grioo.com

[Pakira]

This Day (Lagos)

Kola Ologbondiyan
Abuja

They are living in the past, says Obasanjo

The United States National Intelligence Council in a document entitled [pdf] has predicted "outright collapse of Nigeria" as a nation-state within the next 15 years.


In a swift response, President Olusegun Obasanjo described the prediction as "glib(ly) talk" arising from "dubious or diabolical benchmarks."

On page 17 of the report under the heading "Downside Risks," the US Intelligence claimed that "while currently Nigeria's leaders are locked in a bad marriage that all dislike but dare not leave, there are possibilities that could disrupt the precarious equilibrium in Abuja.

"The most important would be a junior officer coup that could destabilize the country to the extent that open warfare breaks out in many places in a sustained manner. If Nigeria were to become a failed state, it could drag down a large part of the West Africa region.

"Even state failure in small countries such as Liberia has the effect of destabilising entire neighbourhoods. If millions were to flee a collapsed Nigeria, the surrounding countries, up to and including Ghana, would be destabilised. Further, a failed Nigeria probably could not be reconstituted for many years - if ever - and not without massive international assistance."

According to the introductory part of the report captioned "summary", "the National Intelligence Council recently convened a group of top US experts on Sub-Saharan Africa to discuss likely trends in the region over the next 15 years. The group discussed several major issues or drivers that will affect Africa, including globalization and its impact on political development and economic growth, patterns of conflict, terrorism, democratisation etc.

Obasanjo's 7-paragraph reaction to the document dated May 17, 2005, which was addressed to Senate President Ken Nnamani, and read on the floor was titled "Report of the US Intelligence Council."

It read: "As a means of informing ourselves, I hereby forward a copy of the United States National Intelligence Council document on "Mapping Sub-Saharan Africa's Future" for your attention. I am sending this to you not because I am alarmed by the report but because if we know what others think of us and about us, we can prevent what they project for us.


"As a person who has participated in similar so-called "expert group" on issues, situations and regions, I know that the predictions and projections can be wide off the mark because both politics and economics cannot be absolutely predicted and their dynamics can fool the greatest and best expert. But it is important for us to know that we are being rated low, not because of what is happening to us from outside but because of what we do to, for and by ourselves internally.

"I believe that it is only God and ourselves that can map our present and future. No outsider can do that accurately for us. I know that some people glibly talk of the probability of Nigeria as a failed State. I believe that they are living in the past and incapable of noticing and appreciating the positive strides we are making on all fronts and the determination of the Nigerian people to join hands to consolidate democracy and promote sustainable growth and development.

"Because they are stuck to old ideas and dreams as well as stereotypes about us and our capabilities, they cannot see the New Nigeria that we are building collectively as we move beyond the past but allowing the past and present to strengthen and sustain our future.

"Similar experts at the beginning of the second half of the 20th Century predicted worse scenarios for South East Asia. In fact, at the dawn of independence in Africa, Africa's chances were rated much better than that of South East Asia, but because they pulled themselves together, the predictions and projections about them have been proven false. In the case of Africa, the reverse has been true as the early favourable predictions and projections for the continent have remained largely unattained.

"If our detractors cannot see our far-reaching reforms, our fight against waste and corruption, the new culture of prudence and service delivery that is gradually emerging, the various political reforms including the on-going National Political Reform Conference as well as the sacrifices our people are making to ensure economic progress and democratic consolidation as indicators of progress and a radical departure from the past, then they must have some dubious or diabolical benchmarks for measuring efforts at ensuring oneness, unity, stability, indivisibility, prosperity, development and growth of our dear country.

"Our performance in the last three years has, in my view, been very good just as our performance in ensuring stability, peace, economic progress and good governance in West Africa and, indeed, the whole of Africa.

"I believe that we can and should disprove the modern experts of the United States Intelligence Council who are like the prophets of doom and by the Grace of God, for Nigeria in this first decade of the 21st Century, we must be determined to show that we are neither a basket case nor walking on a banana peel.

"I wish you well as you read the report and would very much appreciate your reactions, perspectives and suggestions. For me, it is a challenge and it calls for extra work. We owe that much to our people, to Africa, humanity and to God Almighty, our Creator. May God bless Nigeria and Africa."
_________________
"tout nèg a nèg

ki nèg nwè ki nèg klè
ki nèg klè ki nèg nwè
tout nèg a nèg

nèg klè pè nèg nwè
nèg nwè pa lè wè nèg klè
nèg nwè ké wéy klè
senti i sa roune nèg klè
mè nèg klè ké wéy klè a toujou nèg

sa ki fèt pou nèg vin' blang?
blang té gen chivé pli long?
pou senblé yé nou trapé chivé plat kon fil mang!!!
mandé to fanm...!
mè pou kisa blang lé vin' nwè?
ha... savé ki avan vin' blan yé té ja nèg!

a nou mèm ké nou mèm dépi nânni nânnan...
chinwa soti, kouli soti, indyen soti, blang soti
mèm koté nèg soti

avan yé sotil koté y fika
AFRIKA!!!"

[Pakira]

Senate Denounces U.S. Doomsday Report On Nigeria

Emmanuel Aziken
Abuja

The Senate with one voice yesterday took exception to the United States Intelligence Council report predicting doom for Nigeria even as it moved to stop the ongoing demolitions in the Federal Capital Territory.

Also yesterday, the Senate in a non binding resolution requested President Olusegun Obasanjo to suspend forthwith, the planned purge in the Federal Civil Service pending Senate investigations into the exercise.


Also yesterday, a bill to establish the Farmers Council of Nigeria to the effect of registering and certifying farmers in the country was received with approval in the Senate. The bill according to its sponsor, Senator Bassey Ewa-Henshaw (PDP, Cross River) aims to identify practising farmers and appropriately channel incentives to them.

Considering the report of the United States Intelligence Council forwarded to it by President Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday, Senators without exception frowned at the report which they said could be a conspiratorial plot against the nation.

The report by the United States Intelligence Services had predicted the collapse of the country in the foreseeable future on the basis of what it said were irreconcilable differences among the nation's leaders and ethnic groups.

Senator Daisy Danjuma (PDP, Edo South) in a punch back at the United States said that it was ironical that America which was unable to predict the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, the Oklahoma bombing and been unable to find terrorist leader, Osama Bin Laden could be predicting doom for Nigeria.

Senator Olurunnimbe Mamora (AD, Lagos) in his contribution affirmed that the Americans were not in a better position to know Nigeria better than the country's citizens even as Senate Chief Whip, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma lamented the lack of self confidence among the citizenry. Senator Udoma also commented on the need to address sources of internal agitation in the country notably marginalization. Senator Nicholas Ugbane (ANPP, Kogi East) in his own comment on the issue called for the immediate resolution of all the agitations in the Niger Delta area towards forging a common front in tackling external misgivings against the country.

Senator Daniel Saror, the Senate minority leader in his own contribution lamented the effect of corruption in giving the country a bad image.

Following the contributions, Senate President Ken Nnamani announced the constitution of a six man ad-hoc Committee to articulate the Senate response on the report.

The Committee to be chaired by Senator Jubril Aminu includes Senators Timothy Adudu, Farouk Bello, Victor Ndoma-Egba (SAN), Tokunbo Ogunbanjo and Julius Ucha.

Also yesterday, the Senate upon a motion moved by Senator Uche Chukwumerije (PDP, Abia North) called on the authorities to stop the spate of demolitions in the FCT pending a senate investigation of various complaints arising from the exercise.

The Senate had only last Wednesday stopped Senator Chukwumerije from moving the motion on the basis that the House of Representatives was already investigating the issue.

But yesterday, Senate leader Dr. Dalhatu Tafida signaled that Senator Chukwumerije's motion had a different bent from the initiative already being taken by the House of Reps.

Emmanuel Aziken
Abuja

The Senate with one voice yesterday took exception to the United States Intelligence Council report predicting doom for Nigeria even as it moved to stop the ongoing demolitions in the Federal Capital Territory.

Also yesterday, the Senate in a non binding resolution requested President Olusegun Obasanjo to suspend forthwith, the planned purge in the Federal Civil Service pending Senate investigations into the exercise.


Also yesterday, a bill to establish the Farmers Council of Nigeria to the effect of registering and certifying farmers in the country was received with approval in the Senate. The bill according to its sponsor, Senator Bassey Ewa-Henshaw (PDP, Cross River) aims to identify practising farmers and appropriately channel incentives to them.

Considering the report of the United States Intelligence Council forwarded to it by President Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday, Senators without exception frowned at the report which they said could be a conspiratorial plot against the nation.

The report by the United States Intelligence Services had predicted the collapse of the country in the foreseeable future on the basis of what it said were irreconcilable differences among the nation's leaders and ethnic groups.

Senator Daisy Danjuma (PDP, Edo South) in a punch back at the United States said that it was ironical that America which was unable to predict the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, the Oklahoma bombing and been unable to find terrorist leader, Osama Bin Laden could be predicting doom for Nigeria.

Senator Olurunnimbe Mamora (AD, Lagos) in his contribution affirmed that the Americans were not in a better position to know Nigeria better than the country's citizens even as Senate Chief Whip, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma lamented the lack of self confidence among the citizenry. Senator Udoma also commented on the need to address sources of internal agitation in the country notably marginalization. Senator Nicholas Ugbane (ANPP, Kogi East) in his own comment on the issue called for the immediate resolution of all the agitations in the Niger Delta area towards forging a common front in tackling external misgivings against the country.

Senator Daniel Saror, the Senate minority leader in his own contribution lamented the effect of corruption in giving the country a bad image.

Following the contributions, Senate President Ken Nnamani announced the constitution of a six man ad-hoc Committee to articulate the Senate response on the report.

The Committee to be chaired by Senator Jubril Aminu includes Senators Timothy Adudu, Farouk Bello, Victor Ndoma-Egba (SAN), Tokunbo Ogunbanjo and Julius Ucha.

Also yesterday, the Senate upon a motion moved by Senator Uche Chukwumerije (PDP, Abia North) called on the authorities to stop the spate of demolitions in the FCT pending a senate investigation of various complaints arising from the exercise.

The Senate had only last Wednesday stopped Senator Chukwumerije from moving the motion on the basis that the House of Representatives was already investigating the issue.

But yesterday, Senate leader Dr. Dalhatu Tafida signaled that Senator Chukwumerije's motion had a different bent from the initiative already being taken by the House of Reps.

http://allafrica.com/stories/200505270435.html
_________________
"tout nèg a nèg

ki nèg nwè ki nèg klè
ki nèg klè ki nèg nwè
tout nèg a nèg

nèg klè pè nèg nwè
nèg nwè pa lè wè nèg klè
nèg nwè ké wéy klè
senti i sa roune nèg klè
mè nèg klè ké wéy klè a toujou nèg

sa ki fèt pou nèg vin' blang?
blang té gen chivé pli long?
pou senblé yé nou trapé chivé plat kon fil mang!!!
mandé to fanm...!
mè pou kisa blang lé vin' nwè?
ha... savé ki avan vin' blan yé té ja nèg!

a nou mèm ké nou mèm dépi nânni nânnan...
chinwa soti, kouli soti, indyen soti, blang soti
mèm koté nèg soti

avan yé sotil koté y fika
AFRIKA!!!"