Nigeria 2013-2017

[davidbfpo]

The title of a Nigerian news site, which is almost breathless in its applause:http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/03/n...wins-plaudits/

How about this passage as a taster:

National Security Adviser Sambo Dasuki unveiled the new measures in a rare public announcement that touched not only on past mistakes but indicated a more joined-up approach to tackling the crisis.

Dasuki’s “soft power” plan includes “de-radicalisation” programmes for suspected and convicted Boko Haram fighters as well as closer co-operation with communities most affected by the deadly violence.

[KingJaja]

This has no direct connection with Boko Haram or other topics of interest to terrorism scholars. But it illustrates the massive youth unemployment & underemployment that fuels a lot of the problems in Nigeria.

In summary about 520,000 people applied for a little over 4,000 jobs - & as of today 16 people died in the ensuing stampede over the nation.

ABUJA – At least seven people were killed and dozens injured in Nigeria’s capital after thousands of panicked job-seekers stampeded during a government recruitment drive in the national stadium on Saturday.
Survivors told AFP that thousands had gathered to apply for jobs with the immigration department in the Abuja stadium.
One witness said the stampede broke out as applicants surged towards a central stage. They said only one entrance to the 60,000-capacity stadium was open. It wasn’t clear how many people were inside at the time of the crush.

- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/03/i....4JlhEAik.dpuf

[davidbfpo]

Well the new strategy has certainly had a baptism of fire:

Well over 500 people were killed in Nigeria last week when security forces responded to what the military portrayed as a jailbreak attempt by the Islamist group Boko Haram, making it one of the bloodiest episodes yet in the military’s five-year counterinsurgency campaign, according to officials in the northern town of Maiduguri.

As inmates streamed last Friday through the opened gates of Giwa Barracks, a notorious military detention center in Maiduguri, a military plane fired on them while soldiers on the ground also opened fire, killing scores, a senior hospital official in Maiduguri said.

Much about the episode remains unclear, such as how attackers were able to penetrate one of the most heavily fortified sites in northern Nigeria, in daylight. The assault, which the military called a Boko Haram raid, has not been claimed by the group, though it often does not claim responsibility for attacks. No Boko Haram member, living or dead, has been presented to the media, despite the military’s claim last week that “many of the terrorists and their weapons have been captured.”

Link:http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/21/wo...=67232673&_r=0

[JMA]

Well the new strategy has certainly had a baptism of fire:

Link:http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/21/wo...=67232673&_r=0

In daylight? And per chance there was an armed aircraft overhead and soldiers in just the right position when it happens?

Guarantee next time someone leaves the gate open none of the surviving detainess are going to try and make a run for it.

That's the way we do it in Africa

[JMA]

Just think what job creation could take place if you could stop the politicians and civil servants from looting the country... and recover even half of what has been stolen already?

Problem solved... what's next?

This has no direct connection with Boko Haram or other topics of interest to terrorism scholars. But it illustrates the massive youth unemployment & underemployment that fuels a lot of the problems in Nigeria.

In summary about 520,000 people applied for a little over 4,000 jobs - & as of today 16 people died in the ensuing stampede over the nation.


- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/03/i....4JlhEAik.dpuf

[KingJaja]

Just think what job creation could take place if you could stop the politicians and civil servants from looting the country... and recover even half of what has been stolen already?

Problem solved... what's next?

I thought we want a serious discussion of issues here - not to suggest that:

1. I don't know that public money is being looted in Nigeria.
2. Outright dismissal of a news article I posted as if to suggest that the newspaper and I are very stupid to even comment on this in the first place.

[JMA]

I thought we want a serious discussion of issues here - not to suggest that:

1. I don't know that public money is being looted in Nigeria.
2. Outright dismissal of a news article I posted as if to suggest that the newspaper and I are very stupid to even comment on this in the first place.

KingJaja, do me a favour please... you are not speaking to a North American or a continental European... spare me the pretense of ignorance of the corruption levels in Nigeria (which are as out of control as some East European states).

Tranparency International finds Nigeria 144 of 177 on the corruption scale... that makes it highly corrupt.

Now here is the immediate cash for fund job creation - if it can ever be recovered:

President Goodluck Jonathan orders inquiry into Nigeria’s ‘missing’ $20bn of oil revenue

Then here is a what could have been statement of the obvious - which maybe you have missed:



Now given all that can you believe that both the US and UK give aid of around $250m each to Nigeria. Stupid is as stupid does.

[KingJaja]

KingJaja, do me a favour please... you are not speaking to a North American or a continental European... spare me the pretense of ignorance of the corruption levels in Nigeria (which are as out of control as some East European states).

Tranparency International finds Nigeria 144 of 177 on the corruption scale... that makes it highly corrupt.

Now here is the immediate cash for fund job creation - if it can ever be recovered:

President Goodluck Jonathan orders inquiry into Nigeria’s ‘missing’ $20bn of oil revenue

Then here is a what could have been statement of the obvious - which maybe you have missed:



Now given all that can you believe that both the US and UK give aid of around $250m each to Nigeria. Stupid is as stupid does.

No problem, I'm out of this discussion forum. It is a waste of my time.

[Stan]

No problem, I'm out of this discussion forum. It is a waste of my time.

Seems you do this an awful lot lately when faced with reality and skepticism from people who are well aware of African policy and leadership.

Better grow some thick skin as it is far from over.

The point being, Nigeria should be the flagship of a successful African nation. However, all most of us recall are the spamming emails about our dead uncles with cash in Nigeria.

Yes, it is a shame as there are literally 100s of thousands of Nigerians like you that go to work every day and deal with life there.

How many generations will it take to resolve the current impasse ?

[davidbfpo]

Only a week ago I posted on a prison break and the five hundred shot escaping (Post ) and 'same approach, no change here' is sadly all too true. Yes JMA it is Africa.

From AJ's sub-title:

At least 21 detainees shot dead during attempted escape from the cells of the secret police headquarters in Abuja.

Link:ww.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2014/03/nigerian-prisoners-killed-abuja-jailbreak-20143301832373181.html

Some more detail from the Nigerian website:http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/03/a...detainees-dss/

I've only did a short stint in a detention facility, but basic security was sadly neglected and what type of facility has armed staff inside? The Nigerian State Security Service's detention facility - stupid.

[KingJaja]

Very interesting lecture by Matthew Hassan Kukah (Catholic Bishop of Sokoto). He's also scholar who wrote a book on "Religion & Politics in Northern Nigeria".

After the defeat and following the exit of Sultan Attahiru, the burden of deciding the future for Islam rested in the hands of Muhammadu Buhari, the Waziri. In summary, three options were open to the rump of the caliphate. There were those who, like Onada above, believed that they would fight to the end and never surrender to the new conquerors. They believed that the caliphate could still be reclaimed and this is largely the lost glory that is being contested. Secondly, there were those who believed that some kind of cohabitation might be diplomatically worked out so that the religion could survive. Thirdly, there were those who believed that the new order should be supported and ways be explored to ensure a better future.

The Waziri, after advice from the scholars, decided to work out a modus vivendi with the colonial state. In his wisdom, he argued that since Lugard the conqueror had stated that all Muslims would be free to pray, pay Zakat and observe the Ramadan, there was no need for Hijra or continued fight. Since the caliphate had been founded as a home for Islam, the Waziri displayed some real diplomatic sagacity.

Amidst this dilemma, the Waziri received counsel to cooperate with the colonial state. According to a judge in Gwandu: The world is a house of distress…The Christians do not impede religion and the rites of Islam established in our land. Their goal is seeking for territory and the over lordship in worldly matters. As regards Islam, they do not hinder anyone from it, from Futa to here…This is our particular kind of friendship with them at present. We show regard to them with the tongue and have intercourse with them in the affairs of the world, but never love them in our heart nor adopt their religion[5]. From then till now, the battle over the perception of the role of Islam and the State has merely been shaped by circumstances, but the key issues have not changed. The feeling that this loss can be redressed and that we can return to these glory days resides deep down.

This is not the place for us to go into the details of this phase of protest. However, the significance of this reference lies in the fact that it helps us understand the origins of violence in northern Islam. But we need to make one passing remark as to how and why all this relates to the tensions between Islam and Christianity today.

- See more at: http://www.theadvocatengr.com/index.....sr6aadBr.dpuf