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NORTHERN CHRISTIANS RAISES ALARM OVER MARGINALISATION BY MUSLIMS

Written by Administrator

Christians in the 19 Northern states including Abuja have raised alarm over alleged discrimination against Northern Christians in the army and key federal government parastatals.

In a communiqué issued at the end of their meeting which held recently in Kaduna under the aegis of Northern Christian Association of Nigeria (Northern CAN), the group called on Acting President Goodluck Jonathan to urgently addressed the injustice against Christians by Northern Muslims who they alleged, have cornered all key appointments in the Nigerian Army, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) adding that Christians were being denied admission at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA).

To buttress its claim, the association came up with statistics of top appointments in the Nigerian Army and the NNPC, insisting that the appointments do not reflect the principle of quota system.

The communiqué which was signed and read by the secretary of the association, Elder Saidu Dogo reads: “The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 Northern states and Abuja met in Kaduna on April, 19, 2010 where it reviewed the current situation of things in the country as it affects Christians in the North.

“The meeting which was attended by the officials of the association in the 19 Northern states and Abuja was presided over by the Chairman, Arch Bishop Peter Jatau.

“The meeting discussed what appeared to be a general persecution of Christians in the North, particularly the persistent killings in Plateau State as well as the recent killing of a pastor and his wife in Bauchi state.

“The meeting also noted that there is a grand design to exclude Christians from appointments in some key government parastatals and institutions, especially in places like the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), which is the bed rock of the Nigerian economy, the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), which grooms young Nigerians to serve in the military.

“This, to us, is part of the plots by the powers that be to continue to dominate and marginalize Northern Christians and make these institutions exclusive preserve of Muslims in spite of the fact that the Nigerian constitution provides for the reflection of federal character in all ramifications in terms of appointments and employment in every federal establishment.

“For instance in the NNPC, the recent organogramme buttressed this fact. From the group General Managing Director (GMD) and 14 top hierarchy policy makers of the corporation, there is no single Christian from the north. We have attached here a list of the top management of the NNPC to buttress this point.

“Also in the FCT, virtually the directors are Muslims. Yet this is the nation’s capital, which all of us are equal stakeholders. This is most unfair and unacceptable. The FCT belongs to all Nigerians and therefore every appointment, should reflect the character of the Nigerian nation

“The association also noted the current train of things in the Nigerian army under the leadership of Gen. Danbazzau where the top echelon of the army is dominated by Muslims. We have again attached a statistics of appointments in the army to prove this lopsidedness in appointments in the military.

“It is also unfortunate that the NDA, an institution that grooms young Nigerians to serve in the nation’s military is gradually becoming an institution which discriminates against Christians as most Christian candidates are being denied admission. Even in some states in the north that are predominantly Christians, Muslims candidates are more favoured.

“CAN in the 19 Northern states and the Abuja, therefore, appeals to Acting President Goodluck Jonathan, to as a matter of urgency address this brazen marginalization, injustice, bias and discrimination against northern Christians to give us a sense of belonging in the Nigerian nation.

“The meeting condemned the killing of Pastor Ishaya Kadah and his wife, Selina in Boto village, Tafawa Balewa local government area of Bauchi state and call on the government to ensure that all the culprits involved in this barbaric act are brought to book. The meeting urged Christians to remain calm and continue to pray for peace in Nigeria.

“On the persistent killings in Jos, we wish to state that the continued stay of the GOC, Major. Gen. Saleh Maina as the leader of the Joint Military security in Jos is not helping matters because he has failed in his duty to protect the people.

“We blame the Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen. Danbazzau for not investigating the allegations of bias leveled against the GOC and for allowing him to continue to create tension in Jos.

“The Christian community in Jos no longer trusts his ability to be fair and just to all. This is evident in the series of killings that are going on in some parts of Jos, particularly the Dogo Nahawa killings in which over 500 people were killed.

“We call on the federal government to compensate all the victims who were supposed to be protected under a military curfew.

“The meeting also considered the political atmosphere in the country, vis avis the 2011 elections and call on the Acting president to take the issue of electoral reforms seriously because CAN in the 19 Northern states and Abuja believe that this will bring about credible elections.

“Northern CAN appeals to the Acting President to tackle the issue of corruption more seriously because it is killing the Nigerian Nation.

“The issue of power should also be immediately addressed because poor power supply is one of the serious setbacks to the nation’s industrial and economic growth”

STATISTICS OF APPOINTMENTS IN THE NIGERIAN ARMY AS AT JUNE, 2009

S/No.

Appointment

Region

Religion

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

16.

17.

18.

19.

20.

21.

22.

NSA

Chief of Army Staff

GOC 3 Div

Commandant ICS

Commandant NDA

GOC 82 Div

Director Military Int.

Military Secretary (MS)

Provost Marshal

Chief of Logistics

GOC 1 Div

DA-USA

DA-London

DG, DICON

Commandant NMS

Commandant NA Depot Zaria

Commandant TRADOC

GOC 81 Div

Comd Arty

Comd. Ordinance

Director NYSC

Comd Bde of Gds

North – Zamfara

North – Kano

North

North – Kano

North

North – Kano

West

North – Kano

North

East

West

North

North – Kano

Moslem

Christian

Moslem

Christian

Moslem

SUMMARY

North = 18

East = 2

West = 2

South-South = 0

Total = 22

Moslem = 17

Christian = 4

Unknown = 1

Total = 22

NNPC MANAGEMENT

S/No. Names post

1. Alh. Shehu Ladan Group Managing Director

2. Alh. Attahiru GED-North, Service

3. Alh. Baba Kusa GED-North, Commercial & Investment

4. Alh. Awalu Abubakar GGM-North, Human Resources

5. Alh. Farouk Bello Crude Oil

6. Alh. Bawa GM-North, Admin

7. Hajia Sani GM-North, Human Resources

8. Alh. Yola GM-North, Crude Oil Shipping

9. Jedy Agba GM-No.II North Partially North & South

but leans to North

10. Reginald Stanly MD PPMC, South

11. Hajia Yahuza Manager North Central, Transportation

12. Alh. Lamido Manager North, procurement

13. Alh. Babangida Executive Director North, Services

14. OGO Manager South, Admin

15. Alh. Farouk Executive Director North, Commercial

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Fake Army Officer Arrested In Jos

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Written by From Isa Abdulsalami, Jos
AMID the killings in Jos and allegations of security personnel's involvement in the carnage, a man, who impersonated the Nigerian Army, Mr. Sambo Tom Changyel, has been arrested. He was arrested recently by the military and subsequently handed over to the Plateau State Police Command yesterday for further investigations and subsequent prosecution. Write comment (0 Comments)
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Military permitted genocide near Jos?

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Written by Administrator

Killing fields of Jos

Monday afternoon corpses of victims of the early dawn Sunday attack in Jos were laid to rest in mass graves dug by authorities.
The exact figures of the victims are not yet known. However, resident say that about 700 people from three villages may have been killed. he Plateau State Christian Elders Consultative Forum said over 500 people were slaughtered in the fresh orgy of sectarian violence.
Many of their victims who expectedly were children and women as well as a few men were hacked down and beheaded. The operation, according to witnesses, lasted from 3.00 a.m. to 6.00 a.m. yesterday without anybody coming to their rescue.
Jos South Council Chairman, Mr. Moses Dalyop and the member in the House of Assembly from that area, Mr. Dalyop Mancha, visited the area, condemning the dastardly attack.

The community's leader, Peter Gyang, said they would no longer observe the 'so-called' curfew.
His words: "We will be forced to go into our houses by 6.00 p.m. but some invaders would come and attack us without any intervention from the military or police. So, there would be no curfew again so that we can protect ourselves."
It is not yet known how the invaders got to the area which is close to bauchi State, where the State House of Assembly had said that it would expel Plateau State indigenes. Only some low hills separate the aea from Bauchi State.
The area is also within the areas covered by the curfew. The attack which took place within the curfew time raises question about the involvement of the military which has severally been accused of siding muslims
We publish here the pictures of the gruesome murder and ethnic cleansing that took place in the early hours of sunday in some villages near Jos,plateau State. Please if you are fain hearted don’t bother to check the imaages.

Murdered children

More muredered children

Jos Feb 2010

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Joint Statement on Nigeria By the US and EU

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Written by Administrator
We express our deep regret at the recent violence and tragic loss of lives in Jos, and extend our sympathies to the bereaved and injured. We urge all parties to exercise restraint and seek peaceful means to resolve differences between religious and ethnic groups in Nigeria. We call on the federal government to ensure that the perpetrators of acts of violence are brought to justice and to support interethnic and interfaith dialogue. Nigeria is one of the most important countries in sub-Saharan Africa, a member of the UN Security Council, a global oil producer, a leader in ECOWAS, a major peacekeeping contributing country, and a stabilizing force in West Africa. Nigeria's stability and democracy carry great significance beyond its immediate borders. We therefore extend our support to the people of Nigeria during the current period of uncertainty, caused by President Yar'Adua's illness. We extend our best wishes to the president and his family, and join the Nigerian people in wishing him a full recovery. Nigeria has expressed its resolve to adhere to constitutional processes during this difficult time. We commend that determination to address the current situation through appropriate democratic institutions. Nigeria's continued commitment and adherence to its democratic norms and values are key to addressing the many challenges it faces, including electoral reform, post-amnesty programs in the Niger Delta, economic development, inter-faith discord and transparency. The gubernatorial elections in Anambra on 6 February will be a milestone in the journey towards electoral reform and a signal of Nigeria's commitment to the principles of democracy. We are committed to continue working with Nigeria on the internal issues it faces while working together as partners on the global stage. Signed: US Secretary of State, Hillary Rodham Clinton; British Foreign Secretary, David Miliband; French Foreign Minister, Bernard Kouchner; EU High Representative Catherine Ashton, London, United Kingdom Write comment (0 Comments)

Jang queries movement of suspects in Jos mayhem to Abuja

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Written by Isa Abdulsalami (Jos) and Ayoyinka Olagoke (Uyo)
GOVERNOR Jonah Jang of Plateau State has expressed his opposition to the hasty movement of persons arrested in connection with the January 17 violence in Jos to Abuja. He asked the affected authorities to return the suspects to Jos for prosecution by the police. For lawyers in the state and some youth groups, the continuous setting up of panels to probe the recurring ethno-religious violence in the state without sanctioning the masterminds is mere window-dressing of the problem. Jang , who spoke in his office in Jos yesterday when the management of the Institute of Peace and Conflict Resolution from Abuja, led by the Director-General, Dr. Joseph Golwa visited him, noted that the body is strategic in finding lasting solutions to frequent violence in the country. The governor questioned why people arrested during the civil unrest in the state were quickly taken to Abuja for trial and called on the Federal Government to return even those held for the 2008 crisis to the state for trial. He said: "Plateau State is not a pariah state within the federation. It is part and parcel of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It is one of the federating units of the country and we must be treated with respect like any other state of the federation." Golwa said as an agency of the federal government mandated to provide mechanism for peace resolution, it would assist the state government to bring enduring peace to the people. Through the Human Rights Committee Section of the Plateau State branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), the lawyers urged the government and law enforcement agencies to go beyond setting up investigation panels on sectarian crises to punishing the actual culprits. Reacting to the recent Jos crisis, the NBA said although commissions were set up to look into similar crises in the past, no noticeable sanctions were meted out to the culprits. In a statement by its branch chairman, Alfred Damun, the panel expressed the fears that the unceremonious recall of the former Plateau police commissioner, Gregory Anyating, during the crisis might jeopardise the police investigation of the violence. Also, the Youth Wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has called on the United Nations (UN) and other foreign powers to save the people of Plateau State from the bias and massive killing of the Christians in Jos by soldiers. "My greatest surprise is that these soldiers disguised themselves in military uniforms and wreck havoc on the people. Some of the soldiers move in civilian vehicles." In a statement made available to The Guardian in Lagos, Pofi alleged that seven youths from his community sent to the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) to assist some injured persons were arrested, harassed and molested by soldiers. "They undressed and collected all their cell phones and money. One of them escaped while six are nowhere to be found. The Nigerian Army must produce them immediately." He gave their names as Bitrus Ajang, Azi Igyem, Ali Kaze, Ajik Azi, Arum Ajang and Jamkru Langtang." The Guardian Newspaper, lagos Write comment (0 Comments)