June 19, 2005

June 12 Protest: Gambari not Worried

by Laolu Akande --- New York Just about the time Professor Ibrahim Agboola Gambari was being named the new United Nations top political affairs chief, some Nigerian activists under the banner of Nigeria Liberty Forum, NLF launched a campaign to protest his participation at yet another forum in New York city-Medger Evers College last Sunday June 12.

Although the date fell on June 12, the event was about a movie screening on the Rwandan Genocide organised by the College, Rwandan diplomats and Celebrate Africa Foundation, led by Nigerian veteran journalist in New York, Dr. Chika Onyeani.

Even though the planners of the event apparently only chose the June 12 day innocently, the activists however saw the event holding on June 12, a day that has deeper significance for Nigerians, with the participation of a perceived June 12 opposition figure as a cause for protest and therefore drew the battle line against Gambari. According to Omoyele Sowore, one of the two Nigerians who carried out the protest June 12 is our day.

The activists contend that in recent times Gambari had become the darling of the Nigerian community in the US. In an article, Omoyele Sowore, the spokesperson for the activists lamented that Prof. Gambari was now a darling of so many Nigerian organizations, he is getting awards and making speeches, even recently a group named ˜World Congress of Afenifere invited people to come to New Jersey to hear him speak..."

For him, this would be an underserved recognition because of Gambari's service as Nigeria's Permanent Representative to the UN under the late General Sani Abacha.

Specifically Sowore alleged that Gambari was involved in the burning of a top June 12 activist in New York, Chief Jumoke Ogunkeyede. Ogunkeyede had accused the Abacha government as responsible for the burning of his private residence in New York in 1995. Ogunkeyede was the leading prodemocracy activist in New York, a well-known and respected Nigerian activist in the US. His group almost single-handedly achieved the renaming-by the New York City council- of the corner in front of the Nigeria House in New York in honour of Kudirat Abiola, after her murder during the Abacha regime. He also got the city council to issue several resolutions condemning Abacha government at the peak of the June 12 crisis.

But in an interesting twist, Ogunkeyede said he does not believe that Gambari had a hand in the arson as alleged by Sowore. Ogunkeyede who had participated in the 2003 AD gubernatorial primaries in Osun State explained that at a meeting in 1999 with Gambari and the Owaa Obokun when the traditional ruler visited New York, Gambari explained that he knew nothing about any arson and Ogunkeyede said he believed him.

According to Ogunkeyede he has since asked Sowore to desist from making that claim. But he added that he still held the Abacha junta responsible for the burning of his house.

At the Medger Evers College event last Sunday, according to reports, two activists, Bukola Oreofe and Sowore Omoyele showed up and mounted a two-man protest against Gambari. According to Onyeani, one of the event organisers, when he went to receive Gambari he saw the 2 Nigerians carrying placards and suspecting they were protesting, Onyeani asked them to come and meet Gambari and they obliged.

According to Onyeani, they both came and Gambari spoke to them. Prof. Ibrahim Gambari also confirmed that he indeed met with the two protesters as he was entering the venue of the event. He said he told Sowore, who had written and made allegations about him that he-Gambari, was hot hiding, but that his allegations in the writings and campaign would have had credibility if the activists had asked for his own side of the story.

According to Gambari, he then gave one of the activists his official card containing his contact information and said he would be open to meeting and discussing with them.

Onyeani, in his own narration said Sowore then asked for a photo opportunity with Gambari, at which point Onyeani said he asked him to wait till the end of the event. When Sowore was asked about this, he flatly denied asking for a photo opportunity, but did not deny meeting and talking with Gambari.

The narration of the activists, as reported on the Internet is a bit different. A report said Prof. Gambari, who was received on arrival by Chika Onyeani, President of Celebrate Africa Foundation, was whisked into the auditorium as protesters heckled him.

The report added "We are reliably informed that Gambari is considering a run for the Presidency of Nigeria in 2007 and views his links with the military, especially, the Abacha Regime as a possible sore point with Nigerians. Gambari was Nigeria's Ambassador to the United Nations during the Abacha Regime. The June 12th lecture was a public relations event engineered by Onyeani on behalf of Amb. Gambari. From all indications the PR move backfired as the Nigeria Liberty Forum engineered the failure of the event.

Gambari and Onyeani however said the event went well inspite of the protest by the "two young Nigerians."

Commenting on the matter, another well known June 12 activist in the US and president of the Nigerian Democratic Movement, Prof. Mobolaji Aluko, a lecturer at the prestigious Howard University in Washington DC said the allegations against Gambari by the activists were a little much. I do not support them.

According to Aluko, I did have reason to argue with Prof. Gambari on at least one occasion during that Abacha period, but he is not a venal person. Aluko said Gambari can be described as a middle-of-the-road diplomat during the Abacha period, noting that he even gave a

keynote speech during Obasanjo's first presidential inauguration, and I remarked my surprise to him after that occasion - was surprising and disturbing.

Aluko opined that Gambari's hands are tied" by Hausa-Fulani-Yoruba pedigree and diplomacy, not criminal venality.

He dismissed the accusation that Ambassador Gambari assisted, aided or abetted in the arson of Jumoke Ogunkeyede house, saying he wants prove that the house burning was indeed arson. Ogunkeyede however insisted that the burning of his house, which was prominently reported in the media, then was arson and he still holds the FG under Abacha responsible.

Aluko argued further: during the pro-democracy movement, one of my STEADFAST points was NEVER to demonize the opposition beyond what was necessary. In fact, that was where I often clashed with our comrades, when they sought to tell ALL SORTS OF LIES against the opposition (for example, at a time that Ambassador Carrington was "lifting oil" from the Abacha regime; etc.) and even against fellow comrades (e.g. that I was an Abacha spy, that some of us were "throwing bombs" in Nigeria, etc.), when in fact just telling the truth was sufficient.

Sowore himself has however conceded in an email posted on the Internet that he was not here in the US when the June 12 crises were on.

According to him, it is very interesting to read about the dynamics of the "anti-Abacha" struggle as it played out over here in the US. I was not here (US) to have witnessed what happened, but I could tell from the final results, especially with the demise of Abacha, that the international coalitions against military rule was besotted with internal wranglings and ego problems. It is very clear from the responses to my write-ups against Prof. Gambari that the only aspect that attracted criticisms was the reference made about the burning down of Jumoke's House in Brooklyn.

Sowore said he couldn't agree with the position that Prof. Gambari's "hands were tied" or that he was just doing his "job" as a diplomat.

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June 13, 2005

Why Annan Promoted and Named African Gambari as top UN Political Chief: Secretary General moves to advance reform of world body, eyes legacy

by Laolu Akande, New York ---- In a move seen as advancing his bold reform agenda of the United Nations, the world body's Secretary-General, Mr. Kofi Annan over the weekend named distinguished Nigerian diplomat and former External Affairs Minister Professor Ibrahim Agboola Gambari as the Under-Secretary-General and head of the UN's Department of Political Affairs.

In that capacity, Gambari now becomes the UN political affairs chief and highest adviser to the Secretary General, on political affairs.

Sources say Annan's move is a courageous effort that would establish his legacy of restructuring the UN for better efficiency, more effective task delivery and also further establish the place of Africa in the UN. Annan's "In Larger Freedom" report which details his UN reform agenda is up for discussion and decision by the heads of states in September at the General Assembly, and diplomats, especially from developing countries are already saying the report would in larger part, meet with resounding approval. It has been said that Annan's report is a comprehensive document that has something for every region represented at the UN.

Before now, Gambari who was already at the rank of Under-Secretary-General was the Secretary-General's Special Adviser on Africa. But now he he would advise the Secretary General on the political affairs of the whole world as head of a full fledged department, where he would be expected to oversee and manage more than 200 staff in addition to seven field missions across the globe.

Gambari's appointment created a positive buzz within the UN community over the weekend in New York, particularly among permanent missions from around the world and the African group, considering his well regarded diplomatic outreach and finesse. Among some of the testy assignments that Gambari successfully accomplished at the UN includes the peaceful resolution of the almost intractable Angolan crises when Mr. Annan appointed him as his Special Representative and Head of the United Nations Mission to Angola (UNMA), from September 2002 to February 2003.

Prof. Gambari whose appointment takes effect next month would be replacing retiring Mr. Kieran Prendergast of Great Britain, effective 1 July 2005. When Mr. Annan annouced the early retirement of Prendergast last month, he said he would appoint somebody with a thorough knowledge of the UN as the new UN political affairs chief. Many see Gambari's appointment as a fulfilment of that promise.

In his current position, Gambari's functions include promoting UN and international support for African development in general and the New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD). Sources said Gambari has been asked to pursue a vigorous reform of the UN Political Affairs Department.

When he takes office as UN's political affairs chief, Gambari would be expected to work to reinforce the UN Political Affairs department, especially its capacity to support mediation, especially as recommended by the High-Level panel, whose report forms a critical component of Mr. Annan's widely commended reform agenda.

He would advise and support Mr. Annan on prevention, management and resolution of armed conflict, including supporting the Secretary-general in his good offices role. As the top Annan aide on the world's political affairs, Gambari's new job also includes overseeing the analytical and diplomatic work at the UN, reviewing and analyzing ongoing and potential conflict situations across the world, while also formulating options for UN's engagement. Gambari would also serve on the UN Policy Committee of the Secretary-general and also chair the Global Security Group of UN senior officials.

Before joining the UN Secretariat in 1999, Gambari served as the Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the United Nations. He was also a senior member of the Nigerian Delegation to ten sessions of the General Assembly. Prof. Gambari served as President of the Security Council on two occasions when Nigeria was a member of the Security Council. He also chaired the UN Special Committee Against Apartheid, which successfully saw the demise of apartheid and the establishment of democratic rule in South Africa.

Prior to his tenure as Ambassador/Permanent Representative, Mr. Gambari served as Minister of External Affairs of Nigeria. He had served as Director-General, Nigerian Institute of International Affairs.

Born in Nigeria in 1944, Gambari attended Kings College, Lagos, as well as the London School of Economics, where he obtained a Bachelor's degree in Political Science with a specialty in International Relations. He received his M.A. in 1970 and his Ph.D. in 1974 in Political Science/International Relations from Columbia University in New York.

From 1969 through 1983, he held a variety of teaching posts, beginning at the City University of New York, then the State University of New York at Albany, and later at Ahmadu Bello University, ABU in Zaria, Nigeria. He was Chairman of the Department of Political Science at ABU where he founded the first under-graduate program in International Studies in Nigeria. He was a Visiting Professor at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, Georgetown University and Howard University (1986-1989).

Gambari was also a Research Fellow at the Brookings Institution, Washington, DC, and a Resident Scholar with the Rockefeller Foundation Center in Italy. He has also authored several books and scholarly articles on international relations and foreign policy.

In recognition of a distinguished career as a scholar-diplomat, the University of Bridgeport (USA) awarded Prof. Gambari the Doctor of Humane Letters degree (honoris causa - 2002); the prestigious Johns Hopkins University elected him to membership of the University's Society of Scholars (2002); and the Federal Government of Nigeria awarded him the national honour, Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR).

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February 25, 2005

Controversial Adisa Dies in London Hospital After Auto Crash in Nigeria

LAOLU AKANDE Former Oyo State Military Governor and one- time Works and Housing Minister, rtd Major General Abdulkarim Adisa is now confirmed dead. He died Friday morning New York time in a London hospital where he had undergone a surgical operation after an auto crash last weekend in Kwara State.

A close source to the late General confirmed the death, but could not tell details of burial arrangement since as a Moslem, the burial normally follows promptly. But his body is expected to be flown back home very soon.

Adisa, a leading pro-IBB 2007 campaigner was flown abroad last Sunday after sustaining injuries in the car crash. He was flown to a London hospital for medical treatment following serious injury he sustained in the accident on Saturday night.

Reports said the accident, a lone one, according to eye witness account occurred when one of the rear wheels of the jeep conveying the former minister bursted between Oke-Onigbin and Edidi at around 8:00pm on Saturday.
Adisa was then rushed to the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital[UITH],Ilorin where a surgical operation was conducted. But a decision was taken to transfer him abroad because of the seriousness of the injuries and the incapacity of the hospital to handle the situation completely.

In very recent times, Adisa is another addition of news-making Nigerian names who have died as a result of the inability of Nigerian hospitals to take a conclusive care of them. Several million other Nigerians must face such situations without being heralded. it is a sad commentary on the dilapidating hospitals in the country, where several talented and well trained doctors stand helpless seeing their patients die due to lack of proper healthcare delivery facilities and instruments.

Not too long ago, former Minister of State for Communications, Alhaji Haruna Elewi, was on his way to London for malaria treatment when he died in the aircraft. He had opted to be treated in London for malaria, although his daughter, a pharmacist, and his son-in-law, a doctor, both practise in Nigeria.

Adisa was a controversial military functionary who came to limelight in the late 80s and early 90s as military governor of Oyo State under the Babangida military dictatorship. he later became a federal minister under another military tyranny-the Abacha junta, where he was in charge of Works and Housing.
It was during the Abacha junta that Adisa and others including General Oladipo Diya were accused of planning a coup against Abacha and were sentenced to death by the General Victor Malu-led military tribunal. But before the sentence could be carried out Abacha died and the General Abubakar Abdusalami regime which took over commuted the sentence and later released but Adisa and the others involved were yet to be granted state pardon at the time he died.

Another military officer, General Rufus Ikupolati formerly ECOMOG Commander
also died yesterday in an accident between Lokoja and Abuja.

Adisa was said to be coming from Iyah-Gbede in Kogi State after attending the birthday ceremonies of the mother of the former Police Affairs Minister, Maj. Gen. David Jemibewon [rtd].

In another account, Adisa's aide was reported as saying the Jeep in which Adisa was traveling with his driver and a personal security officer had a burst tyre, which made the vehicle to lose control and hit a tree. But the two aides, however, escaped uninjured.

According to the aide, Adisa was rushed to the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital around 10pm where he was admitted at the VIP wing of the Ward Five of the hospital from where he was transported in an ambulance to the Ilorin International Airport for the London trip.

By 6:00pm on Sunday arrangements were already in top gear to fly him out.
The Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee of the UITH, Dr. Gbenga Mokuolu, said the former minister was brought into the hospital around 10pm in a "critical condition."
When newsmen visited the hospital on Sunday, sympathisers, including the former governor of Lagos State, Brig. Gen. Raji Rasaki [rtd] were seen in groups discussing the incident.
Also in attendance were Kwara state Commissioner for Health, Dr.. Bola Olaosebikan, his counterpart in the Ministry of Environment, Alhaji Lanre Daibu and other government officials.

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December 21, 2004

The Udumeze, Ruler of Ohafia, the Mighty Warriors of Igboland, Reigns High in America

Forwarded by

Laolu Akande

CULLED FROM African Sun Times

THE HILTON HOTEL, New York, Nov. 15, 2004 - The Udumeze of Ohafia, His Royal Majesty Eze Onuoha Uma, ruler of the acclaimed mighty warriors of Igboland, today extended his reign to America, where two great Americans he had conferred with chieftaincy titles were ceremoniously presented with all the accountrements of their office. The ceremony was a most spectacular event.

The event was held at the high-class Hilton Hotel on Avenue of the Americas and 54th Street in Manhattan, New York, befitting His Royal Majesty.

Performing the Conferment Ceremony on behalf of the His Majesty Eze Uma was Chief Dr. Chika A. Onyeani, the Igwe I (Man of Steel) of Abam, and Akanagbajiegbe I (Pen is Mightier than the Sword) of Ohafia. Popularly called by his colleagues as the "Dean of the African Media in America," Onyeani is the Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Africa's number one newspaper in America, the African Sun Times, as well as the author of the controversial and spectacularly successful and No.1 bestselling book "Capitalist Nigger: The Road to Success," which is in its fourth printing.

Onyeani's first title was conferred on him in 1998 by his grand uncle, the Onyerubi of Abam, who was the longest reigning monarch in Igboland; while the second title was conferred by the present Udumeze of Ohafia in 2002.

The recipients of His Royal Majesty Eze Uma's recognition are Dr. Annie B. Martin and Mr. Ted H. Jacobsen. Dr. Martin is the President of the New York Chapter of the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored Peoples), while Mr. Jacobsen is the Secretary of the New York City Central Labor Council, the umbrella organization of the more than 400 unions in New York representing more than 1.6 million members. About a 100 people attended the ceremony, including African Ambassadors and labor, community, political and religious leaders.

Chief Mrs. Opral Benson, who has been conferred with eight chieftaincy titles in Nigeria and popularly known as the Fashion Queen of Africa, graced the occasion as well as outfitted Dr. Martin with her chieftaincy regalia, especially her spectacular head-tie. Both Chief Mrs. Margaret Edu, who liaised with the Udumeze-in-Council and procured all the chieftaincy accountrements, and Chief Mrs. Loretta Onyeani, who has been conferred with two chieftaincy titles in Nigeria, assisted Chief Mrs. Benson in outfitting Dr. Martin.

Others there included Mr. Abba A. Onyeani, vice president of the Okagwe-Ohafia Development Union (USA) branch, Mr. Abba A. Onyeani, publisher and editor-in-chief of the Black Urban Times, and Mr. Joe Kalu Ukpai, one of the most well-known Iri-Agha dancers (the Ohafia War Dance) in the United States today. Joe can compete and win even back home in Ohafia.

Chief Dr. Martin and Chief Jacobsen were recognized by the Udumeze after representations were made to the Udumeze-in-Council by Dr. Chika Onyeani. Some time last year (2003), Onyeani began the campaign, through the goodwill of Chief Mrs. Edu, to have these two great individuals recognized by the Udumeze. Onyeani laid out intimate details on the accomplishments of these two individuals, particularly with respect to Africa and Africans - what they have done, what they are doing and believes how they will continue to do more for Africans.

The Udumeze-in-Council, which advises His Royal Majesty Eze Onuoha Uma on the nominees, deliberated for almost a year before making a recommendation to His Royal Majesty that these two individuals be recognized.

His Royal Majesty, during his last birthday celebrations, recognized both Dr. Annie B. Martin, and Mr. Theodore H. Jacobsen. Dr. Martin was conferred with the title of Ada di Oha Mma I of Ohafia (the first daughter loved by the whole world), while Mr. Jacobsen was confered with the title of Enyioha I of Ohafia (friend to the whole world). Dr. Martin is black, Mr. Jacobsen is white.

Before the ceremony, Onyeani donned on his Okpu Agu (leopard's hat), which is a well-known trademark of Ohafia people recognized by Nigerians, put on his Eagle feather, put on his beads (neck) and wrist beads. He carried not only his Akupe, emblazoned with Chief Dr. Chika Onyeani, Akanagbajiegbe I of Ohafia, but as well as the Odu Inyinya (The White Horse Tail).

Before the event was declared opened, the war dance music began playing as Joe Kalu Ukpai in his War Dance regalia, entered the hall to an applause. He was joined by the Onyeanis, as Chief Mrs. Onyeani danced to spray money on him.

When the Conferment Ceremony began, Chief Onyeani announced that the male ceremony would be performed first. He called out Mr. Ted Jacobsen. A chair was brought for him to sit. Then he was dressed in his Chief's dress and his cap and Eagle feather were put on his head. After this, he was made to kneel down, as the "Nzu" ceremony was performed. His beads were put on him, while the Odu Inyinya ceremony was performed and presented to him. The Akupe, with his chieftaincy title emblazoned on it, was presented. Onyeani then performed the libation and then read his conferment from the Udumeze-in-Council's "Certificate of Chieftaincy title" which "Do Hereby Confer Chieftaincy Title on Our Most Distinguished Citizen of the World (as an American) and signed by the Udumeze.

The same ceremony was performed for Dr. Martin, but in this case the three women Chiefs assisted Dr. Onyeani, especially in outfitting Chief Martin in her chieftaincy dress regalia. The transformations of these two Chiefs, after they were conferred with their titles and dressed appropriately, were spectacular.

In accepting their chieftaincy conferments, both Chiefs thanked His Royal Majesty the Udumeze of Ohafia, "for this high honor, extended appreciation to all those responsible for making this dignified event possible and so thoroughly enjoyable and meaningful, and borrowing from the Nigerian National Anthem, 'To serve with heart and might, one nation bound in freedom, peace and unity ... to build a nation where peace and justice shall reign." The two Chiefs promised to be active participants in Ohafia affairs, especially in the area of education, as both of their backgrounds were in education.

In a write-up about the Ohafia people titled "OHAFIA: LAND OF THE MIGHTY WARRIORS: Erudite Scholars, and Successful Entrepreneurs," Prof. John McCall of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, wrote "The Ohafia are an Igbo speaking people who live in a region of about 100 square miles located west of the Cross River in Southeastern Nigeria. On these rolling hills, twenty-six villages are found. The largest is the village of Akanu. The ancestral capital of Ohafia is the centrally located village of Elu (meaning top high from where the Udumeze emanated).

Prior to the colonial period the ancestors of the Ohafia people were renowned as mighty warriors. This aspect of Ohafia's history remains fundamental to the Ohafia people's sense of identity. The warrior's cap (okpu agu or 'leopard's cap') is ubiquitous in Ohafia and is recognized all over Nigeria as a marker of Ohafia citizenship. The Ohafia warrior tradition and its role in the constitution of Ohafia identity is explicitly embodied in the performance of iri agha - the Ohafia War Dance. The warrior identity is deeply ingrained in Ohafia cultural practice and the process of acquiring deep knowledge of the warrior tradition begins in early childhood."

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