Saturday, November 28, 2015

The Effects of Radiation From Orbit Hidden from Cell Phone Towers, Microwave and Air Craft nose-cone Radar Antenna. Most people are unware of the Radio Frequency (RF) radiation they are exposed to. Radiation is usually associated with radium, weapons, medical treatments, nuclear power plants and smoke detectors. Before we discuss covert cell towers and other numerous radiating antennas being installed with impunity, we should review the RF spectrum. This will be helpful in understanding how the radio spectrum affects us. We will not discuss HAARP, which is in itself a unique area of the radio spectrum in the shortwave band.   There are essentially TWO types of harmful radiation (not including light such as ultraviolet):   A. GOVT. CONTROLLED RADIOACTIVE SOURCES: Power plants, smoke detectors, medical treatment sources, etc...   B. UNCONTROLLED RF EXPOSURE: Radio Frequency devices of many types. The RD spectrum is regulated by the FCC in America, and other similar regulatory agencies that exist in other countries around the world through international radio agreements. Yet most of them appear to be very unconcerned about health effects, especially in Nigeria.   We will concentrate on the latter in this esay - UNCONTROLLED RF EXPOSURE. RF signals are without a doubt an invisible form of pollution. Most people see a smoke-stack smoking and scream "OH ! Look at that pollution!" But as we will see, this is not really the most immediate, serious health hazard. What is known about RF, is that unhealthy effects from it are related to an almost infinte combination of each of the five following factors:   1. FREQUENCY - Certain frequencies are absorbed in the body more than others. For example, the new riot control weapons the Pentagon have operates in the Super-High Frequency (SHF) region. This frequency is about 15 times higher than a conventional microwave oven. Although SHF is not absorbed into the skin, it boils perspiration on the skin causing pain.   2. DURATION - How long you are exposed to the radiation, or how long the transmitter is "on."   3. DISTANCE - How close you are to the antenna. Energy levels decrease with the square of the distance.   4. POWER LEVEL - What the strength of the signal is. This is measured in microwatts, milliwatts and watts. One microwatt is a millionth of a watt, One milliwatt is one-thousandth of a watt. For example, 1,000 milliwatts is one watt.   Cell phone power levels are often in the 100 milliwatt to 4 watt class. In the past, older bag type cell phones people carried around, were up near 4 watts of power. Getting a strong signal was no problem. Today's pocket cell phones are in the 100 milliwatt area. Reducing the power goes with size reduction and a smaller battery. This also reduces cell size, which actually is beneficial.   5. SUSCEPTABILITY - Like tobacco smoke, you cannot tell if you will or will not become ill from RF exposure. But RF heating of body tissues and possible DNA alteration (mutation) happens to 100% of the people exposed to RF. The amount of heating is determined by a combination of the four factors above. The immune system is responsible for cleaning up mutant DNA. But can the immune system clean it out all the defective DNA and dead cells, and do this indefinitely? Modern medical science knows there are limits to how much of an assault on the body the immune system can deal with.   WHY RF IS SIMILAR TO RADIOACTIVITY   For those familiar with radiation exposure hazards, the striking parallels to radioactivity are obvious here in Nigeria. RF Frequency is similar to the radiation type, like Alpha, Beta or Gamma. In fact, each of these particles move as a frequency above that of ultraviolet light, and are actually composed of high speed particles. Each of the particle types affects the human body and systems in different ways. RF power level is like the number of particles per second of a radioactive source. Both duration and distance also translate into the realm of radiation exposure.   We know that certain radioactive particles from Alpha particle emitters cause the most damage to lung cells when inhaled. Alpha particle ionizing radiation alters DNA in cells, and can create pre-cursor changes leading to cancer. Tissues and structures in the body that appear on scans and x-rays are sometimes diagnosed as a "pre-cancerous condition" by doctors. Older camping mantle lanterns and microwave ovens were very radioactive, because they were made from the element thorium.   The reason for discussing the above subject, is to show that anything which alters cellular DNA can be extremely unhealthy. And this is both nuclear radiation and RF. There are also chemical and effects from ultraviolet as well.   THE RF SPECTRUM - WHAT DIFFERENT RF FREQUENCIES DO TO THE HUMAN BODY   The lowest frequencies are radio waves, that are actually the same as frequencies as the audio sound which comes out of your speakers. This called VLF, or Very Low Frequency. These waves have wavelengths measured in thousands of miles. They pass through the body without damage.   Commercial AM radio signals, use waves that are also quite long and pass through the body with relative ease. These are also waves, whose wavelengths are measured in hundreds of feet. Shortwave signals are also very long, and this part of the spectrum reaches up to a part of the miltary band, located below TV channels.   Decades ago, people could go to a doctor for aches and pains and be treated with a Diathermy machine. This machine was essentially a shortwave radio transmitter, and operated with a curved antenna that fits the human body. When placed against the skin, the antenna radiated energy that was absorbed deep in the body's tissues. A sufficient power level of RF energy will cause currents of electricity to flow in these tissues, thereby creating warmth. These machines are probably outlawed by now and died a quiet death in some countries. RF energy causes molecules to collide with one another creating heat. This occurs in tisuues like muscles, as well as blood. FM stations (located in the radio band near TV channels and over the air television channels through 13 are all in the VHF band. These signals can also pass through the human body without harm. These waves are measured in several feet. When you look at any TV antenna, multiply the width of the antenna by four, and that will be the wavelength of the wave from the TV transmitter. Hence the term 1/4 wavelength, which is a design rule for most antennas.   Television channels through the UHF region. Channel is actually just below analog cell phone frequencies. Progammable police scanners and cell phone frequencies. (Privacy laws force scanners to block the cell phone bands)   WHERE DOES MICROWAVE BEGIN?   We are now entering the realm where RF begins to affect the human body at a distance. It is generally considered that any frequency above TV channel is microwave. There is a "fuzzy" line between microwave and non-microwave radio signals. In fact, the upper channels of the UHF bands are considered the near microwave band. Radio signals operating with short wavelengths measured in centimeters, can increase the temperature of water and tissues at a distance. Although most people equate this only with microwave ovens, this effects happens at lower frequencies. Complex proteins present in blood also break down into toxic materials. These invisible, toxic compounds can cause increasing muscle, joint and nerve pain in people over time as toxins build up in the body. Alteration of proteins and toxin generation not only happens to the body when exposed to RF, but also to food in microwave ovens. Many people have put their microwave ovens on the curb, when they discovered their pain was linked to microwaved food. The effects of microwaved food on the immune system are largely unexplored by mainstream science, but are well known by those that suffer from them.   In reality, Diathermy treatments work on the same principle that microwave ovens operate on, except that microwave ovens use higher power levels and higher frequencies. Diathermy became popular, it was found that higher RF frequencies allowed heating at a distance, without direct electrode contact. The story about the microwave oven invention is that it was discovered by accident, by an engineer working in an electronics lab. He found the radiation from the equipment melted a candy bar in his pocket. Amana is credited with building and selling the first commonly available oven - the infamous Radar Range (RR). The discovery reminds one of the sticky-note origin story. Another accidental discovery - found while 3M was trying to create a better adhesive..   For many years, everyone treated microwaves as nothing to be concerned about. No one learned from the lessons of Madam and Pierre Curie who tinkered with radium a century ago, and died from radiation poisoning. Remember the comparison of RF with radioactiviting above. Several decades ago, a man walked past the front of a telephone relay dish on the roof of a building. He suffered no immediate ill effects, but died some days later in the hospital as his organs began to fail. His organs had absorbed the microwave radiation, and were permanently and fatally damaged. He was essentially cooked and didn't know it. If he has walked past a sufficient amount of Plutonium, the same thing would happen but in a different way. He would have still died.   RADIATION BY ANY OTHER NAME IS STILL RADIATION.   Today, all microwave transmitting dishes and antennas must have radiation stickers on them, if people can become near them. Located on the front nose-cone of aircraft are small warning stickers if they have radar. The radar MUST be turned off when the aircraft is on the ground, as it is hazardous to ground personnel. Warning stickers use the universal radiation warning symbol of three triangles inside a circle. These identical symbols are used for radioactive materials. Many in the armed forces know the stories and often unpleasant fate of those that unknowingly walked in front of operating aircraft radar.   Microwave remote uplink trucks used at sports events use power levels typically on the order of 120 watts. Fortunately all the RF energy is pointed upwards towards a satellite more than 22,000 miles away.   Now with all that said, how are WE being irradiated ? The effects of low level radiation are only now beginning to be understood from the efforts of lab research around the world.   There are a number of RF frequencies the FCC has set aside, that have unlimited civilian use. Although related unlicensed transmitter operation is usually limited to short range digital devices like garage door openers and cordless phones, low level RF may have a cumulative effect that is not yet understood. For a more in-depth look at complex microwave frequency allocation.   Here is a quick list of common sources of radiation:   1. CELL PHONES - Here the antenna is very close to the brain, and many studies have been done on this. Recent studies done in Europe show that tumors can be induced in rats, which are exposed to the same power levels and distances that normal cell phone users are from the phone's antenna.   2. CORDLESS PHONES - In reality, these are as detrimental as cell phones because they operate near the microwave frequencies of cell phones (microwave.) In some ways, they could be worse than cell phones because many people spend more time on these.   3. GARAGE DOOR AND GATE OPENERS - A source of radiation when the button is pressed.   4. WIRELESS PDAs and NOTEBOOK COMPUTERS - These work very much like cell phones, with the same potential effects.   5. MICROWAVE ALARM SYSTEM SENSORS - This is one area NO ONE talks about. These are common in homes and businesses. Although the power level is in the microwatt realm, one may sit exposed to it all day, every day, sometimes just a few feet away. Again, think about it in terms of exposure time versus energy levels.   6. BLUE TOOTH WIRELESS DEVICES - Operate in the lower microwave region.   7. WIRELESS VIDEO CAMERAS - Operate in the microwave region above analog cell phones.   8. TV EXTENDERS - Used to transmit video and sound without wires from one room to another in a home. These also operate in the microwave region above analog cell phones.   9. SATELLITES - Walk outside, anywhere, and you will be bombarded with RF from satellites, both civilian and military. If you could visibly "see" these sources, you would see points of "light" from the 22,500 mile high Clarke belt of stationary satellites. This belt of satellites rise from the western horizon and arcs across the sky to the earth. There will also be hundreds of moving lights in the sky from lower geosynchronous orbits. Some of these are also satellites the military uses that send signals to earth. Many military satellites have high-powered optical sensors, with huge telephoto lenses that watch everything from orbit. These satellites orbit about 200 miles up and contrary to public belief, can actually read a newspaper headline from orbit. The portrayal of distant fuzzy images as seen in "Patriot Games" is far from the truth. And these satellites bombard the earth with more RF radiation as they send their data to the earth.   10. POLICE RADIOS (Sirens) - Police officers now have antennas on their microphones, also have a similar risk to that of cell phone users since the antenna is located near the head. There is also radiation from the antennas on their vehicles, too.   11. WALKIE-TALKIE TYPE RADIOS - In decades past, business radios operated in the lower VHF band. These were known as business band radios, and are still in use today. No known ill effects are known to have originated from these radios. Today's family channel radios operate in the 400Mhz UHF band, near TV channel 14.   12. DOOR OPENERS - Often used in grocery and discount stores, these open the door when you pass under a microwave motion detector. You pass directly under the unit when you enter or exit the store, receiving more microwave radiation.   13. SECURITY FOR STORES - Used in WalMart, video rental and other stores, these exit portals generate an RF field you are forced to walk through upon entering and exiting the store. The square "Be Kind Please Rewind" tag is often a tuned printed circuit behind the label, that will trigger the security system when passed through a portal at the exit. Libraries use a very similar system with thin resonanting devices slipped into the spine of books. These systems operate in the lower microwave band, allowing the use of small coils (or no coils at all) because of the high frequencies employed.   14. CELL TOWERS - Last but not least, cell tower antennas which operate at power levels of about 10 watts for each antenna on the tower. Some use higher wattage than others. These directional antennas divide a geographical area into cells of service.   There are many more toys, products and devices too numerous to mention here. We are immersed in a virtual SEA of RF energy, with cell towers as one of the strongest continuous sources of RF energy.   MORE ABOUT CELL PHONES   When you turn your cell phone on, the cell phone company carrier you have uses a computer network connected to all the cell towers, to invisibly command your phone to change to an available frequency. This is why numerous people can talk in a given cell phone area and not hear one another. When a cell phone is on, it transmits frequently to notify the phone company it is actually on. As you walk or drive, the cell system determines signal strength and switches you connection to another tower near you. Even when you are not talking, the phone can still radiate energy. If you have it in your shirt or pants pocket or on your belt, body tissues around the antenna on the phone are being irradiated with RF energy. This is an inescapable fact.   COVERT ANTENNAS   The closer to a radiating antenna you are, the higher the health risk there is. In an effort to increase channel availability for the increasing number of cell phone users, cells have to be made smaller. These are often known as microcells. In the past, cell towers typically covered a 10 mile cell. Microcells today are often less than one mile, depending on local population size. More towers are required to be assured a cell phone will get a channel when talk is pressed, or when someone answers a cell phone.   There were more than 128,000 cell towers across Africa; this include Nigeria. About 25% of these were hidden towers, and the remaining number of them were traditional types. Keep in mind that cell tower density is directly connected to population density. There are still parts of where no cell towers exist, because population density makes them economically unfeasable. Antennas come in many forms, including trees, cactus and gas station signs in some countries. Take the necessary precaution please.

The Effects of Radiation From Orbit Hidden from Cell Phone Towers, Microwave and Air Craft nose-cone Radar Antenna. Most people are unware of the Radio Frequency (RF) radiation they are exposed to. Radiation is usually associated with radium, weapons, medical treatments, nuclear power plants and smoke detectors. Before we discuss covert cell towers and other numerous radiating antennas being installed with impunity, we should review the RF spectrum. This will be helpful in understanding how the radio spectrum affects us. We will not discuss HAARP, which is in itself a unique area of the radio spectrum in the shortwave band.   There are essentially TWO types of harmful radiation (not including light such as ultraviolet):   A. GOVT. CONTROLLED RADIOACTIVE SOURCES: Power plants, smoke detectors, medical treatment sources, etc...   B. UNCONTROLLED RF EXPOSURE: Radio Frequency devices of many types. The RD spectrum is regulated by the FCC in America, and other similar regulatory agencies that exist in other countries around the world through international radio agreements. Yet most of them appear to be very unconcerned about health effects, especially in Nigeria.   We will concentrate on the latter in this esay - UNCONTROLLED RF EXPOSURE. RF signals are without a doubt an invisible form of pollution. Most people see a smoke-stack smoking and scream "OH ! Look at that pollution!" But as we will see, this is not really the most immediate, serious health hazard. What is known about RF, is that unhealthy effects from it are related to an almost infinte combination of each of the five following factors:   1. FREQUENCY - Certain frequencies are absorbed in the body more than others. For example, the new riot control weapons the Pentagon have operates in the Super-High Frequency (SHF) region. This frequency is about 15 times higher than a conventional microwave oven. Although SHF is not absorbed into the skin, it boils perspiration on the skin causing pain.   2. DURATION - How long you are exposed to the radiation, or how long the transmitter is "on."   3. DISTANCE - How close you are to the antenna. Energy levels decrease with the square of the distance.   4. POWER LEVEL - What the strength of the signal is. This is measured in microwatts, milliwatts and watts. One microwatt is a millionth of a watt, One milliwatt is one-thousandth of a watt. For example, 1,000 milliwatts is one watt.   Cell phone power levels are often in the 100 milliwatt to 4 watt class. In the past, older bag type cell phones people carried around, were up near 4 watts of power. Getting a strong signal was no problem. Today's pocket cell phones are in the 100 milliwatt area. Reducing the power goes with size reduction and a smaller battery. This also reduces cell size, which actually is beneficial.   5. SUSCEPTABILITY - Like tobacco smoke, you cannot tell if you will or will not become ill from RF exposure. But RF heating of body tissues and possible DNA alteration (mutation) happens to 100% of the people exposed to RF. The amount of heating is determined by a combination of the four factors above. The immune system is responsible for cleaning up mutant DNA. But can the immune system clean it out all the defective DNA and dead cells, and do this indefinitely? Modern medical science knows there are limits to how much of an assault on the body the immune system can deal with.   WHY RF IS SIMILAR TO RADIOACTIVITY   For those familiar with radiation exposure hazards, the striking parallels to radioactivity are obvious here in Nigeria. RF Frequency is similar to the radiation type, like Alpha, Beta or Gamma. In fact, each of these particles move as a frequency above that of ultraviolet light, and are actually composed of high speed particles. Each of the particle types affects the human body and systems in different ways. RF power level is like the number of particles per second of a radioactive source. Both duration and distance also translate into the realm of radiation exposure.   We know that certain radioactive particles from Alpha particle emitters cause the most damage to lung cells when inhaled. Alpha particle ionizing radiation alters DNA in cells, and can create pre-cursor changes leading to cancer. Tissues and structures in the body that appear on scans and x-rays are sometimes diagnosed as a "pre-cancerous condition" by doctors. Older camping mantle lanterns and microwave ovens were very radioactive, because they were made from the element thorium.   The reason for discussing the above subject, is to show that anything which alters cellular DNA can be extremely unhealthy. And this is both nuclear radiation and RF. There are also chemical and effects from ultraviolet as well.   THE RF SPECTRUM - WHAT DIFFERENT RF FREQUENCIES DO TO THE HUMAN BODY   The lowest frequencies are radio waves, that are actually the same as frequencies as the audio sound which comes out of your speakers. This called VLF, or Very Low Frequency. These waves have wavelengths measured in thousands of miles. They pass through the body without damage.   Commercial AM radio signals, use waves that are also quite long and pass through the body with relative ease. These are also waves, whose wavelengths are measured in hundreds of feet. Shortwave signals are also very long, and this part of the spectrum reaches up to a part of the miltary band, located below TV channels.   Decades ago, people could go to a doctor for aches and pains and be treated with a Diathermy machine. This machine was essentially a shortwave radio transmitter, and operated with a curved antenna that fits the human body. When placed against the skin, the antenna radiated energy that was absorbed deep in the body's tissues. A sufficient power level of RF energy will cause currents of electricity to flow in these tissues, thereby creating warmth. These machines are probably outlawed by now and died a quiet death in some countries. RF energy causes molecules to collide with one another creating heat. This occurs in tisuues like muscles, as well as blood. FM stations (located in the radio band near TV channels and over the air television channels through 13 are all in the VHF band. These signals can also pass through the human body without harm. These waves are measured in several feet. When you look at any TV antenna, multiply the width of the antenna by four, and that will be the wavelength of the wave from the TV transmitter. Hence the term 1/4 wavelength, which is a design rule for most antennas.   Television channels through the UHF region. Channel is actually just below analog cell phone frequencies. Progammable police scanners and cell phone frequencies. (Privacy laws force scanners to block the cell phone bands)   WHERE DOES MICROWAVE BEGIN?   We are now entering the realm where RF begins to affect the human body at a distance. It is generally considered that any frequency above TV channel is microwave. There is a "fuzzy" line between microwave and non-microwave radio signals. In fact, the upper channels of the UHF bands are considered the near microwave band. Radio signals operating with short wavelengths measured in centimeters, can increase the temperature of water and tissues at a distance. Although most people equate this only with microwave ovens, this effects happens at lower frequencies. Complex proteins present in blood also break down into toxic materials. These invisible, toxic compounds can cause increasing muscle, joint and nerve pain in people over time as toxins build up in the body. Alteration of proteins and toxin generation not only happens to the body when exposed to RF, but also to food in microwave ovens. Many people have put their microwave ovens on the curb, when they discovered their pain was linked to microwaved food. The effects of microwaved food on the immune system are largely unexplored by mainstream science, but are well known by those that suffer from them.   In reality, Diathermy treatments work on the same principle that microwave ovens operate on, except that microwave ovens use higher power levels and higher frequencies. Diathermy became popular, it was found that higher RF frequencies allowed heating at a distance, without direct electrode contact. The story about the microwave oven invention is that it was discovered by accident, by an engineer working in an electronics lab. He found the radiation from the equipment melted a candy bar in his pocket. Amana is credited with building and selling the first commonly available oven - the infamous Radar Range (RR). The discovery reminds one of the sticky-note origin story. Another accidental discovery - found while 3M was trying to create a better adhesive..   For many years, everyone treated microwaves as nothing to be concerned about. No one learned from the lessons of Madam and Pierre Curie who tinkered with radium a century ago, and died from radiation poisoning. Remember the comparison of RF with radioactiviting above. Several decades ago, a man walked past the front of a telephone relay dish on the roof of a building. He suffered no immediate ill effects, but died some days later in the hospital as his organs began to fail. His organs had absorbed the microwave radiation, and were permanently and fatally damaged. He was essentially cooked and didn't know it. If he has walked past a sufficient amount of Plutonium, the same thing would happen but in a different way. He would have still died.   RADIATION BY ANY OTHER NAME IS STILL RADIATION.   Today, all microwave transmitting dishes and antennas must have radiation stickers on them, if people can become near them. Located on the front nose-cone of aircraft are small warning stickers if they have radar. The radar MUST be turned off when the aircraft is on the ground, as it is hazardous to ground personnel. Warning stickers use the universal radiation warning symbol of three triangles inside a circle. These identical symbols are used for radioactive materials. Many in the armed forces know the stories and often unpleasant fate of those that unknowingly walked in front of operating aircraft radar.   Microwave remote uplink trucks used at sports events use power levels typically on the order of 120 watts. Fortunately all the RF energy is pointed upwards towards a satellite more than 22,000 miles away.   Now with all that said, how are WE being irradiated ? The effects of low level radiation are only now beginning to be understood from the efforts of lab research around the world.   There are a number of RF frequencies the FCC has set aside, that have unlimited civilian use. Although related unlicensed transmitter operation is usually limited to short range digital devices like garage door openers and cordless phones, low level RF may have a cumulative effect that is not yet understood. For a more in-depth look at complex microwave frequency allocation.   Here is a quick list of common sources of radiation:   1. CELL PHONES - Here the antenna is very close to the brain, and many studies have been done on this. Recent studies done in Europe show that tumors can be induced in rats, which are exposed to the same power levels and distances that normal cell phone users are from the phone's antenna.   2. CORDLESS PHONES - In reality, these are as detrimental as cell phones because they operate near the microwave frequencies of cell phones (microwave.) In some ways, they could be worse than cell phones because many people spend more time on these.   3. GARAGE DOOR AND GATE OPENERS - A source of radiation when the button is pressed.   4. WIRELESS PDAs and NOTEBOOK COMPUTERS - These work very much like cell phones, with the same potential effects.   5. MICROWAVE ALARM SYSTEM SENSORS - This is one area NO ONE talks about. These are common in homes and businesses. Although the power level is in the microwatt realm, one may sit exposed to it all day, every day, sometimes just a few feet away. Again, think about it in terms of exposure time versus energy levels.   6. BLUE TOOTH WIRELESS DEVICES - Operate in the lower microwave region.   7. WIRELESS VIDEO CAMERAS - Operate in the microwave region above analog cell phones.   8. TV EXTENDERS - Used to transmit video and sound without wires from one room to another in a home. These also operate in the microwave region above analog cell phones.   9. SATELLITES - Walk outside, anywhere, and you will be bombarded with RF from satellites, both civilian and military. If you could visibly "see" these sources, you would see points of "light" from the 22,500 mile high Clarke belt of stationary satellites. This belt of satellites rise from the western horizon and arcs across the sky to the earth. There will also be hundreds of moving lights in the sky from lower geosynchronous orbits. Some of these are also satellites the military uses that send signals to earth. Many military satellites have high-powered optical sensors, with huge telephoto lenses that watch everything from orbit. These satellites orbit about 200 miles up and contrary to public belief, can actually read a newspaper headline from orbit. The portrayal of distant fuzzy images as seen in "Patriot Games" is far from the truth. And these satellites bombard the earth with more RF radiation as they send their data to the earth.   10. POLICE RADIOS (Sirens) - Police officers now have antennas on their microphones, also have a similar risk to that of cell phone users since the antenna is located near the head. There is also radiation from the antennas on their vehicles, too.   11. WALKIE-TALKIE TYPE RADIOS - In decades past, business radios operated in the lower VHF band. These were known as business band radios, and are still in use today. No known ill effects are known to have originated from these radios. Today's family channel radios operate in the 400Mhz UHF band, near TV channel 14.   12. DOOR OPENERS - Often used in grocery and discount stores, these open the door when you pass under a microwave motion detector. You pass directly under the unit when you enter or exit the store, receiving more microwave radiation.   13. SECURITY FOR STORES - Used in WalMart, video rental and other stores, these exit portals generate an RF field you are forced to walk through upon entering and exiting the store. The square "Be Kind Please Rewind" tag is often a tuned printed circuit behind the label, that will trigger the security system when passed through a portal at the exit. Libraries use a very similar system with thin resonanting devices slipped into the spine of books. These systems operate in the lower microwave band, allowing the use of small coils (or no coils at all) because of the high frequencies employed.   14. CELL TOWERS - Last but not least, cell tower antennas which operate at power levels of about 10 watts for each antenna on the tower. Some use higher wattage than others. These directional antennas divide a geographical area into cells of service.   There are many more toys, products and devices too numerous to mention here. We are immersed in a virtual SEA of RF energy, with cell towers as one of the strongest continuous sources of RF energy.   MORE ABOUT CELL PHONES   When you turn your cell phone on, the cell phone company carrier you have uses a computer network connected to all the cell towers, to invisibly command your phone to change to an available frequency. This is why numerous people can talk in a given cell phone area and not hear one another. When a cell phone is on, it transmits frequently to notify the phone company it is actually on. As you walk or drive, the cell system determines signal strength and switches you connection to another tower near you. Even when you are not talking, the phone can still radiate energy. If you have it in your shirt or pants pocket or on your belt, body tissues around the antenna on the phone are being irradiated with RF energy. This is an inescapable fact.   COVERT ANTENNAS   The closer to a radiating antenna you are, the higher the health risk there is. In an effort to increase channel availability for the increasing number of cell phone users, cells have to be made smaller. These are often known as microcells. In the past, cell towers typically covered a 10 mile cell. Microcells today are often less than one mile, depending on local population size. More towers are required to be assured a cell phone will get a channel when talk is pressed, or when someone answers a cell phone.   There were more than 128,000 cell towers across Africa; this include Nigeria. About 25% of these were hidden towers, and the remaining number of them were traditional types. Keep in mind that cell tower density is directly connected to population density. There are still parts of where no cell towers exist, because population density makes them economically unfeasable. Antennas come in many forms, including trees, cactus and gas station signs in some countries. Take the necessary precaution please.
The Effects of Radiation From Orbit Hidden from Cell Phone Towers, Microwave and Air Craft nose-cone Radar Antenna. Most people are unware of the Radio Frequency (RF) radiation they are exposed to. Radiation is usually associated with radium, weapons, medical treatments, nuclear power plants and smoke detectors. Before we discuss covert cell towers and other numerous radiating antennas being installed with impunity, we should review the RF spectrum. This will be helpful in understanding how the radio spectrum affects us. We will not discuss HAARP, which is in itself a unique area of the radio spectrum in the shortwave band.   There are essentially TWO types of harmful radiation (not including light such as ultraviolet):   A. GOVT. CONTROLLED RADIOACTIVE SOURCES: Power plants, smoke detectors, medical treatment sources, etc...   B. UNCONTROLLED RF EXPOSURE: Radio Frequency devices of many types. The RD spectrum is regulated by the FCC in America, and other similar regulatory agencies that exist in other countries around the world through international radio agreements. Yet most of them appear to be very unconcerned about health effects, especially in Nigeria.   We will concentrate on the latter in this esay - UNCONTROLLED RF EXPOSURE. RF signals are without a doubt an invisible form of pollution. Most people see a smoke-stack smoking and scream "OH ! Look at that pollution!" But as we will see, this is not really the most immediate, serious health hazard. What is known about RF, is that unhealthy effects from it are related to an almost infinte combination of each of the five following factors:   1. FREQUENCY - Certain frequencies are absorbed in the body more than others. For example, the new riot control weapons the Pentagon have operates in the Super-High Frequency (SHF) region. This frequency is about 15 times higher than a conventional microwave oven. Although SHF is not absorbed into the skin, it boils perspiration on the skin causing pain.   2. DURATION - How long you are exposed to the radiation, or how long the transmitter is "on."   3. DISTANCE - How close you are to the antenna. Energy levels decrease with the square of the distance.   4. POWER LEVEL - What the strength of the signal is. This is measured in microwatts, milliwatts and watts. One microwatt is a millionth of a watt, One milliwatt is one-thousandth of a watt. For example, 1,000 milliwatts is one watt.   Cell phone power levels are often in the 100 milliwatt to 4 watt class. In the past, older bag type cell phones people carried around, were up near 4 watts of power. Getting a strong signal was no problem. Today's pocket cell phones are in the 100 milliwatt area. Reducing the power goes with size reduction and a smaller battery. This also reduces cell size, which actually is beneficial.   5. SUSCEPTABILITY - Like tobacco smoke, you cannot tell if you will or will not become ill from RF exposure. But RF heating of body tissues and possible DNA alteration (mutation) happens to 100% of the people exposed to RF. The amount of heating is determined by a combination of the four factors above. The immune system is responsible for cleaning up mutant DNA. But can the immune system clean it out all the defective DNA and dead cells, and do this indefinitely? Modern medical science knows there are limits to how much of an assault on the body the immune system can deal with.   WHY RF IS SIMILAR TO RADIOACTIVITY   For those familiar with radiation exposure hazards, the striking parallels to radioactivity are obvious here in Nigeria. RF Frequency is similar to the radiation type, like Alpha, Beta or Gamma. In fact, each of these particles move as a frequency above that of ultraviolet light, and are actually composed of high speed particles. Each of the particle types affects the human body and systems in different ways. RF power level is like the number of particles per second of a radioactive source. Both duration and distance also translate into the realm of radiation exposure.   We know that certain radioactive particles from Alpha particle emitters cause the most damage to lung cells when inhaled. Alpha particle ionizing radiation alters DNA in cells, and can create pre-cursor changes leading to cancer. Tissues and structures in the body that appear on scans and x-rays are sometimes diagnosed as a "pre-cancerous condition" by doctors. Older camping mantle lanterns and microwave ovens were very radioactive, because they were made from the element thorium.   The reason for discussing the above subject, is to show that anything which alters cellular DNA can be extremely unhealthy. And this is both nuclear radiation and RF. There are also chemical and effects from ultraviolet as well.   THE RF SPECTRUM - WHAT DIFFERENT RF FREQUENCIES DO TO THE HUMAN BODY   The lowest frequencies are radio waves, that are actually the same as frequencies as the audio sound which comes out of your speakers. This called VLF, or Very Low Frequency. These waves have wavelengths measured in thousands of miles. They pass through the body without damage.   Commercial AM radio signals, use waves that are also quite long and pass through the body with relative ease. These are also waves, whose wavelengths are measured in hundreds of feet. Shortwave signals are also very long, and this part of the spectrum reaches up to a part of the miltary band, located below TV channels.   Decades ago, people could go to a doctor for aches and pains and be treated with a Diathermy machine. This machine was essentially a shortwave radio transmitter, and operated with a curved antenna that fits the human body. When placed against the skin, the antenna radiated energy that was absorbed deep in the body's tissues. A sufficient power level of RF energy will cause currents of electricity to flow in these tissues, thereby creating warmth. These machines are probably outlawed by now and died a quiet death in some countries. RF energy causes molecules to collide with one another creating heat. This occurs in tisuues like muscles, as well as blood. FM stations (located in the radio band near TV channels and over the air television channels through 13 are all in the VHF band. These signals can also pass through the human body without harm. These waves are measured in several feet. When you look at any TV antenna, multiply the width of the antenna by four, and that will be the wavelength of the wave from the TV transmitter. Hence the term 1/4 wavelength, which is a design rule for most antennas.   Television channels through the UHF region. Channel is actually just below analog cell phone frequencies. Progammable police scanners and cell phone frequencies. (Privacy laws force scanners to block the cell phone bands)   WHERE DOES MICROWAVE BEGIN?   We are now entering the realm where RF begins to affect the human body at a distance. It is generally considered that any frequency above TV channel is microwave. There is a "fuzzy" line between microwave and non-microwave radio signals. In fact, the upper channels of the UHF bands are considered the near microwave band. Radio signals operating with short wavelengths measured in centimeters, can increase the temperature of water and tissues at a distance. Although most people equate this only with microwave ovens, this effects happens at lower frequencies. Complex proteins present in blood also break down into toxic materials. These invisible, toxic compounds can cause increasing muscle, joint and nerve pain in people over time as toxins build up in the body. Alteration of proteins and toxin generation not only happens to the body when exposed to RF, but also to food in microwave ovens. Many people have put their microwave ovens on the curb, when they discovered their pain was linked to microwaved food. The effects of microwaved food on the immune system are largely unexplored by mainstream science, but are well known by those that suffer from them.   In reality, Diathermy treatments work on the same principle that microwave ovens operate on, except that microwave ovens use higher power levels and higher frequencies. Diathermy became popular, it was found that higher RF frequencies allowed heating at a distance, without direct electrode contact. The story about the microwave oven invention is that it was discovered by accident, by an engineer working in an electronics lab. He found the radiation from the equipment melted a candy bar in his pocket. Amana is credited with building and selling the first commonly available oven - the infamous Radar Range (RR). The discovery reminds one of the sticky-note origin story. Another accidental discovery - found while 3M was trying to create a better adhesive..   For many years, everyone treated microwaves as nothing to be concerned about. No one learned from the lessons of Madam and Pierre Curie who tinkered with radium a century ago, and died from radiation poisoning. Remember the comparison of RF with radioactiviting above. Several decades ago, a man walked past the front of a telephone relay dish on the roof of a building. He suffered no immediate ill effects, but died some days later in the hospital as his organs began to fail. His organs had absorbed the microwave radiation, and were permanently and fatally damaged. He was essentially cooked and didn't know it. If he has walked past a sufficient amount of Plutonium, the same thing would happen but in a different way. He would have still died.   RADIATION BY ANY OTHER NAME IS STILL RADIATION.   Today, all microwave transmitting dishes and antennas must have radiation stickers on them, if people can become near them. Located on the front nose-cone of aircraft are small warning stickers if they have radar. The radar MUST be turned off when the aircraft is on the ground, as it is hazardous to ground personnel. Warning stickers use the universal radiation warning symbol of three triangles inside a circle. These identical symbols are used for radioactive materials. Many in the armed forces know the stories and often unpleasant fate of those that unknowingly walked in front of operating aircraft radar.   Microwave remote uplink trucks used at sports events use power levels typically on the order of 120 watts. Fortunately all the RF energy is pointed upwards towards a satellite more than 22,000 miles away.   Now with all that said, how are WE being irradiated ? The effects of low level radiation are only now beginning to be understood from the efforts of lab research around the world.   There are a number of RF frequencies the FCC has set aside, that have unlimited civilian use. Although related unlicensed transmitter operation is usually limited to short range digital devices like garage door openers and cordless phones, low level RF may have a cumulative effect that is not yet understood. For a more in-depth look at complex microwave frequency allocation.   Here is a quick list of common sources of radiation:   1. CELL PHONES - Here the antenna is very close to the brain, and many studies have been done on this. Recent studies done in Europe show that tumors can be induced in rats, which are exposed to the same power levels and distances that normal cell phone users are from the phone's antenna.   2. CORDLESS PHONES - In reality, these are as detrimental as cell phones because they operate near the microwave frequencies of cell phones (microwave.) In some ways, they could be worse than cell phones because many people spend more time on these.   3. GARAGE DOOR AND GATE OPENERS - A source of radiation when the button is pressed.   4. WIRELESS PDAs and NOTEBOOK COMPUTERS - These work very much like cell phones, with the same potential effects.   5. MICROWAVE ALARM SYSTEM SENSORS - This is one area NO ONE talks about. These are common in homes and businesses. Although the power level is in the microwatt realm, one may sit exposed to it all day, every day, sometimes just a few feet away. Again, think about it in terms of exposure time versus energy levels.   6. BLUE TOOTH WIRELESS DEVICES - Operate in the lower microwave region.   7. WIRELESS VIDEO CAMERAS - Operate in the microwave region above analog cell phones.   8. TV EXTENDERS - Used to transmit video and sound without wires from one room to another in a home. These also operate in the microwave region above analog cell phones.   9. SATELLITES - Walk outside, anywhere, and you will be bombarded with RF from satellites, both civilian and military. If you could visibly "see" these sources, you would see points of "light" from the 22,500 mile high Clarke belt of stationary satellites. This belt of satellites rise from the western horizon and arcs across the sky to the earth. There will also be hundreds of moving lights in the sky from lower geosynchronous orbits. Some of these are also satellites the military uses that send signals to earth. Many military satellites have high-powered optical sensors, with huge telephoto lenses that watch everything from orbit. These satellites orbit about 200 miles up and contrary to public belief, can actually read a newspaper headline from orbit. The portrayal of distant fuzzy images as seen in "Patriot Games" is far from the truth. And these satellites bombard the earth with more RF radiation as they send their data to the earth.   10. POLICE RADIOS (Sirens) - Police officers now have antennas on their microphones, also have a similar risk to that of cell phone users since the antenna is located near the head. There is also radiation from the antennas on their vehicles, too.   11. WALKIE-TALKIE TYPE RADIOS - In decades past, business radios operated in the lower VHF band. These were known as business band radios, and are still in use today. No known ill effects are known to have originated from these radios. Today's family channel radios operate in the 400Mhz UHF band, near TV channel 14.   12. DOOR OPENERS - Often used in grocery and discount stores, these open the door when you pass under a microwave motion detector. You pass directly under the unit when you enter or exit the store, receiving more microwave radiation.   13. SECURITY FOR STORES - Used in WalMart, video rental and other stores, these exit portals generate an RF field you are forced to walk through upon entering and exiting the store. The square "Be Kind Please Rewind" tag is often a tuned printed circuit behind the label, that will trigger the security system when passed through a portal at the exit. Libraries use a very similar system with thin resonanting devices slipped into the spine of books. These systems operate in the lower microwave band, allowing the use of small coils (or no coils at all) because of the high frequencies employed.   14. CELL TOWERS - Last but not least, cell tower antennas which operate at power levels of about 10 watts for each antenna on the tower. Some use higher wattage than others. These directional antennas divide a geographical area into cells of service.   There are many more toys, products and devices too numerous to mention here. We are immersed in a virtual SEA of RF energy, with cell towers as one of the strongest continuous sources of RF energy.   MORE ABOUT CELL PHONES   When you turn your cell phone on, the cell phone company carrier you have uses a computer network connected to all the cell towers, to invisibly command your phone to change to an available frequency. This is why numerous people can talk in a given cell phone area and not hear one another. When a cell phone is on, it transmits frequently to notify the phone company it is actually on. As you walk or drive, the cell system determines signal strength and switches you connection to another tower near you. Even when you are not talking, the phone can still radiate energy. If you have it in your shirt or pants pocket or on your belt, body tissues around the antenna on the phone are being irradiated with RF energy. This is an inescapable fact.   COVERT ANTENNAS   The closer to a radiating antenna you are, the higher the health risk there is. In an effort to increase channel availability for the increasing number of cell phone users, cells have to be made smaller. These are often known as microcells. In the past, cell towers typically covered a 10 mile cell. Microcells today are often less than one mile, depending on local population size. More towers are required to be assured a cell phone will get a channel when talk is pressed, or when someone answers a cell phone.   There were more than 128,000 cell towers across Africa; this include Nigeria. About 25% of these were hidden towers, and the remaining number of them were traditional types. Keep in mind that cell tower density is directly connected to population density. There are still parts of where no cell towers exist, because population density makes them economically unfeasable. Antennas come in many forms, including trees, cactus and gas station signs in some countries. Take the necessary precaution please.

Thursday, November 26, 2015

THE EVIL DEEDS AGAINST LATE GENERAL MAMMAN VATSA AND HIS FAMILY! On 23 December 1985, the Vatsa family had just concluded plans to travel to Calabar because, usually, they spent the yuletide in the Cross River State capital, (Sufiya; the wife to late Gen M Vatsa is an Efik by tribe), the Id-el-Fitri in Minna, Niger State (Gen M Vatsa is Nupe by tribe) and the Id-el Kabir in Kaduna. After the necessary packing for the trip, the family waited for the return of General Vatsa from the Armed Forces Ruling Council, (AFRC), he had attended the meeting and returned home late, so the trip was postponed till the following day. At about 12 midnight, while Sufiya was watching a movie in her bedroom, her husband, who was working in his study, rushed in to tell her that IBB had sent for him. The wife protested that it was too late in the night, that Vatsa should phone his boss to shift the meeting to the following morning. As this debate was going on, Lt Col UK Bello led a team of soldiers to Vatsa’s home at Rumens Street, Ikoyi-Lagos. The soldiers, who came with armored vehicles and military vans, surrounded the house. Vatsa told his wife who was upstairs to peep through the window. Unable to contain her fear, she rushed downstairs and insisted that if the soldiers would take away her husband, then she had to follow them. Sufiya insisted on driving Vatsa in her own Pengeot 404. At this point, Vatsa directed that the children be woken up, and he kissed them one after the other. Haruna, the first son, who was in the Nigeria Military School (NMS) Zaria, followed them downstairs, weeping. While UK Bello drove in the fore of the convoy, Sufiya and Vatsa were chauffeur-driven in their own car in what later turned out to be a merry-go-round about Lagos till about 2 a.m when they stopped at No.7 Cameron Road, Ikoyi. Vatsa was ordered out of the car. As he made to enter the building, Sufiya ran after him but she was rudely pulled back by the soldiers. The General turned and gave his wife a bear hug, an embrace that was their last. He urged his wife to take care of their children, Haruna, Fatima, Jibrin and Aisha. Sufiya returned home dejected. To her shock, the military authorities had withdrawn the official domestic staff and guards At 5am, she prepared breakfast of fried yam and slised pawpaw, then drove to her husband’s detention centre, but was told she could not bring in any food. Another surprise awaited Vatsa’s wife. A soldier came in and said: “Madam, Oga’s wife, Mrs Mariam Babangida, said I should carry General Vatsa’s telephone handset to her.” Fatima, Vatsa’s daughter, clung to the gadget. A struggle ensued between the 15yr old girl and the soldier, whose muscles bulged like the biceps of Michaelangelo’statues. Sufiya asked her daughter to let go of the probably bugged set.Worse still, some gruff, fierced looking soldiers, led by Vatsa’s former Aide-de-Camp (ADC), Captain Maku, an intelligence officer of Idoma extraction, had led other soldiers in laying siege to the family’s house. “Madam, no visitors, no phone calls, no going out,” Maku snapped as he reclined on a settee in the living room, an improvised toothpick, peeping out of a corner of his mouth. When Sufiya protested that the family needed to buy foodstuff, Maku, whose friendly disposition when he was Vatsa’s ADC had changed, commanded that the woman and her children “to must manage.”After three days of captivity, Sufiya could not endure it any longer. She told Maku: “Look, I am going to the market. If you refuse me, it means between you and I, somebody will die. I will show you I am a soldier’s wife.” She took her car, and without bothering about the soldiers, who cocked their guns menacingly at her, she rammed it into the gate, which gave way as the soldiers scattered capriciously in different directions. She got to Falomo market, bought bread and eggs, and decided to see one of her husband’s friends, General Gado Nasko. Before the visit to Nasko, however, Sufiya had driven home and, since her daughter was, coincidentally at the gate, she dropped the food and driven to the Naskos home. Sufiya’s mission was to ask Nasko to fix a meeting between her and IBB to find a way and settle the matter. Although soldiers at Nasko’s house gave her the cold shoulder, her persistence worked. Nasko, who said he was aware of the problem and would try to arrange the meeting, asked Sufiya to see him in the evening. Her hope soared. The reason was the special relationship between her family and IBB’s. “When we got married,” Sufiya was reported as saying, “I thought IBB and my husband were of the same family. The two wore same size of dress and pair of shoes. IBB would drop his dirty wears in our house and put on my husband’s own sometimes. When IBB traveled out, for further military training, my husband took care of Mariam and her children. General Vatsa, apart from mounting the horse when IBB married Mariam; bought their first set of furniture from Leventis on hire purchase. IBB was also my husband’s best man during our wedding. Whenever Maryam’s Mercedez Benz car broke down, she used to drive my Peugeot 404. We were close.” All these, to Babangida, did not count in the field of real politics. Nasko told Sufiya later in the day that the military President was not ready to see her. Another disappointment awaited Sufiya when she returned to her Rumen’s Street residence, Ikoyi. A soldier from Bonny Camp was waiting for her with an order that the family should vacate the house. Another military officer said the car should be taken to Army Headquarters for security check after which they broke into the car’s glove compartment and confiscated Vatsa’s manuscripts. In frustration, Sufiya hired a trailer and moved the family’s belongings to Kaduna. She and Fatima, however, returned and stayed in Nwakana Okoro, her brother-in-law’s house at Queen’s Drive Ikoyi. When the military authorities bugged Okoro’s telephone, the lawyer, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria became jittery. All attempts by Sufiya to see her husband were frustrated by the military authorities. It was only Fatima’s trick that worked a bit. Posing as a lawyer, she would follow other counsels into Vatsa’s detention centre and trial venue. Vatsa, however, sent Sufiya a note from Kirikiri, saying: “Do not beg Babangida. He is after my life. Take care of the children. I know it is not easy but God will help you.”When he was to be executed, Vatsa requested that his wrist watch and wedding ring be given to Sufiya. “But by the time they brought the watch and the wedding ring, the ring wasn’t my wedding ring, so I rejected it. “Till today, they have not returned the ring to me,” Sufiya was quoted by a family source. Sufiya was, therefore, left in the cold, without any wealth to fall back on. Vatsa had only one plot of land in Abuja, but it was taken over by the late despot, General Sani Abacha. At a point, Sufiya approached General Jeremiah Useni, one-time Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, in a bid to reclaim the land. Useni called for the file and told Vatsa’s wife to pay for the land rent. She, however complained to Useni: “When my husband was a minister in FCT, he refused to allocate land to me. He said it would be immoral for him to give me land. He said his successor would give me.” Useni looked the other way while Sufiya and her family were deprived of the land.Not all of Vatsa’s friends abandoned the family, however. “One of his friends came to our aid.” Sufiya once said. “Every other person that was dining and wining with my husband immediately switched over to IBB. Even my children today are not identified with.”To keep body, soul and the family together, Sufiya, of Efik descent, would travel to Calabar, in Cross River State, and bring food from her people to take care of her children in Kaduna where she has vowed to remain. Apart from buying and selling, Sufiya used to engage in poultry and cattle rearing. In fact, she injected life into her Sava Farm, which she set up in 1971 after the civil war. But robbers ruined the business. Sufiya believed her husband was innocent of the crime for which he was executed. She once lamented to her husband’s family:” It is painful that my husband was executed as a coup plotter even when he was not. And till this moment, we don’t know where he was buried. That Gen Domkat Bali interview published in TheNews magazine is one of the good things God has done to us in the Vatsa family. Before, some people did not believe that Vatsa was not a coup plotter; but Bali’s confession explained it all. They should release the corpse of my husband to me so that he can be given a befitting burial. That is my prayer.”It was for this reason that Sufiya wrote a letter, dated 15 June 2006, to President Olusegun Obasanjo, where she stated: “Although there was no iota of evidence linking my husband with the phantom coup, he was convicted and sentenced to death by the Special Military Tribunal which purportedly tried him and other coup suspects. My husband’s appeal to the Armed Forces Ruling Council against his illegal conviction was yet to be considered when the Head of State, General Babangida had him secretly executed along with the other coup convicts.”She claimed in the letter that Bali confirmed her husband’s innocence in TheNEWS’ interview when he said:‘“My regret is that up till now, I am not sure whether Vatsa ought to have been killed because, whatever evidence they amassed against him was weak. My only regret is that I could not say, don’t do it. I am not so sure whether we were right to have killed Vatsa.” Sufiya, therefore, requested the Obasanjo administration to prosecute General Babangida for “the murder of my husband, General Vatsa.”Born on 3 December 1940, Major General Mamman Vatsa attended the Government Secondary School, Bida-Niger State. He enlisted in the Nigerian Army on 10 December 1962 and was trained at the Nigerian Military Training College, Kaduna and the India Military Academy. Vatsa was in charge of the 21 Battalion during the Nigerian Civil War, after which he became an instructor at the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna. Apart from his position as Principal Staff Officer at Army Headquarters, he commanded the 30 infantry Brigade (Ogoja) until July 1975. As the Commander of the Brigade of Guards, a post he held until 1979, Vatsa oversaw the movement of its headquarters from Dodan Barracks to Kofo Abayomi Street, Victoria Island-Lagos. One proof of his loyalty to his Commander-in-Chief was when, as Commander, Brigade of Guards, Calabar, he was the first to go on air to kick against the 13 February 1976 coup, led by Lt Col Buka Dimka. During the trial of suspects involved in that coup, he was the Tribunal Secretary. There after, he was appointed the Commander, Brigade of Guards under General Olusegun Obasanjo. Mrs Vatsa once revealed: “My husband drove General Obasanjo to his Ota farm after he handed over power to the civilians in 1979.”As Nowa Omoigui wrote, Vatsa was Commandant of the Nigerian Army School of Infantry (NASI) from 1979. “He, along with Lt Col Bitiyong, developed the Special Warfare Wing and established the doctrinal basis for the establishment of the 82nd Composite Division of the Nigerian Army in Enugu. In fact, it was Vatsa who suggested that the Division be called the “82nd Division” – after the 82nd West African Division, Burma.”As an accomplished poet and writer, Vatsa was able to publish eight poetry collections for adults and 11 for younger ones. Some of his book titles are Back Again At Watergate (1982), Reach For The Skies (1984), and Verses for Nigerian State Capitals (1973). His pidgin poetry collection is Tori for Geti Bow Leg (1981). His pictorial books are Bikin Suna and Stinger the Scorpion. His literary interests transcended merely reeling out volumes of verse. He organized writing workshops for soldiers and their families, assisted the Children’s Literature Association with funds, as well as allocating a piece of land in Abuja for a writers village for the Association of Nigerian Authors. Vatsa was so pre-occupied with creativity that he always carried jotters to the toilet, dining table and the bedroom. There were books strewn around in the family’s apartment so much that, Sufiya once threatened to “throw these books out.”Vatsa’s journey to the great beyond started on 17 December 1985 when the military authorities arrested over 100 officers from the Army, Navy and the Air Force. Vatsa was picked up seven days later. They were, for two weeks investigated by the Brigadier General Sani Sami-led Preliminary Special Investigation Panel. After this, 17 of them were dragged before a Special Military Tribunal, set up by General Bali, the Defence Minister, at the Brigade of Guards Headquarters, Lagos. The accused officers were 9:34:20 PM Cols Musa Bitiyong, Christian. A Oche, MA Iyorshe, M. Effiong; Majors DI Bamidele, DE West, JO Onyeke and TG Akwashiki. Others were Captain GIL Sese, Lt KG Dakpa, Commodore AA Ogwiji, Wing Commanders BE Ekele, Adamu Sakaba; Squadron Leaders Martin Luther, C Ode and A Ahura.The tribunal; Chaired by Major General Ndiomu, tried the officers under the Treason and Other Offences (Special Military Tribunal) Decree 1 of 1986. Other members of the tribunal were Brigadier Yerima Yohanna Kure, Commodore Murtala Nyako, Col Rufus Kupolati, Col E Opaleye, and Lt Col D Muhammed. Alhaji Mamman Nassarawa, a commissioner of police and Major A Kejawa, the Judge Advocate, were also members. The IBB regime accused Vatsa of trying to overthrow it by hiding behind a farming loan to Lt Col Bitiyong, a charge which the general denied. As Nowa Omogui, a military analyst explains in his essay, The Vatsa Conspiracy, Bitiyong was allegedly tortured to implicate Vatsa “by making reference to certain private political conversations they had, which Vatsa denied.”There were further allegations that Luther, Oche, Ogwiji and Bitiyong held a meeting at the Lagos Sheraton Hotel and Towers in November 1985. Iyorchie, Bitiyong, Oche, Ekele, Sakaba and Bamidele also allegedly met in Makurdi. Allegations such as the diversion of the presidential jet to a pre-arranged location by pilots in the executive fleet (Luther and Ahura), as Omogui put it, were floated. Oche allegedly held a meeting with Major Akwashiki, Commander of the 6th Battalion, Bonny Camp, and Onyeke, after a game of squash in Lagos and spoke about the International Monetary Fund (IMF) loan. Akwashiki was sentenced to death, but this was commuted to life imprisonment. He was however released 10 years later by the Abacha regime. Oche, it was also alleged, mentioned the plot to his nephew, Peter Odoba, a young lieutenant of the Brigade of Guards who, as Omogui wrote, informed then Lt Hamza al-Mustapha, an intelligence officer to the Chiefof Army Staff. Obada was charged with “concealment, recommended for dismissal and a long jail term.”On 6 March 1986, however, Vatsa, Iyorshe, Bamidele, Ogwiji, Ekele, Sakaba, Luther, Akura were executed. Vatsa had taken his trial and sentence with cheerful equanimity like the writer that he was. His vintage smiles revealed more than his words. “I leave you with smiles as smiles surprise people. But I will tell members of the Nigerian Army that the day you start insulting yourselves, others begin to join you,” he said. To buttress his position that there was rivalry between IBB and Vatsa, Omogui referred to an interview that; Eniola Bello of THISDAY had with IBB in 2001 when he turned 60. “Babangida said it was after Vatsa’s coup was foiled that he realized his childhood friend and classmate planned the coup in line with a deep-seated personal rivalry, going back to their days as young officers. He said that unconsciously, he and Vatsa had been great competitors; that as a young officer, whatever he did Vatsa equally did and whatever Vatsa achieved, he also went after. He said it was Lt Gen TY Danjuma who pointed this out to him from their military records. "Babangida gave this rationalization to justify his refusal to pardon Vatsa. He said when he first heard his childhood friend was planning a coup, he decided to do nothing but monitor him. He added, however, that Vatsa came to him to complain thus: You heard I was planning a coup and couldn’t even ask me. What kind of friend are you? To this, Babangida said he replied: I didn’t believe it, or are you planning a coup? He said Vatsa replied in the negative and the matter was forgotten until there was evidence of the plot. Babangida said he instructed that Vatsa be arrested and detained to prevent him from impeding investigation into the matter. Babangida argued: “However, Vatsa tried to escape through the air conditioner hole. I couldn’t understand why he was trying to escape if he was not involved in a coup plot. But while watching the video of his execution, I turned my eyes away when I saw him remove his watch and ask a soldier to give his wife. I couldn’t continue watching. "Babangida added that he couldn’t retire or imprison Vatsa because he believed the guy could still have planned a coup either in retirement or in prison. “Rawlings did it in Ghana and you know Vatsa was very stubborn,” IBB said. Omogui, however, lamented the tragedy that befell Vatsa: “Vatsa maintained to the very end that the money was for farming. Others alleged, however, that after being tortured for two days, Bitiyong implicatedVatsa by making reference to certain private political conversations they had, which Vatsa denied. But Vatsa was accused of harbouring “bad blood” against his friend and classmate Babangida, dating back to the Buhari regime and possibly earlier. He was also obliquely accused of reporting Babangida’s coup plot to Buhari before he left the country for pilgrimage along with Major General Tunde Idiagbon in August, 1985. Actions he later took as a Minister to accelerate many military applications for certificates of occupancy for land in Abuja, came to be viewed as efforts to buy the support of one or two of the plotters. Rumors that a civilian had introduced him at a party as Nigeria’s next President were even aired. All of this was, of course, circumstantial. But they took him to the stake, which was quite an anti-climax to the career of a brilliant man who never took part in any coup in Nigeria. Indeed, Mamman Vatsa was the first to go on air in Calabar to denounce the Dimka coup, and was later the Secretary of the Obada panel that tried Dimka and others in 1976. This little detail may have earned him some latent enmity in certain circles of the Army which later contributed to his death. "There is also a very strong belief that Vatsa may have been a victim of political intrigues because of his intellectual sagacity, being a writer and soldier-poet, and his significant indifference to the military politics at that time. In fact, his ordeal had attracted three leading Nigerian literary icons, Chinua Achebe, Wole Soyinka and John Pepper Clark Bekederemo, who had gone to plead with Babangida for clemency, only to be shocked by news of his execution few minutes after departing Dodan Barracks, venue of the meeting. Hajia Sufiya Vatsa, wife of the late former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, General Mamman Vatsa, was at the forefront of the struggle to ensure that justice is done in the Vatsa case. Her campaign was cut short in the early hours of Monday, 21 May 2007 when the grim riper came calling. She handed over the mantle to her son Jubrin who broke the news of her demise. Hajia Sufiya Vatsa, widow of the late former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, General Mamman Vatsa, died aged 56, but looked older than her age. She has been through a whole lot of psychological trauma. Hajia Safiya died in the early hours of Monday, May 21, 2007 at her residence in Kaduna after a brief illness. Jibrin, son of the late Mrs. Vatsa, who broke the news of his mother's death to DailySun on telephone, said; Hajia Sufiya took ill early last week and was getting better when she passed on. He said the deceased's remains were buried on Monday in her farm, according to Islamic rites. Only recently, Hajia Vatsa petitioned President Olusegun Obasanjo demanding a review of the circumstance surrounding the execution of her husband in 1986 by the General Ibrahim Babangida military administration. President Obasanjo later had an audience with her during which she was said to have stated her case. Until her death, Hajia Vatsa lived in her husband's farm in Kaduna. She vowed never to step foot in Minna for the rest of her life after her husband, Vatsa was executed by the military junta. Sufiya, was both Father and Mother to her kids who she brought up on a shoe-string budget. Haruna, whom Vatsa asked to be withdrawn from the Nigerian Military School Zaria, because of the way the Army treated him, is now married with two children. Fatima, who is a Medical Doctor, is in London with her husband, while Jubrin, who studied law, lived in Minna, Niger State until he died on 13 September 2015 in Calabar after a brief illness. Aisha the baby of the house is a US-based pilot. Of all the Vatsas, only Jubrin lived in Minna after Sufiya relocated the family to Kaduna. He wanted to be closer to his Father who was very fond of him. General Vatsa on page 74 in his book of Poetry REACH FOR THE SKIES has this to say about his son Jubrin:"Jib Boy'O, Jib boy; You give me joy; You look so much like me, But what else could it be!" Pg 74, REACH FOR THE SKIES (1985) by Gen Mamman Jiya Vatsa . Jibrin Mamman Jiya Vatsa, the third child of General Mamman Jiya Vatsa and Sufiya died in the early hours of Sunday, September 13, 2015 after a brief illness in Calabar. Jubrin finally made the journey to Calabar which was aborted on 23rd December, 1985 when the junta led by the "Evil Genius" took away his source of joy. Alas Father, Mother and Son reunited by the grim riper. These things are beyond anything we've seen before, and I am afraid that William Shakespeare was spot on in his epic, Julius Caesar where he posited thus: “When beggars die there are no comets seen; the heavens themselves blaze forth the death of princes.

Hillary Clinton defends Islam, says it's a religion of peace and that Muslims have nothing to do with terrorism. Democratic U.S. presidential candidate Hillary Clinton delivers remarks at the Brady Center's annual Brady Bear Awards Gala in the Manhattan borough in New York, on Nov. 19, 2015. Leading Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton is not about to blame Muslims for terrorism, even after the Islamic State (ISIS) extremist group claimed responsibility for the terror attacks in Paris, which killed over 120 people. Speaking before the Council on Foreign Relations in New York on Thursday, Clinton sought to insulate the entire Muslim population from the notorious jihadist organisation. The former secretary of state also defended Islam, saying it is a religion advocating peace and not violence. "Let's be clear: Islam is not our adversary. Muslims are peaceful and tolerant people and have nothing whatsoever to do with terrorism," Clinton said, as quoted by WND.com. She also repeatedly used the term "radical jihadism" in her prepared comments, and warned against establishing a connection between worldwide Islamic terror networks and Islam, saying this should not be done. Clinton further said that associating Islam with terrorism only "gives these criminals, these murderers, more standing than they deserve, and it actually plays into their hands by alienating partners we need by our side." At the same time, the Democratic presidential frontrunner also called for a wide-ranging assault to crush the ISIS once and for all. "Our goal is not to deter or contain ISIS, but to defeat and destroy ISIS. It is time to begin a new phase ... to smash the would-be caliphate," she said, as quoted by Bloomberg News. To be able to do this, Clinton proposed an expanded air war and an "intelligence surge," among other efforts against the ISIS. "To be successful, airstrikes will have to be combined with ground forces actually taking back more territory from ISIS," the former state secretary said. Clinton's stand about the ISIS and Islam is in stark contrast with Republican presidential frontrunner Donald Trump's, who has taken a tougher stance against the Muslim community. Trump once said that he would consider closing down mosques linked to terrorism.

Friday, May 29, 2015

INAUGURAL SPEECH BY HIS EXCELLENCY, PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI FOLLOWING HIS SWEARING-IN AS PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA ON 29TH MAY, 2015

I am immensely grateful to God Who Has preserved us to witness this day and this occasion. Today marks a triumph for Nigeria and an occasion to celebrate her freedom and cherish her democracy. Nigerians have shown their commitment to democracy and are determined to entrench its culture. Our journey has not been easy but thanks to the determination of our people and strong support from friends abroad we have today a truly democratically elected government in place. I would like to thank President Goodluck Jonathan for his display of statesmanship in setting a precedent for us that has now made our people proud to be Nigerians wherever they are. With the support and cooperation he has given to the transition process, he has made it possible for us to show the world that despite the perceived tension in the land we can be a united people capable of doing what is right for our nation. Together we co-operated to surprise the world that had come to expect only the worst from Nigeria. I hope this act of graciously accepting defeat by the outgoing President will become the standard of political conduct in the country. I would like to thank the millions of our supporters who believed in us even when the cause seemed hopeless. I salute their resolve in waiting long hours in rain and hot sunshine to register and cast their votes and stay all night if necessary to protect and ensure their votes count and were counted.  I thank those who tirelessly carried the campaign on the social media. At the same time, I thank our other countrymen and women who did not vote for us but contributed to make our democratic culture truly competitive, strong and definitive. I thank all of you.   Having just a few minutes ago sworn on the Holy Book, I intend to keep my oath and serve as President to all Nigerians. I belong to everybody and I belong to nobody. A few people have privately voiced fears that on coming back to office I shall go after them. These fears are groundless. There will be no paying off old scores. The past is prologue. Our neighbours in the Sub-region and our African brethenen should rest assured that Nigeria under our administration will be ready to play any leadership role that Africa expects of it. Here I would like to thank the governments and people of Cameroon, Chad and Niger for committing their armed forces to fight Boko Haram in Nigeria. I also wish to assure the wider international community of our readiness to cooperate and help to combat threats of cross-border terrorism, sea piracy, refugees and boat people, financial crime, cyber crime, climate change, the spread of communicable diseases and other challenges of the 21st century.   At home we face enormous challenges. Insecurity, pervasive corruption, the hitherto unending and seemingly impossible fuel and power shortages are the immediate concerns. We are going to tackle them head on. Nigerians will not regret that they ha e entrusted national responsibility to us. We must not succumb to hopelessness and defeatism. We can fix our problems. In recent times Nigerian leaders appear to have misread our mission. Our founding fathers, Mr Herbert Macauley, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Alhaji Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto, Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Malam Aminu Kano, Chief J.S. Tarka, Mr Eyo Ita, Chief Denis Osadeby, Chief Ladoke Akintola and their colleagues worked to establish certain standards of governance. They might have differed in their methods or tactics or details, but they were united in establishing a viable and progressive country. Some of their successors behaved like spoilt children breaking everything and bringing disorder to the house. Furthermore, we as Nigerians must remind ourselves that we are heirs to great civilizations: Shehu Othman Dan fodio’s caliphate, the Kanem Borno Empire, the Oyo Empire, the Benin Empire and King Jaja’s formidable domain. The blood of those great ancestors flow in our veins.   What is now required is to build on these legacies, to modernize and uplift Nigeria. Daunting as the task may be it is by no means insurmountable. There is now a national consensus that our chosen route to national development is democracy. To achieve our objectives we must consciously work the democratic system. The Federal Executive under my watch will not seek to encroach on the duties and functions of the Legislative and Judicial arms of government. The law enforcing authorities will be charged to operate within the Constitution. We shall rebuild and the public service to become more effective and moreserviceable. We shall charge them to apply themselves with integrity to stabilize the system. For their part the legislative arm must keep to their brief of making laws, carrying out over-sight functions and doing so expeditiously.   The judicial system needs reform to cleanse itself from its immediate past. The country now expects the judiciary to act with dispatch on all cases especially on corruption, serious financial crimes or abuse of office. It is only when the three arms act constitutionally that government will be enabled to serve the country optimally and avoid the confusion all too often bedeviling governance today. Elsewhere relations between Abuja and the States have to be clarified if we are to serve the country better. Constitutionally there are limits to powers of each of the three tiers of government but that should not mean the Federal Government should fold its arms and close its eyes to what is going on in the states and local governments.   Not least the operations of the Local Government Joint Account. While the Federal Government can not interfere in the details of its operations it will ensure that the gross corruption at the local level is checked. As far as the constitution allows me I will try to ensure that there is responsible and accountable governance at all levels of government in the country. For I will not have kept my own trust with the Nigerian people if I allow others abuse theirs under my watch.   However, no matter how well organized the governments of the federation are they can not succeed without the support, understanding and cooperation of labour unions, organized private sector, the press and civil society organizations. I appeal to employers and workers alike to unite in raising productivity so that everybody will have the opportunity to share in increased prosperity. The Nigerian press is the most vibrant in Africa. My appeal to the media today – and this includes the social media – is to exercise its considerable powers with responsibility and patriotism.   My appeal for unity is predicated on the seriousness of the legacy we are getting into. With depleted foreign reserves, falling oil prices, leakages and debts the Nigerian economy is in deep trouble and will require careful management to bring it round and to tackle the immediate challenges confronting us, namely; Boko Haram, the Niger Delta situation, the power shortages and unemployment especially among young people. For the longer term we have to improve the standards of our education. We have to look at the whole field of medicare. We have to upgrade our dilapidated physical infrastructure. The most immediate is Boko Haram’s insurgency. Progress has been made in recent weeks by our security forces but victory can not be achieved by basing the Command and Control Centre in Abuja. The command centre will be relocated to Maiduguri and remain until Boko Haram is completely subdued. But we can not claim to have defeated Boko Haram without rescuing the Chibok girls and all other innocent persons held hostage by insurgents.   This government will do all it can to rescue them alive. Boko Haram is a typical example of small fires causing large fires. An eccentric and unorthodox preacher with a tiny following was given posthumous fame and following by his extra judicial murder at the hands of the police. Since then through official bungling, negligence, complacency or collusion Boko Haram became a terrifying force taking tens of thousands of lives and capturing several towns and villages covering swathes of Nigerian sovereign territory. Boko Haram is a mindless, godless group who are as far away from Islam as one can think of. At the end of the hostilities when the group is subdued the Government intends to commission a sociological study to determine its origins, remote and immediate causes of the movement, its sponsors, the international connexions to ensure that measures are taken to prevent a reccurrence of this evil. For now the Armed Forces will be fully charged with prosecuting the fight against Boko haram.   We shall overhaul the rules of engagement to avoid human rights violations in operations. We shall improve operational and legal mechanisms so that disciplinary steps are taken against proven human right violations by the Armed Forces. Boko Haram is not only the security issue bedeviling our country. The spate of kidnappings, armed robberies, herdsmen/farmers clashes, cattle rustlings all help to add to the general air of insecurity inour land. We are going to erect and maintain an efficient, disciplined people – friendly and well – compensated security forces within an over – all security architecture.   The amnesty programme in the Niger Delta is due to end in December, but the Government intends to invest heavily in the projects, and programmes currently in place. I call on the leadership and people in these areas to cooperate with the State and Federal Government in the rehabilitation programmes which will be streamlined and made more effective. As ever, I am ready to listen to grievances of my fellow Nigerians. I extend my hand of fellowship to them so that we can bring peace and build prosperity for our people. No single cause can be identified to explain Nigerian’s poor economic performance over the years than the power situation. It is a national shame that an economy of 180 million generates only 4,000MW, and distributes even less. Continuous tinkering with the structures of power supply and distribution and close on $20b expanded since 1999 have only brought darkness, frustration, misery, and resignation among Nigerians. We will not allow this to go on. Careful studies are under way during this transition to identify the quickest, safest and most cost-effective way to bring light and relief to Nigerians.   Unemployment, notably youth un-employment features strongly in our Party’s Manifesto. We intend to attack the problem frontally through revival of agriculture, solid minerals mining as well as credits to small and medium size businesses to kick – start these enterprises. We shall quickly examine the best way to revive major industries and accelerate the revival and development of our railways, roads and general infrastructure. Your Excellencies, My fellow Nigerians I can not recall when Nigeria enjoyed so much goodwill abroad as now.   The messages I received from East and West, from powerful and small countries are indicative of international expectations on us. At home the newly elected government is basking in a reservoir of goodwill and high expectations. Nigeria therefore has a window of opportunity to fulfill our long – standing potential of pulling ourselves together and realizing our mission as a great nation.   Our situation somehow reminds one of a passage in Shakespeare’s Julius Ceasar There is a tide in the affairs of men which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune; Omitted, all the voyage of their life, Is bound in shallows and miseries. We have an opportunity. Let us take it. Thank you

Thursday, May 14, 2015

50 VOCABULARIES SPOKEN BY CHIEF PATRICK OBAHIAGBON aka OGOBOMIDO-1.

WORDS AND MEANING. 1. Gargantuan –extremely large 2. Bugaboo – an object of fear 3. Pooh-pooh – Dismiss as being foolish or impractical 4.Perfidy – deceitful or untrustworthy 5. Repugnant – extremely distasteful and unacceptable 6. Insalubrious – unwholesome and unhealthy 7. Odoriferous – having an odor. 8. Sardonic – Scornfully mournful or cynical 9. Lugubrious – mournful, sad, dismal 10. Obfuscate – To make something less clear and more difficult to understand. 11. Cascading – a large amount of something hanging down 12. Malodorous – smelling very unpleasant 13. Termagant – a woman who is very strict and who tries to tell people to do things in an unpleasant 14. Paraplegic – A person who suffers from paraplegia 15. Crinkum-crankum – Elaborate or detailed (archaic) 16. Empyrean – literary relating to Heaven 17. Conundrum – A confusing problem or question that is too difficult to solve 18. Alacrit – great willingness or enthusiasm 19. Tinge– to add a small amount of color to something 20. Braggadocio – Boost full or arrogant behavior 21. Megalomania – a mental illness or condition in which somebody has an exaggerated belief in their own importance or power. 22. Mendacious – Not telling the truth 23. Mores – the customs of a society 24. Rosicrucian – a member of a secretive society concerned in the study of metaphysical, mystical and alchemical lore. 25. Hierophants – A person especially a priest who interprets sacred or esoteric mysteries 26. Objurgates – rare and severe 27. Indubitable – impossible to doubt and unquestionable 28. Egregious – Outstandingly bad and shocking. 29. Vaudeville – a type of entertainment popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries,that includes singing,dancing 30. Audacious – lacking respect, impudent 31. Ratiocination– The forming of judgment by a process of logical reason 32. Ballyhoo – extravagant publicity 33. Quagmire – a complex or difficult situations 34. Phantasmagoria – a sequence of imaginary images 35. Plummeted – to fall from a high level or position 36. Sui Generis – Unique 37. Ferocious – Fierce, cruel or violent. 38. Miasma – an unpleasant smell 39.Apotheosis – the highest point in the development of something 40. Excrescence – an unattractive or superfluous feature 41. Mobocracy – rule or domination by the masses 42. Proclivities – An inclination or predisposition 43. Kakistocracy – Government under the control of a nation’s worst or least-qualified citizens 44. Lampoon – public satire or ridicule 45. Déjà vu – a feeling of having already experienced the present situation(FRENCH) 46. Recumbent – Inactive, Idle. 47. Terminus – The end of something 48. Perfidy – The act of violating a promise, faith or vow 49. Mephistophelean – wicked 50. Jiggery-pokery – Tricky, misrepresentation and manipulation.

Wednesday, April 29, 2015

INDONESIA EXECUTES DRUG SMUGGLERS BY FIRING SQUAD.

Sylvester Obiekwe Nwolise, Okwudili Oyatanze, Raheem Agbaje Salami [aka] Jamiu Owolabi Abashin and Martin Anderson are four Nigerians executed in Indonesia with 4 others for drug trafficking. Indonesia has executed eight out of nine drug convicts by firing squad despite last-ditch appeals by Australia's foreign minister for a stay of execution so that claims of corruption during the trials of two Australian prisoners could be investigated. The executions were carried out after midnight at exactly 17:30 GMT at Besi prison on Nusakambangan Island on Tuesday, after the inmates were given 72-hours notice. Over the weekend, authorities had asked the nine convicts, which included two Australians, four Nigerian men, one man each from Brazil and Indonesia and a Filipino woman for their last wishes. However, the execution of the Filipina, Mary Jane Veloso, was spared at the last minute when someone suspected of recruiting her surrendered to police in the Philippines. The attorney general's spokesman told the Reuters news agency late on Tuesday. "The execution of Mary Jane Veloso has been postponed because there was a request from the Philippine president related to a perpetrator suspected of human trafficking who surrendered herself in the Philippines," Tony Spontana, spokesman for the attorney general said. "Mary Jane has been asked to testify." Earlier, Filipino migrants had rallied in Hong Kong on behalf of Velose, a 30yr old mother of two whose supporters said was tricked into carrying a suitcase loaded with heroin. Al Jazeera's Step Vaessen, reporting from Cilacap in Indonesia, said while there was an outpouring of joy among Filipinos that Velose had been spared, there would be a different reaction from Australia after Jakarta rejected last ditch pleas for clemency. "The executions could cause a diplomatic fallout between Australia and Indonesia similar to earlier this year when the Netherlands and Brazil recalled their ambassadors after their nationals were killed," she said. Australia had mounted a sustained campaign to save its citizens, who have been on death row for almost a decade. Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran were the Australian ring-leaders of the so-called "Bali Nine" heroin trafficking group who were arrested at the main airport on the holiday island in April 2005 for trying to smuggle 8.3kg of heroin to Australia. The seven other members of the Bali Nine, all Australians, were jailed in Indonesia and did not face the death penalty. The families of the Australian convicts had paid an anguished final visit to their loved ones earlier on Tuesday, wailing in grief as ambulances carrying empty white coffins arrived at the prison. Julie Bishop, Australia's foreign minister, told media earlier in the day that she had asked for a stay in their executions, saying allegations in the Australian media that their judges had requested money to commute the death sentences were "very serious". Indonesian President Joko Widodo said that such concerns should have been conveyed a decade ago when the case went through the courts. A former lawyer of the prisoners, Muhammad Rifan, told Australia's Fairfax Media on Monday that Indonesian judges had requested more than $100,000 in return for prison terms of less than 20 years. But Rifan said the judges later told him they had been ordered by senior legal and government members in Jakarta to impose a death penalty, so the deal fell through. Among the condemned on Tuesday was Brazilian, Rodrigo Gularte, who had been diagnosed by Indonesian medics with schizophrenia. Gularte, 42, was arrested in 2004 at a Jakarta airport after trying to enter the country with 6kg of cocaine hidden in a surfboard. The four Nigerians include; Sylvester Obiekwe Nwolise, Nwolise is a 49-year-old Nigerian who was found guilty in September 2004 of trafficking 1.18 kilos of heroin through Sukarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta in 2002. His clemency appeal was rejected in February this year. The previous month, Indonesia’s national narcotics body said he was running a drugs ring in jail, according to Nigeria’s National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). He was also sentenced to death in 2005. Okwudili Oyatanze 45yrs old, was sentenced to death for trafficking heroin, also through Sukarno-Hatta airport in 2001. Raheem Agbaje Salami. The NDLEA said Salami appears to be Nigerian but holds a Spanish passport and is thought to be also known by the name Jamiu Owolabi Abashin. He entered Indonesia using a Spanish passport under the name Raheem Agbaje Salami. He was caught with five kilos of heroin inside a suitcase at the airport in Surabaya, Indonesia’s second-largest city, on September 2, 1998 and was sentenced to life imprisonment the following year. That was reduced by the high court to 20 years but he was later given the death sentence by the supreme court. Martin Anderson. There is some confusion about Anderson’s nationality. A spokesman for Indonesia’s attorney-general said he is Nigerian but Nigeria’s NDLEA said he is a Ghanaian citizen who was born in London in 1964. He was arrested in Jakarta in 2003 and sentenced to death. His clemency appeal was rejected earlier this year. Amnesty International condemned the executions saying they showed a "complete disregard for due process and human rights safeguards." "Some of the prisoners were reportedly not provided access to competent lawyers or interpreters during their arrest and initial trial, in violation of their right to a fair trial which is recognized under international and national law," Rupert Abbott, Amnesty's Research Director for Southeast Asia and the Pacific said. "Gularte, had been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, and international law clearly prohibits the use of the death penalty against those with mental disabilities," Abbott added. Fourteen people have now been put to death in Indonesia this year, and the government has announced plans for further executions this year.

Thursday, April 23, 2015

PRESIDENT-ELECT; GENERAL MUHAMMADU BUHARI (RTD) MOVED TO DEFENCE HOUSE ABUJA.

The President-Elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, has relocated to the Defence House in the Maitama area of Abuja metropolis where he now operates temporarily. Buhari, who returned to Abuja from Kaduna on Monday to hold talks with Ivorian President Alassane Quattara at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, has been receiving guests at the Defence House since Tuesday. He spent the better part of Tuesday and Wednesday receiving guests at the Defence House located opposite the Legacy House which serves as the campaign headquarters of the Peoples Democratic Party. A horde of security operatives were seen on guard while visitors were properly screened before being allowed into the premises. It was also observed that the building was wearing a new look, a clear indication that it was only recently renovated. Buhari, who was declared winner of the 2015 presidential election, was operating from his private residence in the Asokoro area of Abuja before leaving the FCT for Daura where he took part in the Governorship and House of Assembly elections. He spent an extra one week in Daura receiving guests, both local and foreign before leaving for Kaduna where he received another set of guests including former President Olusegun Obasanjo. On Tuesday, the President-elect played host to the ECOWAS chairman and President of Ghana, John Mahama at the Defence House before leaving for his campaign headquarters where he received a delegation from Kogi and Kwara States. The Spokesman of the All Progressive Congress Presidential Campaign Council, Mallam Garba Shehu said that the Defence House has been made available to the President-elect for his official engagements. “Yes, the Defence House was handed over a few days ago after its renovation,” Shehu said in a text message when asked if the Defence House is now the operational base of the President elect.

Saturday, April 18, 2015

TIM FLACK, THE SPOKESPERSON FOR SOUTH AFRICAN DEFENCE FORCE UNION HAS LAID CHARGES OF HATE SPEACH AGAINST KING GOODWILL ZWELITHINI FOR HIS REMARKS ABOUT FOREIGNERS.

During the apartheid era in South Africa, Nigeria was one of the foremost supporters of Black South African liberation movements, including the African National Congress (ANC); the Nigerian government issued more than 300 passports to South Africans seeking to travel abroad. In 1977, Sonny Okosun, a Nigerian musician, wrote a hit song "Fire in Soweto" to commemorate the 1976 Soweto uprising against white-rule in South Africa. Following the end of apartheid in 1994, South African businesses sought for professionals to immigrate, and a large number of Nigerians did so. It is estimated that there were 24,000 Nigerians living in South Africa in 2011. The increasing competition between the two countries for positions at multilateral organizations is also thought to have worsened the relations. Nigeria acted against South Africa to replace the incumbent Jean Ping, who Nigeria supports, with South African Home Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma for the powerful position of the African Union Chairperson (AU). The relations further deteriorated when South Africa backed incumbent president Laurent Gbagbo for control of Côte d’Ivoire in 2011. However after Dlamini-Zuma won the election Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru stated that although, Nigeria supported Jean Ping for the position of AU chairperson in "a position which was principled along with our ECOWAS members and we stood by it. But as usual, people can insinuate that once Nigeria was not in the camp of South Africa, it means that Nigeria is against South Africa. "We are not against South Africa". Ambassador Ashiru said. HUMAN RIGHTS CRITICISM. The Mandela-led ANC had been seeking to help resolve the political crisis in Nigeria since 1993 following the annulment of the Nigerian elections in June 1993. In June 1994 Nigeria's military ruler, General Sani Abacha arrested and sentenced for execution 40 political opponents including former Nigerian head of state Olusegun Obasanjo as well as Chief Moshood Abiola. Mandela sent Archbishop Desmond Tutu and then Deputy President Thabo Mbeki on successive missions to Nigeria to lobby for the release of Obasanjo, Abiola and nine others. Right up until the Commonwealth Summit in 1995 Mandela was misled by Abacha into believing that there would be a stay off-execution. However, one of South Africa's first experiments with quiet diplomacy failed when in November 1995, General Abacha moved ahead with the execution of the nine Ogoni leaders including Ken Saro-Wiwa. After which South African president Mandela then publicly criticized General Abacha for human rights abuses and personally pushed for a two-year suspension of Nigeria's membership in the Commonwealth of Nations. Mandela also criticized Royal Dutch Shell for going ahead with a US$4 billion gas project in Nigeria despite its unpopularity within Nigeria and the rest of the world. This led to South Africa being isolated in Africa amid accusations that it was: “anipulated" into taking up an anti-Nigerian position by "the forces of British and American imperialism". Within a month South Africa started back tracking in an attempt to patch up its relationship with other African nations; and in an attempt to regain regional prestige amongst other African governments at the expense of its international prestige. On 29 March 1995, Professor Wole Soyinka, leader of an exiled Nigerian democratic movement, attempted to hold a conference in South Africa. The South African government responded by refusing to grant any Visas to Nigerian democrats for six weeks prior to the conference. South Africa's ruling political party, the ANC, called for the conference to be cancelled. The Nigerian debacle forced South Africa into a new foreign policy approach. Leading the country to abandon a 'go it alone' policy and into a policy that sought to build partnerships with fellow African states through regional and continental bodies. It also made South Africa reluctant to engage in any confrontation with any other African states. VISA RESTRICTION AND EXPULSIONS. Relations between the two countries were damaged in 2012 when 125 Nigerian travellers to South Africa were expelled due to not having valid Yellow Fever Certificates. In retaliation Nigeria expelled 56 South African business men. This prompted the two countries to enter into discussions around easing travel and Visa restrictions between the two countries as a means of enhancing bilateral relations and trade. TRADE AND INVESTMENT. In November 2009, South Africa hosted the South Africa-Nigeria Bi-National Commission in Pretoria. At the conference, it was noted that Oando, an energy conglomerate based in Lagos had recently been listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and the Nigeria-based Dangote Group had invested a record $378 million in South Africa's cement industry. In 2008, approximately $2.1 billion was traded between the two countries. By 2012 total bilateral trade had increased to $3.6 billion. In 2012, 83% of trade was taken up by South African imports of Nigerian crude oil. Between 2002 and 2012 South African imports from Nigeria have increased by 75% mostly increases in oil imports, whilst Nigerian imports from South Africa have increased by 13%. The Nigeria - South Africa Chamber of Commerce serves to improve and facilitate bi-lateral trade relationships between Nigeria and South Africa. Its offices are in Lagos-Nigeria, and it has its membership in 315 companies currently trading in both Nigeria and South Africa. It is made up of blue-chip companies, Nigerian companies and South African companies. Nigerian business men have expressed concern over the pace and perceived rapid expansion of South African business interests in the country. Three (3) of the best Hotels in South Africa are owned by Nigerians, the biggest subscriber of the South African Multi Choice DSTV (Digital Satellite Television) is Nigeria with over 11million subscribers which is rated at $2million income monthly subscribtion fees. Nigeria is also one of the biggest user of the South African MTN (Mobile Telephone Network). South Africa has enjoyed enormously in the areas of revamped economic prosperity from Nigeria since the Apatheid and after; Today, it happened that; a stinking, corrupt and child abuser; King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu is leading terrorist attack on Nigerian Citizens in South Africa; which its country helped in rebuilding the country that was raveged by Apatheid War. King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu who happened to have more than six (6) wives with the eldest among them aged 14yrs old has been demanding payment of $700,000 monthly for each of his under-aged wives from the South African Govt. King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu has cocaine confidence to ignite the killing of innocent foreigners including Nigerians. The demands for monthly payments to his wives, despite criticism that too much taxpayers money is being spent on the king, his wives, and his over 25 children. The KwaZulu Natal government, one of nine provincial administrations, has already budgeted about $6.9 million for the Zulu royal family this year. In a swift reaction, the South African Defence Spokesman has laid charges of hate speech made by King Goodwill; the son of King Cyprian Bhekuzulu kaSolomon. The charges were laid at South African Human Right Commission on Wednesday. Three weeks ago‚ King Zwelithini said foreigners must go back to where they came from. He said "We are requesting those who come from outside to please go back to their countries.” These statement has ignited killing and destruction that affected mostly Nigerians living in South Africa. He denied the statement until media replayed a recording of it widely‚ Then the king defended his statement‚ saying the media "misinterpreted his words and distorts them to sell newspapers". In the past week‚ at least five people have been killed in xenophobic violence in Durban townships‚ with the violence spreading to Primrose township near Germiston‚ East of Johannesburg last night. Foreigners are currently being evacuated out of Primrose area with the help of the Gauteng police. Flack laid the charges in his personal capacity with the support of the union. He said that political leaders have done little to stop the violence and people complaining about Xenophobia on social media were ineffective. Flack said: “Twitter activists are playing hair-dryer politics. I decided to do something. "The king needs to be charged for inciting this violence.” The Constitution protects freedom of speech but does not protect hate speech. Hate speech is defined as “propaganda for war" incitement of imminent violence; or advocacy of hatred that is based on race‚ ethnicity‚ gender or religion‚ and that constitutes incitement to cause harm". On Thursday‚ a peace march is taking place in Durban led by KwaZulu-Natal premier Senzo Mchunu and Ethekwini mayor James Nxumalo. A peace bus carrying Johannesburg residents run by social media expert Khaya Dlanga and Shaka Sisulu left Johannesburg on Wednesday night to join the march. President Jacob Zuma spoked about xenophobia in parliament on Thursday. On April 18, 2015 by 0305 GMT, South African police were sighted firing rubber bullets to disperse crowds setting immigrant businesses ablaze as attacks against foreigners spread to Johannesburg. Chanting and singing, machete-armed residents seen burning down shops owned by foreigners, including a Nigerian dealership in the nation's largest city. Immigrants carrying bricks accused police of not doing enough to protect them as businesses smoldered. Six people were reportedly killed as Violence targeting immigrant shops started recently in the port city of Durban, where two foreigners and three South Africans were killed. Residents have accused African immigrants of taking their jobs and committing crimes. The unemployment rate in South Africa is 25%, according to government figures. Shops set ablaze and looted as xenophobic attacks spread in South Africa. Xenophobic attacks spread to Johannesburg by 02:51 GMT The attacks against immigrant and their businesses started in Durban. The attacks have left six people dead. South African police were firing rubber bullets to disperse crowds setting immigrant businesses ablaze as attacks against foreigners spread to Johannesburg. Chanting and singing, machete-armed residents burned down shops owned by foreigners, including a Nigerian dealership in the nation's largest city. Immigrants carrying bricks accused police of not doing enough to protect them as businesses smoldered. The Violence which mainly targeting immigrant shops started recently in the port city of Durban, where two foreigners and three South Africans were killed. Residents have accused African immigrants of taking their jobs and committing crimes. The unemployment rate in South Africa is 25%, according to government figures. Sixth death occurred Wednesday. The body of a 58yrs-old foreign national was found in Verulam town, where a mob attacked the man at his home. He fled and died of his injuries near his home; South African police said. At least 112 people have been arrested throughout KwaZulu-Natal Province for various offenses related to the violence, the South African police said. - @pilpal007

Wednesday, April 15, 2015

SIX COUNTRIES TURNED DOWN ALISON MADUEKE'S SHELTER REQUEST.

No fewer than six countries have already refused to grant a place of safety request by the minister of petroleum resources, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke. The Business Council for Africa (BCA) said in its just released monthly report that about $1 trillion is the latest estimated figure of the looting of the Nigerian treasury between 1960 and 2005 alone. According to the report dated March 2015 focused extensively on Nigeria’s general elections. It said the notorious minister, whose impunity is known to have been closely protected by President Goodluck Jonathan, will be coming under the microscope for the first time in her ministerial career. “Given her reputation, it comes as no surprise to learn that 6 countries have already refused to grant her asylum to live in their countries as she now wishes to leave Nigeria at the earliest possible opportunity,” it said. The BCA recalled the president-elect Muhammadu Buhari lamenting that the rest of the world looks at Nigeria as the home of corruption, one where stealing is not corruption but a way of life, and that his administration will pursue all public officers and individuals who are believed to be guilty of corruption. It observed that despite an earlier promise, it is now understood that Buhari’s anti corruption fishing net will include ministers currently serving under President Goodluck Jonathan.  Alison-Madueke’s departure from Nigeria is likely to be followed by several other PDP elders, party members and supporters as well as some former government officials, as Buhari’s anti corruption drive will be far-reaching. “It will be very interesting to learn in the coming months exactly how far back in Nigeria’s history his administration will go in the pursuance of those who have robbed”. The latest estimated figure of theft from the Nigerian treasury between 1960 to 2005 is estimated $1 trillion. Given that President Jonathan’s administration is considered the most corrupt of any of its predecessors, that figure is going to be considerably magnified, but whether the new president will wish to pursue former heads of state is a matter of interest and considerable debate to Nigeria observers. It is this subject that is primarily responsible for Buhari’s success in winning the election, as well as his campaign promises to eradicate Boko Haram, revive the economy and rebuild Nigeria to its position as the number one country in Africa. While the BCA agreed that the March/April 2015 were “the most credible elections in Nigeria’s history”, it said they could not be called the most incorruptible. On the contrary, it referred to them as the worst because of the amount of money that the PDP so freely and openly spent on trying to secure the re-election of the out-going President Goodluck Jonathan. “The stories and reports from the 36 States of the federation and the amount of money distributed by the PDP to elders, rulers, church leaders, unions and youth leaders amongst others in an endeavour to favour the voters towards the PDP has backfired badly,” the report said. BCA said that if the 2011 elections were considered bad, the 2015 elections will undoubtedly go down as the most corrupt in Nigeria’s history, certainly since 1999, as the amount of money being distributed as bribes primarily by the PDP so very openly would readily confirm. It reported that since November when campaigning began, President Jonathan and General Buhari during their travels made no fewer than 109 promises of what they intend to achieve if given the mandate in the presidential election. “President Jonathan’s campaign continued to hinge on his party’s Transformation Agenda and the achievements of his Government in the last 4 years, particularly in the agricultural sector, job creation and the empowerment of women,” the report said.  In that regard, it credited Jonathan as having achieved a great deal during his tenure. According to the report, it was, however, Jonathan’s failures, rampant corruption, insecurity, inability to eliminate the Boko Haram insurgency, failure in such sectors as the economy, and power in particular, and the overall feeling that he was ruled rather than leading that have cost him his re-election bid. The report also stated that in the 2015 elections, up to 250 Nigerians lost their lives, describing that deplorable record as speaking volumes for the control achieved by the police at the campaign rallies by the two main candidates. It described the cost of the campaigns of the two main parties as “simply staggering”, noting that by the first week of March, Buhari had spent some N332.58 billion as compared to the expenditure of President Jonathan which amounted to N1.05 trillion. “This is without taking into account the cost of other expenses for such items as campaign rallies, where the PDP has spent N1.06 billion against Muhammadu Buhari’s APC’s N595.08 million, and clearly demonstrates the desperate lengths that the PDP have gone to in order to try and secure the re-election of President Jonathan.” In a swift reaction to cover the asylum seeking, Mrs Diezani Alison Madueke, said last night that she was not seeking asylum in any part of the world, as claimed by her traducers. An online publication reported, yesterday, that the minister had been denied asylum by six countries, where she had so far applied, but did not mention the countries involved. Mrs Madueke, who spoke through the Group Public Affairs General Manager of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Mr Ohi Alegbe, denied ever contemplating relocating from Nigeria. Alegbe said his boss merely went for a short vacation outside Nigeria and would soon return to her job. He said the claim that the woman had been denied asylum by six countries was not only a fabrication aimed at confusing some gullible persons, but deliberately targeted at smearing the minister and her office. Alegbe said: “I want to say that the Minister of Petroleum has never contemplated going on asylum in any part of the world and has never applied for asylum anywhere. “The minister has only gone for a short vacation abroad and will soon return to Nigeria, having no reason to leave her job and country for any other place.” The online medium, quoting a group known as Business Council for Africa, BCA, had said that no fewer than six countries had already refused an asylum request by Mrs Diezani Alison Madueke. The BCA gave the impression that the minister would be investigated under the new administration of Gen Muhammadu Buhari (Rtd), even though he had said that he would not probe his predecessors. “Given her reputation, it comes as no surprise to learn that six countries have already refused to grant her asylum to live in their countries as she now wishes to leave Nigeria at the earliest possible opportunity,” it said. In an earlier event immedietely after President Goodluck Jonaathan lost re-election bid to General Muhammad Buhari (Rtd), the minister, popularly called the oil goddess, and known for her exuberance and plundering of Nigeria’s petro-dollars with impunity has paid an early morning visit to Ex-president Abdulsalami Abubakar who happen to be the Chairman of the Abuja Peace Accord. Diezani is known to partner with Kola Aluko and other sudden billionaires to loot Nigeria’s wealth, some of whom have even swindled her of billions of dollars, leaving here broke and frustrated lately. She was behind much of the dirty and desperate campaigning against the opposition revolution and was part of those who sponsored the NSA Sambo Dasuki and army chief election postponement in the hope of defeating President-elect Buhari. Diezani has been in charge of the kerosene subsidy scam that has constantly looted $100 million monthly in fake subsidy money for kerosene through Mr Ifenyi Uba that sold at over N100 a liter against subsidized rates meant to be N50/liter. This money has amounted to over $12 billion dollars being looted by Diezani, president Jonathan and the Cabal every year which is part of over $20 billion dollars that gets missing in 18 months as reported by former central bank governor and now Kano Emir Sanusi Lamido Sanusi. Cabal like Aliko Dangote have also recently pilgrimaged to Abdulsalami and President-elect Buhari to negotiate terms of continued enjoyment to the death of Nigerian masses. Aliko Dangote was also spotted seated and looking ignored in Bhari's office immedietely the election results were announced.

Friday, April 10, 2015

SOUTH AFRICAN GOVERNMENT TO RELEASE NIGERIA'S $15MILLION THAT WAS SIEZED TO BURST THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES AFTER IT WAS RUBBISHED UNDER GOODLUCK JONATHAN ADMINISTRATION.

The South African law enforcement agencies seized $15million in two batches: $5.7million that had been wired to Standard Bank and $9.3million in cash, which was confiscated. It was brought into the country through Lanseria airport in Johannesburg in three suitcases by a delegation said to represent the Nigerian government. In both cases, the money was suspected to be for illegal use. Now South Africa wants to use the money to extend an olive branch to Buhari’s government and mend relations between the two countries, which became strained during the tenure of outgoing president Goodluck Jonathan. “The positive thing about Buhari is that, one of the people who supported him is Atiku Abubakar. That makes him our man and he will automatically work well with President Jacob Zuma,” a government source said. Atiku Abubakar is close to Jacob Zuma. He was Nigeria’s deputy president during the presidency of Olusegun Obasanjo, at the time when Zuma was Thabo Mbeki’s deputy. “Also, this man; Buhari is a retired military general. It is true that the military needs some beefing up to fight Boko Haram and we should help,” the source added. So how will Nigeria know that it stands to benefit from an otherwise controversial transaction that had exacerbated tensions between the two countries? Diplomatically you send a signal. Obviously they will have to make a request once they receive a positive signal, but the request will just be an official step to finalising the transaction.” General Buhari is due to take over the leadership of the country after winning the recent elections. Formal talks have not yet begun, but South Africa has apparently started sending “positive signals” through its diplomats in Nigeria and to the Nigerian embassy in Pretoria.  To ensure that the process of returning the money or regularising the sale of arms looks as clean as possible, the Hawks investigation will continue, the source said, but will be managed politically to reach a conclusion that is diplomatically favourable. “One way is to make the investigators say: ‘Yes, a law has been broken, but it’s true that the government of Nigeria is the owner of the money and genuinely wanted to buy arms legally. They might have flouted the rules, but it’s a genuine transaction. We will say this money does not come from dirty hands or rebels or arms dealers,” the source said. “We will find a way to regularise the transaction and either return the money or give them arms.” Nigeria wanted to buy arms such as helicopters and ammunition to strengthen its fight against Islamic extremist group Boko Haram. Last year, the M&G reported that the head of the national conventional arms control committee, Jeff Radebe, who is also the minister in the presidency, was blamed by his colleagues in government for taking a unilateral decision to try to regularise the sale of arms to Nigeria to facilitate the release of bodies of South Africans who were killed when the TB Joshua church building collapsed in Nigeria. At the time, Radebe denied it and said the committee had met in October and decided to propose unlocking the Nigerian arms trade. The M&G quoted from two letters that Radebe had written to JP “Torie” Pretorius of the Hawks and Dumisani Dladla, the head of the arms control committee’s secretariat, in which he said the failed attempt on September 5th to pay an arms dealer in South Africa “was, in fact, a legitimate requirement from the government of Nigeria”. “Although the required administrative processes were not adhered to at the time, the government of South Africa deems it a bona fide error,” he wrote.  This week a government source told the M&G: “What Jeff did may have been unilateral, but it is now an avenue that South Africa is willing to explore. Even when we were doing damage control after your story, the discussion centred around how we can get a positive outcome out of this.” The committee apparently met after the article was published in November last year and decided to return the money or the sale of arms to appease the new government of Nigeria after the elections. “After the story, they had to regroup and say: ‘How do we deal with this situation?’ You cannot let it hang forever; you must find a way to conclude it in a way that will satisfy both sides,” the source said. Zuma has apparently been briefed by ministers who serve on the committee and has warmed to the idea. Efforts to get comment from Zuma’s spokesperson Mac Maharaj and from Radebe were unsuccessful. Relations between Nigeria and South Africa have not been at their best, particularly between the Jacob Zuma and Jonathan Goodluck administrations. By returning this money you get friendship, loyalty and an opportunity where he General Buhari is willing to work with us to lead the continent and speak with one voice. “Instead of Nigeria second-guessing us all the time, we will compare notes and stop fighting for things like the United Nations Security Council seat that’s not even permanent,” the source said. “Nigeria is a strategic country that South Africa cannot ignore. It’s a big market. It’s possible South African companies make more money in Nigeria than in South Africa.” When Buhari won election against Jonathan in last month’s elections, Pretoria was already positioning itself for refreshed relations with Federal Govt of Nigeria. The M&G has seen a letter that Buhari wrote to Zuma a few days before the elections, in which he complained about Jonathan’s alleged delaying tactics over the poll and the use of violence in an attempt to sway the vote in his favour. “I thank your government and your mission in Nigeria for your contributions to Nigeria’s democratic process. While Nigeria’s democracy must be established and secured by the commitment to fairness and the rule of law of Nigerians, the goodwill and positive influence of your government have helped us on this difficult yet vital journey,” Buhari wrote. “It is not your business who wins elections in Nigeria, but we seek your help in making sure the election is a free and fair one for us to win or lose according to the people’s will.” He is expected to hold a one-on-one meeting with Zuma on the sidelines of the African Union summit that South Africa is hosting in June, and it’s anticipated that the issue of the seized money will be discussed. Either Zuma or Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will attend Buhari’s inauguration in May. Asked for comment, department of international relations and co-operation spokesperson Nelson Kgwete said the department had not been in talks with Nigeria over the confiscated money and knew nothing about a proposal to either return the money or sell arms to that country.

Sunday, March 22, 2015

Global Spotlight is Firmly Fixed on Nigerian Elections - Op-Ed by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and U.K. Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond. Press release March 21, 2015.

Nigeria’s more than 70 million voters will soon go to the polls to choose their country’s leader for the next four years. Whether the victor is incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan or opposition challenger General Muhammadu Buhari is entirely for Nigerians to decide. Around the globe, Nigeria’s friends will be united in hoping that the vote will be peaceful, transparent, and fair and that—win or lose—all sides will respect the outcome. There are good reasons why the international spotlight is firmly fixed on Nigeria during this critical period and why we have come together to support an open and credible electoral process. Nigeria is Africa’s largest democracy and what happens there will have an impact well beyond its borders. A successful election, free from violence and with wide participation, accurate vote counting, and responsible leadership from the candidates would inspire the region and spur future progress and prosperity. It would also be a historic show of support by Nigerians for democratic values and an equally firm rejection of the brutal terrorist group, Boko Haram, and others who advocate or perpetrate violence. As friends and democratic partners of Nigeria, we urge that the voting for president and parliament go forward as scheduled on March 28; there should be no further delay of this crucial vote. We are heartened by the fact that Nigerians from across the political spectrum appear to recognize the necessity of inaugurating a new president by the constitutionally mandated deadline of May 29. Obviously, we share Nigerians’ concerns about violence, both related to elections and more generally. In 2011, more than 800 people died in post-election clashes, and a recent survey shows that half of Nigerians are concerned about political intimidation this time around.  The good news is that President Jonathan and General Buhari have repeatedly and publicly stressed their commitment to nonviolence before, during, and after Election Day. Both candidates have affirmed their intent to act solely through legal channels in pursuing any concerns that might arise regarding the fairness of the vote. It is imperative that they—and their backers—live up to this pledge. Elections should be decided at the ballot box and, if necessary, in the courts; not through efforts to coerce others. Respect for the constitutional process and the independence of Nigeria’s Independent National Election Commission, INEC, is the right approach, and the only one that offers a sustainable way to address Nigeria’s many challenges. The countries we represent, the United States and the United Kingdom, strongly support the pledges articulated by the Nigerian candidates. The elections must be decided in accordance with the rule of law. It follows that any person who incites violence at any stage in the electoral process, or who seeks power through unconstitutional means, should be held accountable and should understand that the consequences will be severe, both domestically and internationally. After an election, it is natural to focus attention on the winner, but in any democracy, the unsuccessful candidates also have critical roles to play. No one expects any political leader to retreat from firmly-held policy positions or beliefs, but a losing candidate owes it to his or her country to acknowledge defeat as soon as the popular verdict is clear, to urge supporters to accept the outcome, and to advocate unity in the face of national threats. That is the kind of leadership Nigeria needs. A free, fair, and peaceful presidential election does not guarantee a successful democracy, but it is nevertheless an essential ingredient—especially now in Nigeria. This is a country rich in resources and blessed by a creative and dynamic population. Its leaders can be extremely effective as evidenced by their swift action to prevent Ebola from establishing a foothold in their nation—thus saving thousands of lives. Overall economic growth rates are healthy and parts of the country are doing well. And yet, Nigeria has been held back by local tensions, a wide disparity between rich and poor, the lack of an adequate safety net for the disadvantaged, shortages of electricity, a rigid bureaucracy, and widespread corruption. These challenges have made the country vulnerable to internal conflict including the kidnappings, murders, and other atrocities perpetrated by Boko Haram. Nigeria’s next government will need the support of all its citizens to address these challenges, and its unity will make it easier, on the security side, for regional neighbors and the larger international community to provide necessary help. We urge all eligible Nigerians to vote, to resist those who attempt to incite violence, and to come together as one country to defend against terrorist threats and to build the shared prosperity and enduring freedom all Nigerian citizens deserve.

Thursday, March 19, 2015

WE SUPPORT INEC TO USE CARD READER -US

The United States government has thrown its weight behind the Independent National Electoral Commission to use the Permanent Voter Cards and the Smart Card Readers in the March 28 and April 11 elections. The introduction of the PVC and the card reader for use in the general election has been a subject of hot debate and several litigation in Nigeria. The American government on Wednesday through its Vice President Joe Biden, spoke with Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party and the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Maj Gen Muhammadu Buhari (Rtd) on the forthcoming presidential election. On Thursday, in a statement issued by the US Embassy in Nigeria and made available to the media, the US Vice President commended President Jonathan and General Buhari for signing the Abuja Accord in mid-January as a show of their commitment to non-violence throughout the election process. The statement read in part, “The Vice President further expressed the United States’ support for the Nigerian Independent National Electoral Commission and its work to deliver free, fair, and credible elections, in part through its essential efforts to distribute Permanent Voter Cards and help ensure that electronic voter card readers are in place and fully operational.” Biden also noted his concern about the violence during some recent election-related events and re-emphasised the need for both presidential candidates to make clear that such violence has no place in democratic elections. The US vice president stated further that the American government would stand with the Nigerian people in support of credible and peaceful elections, and would continue to stand with the Nigerian people whatever the outcome of the presidential poll.

WE SUPPORT INEC TO USE CARD READER -US

The United States government has thrown its weight behind the Independent National Electoral Commission to use the Permanent Voter Cards and the Smart Card Readers in the March 28 and April 11 elections. The introduction of the PVC and the card reader for use in the general election has been a subject of hot debate and several litigation in Nigeria. The American government on Wednesday through its Vice President Joe Biden, spoke with Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party and the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Maj Gen Muhammadu Buhari (Rtd) on the forthcoming presidential election. On Thursday, in a statement issued by the US Embassy in Nigeria and made available to the media, the US Vice President commended President Jonathan and General Buhari for signing the Abuja Accord in mid-January as a show of their commitment to non-violence throughout the election process. The statement read in part, “The Vice President further expressed the United States’ support for the Nigerian Independent National Electoral Commission and its work to deliver free, fair, and credible elections, in part through its essential efforts to distribute Permanent Voter Cards and help ensure that electronic voter card readers are in place and fully operational.” Biden also noted his concern about the violence during some recent election-related events and re-emphasised the need for both presidential candidates to make clear that such violence has no place in democratic elections. The US vice president stated further that the American government would stand with the Nigerian people in support of credible and peaceful elections, and would continue to stand with the Nigerian people whatever the outcome of the presidential poll.

Friday, March 13, 2015

BLESSING OKAGBARE SLAMS JONATHANS' CAMPAIGN GROUP FOR USING HER IMAGE IN POLITICAL ADVERT.

Track & field queen, Blessing Okagbare is not happy over the use of her image and footage by a body said to be working for President Jonathan. The advertorial by GoodHouse Nigeria has been running on various electronic media in Nigeria and also on Youtube and the athlete is infuriated over the use of her image, especially because they didn't even ask her permission to use the image or footage. According to Punch, Blessing Okagbare said in a statement sent by her agent that; “Now, I am here struggling on my own to pay my coach, nutritionist, doctor and others to make sure I am in good shape for the All African Games and the IAAF World Championship in Beijing, China later in the year, and some people back home are using my image and footage for presidential campaign ad without seeking for my approval. This is fraudulent because I am totally not in support of it. We called the people (GoodHouse Nigeria) and they denied using my image and footage for PDP presidential advertorial. Who did it then? Why are they lying?” Blessing also told Punch's correspondent that she was condemning the act not for financial gain or support, but because of two reasons. First, 'It is about me and what I represent,' she said and also because those involved were not doing the right thing for sports to grow in Nigeria.

APPEAL COURT HAS STOPPED THE EXERCUTION OF SOLDIERS CONVICTED BY COURT MARSHALL.

The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has stayed the execution of the death sentences passed on threee of the twelve Nigerian soldiers court-marshalled by the Army authorities last September. The soldiers were tried under the General Court Marshal which sat at the Army Headquarters Garrison, Mogadishu Cantonment in Abuja, on sundry allegations of offences  ranging from attempts to commit offence, disobedience to particular order, insubordination, false accusation criminal behavior, conspiracy to commit mutiny and mutiny under the Armed Forces Act 2004. All the twelve soldiers who stood trial before the General Court Marshal were convicted on 15th September 2014 variously sentenced to life imprisonment and death for the respective charges following the trial which commenced earlier on last July. Three of the convicted soldiers, CPL Stephen Clement, CPL Igomu Emmanuel and PTE Andrew Ngbede, however approached the appellate court through their lawyer, Chief Godwin Obla, SAN, to challenge the decision of the Court Marshal which convicted and sentenced them to life imprisonment and death. The convicted soldiers raised eleven grounds of appeal each in their separate appeals alleging  many fundamental irregularities and improprieties characterizing the entire trial at the General Court Marshal and asked the court to stay the execution of their sentences pending the hearing and determination of their appeals. Upon the institution of the appeals by the convicted soldiers, an apparently incensed Nigerian Military authority which had earlier acknowledged the receipt of the application by the convicted soldiers' lawyer for the release of the record of proceedings at the court marshal to enable him compile the record of appeal, blatantly ignored the application and vehemently refused to release the record of proceedings at the General Court Marshal, all in the bid to frustrate the appeals. A series of correspondence by Obla to both the Chief of Army Staff and the President and Commander In Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, wherein he expressed apprehension on the likelihood of the Army to execute the death sentence on the three soldiers following their refusal to release the record of proceedings of the General Court Marshal, also failed to attract any response from the military authorities. In a desperate bid to save the lives of his clients, their lawyer, Obla, last February initiated another correspondence with the Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission, seeking the commission's intervention to prevail on the Army to release the record of proceedings to enable him prosecute the appeal of his clients. The effort yielded no positive result as the army still refused to release the document. However, while delivering its ruling on the application for stay of execution filed before it by Cpl Igomu Emmanuel and Pte Andrew Ngbede, two of the convicted soldiers on Monday, the Court of Appeal restrained the Nigerian Army or its agents from carrying out the execution of life imprisonment and sentence if death imposed by the General Court Martial and ordered that the convicted soldiers be granted access to their lawyers. The court presided by Justice Abubakar Jega Abdulkadir, also ordered the Nigerian Army to avail the convicted soldiers of the record of proceedings of the General Court Martial which tried and convicted them to enable them compile records for their appeal. The application for stay of execution filed by the third convicted soldier, Cpl Stephen Clement,  is yet to be heard as it was not listed on the court’s list on the day those of the other convicted soldiers were heard.

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

GEJ SACKED SURE-P BOSS FOR ATTENDING OBASANJOS' BIRTHDAY.

The Media Presidential spokesperson Reuben Abati a few hours ago announced the sack of SURE-P boss, General Martin Luther Agwai (Rtd) who was the former Chief of Army Staff. There are reports that he was sacked for attending former president Obasanjo’s birthday event last week. General Agwai was fired for flouting a presidential instruction that no government official or member of the ruling PDP, should attend the birthday event of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, last week. Sources within the presidency told said that all government functionaries were instructed by President Jonathan to boycott Mr Obasanjo’s birthday event. The information said when informed of the president’s warning, General Agwai, who climbed to the pinnacle of his career under the Obasanjo administration, said he will go ahead and attend the function, more so, in view of the president’s directive. A source said for daring the president, it was clear General Agwai would be fired. One source said it appears General Agwai was informed ahead of the announcement of his removal Tuesday, as the former defence chief arrived early at the SURE-P office to pack his belongings. General Agwai himself replaced Christopher Kolade, who left office after criticising the president.

FORMER IVORY COAST PRESIDENT LAURENT GBABO’S WIFE; SIMONE GBABO HAS BAGGED 20 YEARS JAIL TERM.

Ivory Coast’s former first lady, Simone Gbagbo, has been sentenced to 20 years in jail for her role in the violence that followed the 2010 elections. The 65yrs old Simone Gbagbo had been charged with undermining state security. Her husband, former Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo, is awaiting trial at the International Criminal Court. (ICC) More than 3,000 people died in the violence that followed the presidential poll after the ex-leader refused to accept defeat to Alassane Ouattara. She and her husband were arrested in 2011 after troops stormed a bunker where the pair had taken refuge in the capital Abidjan. And it was in the same city where Simonee Gbagbo that was once refered as “Iron Lady” faced trial. She was also accused of disturbing public order and organising armed gangs. The court unanimously sentenced her to 20 years, twice as long as the prosecutors had asked for. Her daughter, Marie Antoinette Singleton said the sentence was unfair and a sign of “political justice”. “Why would you want to double it? It’s not about justice, it’s about getting rid of political adversaries.” “If we say that something wrong happened, it happened on both sides. Nobody looked into bringing all responsible parties to trial,” she said. Laurent Gbagbo, is facing four charges at the ICC in The Hague, including murder, rape and persecution. Laurent Gbagbo himself has been held for three years in The Hague facing charges of crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court (ICC). But Ivory Coast has repeatedly refused to hand his wife over to the ICC on the same charge. The presidential couple were arrested April 11, 2011 after five months of fierce fighting following a final push by French forces against their residence. Fervently Christian, but ruthless by reputation. Simone Gbagbo has never sought to deny exercising political influence after her husband rose to power in 2000 elections in which former prime minister Alsanne Ouattara was barred from standing on the grounds he was a foreigner. "All the ministers respect me, and they often consider me above them. I've got what it takes to be a minister," she told the French newsweekly l'Express in 2001, justifying her stance after a life she said had been dedicated to activism. "I engaged in political struggle against the former regime alongside men. I spent six months in prison, I was beaten, molested, left for dead. After all those trials, it's logical that people don't mess with me." A key issue in her trial was whether she played a part in directing the death squads that ran amok in the weeks after the disputed vote. Judicial authorities argued that the proceedings were a test of the west African country's capacity to conduct a fair trial, while contributing to national reconciliation. As observers noted at the December 26 opening of her case when Gbagbo appeared in a bright yellow dress, carefully plaited hair and a defiant air. She is not inclined to wilt in the face of adversity. Born in the predominantly Christian south in 1949 as one of 18 children of a policeman, she studied linguistics and history before becoming a trade union activist. Her militancy led to a jail term in the 1970s for openly criticising then President Felix Houphouet-Boigny; Ivory Coast's first leader after independence from France in 1960. When he rejected opposition calls for multi-party elections. She and Laurent Gbagbo married in 1989 after founding the opposition socialist Ivorian Popular Front (FPI), and she was later elected to parliament in the world's leading cocoa producer. Her husband sought to change relations with former colonial master Paris, arguing that previous regimes had been servile, and the first lady proved a fierce critic of "neo-colonialism", once famously describing France's former president Nicolas Sarkozy a main mover in her husband's downfall as "the devil". Supporters of Simone Gbagbo's commitment to political causes hailed her as "the Hillary Clinton of the tropics". But for detractors, the "Iron Lady" became the "Blood Lady", amid allegations by human rights activists that the regime used teams of killers to deal with opponents. Those concerns were reinforced when she was implicated by a French judicial inquiry into the sinister disappearance of French-Canadian journalist Guy-Andre Kieffer in Ivory Coast in 2004. Gbagbo frequently mingled politics with the evangelical faith she practised after "miraculously" surviving a car crash and starting prayer meetings at the presidential palace. "God is on our side, God is with us," she told a joyful crowd after her husband rejected electoral defeat. "God has already given us victory." Families of victims have said previously they cannot win even if Gbagbo is convicted by a domestic court, while rights monitors had been keen to see how far the trial may venture in tackling crimes against humanity on home ground.