Thursday, January 12, 2012

Kim Jong Il's Body to lie Instate Permanently

Kim Jong Il's body

North Korea says late leader Kim Jong Il's body will be permanently laid in state in a memorial palace in the capital  Kim's body will be displayed at Pyongyang's Kumsusan Memorial Palace, where his father and North Korea founder Kim Il-sung's embalmed body has been lying since his death in 1994.
Kim Jong-il's son and successor, Kim Jong-un, has been solidifying power since his father died of a heart attack on Dec 17.
The official Korean Central News Agency said on Thursday that North Korea will also erect a statue of Kim Jong-il, set up portraits of a smiling Kim and build "towers to his immortality" across the country.
Kim died on December 17 of a heart attack at age 69 after 17 years in charge of the impoverished but nuclear-armed nation. His son Kim Jong-un has taken over the leadership.
The ruling communist party, describing the late Kim as its "eternal leader", announced that his body would lie in state at the Kumsusan Memorial Palace.

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

DAY 3


Protest of today was marked by many unexpected incidents. With yesterday’s doused situation, one would have thought to see a smoother day in today’s protest, but behold, it is going toward a violent dimension and more serious issues are beginning to come up.

Niger State Violent Demonstration
At Ibafo a protester was said to have been killed by a stray bullet. In Bauchi, Emir’s palace was attacked by hoodlums who threw stones and threatened to burn down the structure. In Niger State, many government structures were set ablaze by violent demonstrators. The infrastructures include the INEC office along David Mark road in Minna, the Governor's campaign office at Mobil Roundabout, Senator Awaisu Kuta's house, PDP vice chairman Barr. Tanko Beji's chamber and IBB campaign office. Today also the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) directed all oil production platforms to be on red alert in preparation for total production shutdown, I guess this would definitely put a standstill on the movement and economic activities of the country if it happens.  
In another development, Nigerians in Ghana led by Dele Momodu, Publisher of Ovation Magazine, demonstrated at the Nigerian High Commission, where they sent their protest letter to the President through Musiliu Obanikoro, the Nigerian High Commissioner to Ghana. We pray for a peaceful resolution of this situation.

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

STRIKE DAY TWO

Today is day two of the subsidy withdrawal strike and demonstration. No much event happened, the steam is going down and many people came out for normal business activities in Abuja today. Although outcry over the killing of some demonstrators is high, the masses seem to be accepting the situation while the upper chamber of the parliament are on the negotiation table with the organised labour. We pray for better days ahead.
    

Monday, January 9, 2012

WITHDRAWAL OF FUEL SUBSIDY STRIKE - DAY ONE

This strike and protest are starting to show some indications that most people are not interested in what is being discussed in the country, they are only interested in what they can gain from whatever situation they find themselves. Decision not to write about the anticipated strike and demonstrations on the withdrawal of fuel subsidy in Nigeria was based on the fact that a good analysis of the situation can only be clear after the first day of the strike. 

As early as 4.30am, many residence of Abuja engaged in private businesses woke up hoping to beat road blockade or whatever that might prevent people having access to their workplace. But surprisingly, there was calm in the town and whoever came out was neither prevented from moving about nor harassed as long as you can adequately identify yourself when questioned by security personnel on the street. Then watching from the television, one could clearly identify miscreants who have taken advantage of the situation to cause problems. They were seen making burn-fire, destroying public properties, attacking security personnel, looting and even in one occasion at Ibadan, a man was caught stealing mobile phones of fellow protesters. You can imagine what he had in mind when coming out for today's activity (operation). In a proper demonstration, a demonstrator only walks on the street, displaying his banner or placard as visible as possible to passers bye and camera while chanting songs or slogans as he may wish. This was not the case in today's protest match.  Nigerians, please lets come together and be useful to ourselves in order to make a headway in future. I also found out there is lack of public enlightenment about the condition of the subsidy removal. I even heard of a woman that gave birth early yesterday and has decided to name her son Chukwu-bu-Subsidy (meaning, "God is my subsidy"). Many do not know why the demonstration is on, what caused the demonstration and what alternatives are available.