Eighteen years ago, on November 10, 1995, “the military junta of late General Sanni Abacha, via a military tribunal, sentenced to death by hanging, Mr. Ken Saro Wiwa and nine other Ogoni activists over their struggle against deprivation and environmental damages meted their ancestral land and heritage.

This verdict, was hastily implemented, without provision for an appeal, even when local and international humanitarian organizations pleaded with the head of state, Gen. Sanni Abacha, to spare their lives.

Less than three years after snuffing out their innocent lives, Sanni Abacha died in inexplicable circumstances, on the 8th of June, 1998.

Below is a tribute, by Kreative Kay, in honour of Ken Saro Wiwa and nine (9) other Ogoni activists, who paid the supreme sacrifice for standing up for the truth:

The writer cannot be a mere storyteller; he cannot be a mere teacher;

He cannot merely X-ray society’s weaknesses, its ills, its perils.

He or she must be actively involved in shaping its present and its future.”

Ken Saro-Wiwa

He wasn’t a mere LEADER, He was actively involved in the OGONI struggle;
And the Niger Delta Activism!

It is 18 years today, but One DAY, an AVERAGE Ogoni Son or Daughter will
realize the much GOOD you did for US!

And for you who don’t know, “You may kill the MESSENGER but you cant kill
the MESSAGE”.

MUCH RESPECT, Sir Kenule Saro-Wiwa!

By Kreative KAY
Empowerment Strategist
Kobah Koate Initiative

Website: www.inspiringkay.com

Facebook: Inspiring Kay
Twitter: @kreativekay11
Change is not Beautiful Structures in Beautiful Places. Change is
Beautiful Minds in Ugly Places…

The Truth Inspires!

Happy Fathers’ Day

He knows them all by name, their date of birth, character and the circumstances surrounding their birth. 

Their welfare and comfort is his priority.

He toils daily to ensure there is food on their tables, a shelter over their heads, clothes on their bodies and a chance to acquire quality education.

Their happiness and joy is a delight to his eyes.

He is willing and happy to make personal sacrifices to ensure they go places he wasn’t privileged to. 

He looks forward to his spare times, to spend quality times with them. 

His deep love for them causes others around to love them too. 

He always prays for them to outlive him, preferring to absorb whatever calamity that could befall them.

He loves, respects and adores the woman that helped bring these bundles of joy to life. 

Even when ugly circumstances forces a separation, his love, commitment and sense of responsibility to these innocent hearts remains steadfast.

He gradually goes grey, watching with joy and pride as the once little creatures become fully independent adults.

He is human, every inch of it, with feelings, and yes shortcomings and human weaknesses.

He is called “Dad“, “Father“,  “Papa“, “Daddy“, and to someone very special, “Husband“.

He is “The Man“.

The Pillar of the Home and the “Shock Absorber”.

To the innocent souls looking up to him, He Is The Solution To Any Inexplicable Circumstance.

HAPPY FATHER’S DAY AND CONGRATULATIONS IF YOU BELONG TO THIS CATEGORY

The world is a better place because of you, so rock on…

Frank Ogu for disnaija.com

@frankogu

President Goodluck Jonathan Grants State Pardon To Diepreiye Alamieyeseigha And Other Ex-Convicts.

The National Council of State headed by President Goodluck Jonathan, has granted a state pardon to the former Governor of Bayelsa State, Diepreiye Alamieyeseigha and other ex convicts.

Others granted state pardon include former Bank of the North head, Shettima Bulama, former Chief of General Staff during the Abacha regime: General Oladipo Diya (rtd.); former Chief of Staff Supreme Military Council and brother of late President Musa Yar’adua: Major General Shehu Musa Yar’adua (Post Humous); ex-Major Bello Magaji NA/6604, Mohammed Lima Biu; Major General Abdulkareem Adisa (Post Humous) and former Major Segun Fadipe.

Diepreiye Alamieyeseigha, as Governor of Bayelsa State, embezzled state funds. He was convicted, after he pleaded guilty to a six-count corruption charges before a Nigerian court and was sentenced to two years in prison for each count.

While in the United Kingdom, Diepreiye Alamieyeseigha was charged with money laundering, after the London Metropolitan Police found in his London home, cash amounting to about two hundred and fifty three million Naira ( N253,000,000).  In 2005, he jumped bail and absconded by disguising himself as a woman. Notwithstanding the state pardon, Alamieyeseigha still remains a wanted man in the United Kingdom.

With the presidential pardon, Diepreiye Alamieyeseigha and the other ex convicts will no longer be addressed as “ex-convicts”.

Present in the meeting were three former heads of state, and some state governors.

The council of states is composed of the President, Vice President, all state governors, former presidents, the Chief Justice of the Federation, the Senate President, Speakers among others.

Arewa Consultative Forum, Responds To Recent Claims On 83% Northern Ownership Of Oil Blocs.

Apparently miffed by alleged half truths and outright falsehood following revelations on the floor of the Senate that northerners own 83 percent of oil blocs in the country, the Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, yesterday urged the Federal Government to institute a commission of enquiry to establish the veracity or otherwise of such allegations.

This was contained in a statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary of the forum, Mr Anthony Sani.

The Senate heard on Wednesday that contrary to the principles of Federal Character, the majority of the oil blocs in the country, even as President Godluck Jonathan was asked to revoke the licences and re-award all the blocs already allocated to Nigerians in an equitable manner.However, sources said that majority of northerners were infuriated over the allegations in the Senate, as according to them, there were more Southerners whose names were not mentioned as among owners of oil blocs.

The information emerged as Senators debated the new Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB, which had since scaled the second reading and referred to the relevant committees for further action.

Northern Senators had earlier insisted during the first reading of the bill Tuesday that allocations from the oil revenue were being mismanaged by the Niger Delta region and opposed the provision of the host community development fund in the PIB bill.

But when the Senate re-convened Wednesday, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Rules and Business, Senator Solomon Ita Enang, PDP, Akwa Ibom North/East who contributed to the debate said that 83 percent of the oil blocks were allocated to northerners in the country which was not in consonance with Federal Character principle.

Names of those said to have been allocated oil blocs in the country included late President Umaru Yar’Adua; former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar; the Emir of Kano, Ado Bayero; former Minister of Petroleum, Dr. Rilwanu Lukman; former Minister of Defence and Chief of Army Staff, General Theophilus Danjuma, rtd, Alhaji Aminu Dantata, Col. Sani Bello, rtd; Alhaji Mai Deribe from Borno State; Mallam Sanusi Lamido, Alhaji Saleh Gambo, Emeka Offor, Mike Adenuga and Yinka Folawiyo among others.

However, Sani’s statement entitled, ‘’Re-Northerners own 83% of oil blocs,’’read, ‘’the attention of ACF has been drawn to the allegations on the floor of the Senate that 83 percent of oil blocs is owned by northerners; and that there should be application of federal character in the allocation of oil blocs.

’’Given the important constitutional provisions that access to all national resources be equitable and conform with provisions for federal character, ACF wishes to appeal to the National Assembly to investigate the allegations and publish the distribution of oil blocs according to state together with their volume and from which dates. Or the Federal Government should institute a commission of enquiry to establish the veracity or otherwise of such allegations.

’’ACF is alarmed by the allegations because it is not long ago that the Forbes magazine said 11 Nigerians are now on the list (of world’s richest people) and that all of them-except Aliko Dangote who is a manufacturer-owe their riches to oil.The North had fewer of the rich Nigerians on the list than the South.We believe knowledge of the correct position of things will help in improving the equitable management of oil blocs in accordance with provisions of the federal character for performance and public good.’’

–Culled from Vanguard.–