The Nation Newspaper

Category: Online Special

  • World Refugee Day: Displaced Syrians live on a knife edge

    World Refugee Day: Displaced Syrians live on a knife edge

    To mark World Refugee Day, Antoinette Powell, Communications officer for Christian Aid, reports back from her recent trip visiting Syrian refugees in Iraq

    Standing by her makeshift tent in the unofficial camp of Baynjan , northern Iraq, Nasrin showed me treasured photos of her life in Syria; her family immaculately dressed in beautiful clothes relaxing inside their home. They never expected to be refugees, until their house in Aleppo was bombed. When I met them they had barely eaten in days. She told me, ‘I would rather go back and die there. If they bombed me, I would die immediately. Here it is a slow death.’

    Baynjan, an unofficial camp in northern Iraq, is home to more than 700 Syrian refugees. There are more than 158,000 Syrian refugees scattered across Iraq but as the spotlight remains on those in Jordan and Lebanon, their fate is often overlooked. Areas such as Baynjan in Sulaimaniya province, once inhabited by Kurds escaping Saddam’s chemical attacks, are now crammed full of makeshift tents and houses hastily constructed from breeze blocks.

    Antonio Guterres, the UN high commissioner for refugees has said that the conflict in Syria is “more brutal and destructive than the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, and has turned into the worst humanitarian disaster since the end of the Cold War”.

    The UN state the number of refugees pouring across the Iraq border has doubled since the start of the year. More than 800 Syrian refugees arrive in northern Iraq every day with fresh tales of destruction. The UN provides shelter, water, education and medical services in the only official camp of Domiz, but now that is so overcrowded new refugees have to make do with anywhere they can find.

    Christian Aid is one of the few international aid organisations working in Iraq through local organisation REACH to support these forgotten refugees, who cannot find space in the official UN camp. REACH is providing support to 1,500 refugee families around Sulaimaniya and the nearby city of Erbil in the form of food, jerry cans so that the refugees can collect water and hygiene kits containing first aid equipment, water purifiers, sanitary products and other essential items.

    Nasrin arrived in Baynjan with her husband, 12-year-old triplets and younger son just three days before I met them, having spent days sheltering in the hallway of their home from falling bombs. Nasrin and her family will receive help from UNHCR, but the large numbers of refugees’ means registration for this support can be very slow. Some families have waited more than a week for this vital process – too long when they have arrived with little or nothing.

    In Baynjan there are no toilet or water facilities for the newly arrived refugees. The situation is so dire that men, who are registered with the UN and can legally seek day work, knock on people’s doors on their way home to beg for water. Nasrin and her family sometimes have to resort to asking to use the toilet facilities of an army post nearby.

    The lack of water is particularly worrying as temperatures and cases of dehydration rise and risk of disease could add to the hardships these refugees already face. With temperatures set to rise to more than 40 degrees in the next few months, people in winterised tents will have to endure horrendous temperatures.

    However, local communities have been a life line to the new arrivals, despite having not much themselves. When I was there, bundles of used clothes collected locally had just been delivered to the refugees, people eagerly took anything that might supplement the few clothes they have brought from Syria.

    Refugees who have been there for some time help the new arrivals. Farhad was able to find work as a tiler when he arrived from Syria 14 months ago. His employer kindly lent him money for bricks so he was able to build a small home of breeze blocks. Farhad works hard to make a home that his four children can feel safe in, even if it is only temporary.

    Farhad now helps new arrivals to find shelter and supplies to see them through until they can access official help. His wife, Khadija, gave birth to tiny Medyar just 10 days before we visited. It was a difficult and exhausting birth but she quickly resumed her role providing food and a place to wash for the new arrivals swelling the camp’s numbers.

    But for all their hard work and the support they give to each other, Farhad and Khadija and many other refugees like them continue to live on a knife edge. Desperate to return to Syria, they do not know when or if it will be safe to do so. Nor do they have a guarantee of how long international support for refugees will last. ‘The problem is we have no guarantees,’ says Farhad. ‘We have no money for immediate problems. Everything we do is based on debts. But you have to carry on with life. I think about the kids and how to make a better life for them. Until I draw my last breath, everything I do will be for them.’

    Christian Aid’s Syria and Middle East crisis appeal will help those most in need, working through partners such as REACH to provide food, medical assistance and other essential services.

    Culled from http://blogs.independent.co.uk

  • 54,000 security officers for FIFA Confederations Cup

    54,000 security officers for FIFA Confederations Cup

    Rio de Janeiro  - The FIFA Confederations Cup Brazil 2013 will rely on
a security plan comprised of Brazilian federal, state and municipal forces, with
more than 54,000 security officers involved in implementing the security plan
designed for the competition that kicks off  Saturday, 15 June. 

Details of theConfederations Cup security plan were announced during a press conference held on
Friday, 14 June at the Open Media Centre in Rio de Janeiro.

According to General Jamil Megid, head of the Brazilian Ministry of Defense's
Special Advisory Staff for Security of Major Events, the objective of the security
strategy is to act preventively. The national defense contingent relies on 20,000
security officers in the host cities; over 1,100 of this group are military
personnel with specializations such as combating terrorism or chemical and nuclear
agents.

"The main objective in the areas of public security and defense is to provide a safe
and peaceful atmosphere. The principal focus is on coordination and integration.
Obviously there are several institutions on the federal, state and municipal level,
all of whom have their own doctrine and manner of procedure. What we are attempting
is to optimize these efforts and build a synergy, with all these institutions
cooperating with one another," said General Megid.

In addition to plans for the the FIFA Confederations Cup Brazil 2013, planning
national defense and public security for the FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014 also calls
for integrating strategies among the armed forces, installing command and control
Centres, and buying equipment and technology, all of which totals R$ 1.9 billion
(approximately US$ 890 million) in investment from the federal government. Eight
Integrated Command Centres have already been installed, in addition to two national
Centres (in Brasília and Rio de Janeiro), and one in each host city for the
Confederations Cup.

On Thursday 13 June, President Dilma Rousseff inaugurated 12 Integrated Mobile
Command Centers, two for each city hosting games of the Confederations Cup. The
equipment used to help integrate the work of the federal, state and municipal
security forces includes monitoring and communications systems to provide security
for the duration of the competition. The security plan also includes helicopters
with high-technology vigilance equipment, anti-bomb equipment, and other security
apparatuses.

The Brazilian Ministry of Justice's Extraordinary Secretariat for Security of Major
Events has confirmed the contingent will include 3,500 federal police officers;
2,800 federal highway patrol officers, 600 members of the National Public Security
Force; 150 members of the National Nuclear Energy Commission (CNEN); 31,000 military
police officers; 5,100 firefighters; 3,400 police officers; 6,200 municipal guards;
and 2,200 traffic police officers.

José Monteiro, director of operations at the Extraordinary Secretariat for Security
of Major Events, explains that the investments are enabling a coordinated strategy
between security forces from all three levels of government. "The equipment
purchased is only the visible part of what has been done over the last few years.
The part that cannot be seen, which is just as important as the material legacy, is
what we call the operational and doctrinal legacy: bringing the forces together,
working and planning in concert."

In addition to Monteiro and General Megid, the press conference was attended by
Colonel Wanius Amorim, Extraordinary Superintendent for Major Events at the Rio de
Janeiro State Civil Defense, and Lieutenant-Colonel Marcelo Rocha, head of the
Operational Planning sector of the Rio de Janeiro Military Police.
  • What June 12 means to students

    What June 12 means to students

    The Nation recently visited some schools in Lagos to get student’s view on the June 12, 1993 Presidential election . Sampson Unamka presents their views

    Jessica Dougherty a JSS student of Turning Point College Isolo said:

    “To my own understanding June 12 reminds me of a philanthropist, a great patriot and a politician M.K.O Abiola who fought and died for Democracy of Nigeria.”

     

    Shola Ayanlere, SS 2 student said:   “June 12 is a day that is declared public holiday and meant for children to celebrate.”
    Akintunde omokehinde, SS2 student of Queen’s college Akoka Lagos, said:  “June 12 is being recognized in Lagos state as a public holiday in remembrance of the late mogul chief MKO Abiola.”
    Adeyemi Dare, 17 years old student of Government College Lagos, said:
    “June 12 to my understanding came into being as a result of the struggle for democracy under military. The election held on that day was described as the best and most free election in the country up to
    date which Chief MKO Abiola won. June 12 is seen as a remembrance day for Abiola and democracy in Nigeria.”
    Abubakar Olawale, 20 years old student said:

    “June 12 is a day we were supposed to be celebrating democracy but turned sour because the election was annulled. It should not be celebrated because it’s a day we ought not to remember. Many lives were lost, many houses were burnt, we had to revert to army things, and Nigeria had to wait another 6 years to experience democracy under those who know nothing about ruling.”
    Obah Raymond Azubuike,  20,  applicant said:

    “June 12 is the true democracy day, but a legend MKO ABIOLA is being celebrated instead, because he offered his money, name and subsequently paid the supreme price for the entire nation to have a democracy.”
    Okolo Juliet, 19 years old student and ND holder said:

    “June 12 was the day that MKO Abiola ran for the position of the president in
    1993 and was presumed winner but was denied the position and the
    election I think was the first democratic election Nigeria ever had, I
    read it in a book.”
    Ohenhen Iyosayi, 17 years old student of Soundmind Group of schools, Iyana Ipaja, said:

    “June12, 1993 was the only election that has ever been conducted in Nigeria were all Nigerians picked Abiola of SDP, as winner of the elections And Abiola who was the winner was denied his mandate because Babaginda refused to declare the election result. The following year, Abiola fought for his right but still didn’t get it; then Shonekan later became the Head of State in 1994. From my own understanding June 12 was the only election ever that Nigerians came together as one and
    pick a Head of state. My teacher told us about June 12.”
    Rasheed Ojelab20 years old student of TASUED, said

    “June 12 was the day presidential election held between Abiola of SDP and Tofa of NRC. MKO Abiola of Social Democratic Party defeated Basiru Tofa of National Republican Convention. Surprisingly, the elections were later annulled by military government, Ibrahim Babangida, leading to a crisis that ended with Sani Abacha heading a coup later in the year. June 12 is a memorable day.”
    Opakunbi Rachel, 400 level student of Bowen University said

    “It is the freest and fairest election ever conducted in the history of this nation because the two contestants from NRC and SDP were both Muslim and nobody complained about it but
    went out en-mass to vote for their candidate of choice which happens to be Chief MKO Abiola.  Nigeria would have moved from where it is now to a greater height if Chief MKO had won, but because of the annulment we are still crawling. June 12 is like a plague on us in this country, it is a truthful thing that has ever happened but we tried to wave it off just because of certain reasons best known to those who did it.”
    Olojede Seyi Ebenezer, student of UNILAG said:

    “June 12 to the best of my knowledge is a day set aside for the remembrance of the winner of the 1993 election. A man who is nationally recognize as a democrat and a sport man. He is known as the father of democracy in Nigeria because he fought for true democracy, this man is no other
    person than late chief MKO Abiola.”
    Olayiwola Feyisayo, student of Lagos State Senior Model College Igbokuta said

    “On June 12 1993, millions of Nigerians voted in the best election ever conducted in the history of the
    country between Chief M.K.O Abiola and Alhaji Tofa. Nigerians voted massively in favour of Moshood Abiola and also Bashir Tofa (the opponent) was said to have sent congratulatory message to Chief MKO
    Abiola. There was happiness all over Nigeria, there was hope that a new damn had come. I heard of a story of a tailor during that period that refused to be paid for the services he rendered. He was so
    overjoyed that at last hope has come to the people and also bus conductor and driver were offering free ride, you didn’t have to pay for anything. That was the spirit and mood until Nigerians received a
    rude shock from the military led by Ibrahim Babagida. He announced the annulment of the result of the election without reasons. The fact was that MKO Abiola was supposed to win the election.”

  • Which is the most preffered mobile network?

    Which is the most preffered mobile network?

    Telecommunication giant, MTN Nigeria has emerged the preferred mobile
    telephone network in a recent poll conducted by The Nation newspaper.

    The poll was conducted via question posted on the company’s website,
    www.staging.thenationonlineng.net.

    The poll ran for almost a period of three weeks with 2, 342 participants. MTN emerged favourite with 756 votes, representing 32.28 per cent, followed by Etisalat with 511 votes (21.82 per cent).

    Globacom had 506 votes, representing 21.61 per cent to place third while 498 (21.26 per cent) voted for Airtel as the preferred mobile network to place fourth. There were 71 votes (3 per cent) for other  networks.

  • ‘Villains’ of June 12 struggle

    ‘Villains’ of June 12 struggle

    Nigerians on Wednesday marked the 20th anniversary of the most credible election ever conducted in the history of the country.

    The June 12, 1993 presidential election that was controversially annulled by Ibrahim Babangida –led military junta pitched the billionaire business mogul -turned politician – the late Chief M.K.O Abiola of the defunct Social Democratic Party against Alhaji Bashir Othman Tofa, who contested the election on the platform of the proscribed National Republican Convention.

    Abiola, who died in prison on July 8, 1998, was coasting to a landslide victory in the poll until the Armed Forces Ruling Council announced its cancellation via a terse statement on June 21, 1993.

    The protests that followed the controversial decision pushed the country closer to another civil war until the former military president was forced to step aside on August 26, 2003. That development ushered in the Interim National Government headed by Chief Ernest Shonekan, who was also ousted in a palace coup by the late Gen. Sani Abacha in November 17, 2003.

    Gen. Abacha died on June 8, 1998 in a mysterious circumstance.

    While many Nigerians genuinely laid claims to the sobriquet of “heroes and heroines of June 12 struggle and albeit democracy.” There are others whose roles in the “extermination” of the June 12 dream would never be forgotten even by generations unborn.

    They played varying roles in extinguishing the collective hope and aspirations of millions of Nigeria who came out on that historical day to elect the candidate of their choice.

    To many Nigerians these people are “Judas Iscariot” of our time because they sold their conscience for “a piece of silver.” Ironically many of them are now major beneficiaries of the present democratic experiment, occupying public offices both at state and national level.

    HAMED SHOBIYE, Assistant Editor, Online looks at some of the “perceived villains” of the June 12 struggle.

     

    Ibrahim Babangida:

    Babangida was the head of the military government that controversially annulled Nigeria’s most credible election. He was forced to step aside after nationwide protests pushed Nigeria closer to another civil war.

    Sani Abacha:

    The late head of state was a frontline member of AFRC, the military council that annulled the election.

    He allegedly played pivotal roles in the annulment and also controversially incarcerated the presumed winner of the poll who later died in detention.

    His government pushed Nigeria closer to civil war. But he died mysteriously and paved way for Nigeria’s return to civil rule.

    Arthur Nzeribe:

    The controversial former senator also played huge roles in the annulment of that historic election.

    He founded the controversial Association for Better Nigeria alongside one Abimbola Davies. The ABN obtained an interim court injunction to stop the election, a development that paved ways for the poll eventual annulment.

    Nzeribe later became a senator when Nigeria returned to democratic rule in 1999.

    Uche Chukwumerije:

    A senator in the current National Assembly was a strong member of Abacha’s kitchen cabinet and campaign vigorously against the election within and outside the country.

    Walter Ofonagoro:

    Another very vocal opponent of the June 12 struggle. He was the unofficial spokesman of Abacha’s government.

    Lamidi Adedibu:

    The late strongman of Ibadan politics was a very visible opponent of the June 12 struggle. He wined and dined with the military authorities. He also provided useful information on the activities of the National Democratic Coalition, a pro-democracy group that was in the fore-front of the struggle, to the late Abacha and his hatchet men.

    Ironically, the late Ibadan high chief was one of the major beneficiaries of Nigeria’s return to democratic rule until his demise few years ago.

    Abdulazeez Arisekola-Alao:

    The Ibadan-based businessman would never forget the treatment he received from students of University of Ibadan when he visited the institution for a convocation programme in November 1998. He came to the university campus with the then head of state, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, who had just taken over as Nigeria’s leader after the mysterious death of Abacha, ostensibly to placate the students for frolicking with the military during the June 12 struggle.

    But he was oblivious of the harsh treatment awaiting him in the hands of the angry students who pounced on him, seized his posh cars, set them ablaze and forced him to escape from the campus through one of the police pick up vans.

     

     

  • 2014 World Cup will be the best – Brazilian minister

    2014 World Cup will be the best – Brazilian minister

    The Brazil Minister of Sports, Aldo Rebelo on Monday, June 10 held a media teleconference to brief the media on preparations for the Confederations and World Cup in Brazil.

    Below is the text of the question and answers at the conference. The Nation Online Editor, Lekan Otufodunrin (@lotufodunrin) participated in the conference

    Minister Rebelo: Good afternoon, all. I am very happy to be here to speak to my friends from the international press and I would like to say that we are about to open the Confederations Cup in Brazil and that we believe we’ll be holding this event with the success expected not only by the country, but also by the world. All the stadiums are ready and we are now only awaiting the opening match with Brazil versus Japan on June 15 here in Brasilia.

     

    There’s a debate in Brazil about the cost of all the stadiums and how it’s leading to really high ticket prices not just for the Cup, but for events afterwards, the whole elitization of football, and I’d love to get the Minister’s thoughts on this debate and whether he thinks the people who really make up the bulk of the sports fan base in Brazil are being priced out of not just these games, but everything afterwards.

     

    Regarding the costs of the World Cup in general and the cost of the stadiums, the cost of those stadiums has changed due to a varied number of reasons. We can now assess the case of the stadium of the Corinthians team. The estimated cost for the stadium was R$ 400 million because it was initially presented as a stadium to host only national or domestic football/soccer events. When it was repurposed to be used as a World Cup stadium, the price practically doubled to R$ 800 million, due to the demand the stadium has to fulfill in order to host the FIFA event. It required, for instance, 20,000 additional seats, more room for guests, more areas for the press, more security, particularly because it will receive heads of state and foreign delegations, and this is an example of how many times the costs changed due to the demand of a World Cup stadium that wasn’t foreseen before. In other cases, the costs varied because the stadium bid only the renovation of its internal part and not of its external part initially, and then subsequently did the bid for its external part, which then increased costs.

    The price of the tickets for the World Cup is expensive and way beyond the means of many of our poorer citizens. Due to that, we asked that FIFA take that into account and take into account the popularity of football in Brazil, and as a result, they donated 50,000 tickets for indigenous and Amazon population and for beneficiaries of the Bolsa Famila grant. Of course, this may help solve the World Cup issue, but we do worry that the elitization of soccer in Brazil may happen due to the price of the tickets that will be charged after the events are over in the new arenas being built.

     

    The general consensus seems to be that not only for the Confederations Cup, but also for the World Cup, that the football stadiums will indeed be ready, and that’s probably the most important part of the story, but also there’s been quite a bit of skepticism in relation to urban mobility and public transport. From the Sports Ministry, do you think it’s a bit of a lost opportunity to advance in this crucial area of public transport and urban mobility?

     

     We have been monitoring transportation and urban mobility on a daily basis. Those two areas are part of what we call our responsibility matrix or responsibility framework, which is in fact a project that establishes the anticipation of previously foreseen works on several areas, in coordination with the federal government, the state government and the host cities. For the federal government, the state government and for the host cities, these works will be delivered in time, together with the next six stadiums, which are also set to be delivered in December 2013. From our part, there is no doubt that these works will be ready. Airport, security, telecommunications and urban mobility will be ready and compatible with the expectations held by the country and by the world of having a great celebration of football in Brazil in 2014.

     

    On the issue of the stadiums, in South Africa, they’re currently debating the fact that many stadiums no longer have uses after the World Cup and have become “white elephants.” Is the Minister worried about this happening in Brazil, particularly in stadiums in areas such as Manaus and Brasilia that don’t have top-class sides?

     

    The people who question the Brasilia Stadium, the Manaus Stadium, the Cuiabá Stadium, and the Natal Stadium usually do so without any idea of what those metropolises actually are. They don’t know these cities. They don’t know that those are actually relevant metropolises in their respective regions of the country, and that they’re also important tourist destinations, many towns with century-old sports teams, as well. The important thing to add is that these stadiums, which have been conceived as multi-purpose arenas, can hold major sporting and non-sporting events, football or otherwise, including fairs, congresses, concerts, etc., as well as exhibitions and others, and are already having their areas successfully marketed. Some of the stadiums have already sold their name right for very high amounts in their respective markets. So, there is no chance that these stadiums will become “white elephants.” They will be much more than football fields. They will be multi-purposes spaces that the cities have lacked before and now will have to use for several different purposes.

     

    I have some rather practical questions, which is reported from my colleagues, as well, and I can confirm that, as well, that there are some problems. I know that it’s not part of your Ministry, but it’s problems of the organizations, with tickets, with the quality of transmission and parking spots, like really practical things, infrastructure for press. Are you somehow concerned, or to what extent are you concerned, that the press infrastructure will probably not be as perfect as it could be during the Confederations Cup?

     

    The press infrastructure will be the best the world press can expect for an event of this size. We will have high-speed broadband internet access in all the host cities of the World Cup 2014, and we will also have 4G connectivity in all of the host cities of the World Cup 2014, and we may probably have the same issues that these forms of connectivity show in countries like the U.S., France and England. As an example, I was in New York for a United Nations conference last week and despite the fact that my phone signal has 4G access, it was very difficult to make calls or use data. The same happened in the London Olympics, as well. During the Olympic Games in London, it was very hard to get Internet access or even make calls between 11:00am and 3:00pm. Of course, we will work hard for these international problems not to repeat themselves in Brazil and to make sure that we have the best possible service for journalists, tourists and the local population, as well. This is the effort we are undertaking, and we are also making large investments in that area both from the government and together with the private sector. FIFA will have a media center in Brazil, the government will also have a media center in Rio, and we are getting ready to serve not only the 20,000 accredited journalists that have already registered for the World Cup, but also for the independent non-FIFA accredited journalists, as well, and we are doing our best to be ready to serve all of them the best way possible.

     

    Given the focus on the Confederations Cup and the World Cup, isn’t there a danger that Olympic preparations will slip behind over the next year? The IOC has already given warnings about this delay. What assurances can you give the IOC about preparations for Rio 2016, and that this will not happen?

     

    Brazil has offered all assurances required by the IOC and, in fact, has fulfilled all commitments undertaken with the International Olympics Committee. The infrastructure works for the Olympic Games all have their schedules well defined and, in fact, the works for the Olympic Games have the advantage of being fulfilled all within a single city, rather than spread throughout 12 host cities, as is the case for the World Cup. There is a Ministry of Sports team which is coordinating the Olympic Executive Group, which is an inter-Ministerial group coordinated by the Ministry of Sports and with participation of several other Ministries of the government, and we are also working in perfect synchrony with the city of Rio de Janeiro and the government of the state of Rio de Janeiro, and as well with the Rio 2016, which is the body created by the International Olympic Committee specifically to prepare the Rio Games.

     

    The issue of security became a major issue again recently after a British journalist was attacked in Rio de Janeiro following the friendly between England and Brazil at Maracana stadium. What additional security checks is the LOC putting in place to guarantee the safety of life and property of foreigners, especially players and officials, football fans, tourists and journalists, attending the competition?

    The Brazilian government is investing more than R$ 1.8 billion in security and defense measures for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil. To guarantee the safety of fans, public security agencies such as the Federal Police, Federal Highway Police and state police, in addition to the Armed Forces, will be working conjointly. We are strengthening infrastructure at the points of entry into the country and have acquired state-of-the-art technology to centralize security operations and implement solutions for radio communication between state institutions and federal agencies.

    Each host city will have Integrated Command Control Centers, which  will be both stationary and mobile. The mobile Centers will entail trucks equipped with state-of-the-art computers, cameras, audio pick-up devices and software capable of integrating the databases of the Civil, Military and Federal Police, firefighters and emergency care services, and be able to activate them quickly. Twelve mobile Centers will be used during the Confederations Cup and 27 will be used for the World Cup.

    Investments also include training, drills, inspections, aerospace defense and airspace control, use of helicopters, cyber defense, defense against terrorism and inspection of explosives, among other preventative activities.

     

    We are particularly concerned with safety and security, not only for the public safety of our citizens, but also for the safety of the delegations, tourists and for heads of state particularly related to crimes of political nature. Special attention is given to this matter particularly in light of tragedies that have already been seen, such as the ones that led to the murder of athletes in Munich in 1972, of terrorist attempts that passed in the U.S., of attempts, such as the one that has been in the Boston Marathon, and others. Thus, we are strongly concerned with ensuring safety and security to all our athletes, tourists, heads of state and delegations. And the resources we are investing to make sure that security is assured include the purchase of equipment to train security forces all over the country, including the army, the navy, the air force, the federal police, the civil police and the military police in each state, as well as the Brazilian Intelligence Agency. We are also working in strong cooperation with our neighbors and have deployed command control centers in each host city. All of these initiatives have the aim to reduce the exposure to risk for both the local population and for guests and tourists during this event.

     

    With the start of the Copa Confederaciones just a few days away, what mark out of 10 would you give to Brazil for its preparations so far; and if you could do anything differently, what would you do differently?

     

    From zero to 10, I will give it a nine. We have been able to deliver all stadiums, but I do believe we could have delivered them sooner to allow for the realization of more test events, as we call them, which could have anticipated some of the problems that arose during those test events. Apart from that, I believe that all requirements were executed in accordance with expectations and that we will have a Confederations Cup that will be held as expected and will be the main event before the World Cup 2014.

     

    Over the past three years, we saw close cooperation between FIFA and Brazil, and at the same time, unfortunately, we also saw misunderstandings and arguments between the different sides. For example, last year, the FIFA Secretary General, Jerome Valcke, once said that “Brazil should be kicked in the arse to move forward,” and that, what he said obviously irritated you. So, now I would like to know, before the opening of FIFA Confederations Cup, how will you describe the relationship of today between FIFA and the several parts in Brazil, like the Brazilian government and the local organizing committees?

     

    We consider that the cooperation between the responsible parties for the World Cup 2014 to be very good. The Brazilian government has a representative in the local organizing committee and FIFA has manifested and reiterated its satisfaction with that cooperation. The Brazilian government takes care to protect the national and public interests of Brazil in the World Cup, but at the same time respects FIFA’s assignment and the interest of its sponsors. We believe that the institutional relationship between the parties should be very good and that any difficulties have been resolved through dialogue.

     

    I would like to ask a question about languages, because in Brazil, unlike the last two host countries, South Africa and Germany, not many people in Brazil speak fluent English and this could become a problem for tourists especially coming from countries who speak very little English themselves. What plans do you have to solve this problem?

     

    There is a training program coordinated by the Ministry of Labor and Employment and the Ministry of Tourism specifically targeted at the people who work directly with the tourists in this event, including staff from hotels, bars, restaurants, taxi drivers and others. These are all being trained to serve foreign tourists, and I believe that the tourists who come will have the work force attending to them at least minimally trained to serve them well, and I don’t believe that this will be a problem for tourists in Brazil.

     

    FIFA this week announced that less than three percent of the tickets for the Confederations Cup were sold to foreigners, people from other countries, and the majority of the people in the stadiums will be locals, between I think 60 and 80 percent. Is this disappointing for the government, did the government expect more tourists during the Confederations Cup, and can it really be a test for airports, hotels and other things during the Confederations Cup with such a little presence of foreign people?

     

    There was no expectation for foreign supporter presence in the Confederations Cup. Despite being an important sports event, the Confederations Cup fails to have the appeal of a World Cup. We, in fact, had expectations of around two percent foreign participation for the Cup, which was what actually took place. We consider it to be, however, an important test event not only for the stadiums themselves, but also for transportation, urban mobility, safety and telecommunications. Of course, to the extent of what the Confederations Cup represents, it is test event for us, and as a test event, yes, we do consider it to be a successful one.

     

    How confident are you that the six other stadiums for the World Cup will be completed by the FIFA deadline of December 31, and are you at all concerned with the preparations of the new stadium in Sao Paulo?

     

    The stadiums that started being built, all 12 of them, almost simultaneously, of those 12, six have already been delivered, and this first delivery was actually the hardest deadline to meet. The other stadiums to be delivered are still subject to daily monitoring by the government and we have data that estimates how the construction work in each stadium has evolved month over month, and with that data we can forecast whether they will be ready or not by the deadline. And the evolution of the construction work of these stadiums since their inception, and the month-over-month data that we collected, indicate that, yes, they can and will be delivered in December. We have been in close contact with the responsible parties for these stadiums to make sure that those deadlines are fulfilled.

    Regarding the Sao Paulo stadium, the stadium owned by the Corinthians team, that particular construction work ended in May with a 76 percent completion rate for the construction work. We had a meeting with the responsible party for the stadium and we were assured of its delivery in December.

     

    You were recently quoted to have said that you do not think the Caxirola would be a security problem during the Confederations Cup and the World Cup – what is the Ministry’s official stance on the banning of this instrument?

    The Ministry of Justice has issued a technical assessment through the Special Secretariat for Major Events (SESGE) related to various items, including the Caxirola. In the assessment, the Ministry of Justice notes that allowing the Caxirola in the stadiums could compromise the course of the match and jeopardize the safety of fans. However, it should be noted that it is up to FIFA to decide who and what is allowed into the stadiums.

    The opinion of the Ministry of Justice is intended to serve only as guidance and requires approval by FIFA.

  • Mandela’s quotes

    Mandela’s quotes

    The world has continued to pray for the speedy recovery of Nelson Mandela, who is being treated for a recurrent lung infection in a Pretoria hospital.  The South Africa government has described the health condition of the country first black leader as “serious but stable”.

    The Nation Online serves you some of Madiba’s quotes as the anti-apartheid fighter ‘fights for his life’. You can make a pick of your favourite quote(s) while you are also free to add your favourite Mandela’s quote(s).

    • “I can rest only for a moment, for with freedom come responsibilities, and I dare not linger, for my long walk is not yet ended.”
    • “For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.”
    • “If you want to make peace with your enemy, you have to work with your enemy. Then he becomes your partner.”
    • “Man’s goodness is a flame that can be hidden but never extinguished.”
    • “I was made, by the law, a criminal, not because of what I had done, but because of what I stood for, because of what I thought, because of my conscience.”
    • “The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.”
    • “When a man is denied the right to live the life he believes in, he has no choice but to become an outlaw.”
    • “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
    • “I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.”
    • “I am fundamentally an optimist. Whether that comes from nature or nurture, I cannot say. Part of being optimistic is keeping one’s head pointed toward the sun, one’s feet moving forward. There were many dark moments when my faith in humanity was sorely tested, but I would not and could not give myself up to despair. That way lays defeat and death.”
    • “A good head and good heart are always a formidable combination. But when you add to that a literate tongue or pen, then you have something very special.”
    • “It always seems impossible until it’s done.”
    • “Resentment is like drinking poison and then hoping it will kill your enemies.”
    • “I am not a saint, unless you think of a saint as a sinner who keeps on trying.”
    • “There is no passion to be found playing small – in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.”
    • “No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.”
    • “If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.”
    • “Do not judge me by my successes, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again.”
    • “As I have said, the first thing is to be honest with yourself. You can never have an impact on society if you have not changed yourself… Great peacemakers are all people of integrity, of honesty, but humility.”
    • “As I walked out the door toward the gate that would lead to my freedom, I knew if I didn’t leave my bitterness and hatred behind, I’d still be in prison.”
    • “It is said that no one truly knows a nation until one has been inside its jails. A nation should not be judged by how it treats its highest citizens, but its lowest ones.”
    • “A leader. . .is like a shepherd. He stays behind the flock, letting the most nimble go out ahead, whereupon the others follow, not realizing that all along they are being directed from behind.”
    • “We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, handsome, talented and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be?”
  • How safe are over-the-counter pain medications?

    How safe are over-the-counter pain medications?

    We depend on over the counter pain medications to help ease headaches, achy joints and raging fevers. Conversely, could the side effects of these medications outweigh the benefits?

    Many trusted over-the-counter pain medications contain acetaminophen, ibuprofen and aspirin that can have deadly side effects if taken in excess.

    Acetaminophen is one of the most popular over-the-counter painkillers but research has shown that it could be your liver’s worst enemy.

    Most documented cases of liver damage are from long-term use but new research is challenging even their short-term use. The latest research shows that taking slightly too much acetaminophen over a period of several days can pose serious threats as well.

    “Even supposedly safe amounts of acetaminophen — doses close to 4,000 milligrams (mg) per day, the current daily limit — may be quite toxic to the liver in a small number of people,” according to the Harvard Medical School.

    Also, you may be getting more acetaminophen than you think. It’s used in more than 600 medications. Initial symptoms of liver toxicity from acetaminophen are often vague — fatigue and nausea — and easily confused with the symptoms associated with the illness attempting to be treated with the drug.

    *Ibuprofen and NSAIDs warnings*

    Unlike acetaminophen, overdosing on ibuprofen and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can put one at a higher risk for cardiovascular diseases and heart attacks. NSAIDs can also damage the kidneys and increase the occurrence of stomach bleeding.

    A new study published in the Lancet looked at more than 353 000 records from 639 different clinical trials to assess the risks associated with NSAID use. Researchers found for every 1,000 people taking NSAIDs there would be three additional heart attacks, four more cases of heart failure and one death.

    The overall number of heart attacks would increase from 8 per 1,000 to 11 per 1,000 people with the drugs. NSAIDs posed an even greater risk to smokers, individuals that are overweight and physically inactive.

    Long-term, high-dose use of NSAIDs such as ibuprofen or diclofenac is ‘equally hazardous’ as the drug Vioxx. Vioxx is a type of NSAID that goes by the generic name Rofecoxib. Vioxx was taken off the market due to its cardiovascular risks.

    A similar NSAID study of over 100,000 people found that ibuprofen was associated with a 3 times greater risk of stroke in comparison to the placebo control group.

    There is a natural tendency to view over-the-counter medications as being safer than prescription drugs because you don’t need a prescription.

    However, the user rarely follows the safe maximum dose of over-the-counter medications. This is especially true when people develop a tolerance to the medication, causing them to take more and more.

    While taking ibuprofen, make sure to monitor your blood pressure, especially if it tends to run too high. For long-term or chronic pain, you shouldn’t take it for more than 10 days. The latest advice is to try not to take it more than three days per week.

    *Adverse side effects of aspirin*

    Just because aspirin is sold over-the-counter doesn’t mean it’s safe. Previous advice for preventing heart attacks and strokes has been simple: take an aspirin every day. However, new research suggests that patients and doctors prescribing them may need to think twice about that advice.

    A recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that taking 300 milligrams or less of aspirin increased bleeding in the stomach and brain by 55 per cent. Researchers looked at more than 186 000 patients taking a daily dose of aspirin and found nearly 2 300 cases of stomach bleeding and nearly 1 300 cases of brain bleeding.

    “The results show that the risks of bleeding are much higher than what doctors had previously suspected after several clinical trials and should prompt doctors to carefully consider a patient’s individual health before prescribing aspirin,” according to Dr Antonio Nicolucci, one of the study’s authors.

    “When the cardiovascular risk is low, the adverse effects of aspirin overwhelm any benefit,” said Dr Steve Nissen, Chair of Cardiovascular Medicine at the Cleveland Clinic. “Unfortunately, many patients taking aspirin represent the ‘worried well’ rather than individuals with a high risk of coronary artery disease.”

    Daily aspirin therapy can be lifesaving or life threatening even to the high-risk cardiovascular patients. Generally people who have uncontrolled high blood pressure and advanced kidney disease are at the greatest risk.

    Blood pressure should be controlled before any type of aspirin therapy is initiated.

    “Aspirin should only be used to prevent a cardiovascular event in association with an overall programme of lifestyle measures including healthy eating, cessation of smoking, control of blood pressure and regular physical activity,” according to a aspirin study in the Medical Journal of Australia.

    There is a wide range of adverse reactions that may result from aspirin use including effects on the body as a whole, or on specific body systems, organs and functions. High doses can cause hearing loss and ringing in the ears called tinnitus. Other side effects include nausea, vomiting, stomach pains, fatigue and coincidently headaches.

    Aspirin should not be used for fevers in children under age 16 as research has shown it can cause the combination of swelling of the brain and liver damage called Reye’s Syndrome. Reye’s Syndrome is most likely to affect children under 5 but cases are seen in older children as well.

    Reye’s Syndrome can kill within days or leave a child with permanent disability. Symptoms can include severe vomiting, drowsiness or loss of consciousness after a viral infection and there is no current treatment. It is not known why only some children and no adults are affected.

    People with asthma often cannot take aspirin or NSAIDs medications. This is due to a condition called Samter’s triad — a combination of asthma, aspirin sensitivity, and nasal polyps. Nasal polyps are small growths inside the nasal cavity that can affect breathing.

    An aspirin allergy or sensitivity is very common and occurs in about 30 to 40 per cent of those who have asthma. Reactions can range from mild to severe and generally occur within a few hours of taking the medication. The symptoms can include hives, itchy skin, red eyes, swelling of the lips, tongue or face as well as difficulty breathing.

    Don’t ignore the risks of over-the-counter painkillers. Always check first with your doctor to determine the pros and cons and ensure the benefits will outweigh their risks. The important thing is to be an active patient and an informed consumer.

    Dr Cory Couillard is an international healthcare speaker and columnist for numerous newspapers, magazines, websites and publications throughout the world. He works in collaboration with the World Health Organization’s goals of disease prevention and global healthcare education. Views do not necessarily reflect endorsement.

    Email: drcorycouillard@gmail.com

    Facebook: Dr Cory Couillard

    Twitter: DrCoryCouillard

     

  • Junk foods invading homes

    Junk foods invading homes

    Junk foods and take-away restaurants have become extremely popular due to
the rising demand among people nearly everywhere. A quick bite at a low
price is a seductive proposition that’s finger-licking good but
unfortunately comes in a bag with health conditions.

The arrival of convenience foods has led to massive increases in obesity,
diabetes and heart disease. The skyrocketing rates of these
lifestyle-related conditions are among the working middle to upper class.
Supermarkets contribute to these problems by offering shoppers the
temptation of convenience foods that are high in salt, sugar and animal fat.

Junk foods are filled with preservatives, additives, flavourings,
artificial colourings, hydrogenated fats, stabilizers, chemicals,
sweeteners, sodium, sugar and calories that are devoid of any original,
essential nutrients.

There are nearly six thousand chemicals that food companies add to food
products that improve colour, taste and shelf life. Nitrates and nitrites
that are used in meat products such as bacon, sausage and ham have been
found to contribute to the development of many forms of cancer.

Sodas, sugar-laced beverages and highly processed fruit juices contain a
compound called benzoate or benzoic acid. This compound has been found to
increase the risks of obesity, diabetes and a host of conditions leading to
early mortality.

One of the most dangerous flavourings used is monosodium glutamate (MSG).
MSG is a common cause of chest pains, depression, dizziness and mood
swings. The vast majority of pre-packaged foods such as pizzas, pastas,
snacks, soups, sandwiches, cheeses and meats contain high amounts of sodium
that is detrimental to one’s health.

Foods such as fried chicken, pizza, burgers, chips, sandwiches and ice
creams contain excessive amounts of addictive sugars, trans fats and
calories that bring you back for seconds. Most junk foods are deep fried in
unhealthy hydrogenated cooking oils that wreck havoc on one’s immune and
cardiovascular systems.

Highly processed, chemical-laden, ready-to-serve, convenience quick-bites
offer little-to-no actual nutritional value. They simply fill the stomach
temporarily and promote overeating as the body demands useful nutrients.

Research shows junk foods make children miss their daily nutritional
requirements of nutrient-dense fruits and vegetables. This has been found
to be a leading cause of behavioural misconduct, ADHD, poor school
performance and other deficiencies.

Obesity, Type 2 diabetes, heart disease and cancer are growing concerns
that are directly related to the escalating consumption of junk foods. Type
2 diabetes allows excessive amounts of unusable dietary sugars to circulate
around the body creating substantial damage. Diabetic complications include
heart attacks, strokes, high blood pressure, kidney failure and various
pain disorders.

Junk foods decrease the levels of HDL (good) cholesterol and increase LDL
(bad) cholesterol that is a leading cause of clogging of the arteries.
Clogged arteries cause damage to the heart and increases one’s risk of
body-disabling strokes.

Excessive amounts of salt, sugars, unhealthy saturated fat and trans fat
also contribute to high blood pressure. The resultant high blood pressure
is a leading cause of kidney damage and failure. LDL cholesterol, fat, salt
and sugar can cause excessive damage to the liver as well.

The liver is integral to numerous bodily functions and is the major
detoxifying organ in the body. Impaired liver function can cause a variety
of symptoms such as digestive problems, immune disorders, abnormal
absorption of fats and metabolism complications.

Dr Cory Couillard is an international healthcare speaker and columnist for
numerous newspapers, magazines, websites and publications throughout the
world. He works in collaboration with the World Health Organization's goals
of disease prevention and global healthcare education. Views do not
necessarily reflect endorsement.

Email: drcorycouillard@gmail.com

Facebook: Dr Cory Couillard

Twitter: DrCoryCouillard
  • Full text of President Jonathan’s nationwide broadcast

    Full text of President Jonathan’s nationwide broadcast

     

    Dear compatriots,

     

    1. It has become necessary for me to address you on the recent spate of terrorist activities and protracted security challenges in some parts of the country, particularly in Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Gombe, Bauchi, Kano, Plateau and most recently Bayelsa, Taraba, Benue and Nasarawa states. These unfortunate events have led to needless loss of lives and property of many innocent Nigerians including members of our security forces.

     

    2. The recent killing of security operatives by a cult group in Nasarawa state is particularly condemnable. I have directed that no effort or expense be spared in identifying and bringing to justice all those who had a hand in the killing of the operatives.

     

    3. The activities of insurgents and terrorists have been reprehensible, causing fear among our citizens and a near-breakdown of law and order in parts of the country, especially the North. We have taken robust steps to unravel and address the root causes of these crises, but it would appear that there is a systematic effort by insurgents and terrorists to destabilize the Nigerian state and test our collective resolve.

     

    4. Since I returned to the country after cutting short my visit to South Africa and aborting a planned state visit to Namibia, I have received detailed briefings from our security agencies. These briefings indicate that what we are facing is not just militancy or criminality, but a rebellion and insurgency by terrorist groups which pose a very serious threat to national unity and territorial integrity. Already, some northern parts of Borno state have been taken over by groups whose allegiance is to different flags and ideologies.

     

    5. These terrorists and insurgents seem determined to establish control and authority over parts of our beloved nation and to progressively overwhelm the rest of the country. In many places, they have destroyed the Nigerian flag and other symbols of state authority and in their place, hoisted strange flags suggesting the exercise of alternative sovereignty.

     

    6. They have attacked government buildings and facilities. They have murdered innocent citizens and state officials. They have set houses ablaze, and taken women and children as hostages. These actions amount to a declaration of war and a deliberate attempt to undermine the authority of the Nigerian state and threaten her territorial integrity. As a responsible government, we will not tolerate this.

     

    7. Previously, we adopted a multi-track approach to the resolution of this problem through actions which included persuasion, dialogue and widespread consultation with the political, religious and community leaders in the affected states.

     

    8. We exercised restraint to allow for all efforts by both State Governors and well-meaning Nigerians to stop the repeated cases of mindless violence.

     

    9. Yet, the insurgents and terrorists seek to prevent government from fulfilling its constitutional obligations to the people as they pursue their fanatical agenda of mayhem, mass murder, division and separatism.

     

    10. While the efforts at persuasion and dialogue will continue, let me reiterate that we have a sacred duty to ensure the security and well-being of all our people and protect the sovereign integrity of our country. Therefore, we shall, on no account, shy away from doing whatever becomes necessary to provide the fullest possible security for the citizens of this country in any part of the country they choose to reside.

     

    11. We have a duty to stand firm against those who threaten the sovereign integrity of the Nigerian state. Our will is strong, because our faith lies in the indivisibility of Nigeria.

     

    12. Following recent developments in the affected states, it has become necessary for Government to take extraordinary measures to restore normalcy. After wide consultations, and in exercise of the powers conferred on me by the provisions of Section 305, sub-section 1 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended, I hereby declare a State of Emergency in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states.

     

    13. Accordingly, the Chief of Defence Staff has been directed to immediately deploy more troops to these states for more effective internal security operations. The troops and other security agencies involved in these operations have orders to take all necessary action, within the ambit of their rules of engagement, to put an end to the impunity of insurgents and terrorists.

     

    14. This will include the authority to arrest and detain suspects, the taking of possession and control of any building or structure used for terrorist purposes, the lock-down of any area of terrorist operation, the conduct of searches, and the apprehension of persons in illegal possession of weapons.

     

    15. The details of this Proclamation will be transmitted to the National Assembly in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution. But in the meantime, let me make it clear that within the purview of this Proclamation, the Governors and other political office holders in the affected states will continue to discharge their constitutional responsibilities.

     

    16. I urge the political leadership in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states to co-operate maximally with the Armed Forces and the Police to ensure that the exercise succeeds. We call on the citizenry to co-operate with our security agencies to ensure a return to normalcy within the shortest possible time.

    17. I am again approaching our neighbouring countries, through diplomatic channels, as done in the recent past, for their co-operation in apprehending any terrorist elements that may escape across the border.

     

    18. Nigerians are peace-loving people; these sad events perpetrated by those who do not wish our nation well have not changed the essential character of our people.

     

    19. I want to reassure you all that those who are directly or indirectly encouraging any form of rebellion against the Nigerian state, and their collaborators; those insurgents and terrorists who take delight in killing our security operatives, whoever they may be, wherever they may go, we will hunt them down, we will fish them out, and we will bring them to justice. No matter what it takes, we will win this war against terror.

     

    20. I am convinced that with your support and prayers, we shall overcome these challenges and together, we will restore every part of our country to the path of peace, growth and development.

     

    Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.