Transcript CNN International Interview Sept 17, 2002 with Nigeria's President Obasanjo and USAfricaonline.com Publisher Chido Nwangwu on Democracy and Security Issues


Outstanding strides of the Young Igbo Social Club of England advance our shared heritage

 Special to USAfrica The Newspaper, Houston
USAfricaonline.com, The Black Business Journal and NigeriaCentral.com

---

With the unmatched effort of establishing an Igbo library (the only one of its kind) in England which is widely used by all Igbos in England and other readers and writers across Europe.
No such facility exist in any other part of the world, and in fact, inside Nigeria. YIBOSC has continually sustained its goal of building a formidable and effective network among the almost 32 million Igbos in the world, in this case, in different cities in Europe. I have been very impressed by the fact that YIBOSC has truly set new standards for others to meet. Where most Igbo, Nigerian and African community groups get stuck with talks and plans about "making plans", YIBOSC gets things done. They make such refreshing difference. Hopefully, they will keep their focus and "eyes on the prize." In recognition of their dedication, thus far and to challenge them to do even more, USAfricaonline.com and USAfrica The Newspaper have chosen YIBOSC as the African diaspora group for the Month of November 2002. This profile on YIBOSC will run in the print edition of USAfrica The Newspaper.

---

 

There are a number of African community organizations in different parts of the world, but only a handful meet and, indeed surpass the best expectations of its members of community. One such group is the Young Igbo Social Club (YIBOSC), headqurted in England.

YIBOSC is a cultural, educational, social and networking organisation formed in 1991 by Richard Eleanya Okeke. He surveyed the landscape of his social and daily life to reach the useful conclusion that "there was a need for Igbos in England to unite.. This unity of Igbo youths, especially, was achieved with YIBOSC" he recalls in statement sent to USAfricaonline.com and USAfrica The Newspaper. Their first meeting took place at the Nigerian High Commission in London. After managing YIBOSC, growth in interest and new members compelled expanding the leadership team.

With the changing times and the different demands of Igbo people, born abroad and in Nigeria, Eleanya decided that "it was time to address the Igbo call, Igbo needs and the Igbo cause." With his team, he embarked on a massive recriutment phase. Two years later, YIBOSC was blessed with the most dynamic president to date, Jamie Uzoma Okoro, from Mbaise was recriuted to the position of Secretary (1997/98), it became apparent that YIBOSC had a persident in the making. Jamie strategically recriuted a team of hard working individuals. At the next elections Jamie was chosen as president.

Shortly after, Jamie, Folusho Oti and Uche Amako embarked on a mission of building the largest Igbo organisation in England. A year later Chima was recriuted to add some dynamism to YIBOSC.

Since then YIBOSC has formed such arms as the musical troupe, Oja Rhythms, The London Nigerian Football Club and the only exclusive Igbo Library in Europe.

Oja Rhythms performs at all Igbo functions in London most Igbo functions across the UK.

The London Nigerian FC has brought critical acclaim by winning three medals in it's three year history; including getting to the final of the London Senior Cup (2001).

YIBOSC's Patron is Mrs. Chinwe Roy (the only lady to paint the Queen; she also painted Chief Anyaoku).

YIBOSC is supported by The Kanu Heart Foundation, Western Union, The London Nigerian Supporters Club, Igbo Union UK, Nzuko ndi Igbo Uk, Chinwe Roy, Jay Jay Okocha, The Sickle Cell Foundation in UK too mention a few.

YIBOSC has since developed into the best networking organisation in the UK; developing a long, mid and short-term strategy in order to take the organisation into the year 2010. It recently launched a business and professional branch which is involved with various professional and entrepreneurial bodies.

One of the recent events which featured YIBOSC occured when Kanu Nwankwo and Jay Jay Okocha announced that they would be hosting the 42nd Independence celebrations, in London, during the October 1, 2002 weekend. A few days earlier, London's Choice FM harped on the fact that the Igbo band that performed at the Queens Golden Jubilee, theKanu Heart Foundation (KHF) events and other activities was going to be onstage. They were talking about Oja Rhythms!

According to YIBOSC officials, "when the Young Igbo Social Club had the crowd on their feet when Oja Rhythms took to the stage in their traditional outfit and accolade of ogene, Oja, opi, udu, Ikoro and ipirike to mention a few of the instruments that had the crowd on their feet and chanting Young Igbos Kwenu, YIBOSC kwenu, YIBOSC kwezuonu!"

Somtochukwu, YIBOSC's head of strategy later said that "this event goes to show the Igbo are strong, dynamic and proud." He wondered "why shouldn't we be who we're as Igbos? If YIBOSC is any thing to go by then the future is great for us, our children, grand children and their grand children."

With the unique efforts of establishing an Igbo library in England, building a formidable and effective network in different cities in Europe, YIBOSC has truly set new standards for others to meet. Where others talk and "make plans", YIBOSC gets things done. Accordingly, USAfricaonline.com and USAfrica The Newspaper has chosen YIBOSC as the African diaspora group for the Month of November 2002. This profile will run in the print edition of USAfrica. This report has been prepared with additional notes from YIBOSC executives in England

Are we Igbos or "Ibos"?

By Chido Nwangwu

---

The "Ibo" misspelling of the south eastern Nigerian Igbo ethnic nation of almost 32 million people reflect, essentially, a post-colonial hangover of British and Euro-Caucasoid colonial miseducation, misrepresentations, and (mis)pronounciation preference. It is/was just easier for the White man/woman to say 'Ibo' rather than 'Igbo.' We must remember the late psychiatrist, pan-African scholar and activist Franz Fanon's mytho-poetic and insightful words in his 1952 book, Black Skin White Masks, that "A man who has a language [consequently] possesses the world expressed and implied by that language." Should Igbos and other African nationalities, incrementally and foolishly give up the core of their communal and national identity on the discredited altars of Euro-Caucasoid racist supremacy and colonial predations? I have two modest answers: first is No; and second is No.

---

Regarding the use of the word "Ibo" as opposed to "Igbo" in some media outlets, commentaries and recent announcements by some of our folks, may I make a few observations:

First, let's state the most important element of this language advisory: the erroneous, incorrect usage and blatant dislocation of the Igbo identity and name is the preference for the colonial spelling and reference, lazily spelled as "Ibo." Second, the "Ibo" misspelling reflects, essentially, a post-colonial hangover of British and Euro-Caucasoid colonial miseducation, misrepresentations, incorrect spellings and (mis)pronounciation preference. It is/was just easier for the White man/woman to say 'Ibo' rather than 'Igbo.'

Such language and cultural impositions which are fancifully and farcically adopted by the colonized natives and the dispirited are still evident across the African continent, south and central Asia and parts of Latin America where colonialist predation was not only economic but a crude decapitation of the languages, mores, culture and identities of the ethnic nations they invaded and colonized.

Third, and more important, the linguistic history, autography and anthropological identities of the almost 35 million citizens of the enterprising, vibrant, resourceful, unduly intra-antagonistic, capitalistic, religious, and republicanist communities and people who form the Igbo nation show, credibly, that our language and ethnic nation should always be identified and spelt as Igbo.

Note the fact that there's an Igbo alphabet identified as "gb" as distinguishable from "g" and "b"; same for "gw" as distinguishable from "g" and "w". For instance in Nwangwu, which many inattentive non-Igbo, put forth a wrong, hurried misspelling: Nwangu.

Again, they remove the Igbo alphabet "gw". For the nation, Igbo, the 'gb' is the key.

Many Igbos and other people have mixed up the Igbo identity/name/language/people with this colonial misrepresentation as "Ibo(s)."

We must not dilute the correct spelling(s) of the Igbo nation and people; and in fact ours, individually. Otherwise, we should all gladly celebrate the backwater hatefulness encapsulated in the misspelling of Obigbo and Umumasi as (R)umuigbo and (R)umumasi. It's that important and basic, too.

We should not give up any Igbo alphabet and spellings, in this regard, therefore. It is different from abbreviating a long surname or first name.

Immediately after the birth on December 20, 1998, of the Houston octuplets, I believe one of the better things I've contributed to global Igbo interest was factually and materially causing the world's number 1 news agency AP through some of its news staff, especially Mark Barbineck (bless him!) to change the reference to Igbos as "Ibos" as a minimum standard for me to do the interviews with AP (same standard was held up for any other media corporation during my pro-bono (free) international multimedia projection services and news interviews I offered to benefit the octuplets and their parents. It has become, thankfully, the AP standards as well as those of almost 30,000 newspapers who take the AP and Reuters' news feed to refer to us as Igbo(s). If your local newspaper does the "Ibo" stuff, kindly write them and demand a correction.

I never heard/read the Azikiwes, Okparas, Ojukwus, Achebes, Nwangwus, Nzeogwus, Obis, Emeagwalis, Nwafors, Ogbalus, or Obicheres refer to us as "Ibo(s)".

Hopefully, this modest language advisory will set the affirmative, conclusive identification on the issue of whether we are "Ibos" or Igbos. It is, for me, Igbos, sui generis, as a people, an identity and as a language.

We must remember the late psychiatrist, pan-African scholar and activist Franz Fanon's mytho-poetic and insightful words in his 1952 book, Black Skin White Masks, that "A man who has a language [consequently] possesses the world expressed and implied by that language."

Should Igbos and other African nationalities, incrementally and foolishly give up the core of their communal and national identity on the discredited altars of Euro-Caucasoid racist supremacy and colonial predations? My modest answer is No.

Before some demagogic and ill-informed "native" comes to the defense of the Euro-Caucasian impositions, let's quickly note that this is not a debate about language accretion and/or adding conceptual properties and descriptive symbols to enrich our language, or any language, for that matter. For example, I argue we should add the words Computer, Internet, etc to the Igbo language, and regarding same in its contextualized Igbo meaning or word(s).

 I'll state, without fear of contradiction that no language, today, is clinically restricted and strictly reflective of its national borders. None! Not even the Talibans in their tunnel vision of the world, and cultural phillistinism.

May God continue to enrich the Igbo nation as we protect, project and defend our heritage and identity into the new millennium. I'll close with the wise words of the same, late African warrior Franz Fanon who wrote, "Each generation must discover its mission, fulfill it, or betray it." On whose and which side are you?
The commentary, above, is copyrighted by USAfricaonline.com; therefore, archiving on any other web site or newspaper is unauthorized except with a written approval by USAfricaonline.com Founder (December 11, 2001)

Igbo traditional life, culture and literature
By Prof. Emmanuel Obiechina

Monday, June 17, 2002
Re: USAfricaonline.com: Are we Igbos or "Ibos"? By Chido Nwangwu

In a book co-edited by Michael J.C.Echeruo and myself in 1971, I devoted considerable space dealing with this question of the correct naming of
Ndi-Igbo, the ethnic nationality, the language, and the identity, in a fairly lengthy "Introduction." I commend this discussion to your audience.
The book is titled Igbo Traditional Life, Culture and Literature and was published by Conch Magazine Press in New Paltz, New York.

It is now out of print, after a number of reprints, but it is available in major libraries in the United States. An interesting aspect of this question is that it has been deliberately and intelligently dealt with by James Africanus Beale Horton, a Sierra Leonean intellectual whose parents were Igbo, in the nineteenth century.

From all available evidence, it is obvious that from deepest antiquity, the people have always known themselves and their language as "Igbo."
Prof. Obiechina, a leading scholar on English, literature and African sociology, teaches at Harvard University. He was a deputy vice chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

Tuesday, December 11, 2001
Re: USAfricaonline.com: Are we Igbos or "Ibos"? By Chido Nwangwu

Chido, (you've written) an excellent insight. Please continue the good work of educating our kith and kin who swallow foreign rubbish, hook, line and sink(er)!
I once told one racist that I care less what he decides to answer since he cares less how my own name is pronounced. I cannot struggle to pronounce McPherson with all the tonal accents when the Caucasian does not care a heck how Chukwudi is pronounced.
Ndiribe is a Professor of International Relations at Seton Hall University in New Jersey.

Wednesday June 12, 2002
Re: USAfricaonline.com: Are we Igbos or "Ibos"?

I salute Chido Nwangwu for a well-articulated position. It is baffling that in the year 2002, some segments of the Western world still need to be educated that we are Igbo not "Ibo." These guys must be tone-deaf. The earliest Europeans who wandered into our lands were incapable of pronouncing "Igbo" (and didn't bother to learn how to pronounce it).

They found it more convenient to refer to our forebears as "Heebo," "Eboe," and "Ebo" -- as evidenced in the accounts of those of them who visited the Lower Niger in the 19th century (e.g. M. Laird, R. A. K. Oldfield, W. Allen, T. R. H. Thomson, Richard and John Lander, William Baike). By the turn of the 20th century, the Europeans had settled on "Ibo" -- and for quite a while some of our Westernized kinsmen and women went along with them in this regard.

The "consensus," over the past 20 years, has been to abandon the colonialist corruption of our collective identity (Ibo) and re-instate the original and true usage (Igbo). Today, only walking museums of the European muddling of African languages still refer to the Igbo as "Ibo." Incidentally, this is an elaboration of lines I had written in December 2000 on www.jendajournal.com/jenda/vol1.1/responses
Nwaubani teaches at the Department of History, University of Colorado at Boulder.

This issue is food for thought....
By C . Ukachukwu <c_ukachukwu@yahoo.com>
Tuesday, December 11, 2001
Re: USAfricaonline.com: Are we Igbos or "Ibos"? By Chido Nwangwu

This happens to be a pet peeve of mine: Ndigbo who address themselves as "Ibos". Simply because it was good enough for the whiteman doesn't mean it ought to be good enough for nwa afo Igbo. This goes to the core of one's identity. We are Ndi Igbo.

Contrary to popular belief, we shouldn't view mangling our own identity as cute. I've called people's phones at work (and sometimes even at home!) to hear their imitation of Americans imitating the French (or whoever) trying to pronounce their own Igbo names. "Hello, you have reached Nu-wa-nko's desk,..."(he means Nwankwo!) How about this: "Sorry The Yoo-Bah family cannot take your call right now..." (Yoo-Bah is for Uba). I can go on. If one voluntarily validates the wrong identity erroneously hung on one by an unwitting associate where does one eventually stand to get it right? This food for thought by Mr. Nwangwu is worth a sober digestion.

Thanks for the correction.... Thanks for your great work.
By Ngozi Nweze-Eleweanya

USAfricaonline.com is listed among the world's hot sites by the international newspaper, USAToday. Sharia, Sex and hypocrisy of Gendered Justice. By Chika Unigwe, columnist for USAfricaonline.com And the Rocks Cried Out (For Safiyatu). By Effenus Henderson OIL in NIGERIA: Liquid Gold or Petro-Dollars Curse? NEWS INVESTIGATION: The Marc Rich Oil Deals in Nigeria. INSIGHT: Is Obasanjo ordained by God to rule Nigeria? And, other fallacies. By Prof. Sola Adeyeye Impeachment process shows Nigerian democracy "is alive... being tested." Nigeria's president retired Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo has said that the impeachment process shows that "democracy is alive, is being tested, and being tried.... What they (the legislators) have tried to do in the democratic way, which is not easy, would probably have been done by taking arms or by -- with bullets. So, but with democracy, of course, some people feel that this is the way this should be, and then I have an opportunity to defend myself. There is discussion. There is dialogue. There is a decision. There is fairness." He made these comments when he appeared on Tuesday September 17, 2002 on CNN International to discuss the issues of impeachment facing him, the allegations of corruption, abuse of the constitution and deployment of soldiers ina civilian environment which led to the "massacre of civilians" in Odi (Bayelsa) and Zaki Biam (Benue). On the charges by international human rights organizations and Nigerian media that his government has been involved in actions which have led to the deaths of thousands of Nigerians, the retired General gave a surprising answer. He was asked that "as many as 10,000 people, it's being reported, have been killed in Nigeria (in) communal rivalries, and the number is believed to be increasing. And people are saying that although President Obasanjo has done a lot of good for Nigeria, you're accused of not -- accused of failing to halt that spiraling violence." Obasanjo: Let me say this to you, when you put the question of 10,000 -- 10,000 people dying in Nigeria, of course, for a population of over 120 million people...." But USAfricaonline.com Founder and recipient of the Journalism Excellence award (1997), Chido Nwangwu, who appeared on the same program as as a CNN International analyst (Africa) pointed out that "when (President Obasanjo) answered that in a country of 100 million that 10,000 people are said to have died, as if that was a small number, that in itself reflects a disconnect with the concerns of Nigerians. The second one is that when the risk is civil disagreement, the police are required to intervene in the country. And the deployment of the armed forces of Nigeria requires at least some consultation, however modest, with the parliament." Nwangwu, former member of the editorial board of Nigeria's Daily Times continued that "the third factor that is equally important to underscore is that the armed forces of Nigeria moved in for a punitive action rather than just containing a civil disagreement." He noted in USAfricaonline.com backgrounder "it was revealing and interesting interesting discussing Nigeria's issues with its leader - under the current circumstances of an increasingly out-of-schedule elections and the gathering storm of an impeachment process by a majority of the members of the National Assembly, predominantly by Obasanjo's party members." See rush transcript of the CNN International news program. Obasanjo facing corruption and ineptitude impeachment charges, again since the parliament, a few weeks ago, passed a motion carrying a majority of the members of Obasanjo's party, the PDP. INSIGHT: How Obasanjo's self-succession charade at his Ota Farm has turned Nigeria to an 'Animal Farm.' By Prof. Mobolaji Aluko Obasanjo's 'prayers' and the Abacha path of staying in power. By Nkem Ekeopara RELIGION AND ETHNIC CONFLICT: Sharia-related killings and carnage in Kaduna reenact deadly prologue to Nigeria-Biafra war of 1967. By Chido Nwangwu It's wrong to stereotype Nigerians as Drug Dealers. By Chido Nwangwu Nigeria as a Nation of Vulcanizers Africa suffers the scourge of the virus. This life and pain of Kgomotso Mahlangu, a five-month-old AIDS patient (above) in a hospital in the Kalafong township near Pretoria, South Africa, on October 26, 1999, brings a certain, frightening reality to the sweeping and devastating destruction of human beings who form the core of any definition of a country's future, its national security, actual and potential economic development and internal markets. By Chido Nwangwu 22 million Africans HIV-infected, ill with AIDS while African leaders ignore disaster-in-waiting Why Colin Powell brings gravitas, credibility and star power to Bush presidency. AFRICA AND THE U.S. ELECTIONS Beyond U.S. electoral shenanigans, rewards and dynamics of a democratic republic hold lessons for African politics. Osama bin-Laden's goons threaten Nigeria and Africa's stability What has Africa to do with September 11 terror? Africans reported dead in terrorist attack at WTC September 11 terror and the ghost of things to come.... Will religious conflicts be the time-bomb for Nigeria's latest transition to civilian rule? Conflicting emotions, feeling of disappointment, timing of revelation that Rev. Jackson fathered a child with former aide lead to charges of "right-wing orchestration." THE FIRST POPE of RECENT AFRICAN ORIGIN? To our Brother Cardinal Arinze: May your pastoral lineage endure! Nigeria's Presidential Election: Is it just for the Highest Bidder? Wong is wrong on Blacks in Houston city jobs Why is 4-year old Onyedika carrying a placard against killings in Nigeria? How Nigeria's Islamic Sharia crises will affect the U.S. USAfrica INTERVIEW "Why African Catholics are concerned about crises, sex abuse issues in our church" - a frank chat with ICCO's Mike Umeorah Why Bush should focus on dangers facing Nigeria's return to democracy and Obasanjo's slipperyslide DEMOCRACY'S WARRIOR Out of Africa. …The cock that crows in the morning belongs to one household but his voice is the property of the neighborhood. -- Chinua Achebe, Anthills of the Savannah. An editor carries on his crusade against public corruption and press censorship in his native Nigeria and other African countries. By John Suval. Should Africa debates begin and end at The New York Times and The Washington Post? No Johnnie Cochran will soon learn that defending Abacha's loot is not as simple as his O.J Simpson's case. By Chido Nwangwu The Economics of Elections in Nigeria HUMAN RIGHTS AND DEMOCRACY How far, how deep will Nigeria's human rights commission go? Rtd. Gen. Babangida trip as emissary for Nigeria's Obasanjo to Sudan raises curiosity, questions about what next in power play? COUNTERPOINT 'Why is Bill Maher spreading racist nonsense about HIV/AIDS and Africa on ABC? USAfricaonline LITERATURE As Chinua Achebe turned 70, Africa's preeeminent statesman Nelson Mandela, Toni Morrison, Wole Soyinka, Ali Mazrui, Leon Botstein (president of Bard College), Ojo Maduekwe, Emmanuel Obiechina, Ngugi wa Thinong'o, Micere Mugo, Michael Thelwell, Niyi Osundare, and an army of some of the world's leading writers and arts scholars joined to pay tribute to him at Bard College in New York. (Achebe is in pix with Morrison). Meanwhile, the Nobel committee has, again, chosen a relatively less known (globally-speaking) Chinese novelist, Gao Xingjian, rather than Achebe for the Literature prize. Achebe was seen as a top favorite for the 2000 award. What the Swedish Nobel committee will not give, Achebe has, for well over 30 years, won in the hearts of millions in 53 languages. By Chido Nwangwu Literary giant Chinua Achebe returns "home" from U.S., to love and adulation of community Hate groups' spin by Lamar Alexander benefits anti-Blacks, anti-Semites, and racists Annan, power and burden of the U.N The Civilianizing of African soldiers into Presidents At 39, Nigerians still face dishonest stereotypes such as Buckley's, and other self-inflicted wounds. JFK Jr.: Death of a Good Son 'Why is Bill Maher spreading racist nonsense about HIV/AIDS and Africa on ABC? National Summit on Africa, Congresswoman Jackson-Lee hold policy forum in Houston '100 Black Men are solutions-oriented' says Thomas Dortch, Jr., Richard Johnson and Nick Clayton II as they share perspectives with USAfrica's founder on the national organization. ARTS The Life and Irreverent times of Afrobeat superstar, FELA     TRIBUTE Tanzania's founding president Julius Nyerere       Nnamdi Azikiwe: Statesman, Intellectual and Titan of African politics Community Service Awards bring African-American, American policy and business leaders together with African community at Texas Southern University 110 minutes with Hakeem Olajuwon Cheryl Mills' first class defense of Clinton and her detractors' game

INSIGHT Why Martin Luther King's legacy and vision are relevant into 21st century. By Chido Nwangwu African Union: Old wine in new skin? APPRECIATION A young father writes his One year old son: "If only my heart had a voice...." What has Africa to do with September 11 terror? By Chido Nwangwu One year after: Reflections on September 11. By Jonathan Elendu PUBLIC POLICY Private initiative, free market forces, and more democratization are keys to prosperity in Africa. The Civilianizing of African soldiers into Presidents Why Dr. Martin Luther King's vision is valid into the 21st century Maduekwe, Nwachukwu clash over Obasanjo at World Igbo 2002 convention in Houston. USAfrica Special report DIPLOMACY Walter Carrington: An African-American diplomat puts principles above self for Nigeria  USAfricaonline.com Founder Chido Nwangwu with the U.S. former Ambassador Carrington (right) at the U.S. embassy in Lagos during a courtesy visit. USAfrica The Newspaper voted the "Best Community Newspaper" in the 4th largest city in the U.S., Houston. It is in the Best of Houston 2001 special as chosen by the editors and readers of the Houston Press, reflecting their poll and annual rankings. USAfrica FORUM IN THE HOUSE OF MANDELA: A SILLY CRY FOR REPARATIONS By Prof. Chimalum Nwankwo DEMOCRACY DEBATE CNN International debate on Nigeria's democracy livecast on February 19, 2002. It involved Nigeria's Information Minister Prof. Jerry Gana, Prof. Salih Booker and USAfricaonline.com Publisher Chido Nwangwu. Transcripts are available on the CNN International site. Steve Jobs and Apple represent the future of digital living. By Chido Nwangwu Apple announces Titanium, "killer apps" and other ground-breaking products. iTunes makes a record 500,000 downloads. The coup in Cote d'Ivoire and its implications for democracy in Africa. By Chido Nwangwu (Related commentary) Coup in Cote d'Ivoire has been in the waiting. By Tom Kamara Nigerian stabbed to death in his bathroom in Houston. DEMOCRACY'S WARRIOR Out of Africa. …The cock that crows in the morning belongs to one household but his voice is the property of the neighborhood. -- Chinua Achebe, Anthills of the Savannah. An editor carries on his crusade against public corruption and press censorship in his native Nigeria and other African countries. By John Suval. Biafra-Nigeria war and history get fresh, critical look from a survivor. By Alverna Johnson and Vivian Okeke.   'Biafra: History Without Mercy' - a preliminary note. By Chido Nwangwu ODUMEGWU EMEKA OJUKWU:"It was simply a choice between Biafra and enslavement! And, here's why we chose Biafra" Biafra: From Boys to Men. By Dr. M.O. Ene Johnnie Cochran will soon learn that defending Abacha's loot is not as simple as his O.J Simpson's case. By Chido Nwangwu Should Africa debates begin and end at The New York Times and The Washington Post? No Nelson Mandela, Tribute to the world's political superstar and Lion of Africa  Winnie Madikizela-Mandela's burden mounts with murder charges, trials CONTINENTAL AGENDA Bush's position on Africa is "ill-advised." The position stated by Republican presidential aspirant and Governor of Texas, George Bush where he said that "Africa will not be an area of priority" in his presidency has been questioned by USAfricaonline.com Publisher Chido Nwangwu. He added that Bush's "pre-election position was neither validated by the economic exchanges nor geo-strategic interests of our two continents." These views were stated during an interview CNN's anchor Bernard Shaw and senior analyst Jeff Greenfield had with Mr. Nwangwu on Saturday November 18, 2000 during a special edition of 'Inside Politics 2000.' Nwangwu, adviser to the Mayor of Houston (the 4th largest city in the U.S., and immigrant home to thousands of Africans) argued further that "the issues of the heritage interests of 35 million African-Americans in Africa, the volume and value of oil business between between the U.S and Nigeria and the horrendous AIDS crisis in Africa do not lend any basis for Governor Bush's ill-advised position which removes Africa from fair consideration" were he to be elected president. By Al Johnson HUMAN RIGHTS AND DEMOCRACY How far, how deep will Nigeria's human rights commission go? Rtd. Gen. Babangida trip as emissary for Nigeria's Obasanjo to Sudan raises curiosity, questions about what next in power play? 110 minutes with Hakeem Olajuwon Cheryl Mills' first class defense of Clinton and her detractors game  Seriously, is your web site a Turkey, too? Get Solutions PetroGasWorks Shell picks Leslie Mays as VP Global Diversity EndGame in Kinshasa: U.S must boot Mobutu for own interest, future of Zaire and Africa Why Powell's mission to the Middle East failed. By Jonathan Elendu Will the rash of Ethnic Violence disrupt Nigeria's effort at Democracy? Arafat's duplicity, terrorism at the heart of Israeli-Palestinian crises. By Barry Rubin Nigerian stabbed to death in his bathroom in Houston. Nigeria at 40: punish financial thuggery, build domestic infrastructure Is Obasanjo really up to Nigeria's challenge and crises? By USAfricaonline.com contributing editor Ken Okorie. Commentary appears from NigeriaCentral.com BULLET Versus BALLOT The bloody stain of military coup, on Friday December 24, 1999, sullied the once unique history of democratic rule in the beautiful and historically democratic, French-speaking west African country of Cote d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast) by General Robert Guei (inset). USAfricaonline report and commentary. COMMUNITY INTEREST Why the revisionist forces of racist oppression in South Africa should not be allowed to intimidate Ron and Charlayne Gault. SOUTH AFRICA Nigeria, Cry My Beloved Country Index of Founder's Notes (1) Index of Founder's Notes (2) Index of other Viewpoints USAfricaonline contributors and columnists on the issues BUSINESS Dr. Anaebonam's strategic vision for BREEJ is a model for business excellence and empowerment. Pope John Paul, Abacha and Nigeria's Christians TRANSITION General Tunde Idiagbon:  A nationalist, an iron-surgeon departs Abiola's sudden death and the ghost of things to come   Gen. Shehu Musa Yar'Adua's prison death, Nigeria and The Ghost of Things to come .....  Soni Egwuatu, Houston businessman, joins his ancestors