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Monday, 11 June 2018

Nigeria Eagles may not reach anywhere.

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As Nigeria eagles is heading up for world cup. 2018, it not a news that there preparation are woven reflecting from their performance in all their friendly match with which they were defeated awesomely.
Tapping from the head coach Garnot Rohr, he explain is plight about the performance and said the team are not ready for the match..

Super Eagles to arrive in Yessentuki today, Russia

Disorganised Nigeria capable of disorienting others, says Mascherano
The Super Eagles are expected to arrive in their Russia 2018 World Cup base camp in Yessentuki, Russia today. The team is expected to fly out of their Avita Resort in Bad Tatzmannsdorf, Austria, where they have been camped for close to two weeks, for the Russian city where they will prepare for all their group games at their sixth World Cup.
Since emerging from an appropriately–styled ‘Group of Death’ in the African qualifying series, becoming the first African team to reach the finals in Russia, the Eagles have played against Argentina, Poland, Serbia, DR Congo, England and Czech Republic in friendlies, winning two, drawing one and losing three.
Nigeria’s first match of the finals is against Croatia on Saturday, with the Eagles logging a balanced record of having won their opening match at the World Cup on two occasions, drawn once and lost twice. On the three occasions they have not lost their opening match (1994, 1998, 2014), the Eagles have progressed to the Round of 16.
Rohr has only lost one competitive game since taking over the Super Eagles two years ago, and the former German international defender says his wards know how to get their spring back when the whistle goes for kick –off at the Kaliningrad Arena on Saturday.
“We will take it one match at a time. I love this group because we know how to rise to the occasion together. Nigeria will be ready for Croatia,” he told thenff.com.
Meanwhile, Argentina defender, Javier Mascherano has said that Nigeria are capable of destabilizing them, when they meet at the 2018 World Cup.
Mascherano stated this in an interview with the UK Guardian, while assessing their Group D opponents.
Argentina are in Group D with Nigeria, Croatia and Iceland.
This will be the third time Mascherano will be facing the Super Eagles at the World Cup. The defender-cum-midfielder was in the Argentina squad that beat the Super Eagles at South Africa 2010 (1-0) and Brazil 2014 (3-2) World Cups.
“Iceland are a new team in the sense that they maybe don’t have a long football tradition but they’re a generation of players that have made history recently, with spectacular success at Euro 16, and qualifying ahead of Croatia.
“Croatia are a first-class side with top players, especially in the midfield, such as Modric, Brozovic, Kovacic, Rakitic … Perisic; a team to watch out, quality squad.
“And Nigeria are quite well known to us, we’ve always met in the last World Cups. They’re tough, not just because of their physical power, but because their disorganisation has the effect of disorganising you as a rival. And that’s when teams like ours suffer the most – in disorder,” he said.

An artwork featuring a Nigerian footballer is displayed to welcome Nigeria’s national football team to their base camp in Essentuki, southern Russia on June11, 2018, ahead of Russia 2018 World Cup football tournament.

Read more at: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/06/1004328/

Russian city Essentuki displayed artwork featuring a Nigerian footballer to welcome Nigeria’s national football team Super Eagles to their base camp in Essentuki, southern Russia on June11, 2018, ahead of Russia 2018 World Cup football tournament.

Read more at: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/06/1004328/

Russian city Essentuki displayed artwork featuring a Nigerian footballer to welcome Nigeria’s national football team Super Eagles to their base camp in Essentuki, southern Russia on June11, 2018, ahead of

Read more at: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/06/1004328/

What federal and state legislators earn

The decision to review the current salaries and allowances of the nations’ public office holders has received approval of many members of the public who have complained that Nigerian law makers were about the highest paid worldwide.

Senate
The Senate President has a total Annual Basic Salary of N2, 484, 242.50 and Annual Allowance of N6, 210, 606. 25 , making a total Annual salary of N8, 694, 848.75 which brings the monthly salary to about N724, 570.75.

In addition, he collects 250 per cent of his Annual Salary as Constituency Allowance.

However, his vehicles and their maintenance are provided by the federal government.

Similarly, his domestic staff, entertainment, utilities, security responsibility, Legislative Aids, House Maintenance an, as well as a Special Adviser and a Personal Assistant are provided by the federal government.

Similarly Robe (clothing) and newspapers are provided for the Senate President.

The Deputy Senate President enjoys the same benefits except that his Annual Basic Salary stands at N 2,309,166.75, total allowance N 5,772,916.8, bringing total annual salary to 8,082,083.63 and a monthly pay of N 673,506.97

The Senate Majority Leader receives a salary of N12, 968, 960. The Minority leader receives a total annual salary of N12, 908, 168. The Whip receives N12, 867 . The same applies to Committee Chairmen. Incidentally in the last administration almost all senators were chairmen of various committees.

The allowances received by the members of the upper legislative chamber is far more than their salaries indicate.

For instance, each senator receives 75 per cent of the annual salary as allowance for a vehicle and its maintenance. They collect another 75 per cent of their salaries for domestic staff; 30 per cent for entertainment; 30 per cent for utilities; 25 per cent for robe (clothing); and 250 per cent as Constituency Allowance.

Others include, another allowance unspecified which stands at 53 per cent; newspapers 15 per cent; Personal Assistance, 24 per cent; and House maintenance 5 per cent.

In addition, the Leader receives 10 per cent for Responsibility; Minority Leader 7; while the Whip and Committee chairmen receive 5 per cent for the same purpose.
Ordinary senators receive a basic salary of 2,026,400.00; annual allowance of N10,739,920.00 , bring it to a total of N 12,766,320.00.

Other non-regular allowances include 300 per cent gratuity for the Senate President; and estacode of $1, 00 per night for foreign trips, as well as, a N37,000 per night duty tour allowance.

All the senators who have just finished their terms at the 7th National Assembly are therefore entitled to 300 per cent of the annual salaries as gratuity.

The Deputy senate President gets N32, 000 per night as Duty Tour Allowance.
Senators receive $ 1 000 as estacode and a duty tour allowance of N23, 000 per night.

House of Reps
At the House of Representatives, the Speaker receives a total annual salary of N 4,334,942.50.

Just like the Senate President, the federal government provides his vehicles and their maintenance . His domestic staff, entertainment, utilities, security responsibility, Legislative Aids, House Maintenance an, as well as a Special Adviser and a Personal Assistant are provided by the federal government.

Similarly Robe (clothing) and newspapers are provided for the Senate President.
He receives 75 per cent of his salary as constituency allowance.

The Deputy speaker whose annual salary stands at 4,002,309.94 enjoys similar benefits as the speaker.

The Majority Leader of the House, the Minority Leader, the Chief Whip and Chairmen of Committees receive annual salaries of N 6, 352,680.00. In addition, they receive 50 per cent of their salaries as Vehicle and Maintenance allowance; another 50 per cent for domestic staff; 10 per cent for utilities and another 10 per cent for House maintenance.

In addition, they collect 75 per cent for constituency allowance, 25 per cent for personal Assistant. Other members enjoy similar allowances.

At the House of representatives, the speaker receives $ 790 estacode per night and N32, 000 per night for domestic trips.

The Deputy Speaker receives $750 and N30, 000 for estacode and Duty Tour, respectively. Members receive $550 and N21 , 000 for estacode and domestic trips , respectively.

Houses of Assembly
Speakers of the State Houses of Assembly enjoy all the benefits as their federal counterpart where virtually all they need are provided with public funds. However, their annual salaries stand at N 2,049,843.75 and a Constituency Allowance of N25 per cent of their Annual Salaries.

Deputy Speaker receives N 1,807,478.13 and 25 per cent of same as constituency allowance.

Members at the House of Assemblies receive annual salaries of N 2,473,866.25.

In addition, they receive 20 per cent for vehicles; 25 per cent for domestic staff, 10 per cent for utilities; 25 per cent each for robe, constituency , Personal Assistant and 5 per cent for newspapers.

- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/06/what-federal-and-state-legislators-earn/#sthash.9JIw3YxO.dpuf

Friday, 16 March 2018

Mystery behind Buhari failure for 2019

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General Buhari is a coup plotter. He planned the coup that exiled a democratically-elected president. Major-General Buhari was nominated to lead Nigeria by middle and high-ranking military officers after the successful military coup d'etat that overthrew civilian President Shehu Shagari on December 31, 1983. Buhari was chosen as the Head of State and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, and Tunde Idiagbon was appointed the Chief of General Staff (the de facto No. 2 in the administration). Buhari justified the military's capture of power by criticizing the civilian government as hopelessly corrupt, and his administration subsequently initiated a public campaign against indiscipline known as "War Against Indiscipline" (WAI).
2. Abuse of human rights:Human rights must be protected and must not be abused. Immediately General Buhari seized power, he proclaimed that he would “tamper with” the press. Soon, the infamous Decree Number 4 was broadcasted, which made even the publication of the truth a punishable offence. Under this cover, Buhari jailed innocent journalists, including Tunde Thompson and Nduka Irabor. He abolished civil liberties, promulgated retroactive decrees enabling him to kill Nigerians through jungle justice, proscribed civil society organizations and professional groups and exercised “absolute” power.
3. Buhari jailed Fela Anikulapo-Kuti :A decree was passed that nobody take out or bring in foreign currency into the country. He imprisoned a Nigerian multi-instrumentalist, musician, composer, pioneer of the Afrobeat music genre, human rights activist, and political maverick Fela Anikulapo-Kuti on trumped up charges under emergency law, which prompted the sentencing judge to confess that he was ordered to do so and to apologize to Fela. It was Buhari's administration that said it has "decided to deal with this Fela problem once and for all." Buhari locked up politicians without trial.
4. The leader of the North Without any doubt: Buhari has massive support in the North. Indeed, he is the most popular Northern politician in the Nigeria today. But that precisely remains his undoing at the centre. Even in the North, his support base is limited to the Muslim population. He does not appeal to Northern Christians. Then there is the added factor of the opposition of his implacable opponents among the Northern elite. 5. Age Buhari is no Nigerian Mandela and never laid claim to that. Last December 17, General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) turned 71. A lot of his competitors says that he is not able to rule Nigeria because he is not young enough. He will be 73 in 2015 and he should reveal to us his health status. At 72, most people actually live on drugs and food supplements. May be his time has passed and he is of more use to Nigeria and Nigerians out of the presidency? 6. Islam Fundamentalist Read more

Wole Soyinka reaction to herdsmen killing

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Revered playwright, Prof. Wole Soyinka, has said President Muhammadu Buhari is in a trance.

Soyinka, while reacting to a question on the three things he would tell the President if he meets him, stated, ” I will say Mr. President you are in a trance.”

He added that the sooner the President got out of the trance, the better for the nation.

Asked the form of trance the President was in, the Nobel laureate said, “I don’t know. So many unforced errors. Take for instance the suspended Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme, Usman Yusuf, reinstated by the President.

“What is that about? What is going on?”

Soyinka had earlier held a press conference in Lagos on the state of the nation titled ‘Nomads and Nation: Valentine card or valedictory rites.’

Details soon.

Tuesday, 16 June 2015

Ramadan 2015: Facts, History, Dates, Greeting And Rules About The Muslim Fast

What are the dates of Ramadan?

Because the cycle of the lunar calendar does not match the solar calendar, the dates of Ramadan shift by approximately 11 days each year. In 2015, Ramadan is expected to begin on Thursday, June 18, in the United States, although the date is only confirmed once the moon is sighted.

The ending of Ramadan is marked by the holiday of Eid ul-Fitr, which takes place either 29 or 30 days after the beginning of the month. On Eid ul-Fitr, morning prayers are followed by feasting and celebration among family and friends.

What is the history of Ramadan?

Ramadan is the 9th month of the Islamic calendar. The term Ramadan literally means scorching in Arabic. It was established as a Holy Month for Muslims after the Quran was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad in 610 CE on the occasion known as Laylat al-Qadr, frequently translated as "the Night of Power."

Observance of Ramadan is mandated in the Quran, Surah 2, Ayah 185:

“The month of Ramadhan [is that] in which was revealed the Qur'an, guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion. So whoever sights [the new moon of] the month, let him fast it; and whoever is ill or on a journey - then an equal number of other days. Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship and [wants] for you to complete the period and to glorify Allah for that [to] which He has guided you; and perhaps you will be grateful.”

What are the daily fasting requirements?

During the month of Ramadan, most Muslims fast from dawn to sunset with no food or water. Before sunrise many Muslims have the Suhur or predawn meal. At sunset families and friends gather for Iftar which is the meal eaten by Muslims to break the fast. Many Muslims begin the meal by eating dates as the Prophet used to do.

This ritual fast known as, Sawm, is one of the five pillars of Islam, and requires that individuals abstain from eating, drinking, smoking and sexual intercourse.

To find the specific times for Ramadan fasting, click over to this helpful tool provided by IslamiCity that allows you to calculate prayer schedules -- including sunrise and sunset -- by entering your city or zip code.

What are the expectations towards charity?

Charity is an important part of Ramadan. The fast emphasizes self-sacrifice and using the experience of hunger to grow in empathy with the hungry. During Ramadan, Muslim communities work together to raise money for the poor, donate clothes and food, and hold iftar dinners for the less fortunate.

What scriptural study do Muslims take part in?

Many Muslims use Ramadan to read the entire Quran or read the Quran daily. Many communities divide the Quran into daily reading segments that conclude on Eid ul-Fitr at the end of Ramadan.

Can non-Muslims participate?

Non-Muslims are free to participate in Ramadam. Many non-Muslims fast and even pray with their Muslim friends or family members. Non-Muslims are often invited to attend prayer and iftar dinners.

Those wishing to be polite to someone who is fasting for Ramadan may greet them with Ramadan Mubarak or Ramadan Kareem, which mean Have a Blessed or Generous Ramadan.

Should Muslims with diabetes fast?

Fasting during Ramadan is discouraged for patients with diabetes by the American Diabetes Association.

“In keeping with this, a large epidemiological study conducted in 13 Islamic countries on 12,243 individuals with diabetes who fasted during Ramadan showed a high rate of acute complications.”

However, the study says this was not conclusive. Many diabetic patients fasted with no complications. Patients with diabetes should work with their doctors to figure out a strategy if they choose to fast.

What is the 'goal' of Ramadan?

In general, the practices of Ramadan are meant to purify oneself from thoughts and deeds which are counter to Islam. By removing material desires, one is able to focus fully on devotion and service to God. Many Muslims go beyond the physical ritual of fasting and attempt to purge themselves of impure thoughts and motivations such as anger, cursing, and greed.

Do all Muslims take part in Ramadan fasting?

Most Muslims believe Ramadan fasting is mandatory, but there are some groups that do not. Pregnant or breastfeeding mothers, people who are seriously sick, travelers, or those at health risk should not fast. Children that have not gone through puberty are also not required to fast during the month Ramadan.

2015 Ramadan: Moon and lunation or crescent sighting

The following diagrams show the visibility of the new crescent Moon over the first three days of the lunation. The unshaded areas indicate regions from which the Moon cannot be seen. The Moon becomes more easily visible from the regions of increasing colour intensity i.e. the Moon will be seen easily from the regions shown in red. The near vertical blue lines show the age of the Moon at the so-called "best time" of observation.

The following diagram shows the visibility of the new crescent Moon on 2015 June 16.

Global lunar visibility map for 2015 June 16

The second diagram is for 2015 June 17 and exhibits more shaded regions than those found in the map for 2015 June 16. Consequently, a larger fraction of the surface of the Earth will be able to observe the crescent Moon with ease.

Global lunar visibility map for 2015 June 17

The third diagram is for 2015 June 18 and is almost totally shaded in red. The majority of the Earth will be able to observe the crescent Moon with ease.

Global lunar visibility map for 2015 June 18

Ramadan begins on Thursday, June 18, 2015

Ramadan begins on Thursday, June 18, 2015 after Ramadan moon is seen in Miami, Houston, Arizona, California in the evening of Wednesday, June 17, 2015.

EID al-Fitr

Eid al-Fitr on July 18 (Saturday).

Insha-Allah Shawwaal Hilal will be seen in parts of North America on Friday, July 17, 2015 and Eid celebrated on Saturday.

May Allah (swt) help us follow the Sunnah of the Prophet (S). Ameen.

Pakistan hangs seven prisoners for murder

Pakistan reportedly hanged seven prisoners on Tuesday, bringing the total number put to death since executions resumed last December to 160, officials have said.

The executions took place in several cities in the central province of Punjab including Lahore, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Dera Ghazi Khan, Sialkot and Bahawalpur, the AFP news agency reported.

All of those executed had been convicted of murder.

Al Jazeera understands that none of the men executed on Tuesday were minors when they were convicted.

On Monday, the Lahore High Court stayed the execution of a mentally ill man, Khizar Hayat, who was due to be hanged on Tuesday.

On Wednesday last week, the country executed a man who rights groups say was tortured into confessing to a murder when he was 15.

Aftab Bahadur, 37, was convicted over the murder of a woman and her two children in September 1992 and had been on death row for almost 23 years.

UN kicks against confirmation of death on Morsi, 99 others in Egypt

United Nations – UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-Moon, on Tuesday, said he was deeply concerned by the confirmation of death sentence on former Egyptian President, Mohammed Morsi and 99 others.

The UN chief’s concern is contained in the UN official statement made available to newsmen in New York.

Ban said the UN was against the use of the death penalty in all circumstances.

The secretary-general urged the Egyptian government to ratify the second optional protocol of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and to impose a moratorium on the death penalty.

The UN boss also said he was concerned that such verdicts, handed down after mass trials, might have negative impact on prospects for long-term stability in Egypt.

He, therefore, underscored the importance of pluralism which included the guarantee that all voices were heard and represented in the matter.

He, however, pointed out that the sentences were subject to appeals, adding that the authorities must ensure the defendants benefitted from due process and fair trial.

Wizkid sends birthday greetings to his ‘big daddy’, guess who?

Friday, 12 June 2015

Full Text of Inaugural Address of ‘President’ MKO Abiola on June 11, 1994

Full Text of Inaugural Address of President MKO Abiola as Delivered on June 11, 1994 at Epetedo, Lagos

Full text of the Epetedo, Lagos proclamation delivered by the late M.K.O. Abiola on Saturday, June 11, 1994.

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 fellowmen.

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 “setup” 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 then 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 demoralised 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 favouritism 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 fulfil 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 breadth 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 for ever.

Late MKO Abiola and Late Gen Sani Abacha

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.