Nigerian authorities on Monday hanged four prisoners, an official said, in what was believed to be the country's first known executions since 2006, drawing outrage from rights activists. The justice commissioner in Edo state in southern Nigeria confirmed the hanging of the four prisoners, who had been convicted of either armed robbery or murder, he said. According to the commissioner, all their appeals had been exhausted and their death warrants were signed. "The court gave the judgement this afternoon that the execution could go ahead and the prison authority went ahead," Henry Idahagbon told AFP. He added that the executions were carried out by the prison service, a federal agency, and not the state government. However, he said he was informed by prison authorities of the executions. Edo state Governor Adams Oshiomhole signed two of the death warrants since the crimes occurred in Edo, said Idahagbon, as required by law. Governors from elsewhere signed the two other death warrants, he said. Since the prison system is federal, prisoners can be moved elsewhere in the country. A fifth prisoner is also due to be executed, but his sentence dated back to the military era that ended in 1999 and called for him to be killed by firing squad, which prison authorities were not yet prepared to do, he said. Nigeria has faced international scrutiny over its death penalty, with concerns over whether suspects receive a fair trial in a country where corruption is widespread. While they would mark the first official, known executions since 2006, Nigerian security forces have been repeatedly accused of extra-judicial killings during that time period. Amnesty International said in a statement that it had received "credible reports that authorities in the state of Edo ... have hanged four men in Benin City Prison on Monday -- the first known executions in the country since 2006." "If confirmed, these executions mark a sudden, brutal return to the use of the death penalty in Nigeria, a truly dark day for human rights in the country," Amnesty deputy director for Africa, Lucy Freeman, said in the statement The human rights organisation urged Nigerian authorities to stop all executions immediately and "return to the moratorium on executions in the country." "We oppose the death penalty in all cases without exception, as it is the ultimate cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment," it said. President Goodluck Jonathan recently called on state governors to sign death warrants, saying it was their responsibility under the law, according to local media reports. According to Amnesty, around 1,000 people are thought to be on death row in Africa's largest oil producer and most populous nation. Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/world/2013/06/24/nigeria-hangs-4-prisoners-in-first-executions-since-2006/#ixzz2XB0pjA3I

Five And A Half Years jailed for Jeremy Forrest

Jeremy Forrest was convicted by a jury yesterday of abducting the schoolgirl, pleaded guilty to the additional charges and was sentenced to five-and-a-half years in prison. A teacher who fled to France with his pupil and spent a week on the run has been jailed after admitting five counts of sexual activity with a child. During his trial, the prosecution labeled him a "pedophile" and said he "groomed" the vulnerable teenager. The 30-year-old insists he still loves the youngster, who broke down in tears and told him she was "sorry" as he was found guilty of her abduction. She did not attend court for his sentencing but in a victim statement, her mother said her relationship with her daughter would "never be the same again". Passing sentence, the judge at Lewes Crown Court said Forrest "chose to ignore the cardinal rule of teaching" by starting a sexual relationship with the teenager shortly after her 15th birthday. "Your behavior in this period has been motivated by self-interest and has hurt and damaged many people - her family, your family, staff and pupils at the school and respect for teachers everywhere," Michael Lawson QC said. "It has damaged you too but that was something you were prepared to risk, you now have to pay that price." Rumors of Forrest's relationship with the teenager surfaced in February last year, when the pair were spotted holding hands during a flight on a school trip to Los Angeles. The girl, now 16, who cannot be named for legal reasons, admitted having a crush on Forrest, who taught at Bishop Bell Church of England School in Eastbourne, East Sussex. They exchanged flirty text messages, tweets and photographs but denied any wrongdoing when pressed by the school. Fearing their relationship was about to be exposed when police were alerted last September, Forrest abducted the youngster and took her on a cross-Channel ferry to France, where they spent a week on the run. The couple dyed their hair, assumed false names and dropped a mobile phone into the English Channel in an effort to avoid being caught, but were tracked down after a Europe-wide search. In a statement read outside court, Forrest's family said he was "very sorry for his actions" during what they described as a "sorry episode for all concerned". "Despite the verdict and today's sentence, there are many factors in this case which need to be examined and addressed, including the failure to properly act on early warnings," they said. "We sincerely hope these are looked into and not simply swept under the carpet." A spokesman for Bishop Bell School said the staff had only "very limited anecdotal hearsay and no evidence of relationship" when concerns were first raised. He said that before Forrest fled the country, the school had intended to remove him from the classroom while an internal investigation into possible professional misconduct was carried out. The spokesman said staff remained "deeply shocked by the actions of Mr Forrest and his betrayal of the trust that was placed in him". "It is important that the strongest possible message is sent to all who work with children that they hold a position of responsibility and trust for the lives, and wellbeing, of those in their care," he said. "We take our responsibility extremely seriously and our safeguarding policies and procedures are robust. "However, we are determined to implement any learning from these events to ensure that all pupils at the school are as safe as they possibly could be." Detective Chief Inspector Mark Ling, of Sussex Police, said Forrest was in a "position of responsibility, authority and trust over the children in his care, which included this young, vulnerable victim". "He grossly abused the trust placed in him and his actions caused distress and anxiety amongst parents, family members and the school community," he said. Nigel Pilkington, of the Crown Prosecution Service, added: "We're pleased that Forrest has been sentenced for the full extent of his criminality, sparing his victim and her family from having to go through another trial." Forrest, of Petts Wood, London, was jailed for four-and-a-half years for sexual activity with a child and one year for abduction.

Mikel Obi rarely scores but on a night that he won his 50th cap for Nigeria he scored the goal that had given the Super Eagles hope in the game against Uruguay in the FIFA Confederations Cup holding in Brazil. The goal from the Chelsea star in the 37th minute of the Group B game was a response to the opener by Diego Lugano who hit the first goal of the game with a tap-in for the South Americans in the 19th minute. Mikel whose last goal for Chelsea was in January 2007 off a cup game, was the heart of the team in a match he scored the fourth for his country. Before the quality goal in Salvador, the midfielder last scored for the country in Calabar in October 2012. But if Mikel’s goal was superb, Diego Forlan’s hit was priceless as the Uruguayan put his country ahead in the 51st minute on the night he won his 100th cap. That goal became the difference between both countries with the South Americans gaining the better chance of reaching the semi-finals. They will play against the competition underdogs Tahiti on Sunday while the Eagles have the uphill task of beating world champions Spain to have any possible chance to qualify. All the Uruguayans need is to beat Tahiti more than the 6-1 handed them by Nigeria. Before the loss in Salvador, the Eagles had gone unbeaten in 18 games. The Uruguay are now unbeaten in 12 competitive matches against African countries with eight wins and four draws. Uruguay and Nigeria met for the first time in a competitive match with the Confederations Cup game. In the first match of the night, Spain won by a landslide as expected but tiny Tahiti emerged with their reputation enhanced and their dignity intact despite their 10-0 loss to the world and European champions. Fernando Torres scored four times, and missed a penalty, David Villa hit three, David Silva two and Juan Mata one as Spain scored double figures for the third time in their history. The outcome of one of the most unlikely matches ever to take place in a senior FIFA competition was never in doubt and even Tahiti coach Eddy Etaeta said before the game his side’s chances of winning were “quite impossible”. Tahiti’s first-ever meeting with European opposition was more of an occasion and even though the Pacific Islanders lost they will always remember the day they played the world champions at the revered Maracana Stadium.

Mikel scores against Uruguay

Mikel Obi rarely scores but on a night that he won his 50th cap for Nigeria he scored the goal that had given the Super Eagles hope in the game against Uruguay in the FIFA Confederations Cup holding in Brazil. The goal from the Chelsea star in the 37th minute of the Group B game was a response to the opener by Diego Lugano who hit the first goal of the game with a tap-in for the South Americans in the 19th minute.

Mikel whose last goal for Chelsea was in January 2007 off a cup game, was the heart of the team in a match he scored the fourth for his country. Before the quality goal in Salvador, the midfielder last scored for the country in Calabar in October 2012. But if Mikel’s goal was superb, Diego Forlan’s hit was priceless as the Uruguayan put his country ahead in the 51st minute on the night he won his 100th cap. That goal became the difference between both countries with the South Americans gaining the better chance of reaching the semi-finals. They will play against the competition underdogs Tahiti on Sunday while the Eagles have the uphill task of beating world champions Spain to have any possible chance to qualify. All the Uruguayans need is to beat Tahiti more than the 6-1 handed them by Nigeria.

Before the loss in Salvador, the Eagles had gone unbeaten in 18 games. The Uruguay are now unbeaten in 12 competitive matches against African countries with eight wins and four draws. Uruguay and Nigeria met for the first time in a competitive match with the Confederations Cup game.

In the first match of the night, Spain won by a landslide as expected but tiny Tahiti emerged with their reputation enhanced and their dignity intact despite their 10-0 loss to the world and European champions.

Fernando Torres scored four times, and missed a penalty, David Villa hit three, David Silva two and Juan Mata one as Spain scored double figures for the third time in their history. The outcome of one of the most unlikely matches ever to take place in a senior FIFA competition was never in doubt and even Tahiti coach Eddy Etaeta said before the game his side’s chances of winning were “quite impossible”.

Tahiti’s first-ever meeting with European opposition was more of an occasion and even though the Pacific Islanders lost they will always remember the day they played the world champions at the revered Maracana Stadium.

MESSI SET FOR COURT DATE OVER ALLEGED £3.4M FRAUD

LIONEL MESSI and his dad Jorge have been summoned by a Spanish court for questioning as part of an investigation into tax fraud allegations. The four times Ballon d’Or winner has been accused of defrauding the Spanish authorities of £3.4m. It’s claimed the Argentinian star, along with Jorge, used companies abroad to sell the rights to use Messi’s image. They both deny the allegations. A court in the town of Gava, near Barcelona, accepted a state prosecutor’s complaint alleging the duo defrauded the Spanish tax office. They have been called to appear for questioning on September 17. The player’s net salary from Barcelona is believed to be around £13.7m a year.

Why FIFA cancels Nigeria’s victory party

A dinner party planned for the victorious Super Eagles on Monday night after the 6-1 defeat of Tahiti in their FIFA Confederation Cup match was cancelled at the instance of FIFA. A PANA report late Tuesday said that the team was billed to have the dinner at Restaurant Atelier in Savassi centre in Belo Horizonte but FIFA officials, citing security reasons, prevented the Nigerian players from leaving their hotel at Belvedere. The FIFA security officials based their decision on the street protests in Belo Horizonte and some other parts of Brazil. One of the organisers of the dinner, Olusegun Akinruli, lamented the turn of events. He said, “It is sad, but we have to understand the concerns of FIFA. We would have loved to celebrate the victory with guests of Nigerian roots.” Eagles are up against Uruguay Thursday night in their second Group match and Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi says they are ready to take on any team now. “We’re on a good swing and the mood is great,” Keshi said in Salvador on Wednesday. “There’s nothing to be apprehensive about. We have no injury worries and the boys will simply go in there and give their best for country and continent.” Victory over Uruguay will lift Nigeria to six points and a place in the semi finals, ahead of the game against Spain in Fortaleza on Sunday. As Nigerians say they are set the Uruguayans and also targeting a semi-final berth. One of their star players Diego Forlan is poised to win his 100th cap as Uruguay, with their backs to the wall after losing their opener to Spain, face Nigeria. “We absolutely must win to have the chance of going further in the Cup,” Forlan told Reuters on Wednesday. “They won the match they had to win, scored lots of goals and even a draw will be better for them than us,” said the 34-year-old striker, best player at the 2010 World Cup. “Nigeria have good players, many play in Europe, they are physically strong, it won’t be at all easy, it will be a hard match,” added Forlan, who will also be looking to add to his Uruguay tally of 33 goals. Copa America holders Uruguay lost 2-1 to world champions Spain in their opener on Sunday with Forlan coming on as a 69th-minute substitute. A draw could leave Uruguay needing a big-scoring win in their last match against Tahiti and a Spanish win over Nigeria on Sunday to stand any chance of a place in the semi-finals.

Why do South Africans hate Nigerians?

Recently, some Nigerians living in South Africa were reported to have been victims of violence allegedly fuelled by xenophobia. Hate crimes against Nigerians living in South Africa are nothing new. Since the dismantling of apartheid, Nigerians and other African nationals living in the country of the Madiba have been the subjects of coordinated xenophobic violence reminiscent of what black South Africans themselves suffered during the apartheid era. The story of this recent violence was not different from previous attacks. Reports of spontaneous assault by some South African members of Port Nolloth community were said to have targeted the Nigerian community living in the area. They were reportedly chased out of their homes, their property looted and their shops burnt. The attackers have always accused the Nigerians of dealing in drugs. But the Nigerian community in South Africa has denied the allegation. They in turn have accused the South Africans of envy. They claimed South Africans have always felt threatened by the business success of Nigerians living in the country. Frequent attacks on Nigeria in South Africa have often grabbed media attention. Strangely, the South African government has uncharacteristically condemned the latest incident as xenophobia. Since 2006, hate crime has been on the increase. It peaked in 2008 with the widespread violence that targeted foreign nationals. Apart from the poverty of the black population in South Africa, intolerance has also become one of the enduring legacies of the apartheid era — a system that brutally subjugated the blacks and treated them as second class citizens in their own country. How ironical it is then that South Africans would now turn around to subject their fellow black Africans to the same treatment? And to think it was the same Africans that supported them to fight apartheid leaves a sour taste in the mouth. Many of the freedom fighters like Nelson Mandela also sought refuge in several countries on the continent. Prior to 1994, immigrants from elsewhere in Africa faced discrimination and even violence; though much of that risk stemmed from the institutionalised racism of the time. After 1994 and following democratisation, and contrary to expectations, the incidence of xenophobia increased. Between 2007 and 2008, at least 67 people died of hate crimes. In 2008, a series of riots left 62 people dead in an attack apparently motivated by xenophobia. It has to be noted, however, that African immigrants have suffered racist attacks, with Nigerian nationals being at the centre of hate-filled violence and arson. According to a 1998 Human Rights Watch report, immigrants from Malawi, Zimbabwe and Mozambique living in the Alexandra township near Johannesburg were physically assaulted over a period of several weeks in 1995, as armed gangs identified suspected migrants and marched them to the police station in an attempt to “clean the township of foreigners.” The campaigners, known as “Buyelekhaya” (go back home), blamed foreigners for crime, unemployment and sexual attacks. Attacks on foreign nationals increased markedly in late 2007. The most severe incident occurred in 2008 when a series of riots started in the township of Alexandra. Locals attacked migrants from Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe, and Nigeria. In recent years, tales of xenophobic attacks on Nigerians living in South Africa have left compatriots at home in shock. There have also been reported cases of harassment of Nigerian travellers arriving at the Oliver Thambo Airport. One celebrated case of disrespect was the treatment of Africa’s first Nobel winner, Prof. Wole Soyinka. In 2005, Soyinka was denied entry into South Africa. It took the last minute intervention of Mandela’s wife, Graca Machel, to admit the Nobel Laureate into the country. Soyinka’s trip to South Africa which was in response to an invitation to deliver a lecture in honour of Mandela drew national and international focus to the country, both because of Mandela, whose birthday it was and Soyinka who was the guest speaker. The Professor was thus understandably peeved at his treatment. In a statement at the time, he lamented that the attitude of South African immigration “is not my idea of decent conduct towards one who is not an unknown to South African officials, has made several ‘regularised’ visits in the past, and has indeed been invited to the country on this occasion to do honour to the founding father of the modern South African nation.” Many Nigerians have told tales of woes about how South African immigration officials treat them both in South Africa and in their embassy in Lagos. The plights of visa applicants at the South African embassy paint a sordid picture of the xenophobic tendencies of an average South African. During the 2010 World Cup, many Nigerians who sought genuine reasons to visit the country were denied entry for no reason. There were reports of officials hurling racist slurs at visa applicants. In 2012, the government of South Africa denied 125 Nigerians travellers entry into its country. The Nigerian travellers were prevented from entering South Africa on the grounds that they had “invalid” yellow fever vaccination cards. But many of the travellers who were frequent travellers said they had used the same cards in previous travels. The Nigerian government retaliated by denying entry to some South African travellers. A diplomatic row was averted when the South African government apologised to the Nigerian government. Nigerians’ contact with South Africa began shortly after the end of apartheid in the early 1990s. Economic difficulties at home and the search for opportunities saw Nigerians seek greener pastures in South Africa. At the last count, Nigerians form the bulk of immigrants in that country. Many successful businesses are said to be owned by Nigerians. An average Nigerian in South Africa does not discriminate in their choice of jobs. The influx of Nigerians and their penchant to dominate appear to have angered the average South African. They have accused Nigerians and other immigrants of taking their jobs. They have also blamed Nigerians for dealing in drugs and other crimes. But many of these allegations against Nigerians and other immigrants have not been substantiated. The South African government has also indirectly promoted and encouraged its citizens into believing that immigrants are responsible for unemployment and crimes. For example, South Africa’s borders have been remilitarised. According to Christopher McMichael: “This shared state-corporate project of building up a ‘fortress South Africa’ also reveals a deeply entrenched seam of xenophobia, in which undocumented migrants and refugees from African countries are painted as a security risk akin to terrorism and organised crime. Parliamentary discussions on border security are rife with claims that foreign nationals are attempting to drain social grants and economic opportunities from citizens. The packaging of illegal immigration as a national security threat, which often relies on unsubstantiated claims about the inherent criminality of foreign nationals, provides an official gloss on deeply entrenched governmental xenophobia, in which African immigrants are targets for regular harassment, rounding up and extortion by the police. This normalisation of immigrants as figures of resentment may also fuel outbreaks of xenophobic violence’’. Nigerians’ rights to live without fear must be protected. But those who are found to break the laws should be prosecuted. After all, there are many thriving South African businesses in Nigeria. Should we then accuse them of taking our jobs? Nigerians have been tolerant of foreigners. Other countries should reciprocate our openness. Xenophobic attacks on fellow Africans are against the spirit of African Brotherhood. The Federal Government must protect Nigerians in whatever parts of the world they find themselves.

Fatai Rolling Dollars passed away in the early hours of today on his sick bed at a hospital

HIGHLIFE music legend, Fatai Olanrewaju Olagunju (AKA Fatai Rolling Dollar is dead! He was aged 86. The Won Kere Si Number Wa crooner reportedly died early Wednesday at a Lagos hospital. His death was confirmed to the media by one of his surviving wives, Funmilola (popularly known as Iya Jamiu). Before his eventual death, he had been admitted for some days and discharged. The legendary singer fell ill on June 5, 2013, and was rushed to the hospital by one of his wives. Often described as the Come Back King, Fatai got his famed nickname from his days in Secondary School when he had the ability of rolling silver dollars expertly before the football teams decide which side takes the first kick. Back then he was always called by his schoolmates to roll Dollars to choose sides for football teams at leisure periods. He was born in Ede in 1926 to the family of Late Chief Olagunju. His music break came in 1953 when he collaborated with master guitarist, J.O. Araba and tenor sax, Ishola Willie Payne to play at the exclusive Island Club in Lagos. Their Afro Skittle Band adopted Ghanaian palm wine music to Yoruba highlife sounds, a fusion that deeply influenced up-and-coming artists like Sunny Ade and Ebenezer Obey (whom he taught to play the guitar) as well as late Fela Kuti. It is on record that the early days of independence saw the Afro Skittles recording several 78-rpm vinyl songs for Philips, with hits like Ranka Dede and Ogba oya ya. Rolling Dollar, however, disappeared from the music scene for about 25 years before making a great return in 2003. He also benefitted immensely from the former Lagos State governor, Ashiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu who pulled him out of abject poverty and gave him a new home amongst other goodies. He has left behind a legacy of determination, as his inspired return from oblivion is a pointer that no matter how old you are, you can still be relevant if you remain focused on your goals. He is survived by three wives including a German and 16 children. In a related development, the composer of the current National Anthem, Arise O Compatriots, Pa Benedict Odiase, is dead. He reportedly died last night. Last year he got a cheque of N150,000 from the Musical Copyright Society of Nigeria as royalty for using the composition as a ringtone. The cash represents a specific point of royalty to Odiase, who retired as an Assistant Commissioner of Police. According to our source, “The old man was sick, indebted to hospital and suffering before he died of grinding poverty”.

Who has the best Midfield in European Football

This week former-Ajax, Inter & AC Milan star Edgar Davids claimed Juventus possess the best midfield in Europe - which got us thinking, is he right? Arturo Vidal, Andrea Pirlo and Claudio Marchisio is one impressive trio, and Juventus romped to the Serie 'A' title again this season. But there's some stiff competition out there - for starters how about the four Champions League semi-finalists? Barcelona with Xavi, Sergio Busquets and Andres Iniesta have controlled the tempo of European football for the past half a decade. Xabi Alonso is hugely admired, a World Cup winner, allied with German push-pull duo Sami Khedira and Mesut Ozil. And what about the European championship-winning midfield of Bayern Munich, not to mention their conquered opponents in that Wembley final, Borussia Dortmund. These are our five contenders - Dortmund, Munich, Barcelona, Real Madrid and Juventus. There is no Premier League representative, but that merely reflects the league's poor performance in this year's Champions League. If you want to be considered as one of the best, you have to have performed in the latter stages of the continent's most prestigious competition. For the purposes for this comparison, we've decided restricted the number of contenders to five - the four semi-finalists plus Davids' pick. But we're bound to have upset a few people, so if you feel your team has been particularly hard done by, leave your reason in the comment box below. And remember, the statistics used here - thanks to whoscored.com by the way - are taken exclusively from the domestic leagues. So, here you go - check out the statistics and decide for yourself - just who has the best midfield in Europe?

If information reaching pawsiblemedia is anything to go by, then there is fire on the mountain for popular actress, Ini Edo and nobody seems to be on the run, as Asa would say. According to a fresh gist getting to us, Ini Edo is not a happy woman at the moment. The reason is that if urgent steps are not taken, her marriage might crumble and she would join the league of Nollywood actress with failed marriages. Grapevines alleged that pressure is being mounted on her handsome husband, Philip Ehigwina, by his family members to dump the charming actress. According to what tale-bearers told pawsiblemedia, Ini Edo's in-laws are not happy that the glamorous actress hasn't given them a child after about four years of marriage. "These Edo people are just too funny, they have already told Philip to chase away Ini Edo since she can't give them a child," one of the gossips told Nigeriafilms. Another said, "but come to think of it, why would Ini Edo's in-laws interfere with her marriage?" This was quickly answered by the first busy-body, "that's Edo culture for you. Their sons don't have much say in their marriages." We were told by the industry grapevines that Ini Edo has been telling some of her close allies that with the way things are going; Philip might eventually give in to his family's demands. Tale bearers further told us that after Ini Edo attended her hubby's late mother's burial in April 2013, things have really not been well with the once upon a time happy couple. However, the actress has denied that her marriage is being troubled. She disclosed this to Nigeriafilms when we called her to get her reaction on the story that the rumour is unfounded. According to the Akwa-Ibom-born beauty, “no matter what you people (press) write, it is not going to change the fact that I am happily married. I think you guys should be tired of all these. From the first day I got married, you people have been plotting all sort of evils, I don't know why you are not giving up on it. It is never going to happen. That's what I have to say.”

Housemates who were expecting to find a replacement for the void that LK4 and Koketso left behind through Maria and Angelo were left disappointed. Tonight the ravishing Ruby duo Maria and Angelo spent the evening lying in bed together speaking in soft hushed tones as they set the record straight about the status of their relationship. “I told Biggie that I think I found a best friend in this House,” Maria shared. Angelo had little to say on the matter choosing rather to let the pretty Namibian wax lyrical. Maria insisted that despite her fondness for the South African her loyalties still lie with her man back at home. “I have a wonderful man, an awesome man that I love very much,” she Maria maintained. The young model told the Cape Town dancer that she wishes to maintain their friendship and not have things be awkward between them. “It won’t be awkward,” Angelo promised. Aww sweet, it’s good to see that both parties are mature about things. But it is undeniable though that they have good chemistry and there are still 75 more days of The Chase and that is a long time to be locked up in a House with someone. We’ll be keeping an eye on these two. Source

June 12 : Maku to speak on state of Nigeria ...

Lagos  -  The Minister for Information, Mr Labaran Maku will on June 12, present the Federal Government’s position on Nigeria’s democracy, government policies and programmes.
Maku will make the presentation in Lagos at the Save Nigeria Group (SNG) forum to honour late Chief MKO Abiola, the acclaimed winner of the 1993 presidential elections in Nigeria.
June 12 is a date set aside by human rights groups in Nigeria in remembrance of the June 12 presidential polls annulled by the former military President, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida.
In a statement in Lagos, SNG Spokesman, Mr Yinka Odumakin explained that Maku was invited to balance the analysis of the Federal Government by civil society groups.
“The event is billed to audit the state of democracy in Nigeria since the June 12, 1993 elections.
“The programme is to mark the 20th anniversary of the annulment of the freest and fairest election ever held in a country with troubled history of elections.
“The convener of SNG, Pastor Tunde Bakare will lead the presentation of the assessment,’’ Odumakin said.
He said that prominent activists were also expected to speak on the occasion. (NAN)

Being text of the Proclamation Speech by the late Chief M.K.O. Abiola on Saturday, June 11, 1994, announcing the formation of a Governmeant of National Unity (GNU) at Epetedo, Lagos.

PEOPLE of Nigeria, exactly one year ago, you turned out in your millions to vote for me, Chief M.K.O. Abiola, as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. But politicians in uniform, who call themselves soldiers but are more devious than any civilian would want to be, deprived you of your God-given right to be ruled by the President you had yourselves elected.
These soldier-politicians introduced into our body politic, a concept hitherto unknown to our political lexicography, something strangely called the “annulment” of an election perceived by all to have been the fairest, cleanest and most peaceful ever held in our nation.
Since that abominable act of naked political armed robbery occurred, I have been constantly urged by people of goodwill, both in Nigeria and abroad, to put the matter back into the people’s hands and get them to actualise the mandate they gave me at the polls.
But mindful of the need to ensure that peace continues to reign in our fragile federation, I have so far tried to pursue sweet reason and negotiation. My hope has always been to arouse whatever remnants of patriotism are left in the hearts of these thieves of your mandate, and to persuade them that they should not allow their personal desire to rule to usher our beloved country into an era of political instability and economic ruin.
All I have sought to do, in seeking dialogue with them, has been to try and get them to realise that only real democracy can move our nation forward towards progress, and earn her the respect she deserves from the international community.
However, although this peaceful approach has exposed me to severe censure by some who have mistaken it for weakness on my part, those with whom I have sought to dialogue have remained like stones, neither stirred to show loyalty to the collective decision of the people of their own country, nor to observe Allah’s injunction that they should exhibit justice and fair-play in all their dealings with their fellow men.
Appeals to their honour as officers and gentlemen of the gallant
Nigerian Armed Forces have fallen on deaf ears. Instead, they have resorted to the tactics of divide and rule, bribery and political perfidy, misinformation and (vile) propaganda. They arrest everyone who disagrees with them. Even the 71-year-old hero of our nation,
Chief Anthony Enahoro, was not spared. How much longer can we tolerate all this?
People of Nigeria, you are all witnesses that I have tried to climb the highest mountain, cross the deepest river and walk the longest mile, in order to get these men to obey the will of our people. There is no humiliation I have not endured, no snare that has not been put in my path, no “set-up” that has not been designed for me in my endeavour to use the path of peace to enforce the mandate that you bestowed on me one year ago.
It has been a long night. But the dawn is here. Today, people of Nigeria, I join you all in saying,
“Enough is Enough!”
We have endured 24 years of military rule in our 34 years of independence. Military rule has led to our nation fighting a civil war with itself. Military rule has destabilised our nation today as not before in its history. Military rule has impoverished our people and introduced a dreadful trade in drugs, which has made our country’s name an anathema in many parts of the world.
Even soccer fans going to watch the Green Eagles display in America are being made to suffer there needlessly because Nigeria’s name is linked with credit card and fraud and “419.”
Politically, military rule has torn to shreds the prestige due to our country because of its size and population. The permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council that should be rightfully ours is all but lost. For, who will vote for Nigeria to get the seat if Nigerian military rulers do not respect the votes of their own people? Enough of military rule!
We are sickened to see people who have shown little or no personal achievement, either in building up private businesses, or making success of any tangible thing, being placed in charge of the management of our nation’s economy, by rulers who are not accountable to anyone. Enough of square pegs in round holes!
We are tired of the military repetitive tendency to experiment with our economy: Today, they say “no controls.” Tomorrow, they say “Full controls.” The day after, they say “Fine tuning.” The next day, they say “Devaluation.” A few days later, they say “Revalue the same Naira upwards again Abi?”
All we can see are the consequences of this permanent game of military “about turns,” high inflation, a huge budget deficit and an enormous foreign debt repayment burden, dying industries, high unemployment and a demoralized populace.
Our youths, in particular, can see no hope on the horizon, and many can only dream of escaping from our shores to join the brain drain. Is this the Nigeria we want?
We are plagued also by periodic balance of payments crises, which have led to a perennial shortage of essential drugs that has turned our hospitals and clinics into mortuaries. A scarcity of books and equipment has rendered our schools into desolate deserts of ignorance.
Our factories are crying for machinery, spare parts and raw materials. But each day that passes, instead of these economic diseases being cured, they are rather strengthened as an irrational allocation of foreign exchange based on favoritism and corruption becomes the order of the day. Enough is enough of economic mismanagement!
People of Nigeria, during the election campaign last year, I presented you with a programme entitled, “HOPE ’93?” This programme was aimed precisely at solving these economic (problems) that have demoralised us all.
I toured every part of Nigeria, to present this programme to you, the electorate. I was questioned on it at public rallies and press conferences and I had the privilege of incorporating into it much of the feedback that I obtained from the people.
Because you knew I would not only listen to you, but deliver superb results from the programme, you voted for me in your millions and gave me an overwhelming majority over my opponent. To be precise, you gave me 58.4 per cent of the popular vote and a majority in 20 out of 30 states plus the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
Not only that, you also enabled me to fulfill the constitutional requirement that the winner should obtain one-third of the votes in two-thirds of the states. I am sure that when you cast an eye on the moribund state of Nigeria today, you ask yourselves:
“What have we done to deserve this, when we have a President-elect who can lead a government that can change things for the better?”
Our patience has come to an end. As of now, from this moment, a new
Government of National Unity is in power throughout the length and breath of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, led by me, Bashorun M.K.O. Abiola, as President and Commander-in-Chief.
The National Assembly is hereby reconvened. All dismissed governors are reinstated. The State Assemblies are reconstituted, as are all local government councils. I urge them to adopt a bi-partisan approach to all the issues that come before them. At the national level, a bi-partisan approach will be our guiding principle.
I call upon the usurper, General Sani Abacha, to announce his resignation forthwith, together with the rest of his illegal ruling council. We are prepared to enter into negotiations with them, to work out the mechanics for a smooth transfer of power.
I pledge that if they hand over quietly, they will be retired with all their entitlements, and their positions will be accorded all the respect due to them. For our objective is neither recrimination nor witch-hunting, but an enforcement of the will of the Nigerian people, as expressed in free elections conducted by the duly constituted authority of the time.
I hereby invoke the mandate bestowed upon me by my victory in the said election, to call on all members of the Armed Forces and the Police, the Civil and Public Services throughout the Federal Republic of
Nigeria, to obey only the Government of National Unity that is headed by me, your only elected President.
My Government of National Unity is the only legitimate, constituted authority in the Federal Republic of Nigeria as of now.
People of Nigeria, these are challenging times in the history of our continent, Africa, and we in Nigeria must not allow ourselves to be left behind. Our struggle is the same as that waged by the people of South Africa, which has been successfully concluded, with the inauguration of Mr. Nelson Mandela as the first African President of that country.
Nelson Mandela fought to replace MINORITY rule with MAJORITY rule. We in Nigeria are also fighting to replace MINORITY rule, for we are ruled by only a tiny section of our armed forces. Like the South Africans, we want MAJORITY rule today, that is rule only by those chosen by all the people of Nigeria as a whole in free and fair elections.
The only difference between South Africa and Nigeria is that those who imposed minority rule on the majority rule, whether it is by black or white, remains minority rule, and must be booted out.
I call on you, heroic people of Nigeria, to emulate the actions of your brothers and sisters in South Africa and stand up as one person to throw away the yoke of minority rule forever. The antics of every minority that oppresses the majority are always the same. They will try to intimidate you with threats of police action. But do not let us fear arrest.
In South Africa, so many people were arrested, during the campaign against the Pass Laws, for instance, that the jails could not hold all of them. Today, apartheid is gone forever. So, let it be with Nigeria.
Let us say goodbye forever to minority rule by the military. They talk of treason. But haven’t they heard of the Rivonia treason trial in South Africa? Did those treason trials halt the march of history?
People of Nigeria, our time is now. You are the repository of power in the land. No one can give you power. It is yours. Take it!
From this day, show to the world that anyone who takes the people of
Nigeria for fools is deceiving himself and will have the people to answer to.
God bless you all.
Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Long live the Government of National Unity.