil war.

The fate of Ndigbo in contemporary Nigeria was brought to the fore at the occasion. Although some believe that Ndigbo have had much talk shop on the issue of their neglect, many still believe that what is important is to develop the will power to confront any problem, no matter how monstrous it may appear.

From the beginning of Independence till date, a lot of economic and political blue prints have been marshalled out to make Ndigbo able to stand on its own and cater for the overall needs of their people. But, somewhere along the line, they have become political issues, which eventually end up in the dustbin of history.

The very robust ones put in place during the First Republic could not stand the test of time because they too were abandoned, as crude oil boomed, to the detriment of the people. Today, the zone is grappling with a lot of problems that have refused to go away.

But, Ambassador Uwechue set the tone when he asserted: "I feel greatly elated by the event we are witnessing today. Let us not forget our past, for I can recall that when things were based on merit, fairness, equity and justice we know where we were in relation to other ethnic groups. Nobody should feel apologetic. No Igbo person has any reason to apologise to any person, because we built and sustained this nation.

"We will use our population to our advantage. Unity is our strength, we should stop mouthing it rather, we should practice it. Let every Igbo stop bothering about what others think about us, rather let us rise and speak with one voice and, no group can match us.

" I am speaking today not as a diplomat, but as a full-blooded Igbo. Any greatness that was recorded at any point in time has Onye-Igbo as partner in that feat. Let's even look at recent records: the Charles Soludo, Oby Ezekwesili, Mrs Okonjo Iweala, Mrs Dora Akunyili, etc., - all left their imprint. There is every reason for us to celebrate among ourselves, among brothers, friends and sisters."

According to the diplomat, what the Igbo want is very simple: the best for Nigeria, because, when it is good for Nigeria, it will also be good for Ndigbo.

"It's high time we retraced our steps with a view to reversing the trend. And, we must do it now for the sake of our children," he stressed.

The challenges facing Ndigbo, Uwechue, said are the Igbo unity, networking and empowerment, gradual disappearance of Igbo language, cultural heritage and identity.

The newly elected President who held the gathering spell bound also threw another challenge to his kinsmen, when he chargrd: "Some of us are now asking the inevitable question: what the fate of Ndigbo existence is in the near future, with this growing challenges and constraint? One would have thought that in the face of the growing global ethnic identity drive, Ndigbo would need to look to our strengths which increasingly will lie in the talent and diligence of our people: our demography, our capacity and ability to refocus and re-educate ourselves and bounce back."

Ndigbo, he advised, should to shun selfishness and internal strife in order to progress and, above all, take their collective destiny in their hands if they must make headway; as selfishness, bickering and other vice must be jettisoned, if they must get to the promised land."

For Dr Sylvan Ebigwei, President-General, Aka Ikenga, an intellectual think tank of Ndigbo, there is the need to take vital step that will be aimed at re-orientating, re-branding and re-focusing the psyche of Ndigbo, to properly integrate in a society it has paid so much sacrifice, including a civil war.

Ebigwei stated: "We are a strong people. We are an enterprising and creative people. We have competitive spirit and self-confidence. We are daringly adventurous and can take ourselves to any height. We, therefore, have no business remaining backward, even if any adversary wishes us to remain down."

Mrs Njideka Anyadike, former governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), stressed that the era when Ndigbo were treated with disdain and levity because of absence of a leadership structure was over, urging all to continue to forge a formidable umbrella organisation that would always champion their cause.

She urged the new leadership of Ohaneze Ndigbo in the country under the able leadership of Uwechue to be tolerant and to accommodate all kinds of opinion, while members should accord the leadership their loyalty and commitment to achieve success.

" We shall marshal new development strategy and pass the information to all our kindred to abreast them on the new wave of Igbo unity, and those groups that believe that Ndigbo cannot unite will be living in old times."

The major problem, bedeviling the people of the South East geo-political zone, in the thinking of many, is not that of building infrastructures or increasing the statutory allocation to the five states in the zone, but that of harnessing and galvanising the vast potentials that abound in the zone.

It is believed that some of the things that ought to have become a thing of the past are now major issues for discussion, leading to cries of marginalisation and the wanton deprivation suffered by the people everywhere including their very communities.

To many, it appears the economic status of the zone has taken a nosedive into the abyss, while the very infrastructure which the successive administrations have claimed to build have all given way and the people are merely existing in their states and communities, wasting away, and virtually eating out of the bread of sorrow.

Dr Ossai Ossai told Daily Independent that Ndigbo has remained an endangered specie in Nigeria as they have remained haunted.

"Elsewhere across the nation, Igbo people are being haunted down and butchered in different ethnic, political and other crises, which had engulfed the nation at one time or the other."

The reason for this continuous heavy loss on the side of the Igbo in various parts of the nation, like the recent happening in Jos, Plateau capital, to many analysts, is not far-fetched. It stems, they say, from the fact that their leaders have failed woefully to understand the endowment that God has bestowed on them, or if they do, have failed woefully to harness them to their advantage.

There is also the contention that those speaking for Ndigbo have not sincerely carried the groups' interest along, rather their personal interests.

" They had not only abandoned their responsibility to those who put them into power, but have aligned with others to undermine and impoverish, as well as risk the people's lives," regretted an aggrieved Igbo lady who pleaded for anonymity.

"In stead of speaking with one voice at different fora, these our leaders are more conscious of how the benefit of their current engagements can provide insurance for their fourth generations," she added.

It appears it was in the realisation of this woeful failure of leadership that the present call for change is coming.

Saint Iyk Ekeh argued that it would be counter productive if the unity of the South East, continued to be subsumed in the partisan politics of Igbo leaders and their followers, positing that it is only then would the area be able to undertake projects as a united body which would trigger economic growth as well as generate employment.

According to Ekeh, "the beauty of the gathering lies in the message of its import that sent a serious signal to those who thought that Ndigbo couldn't work together. We have discountenanced our diverse religious, cultural and political inclinations to work together for the common good of our people."

Many who spoke at the occasion including former Governor of Lagos State, Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu, alluded to disunity in Igboland, which had contributed much to their sorry position in the nation's polity.

Joe Igbokwe stated, pointblank, that it is either Ndigbo work together for the good of the people or risk being consigned into obscurity, stressing that Nigeria is becoming increasingly sophisticated and complex.

Igbokwe said that Ndigbo must defend themselves politically because it would be in their disadvantage to separate in a country they have suffered to ensure its development.

He said the country was rubbing the South East close to N400 billion since the former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, pronounced that an additional state would be added to the region.

"For the past 38 years - after the unfortunate civil war - Ndigbo has been in constant search of a vibrant and virile leadership. This lack of leadership has robbed the people of the social, economic and political benefits due to them, and left the people, painfully, marginalized," he reasoned.

Igbokwe, who argued that the thinking that any Igbo man could be bought, described such a notion as not only nauseating but a negative allusion

It is believed that Ndigbo lost great opportunities that came their way in their march to nationhood, but what is important is that the people have demonstrated in unmistakable terms in their different submissions at the occasion that they are ready for moral renewal and rearmament.

But, to some observers, what the people of the region are asking for is no longer long speeches and verbose expositions, but action on the part of its leadership. The people are not only expecting the putting in place of infrastructure such as roads, industries that would create employment opportunities for their teeming youth, but above all unity among the people.

In the majority view, the challenge is now to present a united front politically with visionary leadership.

© Daily Independent
29 /12/2008

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Rising Number Of Igbo In Overseas
Prisons Worry Leaders
From Lawrence Njoku Enugu

The number of Igbo serving various prison terms outside the country, those already executed and the ones facing death sentences for various offences were said to have formed the nucleus of discussions on Friday, in Enugu, as political leaders of the South East Zone met.

The Guardian gathered from a source at the closed door meeting, which was attended by the five Governors in the Zone, serving members of the National Assembly led by Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, as well as other leaders of thought deliberated on the situations of the affected Igbo with a view to assisting them.

It was gathered that about 2400 Igbo are serving various jail terms outside the country. Of the figure, 3 was said to have been executed in Indonesia while 18 is facing death sentence in the same country. About 1500 is also said to be serving various prison terms in South Africa.

Although, details about how the leaders intends to assist the affected persons was not made public, but it was, however agreed that poverty and unemployment ravaging the South East Zone have contributed to the rising number of inmates, stressing that ,there was need to make the economic situation of the zone more attractive.

Ekweremadu, who briefed reporters at the end of the meeting, said all the South East Governors and members of the National Assembly from the Zone have resolved to work together irrespective of party affiliations for the general interest of the zone. Add that several issues affecting the zone, including the ecological problems and the state of infrastructures were discussed.

While describing the meeting as a very good development for discussing matters affecting the zone, he said, it has also for the first time brought political office holders, irrespective of the political party, together for peace. Adding that the meeting will henceforth be held on quarterly basis.

Another source however, disclosed that the meeting also discussed a common position on state creation for the zone.
Source: Guardian, 30^{th November 2008.}

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Biafra Foundation
1629 K Street, N.W, Suite 300
Washington DC 20036
Phone: 202-508-3798, Fax: 202-508-3759
Email: Biafrafoundation@yahoo.com
VOBI 12 12 08

SO ONYEIGBO IS NOW WORTH NOTHING IN NIGERIA

Ndigbo, so it has finally been established that an Igbo man alive or a dead, woman or child is worth nothing, not even a kobo in Nigeria. Ndigbo themselves have now clearly shown the Hausa Fulani Yoruba that Onyeigbo in Nigeria is as worthless as a piece of garbage. In fact it is not only Igbo, it is now also Ijaw, Annang, Efik, Ibibio, Ogoja, Itsekiri, Isoko, Esan, Urhobo – all of you have now shown Ndiawusa/Fulani na NdiYoruba that you are as worthless as garbage. No wonder the Hausa Fulani Yoruba treat you like garbage. All of you so called leaders of these Nations, or ethnic groups; all of you should hide your heads in shame. In fact your children should look you in the eyes and spit in your faces; the youths of your respective communities should drag you out in the Public Square and throw shit at you. Why, because you have just demonstrated that you, so called leaders – political leaders, religious leaders, so called traditional rulers; all of you are not worth the piece of shit that the youths will throw in your faces. You have become redundant nonentities, without redemption and without value.

It is now more than one week since the Hausa Fulani Islamofascists killed hundreds of your sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, husbands, wives, friends, neighbors, and inlaws in the northern city of Jos and surrounding communities. They did not just kill them, they slaughtered them like sheep. Then they set upon their property and looted and burned them. First they went to the markets. Motor parts market they looted it carrying away all sorts of motor parts including engines of cars and buses; second hand clothing market they looted it carrying away bales and bales of expensive textile; electronics market they looted it gleefully carting away television sets, other electronics, electric fans, cell phones, refrigerators, etc. When they finished they turned their attention to lock up shops – systematically they looted lock up shops belonging to Ndigbo and other people from Eastern Region. They know that Igbo traders keep much of their money in the market stalls and in their shops. Guess what happened? Many of the Hausa Fulani jobless barbarians loafing around the day before with goworo colored teet became instant millionaires – carrying away millions of Naira which Igbo men and women labored for years accumulating. When they finished taking everything they wanted they set about setting whatever was left in the markets and lock up shops ablaze. They burned down the markets and burned down the shops – all to ashes.

Then they looked at what they had done and felt happy. But they were not yet finished with the foolish Igbo and their brothers from the East. They went to their houses, looted their personal property and then set those private houses ablaze. Igbo women and girls who happened to be home became easy prey and were repeatedly raped by these savages. Finally they remembered the churches – those magnificent edifices that the Igbo and their brother Easterners spent years collecting money and building – the Hausa Fulani took their petrol bombs and matches doused each and every one they could get to and set them on fire. Mission accomplished – Allah Akhbaar!!! They intoned and then they went home and celebrated.

As the Hausa Fulani were killing Ndigbo and their brothers as usual – they have done this routinely more than thirty five times for almost thirty years; yes as they were killing Ndigbo and their brother Easterners as usual they ran into and killed about one hundred and thirteen Yoruba men and women by mistake. What happened? All hell broke loose. Yoruba governors, political leaders, religious leaders, and traditional rulers, all condemned in the strongest terms the killing of their people and warned that any more of such nonsense will be met with grave reprisal. The governors immediately sent luxury buses to Jos and environs to evacuate Yoruba citizens and bring them back to Yoruba land. Even the governor of Benue State also sent luxury buses to Jos to evacuate Tiv and Idoma citizens back to Idoma and Tiv land. So much for One Nigeria! These leaders did not mince words in telling the Hausa Fulani that any violence meted out to their citizens will be matched by retaliation that will shock them.

For one whole week now we have been waiting to hear from Igbo, Ijaw, Annang, Efik, Ibibio, Ogoja, Itsekiri, Isoko, Esan, and Urhobo governors, political leaders, religious leaders, so called traditional rulers, intellectuals, delusional people who call themselves "Eze Ndigbo of Jos, Lagos, Sokoto, Kaduna, Ibadan, Kano, Maiduguri, Lagos, Ibadan etc. where are they? Where are evangelist this and pastor that; bishop this and Arch Deacon that; prophet this and savior that? Olee unu now? All the governors from Eastern Region and Delta – where una dey now? All those former governors who claim that every Fulani man is their brother – Orji Uzo Kalu who ties dirty black rags on his head and calls it turbaning, did you tell your blood brother Umaru Yar'Adua and his savage Hausa Fulani brothers to stop killing our people? Where is Alex Ekwueme, Anthony Anini, Edwin Clark, Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, Anthony Enahoro, Vincent Ogbulafor, Ojo Maduekwe, where are they? They are in Abuja negotiating contract deals with Ndiawusa, and begging NdiYourba for money. Where is Sam Egwu, Chimaroke Nnamani, Godswill Akpabio, Lyle Imoke, Attah, Uduagham, onye ohi James Ibori, David Ejoor, Samuel Ogbemudia, Pius Anyim? Where is Chinweoke Mbadinuju, Peter Odili, Arthur Nzeribe – where are they? They are hiding in our towns and villages where they are busy killing our people and stealing their land – big man for nothing. Where is Chekwas Okorie, Babangida's houseboy? May be he is waiting for Dim Odumegwu Ojukwu to say something and then Babangida and the Sokoto Caliphate will tell Chekwas to insult Ojukwu. That's when he will open his stinking mouth. Where is Edwin Ume-Ezeoke and all those thieves masquerading as political leaders of the Igbo, Ijaw, Annang, Efik, Ibibio, Ogoja, Itsekiri, Isoko, Esan, Urhobo – where are they?

Where are the Cardinals and hundreds of Bishops, Apostles, Evangelists, etc we have in every village, town and city in Eastern Region – where are they now? They are waiting for the cows and goats that will be given to them by the poor suffering masses on Sunday during offertory after which they'll tell them that Heaven is their reward – God will reward them with paradise when they die – it is best for them to be poor now but the clergy must not be poor- the clergy must live in very decent houses, drive very good cars and eat the fattest goats and cows. Don't even talk about the bishops of the Evangelical Churches who squeeze every naira out of our poor masses every Saturday and Sunday. In fact some of them now keep armored bullion vans in the Church compound to take the millions they con out of the poor people to the bank as soon as service is over. But they will never stand up and speak out on behalf of these poor people; they will never defend these poor people; they will never fight for them even as the Hausa Fulani Yoruba enslave them, persecute them, murder them in thousands and take their land and the resources in their land. They will never condemn the fake leaders, the rogue politicians who collude with the Hausa Fulani Yoruba in persecuting our people, enslaving them and robbing them of everything that makes them human. No, rather they put them in the front pew in their churches and glorify them as heroes.

Where is Jonathan Goodluck? Is he still the vice president of Nigeria? Where is Inspector General Michael Okiro and Assistant Inspector General Onovo. The last time we checked both were still Ndigbo. Even Jonathan Goodluck whose middle name is Ebele is Igbo. Where are all the big Igbo, Ijaw, Annang, Efik, Ibibio, Ogoja, Itsekiri, Isoko, Esan, Urhobo Generals, Colonels, Captains, Majors in Lucifer's army in Nigeria – where are they? Olee ha now? All our big professors in our big universities; our big lawyers – where are they now.

All these people were there as our people Igbo, Ijaw, Annang, Efik, Ibibio, Ogoja, Itsekiri, Isoko, Esan, Urhobo were massacred in Jos one week ago; their businesses looted and burned, their houses looted and burned, their churches looted and burned and not one of these groups, not one of these individuals asked the question how many of our people were killed in Jos. Not one of them took any steps to find out how many of their people were killed by the barbarians in Jos, not one of them cared to arrange to have the bodies of their brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers murdered in Jos sent back to their homes in the East for decent burial. As the Yoruba and the even the Tiv evacuated their people living and dead and published the exact figures of their people killed, the Igbo, Ijaw, Annang, Efik, Ibibio, Ogoja, Itsekiri, Isoko, Esan, Urhobo did not care. Ha ! Haa!! Haa!!!. Alu. As far as they are concerned their people are worth less than garbage. And so it was that our people killed in Jos by the barbarians were buried in mass graves like garbage. See how low our people have been reduced in Nigeria to be treated worse than garbage. Our people have adopted the philosophy of "so long as it is not me, I don't care." But next time it will be you.

The international community has learned not to care about you since you don't care about yourselves. The whole world was paying attention to India where less than two hundred people were killed by terrorists at the same time that over five hundred of our brothers and sisters were being slaughtered in Jos. Last weekend there was four days of unrelenting riot in Greece because the police shot and killed one 15 year old boy. When asked why they rioted one of their leaders said: "If we don't teach them a lesson then they will kill another person and believe that it is okay and that nothing will happen." You see in life if you say that you are then other people will say that you are. If you shut up, give up your freedom and never defend yourself even your chi will shut up and never defend you. Youths of Eastern Region, Igbo, Ijaw, Annang, Efik, Ibibio, Ogoja, Itsekiri, Isoko, Esan, Urhobo a word is enough for the wise. You can fight for your freedom, your future and your destiny or you can wait in vain for your brothers and sisters begging for contract in Abuja and Lagos to save you. They will never do it. The choice is yours. All we will keep telling you is that Biafra is your only hope. Without your freedom you are nothing and not even your life will be spared.

May God bless you all and the sovereign independent State of Biafra!

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Biafra Foundation
1629 K Street, N.W, Suite 300
Washington DC 20036
Phone: 202-508-3798, Fax: 202-508-3759
Email: Biafrafoundation@yahoo.com
VOBI 11 28 08

Dear good people of Eastern Region [Biafra]

We ask each of you individually to sit down quietly in your respective homes, flats, or wherever you are, reflect and then ask yourself this hard question: Has Nigeria destroyed my soul? All of us are human beings created by God who endowed us with free will and the knowledge of what is good and what is evil. This knowledge of good and evil and the free will to exercise judgment is what makes us Homo Sapiens; that is what bestows on us the title of Human Being different from beasts and wild animals. Without this knowledge and free will we will just be like monkeys, baboons, dogs and goats. When a human being ceases to demonstrate this knowledge of good and evil and or purposely perverts the judgment demanded in making that distinction between good and evil then that person ceases to be a human being and gets relegated to the level of an animal, a beast; like dog, cow, goat or pig.

There is no doubt in anyone's mind that Nigerian leaders have since descended to the level of beasts. They behave like baboons, monkeys and goats. Their souls have been destroyed by One Nigeria. So the question that we are asking you today is: Are you one of the people whose soul Nigeria has destroyed? Are you one of those people who Nigeria has reduced to the status of an animal; a goat; a donkey or a pig?

Here is a description of the rulers of Nigeria from 1970 till today including those who call themselves rulers of our people in the Eastern Region, in occupied Biafra; those who were imposed on our people by Satan Nigeria. These people have reduced themselves to the level of animals as you can see from these quotations taken directly from the Bible. Obviously men and women like these people existed in history and were eventually destroyed by their own evil and wickedness.

For in their mouth there is no sincerity; their heart teems with treacheries; their throat is an open grave; with their tongue they speak deceit. Punish them oh God; let them fall by their own devices Psalm 5: 10-12. They are filled with all iniquity, malice, immorality, avarice, wickedness; being full of envy, murder, contention, deceit, malignity; being wisperers, detractors, hateful of God, irreverent, proud, haughty, plotters of evil; foolish dissolute without affection, without fidelity, without mercy. They have not understood that those who practice such things are deserving of death. Romans 1: 29-32. All have gone astray altogether. They have become worthless. Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit. The poison of vipers is on their lips. Romans 3:12-14. Sin speaks to the wicked man in his heart; there is no dread of God before his eyes; for he beguiles himself with the thought that his guilt will not be found out or hated; the words of his mouth are empty and false; he has ceased to understand how to be good. He plans wickedness in his bed; he sets out on a way that is not good with no repugnance for evil. Psalm 36: 1-5. Small and great alike all are greedy for gain; prophets and priests alike, all practice fraud. They are odious; they have done abominable things; yet they are not at all ashamed; they know not how to blush. Hence they shall be among those who fall. Jeremiah 6:13-15.

Take a close look at all the people who have ruled Nigeria since 1967. Is there any one of them who does not perfectly fit the description above? Begin the Yakubu Gowon the baby killer who starved millions of innocent babies, nursing mothers, pregnant women to death while pretending to be a Christian. Oh yes he still went to church every Sunday; and even now he has been running all over Eastern Region organizing what he calls Nigeria Prays. What he is organizing is actually Devil Worship because his soul has since been occupied by the Devil. Do you want to talk about Murtala Mohammed, the savage who organized the slaughter of thousands of unarmed innocent men who were doing a dance of welcome for him and his men at Ogbeosowa in Asaba and 300 men women and children who were praying in the Apostolic Church in Onitsha. The massacres in Asaba and Onitsha were repeated in Warri and Sapele. Do you want to talk about Olusegun Obasanjo, the motor park tout whose naked hatred of the Igbo has virtually consumed him. Before he dies this hatred will make his insanity so sever that he will take off his clothes and walk the streets naked like his good friend and fellow Igbo hater so-called Christian, mad man Theophilus Danjuma. How about Shehu Shagari, the sly deceitful serpent who participated in planning and organizing the slaughter of 100,000 Easterners in the three cycle pogrom of 1966 carried out all over Northern Nigeria. Doesn't his tongue speak only deceit, and isn't h is mouth an open grave? Do you want to talk about the barbarians: Ibrahim Babangida, the snake, the gap toothed Dracula that feeds on human blood. Isn't he so evil that he actually called himself "the evil genius?" He should simply have called himself Satan. How about Sanni Abacha, the savage. Well his soul is now roaming the plains with other wild animals at night. Don't even bother to talk about the Islamofascist terrorist Muhammadu Buhari; the pathological thief Abdulsalami Abubakar, or the psychotic leper, the mentally deranged criminally insane Umaru Yar'Adua. Bring all these people together with their ministers, advisers, and special assistants etc, and you begin to understand why Nigeria is a failed state.

But that is not our problem now since everyone in the world believes and knows that Nigeria is a dead State. The world is only waiting for it to disintegrate into its component parts. We are now more interested in the people called leaders in Eastern Region, occupied Biafra and the damage they have done and continue to do to our children, people, communities and our culture since 1970.

Look at the people the Hausa Fulani Yoruba have foisted on you and called them your leaders; governors, commissioners, ministers, senators, assemblymen, local counselor. Look at those they have foisted on you as so called traditional rulers. Look at those people and you will immediately agree that apart from a handful, 99% if these people are rogues, cheats, liars, con men and women, 419ers, armed robbers, convicted felons, men and women without soul or morality, bastards, vagabonds, lazy, indolent, incompetent fools, highly unintelligent, unimaginative crooks, men and women talented only in evil and wickedness; people without scruples or conscience, psychopaths and sociopaths who will do anything to destroy the society in which they live and treat their fellow brothers and sisters like garbage; people whose only goal in life is to steal and rob anyone near them including their own parents, brothers and sisters; indeed these men and women are the dregs of society. In decent organized society most of them would be in jail for their criminal behavior for a very long time.

Go back to Ukpabi Asika who watched gleefully as his brothers and sisters, fellow Igbo men, women and children were slaughtered in cold blood in his own town of Onitsha/Asaba by the Hausa Fulani Yoruba army of vandals. Think of Eugene Esuene who watched as the all Yoruba 3rd Marine Division of the Nigerian army slaughtered his people in Calabar and Ikot Ekpene, starved thousands of children in Ikot Ekpene prison until they died or turned into skeletons. Think of the other rulers then from Benin to Calabar who watched will satisfaction as their brothers, sisters and neighbors – Anang, Efik, Ibibio, Igbo, Ijaw, Ogoja, Itsekiri, Isoko , Esan, and Urhobo ; neighbors with whom they have had a long history of intermarriage and social interaction were massacred by the Hausa Fulani Yoruba jihadist army. Look at these people and you will see that Nigeria destroyed their soul. They were no longer human. They had descended to the level of beasts.

Fast forward to the 1980's, stretching into the 1990's and on to the present day. Look at the so-called governors, ministers, senators, representatives, and assemblymen and women. What did those ministers and governors do for you the people. Orji Kalu Jubril Aminu's house boy asked the Igbo to apologize to the Nigerian barbarians for starving millions of our people to death and looting our personal effects. Then he turned around and stole every penny the Satanic government of Nigeria gave to the people of Abia State, killed so many citizens of Abia State while literally selling Abia State to the Hausa Fulani. The other governors of Eastern Region did exactly the same thing. Chimaroke Nnamani, Sam Egwu, Lucky Igbinedeone, James Ibori, Lyle Imoke, Donald Duke, Victor Attah, Peter Odili, Achike Udenwa, Chris Ngige, Arthur Nzeribe and other senators, representatives, assemblymen councilors all have turned themselves into thieves, liars, cheats robbing their own people of the little money that Satanic government of Nigeria gives them and then denying them even the basic amenities of life. These people are lying to their people and condemning their own people to slavery at the hands of the Hausa Fulani Yoruba. Even our clergy are not spared. They have drunk the poison of One Nigeria. Even some of the leaders in the Niger Delta are negotiating with the Hausa Fulani Yoruba Satanic government of Nigeria to give them one quarter of the money that rightly belongs to them. Well we now know that these men are one quarter men. They are no longer full men.

This very sad situation to which our people have been subjected by even their own sons and daughters is what demands that we work ever harder to actualize Biafra for our people who are now being persecuted by even their own sons and daughters. We challenge the leaders of the Biafra to examine themselves and make sure that they have not been infected by this deadly Nigerian disease. They must reassure themselves and the citizens of Biafra that words from their mouth can be trusted; their heart is not filled with destruction; their throat is not an open grave; that they do not with their tongue speak deceit; that they have not become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity; that they are not full of deceit, and malice and that they still have their eyes on the ball –the actualization of Biafra. This is the challenge of the leaders of the different Biafra Movements and they must take this challenge very seriously.

May God bless you all and the sovereign independent State of Biafra!

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Biafra Foundation
1629 K Street, N.W, Suite 300
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Phone: 202-508-3798, Fax: 202-508-3759
Email: Biafrafoundation@yahoo.com
VOBI 11 28 08

If you still believe in one Nigeria

If you are a citizen of Biafra, if your parents and ancestors are from the Eastern Region, if your home is in the Eastern Region from Sapele/Warri through Bonny/Port Harcourt to Calabar/Ikom; from Obudu, through Nsukka to Ella; if you come from anywhere with in this area and you still believe in One Nigeria, you ought to ask yourself some critical questions: "Why do I still believe in One Nigeria that is growing backwards into the stone age; what is life like in Nigeria – is it like being in paradise or being in hell; why is it that everyone who has the opportunity to do so escapes from Nigeria in the blink of an eye; what part of life in Nigeria can be said to be attractive to any decent human being; why is it that all over the world anyone who calls himself a Nigerian no matter how highly placed is immediately deemed to be a thief, a robber, a con man, and a bank robber, an evil person and immediately treated with the worst disrespect and ignominy? The reason is simple. Nigeria is seen as the major center of evil in the whole world today. Nigeria and Nigerians are seen by the whole world as evil.

So why would any sensible, self respecting man or woman want to be associated with evil, want to be a citizen of evil and want to live in evil? Which human being rich or poor, educated or illiterate, strong or weak, white, black, or any other skin tone would like to be part of the most corrupt bastards in the world, the dumbest and most stupid leaders in the world, the most arrogant and dishonest people in the world. Why is it that intellectuals, business entrepreneurs and even common folk who were driven out of Nigeria by successive military and civilian governments go on to become really successful people and even world leaders in their fields once they settle in other countries of the world than Nigeria? Have you seriously asked yourself why people from Eastern Region find it so very difficult to succeed in Nigeria unless they turn themselves into slaves of the Hausa Fulani Yoruba or are willing to kill their parents, brothers, and sisters, uncles and aunts; destroy their communities, towns and cities; steal everything that their communities have and send to them to Ndi Awusa na Ndi Yoruba?

Dear good people of Eastern Region, at home and in the Diaspora hear this and hear it very clearly you have no future in Nigeria; your children have no future in Nigeria. The only thing that await you in Nigeria is slavery, poverty, untold suffering, and murder at the hands of corrupt barbarians in the Nigerian government and their agents called army and police. We repeat this to you again, you have no future in Nigeria. It does not matter what you have now you have no future in Nigeria. The Hausa Fulani Yoruba oligarchy, the Sokoto Caliphate, and the Nigerian government will never allow you to freely express your high intelligence, gigantic talent and skills, and humongous ingenuity and creativity. As early as the fourteenth century when our ancestors came in contact with Europeans and other people from other lands those people recognized that we the people of Eastern Region are very intelligent, creative, talented, and very enterprising. They exchanged ambassadors with our leaders and our governments then; they traded with our people – they sold goods to us and we sold goods to them; they saw that we had our own nations and governed ourselves very effectively and efficiently. The Kingdom of Biafra stretched from nine miles after Benin in Igboakiri all the way to Southern Cameroon to Gabon. The Kingdom of Benin stretched from Benin to Eko or modern day Lagos. Biafrans established powerful trading posts at the entrance to big markets of the interior. King Jaja an Igbo man established and controlled the palm oil trade at the mouth of the River Niger at Opobo. The Oba of Benin controlled trade from Benin to Lagos. Greedy British traders resented the control being exercised by King Jaja and the Oba of Benin. The British government declared war on the Oba of Benin and his people and slaughtered them. Seeing that they could not defeat King Jaja in a military conflict they begged him to come onto their ship to sign a treaty, a trade agreement after giving him guarantee that they were only going to sign a treaty on trade with him and that he was not going to be harmed, kidnapped or killed. Once onboard their ship they kidnapped him and sent him into exile and he never came back to his land again. With the two powerful leaders and their armies destroyed the British took over trade in our land and also hated our people for having the effrontery to stand up for their rights, to exercise their freedom and assert their rights over their private property.

Since then successive British governments have hated our people, the peoples of the Kingdoms of Biafra and Benin and have continued to punish our people for standing up like men of valor. They have continued to subject our people to unimaginable and unconscionable cycles of torture and death. Sometimes they do it directly by themselves but often they use the Hausa Fulani and the Yoruba as surrogates to slaughter our people. Notice what they did during the Nigeria Biafra War. Watch what they are now doing using the Oil Companies like Shell; the so-called Nigerian government which is actually the British government using Hausa Fulani Yoruba savages as stooges. Think of this where did Sho Sho boy Yakubu Gowon, mad barbarian Murtala Mohammed, area boy motor park tout Olusegun Obasanjo, Simpleton Shehu Shagari, Islamofascist terrorist Muhammadu Buhari, the savage, snake, gap-toothed Dracula Ibrahim Babangida; the night prowling barbarian Sanni Abacha and the leprous recluse Umaru Yar'Adua; where did they learn the art of governance, where will they borrow the brains to rule people like Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Prof. I.E.Eyo, Dr. Nwafor Orizu, Dr. M.I.Okpara, Chief Dennis Osadebey, Chief Jereton Mariere, M.T. Mbu, Dr. Akanu Ibiam, Prof Eyo Bassey Ndem, Chief Ekukinam Bassey, Dr. S.E. Cookey, Justice G.C.M. Onyiuke, Justice Louis Mbanefo, Prof. Kenneth Onwuka Dike; Chief Margaret Ekpo, Dr. K.O. Mbadiwe, Chief Frank Ugbut, Chief Frank Opigo, Dr. Alvan Ikoku, Dr. Ifegwu Eke, Chief Ralph Uwechue, Prof Eni Njoku, Mr. I.S. Kogbara, C. C. Onoh, Mr. S. N. Dikibo, Chief N.U. Akpan, Dr. Okechukwu Ikejiani, Prof. B.I.C. Ijeoma, Justice Aniagolu, Justice Chukwudifu Oputa, Justice Nnaemeka Agu, Justice Eze Ozobu, Justice Graham Douglas, Chief Oyibo Odinammadu, Ken Saro Wiwa, Chinua Achebe, Prof Claude Ake, Prof Chike Obi, and the thousands and thousands of high level intellectuals and administrators the people of Eastern Region produced. Where, where will they steal the brains? They can't get it anywhere. And so it has been that the blind, deaf and dumb have been ruling highly intelligent men and women with their sights and hearing intact. Why would Nigeria not be in miles deep bottomless pit? Nigeria belongs in this bottomless pit and will never make it to the surface. That is the truth and that is what the British love. That is why they are solidly supporting the Hausa Fulani Yoruba oligarchy and the Sokoto Caliphate.

That is also why they have supported the Hausa Fulani Yoruba oligarchy and the Sokoto Caliphate in imposing thieves, robbers, and high time criminals on our people and called them governors, senators, representatives, ministers etc. Look at these people and judge for yourself how many of them you will allow into your house as a guest not to talk of as a friend: James Ibori, a thief and a felon, Lucky Igbinedeon, Alamesiagha, Jonathan Goodluck, Peter Odili, Orji Uzo Kalu, Achike Udenwa, Chimaroke Nnamani, Chris Ngige, Chris Uba, Nnamdi Emmanuel Uba, Sam Egwu, Theodore Orji, Chinwoke Mbadinuju, Godswill Akpabio, Timipre Sylva, Liyle Imoke, Rotimi Amechi, Ikedi Ohakim, Sullivan Chime, Emmanuel Uduagham, Arthur Nzeribe, Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, and hundreds of others who are actively collaborating with the Hausa Fulani Yoruba government of Nigeria and the Sokoto Caliphate in destroying our people, our communities, our families, and our future. Peter Odili, Orji Uzo Kalu, James Ibori stole all the money given to their states, transferred much of it back to NdiAwusa na NdiYoruba and kept whatever was left to themselves. They did this while our children had no schools, were taking classes under trees like animals, for lack of court buildings judges were holding court in the shades of trees as if we were living in the early 19^th century, and our people were dying in thousands everyday due to lack of hospitals, doctors and medicines and the children are dying of kwashiorkor as the rogue governors and politicians steal everything.

Look at the Nigeria that you live in: the British government and courts are helping James Ibori hide the billions he stole from the people of Delta State as well as the stealing he did in their country; gap-toothed Dracula Babangida and his family are enjoying vacation in one of the most expensive places on earth, Monaco – they flew there and to other parts of Europe in their very expensive private jet they bought with your money; Yar'Adua's children were photographed playing with thousands of dollars worth of foreign currency, real money in their house; Maurice Iwu who conducted the worst election in the history of the world is telling the American people to come to Nigeria to learn how to conduct elections. This was after the Americans had elected Barack Obama a poor black man president of the United States of America; Umaru Yar'Adua stole the presidential election and confessed so. Very soon he will celebrate his second year in office as president of Nigeria while the case is lingering in the Nigerian courts. There is massive, overwhelming evidence that area boy Obasanjo and his criminal gang of governors, ministers and senators stole billions of dollars of government money. Have you heard anyone asking them any questions?

If you are Annang, Efik, Ibibio, Ijaw, Igbo, Ogoja, Itsekiri, Isoko, Esan Urhobo; If you come from around Warri, Sapele, Aboh, Agbor, Ogwashi, Asaba, Degema, Bonny, Brass, Ahoada, Elele, Andoni, Opobo, Ogoni, Eket, Uyo, Abak, Ndoki, Ikot Ekpene, Calabar, Enyong, Ikom, Obubra, Ogoja, Abakaliki, Afikpo, Bende, Umuahia, Aba, Owerri, Orlu, Okigwe, Awgu, Nsukka, Awka, Onitsha, and Enugu; if you come from any of these places hear this and hear it clearly, continuing to be in One Nigeria or to talk about One Nigeria is the greatest tragic error you will ever make in your life. It is the worst danger, the greatest injustice you can do to your children and your family. It is like putting your children and indeed your entire family in a windowless room without lights, a room filled with a dozen deadly cobra snakes and then locking the only door into room behind you. You have guaranteed that your children, your family will all die gruesome, painful deaths. It doesn't really matter how rich you think you are today it will eventually happen to you and your children.

It is on this account that we are now calling on all our people from the communities we have enumerated to resolve to act together like one people to pull ourselves out of this evil called Nigeria. Nothing good will ever come out of Nigeria. It will always be evil and more evil. Fight to actualize Biafra; fight for your freedom; fight for your liberty; fight for justice; fight for your own liberation; fight for your children; fight for the liberation of your family; fight for the liberation of your communities; fight for the preservation of your culture,; fight for the preservation of your ancestral land and the future of your children and families. That is your only option.

May God bless you all and the sovereign independent State of Biafra!
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