Hoha! (Pointblank): The Talkingheads on the April Elections

"Our best and sincere contribution toward achieving successful and better Nigeria with the coming elections is by community awareness on the need to ensure peace, security and progress. I have read in newspapers people talking about constitutional roles for traditional rulers in the new Constitution. I’m telling you frankly that traditional rulers should be confined to their respective communities for peace and security and to take care of their communities. If it is enshrined in the Constitution that traditional rulers should be responsible for peace, security and progress in their communities, it will be a very good development."

-------Igwe Ezeoba Alex Nwokedi, Immediate past Chairman, Anambra State Council of Traditional rulers


"The Commonwealth is worried about violence. It will mar the elections to the extent that it takes place. I am, however, positive that violence will be contained before the elections. I grant that in those affected areas, it may affect the quality of elections but it may not affect the overall result of the election. I am concerned. I am apprehensive but I choose to believe that the level of violence will not affect the overall result of the elections...Unless Nigeria gets it right, everybody will be dismissive of black Africans."

-------Festus Mogae, former president of Botswana speaking to the press on the forthcoming elections.


“There was a time policy makers told us there will be education for all by the year 2000, housing for in the year 2000, health for all in the year 2000 and all that. This is 2011 how much of that in terms of percentage can we give to the promises...We have been taken one step forward, two steps backward and that is precisely what we are talking about. And if must stop this then we must tackle corruption, upgrade our education and health services."

-------Cletus Emein, Retired Brigadier-General and former Niger State Gorvenor, urging One time military Governor of Niger State, Cletus Emein, has urged Nigerians to keep a check list of all the promises made by political office seekers in the run up to next month’s elections to hold them (politicians) accountable when they get into office.


"I have a better pedigree than any candidate in my constituency. And the people know that because they are wise, they know the person that is a grassroots person, we are not talking of someone, who does not know anything about the constituency. I know that given what is on ground today, I am sure that victory is certain for the Labour Party. I am only appealing to our people to ensure that they vote and protect their votes. They should stand at the polling centre and ensure that no one tampers with their votes."

-------Dapo Durosinmi-Etti, Senatoril Candidate of Labor Party in Lagos Central Senatorial District, when asked about contesting in same zone with Mrs' Oluremi Tinubu, wife of former Lagos State Governor, Bola Tinubu

Hoha! (Pointblank): Show People

"It feels really good to get the OBE but I dropped it on the floor. So that was a bit embarrassing. I'm just glad I didn't trip over."..."I feel really, really privileged to be here, especially as there are so many people who have done amazing things here. My Winnie Mandela part was my favourite ever I think. A character like her is such an iconic character and she has all the ingredients; you get the chance to play the whole gamut of emotions."

-------Actress and Academy Award nominee, Sophie Okonedo on dropping the OBE Medal on the feet of Prince Charles of Wales during the award ceremony.


"The Department of Justice and the Securities and Exchange Commission investigated that joint venture extensively and found no suggestion of any impropriety by Dick Cheney in his role of CEO of Halliburton."... "U.S. regulators collected $1.28 billion in penalties and criminal fines in the Bonny Island case after settling charges of violating the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, a 1977 law that bans the bribery of foreign officials to obtain business."

-------The Wall Street Journal reports on "Nigeria drops bribery charges against Cheney, Haliburton.
Cheney's cartoon by Cox & Forkum


“I have travelled far and wide, but I'm proud to tell you that no country can match our rich culture in Nigeria. The natural resources like good locations are already there for us, so it is left to maximise the privilege,”...“I can't shoot a low budget film because it will underrate my status. I learnt that some people shoot for as low as N300,000 or there about in Nigeria, but I can tell you that such film cannot go anywhere internationally. The international market is my target, so I have to put things in the right perspectives to achieve that conveniently. All I want now is good indigenous script.”...

-------Nollywood filmmaker Ademola Olanibi on why he 'can't shoot a low budget film.'

Hoha! (Pointblank): Talking Heads on a troubled Nigeria

"I think you can recognise my voice; I am in my office in Agbeloba. I thank you for taking the trouble to find out. Thank you very much. I also heard that I am dead but there is nothing wrong with me; I can assure you of that" “I dey kampe. This morning I went to do community work at Pakoto near Ifo. I have since returned to Abeokuta and have attended a meeting on the (Presidential) library,”


-------Former president Olusegun Obasanjo on circulated text message that said he had been shot dead:

"Breaking News: Former President of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo has been assassinated in his home town in Ogun state by unknown gun men. He was confirmed dead at the General Hospital Ota, Ogun State few hours after his convoy was ambushed".



"I am calling on South-south governors to unite for Goodluck Jonathan since charity begins at home and because their rallying behind Goodluck Jonathan will create the required impetus necessary to strengthen the resolve of Northern governors to also support Goodluck. Such support is bound to reverberate among Eastern and Western governors and by extension, the whole country. Most especially, the PDP need to unite in this purpose so that we can use this party to usher in the wind of change in this country and steer this country towards another direction, a direction that tally with the will of God."

-------Gabriel Pidomson, former member of the Rivers state House of Assembly and Secretary to the Government of Rivers State during the administration of Celestine Omehia, speaking on zoning and the presidency of Nigeria.

Hoha! (Pointblank): The Talkingheads on South Africa 2010

"I'm more of a realist. I don't think it will happen in 2010, but it will be something special if an African nation can win it because it's on the continent. I think if it was somewhere in west Africa, with the heat, then you could have said an African nation could win. But in South Africa it will be winter, so it will be more in the favour of the Europeans."

-------Steven Pienaar, South Africa/Everton midfielder predicting with certainty no African team will win the World Cup that begins next month when asked if he thought an African team could win the World Cup


"I think we can go far. Why not? First, it is imperative to go through the group stage. We need to concentrate on this target. We have three matches. First we need a win, and then a draw. This can send us through. Seriously, I think we will go through the group stage. Afterwards, I don't know how far we can progress."

-------Kafoumba Coulibay, OGC Nice/Ivory Coast midfielder when asked by Goal.com on how far he thought Ivory Coast will progress in the World Cup.



"The beautiful game in High Definition is truly a remarkable thing to see. Any football enthusiast will tell you the difference between standard definition and HD is night and day. World Cup 2006 was the first to be shown in HD, but it was rare. It was far less common for someone to own an HD television than it is now as they were more expensive and people had yet to see a need. HD programming was not yet easily available to everyone, let alone on ESPN. It was more common on the networks, which is why World Cup 2006 games being seen in HD were mostly on ABC . HD was still in the beginning stages just four years ago."

-------Jake Islas, European Premier League (EPL) Talk podcaster on one of his five reasons why South Africa 2010 World Cup will be the best tournament.


Ever since we first bid for the World Cup, this is a road we have travelled. There have been doomsayers, but we have so far proved those people wrong and we will prove them wrong again.
From the moment Nelson Mandela walked out of prison, this country was written off. But we have struggled hard. You cannot determine your lives by having people say, 'You cannot do this'. Because if we were to have taken that position, I would still be living under apartheid. There is only mild hyperbole in this invoking of history. The World Cup is a massive chapter in the development of the democratic South Africa, an event of infinitely greater significance to its hosts than to Germany in 2006 or to France in 1998. And it will continue to have its doomsayers, but you can only hope that in 49 days they are wrong."

-------Danny Jordaan, Chief Executive of South Africa 2010 on the critics and his organizing committee about the World Cup.

Hoha! (Pointblank): The Talking Heads Speak Their Minds

“what we want in the post-Yar’Adua presidency is a Northerner, who will keep to the zoning arrangement of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and in 2015, the people of the South-South will produce the president. We don’t want somebody who will come and before you know it, uses the power of incumbency to destroy the arrangement and plunge this country into a political crisis of an unimaginable magnitude.”

-------Former military junta Ibrahim Babangida's camp on the former dictator's consultation of ex-military junta Olusegun Obasanjo and the schedule to meet Southern leaders in Babangida's quest for the 2011 Presidential election


"Some close friends and associates of President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua reportedly sighted him on Tuesday. On Thursday, four Muslim clerics also saw him in the presence of his wife and security aide and they had a prayer session with him. I don't have a problem with this, I grant a benefit of the doubt, assuming the clerics are willing and ready to lay their hands on the Holy Quoran and swear that indeed the man they saw and who sat down and could not utter a word, but was strong enough to raise his hands in prayer was President Umaru Yar'Adua. However, there are questions to be asked. Are these persons who have been given the special privilege of selective sighting of the President more important than other Nigerians? If the President is strong enough and can shake hands, the more dignified approach would have been to put him on national television and have him smile and wave at us. Given the amount of emotion that Nigerians have expended on the matter of his ill-health and invisibility, we would be satisfied to know that he is still alive, first, before other posers are raised. Besides, he is receiving medical treatment and has been on a protracted leave at the taxpayer's expense. Are the privileged ones who have been allowed to see the President more important than his mother who was reportedly prevented from seeing him? Surely, if he is strong enough to receive visitors as they claim, his mother should be more than happy to see him recuperating. Are the privileged visitors who are now advertising their access to the unseen President Yar'Adua as if it were a status symbol, also more important than Acting President Jonathan who now calls the shots in the Presidency but who has not been allowed to exercise control over the Presidential Villa by President Yar'Adua's very powerful handlers?"

-------Reuben Abati of President Umaru Yar'Adua marginalizing the country and the recent sensationalism on claims of muslim clerics paying homage to Yar'Adua in his Sunday column of the Guardian Newspapers.


"The present confusion in Jos and the Niger Delta are manifestations of the border game; because there are places where indigenes are the poorest in the country, in lands which are amongst the most fertile or resourceful, and therefore attract the poor from everywhere else. It sets up the poor indigene against the poor non-indigene, each side patronised by the rich indigene and the rich non-indigene. Neither side is wrong because one side says, we want our customary rights, the right of the citizens; the other side says, we want our citizens’ democratic rights, we are Nigerians, we have the right to stay anywhere in Nigeria. Both sides are right. The problem is, we have decided to play the game by two sets of rules which contradict one another, one which is the right of the indigenes and the other the rights of the Nigerian citizen. You can’t have both. I always tell those who say the problem is leadership that the problem is bigger. Any leadership you put in charge will not be able to play the game by both rules. You have to change the rules. It’s a larger problem. Societies usually get an opportunity to change the rules after a big crisis. The Americans changed the rules after the civil war."

-------Columbia University Professor, Mahmood Mamdani in an interview with The News on Odia Ofeimun's 60th birthday ceremomy


"For now, I’m not thinking about going into coaching now, but I can still do some other things that are related to football. It’s not like I don’t have interest in coaching, I think it’s too early for me to go into coaching now because I might not be able to handle the pressure coaches go through all the time. I was always under pressure during my football career and to add more pressure by becoming a coach now could be suicidal. I think my family still needs me alive...We learn everyday, and the truth in life is that nothing is impossible. I can’t rule out coaching entirely, but I’m not looking forward to it now? So now, I can give no for an answer, but I might change my mind tomorrow..."

-------International soccer superstar Austen "Jay Jay" Okocha on being a coach in an interview with Sun News Online

Hoha! (Pointblank): The Talkingheads on the Jos Mayhem, and Extra Judicial Killings

"We continue to urge all parties to exercise restraint...the Nigerian government should make sure the perpetrators are brought to justice...the Nigerian government should ensure that the perpetrators of acts of violence are brought to justice under the rule of law and that human rights are respected as order is restored."

-------Secretary of State Hilary Clinton on the carnage in Jos


"The federal government of Nigeria is not insensitive to allegations of torture and extra-judicial killings by few officers of our security agencies. That is why this administration is moving swiftly and aggressively to investigate and, where necessary, punish perpetrators...I have had a preview of the policy and I am pleased that the draft policy affirms the commitment of the federal government of Nigeria to criminalize all forms of torture including extra judicial killings... I have already clarified the terms of reference of the National Committee on Torture and I have asked that the committee immediately puts administrative and logistic measures in place to enable it begin to receive and investigate communications from Nigerians on cases of torture and extra-judicial executions...For emphasis, the committee will investigate reports from the National Human Rights Commission and local and international human rights NGOS. The documentary of Al-Jazeera and the reports of Amnesty International are relevant materials in these regards...Ultimately, we realize that these interventions will only be sustainable when we adopt a holistic view of our criminal justice system and of the reforms required. The process of reforms is ongoing...A democracy as resilient as ours must reject the false choice between our security and fundamental freedoms and this is why we cannot tolerate impunity disguised under the cloak of security or any other guise..."

--------Attorney General and Minister of Justice Adetokunbo Kayode on extra judicial killings in a troubled Nigeria.

Adetokumbo Kayode's photo courtesy of NEXT

Hoha! (Pointblank): On Yar'Adua's Return and the Affairs of State

“He (Jonathan) cannot go back to Vice President until the National Assembly reverses their resolution that made him Acting President, which was even supported by the Federal Executive Council and more importantly by most Nigerians.”

-------Information Minister Dora Akunyili on Goodluck Jonathan continuing to be Acting President until resolved by a National Assembly resolution.


"The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Prince Vincent Eze Ogbulafor, OFR, on behalf of the National Working Committee warmly welcomes the President, Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, GCFR, back to Nigeria from his medical leave. The safe arrival of Mr. President from his sojourn in Saudi Arabia is a testimony to the fact that the prayers of all Nigerians for his quick recovery have been answered. We, therefore, rejoice with our fellow citizens for this unique favour done to us by the Almighty God."

-------PDP's statement on Yar'Adua's return.


“Personnaly, l don’t belief Yar Adua has come back to Nigeria, if he has returned, he would have talked to the nation via aTV. lf you want to convince us that Yar Adua is in Nigeria, let him talk to the the press."

-------Ekiti State former governor Ayodele Fayose speaking to the press, doubting the arrival of Yar'Adua after declaring for the Labour Party.

Hoha! (Pointblank): Hear the Talkingheads

"The theme of this meeting is a crucial one for our country. Nigeria is currently going through a series of trials but most urgent are the abject poverty facing the country's citizens and the weak state of our societal sector, particularly the education and health sectors...The Nigerian government no matter how noble its intentions cannot address these challenges on its own...in fact, in all developed countries, the implementation of social projects is never the sole responsibility of government...I retired from the service early at 41 years because I got to the top early. I started shipping business and became reasonably rich...Twelve years ago I was allocated an oil block by the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha near Sao Tome and Nigeria. We discovered a lot of oil...It was at this junction I decided to establish a foundation which I have committed $100m to..."

-------Bloodthirsty cannibal Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma on giving away his loot to charity.



WHEN on February 9, 2010, precisely 78 days after President Umaru Yar'Adua effectively abdicated his office, the Senate of the National Assembly passed a resolution mandating Vice President Goodluck Jonathan to act as president pending the return of his principal, it pleaded necessity as justification for the action. The plea seemed so unimpeachable that the House of Representatives immediately reversed its earlier rejection of a similar motion to align itself with the upper chamber. Even the Federal Executive Council directly charged with the task of salvaging the situation under Section 144 of the constitution but which, to its eternal shame, chose at every turn to pronounce the president fit for office also did the somersault...But while the National Assembly has contrived a temporary and unsavoury reprieve from our determined march towards anarchy, its action remains questionable even by those who called loudly for that very outcome. Their position is best represented by the Action Congress party and ex-Representative Farouk Aliyu Adamu who has filed a suit. Speaking through its publicity secretary, AC declared the resolution "illegal," being outside the ambit of Section 145 of the Constitution which spells out the mode and manner the vice president can become the Acting President. According to AC, far from rescuing the nation from the brink of disaster, the National Assembly had instead brought us "closer to the abyss." The party urged Jonathan to see his elevation as "nothing but a Greek Gift designed to do him in."

-------Ogaga Ifowodo on The Necessity of a Sovereign National Conference



“I have no problem with the NFF. After the pressure and tension of the competition, it is obvious one needs rest. My contract is clear. The team B of the Eagles is my idea and so it is no big deal...I have not even seen any letter yet from the NFF and I no longer read newspapers because the criticisms have been too much from all angles...Section 10 sub-section 2.6 of the Amodu, NFF contract states, 'He (the head coach) must be irrevocably committed to work with the Technical Adviser, in the event the NFF decides to engage one.' Also, Article 1.5 of the contract reads, “The national team(s) shall mean the senior male national team (A), the Super Eagles or other national representatives which shall be under the supervision of the head coach...The chairman of the technical committee, Chief Taiwo Ogunjobi, said recently that I was in charge and my contract also says so...Let me also state that the NFF is still implementing my programmes till date. I have already prepared a programme for the March 3 friendly with Paraguay. I am just human and it is difficult to understand why people descended on me and the team heavily after the Nations Cup despite winning a broze medal at the event...My contract is my bible and so far I am still conscious of not going anyway out of the agreement I had with the NFF.”

-------Coach Shaibu Amodu on him still being in charge of the Super Eagles.



“All my life, I’ve been a very private person. This is a new ball game for me, I must be honest. But because of the office I hold, as a goldfish, you have no hiding place. But like I tell my colleagues, the responsibility we need to show our people is how we have made their lives better. Whenever something like this award happens, what we say is; ‘the reward for hard work is more work.’ So, it raises the bar of expectation on us, but we see that bar of expectation not as a burden, rather, it is a vote of confidence in our ability to do it...We’ve stopped seeing problems in this government, we’re looking for solutions. Every criticism that we get invites us to a realisation that there’s an urgent need to do more...Even in the most prosperous economy, there are education issues, security issues, even of more complex nature than we have to deal with. These problems, as long as the human race remains, will task the minds, the skills, the intellect of leaders across the world. It’s a problem of humanity. But the upside to the report is that 140 cities were ranked across the world. In Nigeria, Lagos was the only city mentioned. So we see that as an upside...I wish to leave behind a Lagos that will be able to actualise its huge potentials, a safe home for all those who choose to make it home, a city-state that will retain its pre-eminent position in the country, in the sub-region, in the continent, and even globally. A city that will also be able to provide for all those who served her, when we’re no longer able to fend for ourselves.”

-------Lagos State Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola on receiving Sun News' Man of the Year Award.


“Sergeant-at-Arms, shut that door; I say shut that door, shut that door...A Bill for an Act to Prescribe Investment in Petroleum Refineries as a Condition for Licensing and Operation of Oil Producing Companies in Nigeria and other Matters Connected thereto 2010.”

-------Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Dimeji Bankole shutting out lawmakers over lateness.

Hoha! (Pointblank): The Talkingheads on Nigeria

"The failure of the Nigerian leadership over many years to respond to the legitimate needs of their own young people, to have a government that promoted a meritocracy, that really understood that democracy can't just be given lip service, it has to be delivering services to the people, has meant there is a lot of alienation in that country and others,"

-------Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton Speaking at a town hall meeting of State Department employees, Clinton said the Nigerian government has failed for years to address the legitimate needs of its people.


"The Obama administration appears to have a blind spot when it comes to the war on terrorism...When the Obama administration decided to treat Abdulmutallab as an ordinary criminal, it did so without the input of our nation's top intelligence officials...They would have explained the importance of gathering all possible intelligence about Yemen, where there is a serious threat from terrorists whose sights are trained on this nation... They would have explained the critical nature of learning all we could from Abdulmutallab. But they were never asked."

-------Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) that the Obama administration has a "blind spot" when it comes to fighting the war on terror in the weekly GOP Internet and Radio Address.



"Let me tell you something, Nigeria is just a funny entity. When the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo described Nigeria as a mere geographical expression, rather than a nation, the man knew very well what he was talking about. If we are a nation, we should be able to speak with one voice, we should be able to have a common destiny, our aspiration should be towards national goal and all our actions should reflect that national goal and national interest. But these days, everything that is anti-nationalism is what is pervading the political and socio-economic atmosphere of Nigeria. The ethnic agenda is taking the centre stage as against the national interest. Otherwise, why should Nigeria almost at 50 still be talking about federal character with a Commission created for it? Not only that, it went ahead to insert it in the Constitution to say every appointment and decision taken must have tribal and ethnic consideration at the expense of merit. Otherwise, why should we be talking about the President‘s inability to handover. Does it cost him anything? If we truly belong to the same nation, we should trust each other. There should not be what I will describe as mutual suspicion of each other. We have succeeded in promoting religious and tribal hegemony as against national interest. Otherwise, Ya‘Adua was aware of what he should do whenever he was going on vacation or on sabbatical according to the Constitution. The man knew very well the state of his precarious health condition and yet, he went ahead to stand for election. We knew what was happening to him during the campaign; he was collapsing. Then there was nothing Nigerians could do because the powers that be wanted him at all cost and here we are today."

-------Nigerian-based attorney, Fred Agbaje
in Punch's exclusive interview.


"The judiciary as the pivot on which our constitution deservedly stands is balancing the delicate concept of separation of powers as well as ensuring that the pure water underlying the aforesaid constitutional principles is not polluted has unequivocally spoken. The judicial voice must be respected without qualms by all. The ultimacy of the ruling firther lies in the fact that what seems to be an unending falsehood and shenanigans being paraded to Nigerians as truth about Yar'Adua's health by the People Democratic Party leaders and the jokers masquerading as ministers would stop fortwith by allowing constitutional sanity to have its way."

-------Lagos, Nigeria-based attorney Femi Falana disagreeing on Justice Dan Agbatu's court ruling on the role of Vice President Goodluck Jonathan in the absence of the President.

Hoha! (Pointblank): Nigeria is a Terrorist State

"What the US did is a punishment to Nigerians, not the government. They are harassing the people by that decision. Agreed, we have our internal problems as a country, but they would have looked at other ways of dealing with the problem. Apart from harassment, many people may decide to cancel their trips. I am already revisiting my dairy to put off some trips. Travelling on its own is a burden; the situation at the moment has further been worsened by this restriction. Already, you can no longer check in on some airlines on the Internet. The moment the word Nigeria appears, you cannot go further, even though every other thing was done. These are consequences for us and this is what I want the US government to understand. They are harassing the people, not the government."

------- Wole Soyinka, Nobel Luareate speaking with journalists in Lagos, Nigeria



"Nigeria expresses its disappointment and concern of the undeserved placement of Nigeria on the countries of interest list and views this action as having the potential of undermining longstanding and established U.S.-Nigeria bilateral ties,"

------- Dora Akunyili, Nigeria Information Minister disappointed on US listing Nigeria among the terrorist nations.



"I am sure that you have been observing the trend in the media and we are referring to the issue of America listing Nigeria as one of the 14 countries to be placed under watch. I am speaking on behalf of the Senate and on behalf of the Senate President to state categorically that we are very unhappy about the development and when we resume, we are going to take up this matter seriously if America has not taken Nigeria off that list. We also want to advise America that in their own best interest, they should conduct this matter very well in a manner that will not result in diplomatic row between America and Nigeria because the American president had, himself, clearly admitted that this was a failure of the system and manpower of Americans and I don’t see where Nigeria comes in there."

------- Senator Ayogu Eze, Senate Committee Chairman in Information and Media on the Senate Floor of Nigeria's National Assembly soundbiting America



"Nigeria is now a terrorist state that is not news anymore. The news now is that all Nigerians traveling to the US and some European countries will now seem to regret having the green passport. That Nigeria will sooner than later join the league of terrorists states or rogue states was almost predictable. What with the haste Nigeria was dragged into the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) in 1986. What with the zeal with which some so called Islamic countries fall over themselves competing to Islamize Nigeria at all cost despite the fact that 50% of their own citizens leave below the poverty line. A good look at the landscape of Nigeria will tell you that every available space is being converted into a mosque..."

------- Ndiameeh Babrik, Modern Ghana



"Reading the views of the ruling class of BiafraNigeria, on the US action of including Nigeria in the list of terrorist states, shows we are yet to understand that the US is a country, which takes the security of the lives and investments of its citizens seriously. How can anyone fail to see that all the unprovoked and persistent killing of innocent Christians in the North particularly since the North commenced its agenda of islamizing Nigeria through the introduction and forceful implementaion of Sharia, did not influence the terrorist, Umar Farouk Abdul Mutallab? The boy was right there, in the North till he was 13 years, his impressionable years. He saw those who worshiped with him in the same mosque routinely murder thousands of Christians, burn their churches and rape their women because their Imams openly dub them (Christians) infidels and promise them heavingly rewards of 12 virgins if they die while killing Christians. He saw fellow Muslims in the North celebrate Osama bin-Laden when WTC was bombed on 9/11, 2001.They even made and wore t-shirts with Osama bin-Laden's picture. It became a fashion statement for them in the North and no one challenged them. He knew they went on a killing spree of Christians because of a cartoon in far away European country. Besides, he heard Osama bin-Laden's admonition to Nigerian Muslims to overthrow the infidel government of Olusegun Obasanjo some years back. Yet we fail to acknowledge these facts. As far as I am concerned, Northern Nigeria is a hotbed for growing real and potential terrorists. Therefore, Nigeria is a terrorist State. It is clear now because the Muslims have gone beyond the borders of Nigeria."

------- Icheoku, BiafraNigeriaWorld on Nigeria is a terrorist state.



"Nigeria is a terror sponsor state and should be branded a such, calling Nigeria a place of interest at this moment despite the fact the Nigerian oligarchy has not and will never condemn terrorism is absurd, an action the Western authorities will defiantly regret in the long run. These people live and thrive in terror, killing Christians for them is like watching a baseball match in America. The Obama administration has the duty to inform the American public of the truth about Nigeria. He must encourage Gordon Brown to loosen the conspiracy of the British government and the Nigeria northern oligarchy to hold on to power by means of terrorism and in turn, allow Britain unlimited access to oil in the Christian South. It's now down to oil money or American lives. DIVIDE NIGERIA AND MICRO MANAGE THE TERRORIST NORTH."

------- Ikenga Iguedo, BiafraNigeriaWorld on Nigeria is a terrorist state.

Hoha! (Pointblank)

""It is no hyperbole that Anambra will provide the litmus test for democracy, and the existence of Nigeria as a single entity. We witnessed how Anambra was handed over as a private fiefdom of political godfathers by a former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo. We saw how a President connived...and personally managed the stealing of a governorship mandate."

-------Nobel Laureate, Wole Soyinka on the fate of the nation as the upcoming off-year election in Anambra State draws closer.


"Things fall Apart was the balm, keeping us alive in the face of tremendous suffering in prison” – Nelson Mandela to the BBC after release from jail. When an art transcends time, and touches the people from Japan to Iceland, Kenya to Chile, then that art or literature is an enduring treasure. Those are the creations of gifted artists. Achebe is one of the few world geniuses and certainly and unquestionably, one of the the best ever novelists. His ‘Things Fall Apart’ was extraordinary in the ’50’s and fifty years later, quite as profound as ever."

Ruth J. Simmons, President, Brown University on the Chinua Achebe Colloquium held at Brown University.


"Despite the multi-billion dollar or multi- trillion naira budgets, Nigeria, with a population of over 140 million, is still grappling with 103 public and private universities, in addition to dozens of polytechnics and colleges of education, while the USA, with a population of about 300 million is having over 5,700 universities and Japan with a population of about 127 million, has over 1,200 universities. Out of over one million candidates that sat for the universities entrance examinations yearly in recent times, only about 300,000 were offered admission yearly by the universities and about 50 per cent of this figure graduate on annual basis with poverty/unemployment passports issued to them. Our health sector is also nothing to write home about. Tens of millions of Nigerians are still drinking acidic water from unprotected sources. Our agriculture is steadily drifting towards pre-subsistence level. The Malaysians and Indonesians, who came to us in the 1960s and 1970s, so as to be taught the secrets of palm tree cultivation, weeding and harvesting, have not only mastered them, but also they have mechanised the palm industry, which now earns them billions of dollars annually and feeds millions of their skilled and unskilled nationals."

-------Emeka Umeagbasi, Chairman, Board of Trustees, International Society for civil liberties and the Rule of Law on why Nigeria needs a 'radical' revolution speaking to journalists on the state of the troubled nation.


"Most, if not all of the indices of failed states, declare Nigeria well on its way to joining that disreputable club. Nigeria boasts a government unable to deliver basic social services. It is plagued by corruption so endemic and monumental it is hard to separate it from state policy. It lacks the capability or discipline to prevent threats to public safety and national integrity and is assailed by active challenges to its legitimacy. The latest disaster of a re-run election in Ekiti state, meant to correct the errors of the first, proved an even greater show of shame."

-------Ogaga Ifowodo, Poet, Lawyer and PhD candidate, Cornell University on a "yea" and "nay" debate on whether Nigeria is a failed state published by BBC News.


"It is obvious, all the signs of a state heading for failure - where a constitutional authority increasingly shows an inability to provide basic services like guaranteeing security to life and property, maintenance of economic and social services, infrastructure and food security - are not evident. On the contrary, for the first time in the country's history, Nigeria is attempting to address its economic and social infrastructure inadequacies. The economy has never been more open to new investors and the government recognises the imperative for private-sector investments in critical infrastructure such as power, transportation and energy."

-------Waziri Haruna Ahmadu, former Health and Agriculture Secretary, and adviser to the ailing President Umaru Yar'adua on why he thinks Nigeria is not a failed state.