About 70 people have died in a severe outbreak of cholera in southern Somalia, close to the Kenyan border town of Mandera, reports say. At least 400 people have been affected and drought conditions are aggravating the problem.

People affected on the Kenyan side of the border are getting medical aid but almost none is available in Somalia, says the BBC's reporter in the region.Local non-government organisations have appealed for international help.

The crisis is affecting Somalia's Gedo region, where people interact with their Kenyan neighbours across the border in Mandera, the BBC's Bashkash Jugsodaay says.

Health personnel are helping sufferers on the Kenyan side and spreading information about how the illness can be contracted from dirty water.However, in Gedo, the lack of medical facilities is making the situation unbearable, our reporter says.

The handful of NGOs in the area are unable to provide enough support and fear the situation might get out of control, he adds.

BBC

Crise de choléra sur la frontière somalienne
Automatically translated into French thanks to WorldLingo
Environ 70 personnes sont mortes dans une manifestation grave de choléra en Somalie méridionale, près de la ville kenyane de frontière de Mandera, les rapports indiquent. Au moins 400 personnes ont été affectées et les états de sécheresse aggravent le problème.

Les gens affectés du côté kenyan de la frontière obtiennent l'aide médicale mais presque aucun n'est disponible en Somalie, dit le journaliste de la BBC dans la région. Les organismes non gouvernementaux locaux ont lancé un appel pour l'aide internationale.

La crise affecte la région de Gedo de la Somalie, où les gens agissent l'un sur l'autre avec leurs voisins kenyans à travers la frontière dans Mandera, le Bashkash Jugsodaay de la BBC dit.

Le personnel de santé aide des victimes sur le côté kenyan et les informations de propagation sur la façon dont la maladie peut être contractée de l'eau sale. Cependant, dans Gedo, le manque d'équipements médicaux rend la situation insupportable, notre journaliste dit.

La poignée d'O.N.G.s dans le secteur ne peuvent pas fournir assez d'appui et craindre la situation pourrait sortir de la commande, il s'ajoute.

BBC

Crisis del cólera en la frontera somalí
Automatically translated into Spanish thanks to WorldLingo
Cerca de 70 personas han muerto en un brote severo de cólera en Somalia meridional, cerca de la ciudad de la frontera de Kenyan de Mandera, los informes dicen. Por lo menos han afectado a 400 personas y las condiciones de la sequía están agravando el problema.

La gente afectada en el lado de Kenyan de la frontera está consiguiendo la ayuda médica pero casi ninguna está disponible en Somalia, dice a reportero del BBC en la región. Las organizaciones non-government locales han abrogado para la ayuda internacional.

La crisis está afectando la región de Gedo de Somalia, donde la gente obra recíprocamente con sus vecinos de Kenyan a través de la frontera en Mandera, el Bashkash Jugsodaay del BBC dice.

El personal de salud está ayudando a víctimas en el lado de Kenyan y la información que se separa sobre cómo la enfermedad se puede contraer del agua sucia. Sin embargo, en Gedo, la carencia de instalaciones médicas está haciendo la situación unbearable, nuestro reportero dice.

El puñado de NGOs en el área no puede proporcionar bastante ayuda y temer la situación pudo salir de control, él agrega.

BBC

Crisi del colera sul bordo di somalo
Automatically translated into Italian thanks to WorldLingo
Circa 70 genti sono morto in uno scoppio severo di colera in Somalia del sud, vicino alla città keniana del bordo di Mandera, i rapporti dicono. Almeno 400 genti sono state influenzate e gli stati di siccità stanno aggravando il problema.

La gente influenzata dal lato keniano del bordo sta ottenendo il sussidio medico ma quasi nessuna è disponibile in Somalia, ad esempio il reporter del BBC nella regione. Le organizzazioni non governative locali hanno fatto appello per aiuto internazionale.

La crisi sta interessando la regione di Gedo della Somalia, dove la gente si interagisce con i loro vicini keniani attraverso il bordo in Mandera, il Bashkash Jugsodaay del BBC dice.

I personali medico-sanitari stanno aiutando i sufferers sul lato keniano e sulle informazioni di diffusione su come la malattia può essere contratta da acqua sporca. Tuttavia, in Gedo, la mancanza di facilità mediche sta rendendo la situazione unbearable, il nostro reporter dice.

La manciata di NGOs nella zona non può fornire abbastanza supporto e temere la situazione potrebbe uscire di controllo, lui aggiunge.

BBC

Cholerakrise auf somalischem Rand
Automatically translated into German thanks to WorldLingo
Ungefähr 70 Leute sind in einem strengen Ausbruch von Cholera in Südsomalia gestorben, nah an der Kenyan Randstadt von Mandera, sagen Reports. Mindestens sind 400 Leute beeinflußt worden und Dürrezustände verschlimmern das Problem.

Die Leute, die auf der Kenyan Seite des Randes beeinflußt werden, erhalten ärztliche Betreuung, aber fast keine ist in Somalia, sagt den Reporter des BBCS in der Region vorhanden. Lokale non-government Organisationen haben für internationale Hilfe gefallen.

Die Krise beeinflußt Region Gedo Somalias, in der Leute auf ihre Kenyan Nachbarn über dem Rand in Mandera einwirken, das Bashkash Jugsodaay des BBCS sagt.

Medizinische Personale helfen Sufferers auf der Kenyan Seite und den ausgebreiteten Informationen über, wie Vertrag Krankheit vom schmutzigen Wasser abgeschlossen werden kann. Jedoch in Gedo, bildet der Mangel an medizinischem Service die Situation unbearable, sagt unser Reporter.

Die Handvoll der nichtstaatlicher Organisationen im Bereich sind nicht imstande, genügend Unterstützung zu geben und die Situation zu fürchten konnte eine Steuerung verlassen, er hinzufügt.

BBC

Crise do Cholera na beira Somali
Automatically translated into Portuguese thanks to WorldLingo
Aproximadamente 70 povos morreram em um outbreak severo do cholera em Somália do sul, perto da cidade da beira de Kenyan de Mandera, os relatórios dizem. 400 povos foram afetados pelo menos e as condições da seca aggravating o problema.

Os povos afetados no lado de Kenyan da beira estão começando o dae (dispositivo automático de entrada) médico mas quase nenhum está disponível em Somália, diz o repórter do BBC na região. As organizações non-government locais apelaram para a ajuda internacional.

A crise está afetando a região de Gedo de Somália, onde os povos interagem com seus vizinhos de Kenyan através da beira em Mandera, o Bashkash Jugsodaay do BBC diz.

O pessoal de saúde está ajudando a sufferers no lado de Kenyan e na informação espalhando sobre como a doença pode ser contraída da água suja. Entretanto, em Gedo, a falta de facilidades médicas está fazendo a situação unbearable, nosso repórter diz.

O punhado dos NGOs na área é incapaz de fornecer bastante sustentação e temer a situação pôde sair do controle, ele adiciona.

BBC

Kolerakrisen på somaliskt gränsar
Automatically translated into Swedish thanks to WorldLingo
Omkring 70 folk har dött i ett strängt utbrott av kolera i sydliga Somalia, det kenyanskt gränsar nästan townen av Mandera, rapportnågot att säga. Åtminstone har 400 folk påverkats, och torkan villkorar förvärrar problemet.

Folket som påverkas på den kenyanska sidan av gränsa, får läkarundersökning bistår, men nästan inget är tillgängligt i Somalia, något att säga BBC'SENS reporter i regionen. Har non-government organisationar för lokal appellerat för landskamphjälp.

Krisen påverkar Somalia den Gedo regionen, var folk som är växelverkande med deras kenyanska grann över gränsa i Mandera, BBC'SENS de Bashkash Jugsodaay något att säga.

Vård- personaler är portionlidande person på den kenyanska sidan, och fördelande information om, hur sjukan kan avtalas från, smutsar ner bevattnar. Emellertid i Gedo, är bristen av medicinska lättheter danande det outhärdliga läget, våra reporternågot att säga.

HandfullnGOsna i området är oförmögna att ge nog service, och att frukta lägestyrkan få ut ur kontrollerar, honom tillfogar.

BBC

Кризис холеры на сомалийской границе
Automatically translated into Russian thanks to WorldLingo
Около 70 людей умирали в строгом outbreak холеры в южном Сомали, close to городок граници Kenyan Mandera, рапорты говорят. По крайней мере 400 людей были повлияны на и условия засухи усугубляют проблему.

Люди повлиянные на на стороне Kenyan граници получают медицинскую помощь но почти никакое имеющееся в Сомали, говорит репортеру BBC в зоне. Местные non-government организации апеллировали для международной помощи.

Кризис влияет на зону Gedo Сомали, где люди взаимодействуют с их соседями Kenyan через границу в Mandera, Bashkash Jugsodaay BBC говорит.

Персонал здоровья помогает страдальцам на стороне Kenyan и распространяя информации о как болезнь можно заключить контракт от пакостной воды. Однако, в Gedo, отсутсвие медицинских средств делает ситуацию unbearable, наш репортер говорит.

Пригорошня NGOs в OBLASTи неспособна обеспечить достаточную поддержку и опасаться ситуация могл get out управления, он добавляет.

BBC

De crisis van de cholera op Somalische grens
Automatically translated into Dutch thanks to WorldLingo
Ongeveer 70 mensen zijn in een strenge uitbarsting van cholera in zuidelijk Somalië, dicht bij de Keniaanse grensstad van Mandera gestorven, zeggen de rapporten. Minstens 400 mensen zijn beïnvloed en de droogtevoorwaarden verergeren het probleem.

De mensen die aan de Keniaanse kant van de grens worden beïnvloed krijgen medische hulp maar bijna is niets beschikbaar in Somalië, zegt de BBC verslaggever in het gebied. De lokale niet-gouvernementele organisaties hebben verzocht om internationale hulp.

De crisis beïnvloedt het gebied van Gedo van Somalië, waar de mensen met hun Keniaanse buren over de grens in Mandera interactie aangaan, BBC Bashkash Jugsodaay zegt.

Het personeel van de gezondheid helpt lijders op de Keniaanse zij en uitspreidende informatie over hoe de ziekte van vuil water kan worden aangegaan. Nochtans, in Gedo, maakt het gebrek aan medische faciliteiten de situatie unbearable, zegt onze verslaggever.

Het handvol NGOs in het gebied kan genoeg steun verlenen niet en de situatie vrezen onbeheerst zou kunnen worden, voegt hij toe.

BBC

كوليرا أزمة على حافة صوماليّة
Automatically translated into Arabic thanks to WorldLingo
حوالي 70 قد مات الناس في نشوب قاسية كوليرا في صومال جنوبيّة, [كلوس تو] [كنن] حافة مدينة [مندرا], تقارير يقولون. على الأقلّ 400 أثرت الناس يتلقّى يكون وحالة جفاف شروط يفاقمون المشكلة.

يحصل الناس يؤثر على [كنن] جانب من الحافة [مديكل يد] غير أنّ تقريبا لا شيء يتوفّر في صومال, يقول ال [بّك] مراسلة في المنطقة. قد استأنف منظمات محلّية [نون-غفرنمنت] لمساعدة دوليّة.

يأثر الأزمة صومال [جدو] منطقة, حيث الناس يتفاعلون مع هم [كنن] جار عبر الحافة في [مندرا], ال [بّك] [بشكش] [جوغسدي] يقول.

[هلث برسنّل] يساعد [سوفّرر] على [كنن] جانب و [سبردينغ] معلومة حول كيف العلة يستطيع كنت تعاقدت من ماء وسخة. مهما, في [جدو], يجعل الافتقار من تسهيلات طبيّة الحالة طاق, مراسلتنا يقول.

الحفنة ال [نغس] في المنطقة يعجز أن يزوّد بما فيه الكفاية دعم وخشيت الحالة أمكن طلعت من تحكم, هو يضيف.

[بّك]

By Wole Soyinka

UNESCO – spelt United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation – is easily the most prominent of the prestigious organizations affiliated to the United Nations. Its achievements – from rescuing and protecting the world’s cultural sites and monuments, sometimes involving breathtaking feats of engineering – promoting environmental sanity throughout the world, giving pride of place to the ‘intangible heritage’ of indigenous peoples as valid contribution to world civilisation etc etc - these have made UNESCO a beacon of hope in humanity’s struggle to achieve itself. They remind societies of their capability to overcome and even anticipate natural disasters, the ravages of strictly profit motivated enterprises, not forgetting rulership contempt for the voiceless. Most important however, and basic to its very reason for existence, is UNESCO’s mission of fostering the consciousness of peace in the human mind, in spite of a historic propensity for war and destruction. As with all high-profile organisations, it has earned operational criticisms here and there, some deservedly. Nonetheless, most will agree that the world would be much culturally poorer, more philistinic in attitudes and national policies without the achievements that have made that organization a household word.

It is important therefore that the image of UNESCO be not diminished by a failure of vigilance, especially when it is recollected that its national collaborators, and even, sometimes, its own civil servants are creatures of political leaders to whom primary allegiance is thereby owed, even over and above the prospect of career preferments within a presumably independent organization. Some may genuinely identify with the lofty aims of UNESCO, but find that their very survival is best served by turning a blind eye on the manipulations, pressures and intrigues of their home governments. The larger and, ironically, the more mission-focused an organisation, the wider the mesh for the passage of infected loyalties. UNESCO cannot hope to escape that bind any more than other international bodies. The watchdog function then devolves on those for whom the integrity of the organ is crucial to their own functions as producers and partakers of that commodity called – Culture.

And now we come to the contributive role of such people, those whose very activities humanize the institutional face of UNESCO and render it palpable across national borders and social strata. Culture does not reside in what is written and debated about it, but in the very contributions of individuals, national institutions, societies and voluntary organisations. We need not go too far from our own terrain to identify such people, so let us point straightaway to a figure who must be counted as one of the most enduring expressions of cultural dialogue at its most disinterested and stimulating. I have in mind the legendary Suzanne Wenger, sculptor, animator and spiritual quester in a land that she embraced intuitively, and cherished. It was this woman, now in her eighties, who transformed one the most celebrated Nature reserves, Osun grove, into a space of creativity even while preserving its spiritual serenity. Even as this is being written, a two dozen strong delegation of her admirers, collaborators and culture lovers from Nigeria are converging on the Quai Branly museum in Paris, where a symposium – including a film - of her life and work in a transformed and – for her – transforming environment, will be held. It is certain that one or two among them will make a pitch for what, on many levels, can be rightly described as a ‘sister institution’ to Susan Wenger’s Osun, a site that has entered UNESCO’s directory as a World Heritage site.

And the ‘sister institution’? Together with her spouse at the time, Ulli Beier, Suzanne Wenger inspired the Oshogbo artistic movement whose members have earned recognition throughout the world. Ulli Beier, in his own right, was also an assiduous promoter of Yoruba culture, an archivist whose collection on many cultural facets both of the Yoruba, and of Papua New Guinea where he also sojourned and taught for a number of years, became a coveted acquisition for many institutions. Photographs, films, videos, lithographs, tapes, manuscripts, artifacts etc. etc - these testaments to a lifelong cultural passion run into tens of thousands. It is a collection that would enhance the work of UNESCO, both for periodic exhibitions and as base material for academic and cultural studies. It is right and proper that UNESCO should be associated with genuine efforts to retain, catalogue and preserve this material for posterity.

That a cultural centre, based in Osun state whose capital, Oshogbo, played host to Georgina and Ulli Beier, as well as Suzanne Wenger, for decades, should be created even for the sole purpose of the preservation of these archives is not in question. It is a good feeling to be able to salute a state government that takes the initiative in such matters, especially for those of us who were involved, at some stage or the other, in finding a home for the collection. Osun’s is an example that must be recommended to other states for emulation.

Thus it is with sadness and a sense of frustration that one must admit to a sour note, a fly in the ointment of such a worthy enterprise. This appears to be the unnatural condition of so many laudable Nigerian undertakings. Let me proceed by referring to the United States, which is perhaps the most prominent nation in the tradition of presidential libraries. It would be correct to claim that the US is thus also dedicated to a certain form of archival mission, but certainly not one that that nation, or any other with a similar agenda of record keeping for political leaders, has ever dared substitute for, or camouflage under the rubric of Culture, or Cultural heritage. Nigeria however, is nothing if not unique. Originality is not to be decried in the field of culture; it is however stretching the elasticity of the cultural field over and beyond its legitimate purlieu when an attempt is made to smuggle the private, fledgling Presidential Library of an ex-ruler into the cultural trove of UNESCO. that is, as an entity within the same cultural parameters and value as Susanne Wenger’s Osun Grove or Ulli Beier’s life collection.

Incredible as it may sound, this is precisely what is in the offing under the nation’s very nose, an elaborate deception that began in the dying days of the last presidency. A culturally empty husk, conceived in delusion, midwifed by extortion and weaned in a laundry basket is already halfway through the eye of UNESCO’s discriminating needle. For those who need to be reminded of the spectacle, the so-called Presidential Library, whose hoarding dominates the approach into the capital of Ogun state, was funded through an extortionist exercise that was brazenly contemptuous, even by Nigerian standards. That, however is another issue, and will undoubtedly be remedially addressed in good time. What concerns us immediately, that is, we labourers in the field of culture, is that this uncultured accretion on the national landscape is being sneaked into a pantheon of cultural acquisitions through secret machinations that began some eight months ago. The nation – and UNESCO – are close to being presented with a fait accompli.

How was this brought about? What precisely is the nature of this new organism into whose web UNESCO, as well as genuine cultural servitors such as Ulli Beier have been drawn? That body is known – to its select circle – as The CENTRE for BLACK CULTURE AND INTERNATIONAL UNDERSTANDING. Now who could possibly fault such a lofty prospectus? Certainly not I. And certainly not when, along the way, the name of a new foundation, known as the Ulli and Georgina Beier Foundation becomes associated - indeed is being intertwined - with the original concept of the Centre.

The project, that began straightforwardly as The Centre for Black Cultural Heritage has been undergoing several convolutions, all designed to launder a dubious presidential library project into the prestigious authority of UNESCO. In the letter of appointment for members of its board, dated 30^th July 2007 we encounter the following project description:

“The Centre which is been (sic) estavblished as a UNESCO Category II institute would have working and collaborative arrangements with the Olusegun Obasanjo Library, Abeokuta and the relevant institutes in Universities of Osogbo, Ibadan, and Ile-Ife”

This of course prompts the question: does the Olusegun Obasanjo Library enjoy the same intellectual and cultural status as the Universities of Oshogbo, Ibadan and Ile-Ife, or indeed any other university in the world? As a resource place for students of governance, political science, international affairs – eventually – maybe. However – Black Culture? Or indeed European, Asian, or Australasian culture? The yoking together of these two pursuits is not accidental – we shall see that in a moment. Of course a knowledge and/or pursuit of Culture can induce international understanding, but that such a well of wisdom will be found in a presidential library complex? If that miracle did come to pass, since when has its adoption formed part of the UNESCO tradition? If a precedent must be set, I believe we can all run off a dozen or so names, including from within our own African continent, whose claims would be far worthier.

We come now however to the critical document, a Memorandum of Understanding that provides us the full picture of a Cultural 419 on the international level. That MOU signed by Obasanjo’s last Minister of Culture, Professor Borisade is between the Federal government of Nigeria on the one hand, and the two cultural producers – Ulli and Georgina Beier, of Sydney Austrlia on the other. It may be worth noting that the letter of appointment to the Governing Board, dated 30^th July, 2007, was signed by Prince Oyinlola, governor of Osun state, after Olusegun Obasanjo had left office. The Memorandum of Understanding states clearly that its subject was the transfer of the Beier archives to a “Newly to be Created Ulli an d Georgina Beier Centre as Part of an Institute for Black Culture and International Understanding”. In view of the nomenclatural acrobatics that dot the actual articles of the MOU, that last item of information is worth noting.

The composition of the Board for this new Institute is embedded in the MOU of 10^th May 2007, as signed by Professor Borishade, Minister of Culture.

Article 16 (AGREEMENT):

The Centre shall have an independent Board of Governors, assuring the respectability of the Centre. It shall consist of Prince Oyinlola (in his personal capacity) – emphasis mine - Dr. Wole Ogundele (Obafemi Awolowo University in Ife) Dr. Sola Akinrinade (Vice-Chancellor, Osun State University), Prof. Michael Omolewa, and a non-government member to be nominated by H.E. Chief Olusegun Obasanjo….”

The Memorandum of Understanding, as already indicated, was signed by the Minister of Culture, thus making this acquisition project a national undertaking. To buttress the point, Article 11 (AGREEMENT) states that:

“Ulli and Georgina Beier agree to transfer the title and ownership of all items in their archive of Yoruba, other Nigerian and Papua New Guinea and other cultures and arts to the new Centre – as detailed in the new detailed listing attached to this Memorandum - against a payment BY THE GOVERNMENT OF NIGERIA……” (emphasis mine)

And just to leave no doubt whatsoever as to who is the paying all bills, Article 22 (AGREEMENT) declares:

”The Government of Nigeria, with the eventual assistance of UNESCO, will arrange and pay for the transport of the Beier archives from Sydney to Nigeria…”

That is as it should be. Nigeria is lucky to have beaten all competitors for the Beier archives. It is money well spent. The situation however then proceeds through a few twists. At first, the swings and turns could be interpreted as being ploys in which it was the government of Osun State that was about to appropriate what was being charged to the National Treasury. The following paragraphs soon disabuse our minds, bringing us squarely against a familiar trademark of the past regime – privatization.

Article 5 (BACKGROUND):

“Subsequently, President Obasansjo requested Prof Borisade, Prof Omolewa, and Mr. d’Orville to explore and negotiate with Mr. and Mrs. Beier the terms and arrangements of a transfer of his archives from Sydney to a newly to be created centre in Oshogbo, Nigeria as an integral part of a new Institute for Black Culture and International Understanding being established under UNESCO’s auspices AS the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library!!! (exclamations mine).

Easily observed here is that The Ulli and Georgina Beier Cultural centre has metamorphosed into the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential library, under UNESCO’s auspices, and for the avoidance of any doubt whatsoever, Article 8 (AGREEMENTS) further declares:

“The Centre shall become part of the Institute for Black Culture and International Understanding (hereafter, The Institute), which is being established as a UNESCO Category II institute the Olusegun Obasanjo Library in Abeokuta, Ogun State”

That section, a masterpiece of confusion, obviously suffers from some missing punctuations. It has been reproduced exactly as in the MOU, but the proposition is without the slightest ambiguity.

My sympathies, Prince Oyinlola, if you thought that you had made an acquisition for Osun State, albeit with Federal funds. Oshogbo has turned into Abeokuta, the Black Cultural Centre into the Obasanjo Presidential Library! Anyone reading this document from beginning to end cannot fail to be stuck by the confusions and contradictions in a number of paragraphs, but it is clear what the purpose is: to throw up smokescreens and thoroughly bemuse the casual reader. The Head of an outgoing government, less than three weeks to departure, personally initiates and authorizes an agreement that costs the nation an undisclosed amount for an acquisition. That acquisition then ends up as his private project, on his private estate. This is what the Memorandum of Understanding of 10 May 2007 is all about. Its very messiness, repetitiveness and name substitutions, its confusing syntax – all bearing the hallmarks of an unseemly rush, are a perfect giveaway.

What next? Since the Borisade/Beier MOU calls for the repatriation of Ulli Beier’s archives to Nigeria by October 2007, the first question has to be - where is that collection at this moment? If indeed in Nigeria, is it in Oshogbo? In Abeokuta? Or in that newly to be created centre in virtual space that changes location in nearly every paragraph?

The mind boggles at the thought of UNESCO finding itself in – shall we say? - a situation where, in the process of acquiring the papers and other archival material of the Romanian poet Mihail Eminescu, the organisation is manipulated, through a series of substitutions of names for the recipient institutions - all ‘newly to be created’ of course – and ends up saddled with the Presidential Library of Nicolae Caescescu as an addition to its catalogue of World Heritage.

Actually, that fantasy has a history. When I visited Romania many years ago, soon after the overthrow of Nicolae Caescescu, I was taken round on a tour of that dictator’s extravagant testament to the affliction of folie de grandeur, the Grand Palace that was built virtually on slave labour, the deluded ruler’s wish to replicate Versailles, only several times more opulent. The question was put before me – what do we do with this monstrosity? It bankrupted the nation, ate up lives and money, and simply trying to maintain it is eating up what’s left.

My response was – internationalize the White Elephant. Turn it into a tourist attraction. Since his would-be Nigerian counterpart is so anxious to turn ‘legacy’ into an international attraction, I suggest that the nation come to his aid – it was built, after all on the people’s money, extorted through parastatals, private business, corporations, and state governments. So, let us put an end to this agony and close all avenues to the laundry machine. We internationalize the establishment; turn it into a tourist attraction. Indeed, that visit to Romania having taken place towards the tail-end of Abacha’s regime, I promised our own fair share of contributions for the Display Gallery. Mind you, I did not fail to advise the Romanians also that, like a crowd-pulling theme park, Caescescu’s palace should have a theme, and suggested the obvious ‘Grand Palais of Dictatorship Horrors’. In our own case, to restore the title where it rightly belongs and take the pressure off UNESCO, concerned as one must be for accuracy in job description, history of origin, planned hotelier services and other ‘cultural’ functions - we could do worse than settle for – ‘The Presidential Laudromat’.

Soyinka is Goodwill Ambassador to UNESCO

The adoption of forensic examination approaches to prove malpractices may yet prove to be the tonic for healthier elections in the country

By Ademola Adegbamigbe

Many observers view last Monday’s rejection of forensic evidence by the election tribunal in Osun State as a premature pulling of curtains on this novel approach to exposing electoral fraud in Nigeria. The apprehension is heightened by the fact that similar petitions in Ekiti, Ondo and Ogun states rely substantially on hi-tech examination processes to expose massive rigging.

Not long ago, the Ogun State Election Petitions Tribunal dismissed the petition of Senator Ibikunle Amosun, governorship candidate of All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP, in the 14 April 2007 election. This was on the basis that Amosun had no locus standi because he did not comply with paragraph 41b of the Electoral Act. That is, he did not, in his petition, specify his candidature and the party that fielded him. But Amosun said he would appeal the verdict.

Governor Gbenga Daniel and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, had challenged the competence of Amosun to dispute the gubernatorial polls. The duo claimed that Amosun did not clearly state the grounds for his prayer, against the provisions of the Electoral Act. Professor Taiwo Osipitan and Oluyele Delano, Daniel’s lawyers, therefore, submitted that the petition be struck out.

For full details, demand the 25th, February 2008 issue of TheNEWS from your vendor now.

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Thugs invade the venue of the election petitions tribunal sitting in Ilorin, beating witnesses and supporters of the opposition Democratic Peoples Party

By Stephen Oni/ Ilorin

Hell was let loose on Tuesday19 February at the resumed hearing of the petition filed by Mr. Gbenga Olawepo, governorship candidate of the Democratic Peoples Party, DPP, against the election of Governor Bukola Saraki of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, as thugs suspected to be sponsored by the PDP allegedly invaded the premises of the tribunal sitting in Ilorin and unleashed terror on some DPP witnesses and supporters.

In the ensuing melee, some people were alleged to have been abducted while two key witnesses of DPP, Comrade Kamal Sani and Yakub Agodi, were thoroughly beaten. The thugs, allegedly led by a local government chairman, were reported to have come in three unmarked Toyota Hiace buses to the venue of the sitting, while women believed to be supporters of PDP also besieged the court premises in large numbers.

It was, however, gathered that two of those alleged to have been abducted, Tajudeen Abubakar and Lanre Are who was said to be a DPP witness, were arrested at the tribunal premises and taken to the state police headquarters, Ilorin. They were accused of involvement in the murder of Surajudeen Akaje in 2007.

For full details, demand the 25th, February 2008 issue of TheNEWS from your vendor now.

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Temitope B. Joshua, donates millions to widows and widowers

By Ernest Omoarelojie

For eight years, Magaret Babalola lived the life of a destitute with Dare, 19 and Dupe, 15, her two children. She had been condemned to living on the street, sleeping mostly in market stalls after the death of her husband. According to her, there was nothing to live on and whatever she was able to eke out of her daily jobs was barely enough to keep her children in school. It got so bad that by last year, both had to withdraw from school, as no one was willing to assist Margaret anymore.

At that point, she made up her mind to take her own life, but by a stroke of good fortune a good Nigerian intervened. The same good Nigerian, she said, also directed her to come to the Synagogue Church Of All Nations, (SCOAN), where there is a rehabilitation programme for widows.

But there was a problem. As an Anglican faithful, it was more of a taboo to be associated with SCOAN. But out of desperation, she took the advice.  “I didn’t know what to do anymore because I was tired of living,” she recalls as she narrated her ordeal.

As it turned out, Babalola’s fortunes, along with three other widows, Florence Adewale, mother of four, whose husband died when she was six and a half months pregnant; Mojisola Adeyemi, thrown out by her landlord as she could no longer pay her rents, and Stella Emmanuel, a Ghanaian, mother of one who is pregnant with another, took a new positive turn.  Before  a parked auditorium of the church on 17 February, Prophet Joshua gave N200,000 to each of the four, in addition to scholarship for their children, a bag of rice and another of flour. For Emmanuel, Joshua promised to pay her passage to her home country, where SCOAN’s branch would provide other materials she would need to survive.

Joshua’s gesture was in continuation of an event which began two days earlier. On the widow’s forum on 15 February, Ndidi Ndukwu, 40,  mother of four and three other persons who were the biggest beneficiaries went home N150,000 richer. Twenty two others received N50,000, a bag of rice and flour each, while 200 widows and widowers, erstwhile beneficiaries of Joshua’s generosity, received a bag of rice and flour respectively.

Among the group, Ndukwu and Emma Sumo recounted experiences that made the audience speechless. According to Ndukwu, her husband’s death eight years ago triggered off a trauma she thought the sympathy of relatives and friends would heal with time. But no sooner had the man been buried than her in-laws began to mount pressure on her to marry his younger brother. Following her refusal, she was abandoned along with her four children. Since then, Ndukwu told this medium, it has been a tale of long suffering.

“My husband was sick for two years but he kept it to himself. By the time I knew what was wrong, he had died. Shortly afterwards, members of his family  turned their backs on me and his children and I could not get help from anywhere I went,” she recalls.

If Ndukwu’s tale is a sore truth about the life of an average widow in the country, Sumo’s experience reeks of sadism. The 49-year old former nurse and mother of nine from Liberia, told this medium that she lost her husband to the tortuous fratricidal war that turned citizens of the West African nation into refugees across the continent. For refusing to marry one of her dead husband’s relations, her in-laws, she disclosed, burnt down her two buildings and a school. To complete her humiliation, they drove her, along with her children, away from whatever belonged to her husband. While running around Liberia, begging for food, she lost four of her nine children to the war, the same way she lost her husband.

“They shot my husband in front of me. My in-laws made it harder for me when they took everything from me and drove us away. I begged daily to survive and the worst was when I also had to lose four children to the war the same way I lost my husband,” she said struggling with tears.

But on 15 February 2008, Ndukwu, Sumo and numerous widows and widowers received life-saving support from an unlikely quarter: Temitope B. Joshua, founder and General Overseer of the Synagogue Church of All Nations. While Ndukwu and two others received N150,000 cash, a bag of rice and flour, including a bible from Joshua, Sumo and 21 others became N50,000 richer, getting as well a bag of rice, another bag of flour and bible. About 200 other widows and widowers, comprising those who previously received various sums of money and other items also collected a bag of rice and flour each from Joshua. Like Babalola, Ndukwu and Sumo shed tears of joy as they received Joshua’s gifts.

“I want to thank the man of God for making us realise that there is hope for us. I want to thank you because before now, we hardly had enough to eat. My mother can start trading with this money and my siblings can go back to school. I want to thank you for making us believe that there is a future for us,’’ 19-year old Lynda, Ndukwu’s daughter and a pre-degree Bio-Chemistry student of the University of Benin, who appeared to speak the recipients’ mind, told Joshua amidst tears.

A source in the church told this medium that Joshua spent over N6 million to put together events of the two days. The source also disclosed that Joshua has spent close to N1 billion since the fortnightly philanthropic gestures for widows and widowers began a few years ago. Widows and widowers, the source revealed, are so close to Joshua’s heart that he has asked them to come for help without any string attached. Joshua himself alluded to that when he said “We will always be there for you. We want you to be part of the family, but we will tell you what to do with your gift. It is a gift from God, who is a father to the fatherless and husband to the widow.”

Bishop Olusola Olukolade, who witnessed Joshua’s philanthropic largesse, explained that Joshua is indeed doing what Jesus Christ asked his true followers to do. According to Olukolade, all men of God must carry on with what he referred to as ‘the directives of Jesus,’ since he will not physically come down.

“This is what every ministry that preaches Jesus is expected to do. It shows that Joshua is a man of God and a follower of Jesus Christ,” Olukolade said. Joshua’s philanthropy is not restricted to providing succour for widows and widowers. He is also a source of comfort for the aged and dwarfs. He is reported to have supported both groups with multi-million cash and food. As one of the recipients puts it, “Joshua has shown everyone today that he is hope for the hopeless.”

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, is polarised into factions, with the different camps desperate to grab control of the party

By Tony Orilade & Francis Ottah Agbo

Barring last minute postponement, by next Saturday, the  battle line would have been drawn in the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, the self-styled Africa’s biggest political party. There has been so much intrigue and “politricks” as the party members gear up for the 2008 convention of the party.

Of all those jostling for the Chairmanship position of the party, which has been zoned to the South-Eastern part of the country, two seem really formidable. The contestants are split along the camps of G-21 and G-31. They two frontrunners are former Senate president, Anyim Pius Anyim and former Ebonyi State governor, Dr. Sam Egwu. Incidentally, the duo are from Ebonyi State.

Other contenders are: Chief Mokelu Ikeobasi, Ambassador Franklyn Ogbuewu, Chief Vincent Ogbulafor, Dr. Ezekiel Izuogu, Nze Fidelis Ozichukwu, National Vice Chairman, South-East, Imo; Dan Ulasi, Anambra; Tony Anyanwu, Imo; Benjamin Apugo; Chief Sonny Iroche. There are also Dr. Carol Nwosu, Chiefs Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, Chyna Iwuanyanwu and Nuel Chukwukabia, Imo; Chief Uche Nwoke, Anambra; Chief Chukwuemeka Kanu, Imo, and Chief Anayo Rochas Okorocha.

The possibility of a consensus candidate emerging on 8 March in the chairmanship race looks very slim, as according to Dr. Ezekiel Izuogu, “by nature, we are individualistic. The truth must be told, the Igbo are an individualistic lot. Nobody will agree that the other person has greater experience than him. Even the person that you brought up in politics will not concede to you,” However, this magazine reliably gathered, the two main contending candidates have taken their campaigns to the nook and crannies of this country.

For full details, demand the 25th, February 2008 issue of TheNEWS from your vendor now.

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DAAR Communications is set to join the league of quoted companies, as it floats offers for subscription and sale preparatory to its listing on the Nigerian Stock Exchange

By Clement Oriloye

Founder of DAAR Communications plc, Chief Raymond Aleogho Dokpesi, Monday last  week concretised arrangements to take the broadcasting firm to the league of quoted companies. DAAR Communications operates African International Television, AIT, and Raypower 100.5 FM, its radio arm.

Last week, at the completion board meeting that formally kicked off the offer intention, Dokpesi disclosed that DAAR Communications is seeking to raise over N8.75 billion through an offer for subscription, while DAAR Investment and Holding Company Limited is looking for N4.61 billion via an offer for sale. As a consequence, the company will transform from a private limited status to that of a public limited company.

The offer, which opens on Monday 25 February, has an estimated net proceeds of N8.755 billion after deducting the cost of the offer, put at 4.29 per cent of gross proceeds.

The offer proceeds will be utilised on expansion (local and international), which will gulp 5.25 per cent; completion of 11 new stations and construction of a film village, 5.94 per cent; upgrading of existing facilities, 6.94 per cent; procurement of programme content, 12.96 per cent; programmes and digital satellite system, 6.48 per cent and working capital requirement 62.42 per cent.

For full details, demand the 25th, February 2008 issue of TheNEWS from your vendor now.

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