NaijaPositive.com

admin · Site Admin Joined: 25 May 2007 Posts: 5404

Kumasi is in Ghana, therefore Nigeria's participation in peace keeping operations during the 1873-1874 Kumasi Expedition and 2nd Kumasi Expedition in 1900 are proof enough of their activities in that region.

Though called constabularies, these local forces were trained along military lines equipped with artillery and used to fight colonial wars. They were also used to carry out several expeditions within British colonial territory such as the Expedition of 1863, Kumasi expedition of 1873 - 74, the Akunas peacekeeping operations of 1894, Brass River operation of 1895, the Benin campaign of 1897, Bida/llorin expedition of 1897 as well as the expeditions to Yola, Kontagora, Bauchi, Sokoto, Kano and Arochukwu between 1902 and 1903.

Supporting links are http://www.onlinenigeria.com/links/adv.asp?blurb=157 and http://www.nigerianarmy.net/nacampaigns.htm

admin · Site Admin Joined: 25 May 2007 Posts: 5404

Response to A Converted Pessimist

By stating that "It takes you and I to fix things albeit in little ways, even if it begins with repairing Nigeria's image by pronouncing her positive attributes over her negative ones." for those whom this is unclear, it means "if we spend our time in spreading and dwelling over negative and exaggerated reports without efforts to learn from them or correct our mistakes, then they are of NO benefit to us as Nigerians or anyone foreigner either.

We can provide, pronounce or overanalyze the negative information as much as we want, but if we don't come up with any tangible solutions then it is time and spit wasted, to the mockery of ourselves.

In a time when all most uninformed people know about Nigeria is the negative and exaggerated news they hear, it will in no way hurt for them to become aware that good things do in fact occur in Nigeria, and the only way good news can emante from Nigeria is only if we ourselves proclaim our good news.

Information is knowledge, but remains useless unless it is used for any beneficial purposes, hence the need for one to have the wisdom to apply it.

The countries that are using Nigeria's negative information to denigrate it have a reason and a purpose, and Nigerians that contribute to their purpose do not serve Nigeria in any positive way.

Nigerians who choose to provide Nigerian positive information also have their reasons and purposes, if only just to provide fair and balanced information, to rebuild our scarred image, and encourage those who would otherwise not invest in it to explore the truths for themselves and make their own choices, etc.

If I'd started a thread declaring much negative news about Nigeria even if it was stale and over-recylcled news, I'm sure Nigeria's detractors wouldn't dedicate as much time trying to discredit the news or my intent, and it's this mentality that makes one wonder if Nigerians need any outside help in destroying our own nation's image, after all a significant number who feel hopeless are already doing a good job on their own.

If for instance, if you went around proclaiming only your negative qualities, I'm quite assured NO one unless a sadist would be interested in associating with you. In spite of your negative shortcomings, people who choose to associate with you do so only because of the positive qualities they deem you possess, and it takes the positive to initially attract, before they can realize that you indeed possess good qualities.

The bottomline is the thread I started was to make people aware that Nigeria has an impact worlwide in its different efforts, irrespective of it's shortcomings, and attempts tp disputed my factual comments, or to make a mockery of Nigeria by making belittling comments serve no progrssive purpose.

The fact is that although I may not be a historian or custodian of Nigeria's war records, I have indeed provided some relevant information to prove that we do indeed make an impact and the world considers us relevant enough to mention us in their daily news regardless of what news they choose to report, and the onus to better our nation or discredit it, rests on each one of us as her citizens.

I thank you also for your contributions albeit unintentionally, but as I previously stated the thread was started to provide positive information, not to discuss war efforts, so I hope others who have relevant positive information to provide about Nigerians and Nigeria, for the benefit of the general public will join me in doing so.

Those who have no interest in being made aware of Nigeria's positive contributions to the world, need not visit the thread if it irks them so much. Much media outlets already exist to provide the negative type of reports they clamour for.

Cxsm
7th Jan. '04
_________________
May we be strengthened with the ability, willingness and capabilities to be good ambassadors of Nigeria contributing to its uplifting, rather than its detriment. - Cxsm

admin · Site Admin Joined: 25 May 2007 Posts: 5404

Seeking Greener Pastures in Nigeria

Despite Nigeria's ills, some see it as their key to survival

Benin as referred to is the country 'Republic of Benin', not to be confused with Benin City a city in Nigeria. Also, dissatisfaction with Nigeria's return of the boys is what the parents refer to as "the trouble with Nigeria"

Benin's Youngest Boys Join Hard Cycle of Migrant Labor

By Somini Sengupta
December 30, 2003

ZA-KPOTA, Benin - The hands of small boys hold up this place. As young as 8, barely able to handle picks and shovels, the small boys of this cluster of dust-poor villages are sent to break stones in the quarries of neighboring Nigeria.

At home, the proceeds of their labor buy sacks of grain, pay a father's crippling debts, put tin roofs on mud huts and bring bicycles and radios to families who have nothing. Sometimes, after years of a boy's poorly paid work, his patron in French, "master" builds a house for his family. Sometimes, the boys grow up to be masters themselves: they come home dressed in smart new clothes, with cash in their pockets, and ferry a new batch of small boys to break stones across the border.

For generations, the people of this rural county have ranged across West Africa seeking work. It is only in recent years that the tradition has been passed on to its youngest boys. In fact, men who recall breaking stones themselves at age 20 or 25 now send their sons, at less than half those ages. It is a snapshot of how much tougher life has become for children here.

Today, it seems, child labor has become a way of life in Za-Kpota. A (Benin) father with several boys in Nigeria offered an explanation. If you steal, he said, you get burned (setting suspected criminals on fire is one form of local justice), but if you send away your son, you get paid.

Breaking that habit is the pressing challenge before local officials and children's advocates. In recent months, high-level talks between Nigeria and Benin resulted in the release of about 260 of these child workers from the stone quarries in Nigeria's Yoruba heartland.

They were fed and clothed and given checkups. Their parents were tracked down in Za-Kpota. Take back your children, they were told, and promise not to sell them ever again. There would be repercussions otherwise.

In December, the first busload of the small boys came home, unearthing a mix of shame, greed and dismay in Za-Kpota that spoke volumes for the depths to which poverty had made people sink.

Mothers and fathers and uncles and sisters came to welcome them home. They were pleased to see their children were clean even the soles of their feet were clean, recalled Aline Adimou, the director of Za-Kpota's social services agency.

Yet the homecoming prompted by what villagers here call "the trouble with Nigeria" was not entirely a cause for celebration. How, the parents wondered aloud, were they to feed another mouth?

Martin Atinkpo, 26, lounging in the shade, spoke of having sent his three little brothers to work in Nigeria. Asked what he would do if government minders were to send them home, he considered his toenails, painted an improbable bright pink, and said flatly: "I have to send them back. There's nothing I can do for them here."

Bernardin Adadja, 58, a farmer, is the father of seven children. One was among those returned, after only a few months of work. Mr. Adadja promised to keep his son at home from now on. They would eat sand if they had to, he said. Yet he could not hide his sense of dismay. There are children who come back with a radio for their fathers, a bicycle for their fathers, he offered. "In my case," he said, "I have nothing."

The son, Francois, 12, stared at the ground. Later, he too said he was disappointed that he had not worked long enough to bring back a radio, or, better still, for his master to build his family a new house. In his case, the master was a cousin.

Why this practice began here, and not in other equally destitute
communities in this country, is difficult to say. By now, in Za-Kpota, 15 miles east of Abomey, where the Dahomey kingdom famously enriched itself by selling rival tribes people into the trans-Atlantic slave trade, the trafficking of children is established and well organized.

A child is taken for a two- to three-year term, usually by someone known in the community. It is understood that the child will get $100 to $200 in cash and either a radio or a bicycle. After three terms each, the child will be free to go. The family will be rewarded with more cash and ideally, a new house. ]The child, it is hoped, will have a better life than he would have had at home.

Some people describe the practice as a modern distortion of an old Beninese custom, in which poor families send their young to live and work with those better off. The children attend school or learn a trade, often in exchange for domestic work.

It is Ms. Adimou's job to track down the parents and warn them about the perils of selling their children, to ride her scooter from village to village and exhort them to take responsibility for their young. Villagers listen and nod. The government is considering offering aid to the people of this community, she says. Parents found to have sold their children will face consequences, she warns. "I don't like the excuse that it's because of poverty I'm sending away my children," she said.

The small boys of Za-Kpota are cursed by many forces beyond their control. Their families' cotton, the principal cash crop in the area, cannot compete on the world market with subsidized American cotton prices. (The United States government recently started a program to help the government of Benin combat child trafficking.)

The land can no longer sustain the large families produced by a long tradition of polygamy. There are new demands of a cash economy - not least, the demand for child labor across the border,
less costly than hiring adults.

The new attention on child trafficking has made it a difficult issue to broach with the parents of Za-Kpota. Stories change. Answers are incomplete. A stranger raising the subject gets a mix of lies and obscured and confusing answers.

On a blazing Sunday afternoon, a widowed mother named Adohinzin Houkintinde described her plight this way. She had sent away two sons, ages 15 and 11, to work in the fields in Nigeria. Both, she said, had since returned. The older brought back $150 after two years of work. The younger brought back nothing after five months. Ms. Houkintinde did not hide her disappointment. About the government's campaign against the practice, she said, "I have to keep quiet."

Asked about her sons' whereabouts that afternoon, she said they had gone to a nearby village to visit friends. But a drive through the narrow dirt paths from village to village turned up only the younger of the two. The other, she finally acknowledged, had gone back to Nigeria.

n.b. Nigeria has laws against child labour. ...and The issue of child labor is already being discussed under a separate thread.
_________________
May we be strengthened with the ability, willingness and capabilities to be good ambassadors of Nigeria contributing to its uplifting, rather than its detriment. - Cxsm

admin · Site Admin Joined: 25 May 2007 Posts: 5404

Nigerian Army Campaigns - ?1683- 1995

The evolution of the Nigerian Army (NA) dates back to 1863 when Lt Glover established the "Glover Hausas" a local force made up of 18 indigenes from the Northern part of Nigeria. Lt Glover as governor of Lagos used the force to mount expeditions in the Lagos hinterland to protect British trade routes around Lagos.

For additional info. visit http://www.nigerianarmy.net/briefhistory.htm

The Nigerian Army since inception has participated in a number of campaigns locally and internationally including Internal Security Operations. These include:

Epe expedition - ?? - 1683
Kumasi Expedition - 1873 - 1874
Akunas Peace keeping Operation - 1894
Brass River Operation - 1895
Second Kumasi Expedition - 1900
First World War - 1914 - 1918
Second World War - 1938 - 1945
Tiv Riot - 1960 - 1964
Policing of the Former Western Region - 1967
Maitatsine Uprising Kano & Yola - 1980 - 1984

INTERNATIONAL PEACE KEEPING OPERATIONS

The NA has also participated in International Peace keeping Operations. These include:

Congo Peace keeping Operation
Tangayika Operation
Middle East Peace Keeping Operation
OAU Peace Keeping Operation Chad
United Nation Military Observer Group (UNIMOG)
United Nations Protectection Force (UNPROFOR)
United Nations Mission in Somalia (UNISOM)
United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL)
United Nations Mission in Western Sahara (MINURSO)
ECOMOG

Nigerian Participation in Peace Operations

Congo (ONUC) 1960-1964, Battalion operations;

New Guinea (UNSF) 1962-1963, Military Observers;

Tanzania (Bilateral agreement) 1964, Battalion operations;

India-Pakistan (UNIPOM) 1965-1966, Military Observers;

Lebanon (UNIFIL) 1978-1983, Battalion operations and Staff Officers;

Chad (HARMONY I, bilateral agreement) 1981-1982, Battalion operations and Staff Officers;

Chad (HARMONY II, OAU) 1982-1983, Brigade operations;

Iran-Iraq (UNIIMOG) 1988-1991, Military Observers;

Liberia (ECOMOG) 1990- Division (-) operations;

Iraq-Kuwait (UNIKOM) 1991, Military Observers;

Angola (UNAVEM II) 1991-1992, Military Observers;

Sierra Leone (NATAG) 1991, Training Team;

Angola (UNAVEM III) 1992-1995, Detachment;

Namibia (UNTAG) 1989-1990, Military Observers;

Western Sahara (MINURSO) 1991, Military Observers;

Cambodia (UNTAC) 1992- 1993, Military Observers;

Somalia (UNOSOM) 1992-1994, Battalion operations and Staff Officers;

Former Republic of Yugoslavia (UNPROFOR) 1992, Battalion operations and Staff Officers;

Mozambique (ONUMOZ) 1992 Military Observers;

Rwanda (UNAMIR) 1993, Battalion operations;

Gambia (NATAG) 1993, Training Team;

Aouzo Strip (UNASOG) 1994, Military Observers; and

Israel (UNTSO) 1995, Military Observers

?????? 1995-2003 ?????

Liberia - 2003

?????? 2007

For additional info. visit http://www.nigerianarmy.net/nacampaigns.htm
and http://www.iss.co.za/Pubs/Monographs/No17/AppF.html

n.b. This may not be a complete list and does not necessarily provide names of specific countries in some of their peace keeping efforts.
_________________
May we be strengthened with the ability, willingness and capabilities to be good ambassadors of Nigeria contributing to its uplifting, rather than its detriment. - Cxsm

admin · Site Admin Joined: 25 May 2007 Posts: 5404

Cxsm,

As a good citizen, (not a subject), it is part of my duty to question and not swallow everything hook, line and sinker. This is also who I am. (And why I'm not so popular)
Africans, Nigerians and all the other poorer peoples of the world are good subjects but very bad citizens. I'm hoping I can point this out, so it can change.

I still feel your article was well intentioned and written, but to me it came out sounding very reminiscent of the overly sugary government propaganda we used to be bombarded with on Radio Nigeria.
However, it opened the door to more information and knowledge. I've been personally enriched and better informed.
(I have also been irked).
This forum is working!!

I am not making a mockery of Nigeria or belittling her.
I am not disputing your comments for the fun of it.
It is because I'm not aware of certain facts. (ignorant).
Where information is concerned, there is never enough overanalysis if there is to be progress.

Now as to that Donnelly chap...(General, are you there?)
You can never find Sani when you need him.

This article from Newswatch, buttresses your statement about the Nigerian government giving resources to neighbors. Now that we've established this as a fact, in light of the prevalent context, this action should be questioned and not praised.

Could this (below) be one of the reasons why there is not enough electricity to go around domestically? Does anyone see the problem here?

n/5n
1/10/04

Where NEPA Is Winning

By Phillip Oladunjoye
January 05, 2004

In Nigeria, the National Electric Power Authority represents epileptic services but not so in the Republic of Niger where it's been chosen as core investor in the country's privatisation process

The National Electric Power Authority, NEPA, may be without honour in the country because of the frequent power outages but it has been receiving commendations from the neighboring Republic of Niger. This is because NEPA has maintained constant supply of electricity in that country. As a result of this, the authority in Niger Republic has invited NEPA to vie in the privatisation bid for the country's electricity company, NIGELEC.

According to Mamadou Tandja, president of the Republic of Niger, NEPA deserves all commendations for an improved electricity supply in his country. He said NEPA has performed creditably in the Republic of Niger since 1977 when it started supplying about 90 percent of the country's electricity requirement. This, he said, informed his government's decision to extend an invitation to NEPA through the Federal Government to participate in the privatisation of NIGELEC.

Liyel Imoke, minister of power and steel of Nigeria, was in Republic of Niger recently, where he submitted the bid for the privatisation exercise of NIGELEC on behalf of the Federal Government. Newswatch gathered that by the time the privatisation exercise is completed, NEPA would become the core investor in the utility company.

The government of Niger Republic is also seeking the assistance of the Nigerian government through NEPA for the rural electrification programme in the country. When the privatisation deal is finally consummated, NEPA would be assisting the government of the Republic of Niger in the exploitation of coal resources for use as alternative source of energy in the country.

The acceptance of NEPA to participate in the privatisation of NIGELEC has drawn various criticisms from stakeholders in the power sector and Nigerians. Some have argued that the acceptance was purely for political reasons while others said there were economic reasons considerations.

Aligning the two reasons for accepting the invitation, Imoke said business transaction between NIGELEC and NEPA was encouraging. He said NIGELEC paid its outstanding bill with NEPA at an encouraging pace which has made the utility company a viable one. "NIGELEC's response to the settlement of outstanding commitments has greatly improved. As per the last bill, the total outstanding amounted to $4,886,612.55. The management of NIGELEC should be greatly commended for such tremendous improvement. It is our belief, that if the settlement of the bills should continue as currently being enjoyed, there will hardly be an outstanding bill by December 2003," Imoke said.

Imoke argued that NEPA's own restructuring at home for privatisation would not hinder Nigerian government from participating in the NIGELEC privatisation exercise. "You are already aware that the Nigerian government is reforming NEPA in preparation for eventual privatisation. This notwithstanding, the strategic importance of River Niger to our hydro-generation capability and NIGELEC as prime customer has necessitated our strong and committed interest in privatisation of NIGELEC," he told stakeholders in the electricity sector in Republic of Niger recently.

According to an official of NEPA, who spoke to Newswatch on condition of anonymity, NEPA could have accepted the invitation practically on political reasons. He said considering the position of River Niger to the generating capacity of the hydro-electric power stations in the country, the Federal Government could have done nothing less than to accept the invitation. "If the Federal Government refuses the bid and the government of the Republic of Niger decides to block River Niger, what then do you expect of our electricity generation plants which are powered by water," he asked.

He said the people of Niger Republic have been enjoying constant electricity supply based on this factor. The source, who was in Niger Republic recently said there were hardly power outages in that country.

Joe Ajaero, head of education and information, National Union of Electricity Employees, NUEE, said the union was in support of any expansion programme embarked upon by the management of NEPA. "The management is developing, they are increasing their frontiers in some other areas which could make them become a conglomerate under NEPA. But one does not expect that they will buy today and tomorrow they just abandon it. An organisation should not be static. It should continue to grow," he said.

Henry Madugba, manager, operations, International Maximum Resources and Chemical Industries Limited, believed that the move by NEPA to take over the management of NIGELEC could bring positive economic result to the country if properly handled. "Investment is not bad, but it should be wise investment. If they know they are not going to make anything out of it or they are buying it for their families, then Nigerians don't need it. Because in Nigeria, what they do is to invest for themselves and not for the country. Nobody has the interest of the nation at heart," he said.

Newswatch gathered that NEPA and NIGELEC have had a long working relationship which involves bulk supply of electricity from Nigeria's power grid to Niger's electricity networks. The two companies have also had series of staff exchange programmes which could make the alliance of the power sectors a fruitful one.

admin · Site Admin Joined: 25 May 2007 Posts: 5404

Hi n/5n,

Thanks.....Now on to our ongoing discussions. I suppose you're finally realizing that I know what I'm talking about. That's why I told you to do the research yourself. I'm indeed very glad though that you've shown maturity in providing links on information I previously stated as existing but which you questioned.

We all learn daily, and though we may not keep statistical or exact details in our memories, it eventually tends to serve us well and remind us of information that was previously stored.

Our collective goal on a forum like this (I believe) is to educate and enlighten one another (Nigerians and foreigners alike), rather than resorting to emotional outbursts when we have opposing views. Humility rather than quickness to respond I've found usually results in cooperation and collaboration in obtaining and gaining new insights into any issues of life, and in expanding one's horizon.

From recollecting regarding the countries NEPA provides electricity to, I believe they are more than one, but I cannot immediately recall the exact nations unless I do the research, which I think others too should do, as a learning experience.
Also, Electricity which NEPA provides is not the only resource we do provide to other African nations, and I believe water provision from our dam(s) is one of others.

Like I previously stated, the rational may seem senseless in light of Nigeria's present disposition, but all countries co-exist and are interdependent on one another for survival and sometimes, this is one of the acts of peaceful and friendly coexistense.
Same reason there are some hungry people in the U.S. while it's simultaneously providing food aid to Iran.

Regarding Donnelly, complaints filtered from prominent African residents in Boston, and his not so complimenting articles may have to be dug up by and provided by those who actually read his column regularly, and as usual, I'll provide such info. as available.

Cxsm
1/12/04
_________________
May we be strengthened with the ability, willingness and capabilities to be good ambassadors of Nigeria contributing to its uplifting, rather than its detriment. - Cxsm

admin · Site Admin Joined: 25 May 2007 Posts: 5404

On Fabrications and Misinformation

I forgot to address your comment that "I do agree that in the past Africa has suffered from very racist and biased reporting." Though as you also stated it's becoming more difficult to fabricate stories, it's very unfortunate to note that this same thing is still ongoing today. The fact is NOT everyone has access to research tools to find out the truth themselves, nor are all knowledgeable as to how to use the tools they have.

Even some that access to research tools are too lazy to research the truth themselves and simply find it convenient and sufficient to rely on the media as their main source of information. If the media continues to miseducate such people, then they'll continue to be misinformed, and if the media neglects to feed them positive information, then they'll continue to be ignorant as to any and all existing and ongoing positive facts.

Just last week a telephone operator who was translating for a hearing impaired and I got into a discussion while she was waiting for the other party to type in their phone messages, and after telling her I was from Nigeria, the first question that came out of her mouth was "Is it true that the women have no rights and are abused?"
I seized the opportunity to correct that misinformation, and made her aware that media sometimes tends to skew and exaggerate certain facts for specific purposes, and she could then relate as a black in the U.S. and how some misinformed foreigners think African-Americans are gangsters and lowly people because of negative perceptions the media had created.

I also asked her about her personal experiences regarding the Nigerians she had had personal encounters with and she reported they were quite enlightened and educated. I impressed on her that the key is to real knowledge is holding on to the truths of actual variety of experiences and encounters, rather than just media heresay, and other biased or ignorant channels of information, including those who've never had any personal experiences with Africans, or else she would be apt to believe that Africans are from the jungle when in fact she knows that they did not learn to speak, dress or become civilized only after they arrived at the U.S. port of entry.

Allimadi's research also showed that fabrication by New York Times occurred well into the 80's and we are quite aware that the issue of fabrication and misinformmation wouldn't be up for discussion if it still wasn't ongoing today.

Unfortunately, we Nigerians fan the rumour mills ourselves by failing to provide other existing information that shows us in positive limelight, and by failing to correct exaggerated stories about our people and our nation.
----------------------------------------------

n.b. The below related article is posted in the 'Mending Fences' Section under the subforum 'Correcting Misconceptions'. (Link to be posted later.)
Inventing Africa: New York Times archives reveal a history of racist fabrication. - By Milton Allimadi
_________________
May we be strengthened with the ability, willingness and capabilities to be good ambassadors of Nigeria contributing to its uplifting, rather than its detriment. - Cxsm

admin · Site Admin Joined: 25 May 2007 Posts: 5404

Nigeria, Cameroun Exchange Villages

Nigeria and Cameroon on 16 December 2003 formally exchanged two villages in the Lake Chad region. Chikaa, a Nigerian village in Borno State, was handed over to the Republic of Cameroon while Nigeria similarly assumed sovereignty over Dan Boure village from the Republic of Cameroon.

The handover ceremonies, performed at the two border villages, signal the withdrawal of administration, military and police presence from the areas. The exchange is in line with the implementation of the judgment of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), as agreed at the Nigeria-Cameroon Mixed Commission.

Nigeria's head of delegation at the Mixed Commission, former Justice Minister Prince Bola Ajibola, said that this action, Nigeria has signaled its commitment to the implementation of the court judgment. Prince Ajibola asked the inhabitants of Chikaa and Dan Boure to live peacefully as brothers and sisters.

Chairman of the Mixed Commission and UN Special Representative, Alhaji Ahmaduo Ould Abdallah, praised the joint withdrawals which he said is not only a recognition of international rule of law but has also created a blueprint for Africans whenever peace is threatened in the continent.

He added that the UN-sponsored observer group would immediately begin work and monitor the affected areas for one year in order to ensure peaceful resettlement of the affected population.

Leader of the Cameroonian delegation and Minister of Justice, Alhaji Amadou Ali, commended Nigeria's decision not to use its might on a weaker country.

Fru-Asanji Llafor.
Cameroon forever!
_________________
May we be strengthened with the ability, willingness and capabilities to be good ambassadors of Nigeria contributing to its uplifting, rather than its detriment. - Cxsm

admin · Site Admin Joined: 25 May 2007 Posts: 5404

Cxsm,

May God continue to bless you for your positivity and valid points.

Mav.
1/31/04

admin · Site Admin Joined: 25 May 2007 Posts: 5404

Please continue spreading the good news, we really need it, there is a lot of negative message out there about Nigeria. I am very proud to say that I have contributed my little share to continue to encourage lifelong reading and learning habit among African Children through our charity organization http://www.wingsofthedawn.org. So my fellow Nigerian "I am a good ambassador of Nigeria" it's about time we wake up from this economic slavery we choose to be part of and be Patriotic about Nigeria. We can never forget the past, but to learn from our past mistakes and move forward with laser specific attitude for a better Nigeria.

The parable of the mustard seed:
Matt. 13:31-32 - The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed his field: (32) Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.

You have planted the least of all seed that people want hear, that is the positive news about Nigeria. You are the sower, that message was revealed to you and you only, and you had the courage to spread the message.

Ade Ot.
11/7/04