Comments on: Who is going to save Nigeria?

By: Black Looks

Black Looks — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 22:19:57 +0000

Human rights defender at risk…

Nigerian, Human Rights Defender and founder of The International Centre for reproductive health and Sexual rights (INCRESE) in Niger State, Dorothy Aken’Ova has been ostracised and intimidated by family and community because of the work she does….

By: omotaylor

omotaylor — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 17:06:25 +0000

Sokari - very true words to the last. Am even more enlightened because i thought those advocating for a change in the Niger Delta are all militants. I beleive it is a shame to have oil pumped from your land for decades, sold all over the world, billions, trillions made and many individuals getting so rich they die leaving untouched billions of pounds in foreign banks while the sons and daughters of the land suffer so much, they have no food, clothes or shelter, talk less of having amenities to boast for all the oil. It is indeed a crying shame.

I pray nobody ever kidnaps a child anymore in Naija. The Niger Delta beef needs to be visited. Those people should be looked after and given their dues.

Oh talking of Ken Saro Wiwa, my sadness returns just like when I hear the name Steven Biko. May they rest in peace for fighting for justice and freedom.

By: sokari

sokari — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 18:28:03 +0000

The kidnapping was disgraceful and there are no words to be found to justify this act - From everything I have heard the kidnappers were criminals not members of MEND - But of course we dont know the truth and may never know.

As for whether the people (and I prefer to say people as it is not just a group of militants that are advocating for change) do have genuine demands of Nigeria that must be met. The militancy in the Niger Delta did not just jump out of nowhere. It has grown from 15 even more if you go back to Adaka Boro (1960s) of persistent demands for greater autonomy and resource control. It is unfortunate that most pundits discuss the militants without placing them in the historical context of Niger Delta nationalism. It is because successive governments have ignored the non-violent campaigns by Delta activists over the years including Ken Saro Wiwa that has led to the creation of the militants in the first place.

By: omotaylor

omotaylor — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 17:08:37 +0000

just musing… wrong to kidnap the 3 year old but do the aggrieved Niger Delta guerilla/gorillas have a case?

By: omotaylor

omotaylor — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 17:02:15 +0000

Well the good news is that the 3 year old little un has been safely returned to her parents, not harmed in anyway except the mosquito bites.I’m so relieved about this and thank God we did not add to Nigeria’s bad name. Hopefully this would not be repeated by any copy cat kidnapper or wanna bee.
Now Yaradua should really face this delta problem and the grievance of the people to avoid a repeat action in the future. Nigeria does not need any more negative press after the shambolic election excercise in April & May 07. Sad but true for Naija, now no news is good news