WorldInjustice

It is a fact, that the world is suffering from injustice. Billions of people are really in poverty, in which one can not put the fault on them. The fault is on the lopsidedness of the world's economy which put the 98% of the world's wealth in the hands of the few millions in the world.
Why billions of people in the world should be suffering because of the colour of their skins, their places of births, and so on. The world where few are having more than necessary, where few are free to roam about all over the world, where few are having the privileges while majority of the world populace are having little or none, where the direction of the world is placed in the hands of the few, where education are free and compulsory for the few and billions are cursed not to be able to have any right to education, the world where the lovers of the poor are being silenced even outright termination, the world where the lazy ones are the powerfuls and the powerfuls become the lazy ones, the world where the fews who are selfish/greedy/egoistic are oppressing the majority, where the few powerfuls are ungodly, where the billions are slaves to the fews need to be changed.
It is in the light of this, that the Ibile Faith Society decided to join the like-minded individuals and organisations in the fight against world injustice.
We are also calling other peoples and organisations to see this fight as moral fight, which God (Olodumare) would also support. It is the duty of everyone to join these fight for the betterment of the world. Those who join the fight are bound to get plenty blessings both here and beyond.
What are the expectations been expected from the oppressed and the oppressors?
  • The oppressors should change their greedy and selfish ways that are making the poor to be wallowing in poverty.
  • They should make the playing-field of the world fit for everybody to be able to play by having the same rights and privileges world-wide.
  • Everybody and every child born should have the rights and privileges to reach his/her potentials without any restriction whatsoever.
  • World trade should be balanced without double-dealing standards.
  • Development in the whole world should mean the same thing.
  • Everybody in the world should have access to basic infrastructures and facilities like good roads, 24 hours electricity and water supplies, modern day communication facilities, free access to education, rights to basic living standards, a fair justice in the courts of law.

All these are possible if the oppressors are ready to change their ways for good.
Poverty breeds corruption among the poor while decadence breeds corruption among the rich.
With the injustice rectified in the world, everybody would aspire to be good person because there would be no reason anymore for anybody to do bad.
What is expected from the oppressed is that, all the energies should be put together in order to fight the oppressors in a civilised manners. They should be forced to change their ways for good. If the oppressors are not ready to change for good, it is the duty of the oppressed to force them to see reason and change their bad ways for good.
Please join our -->discussion forums and be active in it in order for us to fight this injustice. Ibile Faith Society is also ready to join other interested individuals, organisations and institutions who are fighting the world injustice. Be making those relevant news and information on this fight -->to our notice, in order for other people to read them on our web site.
By the grace of Olodumare, the Irunmole and our Ancestors, the fight will be won.

A S E

Prince (Babalawo) Adigun Olosun, MA, PGDJ

________________________________________________________
© Ibile Faith Online Congregation, Sunday, December 04, 2005
contact: info@yorubareligion.org

_________________________________________________

Make Poverty History 2005

Ibile Faith Society is happy to be associated with the Make Poverty History Project. We had been fighting for this through World Injustice Page on our Web-site. We are also represented by our spiritual leader in the committee set up by the British government for this purpose. We thank all individuals, organizations and governments who made this efforts to be a success. Starting from Nelson Mandela, Bob Geldorf, Bono, Will Smith, Tony Blair, Gordon Brown, Kofi Annan, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, all the G8 leaders, Oxfam, all participants of Live-8-Concerts world-wide, etc. for hearing the divine call to alleviate poverty in Africa.

We prayed that all good things of life would not elude you. And bad things of life would be running away from you, by the grace of Olodumare, Irúnmolè and our Ancestors.

The journey has just started you should not rest on your oars and we would also not. Do not let off your guards. As debt is cancelled now, fair trade should follow immediately and equal treatment for all citizens in the world should be the norms. We are one. This are the only solutions that can put an end to asylum seekers problems, so-called illegal immigrants and their associated problems. If one part of the world is better than the other, people from non better part will be flocking to the other better part to better their lots. If all parts of the world are better, people would prefer to stay in their places.

Ibile Faith Society would continue to struggle along this line in order for the bad situation not to raise its head in the world again. Please, all those who made this Make Poverty History a reality must continue the struggle – never will this poverty happen again in the world.

Ibile Faith Society, 2nd of July 2005

Obasanjo seeks partnership of Africa, industrial nations

Daily Champion

7.11.05

President Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday in Bonn, Germany called for the establishment of a real partnership between African and the industrialised nations for "common security and shared prosperity".

W/Bank: Foreign Firms Aid Corruption Says 2006 ‘ll mark watershed for Nigerian anti-graft war

From Kunle Aderinokun in Abuja

14.10.2005 ThisDay

The World Bank yesterday said multinational companies from the European and latin American countries were still giving bribes to officials in Nigeria and several other African countries where they operate.

2bn Needed to Save Impoverished Population - UNFPA

From Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

This Day 15.10.05

United Nations Fund for Population Affairs (UNFPA) yesterday said it would cost the world $2bn (about N268 billion) to tackle poverty, illiteracy and dwindling health conditions of people around the globe, particularly in third world countries.

The Long Vigil for Debt Relief

By Eziuche Ubani

ThisDay, 22.10.2005

I did not realize the power of the Paris club until I arrived the headquarters of the French Ministry of Finance and Industry. Located near the Seine River, the building announces its majesty and power by a somewhat strange statement. There is an eerie silence that hangs around it.

Suggestion to Wipe-out Black Race in US Condemned

By Olawale Olaleye, 10.15.2005

ThisDay, 15.10.2005

A United States-based governorship candidate of the National Conscience Party (NCP) in the 2003 general elections, Ogbeni Lanre Banjo has protested suggestion by former Secretary of Education in the US under the late President Ronald Reagan, William J. Bennette to abort every black baby if the American government desires to reduce crime rate in the country.

Pollution 'cuts boy baby numbers'

BBC. 20.10.05

High levels of air pollution are reducing the number of boys born and could be linked to increased rates of miscarriage, research suggests.

A team from Sao Paulo University in Brazil found fewer boys were born in the most polluted areas.

US, Others Stalemate ADB Presidency

From Josephine Lohor, Cletus Akwaya and Kunle Aderinokun in Abuja

This Day 19.5.05

Africa backs Nigeria, but Ogunjobi is 8% short; vote resumes today

Nigeria took the lead yesterday in the race for the Presidency of African Development Bank (ADB) with its candidate, Mr. Olabisi Ogunjobi, scoring 59.4 per cent of the regional (African) votes, but lost the votes of non-regionals (Western nations and donor agencies). Despite Ogunjobi’s strong African backing, he received 41.74 percent of total votes. 8.3 percent short of outright victory. The stalemated election process will resume this morning at the NICON Hilton Hotel venue of the on-going 41st Annual General Meeting (AGM).

Wolfowitz calls for subsidy cuts

BBC. 16.6.05

Wealthy nations must reduce their agricultural subsidies to help African producers enter new markets, World Bank chief Paul Wolfowitz has argued.

Why Nigeria Deserves UN Permanent Seat,

By Obasanjo

16.04.05

President Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday said given Nigeria's population which represents 20 percent of the African population, it should be given a permanent seat in the United Nations, UN.

Africa rejects action on Zimbabwe

BBC 23.6.05.

The African Union has rejected calls from the UK and the US to put pressure on Zimbabwe to stop its demolition of illegal houses and market stalls.

An AU spokesman told the BBC that it had many more serious problems to consider than Zimbabwe.

-->read more

N/Delta: Extra judicial killings persist Amnesty International

ACHILLEUS UCHEGBU (Deputy News Editor)

Champion 4.11.05

Ten years after the hanging of Ogoni- born environmentalist and writer, Ken Saro-Wiwa by the regime of late Gen. Sani Abacha, issues for which he was executed including oil spillage, gas flaring, degraded environment still remain lot of people of the Niger Delta, indicating high level neglect and injustice by the Nigerian government, says Amnesty International (AI) in its latest report on the country.

Bruised but intact, the UN is 60

By Paul Reynolds

BBC 24.10.05

The United Nations has reached the age of 60 with its first blush of youth and idealism long gone, but hoping that experience and a mid-life rethink will give it new purpose.

_________________________________________________

Wolfowitz calls for subsidy cuts

BBC. 16.6.05

Wealthy nations must reduce their agricultural subsidies to help African producers enter new markets, World Bank chief Paul Wolfowitz has argued.

_________________________________________________

Why US is after Charles Taylor Aide

From Amby Uneze in Calabar,

03.06.2005 THISDAY

Fresh indications have emerged as to why the United States of America wants exiled former Liberian President, Mr. Charles Ghankay Taylor to face trial of war crimes in a UN special court in Sierra Leone.

_________________________________________________

Why Nigeria Deserves UN Permanent Seat,

By Obasanjo

16.04.05

President Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday said given Nigeria's population which represents 20 percent of the African population, it should be given a permanent seat in the United Nations, UN.

_________________________________________________

University for South Africa's poor

By Sean Coughlan

BBC. 15.6.05

Taddy Blecher must be the first person to have founded a university from a fax machine.

Five years ago, from his office in Johannesburg in South Africa, without any university buildings, courses or staff, he began faxing out a letter of invitation to 350 schools.

_________________________________________________

Afikuyomi Canvasses Debt Cancellation

By Anulika Nwezi, 24.04.2005 ThisDay.

Lagos

Senate Deputy Minority Whip, Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi, has urged the British Parliament and the legislatures of all creditor nations to grant Nigerian government’s plea for debt cancellation, while insisting on commitment to good governance as well as free democratic transition come 2007.

_________________________________________________

Geldof in attack on world leaders

Sir Bob Geldof has hit out at world leaders for failing to tackle poverty in Africa.

BBC. 17.5.05

The musician and anti-poverty campaigner made the comment during his speech at the Scottish Parliament's Conference on Africa event.

_________________________________________________

Groups Demand 100% Debt Cancellation As G-7 Creditors Meet

By Nkechi Nwosu Guardian. 16.4.05

CIVIL SOCIETY groups have urged the Group of Seven (G-7) wealthy countries' governments and the international financial institutions to insist on 100per cent multilateral debt cancellation for all impoverished countries with no harmful conditions attached.

Reps may block debt servicing in 2006 budget

BBC. 9.5.05

· Debt relief mission returns today with partial success

From John-Abba Ogbodo (Ilorin) and Alifa Daniel (Abuja)

AS the country's debt-relief delegation returns today with a promise of partial debt relief from Italy among other promises, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Bello Masari, yesterday declared that no provision for debt servicing will be approved in the 2006 budget.

-->read more

Debt Cancellation for 18 Countries Not Enough Occean

From Juliana Taiwo in Geneva,

This Day, 15.06.2005

The South African Minister of Labour, Membathisi MDLa-Dlana yesterday told journalists at the 93rd Conference of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) that the debt forgiveness of just 18 countries out of the 53 countries in the continent was a drop in the occean and is nothing for Africans to celebrate.

-->read more

_________________________________________________

G8 reaches deal for world's poor

BBC. 11.6.05

The season for playing the 'mouth organ' is here again! Recent reports indicate that a meal of maize or rather corn could among other things, be the best way of preventing colon cancer and improving fertility among men and women. CHUKWUMA MUANYA reports.

_________________________________________________

Africa rejects action on Zimbabwe

BBC 23.6.05.

The African Union has rejected calls from the UK and the US to put pressure on Zimbabwe to stop its demolition of illegal houses and market stalls.

An AU spokesman told the BBC that it had many more serious problems to consider than Zimbabwe.

_________________________________________________

NANS Mobilises for Debt Cancellation

From Juliana Taiwo in Abuja, 05.12.2005 ThisDay

National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) yesterday vowed to march to all the foreign embassies in Nigeria that have refused to cancel Nigeria’s debt.

_________________________________________________

Poverty Eradication, Panacea to Corruption - Chissano

From Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja, 14.06.2005

Immediate past president of Mozambique and United Nations Secretary General's Special Envoy to Africa, Mr. Joachim Chissano, yesterday in Abuja said eradication of poverty is the major panacea to preventing corrupt practices in Africa.

_________________________________________________

Of Art and Hungry Africans

Thursday, June 23, 2005 Vanguard.

The study tour embarked upon by the Pan-African Circle of Artists, aptly called Overcoming Maps 3 took place in January, last year.

_________________________________________________

Obasanjo says huge debt threatens world peace

Guardian. 16.6.05

Steps down as G-77 chairman

President Olusegun Obasanjo has again reminded creditor-nations of the threat to their collective well being that a huge debt overhang on the Third World constitutes.

Kagame decries western media negative report on Africa

Guardian. 24.5.05

RWANDAN President, Paul Kagame, has accused western media of portraying Africa as a continent beset with bad governance, civil wars, poverty, famine and disease.

He decried western media's alleged deliberate attempt to ignore positive development happening on the continent.

-->read more

_________________________________________________

Nigeria's $33bn foreign debt worries N/Assembly

Wednesday, April 27, 2005. Vanguard

LONDON—A NATIONAL Assembly delegation to the United Kingdom has declared in London that Nigeria is heading towards an "Argentinian-style" default on its $33 billion foreign debt unless Western creditors help out fast.

_________________________________________________

Debt Cancellation for 18 Countries Not Enough Occean

From Juliana Taiwo in Geneva,

This Day, 15.06.2005

The South African Minister of Labour, Membathisi MDLa-Dlana yesterday told journalists at the 93rd Conference of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) that the debt forgiveness of just 18 countries out of the 53 countries in the continent was a drop in the occean and is nothing for Africans to celebrate.

_________________________________________________

Ex-colonial officer faults amalgamation of Nigeria

By Idowu Ajanaku Guardian. 27.4.05

FROM one of Britain's key players in the designing of the entity called Nigeria has come a damning verdict: It was a mistake on the part of the colonial power to have forced the different ethnic groups into a single political entity.

_________________________________________________

Nigeria demands more debt relief

By Andrew Walker BBC economics correspondent BBC. 27.4.05

A delegation from the Nigerian parliament is in Washington seeking support for relief on the country's £30bn foreign debt, which is owed mostly to rich countries.

Many African countries have had extensive debt relief over the last decade.

_________________________________________________

Stars unite for poverty campaign

BBC 1.1.05

Stars including Scarlett Johansson, Stephen Fry and Bono are joining together to promote a year-long charity campaign.

The Make Poverty History drive calls on world leaders to cancel debts and urges better aid packages to the poor.

_________________________________________________

Okonjo-Iweala seeks debt pardon for Nigeria

From Abiodun Adeniyi, Leeds,

Guardian Newspapers Britain 1.2.05

AGAIN, the touchy issue of foreign debt cancellation for Nigeria came to the fore at the weekend as Finance Minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala canvassed such a respite for the country.

Nigeria's foreign debt presently stands at about $34 billion.

The minister who spoke in London also pushed for Nigeria to be a beneficiary of the multi-million pound Britain-initialled commission for Africa project.

_________________________________________________

Afikuyomi Canvasses Debt Cancellation

By Anulika Nwezi, 24.04.2005 ThisDay.

Lagos

Senate Deputy Minority Whip, Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi, has urged the British Parliament and the legislatures of all creditor nations to grant Nigerian government’s plea for debt cancellation, while insisting on commitment to good governance as well as free democratic transition come 2007.

_________________________________________________

US rules out joining Kyoto treaty

By Elizabeth Blunt BBC News, Buenos Aires

8.12.04

The US says its plan to cut greenhouse gases will be effective

The US has told a UN conference on global warming that it has no intention of re-joining international efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions. The chief American negotiator at the conference in Argentina's capital Buenos Aires ruled out any move to sign up to the Kyoto Protocol for years.

_________________________________________________

ECOWAS decries moves against Annan at UN

Chambas urges African unity on Security Council seat

From Jide Olatuyi,

Guardian Newspapers, Abuja, 27.1.05

WEST African leaders have rallied support for the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, over mounting criticisms of the world body's controversial oil-for-food programme in Iraq.

_________________________________________________

UN urges rapid action on poverty

BBC. 18.1.05


A major UN report on world poverty has urged a vast increase in development aid to the world's poorest countries.

The Millennium Development Goals report says developed nations could do much more to prevent poverty, hunger and disease around the world. Correspondents say targets to halve poverty by 2015 are way off track.

_________________________________________________

Debt freeze for tsunami nations

BBC. 13.1.05

The Paris Club of rich creditor nations has offered to freeze debts owed to them by tsunami-hit countries.

The offer is immediate and without conditions. But so far only Indonesia, Sri Lanka and the Seychelles have signalled that they will take it up.

_________________________________________________

Govt needs N1.2 trillion to pay debt in 2005

From Mathias Okwe,

Guardian Newspapers, Abuja. 24.1.05

AN estimated N1.2 trillion (about $ 7.758 million) is what the Federal Government requires for debt servicing in 2005 to avoid further penalties and interests from the Paris Club and other multilateral lending institutions to which the country is indebted.

This amount represents the country's scheduled foreign debt payment put at about $32 billion.

_________________________________________________

Cola companies told to quit India

BBC 21.01.05

Activists in India have held nationwide protests against multinational soft drink companies Coca-Cola and Pepsi.

Reports said thousands of protesters had gathered near manufacturing plants of the two firms and demanded that they stop production.

_________________________________________________

JP Morgan admits US slavery links

BBC. 21.1.05

Thousands of slaves were accepted as collateral for loans by two banks that later became part of JP Morgan Chase.
The admission is part of an apology sent to JP Morgan staff after the bank researched its links to slavery in order to meet legislation in Chicago.

_________________________________________________

Gates praises UK stance on Africa

BBC. 24.1.05

Microsoft billionaire Bill Gates has praised Tony Blair and Gordon Brown's commitment to developing countries on the day he announced a £400m donation.

The US philanthropist told the Times he was "very excited" about the Prime Minister and Chancellor's leadership.

_________________________________________________

Mbeki tasks African varsities on poverty, hunger, disease

Guardian Newspapers, Lagos, Nigeria 24.1.05

SOUTH Africa's President Thabo Mbeki has urged universities to evolve solutions to poverty, hunger and disease facing the continent.

Speaking at the weekend in Khartoum, Sudan, where he received the honorary doctorate degree of the Africa International University, he harped on the challenges facing the continent.

_________________________________________________

Guantanamo man 'suing government'

BBC. 6.2.05

A British terror suspect held in Guantanamo Bay for 33 months plans to sue the government, it is reported.

Martin Mubanga claimed in the Observer that an MI6 officer played a key role in consigning him to the US camp in Cuba, following his arrest in Zambia.

_________________________________________________

Black coalition demands $77 trillion reparation from Europe, U.S.

By Ade Ogidan, Asst. Business Editor

Guardian Newspapers, 25.1.05

SIX years after the death of business mogul and politician, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, the man who started it all, the issue of reparation resurfaced yesterday in Lagos.

To a coalition of black organisations on the continent and in the Diaspora, the quantum of the damages must balance the depth of suffering inflicted on the African states.

_________________________________________________

'No UK apology' for colonial past

BBC 15.01.05


´The days of Britain having to apologise for its colonial past are over, Gordon Brown has said.

The chancellor, speaking during a week-long tour of Africa, said it was time to talk about enduring British values of liberty and tolerance.

Mr Brown has signed a debt relief deal with Tanzania which could cost the UK £1 billion.

_________________________________________________

ADB: 30 Nations Draw N57.3bn From Nigeria Fund

From Cletus Akwaya in Abuja

ThisDay 27.12.04

Nigeria Trust Fund (NTF), a development Fund fully financed by Nigeria and managed by the African Development Bank (ADB) has disbursed a total UA 295.31 million or $430.857 million (about N57.303billion) to 30 small and less privileged countries in Africa since inception in 1976 to date.

_________________________________________________

Tycoon to match Band Aid proceeds

BBC. 17.12.04

Millionaire businessman Tom Hunter has pledged to donate more than £6m to Band Aid by matching the proceeds of the single and the Live Aid DVD.

The Ayrshire-born tycoon is the richest Scottish national with a fortune of £500m, according to a recent survey.

_________________________________________________

Obasanjo Links Poverty to Debt Servicing

Says Nigeria pays 30% of annual budget to creditors

From Josephine Lohor in Abuja

ThisDay. 21.12.04

President Olusegun Oba-sanjo yesterday stated that the slow pace in the improvement of the welfare of Nigerians by the Federal Government is as a result of the huge amount taken annually from the budget to service foreign debts.

_________________________________________________

Obasanjo urges developed nations to fulfil promises to Africa

2nd of November 2004

Guardian Newspapers, Lagos, Nigeria

ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) - Rich nations must stop their citizens laundering money, selling arms and looting resources in Africa in order to help the continent fight poverty, an expert quoted a draft of a British-backed report as saying.

_________________________________________________

Confessions of a British diplomat

Should an ambassador speak out over human rights even if this upsets his or her own government? The question has been posed by the dismissal from his post as British ambassador to Uzbekistan of Craig Murray, whose disagreements with his own government about how to handle human rights abuses by his host government have become very public. Craig Murray was dismissed from his post in Uzbekistan this week.

_________________________________________________

World 'can end African poverty'

BBC. 7.10.04

Blair says his commission will make real progress

The means to lift Africa out of poverty are within the world's grasp, UK Prime Minister Tony Blair has said. Mr Blair was opening a meeting in Ethiopia of the British-sponsored Commission for Africa. He told delegates in Addis Ababa that it was "time to turn international attention into international action".

_________________________________________________

IMF failing to agree on debt plan

BBC 4.10.04

UK chancellor Gordon Brown is leading the calls for debt relief
The world's leading finance officials and ministers appear to have failed to reach agreement on debt relief for the poorest nations.

_________________________________________________

Petrol sales suspended in Eritrea

Eritrea imports all its refined fuel

Eritrea has banned the sale of petrol to the public because of the rising price of oil on world markets. Information Minister Ali Abdu Ahmed said ndiesel would remain available, but petrol had to be conserved for essential use.

_________________________________________________

Argentina scolds 'two-faced' rich

BBC, 16.12.04

Argentine President Nestor Kirchner has accused rich nations of double standards in their policies on Third World debt and climate change.

_________________________________________________

'No drop' in world hunger death

BBC 8.12.04

All but one of the 16 hungriest nations are in sub-Saharan Africa

A child still dies of hunger every five seconds, eight years on from a pledge to halve the world's hungry by 2015, a United Nations agency has said. The annual UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) report says present levels of hunger cause the death of more than five million children a year.

_________________________________________________

Bono plans lifelong poverty fight

By Gregory Austin Nwakunor

BBC, 4.12.04

Bono addressed the Labour Party conference in September

Rock singer Bono has pledged to spend the rest of his life trying to help the impoverished around the world. The U2 frontman told BBC One's Friday Night with Jonathan Ross he wanted the current generation to be "remembered for something other than the internet".

-->read more

_________________________________________________

Lawmakers Move to Halt Foreign Debt Service

From Ahamefula Ogbu in Abuja

21.10.04

This Day Newspapers, Lagos, Nigeri

Lawmakers Move to Halt Foreign Debt ServicingFrom Ahamefula Ogbu in Abuja Members of the House of Representatives barely contained their anger yesterday following reports that for the $11 billion loan taken by Nigeria, the country has paid $32 billion and still owes the creditors $34 billion.Following this revelation, the lawmakers resolved to ensure that Nigeria stopped paying the debt, describing the continuous repayment as unfair to the nation 's economy and the people of Nigeria.

_________________________________________________

Sarumi blames economic woes on World Bank, IMF

by WALE FOLARIN, Ibadan

Champion, Nigeria

15.12.04

CHAIRMAN, House of Representatives Committee on Ogun/Osun River Basin, Hon. Tayo Sarumi, has blamed the nation’s economic woes on the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank.

_________________________________________________

Kyoto Protocol ll Help Developing Countries-Annan

From Adeyeye Joseph in Buenos Aires, Argentina

This Day, 16.12.2004

As the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) holding in Buenos Aires enters its high-level segment, yesterday, the United Nations Secretary General, Mr. Kofi Annan, has expressed confidence that the implementation of the Kyoto Protocol would enhance sustainable development in developing countries through Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) projects.

_________________________________________________

Brown sees moral duty to aid poor

By Gregory Austin Nwakunor

BBC, 12.12.04

Chancellor Gordon Brown has called for the world's rich countries to unite and tackle the scourge of poverty.

He said the wealthy had a moral duty to help and "human dignity" prevented the plight of the poor being ignored.

_________________________________________________

Bono plans lifelong poverty fight

By Gregory Austin Nwakunor

BBC, 4.12.04

Bono addressed the Labour Party conference in September

Rock singer Bono has pledged to spend the rest of his life trying to help the impoverished around the world. The U2 frontman told BBC One's Friday Night with Jonathan Ross he wanted the current generation to be "remembered for something other than the internet".

_________________________________________________

Kyoto Protocol ll Help Developing Countries-Annan

From Adeyeye Joseph in Buenos Aires, Argentina

This Day, 16.12.2004

As the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) holding in Buenos Aires enters its high-level segment, yesterday, the United Nations Secretary General, Mr. Kofi Annan, has expressed confidence that the implementation of the Kyoto Protocol would enhance sustainable development in developing countries through Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) projects.

_________________________________________________

Nigeria confronts UK, others on $3.5b Abacha loot

From Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

Vanguard Newspapers, 10.12.2004

VIENNA— AUSTRIA, Britain and five other European nations have for four years failed to agree to help Nigeria recover money that disappeared during the rule of the late General Sani Abacha, Nigeria’s ambassador to Vienna said yesterday. Ambassador Biodun Owoseni said Nigeria had since 2000 been trying to recover $3.5 billion (2.6 billion euros) that was stolen from the state during the Abacha regime and mostly found its way to Europe."

_________________________________________________

Masari Carpets World Bank over Poverty Alleviation Policies

From Ahamefula Ogbu in Abuja,

ThisDay, 3.11.2004

Lagos, Nigeria

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Bello Masari, yesterday carpeted the World Bank for applying wrong approaches to poverty alleviation in Nigeria and counselled them to change direction if they hoped to achieve results.

_________________________________________________

Oil wealth 'can cause corruption'

Oil wealth often ends up in the wrong pockets, TI says

BBC, 19.10.04

Oil wealth is often a breeding ground for corruption, according to the latest survey by anti-corruption campaign group Transparency International (TI). The report estimates that billions of dollars are lost to bribery in public purchasing, citing the oil sector in many nations as a particular problem.

_________________________________________________

Obasanjo wants churches to join campaign for debt pardon

By Dickson Adeyanju, Patience Saduwa and Debo Oladimeji

28.10.04
Guardian Newspapers, Lagos, Nigeria,

PRESIDENT Olusegun Obasanjo at the weekend in Johannesburg, South Africa urged developed nations to fulfil their pledges of support for the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD).

_________________________________________________

Obasanjo urges developed nations to fulfil promises to Africa

2nd of November 2004

Guardian Newspapers, Lagos, Nigeria

ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) - Rich nations must stop their citizens laundering money, selling arms and looting resources in Africa in order to help the continent fight poverty, an expert quoted a draft of a British-backed report as saying.

_________________________________________________

Nigerian Finance minister Dr Okonjo Iweala on Greediness of Paris Club

Vanguard Newspapers, Lagos, Nigeria

21st of September 2004

Tasks Paris Club on small debts

And speaking at the signing of the fourth bilateral debt consolidation agreement with Finland, in Abuja on the $3.053 million owed that country, Dr. Okonjo-Iweala asked the Paris Club to change its rules and allow Nigeria pay off some of its small debts.

_________________________________________________

Children Pray for Peace, Adults Today

By Akpan Unyime

This Day, Lagos, Nigeria

21st of September 2004

Children all over the world would be praying for the adult in line with this year's theme for the International Day of Peace today. The celebration, which is a United Nations (UN) initiative, is to feature primary school children across the globe praying on behalf of adults asking for forgiveness and to lead them in the right way of love, honesty and kindness without distinction of religion, tribe, race, political creed or class.

_________________________________________________

'No WMD stockpile find' in Iraq

By Justin Webb

BBC, Washington

17th of September 2004

The report is being written by US weapons inspector Charles Duelfer

Bush administration officials say a draft report has concluded there were no stockpiles of weapons of mass destruction to be found in Iraq. However, they say the report does claim there is evidence that Saddam Hussein intended to resurrect his weapons programmes in the future.

_________________________________________________

Kofi Annan insists attack on Iraq is illegal, U.S. allies disagree

Guardian Newspapers, Lagos, Nigeria

17 th of September 2004

IN what may throw up a diplomatic row between the United States (U.S.) and the United Nations (UN), the organisation's Secretary-General Kofi Annan yesterday described U.S. invasion of Iraq as illegal.

_________________________________________________

Lawmakers Move to Halt Foreign Debt Service

From Ahamefula Ogbu in Abuja

21.10.04

This Day Newspapers, Lagos, Nigeria

Lawmakers Move to Halt Foreign Debt ServicingFrom Ahamefula Ogbu in Abuja Members of the House of Representatives barely contained their anger yesterday following reports that for the $11 billion loan taken by Nigeria, the country has paid $32 billion and still owes the creditors $34 billion.

_________________________________________________

Debt Relief: Obasanjo Berates US on Nigeria·

This Day, Lagos, Nigeria

17th of September 2004

Seeks support for peace in Gulf of GuineaFrom Samuel Famakinwa and Kunle Aderinokun in Abuja President Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday chided on the United States government over what he described as the country's discriminatory policy on granting debt relief to debtor countries which favour even richer countries.

_________________________________________________

Mugabe slams 'political God Bush'

BBC

23rd of September 2004

Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe has accused US leader George W Bush of behaving as though he is God, with UK Prime Minister Tony Blair his prophet.

_________________________________________________

Obasanjo at UN, Seeks Permanent Seat for Nigeria

From Josephine Lohor , New York

This Day 24th of September 2004

President Olusegun Oba-sanjo yesterday in his address to the General Assembly of the United Nations declared that Nigeria is qualified to be a permanent member of the UN Security Council

_________________________________________________

Reuters.

7.10.04
By Tsegaye Tadesse

ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) - Rich nations must stop their citizens laundering money, selling arms and looting resources in Africa in order to help the continent fight poverty, an expert quoted a draft of a British-backed report as saying.

_________________________________________________

African ministers agree on strategies to fight poverty

By Funmi Komolafe, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

BBC

6th of September 2004

Africa may soon cease to be the producer of primary products for other countries as foreign ministers have agreed to set up a monitoring committee to ensure the implementation of the strategies presented to them by the stakeholders meeting on employment and poverty reduction.

_________________________________________________

London notes its slave trade role

BBC

20th of August, 2004

Slave trade ships left from London

Britain's role in the slave trade will be just one issue scrutinised at the National Maritime Museum's anti-slavery festival which starts on Saturday.

_________________________________________________

Mu'azu Advises UNICEF

From Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi
ThisDay Newspaper. Lagos, Nigeria

Governor Ahmadu Adamu Mu'azu of Bauchi State, has decried attitude of the United Nations Children Education Fund (UNICEF), and other international organisations for initiating programmes for developing countries in far away New York, which adversely affect effective implementation of such programmes.

_________________________________________________

Confessions of a British diplomat

Should an ambassador speak out over human rights even if this upsets his or her own government? The question has been posed by the dismissal from his post as British ambassador to Uzbekistan of Craig Murray, whose disagreements with his own government about how to handle human rights abuses by his host government have become very public. Craig Murray was dismissed from his post in Uzbekistan this week.

_________________________________________________

Inside the European Social Forum

One of the themes of the forum is the situation in Iraq
Thousands of campaigners have gathered in London for a three-day forum against war, racism and corporate power. The European Social Forum will include seminars and musical events and will culminate in an anti-war march

_________________________________________________

Petrol sales suspended in Eritrea

Eritrea imports all its refined fuel

Eritrea has banned the sale of petrol to the public because of the rising price of oil on world markets. Information Minister Ali Abdu Ahmed said ndiesel would remain available, but petrol had to be conserved for essential use.

_______________________________________________

Why G-8 Must Cancel Our Debts, By Saraki

From Tunde Sanni in Ilorin

This Day

5 th of July, 2004

President Olusegun Obasanjo has warned the African continent not to allow anything to divide them, stressing that it is only when they work together that they can overcome the numerous challenges facing the continent and the people.

_______________________________________________

Only Idiots Obey WTO - Belgian Bizman

By Lanre Issa Onilu

This Day

27th of June, 2004

The restriction placed on importation of some goods by the Federal Government has received a rare endorsement of a Belgian entrepreneur, Mr. Pierre Vandebeeck who told THISDAY that observing the no trade restriction clause in the World Trade Organisation (WTO) treaty is akin to self-ruination.

"Anybody who listens to WTO is an idiot. You open your country for dumping, it is like having a set of local footballers who lack experience and you send them to Liverpool for a match and you expect them to win," Vandebeeck yesterday illustrated in an exclusive interview with THISDAY.

_______________________________________________

US hints at Guantanamo releases

BBC

2nd of July, 2004

Guantanamo detainees may challenge their detention

The US may try to head off legal challenges to the detention of terror suspects at Guantanamo Bay by releasing some prisoners, the Pentagon has said. It comes after the US Supreme Court ruled earlier this week that the detainees should be able to challenge their detentions in US courts. Chief Pentagon spokesman Larry DiRita said no decision had been made on how to respond to the ruling, but he said: "Everybody has a desire not to hold people that need not be held".

_______________________________________________

Africa 'should not pay its debts'

BBC

6th of July, 2004

President Olusegun Obasanjo has warned the African continent not to allow anything to divide them, stressing that it is only when they work together that they can overcome the numerous challenges facing the continent and the people.

_______________________________________________

Obasanjo Asks Africans to Work Together

By Okechukwu Kanu

This Day, 24th of May 2004

President Olusegun Obasanjo has warned the African continent not to allow anything to divide them, stressing that it is only when they work together that they can overcome the numerous challenges facing the continent and the people.

_________________________________________________

WTO: EU accepts to eliminate agric export subsidies

Vanguard Newspapers,

Thursday, May 13, 2004

By Adaobi Okafor & Franklin Ali

The European Union(EU) has offered to eliminate agricultural export subsidies which have been a major bone of contention and key to World Trade Organisation (WTO) negotiations.

_______________________________________________

About African growth

BBC,

3rd of May 2004

By Baba Olosun

What needs to be done to boost African growth is clear, only the richer countries who are deliberately in control of the world economy should think of the African growth by making the world economy field plain. .

____________________________________________

For Debt Forgiveness, I Will Resign, Says Obasanjo

Guardian Newspaper, Lagos, Nigeria

BY LEKAN FADEYI (LAGOS)

AND PASCAL NWIGWE

DIGNITARIES at the 4th Democracy Day lecture in Abuja yesterday were stunned by President Olusegun Obasanjo's declaration to resign his office should it be the condition for cancellation of Nigeria's foreign debts.

_____________________________________________

Cancel our debts, African leaders tell foreign creditors

Africa Must Forge Closer Ties -

14th of June 2004

by ABIODUN OBIMUYIWA, SADE AYODELE

Lagos State Governor, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has said the challenge of African renaissance will remain a mirage if it continues to depend on external support for its realisation.

_______________________________________________

Africa's 'tragic' economic record

BBC

3rd of May, 2004

Africa's growth record in the post-colonial era has been an "economic tragedy," according to a report from the World Economic Forum. In a damning assessment of the continent's economy, the report says income per head has fallen by 11% in sub-Saharan Africa since 1974. "The long-awaited revival of the African economy has not yet taken place," it concludes.

_______________________________________________

$200bn Scandal Rocks World Bank, Others

By Etim Imisim

This Day, Lagos, Nigeria

25th of May 2004

A US senate hearing has been told that multilateral development banks, including the World Bank, have misused about $200 billion meant for development projects in poor countries of the world.

-->read more

_______________________________________________

Shell admits fuelling corruption

BBC, 11th of June 2004

31st of March 2004

Shell say they will support Nigeria's anti-corruption drive

Oil giant Shell has admitted it inadvertently fed conflict, poverty and corruption through its oil activities in Nigeria. But a Shell spokesman said the group did not agree with independent experts that the unrest may force it to leave. Nigeria contributes to about 10% of Shell's global production and is home to some of its most promising reserves. Shell says it has been difficult to operate with integrity in areas of conflict like Nigeria.

-->read more

_______________________________________________

Trade rules 'perpetuate poverty'

BBC

13th of June 2004

International rules on trade are tightening the noose around poor nations and trapping them in poverty, aid group Oxfam says. Six of the world's 10 poorest countries are less prosperous than they were two decades ago, according to its report. Global trade rules are rigged to benefit rich nations instead of meeting the demands of the poor, it says.

-->read more

_______________________________________________

WTO chief optimistic over talks

BBC, 15th of June 2004

World Trade Organisation head Supachai Panitchpakdi says ministers meeting in Paris are near to agreement on key trade liberalisation issues.

-->read more

_______________________________________________

Africa has enough resources to be self-sufficient, says Uwechue

Guardian Newspapers, Lagos, Nigeria, 31st of March 2004

Africa has enough resources to be self-sufficient, says Uwechue PRESIDENTIAL envoy on Conflict Resolution in Africa, Ambassador Raph Uwechue, has said that the continent bears enough resources to be self-sufficient.

-->read more

_______________________________________________

Geldof at No 10 for Africa talks

6th of May 2004

BBC News

Tackling Africa's problems will be the focal point of Britain's chairmship of the G8 next year, Tony Blair has promised.

_______________________________________________

German leader, at ECOWAS parliament, backs NEPAD

25th of April 2004

Vanguard Newspapers, Lagos, Nigeria

The German government has pledged support for the New Partnership forAfrica’s Development (NEPAD).

_________________________________________________

Poor nations want IMF reforms

BBC News

by Andrew Walker

Developing countries want a louder voice in the workings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank.

_________________________________________________

Osoba backs Alake over N165m insurance cover for Bible
(Thursday, April 11, 2002.)

By Wole Shadare

Guardian Newspapers, Lagos, Nigeria.

OGUN State Governor Chief Olusegun Osoba yesterday supported the demand of N165 million insurance cover by the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Oyebade Lipede for the return of the Bible given to one of the monarch's predecessors in 1845, as a token of the friendship between Egbaland and Britain.

-->read more

_________________________________________________

Rich Rob Poor of US $100 Billion a Year - Oxfam

(Thursday, April 11, 2002)

All.Africa.com

"For every dollar we give in aid, two are stolen through unfair trade," says David Gallagher of Oxfam.

Gallagher was speaking in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Thursday at the launch of Make Trade Fair, a global campaign aimed at changing the rules of trade. He said the flouting of international trade rules by rich countries cost the poor world more than US $100 billion a year.

-->read more

_________________________________________________

German Cardinal Says African Pope Would Be Good Sign

(Wednesday, April 3, 2002)

AllAfrica.com

Selecting the next Pope from an African country would be a "good sign for all Christianity," a Roman Catholic cardinal said in a newspaper interview published yesterday.

Western countries continue to harbour racist sentiments and negative views toward Third World countries, a situation an African Pope could help correct, said German Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, leader of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

-->read more

___________________________________________

Arvol Looking Horse Answers The Questions

By Frank J. King III

The Native Voice, USA, 15th of April 2004

TNV:What made you decide to come out with this decision on the issue of ceremonial protocols? Arvol Looking Horse: The traditional, respected elders here on the reservations said that I would probably have to stand up and address the issues of misuse and abuse of our ceremonies and about non-native participation in our ceremonies.

_________________________________________________

'There's No Wall That Separates the Rich World From the Poor'

(Friday, March 22, 2002)

by Chama Nsabika

AllAfrica.com

THERE is no wall that separates the rich world from the poor, World Bank president James Wolfensohn has said.

In his remarks yesterday to the UN Financing for Development (FfD) conference that closes today in Monterrey, Mexico, Wolfensohn said for too long, belief in that wall and in those separate and separated worlds had allowed people to view as normal a world where less than 20 per cent of the population - the rich countries - dominated the world's wealth and resources and took 80 per cent of its income.

-->read more

_________________________________________________

Obasanjo to Creditor Nations: You have Failed Nigeria

(Saturday, March 23, 2002)

WORRIED by an avalanche of unfulfilled promises of debt relief from Western countries, President Olusegun Obasanjo in Mexico on Thursday gave vent to his frustration, accusing them of not keeping their pledges.

-->read more

_________________________________________________

European Union opposes FG's ban on 20 items

(Friday, 1st March, 2002)

LAGOS THE European Union (EU) has raised an objection to the proposed plan by the Federal Government to ban importation of about 20 items this year.

Vanguard gathered that the objection by EU member countries that met at the German Embassy in Lagos last week was based on their assumption that the proposed ban would not only reduce the volume of trade between Nigeria and their countries but also contradict the World Trade Organisation (WTO) treaty that frowns at import restrictions.

-->read more

_________________________________________________

Obasanjo in Italy, blames world crises on poverty

(Thursday, February 21, 2002)

From Madu Onuorah, Abuja

Guardian Newspapers, Lagos. Nigeria.

TRUE peace may continue to elude the world as long as extreme affluence continues to exist side by side with extreme poverty. And one way of solving the problem of poverty is to give the current wave of globalisation "a human face" to bail developing nations out of penury. President Olusegun Obasanjo made these observations while speaking as a special guest of the 25th session of the Governing Council of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).

-->read more

___________________________________________

Blatter condemns European clubs

17.12.03

BBC

Sepp Blatter has accused Europe's richest clubs of 'despicable' behaviour and engaging in 'social and economic rape' as they scour the developing world for talent. His comments echoed those made before this month's World Cup preliminary round draw in Frankfurt when the 67-year-old Fifa boss railed against the many wrongs he sees in the world game. "I find it unhealthy, if not despicable, for rich clubs to send scouts shopping in Africa, South America and Asia to 'buy' the most promising players there," Blatter wrote in a column in Britain's Financial Times newspaper on Wednesday. "This leaves those who trained them in their early years with nothing but cash for their trouble." "Dignity and integrity tend to fall by the wayside in what has become a glorified body market. Blatter added: "Europe's leading clubs conduct themselves increasingly as neo-colonialists who don't give a damn about heritage and culture, but engage in social and economic rape by robbing the developing world of its best players. "If we're not careful, football may degenerate into a game of greed - a trend I will vigorously oppose." In the past, many African players promised untold riches by unscrupulous football agents have been greatly exploited by the very people who are supposed to be looking after them. The phrase 'football slavery' was even coined to describe footballers who ended up living in poor conditions and on insufficient salaries many miles from their homeland.