AFRIPOL.ORGIDEAS
HAVE CONSEQUENCES
Afripol's Director speaks at the Premier Sub Saharan African Oil and Gas conference
New African oil show in Houston by Energy and Corporate Africa
Expert Calls For Strategic Plan For Vision 2020
Vision 20/2020: Expert calls for strategic plan
‘What does Africa need from the west?’ December 4, 2007
AFRIPOL ENDORSES SENATOR OBAMA FOR USA PRESIDENCY
President Zoellick Appoints Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as Managing Director, World Bank
NIGERIAN EX-FINANCE MINISTER BECOMES WORLD BANK MANAGING DIRECTOR
Zumunta Association Honors Mr. Emeka Chiakwelu
U.S. organisation honours Okonjo-Iweala
Okonjo-Iweala bags international award
U.S. Organisation honours Okonjo-Iweala
A Nigerian pleads in the United States for the area of the Delta of Niger
THE PERSON OF THE MONTH:CHIBOGWU D. UMEH August 8th, 2007
The
Person of the Month:PROFESSOR
WANGARI MAATHAI July 10, 2007
The
Person of the Month:
DREW
BARRYMORE
JUNE10, 2007
THE PERSON OF THE MONTH: DON CHEADLE
THE PERSON OF THE MONTH:PAUL RUSESABAGIN
Interesting
news...
<http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/artikel.php?ID=121965>
THE
PERSON OF THE MONTH: PROF. CHUKWUMA CHARLES SOLUDO
MARCH 15, 2007
The Black Person History of the
month
(February 2007)
US to get Africa command centre
Obasanjo: Our Plans on Niger Delta Crisis, “stick and carrot” approach.
Mali film puts West's blueprint for Africa on trial
THE PERSON OF THE MONTH: OPRAH WINFREY Jan 12, 2007
NIGERIA TO PAY OFF $2.15 BILLION DEBT TO LONDON CLUB
Oprah Winfrey Opens $40m School in S. Africa
Joseph Kabila confirmed as Democratic Republic of Congo leader
BLAIR TO
STOP SHORT OF APOLOGY FOR BRITISH ROLE IN SLAVERY
RUSSEL
SIMMONS HEADING TO AFRICA ON DIAMOND MISSION
UN warning on e-waste
'mountain', November 27th, 2006
Vatican official says human
trafficking worse than African slave trade
THE PERSON OF THE WEEK: MO IBRAHIM Nov 13, 2006
THE GREAT SUMMIT : AFRICA AND CHINA
Museveni urges Africa to assert military supremacy
Ivory Coast accuses French execs of poisoning
Nigeria needs diaspora funds says Okonjo-Iweala
U.N. experts recommend Sudan sanctions
Nigerian vice president Atiku suspended
THE PERSON OF THE WEEK:
GEORGE SOROS
Sep 18, 2006
Billionaire Financier George Soros Gives $50 Million to Anti-Poverty Project
in Africa
WESTERN
UNION APPOINTS NEW BOARD, NO AFRICAN NAMED
The worldwide leader in money transfer services, Western Union
announced the appointment of five new directors. None of the new appointed
board of directors is from Africa.
Africa is a significant market for Western Union because of its large
population of Diaspora that transfer millions of dollars to the continent
yearly.
The new board will join Jack M. Greenberg, the former Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer of McDonalds Corporation, who will be Non-Executive
Chairman of Western Union, and Christina A. Gold, who will be Chief
Executive Officer of the Western Union Company.
In the late third quarter or early fourth quarter of 2006, Western Union is
anticipated to be separated from First Data Corporation and the new
directors of the board appointment will become effective at the separation.
These new appointments to the board are:
Dinyar Devitre, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Altria
Group, Inc.;
Betsy Holden, Former Co-Chief Executive Officer of Kraft Foods, Inc.;
Alan Lacy, Former Chief Executive Officer of Sears Holdings Corporation;
Roberto Mendoza, Chairman of Integrated Finance Limited; and
Mike Miles, President and Chief Operating Officer of Staples, Inc
CONGO
PRESIDENTIAL RUN-OFF OCT. 29
Democratic Republic of Congo will hold a second round of voting for
presidential election in October 2006 because the candidates failed to
obtain 50 per cent of the vote.
President Joseph Kabila took the majority of the vote, 45 per cent while his
competitor, Jean-Pierre Bemba won just 20 per cent.
''The Carter Center did not find evidence of widespread or systematic
manipulation. The Center concludes that the presidential results announced
August 20 are credible; legislative results, on the whole, are also
credible, but cannot be validated in detail because of the shortcomings
outlined in this statement, August 31, 2006."
ANALYSIS: “The July 30 election
in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) whose peaceful conduct pleasantly
surprised the world, has sadly resulted in a violent controversy. How the
situation is managed before and during the October 29 run-off will determine
whether the Central African country will make progress in its quest for
democratization or relapse into monumental anarchy. This
is informed by DRC’s chequered history. Endowed with some of the earth’s
most valuable mineral resources, the nation had been consistently plundered
by its past leaders, notably the late Mobutu Sese Seko, making it a land of
contradictions. Most of its 56 million people are poor, a condition worsened
by volatile ethnic conflicts. Even before Sese Seko was forced out in 1997
by the late Laurent Kabila, Congo had become fractured. In 1998, it
descended into war with itself, and, by 2003, the ensuing battles and
humanitarian crises had claimed four million lives.
Democratic
Republic of Congo
The inconclusive polls, if successfully decided, could provide the
opportunity to begin the process of reversing the DRC’s pitiable profile. In
particular, the two candidates for the run-off-- President Joseph Kabila who
got 44.81 percent and Jean-Pierre Bemba who clinched 20.03 percent of the
votes during the first round – should be mindful of the expectations of
their compatriots and the rest of the world, the huge resources committed to
the exercise, and respond in kind. It was in recognition of the
peculiarities of the vast country and the plight of its people that prompted
the United Nations to send over 17,000 peacekeepers - the largest peace
contingent on the globe- there. This gesture is complemented by the European
Union’s 1000-strong force. The polls have so far gulped $450 million. And
the daunting logistical and security problems already encountered also make
the democratic experiment one programme that must not be allowed to be
truncated by the belligerent supporters of the two contenders.
To achieve a resolution, the stakeholders in the DRC’s future, including
President Kabila, have at least two past phenomena to draw inspiration from.
One, the relative success of the actual voting. The unexpected calmness that
characterized the July outing, despite flashpoints during the campaigns and
doomsday predictions, elicited relief from the international community. Much
of the credit goes to the DRC’s political leadership for exhibiting
maturity. That is a pointer to the country’s capacity to put its act
together. Secondly, the ability of the transitional government headed by
Kabila to forge on, notwithstanding its being a team of strange bedfellows,
is remarkable. Even Bemba, an ex- rebel leader, is the former Belgian
colony’s vice-president! That spirit of compromise and tolerance should be
applied to these trying times.
If accepted, that approach would be a worthy legacy for the traumatized
country. Since Kabila’s eastern (Swahili) background and Bemba’s western (Lingala)
origin did not obstruct their steering of the tempestuous ship of state
before the elections, they should not be permitted to do so now. What is
needed at this point is for the Congolese political heavyweights to give
peace a chance and prepare for the October decider. There is enough time for
Kabila and Bemba to solicit the support of the 30 presidential candidates
who will not be in contention next month. They should learn from Liberia, a
place with similar war history which surmounted its own internal acrimony,
not long ago, to constitute a representative government, via a run-off.
For the multilateral organizations and countries that have contributed to
Congo’s march towards democracy, it is time to increase their efforts. Any
attempt to let down their guard now could prove disastrous. It is also
important for them to maintain neutrality so as to avoid undermining their
credibility. Congo is one troubled spot that should be helped, by all means,
to redeem itself from self-destruction.”
Source: Afripol/UNO/Thisday
THE
PERSON OF THE WEEK: PASTOR SUNDAY ADELAJA
august 21, 2006
Sunday Adelaja is the founder and senior pastor of "Embassy of
the Blessed Kingdom of all Nations”, an evangelical church at Kyiv, Ukraine
of the defunct Soviet Union. The largest evangelical church in eastern
Europe block. The church has grown to more than 23,000 members with over 70
churches beyond Ukraine, including Russia, Belarus, Moldovia, Georgia,
United States, India and United Arab Emirates.
Adelaja upholds the sanctity of God, Democracy and Capitalism, which he
propagates in the land that shunned religion, free enterprise and embraced
communism since Bolshevik Revolution in 1917. He speaks Russian and has
authored almost 40 books, along with more than 1,000 recorded sermons in
both Russian and English languages.
Adelaja, a 39 year old Nigerian, born in Lagos-Nigeria, to Presbyterian
parents, arrived in the Belarusian capital of Minsk in 1986 on a scholarship
from the Soviet Communist Party. Authorities of Communist party had thought
that after graduation, Pastor Adelaja would return to Africa and help spread
communism.
Instead, he embarked on spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ and freedom in
former Soviet Union commencing from Kyiv, Ukraine and former Soviet block.
"God has sent a black man to bring religion back to Russia and the Soviet
Union," Pastor Adelaja said and "This is hard here for many to accept," he
posited.
Pastor Adelaja has great influence on the polity and society of Ukraine,
many powerful politicians are members of his church. He feeds the poor,
provides succor to the drunkards and the downtrodden through the preaching
of the good news.
Never since Alexander Pushkin, the Russian greatest poet of Ethiopian
descent, has an African and a black man had such an acceptability and
influence in Russia and Soviet Union society. Pastor Adelaja enjoys such
acceptance, though his success story is not always rosy. Many at times, the
authorities felt threatened, but that has not detracted him nor his
Ministry. "It's too late for Russia to stop me," he says. "My message has
already come to Russia, and there are thousand people who think like me
there." Recently, Pastor Adelaja was featured on the front page of Wall
Street Journal, an elite newspaper that promotes capitalism and liberty in
America’s financial and business community. For his commitment and
steadfastness and for being true to his spirit and Providence, the
Management and Staff of Afripol Organization chose Pastor Sunday Adelaja
AS THE PERSON OF THE WEEK.
UNITED
STATES SENDS AN AMBASSADOR FOR AFRICAN UNION
Cindy
Courville
In line with US commitment to African Union,
Washington is sending an envoy to African union headquarter at Addis Ababa,
Ethiopia according to the statement from the U.S.Embassy in Abuja, Nigeria.
Dr. Cindy Courville is the nominee for the ambassadorial position and have
already appeared before U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, for
approval for the mission.
Courville is committed to New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD)
and said, "Africa needs partnership, stronger democratic institutions,
economic development, peace and stability and humanitarian assistance that
promotes good health."
Dr. Courville, a Special Assistant
to the President and Senior Director for African Affairs at the National
Security Council holds a B.A. and M.A. in political science from the University
of Louisiana at Lafayette and a M.A. and Ph.D. in comparative politics and
international relations from the Graduate School of International Studies at
the University of Denver.
ON 2006 EMANCIPATION DAY: AFRICAN LEADER PAYS TRIBUTE TO ZIK, DUBOIS,
NKRUMAH AND OTHERS
Azikiwe
Nkrumah
Dubois
President Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria on celebration of the 2006
Emancipation Day, paid a towering tribute to Nigeria's first President Rt.
Hon. Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe(Zik), Dr Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana, W.E.B. Dubois of
USA, Marcus Garvey of Jamaica and other African leaders on the important
roles they played for the emancipation and restoration of Africa’s dignity
during and after the slave trade.
In the broadcast for the celebration, President Obasanjo said in the
televised speech, "Nigeria joins the rest of Africa and indeed the rest of
the world on this Emancipation Day in saluting the efforts and heroism of
the slaves and ex-slaves, as well as of the Abolitionists. On this day also,
we remember heroes and champions of Pan-Africanism including Marcus Garvey,
W.E.B. Dubois, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Kwame Nkrumah and others whose vision of Pan
Africanism continues to be relevant, even to this day. We also salute the
poets, authors, artistes, and activists that struggled under the banner of
Pan-Africanism to support the struggle for emancipation."
President Obasanjo urged Africans to fight on, as the struggle is not over
yet, until the war against poverty, diseases, hunger, corruption and other
social vices are eliminated from our socio-economic and political lives.
"We must not forget that although the struggle for emancipation from slavery
had been won, the struggle for emancipation from other strangleholds on the
black person, including the stranglehold of hunger, disease, chronic
poverty, and gender-based discriminations, corruption and avoidable
conflicts, persist. We must continue to fight against these conditions which
militate against our well-being and retard our progress"; he said.
Emancipation Day, the first day of August every year, as contained in a
proposal by Nigeria, which was approved in 2006 by the Eight Ordinary
Session of the Summit of the Africa Union, in Sudan.
PERSON OF THE WEEK: PAUL
WOLFOWITZ august 1, 2006
Dr. Wolfowitz, President of World Bank has given a solid
rock support to African development and committed World Bank under its
leadership in contributing to making a reality of transforming Africa to a
stable and prosperous landscape.
Although, World Bank power is limited, but Wolfowitz vote of confidence can
bolster Africa’s prospect and could reassure Africans and investors that
the continent is in right direction.
In Abuja, Nigeria while delivering a keynote address July 18 to the Leon H.
Sullivan Summit VII, Wolfowitz said, "People everywhere have talents, have
energy. Most of all, almost everyone wants their children to have a better
life and wants their children to escape poverty if they are living in
poverty.” He cited success stories in Africa including some 15 African
countries that in the last 10 years have had sustained positive growth rates
of 4 percent or more. Two of the best performers in that group -- Mozambique
and Rwanda -- range between 8 percent and 10 percent economic growth
annually.
On infrastructure projects in Africa, the bank’s investment in this category
has increased from $600 million to $1.5 billion in the past fiscal year.
So for his support and commitment to Africa’s advancement, the Management
and Staff of Afripol chose Dr. Paul Wolfowitz, AS THE PERSON OF THE WEEK.
CHAD AND
WORLD BANK SIGNED MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING ON OIL REVENUE MANAGEMENT.
07/20/06
Paul Wolfowitz the President of World Bank has finalized an
agreement with the government of Chad led by President Derby over the
management of oil revenue. A memorandum of understanding were signed by both
sides in which the government of Chad will set aside 70 percent of the oil
revenue for poverty alleviation. This has ended the long dispute which
started when Chad reneged on the earlier arrangement. With this agreement,
Chad will regain access to the loans and earnings/royalties from oil
consortium led by Exxon Mobil which was frozen earlier by World Bank.
PRESIDENT
OF CHAD CALLS FOR A POLITICAL DIALOGUE
Chadian president Idriss Deby has express willingness to open a
political dialogue with the opposition parties. According to a text of the
decree released, Deby said, “This dialogue should deal with all the
political questions that are dealt with by the institutions of the Republic,
without jeopardizing the democratic process ... internal political dialogue,
between Chadians, which will give Chadians the means and the political will
to build their own country, while reinforcing the democratic experience.”
And he opposed outside inference and mediation in the turmoil because
"outsiders must not do what the Chadians must do, and can do"
according to the text of the decree, broadcasted on the state radio and
television network.
Deby added that "partners will be sought out to contribute financially,
materially and intellectually," to the dialogue.
The constitution was changed for Deby to run for a third presidential term,
despite its opposition.
President Deby came to power in 1990 military coup.
An armed rebellion lunched an attack on the capital N’djamena on April 13,
due to their opposition to Deby’s holding to power. The election of May 3
went ahead and he was declared victor with over 67 percent of the vote.
President
Deby
Flag of
Chad
ANALYSIS:
The President of Chad has called for a Dialogue, which by itself is a good
thing, but dialogue must be guided and rooted in fairness and justice. While
Chad do not want outside inference, it must not exclude the African Union
with its new role of Peer review mechanism among member nations. Chad is an
active member of the new African Union and must toe to its constitution.
The populace bears the brunt for the political instability and inefficient
governance. The basic needs from the government - infractures and security
are relegated in time of turmoil and instability. Bickering in the political
class have arrested African development including this nation of Chad. This
nation that is blessed with black gold ( crude oil), must return to the
business of the people by compromising with warring parties.
There must be a comprehensive peace in Chad based on equality, fairness and
justice - which are the building blocks of a true democracy.
True democracy is the answer to Chad’s political turmoil.
Democracy is not perfect by any other means, but it is the best we have at
the moment. Democracy is far better than socialism and military
dictatorship, for it the voice of the people. When properly practiced,
democracy is reflective of the community especially the grassroots.
Traditionally, representative democracy have tri-branches of government -
Executive, Legislature and Judiciary. These separate entities are united in
one political structure, yet autonomous within the political context,
thereby acting as checks and balances in the system.
The problem with African democracy is in the separation of power. At the
executive, the presidency assumes an imperial role at the expense of other
branches of the government. This makes the presidency very attractive in its
new role of “dictatorial democracy.” This is whereby one individual
dominates the politics and governance of its country. This is not the way
representative democracy was enshrined in the constitution nor meant to be
practiced.
Now election which suppose to be one of the processes in democracy, has
become the major issue in African democracy because of the mal-functioning
among its practitioners. Elections are rigged and manipulated for quick
satisfaction while the long time effects are neglected. The ramifications
are instability, bitterness and rancor and ultimately civil war.
Some African leaders are working seriously to disfigure democracy and
rewrite the rules of the game. But for democracy to be sustainable, the
civil society must be instituted, including free press, functioning courts,
respect of individual rights and of course, a free and fair elections.
Chad and its leadership can become a peaceful, a free society by adhering to democratic
principle; compromising and upholding the sanctity and inviolability of her
constitution.
THE PERSONS
OF THE MONTH : JULY 2006
A. President of Nigeria : Mr. Obasanjo
B.
Senate President of Nigeria : Ken Nnamdi
C.
Members of the National Assembly of Nigeria
For the manner they conducted themselves with dignity and decorum
during the deliberations for third term elongation for the office of
presidency and their fine performance during negotiations for Paris club
payment. Also, the working together to settle London club debt. A great
concord is in a making. This development is good for democracy and Nigeria.
The Senate President, Mr. Ken Nnamdi put a respectful performance by
following the letters of law and led the Lawmakers of National Assembly
to free and open debates.
The President of Nigeria, Mr. Obasanjo displayed statesmanship by
accepting the outcome without acrimony. The debate and rejection of the
elongation of the presidency, was not personalized by these politicians.
Logic and reason were bedrock of the debates, while emotions and sentiments
were relegated. Nigeria did prevail and become a beacon of hope.
Ladies and Gentlemen of Nigerian political class are maturing. Their
mannerism to the great debate was the testament of their political
evolution.
President Mbeki of South Africa praised President Obasanjo in a letter he
wrote dated May 22, for accepting the outcome of the vote at the National
Assembly as "a victory for democracy" and for urging all Nigerians to "heal
the wounds of acrimony and march forward together".
"With no reservations whatsoever, I would like to thank and salute you for
these comments as you responded to the decisions of the Nigerian National
Assembly.
"The comments communicate an outstanding act of statesmanship that I am
convinced must and will inspire all Nigerians, our own people, and our
brothers and sisters in the rest of our continent, as we all strive to
empower the masses of our peoples democratically to participate in the own
systems of governance," wrote President Mbeki of South Africa.
Therefore for this class act, the Management and Staff of Afripol chose
these eminent personalities - President Obasanjo, Mr.Nnamdi and Lawmakers
of Nigeria as the month of JULY PERSONS OF MONTH .
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PEOPLE IN THE
NEWS: DR. JOHN ODERA AGWUNOBI
Dr. Agwunobi
Dr. Agwunobi is a Nigerian American, a medical doctor and the
current Assistant Secretary of Health and Human Services (Health) of United
States of America. Before this appointment in 2005 by President Bush, Dr.
Agwunobi served as Secretary and State Health Officer at the Florida
Department of Health. Previously, he served as Vice President of Medical
Affairs and Patient Services at the Hospital for Sick Children in
Washington, DC.
As a pediatrician, Dr. Agwunobi has practiced medicine in rural, inner city
and suburban communities. He received his medical degree from the University
of Jos, Nigeria. He received his first master's degree from Georgetown
University and his second master's degree from Johns Hopkins University.
KWATSI ALIBARUHO:
FLIGHT DIRECTOR, NASA
Kwatsi Alibaruho
Kwatsi Alibaruho is the first African-American
NASA flight director. He is of Uganda ancestry.
Alibaruho's father, economist Dr. George Alibaruho, is from Uganda, while
his mother, Dr. Gloria Alibaruho, is from USA. His siblings were born in
Uganda, Africa.
"I caught the 'science bug' very early from watching science fiction
programs, and I wanted to learn about real science," Alibaruho said,
reacting to his early interest in science and maths.
In this position, Alibaruho is responsible for managing and executing space
shuttle flights and international space station expeditions. He will lead
and orchestrate planning and integration activities with flight controllers,
payload customers and international space stations partners. Since joining
NASA in 1995, Alibaruho has served as a flight controller and group leader
in the space station life support systems group and deputy chairman of the
operations committee for the orbital space plane source evaluation board. He
is the recipient of the Rotary National Award for Space Achievement Stellar
Award 2001 and the Engineer of the Year Award 2001 from the National
Technical Association.
He received a bachelor of science degree in avionics from the Massachusetts
Institute of Technology (MIT). Alibaruho lives in League City, Texas, with
his wife Macrecia.
SENATOR BARACK OBAMA: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Barack Hussein Obama is
United States of America senator since January 2005. Obama is a
Kenya-America, the first black male to become a Democratic party senator,
and the third black male senator in America since reconstruction. His
father, Dr. Obama , a Harvard trained economist is from Kenya and his
mother, a USA citizen. Just like his father, Senator Obama attended Harvard
University and received a Law degree. Before his present position, he was a
state senator in Chicago and a professor at Chicago University Law school.
Obama graduated from Columbia University in 1983, and moved to Chicago in
1985 to work for a church-based group seeking to improve living conditions
in poor neighborhoods plagued with crime and high unemployment. In 1991,
Obama graduated from Harvard Law School where he was the first African
American editor of the Harvard Law Review.
Senator Obama Barack is married to Michelle and they have two daughters. His
keynote address at the 2004 Democratic National Convention and his political
charisma has established him as a likely future US presidential candidate.
Quotations of the Week
“When we see China, we should see a
large market that could absorb a lot of our agricultural products. When we
see India and others, we should see a partner who will work with us in
developing our manufacturing sector as well as technology. So our foreign
policy should drive us towards that. We want to sharpen our foreign policy
and put more economics into it ... we should make a package pushing the same
kind of policies that people can see. We should not be going around saying
things and doing things in a discordant way. We need to articulate this very
carefully and we need to be targeted. We really need to look at the markets
that have potentials for our goods and if we do that, you will see that
markets where you need to put in effort will not be many.”
- Dr. Ngozi
Okonjo-Iweala, Nigeria’s minister of Foreign
Affairs. The former minister of finance until reassigned.
"We are realistic. We understand that technology isn’t the top
priority," but it should be on the agenda because it makes a difference.
Getting the infrastructure in place and developing the capabilities of your
people is going to take time.”
-Bill
Gates, founder of Microsoft speaking to African leaders on the
importance of technology.
"Whether expanding access to information, education or healthcare, or
increasing the collective power of individuals, [technology] has an
important role to play in creating a thriving and competitive Africa."
- Bill Clinton,
former U.S. President
"In terms of natural resources, Africa is the world's richest continent. It
has 50 percent of the world's gold, most of the world's diamonds and
chromium, 90 percent of the cobalt, 40 percent of the world's potential
hydroelectric power, 65 percent of the manganese, millions of acres of
untilled farmland as well as other natural resources.
Despite its wealth of resources, Africa is home to the world's most
impoverished and abused people.
Oppressive regimes have always exported their most talented and ambitious
people to freer and richer countries. Africans who migrate to the United
States do well. As an American, I love that but it's especially devastating
for Africa."
- Dr. Walter
Williams of George Mason University (June 4, 1997)
"Most people forget that pre-industrial Europe was vastly poorer than
contemporary Africa and had a much lower life expectancy. Even a relatively
well-off country like France is estimated to have suffered seven general
famines in the 15th century, thirteen in the 16th, eleven in the 17th and
sixteen in the 18th. And disease was rampant. Given an utter lack of
sanitation, the bubonic plague, typhus and other diseases recurred
incessantly into the 18th century, killing tens, sometimes hundreds of
thousands at a time.
The effect on life expectancy was predictable. In parts of France, in the
middle of the 17th century, only 58 percent reached their 15th birthday, and
life expectancy was 20. In Ireland, life expectancy in 1800 was a mere 19
years. In early 18th century London, more than 74 percent of the children
died before reaching age five.
Then a dramatic change occurred throughout Europe. The population of England
doubled between 1750 and 1820, with childhood mortality dropping to 31.8
percent by 1830. Something happened that enabled people to stay alive.
What did that early period lack that the later period had? Capitalism. What
does Africa lack that the West has? Capitalism. It is capitalism that
enabled the West to rise to great prosperity. The lack of capitalism is
responsible for Africa's crushing poverty."
- Dr. Andrew Bernstein Of Pace
University (March 1, 2003)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WORLD CUP
LOGO LUNCHED BY PRESIDENT MBEKI OF SOUTH AFRICA
L-R Mbeki,
Annan & Blatter
"Africa is ready, Africa's time has come, Africa is calling. Come to Africa
in 2010 ...We said we will host in
2010 the most successful Fifa World Cup and we will keep that promise," said
President Mbeki of South Africa in the German capital of Berlin for the
official launching of the World Cup logo. Comparing staging the football
tournament with the ending of apartheid, he described the event to be held
in South Africa in 2010 as "a beacon of hope", saying that "Football is all about
hope - hope for a better world," which will "touch the world and build a
better future.”
Kofi Annan, the UN chief and Fifa president Sepp Blatter were present for
the logo lunching.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NINE NIGERIAN
BANKS MAKE LIST OF TOP GLOBAL BANKS. 07/03/06
The Banker Magazine, an arm of the Financial Times Group released its world
renowned Top 1000 World Banks ranking for 2006 and on the list were nine
Nigerian Banks: First Bank, Union Bank, Zenith International Bank, IBTC
Chartered Bank, Intercontinental Bank, Spring Bank,
GT Bank, First Inland and Oceanic Bank.
According to the magazine, the increase in the number of Nigerian banks in
this global 1,000 listing is "due to the consolidation that has taken place
in the banking sector in Nigeria since 1st January 2006 and the creation of
larger banking institutions with a minimum capital requirement of N25
billion."
In a statement released , The Bankers magazine said the "object of the
survey is to show the banks' soundness in relation to the Basel requirement
of a minimum Tier 1 capital on risk-weighted assets of 4 per cent, and a
minimum ratio of capital to risk-weighted assets of 8 per cent."
"The published assets figures differ from the risk-weighted assets figures
that are used to calculate BIS ratios. Weights applied range from zero (to
assets such as cash, claims on central banks and governments in local
currency), to 20 per cent (to assets such as lending to multilateral
development banks), to 50 per cent (to residential mortgages) to 100 per
cent (to private-sector lending, non-OECD lending and so on). However, the
Basel rules adopted by individual countries' regulatory authorities will
vary to some extent.
"Wherever possible, the total assets figures shown exclude third-party items
such as acceptances, guarantees and securities held with third parties.
"Pre-tax profits are used to show banks' performance and the figures for
real profit growth take inflation into account. The profit-on-capital ratios
are calculated using the average of the latest and previous years' capital
figures.
"The NPL column refers to the gross non-performing loans as a percentage of
the total loan book. This year, we have excluded all banks whose latest
figures were prior to December 31, 2003, even though they may still be
operating", the statement reads.
The chronology of the ranking: First Bank was ranked at 784 position
and Union Bank ranked 797. While others are: Zenith Bank 857, IBTC Chartered
Bank 863, Intercontinental Bank 877, Spring Bank 888, GT Bank 918, First
Inland 975 and Oceanic Bank 995.
Charles
Soludo - Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria
DOLLAR VS NAIRA...
In another development, the rate of exchange of the Nigerian naira to the United
States dollar recently merged at both the official and parallel (black)
markets for the first time in 20 years. The currency exchanged at N129 to $1
and N128.6 to $1 at the black and official markets respectively.
Prof. Charles Soludo, the Governor of central bank of Nigeria said, “We are
happy to have rebound the trend where the official market used to chase the
black market but now it is the black market chasing the official market."
APESC- AFRIPOL supports and endorses the
banking reform initiated by Obasanjo’s administration.
The chief architect of the reform, Prof. Soludo championed and implemented
the banking reform which involves massive consolidation of the banking
sector. The transformation of the financial houses combated profligacy and
ushered in a sound banking system.
VATICAN TO DISCUSS CORRUPTION IN AFRICA
Cardinal Francis Arinze
African Catholic bishops are to tackle corruption and
help promote justice and peace in the continent according to Vatican. They
will identify countries "getting profit from the blood of Africans," said
Cardinal Francis Afrinze, its most senior African cardinal.
Nigerian Cardinal Francis Arinze said that Roman Catholic Church are
considering ways to fight corruption and arms sales in Africa as it
commences the preparations for a synod or the great gathering of African
bishops due to be held in 2009.
"We want to know who sent them, who are the countries that are going to
profit from the blood of Africans," as he spoke on arms sales to African
countries that fueled instability, lose of lives and property.
"We don't want coups d'état anymore," he added. "We don't want governments
based on the barrel of a gun anymore."
Arinze a leading contender in the papal conclave that elected Pope Benedict
last year. He said tackling the problems left over from the colonial period
would be high on the agenda for the synod.
"The challenge of building a nation in harmony and peaceful development out
of peoples from many ethnic groups put together as a country by colonial
masters remains present," he said.
Cardinal Arinze called corruption "an African temptation" and a general
human fault.
PERSON OF THE WEEK: BOBBY L. WILSON, Ph.D.
06/26/06
Bobby L. Wilson,
Ph.D. is the Provost and L. Lloyd Woods Distinguished
Professor of Chemistry at
Texas Southern University in Houston,
Texas.
In the interim, he is the acting President of Texas Southern University,
which is the largest Black university in America.
Dr. Wilson is a dedicated scholar, an intellectual stalwart who profoundly
believes in excellence and industry. For the role he has been playing in
furthering and giving meaning to Texas Southern University motto
“Excellence
in Achievement”,
the Management and Staff of Afripol chose Bobby L. Wilson, as the
PERSON OF THE WEEK.
--------------
DR. BOBBY L. WILSON NAMED ACTING PRESIDENT OF TSU
Dr. Bobby Wilson, provost and senior vice president for academic affairs
and student services, was named acting president at Texas Southern
University effective June 17, Board of Regents Chairman J. Paul Johnson
announced June 7, 2006.
Wilson will temporarily fill the post while a search committee compiles a
list of candidates for president, the position held by Dr. Priscilla Slade,
who was terminated by the board at a public hearing June 7. Slade’s
termination was effective June 17.
On April 17, the board of regents, with an 8-1 vote proposed to terminate
Dr. Slade on grounds that she misspent school money on furniture,
landscaping services and a security system at her home.
"Bobby Wilson is known as a leading academician," Johnson said. "On the TSU
campus he is widely recognized as an outstanding professor and
administrator. In addition, Wilson’s record of service to the university has
been one of the most distinguished in the university's history."
Since 1976, he has been employed at Texas Southern University in many
capacities including provost and senior vice president for academic affairs
and student services and Lloyd Woods Distinguished Professor of Chemistry
after serving as professor and chair of chemistry from 1995 to 1999,
including an assignment at the National Science Foundation as a program
director from 1995-1997. He has also served as provost and professor of
chemistry (1992-1993), vice president for academic affairs and professor of
chemistry (1990-1992), interim dean of arts & sciences and professor of
chemistry (1989-1990), professor and head of chemistry (1987-1989),
associate dean of arts & sciences and professor of chemistry (1986-1987),
professor of chemistry (1985-1986), associate professor of chemistry
(1980-1985), and assistant professor of chemistry (1976-1980).
BAKASSI PENINSULA RETURNS TO
CAMEROON
Nigeria
Cameroon
Bakassi
At the Greentree Estate outside New York , On
June 12, 2006 Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria and Paul Biya of
Cameroon signed an agreement on the transfer of authority over the Bakassi
peninsula in the presence of UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan . Henceforth
the Bakassi peninsula became part and parcel of the country of Cameroon.
"The sovereignty over the peninsula, which lies on the border between
Cameroon and Nigeria in the Gulf of Guinea, was long disputed.
This agreement, concluded under UN mediation, will implement a judgment
issued by the International Court of Justice in 2002 which is binding on
both parties," and the judgment was in favor of Cameroon.
ANALYSIS: The transfer of authority
of the Bakassi peninsula to Cameroon by Nigeria is a brave and bold act.
Nigeria have shown that it really deserved to be called the giant of Africa.
It did seek an enlighten path to the cessation of the conflict and dispute.
Nigeria obliged to the judgment in favor of Cameroon.
This giant gesture by Nigeria, would not be possible without the steady hand
of the Nigerian President, Mr. Obasanjo, who chose the path of justice,
peace and non-violent. By this, President Obasanjo has solidified his legacy
as a regional peacemaker. As an elder statesman, Obasanjo understands that a turmoil
in West Africa over Bakassi peninsula will weaken the region and opens it up
for destructive interference from outside.
Bakassi peninsula is rich in oil and marine resources, let it be a blessing
to the country of Cameroon unlike so many African oil producing nations.
Revenues from the wealth of Bakassi must be utilized to alleviate the
quality of life and ameliorate standard of living of the peoples of Bakassi and
Cameroon.
KASE
LAWAL: SHOWCASE IN BLACK ENTERPRISE MAGAZINE AS OWNER OF THE SECOND- LARGEST
BLACK BUSINESS IN AMERICA
Lawal featured on the
cover Page june 2006
KASE LAWAL - THE
AFRIPOL PERSON OF THE YEAR 2005. (Click here)
Chairman and CEO Kase Lawal has taken CAMAC (No. 2 on
the BE industrial/Service 100 list with $1.5 billion in sales) from humble
beginnings to an oil and gas exploration and production giant that trades
crude oil and natural gas in Africa and Europe as well as wholesale electric
power in the United States. CAMAC affiliates own or lease oil and gas
reserves on and offshore in West Africa and Colombia. Deals are in place to
enter oil-rich Venezuela.
With the price of oil reaching a record-high $75 a barrel, CAMAC is
positioned to meet or exceed the 51% revenue growth it achieved in 2005. But
that’s not the only thing driving Lawal. Determined to economically empower
African-Americans, his company has entered the financial arena. Through the
recent acquisition of a controlling stake in the only black-owned bank in
Texas, Lawal plans to offer community members greater access to capital.
He’s also considering a private equity fund to invest in minority-owned
businesses as he expands his oil drilling operations into new regions. Due
to Lawal’s visionary zeal and the expansion of his business and financial
empire, Black Enterprise (magazine) has named CAMAC International our 2006
Company of the Year.
Click for details
Quotations of the Week
“ African Oil producing countries - must save their earnings, invest in both
human and physical resources. Most of all democratize and industrialize
Africa.”
- Emeka Chiakwelu
“The West should really understand that Africans do not really need
aid, what they need and deserve is trade as a means of overcoming their
current problems. Africans could be suffering from AIDS , tuberculoses and
malaria, but they are also sick and tired of aid.”
- Bono on Equitable Trade
“One unappreciated tragedy that attests to the wasted talents of its peoples
is that Africans tend to do well all around the world except in Africa. This
is seen by the large number of prosperous, professional and skilled African
families throughout Europe and the United States. Back home, these same
people would be hamstrung by their corrupt governments.
The worst thing that can be done is to give more foreign aid to African
nations. Foreign aid goes from government to government. Foreign aid allows
Africa's corrupt regimes to buy military equipment, pay off cronies and
continue to oppress their people. It also provides resources for its leaders
to set up "retirement" accounts in Swiss banks.
What Africa needs, foreign aid cannot deliver, and that's elimination of
dictators and socialist regimes, establishment of political and economic
freedom, rule of law and respect for individual rights. Until that happens,
despite billions of dollars of foreign aid, Africa will remain a basket
case.”
-Dr. Walter Williams of George Mason University
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SPAIN ISLANDS SEEK EU HELP ON
AFRICAN MIGRANTS
BRUSSELS, Belgium (Reuters) -- Spain's Canary Islands asked the
European Union on Thursday for more help to tackle a sharp rise in illegal
migration, including dealing with child migrants and development assistance
for the islands' African neighbors.
More than 9,500 immigrants have arrived at the islands by boat this year,
double the number last year.
The president of the Canaries, Adan Martin Menis, said during a visit to
Brussels that he wanted the EU to invest more in developing the economies of
its African neighbors.
Experts from the European Commission, the Canaries and Spain will meet this
month to see how much EU development money could be used for such projects,
EU Development Commissioner Louis Michel said after meeting Menis.
"We have asked for help to see how to solve the problem of the minors,"
Menis told a news conference, saying about 400 children had arrived
recently.
He said he needed help to train these children so they could contribute to
developing their country when they went back.
More and more children were arriving illegally on the Canaries, and Spanish
legislation obliges the authorities to take them in charge, an EU official
said.
The EU cannot spend aid funds on training in Spain, but can help towards
returning such children or with providing more training programs in African
countries to prevent them from wanting to leave, the official added.
ANALYSIS: Last year 2005, Alpha Oumar
Konare the current President of African Union Commission have question the
treatment of hundreds of African migrants on the letter written to the
governments of the both countries Spain and Morocco. In the letter, he was
worried that the rights of the migrants were violated. As result of the
incident that took place as some Africans were trying to cross into Spain
via Morocco illegally.
Shorts were fired at African migrants and eleven were killed, fifty wounded
as they tried to overcome the razor-wire fences within Melilla and Ceuta,
enclaves on Morocco coast and only entrance on African soil into Spain and
Europe.
Konare, also wrote letters to British Prime Minister Tony Blair and United
Nation Secretary General Kofi Annan, according to Adam Thiam AU spokesman.
“President Konare does not believe that the rights of African migrants to
Europe is properly handled. He believes that an international conference
should be held in which all issues concerning African migrants should be
discussed” as the letter said according to Thiam.
Spain is revisiting and restoring the 1992 accord with Morocco which allow
the return of illegal migrants to Morocco, the nationalities of the migrants
notwithstanding.
African countries have to improve their economies and provide employments
to their youths. This is the panacea to the problem of the illegal migrant
workers to Europe. The best possible means European Union can help is to
encourage transparency and free enterprise in Africa and repatriate ill-gotten wealth deposited in their banks by the corrupt leaders.
ENVOY DEFENDS CHINA AND
AFRICA GROWING RELATIONSHIP
6/4/06
Africa has rich resources and market potentials, whereas China has
available effective practices and practical know-how it has gained in the
course of modernization
- Chinese President Hu
China, the world's fastest growing economy and most populous nation, is
quickly and effectively establishing a strategic relationship with Africa.
Recently, the charge d'affaires at China's South Africa embassy, Zhou Yuxiao
“vigorously defended his country's growing economic involvement in Africa,
including close trade links with Zimbabwe and Sudan.” On the later nations,
the envoy said that China has a policy of non-interference and the internal
political turmoil in those countries cannot halt ties.
The President of China, Mr. Hu recently embarked on official African tour
that took him to Nigeria, Kenya, Morocco and others. In Nigeria, the
President Hu addressed the joint National Assembly and called on greater
ties between Africa and China.
AFRICA ECONOMIC TIES WITH CHINA:
Seven co-operation agreements were signed by Nigeria and China during
President Hu 's visit.
China will buy a controlling stake in Nigeria's 110,000 barrel-a-day Kaduna
oil refinery
Build a railway system and power stations in Nigeria
China National Petroleum acquired right for oil exploration blocks - comprise two areas
in the oil-producing Niger Delta - one onshore and one in shallow water -
and two areas in the higher-risk inland Chad basin, where no oil is produced
at present.
Chinese state oil firm CNOOC completed a $2.3bn deal to buy a stake in a
Nigerian oil field.
Chinese companies constructed factories in Nigeria and more are planned for
a free trade zone in the south-east of the country
In Morocco and Kenya, President Hu signed a number of trade deals mostly on
energy related and raw materials.
In many parts of Africa, there are influx of Chinese investments in small
businesses and factories.
NIGERIA TO PAY OFF $2.15 BILLION DEBT TO LONDON CLUB
The federal government of Nigeria is to embark on the paying off
the last batch of outstanding debts owed to the London Club amounting to
$2.15 billion.
The President of Nigeria, Mr. Obasanjo in the letter to the Senate President
dated May 24, 2006 said “With the successful conclusion of the Paris Club
debt deal, I wish to intimate you that we have now turned our attention to
the London Club category of debts, made up of Promissory Notes, Par Bonds,
and associated Oil Warrants.
“As these categories of debts are traded in the international markets,
possessing different characteristics from Paris Club debts, a different
approach is being adopted for their treatment. This is likely to take the
form of a market-based transaction that will confer optimal financial and
economic benefit to the country.”
“We have invited proposals from reputable financial advisory services firms
which will be competitively assessed to help us determine our strategic
options. I will revert to the Senate as appropriate and will count on your
support.”
ANALYSIS: AFRIPOL financial experts
are working on a WHITE PAPER on how to avoid enormous foreign debts
among African nations, below are the salient points.
HOW TO AVOID ENORMOUS FOREIGN DEBT :
STABILIZE THE NATION’S FINANCIAL AND ECONOMIC HOUSE: Balance the budget.
Implement timely and appropriate budget. Avoid budget deficit by
spending within nation’s means, so to avoid un necessary borrowing and check
corruption.
SET UP NATIONAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON BORROWING AND DEBT MANAGEMENT:
This body will comprise of individuals and experts from the office of the
Presidency, legislature and from the public. They will instituted
transparency and probity policy to check mismanagement. Broaden deliberations on borrowing and
debt management to involve tax paying citizens.
HIRE TOP NOTCH NEGOTIATORS: Financial, economic and legal experts to
negotiate on behalf of nation seeking foreign loans. The experts can
favorably negotiate for reasonable interest rates and duration on the
maturity of the loans.
BORROWING/DEBT LEGISLATION: The legislatures will enact a law, that
will be a deterrent to unnecessary and excessive foreign borrowing.
RAISE FUNDS INTERNALLY: Domestic borrowing by the government will be
promoted by the issue of bonds and increase of revenue through fiscal and
monetary policies.
NIGERIA URGES AFRICAN UNION TO RATIFY
NUCLEAR TREATY
Nigeria have appealed to African Union (AU) members to ratify
nuclear treaty which is to halt proliferation of nuclear weapons in Africa
in particular and the world in general.
For the ratification to stand, 28 of 53 members AU are needed to deposit
instruments of ratification of the treaty but only 20 members have done so.
Speaking to AU Peace and Security Council, the Nigerian foreign minister
said, "The African Nuclear Weapons Free Zone Treaty which was adopted in
1996, has not received the required number of ratification by member states
to come into force ... It is embarrassing that African states who should
have been at the forefront to enforce the treaty have failed to ratify it."
The treaty supports civilian use of nuclear energy and technology for
peaceful purposes like electricity consumption. But bans research into
nuclear explosive devices, prohibits dumping of radioactive wastes and other
radioactive mater.
HOME
Nigerians in US reject CNN report
Geoffrey Ekenna
Nigerians in North America have rejected a recent report by the Cable
Network News, claiming that 40 per cent of Nigerians in the United States of
America were criminals.
The Nigerians, operating under the All Nigerian-American Congress, said such
stereotyping of Nigerians did not reflect the true situation of Nigerians in
the US.
The group’s position on the documentary, “How to rob a bank”, was made known
in an e-mail sent to our correspondent on Thursday.
The mail, jointly signed by the ANAC’s Chairman, Information and Public
Affairs, Mr Paul Oranika, and President, Chief Temitope Ajayi, described the
report as false and typical of biased reporting of African issues by the
western media.
The group’s position was reached at a national tele-conference organised by
ANAC soon after the programe was aired between May 20 and 21.
It regretted that the western media refused to see anything good in
Africans, but would look for ways to portray them in bad light.
The group said, “ Historically, the western news media focus on negative
news when it comes to news coverage of Africa and its people. Such issues as
war, famine, hunger, genocide, natural disaster, disease, fraud and
mismanagement remain the sole focus of news coverage of Africa and its
people.
“What is baffling is that the African community in North America has been
content in allowing the western media to define them to the world through
these negative news reports.
“In addition African embassies and consulates have failed to take leadership
position in challenging some of the false and negative coverage given to
Africa and its people.”
Courtesy of The PUNCH, Friday, June 02, 2006
HOME
What is African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM)
?
FLAG:
African Union
THE APRM ACTION PLAN
The African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) was launched in 2001 by African
Union and became operational in 2004, as part of the NEPAD initiatives.
Several topics are reviewed under APRM: Democracy and political
governance, Economic governance and management, Corporate governance, and
Socio-economic development. To date, about half of the African countries
have joined the APRM.
The APRM plans to undertake four types of reviews: (i) a base review,
carried out within 18 months after a country becomes a member of the APRM;
(ii) a periodic review held every 2 to 4 years to monitor progress in the
country performance; (iii) a review requested by a member country, for its
own reasons; and (iv) a review that may be undertaken on early signs of
impending political or economic crisis in a member country, and which can be
called for by participating Heads of State and Government in a spirit of
helpfulness to the Government concerned.
KEY STAGES IN THE APRM PROCESS
The process is designed to comprise five steps:
Stage 1: Country self assessments and preparation of background
materials, which are preceded by the Support Missions;
Stage 2: Country Visit and Review by the APR Panel and partner
Institutions;
Stage 3: Preparation of Report on Country;
Stage 4: Submission of Report to the APR Forum;
Stage 5: Submission of Country Report to key regional and
sub-regional Structures.
Source: African Development Bank
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PERSON OF THE WEEK : BONO
05/26/05
For his activism on
behalf of the less privilege of the world and steadfast struggle to
alleviate quality of life in developing countries especially in Africa. The
Management and Staff of Afripol chose Bono of U2 as the PERSON OF
THE WEEK. Currently, he is on a 10-day tour to African countries
including Nigeria, Ghana, Mali and others.
Speaking to African finance ministers in Abuja, Nigeria he asked them to
make effort to show “more transparency, not more bribes.”
Asking Western nations (G8) to keep their promises of debt relief, curable
disease eradication and education improvement, Bono said , “We make promises
that we fail to keep. That is our corruption” thus referring to inadequate
AIDS funding. In Mali, Bono who is the front man for musical group U2,
jammed with the local musicians.
BRITAIN CRITICIZED AND ASKED TO REFUND $3
BILLION TO NIGERIA BY BISHOP TUTU AND OTHERS ... BRITAIN REFUSED
Archbishop
Desmond Tutu of South Africa
United Kingdom has declined the request of Archbishop Desmond Tutu and and
development charities including The Jubilee Debt Campaign to return the
share of her debt payment to Nigeria. Britain was criticized for accepting
the payment from developing country Nigeria.
To finalize the debt payment deal, Nigeria made the total payment of $12.4
Billions to Paris Club and Britain the largest creditor received $3Billion.
“The British government has drawn sharp criticism from development charities
for taking a debt repayment from Nigeria which dwarfs the UK's entire annual
aid budget for the African continent.”
“Charity Jubilee Debt Campaign says the payments mean the G7 will receive
more in six months from Nigeria than the 2005 Gleneagles G8 deal will
provide to poor countries in a decade. The G8 is the G7 plus Russia. Trisha
Rogers, Jubilee's director, said: "It is obscene for G7 countries to take
billions of dollars from one of the poorest countries on earth. In
particular this means the UK will take from Nigeria almost exactly twice as
much as it is giving in aid to the whole of Africa in 2005."
In his letter dated 27 January, Tutu said: "While it is to be welcomed that
much of the debt has been wiped off the books, it is unacceptable that 40
per cent ($12.4 billion) must be paid in a one-off payment.
"For rich creditors to be claiming such a vast amount of Nigeria's savings
at this time smacks of a meanness of spirit which stands in stark contrast
with so many of the sentiments expressed in 2005.”
Prime Minister Tony Blair replied that Britain will keep the debt payment
and will not refund any money to Nigeria.
ANALYSIS: It's perplexing to comprehend,
on why Britain and Prime Minister Tony Blair refused to adhere to the appeal
from eminent personalities of Desmond Tutu and Trisha Rogers caliber.
Prime Minister Tony Blair has good credentials on Africa. He highlighted
Africa in his leadership of G8 in 2005 and said that Africa's plight was "a
scar on the conscience of the world."
He also championed the cause of Africa with the formation of the Commission
for Africa. During his leadership of G8 he recommended massive aid and debt
remission for Africa.
Africa is a continent beset with dire problems - Diseases, wars and
instability are ravaging the continent. The least thing Africa needed is enormous capital flight. Every penny is needed to curb the problems and
alleviate quality of life in the most populous nation in Africa.
Britain and Blair understood Africa's political landscape and in deed
Nigeria, particularly its sociological-economic needs more than the rest of the G8
and Paris Club members.
Leadership requires setting the pace and Britain must lead by example.
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CAMEROON :
COMPLETION POINT OF HIPC-I NO PANACEA TO ECONOMIC WOES CAUTIONS PRESIDENT
BIYA.
The African country of Cameroon has
reached the Completion Point of the Heavily Indebted Poor Country
Initiative, HIPC-I that makes the country eligible for debt forgiveness by
IMF. This was achieved by implementation of stringent economic reforms
prescribed and monitored by IMF.
President Paul Biya thanked the people for putting up with the austerity
measures and reminded them that the completion points will not be the
panacea to all the Cameroonian economic problems.
Cameroon according to President Biya will be entitled to the “relieved of a
reasonable chunk of its external debts as a respite for the country’s
economy.”
He promised that windfall from the debt relief will be utilized for poverty
amelioration and his administration will make sure that it does not end up
in the private pockets. Another three years economic memorandum signed with
IMF, Biya said, under the canopy of Poverty Reduction will monitor the
relief fund spending in order to ensure fairness and transparency.
Cameroon
Cameroon:
Alleviation through the HIPC Initiative.
Cameroon is a country with a current debt problem. The country is not able
to pay back its foreign obligations from its export proceeds. Cameroon’s
debt has shot up, particularly since the second half of the 1980s. Within
eight years the debt was more than doubled. By the year 2000, Cameroon’s debt
(net present value) went from 7.9 billion US dollars (1998) to 9.5 billion
US dollars. Debt conversion measures were undertaken more than once, but
these had only temporary positive effects. Every reduction in debt was
followed by a sharp incline.
On the Initiative of the IMF and the World Bank, the global lending
community decided on a debt alleviation program for the poorest indebted
countries aptly named the HIPC Initiative: Heavily Indebted Poor Countries
Initiative . Not until the admission criteria for the initiative were
extended at the G-8 Economic Summit 1999 in Cologne was it possible for
Cameroon to enter the ranks of favored countries. Under the original
criteria, Cameroon was considered a country with a »sustainable« debt. On
the 18th of September 2000, Cameroon reached the so-called »decision point«
and was thus qualified for debt relief. Now Cameroon can concentrate on the
development and implementation of a poverty reduction strategy.
Within the framework of the HIPC Initiative, only so-called
Pre-Cut-off-Date-Debt is remitted. This is the debt owed before a country
first started debt conversion negotiations with the Paris Club. As the
percent of this debt is relatively large in Cameroon, the expected debt
relief is accordingly high. The World Bank estimates an annual exoneration
of 100 million US dollars between 2000/1 and 2003. If Cameroon reaches the
so-called completion point during this period (the point at which all
preconditions have been met and the debt relief begins), the exoneration
increases to 150 million US dollars annually between 2003 and 2009. This
would reduce the cash value of Cameroon's remaining debt from 6.4 million US
dollars to 4.9 million US dollars. If this is a sufficient debt alleviation
for a far-reaching poverty reduction in the education and health sectors
between 2000 and 2010 is questionable.
Source: BMZ (2001): Taking Stock of the HIPC Initiative
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NIGERIA’S SENATE REJECTS 3RD TERM ... PRESIDENT OBASANJO ACCEPTS DEFEAT.
05/16/06
It is a victory for democracy
- President Obasanjo
Nigeria’s House of Senate rejected a bill that proposed the
elongation of the presidential tenure and an amendment to the constitution
that would have allowed President Obasanjo to seek for a third term.
The proposed amendment needed to pass by a two-thirds margin in Nigeria's
federal and state assemblies. Tuesday's floor vote in the capital, Abuja,
rejected the proposal by Obasanjo's supporters.
"Today Nigerians have spoken and they have defeated resoundingly the monster
called third term," said Sule Yari-Gandi, an opposition legislator.
President Obasanjo speaking at an emergency meeting of the National
Executive Council of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) criticized those
who made "derogative remarks and statements and unfounded allegations" about
him and his "position on the so-called third term at the National Assembly
and in the media."
President Obasanjo in his speech at the meeting in which Vice President
Atiku Abubakar was absent said: "When the National Chairman of our party,
People’s Democratic Party (PDP), decided to call the emergency meeting of
the National Executive Committee (NEC), I decided to alter my long-standing
programme to be able to address you and, through you, members of our great
party and, of course, by extension, the nation."
"The National Assembly as the constitutional and legitimate body for making
laws for this country including the supreme law of the land - the
Constitution - has just concluded as it deemed fit, especially the Senate,
the exercise on the amendment to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of
Nigeria. The outcome is victory for democracy. There is no absolute right
and absolute truth except God. And in any argument or debate, there is bound
to be an element of right and wrong or truth and untruth on either side. And
we must respect each other no matter the human verdict and human foibles.
Respect, of course, begets respect."
"At the last NEC meeting, our party took a position as a major stakeholder
in the constitution amendment debate, as normal in a democracy. And again,
as a democratic party, it did not impose its decision on its members in this
respect; no matter what office they hold. Members were allowed to discuss
freely and to act or vote according to the dictate of their conscience. That
is democracy at work. And it must be hailed in spite of alleged
imperfections."
"Many derogatory statements and unfounded allegations have been made about
me and my position concerning the so-called third term in the National
Assembly and in the media which are false, incorrect and uncalled for. Of
course, that is part of burden of leadership in our own type of society.
However, I believe that in all situations, decorum must be maintained and
different arms of government must perform their functions with mutual
respect and dignity."
"Just as the National Assembly and the distinguished and honourable members
should be respected, they too must learn to respect others and other
institutions. Tolerance is a mark of maturity."
"Throughout the period, I resisted the invitation to be drawn on either side
and I maintained studied silence. I was maligned, insulted and wrongly
accused but I remained where I am and what I am and I remained focused.
However, one thing is clear from the exercise, the constitution has been
operated and it stood the test of democracy.
There are some regrettable reports from all accounts that I received, and
that is the threat of, or actual use of blackmail, intimidation and violence
on both sides. Once debate and discourse are being substituted by
intimidation, blackmail, threats and violence, then democracy is in great
danger. I have also received allegations of bribery which EFCC is
investigating. Apart from these unsavory allegations, the exercise is
another process in the operation of our Constitution. The Constitution
should hopefully be strengthened by the process and the exercise that have
just been concluded. As a political Party, we should accept the verdict of
the National Assembly even though the two Chambers initially concluded
differently.
The Constitution must be held hallowed and sacred. And, on the basis of the
Constitution in hand, we must start to plan for the next elections."
"I have no doubt in my mind that the acrimony, threats and media excesses
that accompanied the constitution amendment exercise, must have created or
deepened conflicts and divisions within our Party. As a matter of urgency,
Mr. Chairman and members of NEC, I believe that we must embark on
fence-mending, soothing of relationships, closing gaps and reconciling and
ensuring inclusion wherever possible. Setting up a team of three eminent men
and women of great maturity and integrity to carry out the exercise in each
zone with the Zonal Vice-Chairman accompanying may be the way to deal with
the issues expeditiously within the next two weeks."
"Again, I want to congratulate the proponents and the opponents in our party
of the constitution amendment exercise that the National Assembly has just
concluded. As a party, we should put the issue behind us, heal the wound of
acrimony and together march forward. Once again, it was democracy at work
and it was victory for democracy. And all Nigerian democrats are winners."
"At this juncture, I want to reiterate that as the leader of this great
party, I will continue to defend the Constitution and protect democracy. My
track record speaks for itself in this regard and having been a victim of a
ruthless undemocratic regime, I cannot be anything but a guardian of
democracy. Under no excuse or guise should democracy and its practice be
supplanted with any substitution whatsoever."
"Let me, at this juncture, commend and thank our loyal members and
supporters who have committed entrusted the running of the affairs of this
country to our great Party, the PDP.
As a political party, we have performed and we will continue to perform.
Nigerians know us and they have trusted us and they can continue to trust
us. We will not betray their trust. I personally, once again, thank our
party loyalists and our Nigerian supporters for the confidence reposed in
me. Let me also assure you and let me assure Nigerians that the PDP will
continue to be well led. Let me, in a special way, commend the National
Chairman of our Party and his team for their hard work, loyalty and
commitment and Chairman of Board of Trustees and his team of loyal and
steadfast trustees for same. I will not leave out, of course, our foot
soldiers at the state, local government and ward levels for appreciation and
commendation. They have done us proud. We must never give way to detractors,
predators, dividers, and destroyers. We must remain strong.
As democrats, we must move ahead to put our houses at every level in order
so as to prepare us to focus on continuously repositioning Nigeria for
unity, security, stability, democracy, transparency, accountability,
economic development and growth and good governance in its broadest sense
and a place in the global division of labour and decision-making. No
God-fearing human being should consider fellow human beings as expendable to
achieve political position and office or any position for that matter. Let
us, together, stand tough and tall as the glorious future beckons to us. We
cannot afford another misstep. God forbid.
May God bless you. May God bless our great party. May God continue to bless
Nigeria. Forward ever."
PFIZER FAULTS
FOR ILLEGAL TRIAL OF UNREGISTERED DRUG ON NIGERIAN CHILDREN.
I think it borders on the criminal that the large
pharmaceutical companies, both here and in Europe, are using these poor,
illiterate and uninformed people as guinea pigs
-Rep. Tom Lantos of California, (D) on International
Relations Committee
The world’s biggest drug company Pfizer Inc was faulted for 1996
clinical trial of its drug Trovan on nearly 100 Nigerian children and
infants in Kano
Hospital without obtaining authorization from Nigerian government.
A panel of Nigerian medical experts setup by then minister of Health, Dr.
Tim Menakaya concluded in the unreleased report that Pfizer violated
international law by testing an illegal and unapproved drug on children with
deadly strain of meningitis. After being treated with the drugs, five
children died while others displayed symptoms of arthritis.
Trovan was never approve by FDA for use in treating American children while
it was out rightly banned in Europe.
Executives at Pfizer, issued a two-page statement:
"The Nigerian government has neither contacted Pfizer about any of the
committee's findings nor are we aware that the committee has approved a
final report. Therefore it would be inappropriate for the company to respond
to specific points in the document.
"However, as we have stated repeatedly over the past several years, Pfizer
conducted this trial with the full knowledge of the Nigerian government and
in a responsible way consistent with Nigerian law and Pfizer's abiding
commitment to patient safety."
The blue-ribbon panel recommended for government to “sanction
appropriately” and for Pfizer to tender “an unreserved apology to the
government and people of Nigeria.”
Dora Akunyili, Director of Nigerian drug regulatory agency, concluded that
Pfizer have no authority to conduct the clinical trial and said that
confidentiality of the report is unnecessary .
LIBYA OUT OF DIPLOMATIC
ISOLATION: USA RESTORES DIPLOMATIC TIES.
United States of America has re-established full diplomatic
relationship with Libya, the northern African country led by Colonel Muammar
Gaddafi.
Libya is a member of the new African Union and Gaddafi is among the founding
leaders.
US Secretary of State Dr. Condoleezza Rice, during the announcement said
that Libya would be removed from the United States ' list of state sponsors
of terrorism. This ends over 20years isolation of Libya.
She stressed that "in recognition of Libya's continued commitment to its
renunciation of terrorism" and its "excellent co-operation" in the US-led
war on terror.
"An important step towards strengthening and promoting bilateral relations
in all fields for the interests of both countries and for strengthening
international peace and stability" - was added by official statement by the
state department.
Libya
Gaddafi
1980: US ends
diplomatic ties with Libya
1986: Libya blamed for killing US troops in Berlin disco bomb
1986: US jets bomb Libyan capital and military bases
1988: Pan Am jet explodes over Lockerbie; Libya blamed
1999: Libya hands over Lockerbie bomb suspects
2003: Libya says it will give up WMDs and long-range missiles
2006: US says it will restore full diplomatic ties with Libya
PERSON OF THE WEEK: ROBERT B. ZOELLICK
United States Deputy
Secretary of State Robert B. Zoellick, played a significant role in
bringing the government of Sudan and the rebels to sign the peace deal for
the conflict at Darfur region. The intense negotiations in the Nigerian
capital, Abuja under the watchful eye of Mr. Zoellick for three days and
nights was a break through, which he said was “an opportunity for peace.”
A point man for President Bush administration on Sudan, he also diligently
guided another peace deal last year between the Muslim government in the
north and the southern Christians.
Therefore for his gallant stand for peace and stability in Sudan, the
Management and Staff of Afripol chose him for the PERSON OF THE WEEK.
PEACE DEAL FOR DARFUR BROKERED AT ABUJA
History was made at capital of Nigeria, Abuja
when a peace deal for Sudan’s Darfur region was made between the government
of Sudan and the
rebel groups. Yielding to pressure from international community the three
rebel groups accepted to sign to the peace deal “with reservation.”
Darfur trouble started when armed rebels protested the treatment of Sudanese
Africans. The government is accused of reiterating by funding and organizing
counterinsurgency of the militia, known as the Janjaweed, which is an ethnic
Arab militia.
“More than 1.9 million people have been forced to flee their homes since the
conflict began, while war-induced hunger and disease have killed more than
180,000 people, according to United Nations estimates.” The government of
Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir has denied claims that his government has
backed the Janjaweed.
Mediators from AU, EU and US made great efforts to bring the warring
fractions to a peace table. Kofi Annan, the UN boss said that the parties
have to be compel “to seize the moment and make an agreement, a real
agreement, that will stand the test of time on the ground.”
ANALYSIS: After second World war, with
all its atrocities and genocide, the world community proclaimed - NEVER
AGAIN.
Since then atrocities have not ceased including Rwanda genocide. Now it is
Darfur region in Sudan. The world community must seize this opportunity to
work together, to support the comprehensive implementation of the peace
deal. African Union the principal mediator is doing a good job, but needs
resources to continue with its work. The international community especially
US and EU can be of a great help by providing