Nigeria added to Wikipedia’s list of failed states
Wikipedia’s list of failed states has been updated and Nigeria is now one of the countries on the list. The free web-based encyclopedia project which contains information on a wide variety of subjects, described a failed state as a political body that has disintegrated to a point where basic conditions and responsibilities of a sovereign government no longer function properly. It further added that a state can also fail if the government loses its legitimacy even if it is performing its functions properly. For a stable state, it is necessary for the government to enjoy both effectiveness and legitimacy. Likewise, when a nation weakens and its standard of living declines, it introduces the possibility of total governmental collapse. Some countries listed as a failed state include; Syria, Somalia, Myanmar, Nigeria, Iraq, Yemen, Turkey, Democratic Republic of Congo, Central African Republic, Rwanda, Liberia, Yugoslavia, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Sudan, South Sudan.
“We Want Real Change”—Mali Protesters Shun Pleas To Stay Home, Demand President’s Resignation
Malians took to the streets in the capital Bamako on Tuesday, despite rainfall and pleas from mediators to stay home, to demand the resignation of President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita. Protesters numbering in the low thousands assembled in a central square, an AFP journalist saw, blowing plastic vuvuzela horns and brandishing anti-government banners. “We want real change in Mali, IBK get out,” read one banner, using the acronym by which Keita is known. Other people carried umbrellas against the rain and toted signs, also calling for the prime minister’s resignation. After the crowd sang the national anthem, prominent opposition leader Choguel Maiga said: “We will continue our fight until the end of IBK and his regime.” Mahmoud Dicko, a Saudi-trained imam, viewed as the opposition’s figurehead, told protesters: “This combat is to restore the Malian nation”. “If IBK doesn’t listen to us, he will see. I swear before God that he will see. But if we don’t rush, we will win this victory,” he said. The gathering marks the first time the June 5 Movement had staged a protest since July 21, when the opposition group declared a temporary truce in a months-long push to topple Keita. It staged the demonstration despite a call to stay home from Nigeria’s ex-president, Goodluck Jonathan, a mediator for the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in Mali’s crisis. “Demonstrations do not solve problems per se,” Jonathan told a news conference late Monday, urging opposition figures to enter into dialogue. The June 5 Movement has repeatedly spurned compromise proposals put forward by ECOWAS, insisting on Keita’s resignation. Mali’s political impasse has struck fear into the impoverished Sahel state’s neighbours and allies, who are keen to prevent it from sliding into chaos. The June 5 Movement — so-called after the date of its first protest — has been channelling deep anger over a dire economy, perceived government corruption and Mali’s eight-year jihadist conflict. But tensions snowballed into crisis last month when 11 people died during three days of unrest following an anti-Keita protest, in the worst political strife the country has seen in years. The 15-nation ECOWAS bloc stepped in to mediate. On July 27, the bloc’s heads of government stuck by Keita but proposed the formation of a new unity government, among other measures. The June 5 Movement has rejected the proposals, however. Nigeria’s ex-president Jonathan, who had already led a mediation mission to Mali in mid-July, made a surprise return to Bamako on Monday, when he met the president and opposition figures. Still, there is little indication that the impasse can be overcome, as anti-Keita protests have gone ahead despite Jonathan’s admonitions. Dicko, addressing protesters on Tuesday, said that it was time for Malians to talk among themselves. “Even if we don’t like the way they did it, we thank ECOWAS for its gesture,” the influential imam said. Keita, who first came to power in 2013, has meanwhile attempted to follow the ECOWAS recommendations. He swore in nine new judges to the Constitutional Court on Monday, which formed part of ECOWAS efforts to resolve an election dispute that has contributed to the crisis. Much of Mali’s current tension was sparked in April, when the Constitutional Court threw out 30 results from long-delayed parliamentary elections — a move that benefited Keita’s party, but triggered protests. ECOWAS had recommended appointing new judges to the court, and holding new elections in the 30 disputed parliamentary seats. The MPs occupying those seats, however, have refused to step down. They are drawn from both Keita’s party and opposition parties.
Send Old Generation Out Of Power, Obasanjo Tells African Youths
A former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, has asked African youths to dislodge the older generation from leadership positions. Obasanjo urged the youths to participate actively in the activities of political parties to take over the structure from them. Obasanjo said this on Wednesday while delivering a keynote address at an interactive session held virtually to mark this year’s International Youth Day. The programme was organised by the Youth Development Centre, an arm of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta. Participants were drawn from Nigeria, Mali, USA, Ghana, Kenya and South Africa. According to him, unless older people are forced out of the political stage, they will continue to occupy the leadership positions to the detriment of the youths. “Unless you squeeze out those who are in the office and those who want to remain in office perpetually, some after the age of 80, unless you squeeze them out, they will not want to be out. “The type of change I am talking about, that I believe we can all embark upon is to subscribe to the constitution of political parties in favour of youths. Or if you like it, you call it affirmative action in favour of youths. For instance, if you say, in the constitution of a political party, not less than 50 per cent of those who hold executive office within the party will be less than 40 years,” ThePunch quoted Obasanjo to have said.
We have failed Nigerians as leaders – Governor Samuel Ortom
“ Let me say here that the leaders in this country have failed, me inclusive. It Is a big shame to us leaders , we must ask for forgiveness from God. And I implore you that you shouldn ’ t take after us. Greed is a big challenge . The path we are toying is the wrong one for us. There is a challenge. “ The rule of law is selective , there are sacred cows that cannot be touched, even if they do bad things , they cannot be touched. “ People steal billions and they are allowed to go scot – free while those who steal chickens are jailed ,” the governor lamented .
Students To Embark On Protest Nationwide As FG Fails To Reopen Tertiary Institutions
The statement reads below National Association Of Polytechnic Students (NAPS) Seat Of The President. 11/08/2020. Press Statement For Immediate Release. Great Nigeria Students! Late Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Said “Our Lives Begins To End The Day We Become Silent About Things That Matters ” on quote. It is so disheartening, appalling, disgusting and unethical knowing that our Government doesn’t place priority on Education, you all would agree with me that Covid is real but extremely blown out of proportion here in Nigeria, it’s indeed a pity! Our institutions have been placed under lock and keys for good six months with the claim of preventing the spread of Covid on campuses, as much as we appreciate the government for the acclaimed love, we condemn in totality the continued closure of our institutions. It is pertinent we understand that the same Covid couldn’t stop the NASS from sharing their exotic jeeps bought with our money, Covid couldn’t stop our Government from receiving their salaries and allowances, Covid couldn’t halt the electoral process in Edo and Ondo States even with multitude participants during rallies, Covid couldn’t stop the FG from lifting the lock down on areas where revenue can be generated probably for it to be looted further, what then is the moral justification for the continued closure of our schools? Why paying ASUU? Who did they lecture? Why no recourse for private school owners and teachers? Are they not Nigerians? Nobody knows when Covid would leave, we must learn to leave with it thesame way we are leaving with Ebola virus, Lassa fever, HIV/AIDS, etc. Late Dr. Ransome Beeko Kuti said ” If We Try, We May Win ,But If We Don’t then we have lost” on quote. The leaderships of NAPS, NAUS and NANCES hereby call on concerned students Nation-wide to join us and speak in one voice as we peacefully move to the streets in demand for the immediate reopening of Nigeria schools. Date – 19th August, 2020. Convergence point – NUJ Secretariats Time – 9am prompt. NB : For those in Abuja and it’s environs, join us at the Ministry of Education, Federal Secretariat Abuja. List of states coordinators shall be released soon! Come with your nose masks, sleeping mats, clothes, and school bags. The solution to Covid is not in market places and worship centres, the solution to Covid can be gotten through research! FG: RE-OPEN Our Schools Now!!! Enough Of All Your Delay Tactics……… Activist Sunday A. Asuku National President (NAPS)
Buhari Orders SSS To Invites Dr. Obadiah Mailafia Over His Interview, Alleging That A Northern Governor Is A Boko Haram Commander
The State Security Service (SSS) has invited Dr. Obadiah Mailafia, former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria over comments he made on ‘Morning Crossfire’ programme on Nigeria Info Abuja 95.1FM on Monday, where he alleged that a Northern Governor is a commander of the terrorist group, Boko Haram. This invitation is sequel to his comments in the interview he granted where he remarked amongst others, as follows: “Some of us also have our intelligence networks. I have met with some of the bandits; we have met with some of their high commanders – one or two who have repented – they have sat down with us not once, not twice. “They told us that one of the northern governors is the commander of Boko Haram in Nigeria. Boko Haram and the bandits are one and the same. They have a sophisticated network. During this lockdown their planes were moving up and down as if there was no lockdown. “They were moving ammunition, moving money, and distributing them across different parts of the country.” Meanwhile, a source disclosed to TheNigeriaLawyer (TNL) that the ex-Deputy Governor has been invited by the DSS in Jos for questioning over these remarks, tomorrow, 12th August, 2020.
SERAP, Lawyers Demand Reversal Of Death Sentence On Musician Accused Of Blasphemy Against Prophet Muhammad
Outrage has followed a verdict by a Sharia court in Kano which sentenced a musician, Yahaya Sharif Aminu, to death by hanging over one of his songs alleged to be blasphemous against Prophet Muhammad. Following the ruling, the Socio-Economic Rights And Accountability Project and some Nigerian lawyers have knocked the Sharia court for taking such a decision. In a statement, SERAP asked the Nigerian Government to immediately quash the death sentence, saying it “amounts to violation of the right to freedom of expression”.
It added, “We urge Nigerian authorities to immediately quash the death sentence by hanging for a Kano-based musician, Yahaya Sharif-Aminu, for blaspheming against the Prophet Muhammad. This is a travesty of justice and amounts to violation of the right to freedom of expression. “The sentence amounts to criminalization of the poor, as these vaguely worded blasphemy laws are typically used against the poor and those without political influence. “Authorities must quash all sentences for blasphemy and immediately and unconditionally release those imprisoned solely for exercising their constitutionally and internationally guaranteed right to freedom of expression.” SERAP is also asking the government to urgently repeal blasphemy laws and bring them in conformity with the 1999 Nigerian constitution (as amended) and international human rights obligations including under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights to which Nigeria is a party.
Reacting to the issue, rights lawyer, Tope Akinyode, described the death sentence as “preposterous” and “antithetical to democratic tenets”. He added, “Blasphemy laws derogate from citizens’ fundamental human right to freedom of religion guaranteed by S38 of Nigeria’s constitution. The sentencing of a Kano musician to death by Sharia court over allegation of blasphemy is preposterous. It’s antithetical to democratic tenets.” Also condemning the development, another rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, posited that human life was sacred and it would be primitive to sentence one to death in the name of religion. He said, “This decision is unconscionable and unconstitutional. No one should be killed for expressing an opinion. Human life is sacred. “It is callous and primitive to condemn a human being to death in the name of religion. What differentiates this “court” from Boko Haram? It’s a travesty.” The United Nations has also condemned the development, saying that religious and Sharia law in Nigeria was against international human rights law. It added that applying the death penalty for alleged blasphemy also violates Nigeria’s obligations under international human rights law.
A Country That Pardon Terrorists Wants to Kill a Man For Blasphemy, This is Self Deceit -Suleman
Apostle Johnson Suleman is a very popular Nigerian Pastor who happens to be the founder and General Overseer of Omega Fire Ministries. Apostle Suleman is one of the biggest pastors in Nigeria. His Church houses a very large congregation. The apostle has recently reacted to the current issue of a singer who was sentenced to death because of blasphemy. According to source, the singer blasphemed Prophet Mohammed through his music which went viral online. Suleman made his reaction via his official Twitter handle. His tweet which was made few minutes ago gained the attention of many Twitter users who reacted via their likes, comments and retweets. On the tweet Suleman said that it is self deceit for a country that pardons terrorists to kill a man for blasphemy. In his words he tweeted, “A country that pardons terrorists wants to kill a man for blasphemy. I am sure even Saudi Arabia is shocked. The worst form of deception is self deceit”.
PurpleWorld 