Press Statement on the State of the Nigerian Nation

It was with a sense of déjà vu that Nigerians resident in the Netherlands, like our compatriots all over the world, received the news of the removal of subsidy on PMS in Nigeria. While the furore resulting from the said removal of subsidy and the subsequent unilateral reduction of the pump price by the Presidency is yet to abate, we side with the millions of downtrodden Nigerians and ask that the price be returned to status quo while efforts are made to address the immediate effect of such removal.

The Nigerian Community in The Netherlands wishes to state that the Nigerian Government has never been honest and loyal in its intentions vis-à-vis previous removal of subsidy in the past. We join our people at home and abroad to say that “removal of the subsidy on fuel translates to another subsidy for the corrupt political and elite group in the country”.

We honestly see the subsidy as the only benefit that Nigerians get from the country’s oil wealth and remained assured that the money saved by ending the subsidy will only end up in individual pockets of our self-serving and corrupt leaders.

We implore the government of President Goodluck Jonathan to take a serious look at the size of his government and show honesty of intentions by first, reducing the size and openly begin to manage the “wastage in government”. The lack of trust of the people on the promises of the government cannot be condemned in any way considering Nigeria’s rating on the list of corrupt nations.

In the same breath, the NCN condemns the wanton attacks on life and properties by the Boko Haram terrorist group. We ask that the government takes its responsibility in the area of security of lives seriously and move proactively to address the issue before it becomes another divisive tool. We strongly believe that the financiers and backers of this monstrous group are not unknown to the government considering the arrest of a member of the senate and the pronouncement of the President that there are members of the group in government.

While commiserating with the families of those who lost lives and properties in the Kano attacks as well as all other previous attacks, we resolutely call on the security agents of the nation state, Nigeria, to rid itself of the corrupt elements and ensure the safety of our people.

The NCN is constituted for the betterment of sons and daughters of Nigeria living in the Netherlands within the context of the Diaspora and more importantly the overall wellbeing of Nigeria as a viable and prosperous nation. Our country Nigeria is in turmoil and has been in this state for a considerable period of time. Corruption, weak governance and abject cluelessness have contributed to a situation which is completely unacceptable to our people.

It should not come as a shock to the current government that Nigerian citizens require practical and concrete solutions to the problems facing the country now. We demand competence and credibility from our government officials of all genres. All aspects of government including security, management of oil and gas resources, education, financial management and planning need to be overhauled and recalibrated. Our populace deserves nothing less.

To this end, NCN will be organizing a seminar to discuss the situation in Nigeria at RCCG House, Hettenheuvelweg 18, 1101 BN Amsterdam Zuidoost, The Netherlands on Saturday, 28 January 2012 starting at 17:00 CET. Nigerians and other interested parties are welcome to attend.

Further mobilization activities will be communicated as the situation in Nigeria develops.

God bless Nigeria.

Signed:

The Steering Committee

Nigerian Community in the Netherlands

Amsterdam,

The Netherlands

January 24, 2012

• No Related Post

Nelson Mandela

Mandela To Miss ANC’s 100th Year Celebration

Nelson Mandela will not be attending the 100th anniversary of the African National Congress (ANC) due to health issues

Party Secretary-General Gwede Mantashe announced Friday that Mandela will miss the activities saying, “he is in good spirits, but very, very old.”

It is expected, however, that Mandela will send a message to be read at the celebration.

The aging South African statesman, who turns 94 this year, is idolized by his countryman and considered the father of the anti-apartheid movement.  When Mandela was released in 1990 after 27 years of imprisonment, South Africans of all races looked to him to stop their nation from falling into a racial civil war. And he did.  Serving as the ANC president from 1994 to 1999, the Nobel Peace Prize winner’s focus was to bring peace to his people.  Under his leadership, a long list of progressive social reforms were enacted to reduce inequalities amongst the country’s black population.

The ANC celebration is expected to draw more than 100,000 people and more than 40 heads-of-state and dignitaries. Emeritus Arch-Bishop Desmond Tutu is expected to join Sunday’s festivities in Mangaung, Free State Province.  The party is said to be celebrating its core principles of allowing people to choose their own destiny in a “united, non-racial, non-sexist nation.”

Founded on January 8, 1912, the ANC has spiraled downward as far as its popularity.  Critics point out that the South African people are no longer the party’s focus and that corruption reigns supreme.

• No Related Post

Press Release: “OCCUPY NIGERIA” RALLY IN NEW YORK

New York, New York; January 5th 2012:

Nigerians under the auspices of the Nigerian Democratic Liberty Forum (NDLF) would be rallying in solidarity with the suffering masses of Nigeria over the government’s cruel increase in prices of petroleum products.

This ill advised, inhuman and sadistic 117% increase in price of fuel exposes the determination of the government to annihilate the poor Nigerian masses who are groaning under very deplorable conditions of living. A government that is incapable of rescuing  its people from the abyss of economic ruins should not exacerbate the hapless situation of the suffering masses.

To this end, Nigerians in the US would express solidarity with the Nigerian people:

Date: Tuesday January 10th 2012

Venue: The Nigerian Consulate, New York

Address: 828 2nd Avenue New York, NY 10017-4300

Corner of 44th street and 2nd Avenue

Time:     12noon

Speakers would include: Okey Ndibe, Laolu Akande, Sowore Omoyele, Adegboyega Dada, Bunmi Aborishade, Willie Nwiido and others.

1. That the Nigerian government revert to the old prices.

2. That the government institute a panel of inquiry that includes representatives of Labour, Civil society, professional bodies etc to investigate the practices of petroleum products importation, distribution and payments over the past 13 years.

3. That the report of this inquiry should form a basis for the prosecution of those individuals, companies and their collaborators who have defrauded the country through sharp practices associated with importation of petroleum products.

4. That the government ensures the four Nigerian refineries operate at installed capacities within the next 12months.

5. That the government unveil a Petrol Production and Distribution (PPD) policy that is aimed at 100% local production of petroleum products within the next 12-36months.

6. That the government audit and make public the Nigerian daily crude oil production, royalties paid by foreign oil companies, accurate local consumption inventory rather than the conflicting numbers released by various government agencies.

7. That corruption in the oil sector and other areas should be confronted and perpetrators brought to book. The poor masses should not be made to pay for the incompetence and corruption of government officials.

8. That the government should not underestimate the people’s ability and resolve to protest the continuous rape of the country by friends and cronies of government.

Join us as we express solidarity with our people at home.

Signed

Bukola Oreofe

Executive Director

NDLF

• No Related Post

JOINT COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF THE EMERGENCY MEETING OF THE NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COUNCILS OF THE NIGERIA LABOUR CONGRESS AND THE TRADE UNION CONGRESS OF NIGERIA

In Defence of the Nigerian People on Fuel Price Increases!

Joint Communique of the Emergency Meeting of the National Executive Councils of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) Held on Wednesday 4th January, 2012.
The National Executive Councils of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) took place today, Wednesday 4th January, 2012.

The NLC and TUC noted that:

The Presidency announced the removal of petroleum subsidy and adjusted upward, the pump price of petrol on 1st January, 2012 even when it claimed it was consulting Nigerians.
Due to this upward review of prices, the pump price for petrol is now selling for between N141 and N200 per litre nation-wide rather than N65. This prohibitive increase in price of PMS once again confirms the position of Labour that deregulation to this government means incessant price increase of a strategic product (petrol) that impact on cost of living, cost of production and the general well-being of increasingly impoverish Nigerians.
The immediate generalized negative impact of this price increase on transport cost, food, drugs, schools fees, rents, indicate that government is totally wrong to underestimate the impact assessment of the so-called deregulation policy.

Due to the untoward hardship workers and other Nigerians are experiencing based on excessive increase in petrol prices, there have been sporadic protests by Nigerians in at least 10 cities;
These protests, which are peaceful have witnessed the use of unprecedented force by the Police leading to harassment, intimidation, arrests and the murder of a protester.
There is a subsisting understanding between Congress and the Federal government in 2009 that removal of subsidy will not commence until certain conditions have been met. These include the fixing of all the refineries and building new ones, regular power supply, and provision of other social infrastructure such as railways and repairs of roads as well as eliminating the corruption associated with supply and distribution of petroleum products in the downstream sector of the oil industry.

After exhaustive deliberations and consultations with all sections of the populace, the NLC, TUC and their pro-people allies demand that the Presidency immediately reverses fuel prices to N65. If the Government fails to do so, they direct that indefinite general strikes, mass rallies and street protests be held across the country with effect from Monday 9th January, 2012.
From that Monday, 9th January 2012 date, all offices, oil production centres, air and sea ports, fuel stations, markets, banks, amongst others will be shut down.
We advise Nigerians to stockpile basic needs especially food and water.
We call on all Nigerians to participate actively in this movement to rescue our country. The emphasis is on peaceful protests, rallies and strikes while refusing to be intimidated. Labour calls on the police, armed forces and other security agencies to reject orders that they turn their weapons on fellow Nigerians. We warn that anybody who does so, will be individually brought to justice.

The primary objective of this patriotic call and movement is to revert PMS price to N65, restore normalcy and reclaim Nigeria for Nigerians.
No Retreat!

No Surrender!!

Forward Ever!!!

Abdulwahed I. Omar Peter Esele

President, NLC President, TUC

• No Related Post

AMBASSADOR ADEFUYE OF NIGERIA MEETS WITH NASHVILLE POLICE CHIEF STEVE ANDERSON.

Nigeria’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the United States, Dr. Ade Adefuye recently visited Nashville, Tennessee.

During his visit which lasted from December 1 to December 2, the Ambassador met with state and city officials, visited educational institutions and met with the business community.  The Ambassador was welcomed to the State by Deputy Governor Claude Ramsey who expressed optimism about the potentials of increased business relations between Tennessee and Nigeria.  At the end of the meeting, Mr. Ramsey proclaimed  Dr. Adefuye as “Tennessee’s Ambassador of Goodwill”.

The Ambassador also met with Mayor Carl Dean who was very appreciative of the Ambassador’s visit. “We hope to see an increased business relationship between Nashville and Nigeria”, said Council woman Erica Gilmore who facilitated the meeting with the Mayor.

The highlight of the Ambassador’s visit was as a special guest at the passing out parade of new recruits of the Nashville Police Academy.  On introduction by Mayor Carl Dean, the Ambassador was given a thunderous ovation by the obviously excited crowd who were pleased with the Ambassador’s presence. Later, Dr. Adefuye had a meeting with Police Chief Steve Anderson at the Police headquarters. They discussed potential security relationships between the Nigerian Police and the Metro Nashville Police Department. These include trainings in Community Policing, forensics, anti-terrorism and advanced crime detection.

Given the security threat posed to the Nigerian government by the Islamic terrorist group Boko Haram and the Niger Delta militants, assistance by the Nashville Police department will be a welcome development. Nashville Police department has one of the most advanced anti-terrorist units in the country and its forensic laboratory is second to none. It also has one of the best Police Academies in the country.

In the past, several countries including Swaziland, Gambia and Haiti have sought the assistance of the Nashville Police department. Several years ago police officers from Gambia and Haiti were given demonstrations in bomb disposal by the department. The Gambian government also sought assistance in developing its own police academy.

The Ambassador’s visit was organized and facilitated by Dr. Leonard Madu, President of the PanAfrica Conference. He is also President of the African Caribbean Center/Institute. 

• No Related Post

Wyse, the global leader in cloud client computing,  will be the major sponsor of this year’s eLearning Africa conference and exhibition. The sixth in the series of the Africa’s largest international events on technology for development, education and training, eLearning Africa will take place from May 25th to 27th in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Wyse is committed to helping educational institutions in Africa use its advanced desktop virtualisation solutions better to enable schools and colleges to deliver teaching and learning based on reliable, affordable and greener classroom ICT. African clients and partners draw on the company’s considerable expertise and success in working with educational organisations globally.

In South Africa, 2.5 million students in schools will be provided with access to a cloud computing laboratory by 2013. Over 70,000 PCs with access to the latest software and Internet content using Wyse cloud software and cloud PCs have already been installed. The Gauteng Online initiative is one of Wyse’s major African eLearning initiatives. In Nigeria, a new network of examination centres relies on a Wyse cloud client computing infrastructure to enable examinations to be delivered, taken and scored entirely electronically, saving time and money while also improving reliability and service with accurate results delivered in hours rather than months.

Education is Wyse’s second largest market, with ten of the world’s top fifteen universities using Wyse solutions to reduce costs and improve learning. They and other educational institutions benefit from Wyse’s position as the only cloud vendor to offer desktop virtualisation solutions for every budget and scale of implementation, ranging from ten to upwards of ten thousand units.

Tarkan Maner, President and CEO of Wyse Technology, said: “We’re seeing African customers embrace how our cloud client computing solutions can transform education and training, widening access to the most advanced eLearning for students of all ages and abilities. So our support for the Continent’s leading forum on educational ICT is a natural step for us, as Wyse works with an expanding number of African governments and educational institutions to realise their ambitions to improve the education and employment prospects of young people across Africa.”

“We are delighted to have Wyse on board,” said Rebecca Stromeyer, Managing Director of ICWE and Founder of eLearning Africa. “Our aim is to show the variety of innovative technologies that are available for promoting educational opportunities for all in Africa. It is of immense importance that key players in the field such as Wyse engage in such an event, showing that Africa can really benefit from affordable green classroom IT.”

More: www.wyse.com
Gauteng Online Initiative: www.elearning-africa.com/newsportal/english/news264.php

• No Related Post

Gmedia Center is launching a 5-minute questionnaire on media and human rights.

The survey aims to assess the media’s understanding of human rights issues, international mechanisms and in particular of the UN Human Rights Council activities with a view of strengthening their access to the information and main events. Gmedia Center is an initiative that promotes easy access (media friendly) to the Geneva-based human rights organization, its information, key players and events.

To participate, click here.

• No Related Post

Journalists from around the world who have covered Africa — whether the 2010 FIFA World Cup or one of the 16 countries on the continent that celebrated 50 Years of Independence — are invited to submit work for the 2011 Diageo Africa Business Reporting Awards.

These awards launched in 2004 to recognize international journalists and editors who provide high-quality coverage of the business environment in Africa. Previous winners include the BBC World Service, Jeune Afrique Group and The Financial Times.

There are eleven categories, including ICT, tourism and green business or environment features. Blogs, podcasts, online content, print, radio and TV entries are all eligible. To qualify, submissions must have been published or broadcast between April 18, 2010 – March 20, 2011.

Last year, the awards attracted over 700 entries from 25 countries.

The gala awards ceremony will be held on June 20, 2011 in London. For more information, click here.

• No Related Post

Internews® Network is an international media development organization based in Arcata, CA and Washington, DC whose mission is to empower local media worldwide to give people the news and information they need, the ability to connect, and the means to make their voices heard.

The Senior Radio Journalism Advisor is an experienced broadcast professional who oversees and coordinates a small team of trainers and support facilities to build the journalistic capacity of community radio stations in four provinces of DRC: Bandundu, Maniema, South Kivu and Katanga. He or she will design, implement and oversee all aspects of a comprehensive training program, and assist the Chief of Party on overall program development, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
* Participate in the assessment process to select 45 partner community radio stations that will be the focus of the training and support program.
* Design and coordinate a comprehensive training program, with appropriate curriculum and training manuals and documentation targeting partner stations journalists.
* Design and coordinate a series of media literacy workshops targeting local CSO partner organizations and thematic roundtables opened to community radio volunteers as well as other journalists and media professionals.
* Supervise a team of three journalists-trainers in charge of trainings, roundtables and mentoring sessions at community radio stations and fulfill the role of trainer as needed.
* Supervise the creation and management of four Media Resource Centers, one for each of the four targeted provinces.
* Travel to community radio station locations and Media Resource Centers in the four provinces on a regular basis to provide necessary guidance, oversee program implementation and help the M&E project specialist gather data for project evaluation. Document the achievements and challenges of the project through training reports, newsletter articles, website submissions and photographs. Assist in networking and sharing success stories with government officials, donors and other interested parties.
* Promote program sharing among community radio partners through the development of a specific FTP platform and collaboration with Radio Okapi and Fondation Hirondelle.
* Coordinate with partner organizations Fondation Hirondelle and Albany Associates in all project activities related to the professionalization and promotion of journalism.
* Help in the selection and development of the small grants program.
* Assist the Chief of Party in the preparation of media campaigns and other media events supported by the project.
* Assist the Chief of Party in program development and strategic planning.
* Any other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS:

* French fluency required
* Minimum 5 years radio broadcasting experience, preferably in community radio.
* Experience in broadcast training and mentoring.
* Experience in curriculum development
* Experience in facilitation and training, using hands-on participatory approaches
* Fluency in use of digital field recording equipment, basic studio equipment and CoolEdit

Pro/Adobe Audition.
* Spoken and written English skills mandatory
* Experience living and working in Africa and/or conflict/post-conflict environments
* Ability to adjust to shifting political circumstances and create programming accordingly
* Sensitivity to cross-cultural dynamics in the work place and a minimum of 2 years

experience supervising staff
* Must be self-reliant, resourceful, good problem-solver, good humored, and flexible.
* Ability to travel within DRC. Willingness to spend time in the field, with limited facilities, often under harsh conditions.
* Relevant academic qualifications.
* Must be computer literate.

TO APPLY
Interested candidates meeting the qualifications should forward a cover letter and resume to 876-in@internews.org, placing “SRJA-DRC-IN” in the subject line. EOE M/F/D/V

• No Related Post

Seyi Oduyela/Washington, DC

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced today that it has received a sufficient number of H-1B petitions to reach the statutory cap for fiscal year (FY) 2011.  USCIS is notifying the public that yesterday, Jan. 26, 2011, is the final receipt date for new H-1B specialty occupation petitions requesting an employment start date in FY2011.

The final receipt date is the date on which USCIS determines that it has received enough cap-subject petitions to reach the limit of 65,000.  Properly filed cases will be considered received on the date that USCIS physically receives the petition; not the date that the petition was postmarked.  USCIS will reject cap-subject petitions for new H-1B specialty occupation workers seeking an employment start date in FY2011 that arrive after Jan. 26, 2011.

USCIS will apply a computer-generated random selection process to all petitions that are subject to the cap and were received on Jan. 26, 2011. USCIS will use this process to select petitions needed to meet the cap.  USCIS will reject all remaining cap-subject petitions not randomly selected and will return the accompanying fee.

On Dec. 22, 2010, USCIS had also received more than 20,000 H-1B petitions filed on behalf of persons exempt from the cap under the ‘advanced degree’ exemption. USCIS will continue to accept and process petitions that are otherwise exempt from the cap.  Pursuant to the Immigration and Nationality Act, petitions filed on behalf of current H-1B workers who have been counted previously against the cap will not be counted towards the congressionally-mandated FY2011 H-1B cap.  Accordingly, USCIS will continue to accept and process petitions filed to:

• extend the amount of time a current H-1B worker may remain in the U.S.;
• change the terms of employment for current H-1B workers;
• allow current H-1B workers to change employers; and
• allow current H-1B workers to work concurrently in a second H-1B position.

U.S. businesses use the H-1B program to employ foreign workers in specialty occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise in specialized fields such as scientists, engineers, or computer programmers.

For more information on USCIS and its programs, visit www.uscis.gov.

• No Related Post