IYANDA'SBLOG

Operatives of the Nigerian Army and Department of Security Services (DSS) on Monday attacked peaceful #RevolutionNow protesters in Osun State.

SaharaReporters gathered that no fewer than six of the protesters were assaulted, harassed and brutalised by the security operatives.

One of the protesters, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said they were attacked around Ayetoro street, Osogbo while waiting for their colleagues to join them.

He said, “We were converging on Ayetoro, Osogbo for the liberty walk. Six of us were there and we were awaiting other people that would be joining us. But while we were talking, 12 Hilux vans (four for the DSS and eight for the Nigerian Army) arrived.

“Each vehicle had six persons so there were 48 of them. Then they started moving towards our direction. We were not afraid of them because we thought they were there to protect us. Then the next thing I heard were, ‘who are these people?’ ‘Officer, let's beat them mercilessly’. It seemed like a movie. You needed to see how they started hitting us with a thick plank of wood. They hit us on our heads, bodies and legs.

“I really suffered. I was just shivering and crying. My neck and hands had bruises. My mind even failed to register what was happening at some point.”

Another protester told SaharaReporters that they were beaten for about 20 minutes and handed over to officers from Dugbe Police Station in Osogbo.

“Some of the comrades were beaten with a thick piece of wood until our heads started bleeding. If you did not answer their questions quickly, they would beat the hell out of you. As they were asking me questions, my mind failed me. I didn't know anything again. I forgot where I came from, I forgot my age and I forgot my name and we dared not to run away,” he said.

“We were beaten for 15 to 20 minutes; passersby were looking at us. They seemed to be curious to know what we did. The operatives even challenged anybody that held a phone whether they were far from us or not, so that nobody would record what they were doing.

“Later, they ordered us to get into the Hilux vehicle. They took us to an unknown destination. As we were going, we thought they were taking us to Army barracks in Ede but they took Estate Road back to Okefia. They eventually took us to Dugbe Police Station in Osogbo.

“You needed to see those policemen too; it was as if they were waiting for us. They spat on us as if we were criminals and treated us like murderers. They even wanted to handcuff us. They ordered us to take off our clothes. The police also transported us to the State Criminal and Intelligence Department for proper documentation.”

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"I have no doubt in my mind that the British are determined to execute me. I have committed no crime. My only crime is that I am a Kenyan revolutionary who led a liberation army- Now, if I must leave you and my family, I have nothing to regret about. My blood will water the tree of independence"- Field Marshal Dedan Kimathi Waciuri of the Kenyan Mau Mau Uprising to his lovely wife shortly before he was hanged by the British force on February 18, 1957.

Such were the fates of our heroes past from whom we continuously take inspirations.The dangers of the cause to liberate the Black race has always been spelt out, and the degree of how slippery the path is has never been hidden from the active actors. Yet, it has been a cause of "no retreat no surrender" because the liberation of  "Mother Africa"  from foreign shackles is a calling that must not go unfulfilled. We match on to freedom and our victory is certain!

"We bled Africa for four and a half centuries.We looted their raw materials, then we told lies that the Africans are good for nothing. In the name of religion, we destroyed their culture. And after being made rich at their expense, we now steal their brains through miseducation and propaganda to prevent them from enacting Black retribution against us"- Jacques Rene Chirac, former President of France.

Even in the world beyond, our ancestors haunt our adversaries to our advantage. However, our ears seem deaf to the wake up call and eyes too heavy to stay awake for the battle at hand.It has, therefore, become the sole duty of the mentally conscious Africans to keep acting the truth and pass it to the next generation, for we cannot but teach them early what we learn late.

Richard Odusanya

Rev Dr Martin Luther King Jr., in his bid to wake up the Black nation, made us to understand that "one of the great liabilities of history is that all too many people fail to remain awake through great periods of social change. Every society has its protectors of status quo and its fraternities of the indifferent who are notorious for sleeping through revolutions. Today, our very survival depends on our ability to stay awake, to adjust to new ideas, to remain vigilant and to face the challenge".

It is quite unfortunate that the present leaders of the Black race are the actors of the "fraternities of the indifferent who are notorious for sleeping through revolutions." In the past, we were forced into slavery. Now, we voluntarily and willingly walk into slavery because our leaders have made our land inconducive for us to dwell.

We passionately love "Mother Africa". We love our African countries, and leaders for they are our brothers and sisters. This is the only reason we are exploring all means to make them see that this land belongs to us all and must rise to greatness again.

Our youths, with the capabilities of the giants, should be properly engaged and encouraged with the responsibility of putting the continent back on the map of the world. Not to be incarcerated by the actions and inactions of our leaders. Any further delay in allowing the youths do exploit and channel their energy towards the greatness of Africa is extremely dangerous to our existence. We should not allow the love the youths have for the land to go sour; someone who unconditionally loves you can also unbelievably hate you, a beautiful mirror becomes a dangerous weapon when broken.

Africa looks up to the Nigerian leadership to make us great again. For sixty (60) years we have failed "Mother Africa". However, there is still a room to forgive and forget the past misdeeds if the right economic and political policies would be adopted by our leaders to remove the clothing of slavery and shame forcefully worn on us by our adversaries. Any contradictory effort spells doom for Nigeria as a country and Africa as a continent.

The pressure is mounting ; the Mau Mau uprising is around the corner, and this uprising is about to bring out the beasts in us. Let the bars keeping the Nigerian giants be politely opened instead of being torn into pieces by the impending explosion that might not be curtailed. The recent events around us, particularly, the #EndSARS campaign may just be a wake up call.

A prodigal son removes the roof of his father's house to cover that of another man's house while leaving his father's house open to harsh weather. The 12.5 billion Paris club over payment and other loots alone made havens in the advanced nations.The parts of the fund and loots refunded have been relooted by the very few within the political class while we go on a borrowing spree in the world. Our leaders keep acting like shallow minds and low thinkers, that easily forgot that there cannot be peace without justice.

Few years back, "terrorism" was a strange term in Nigeria. Just in less than fifteen (15) years of involvement, the terrorist group in Nigeria has grown to be the third deadliest in the world. This is a sign of a perverted innovative and inventive prowess embedded in an average Nigerian youth.All required of the youths are conducive environment and provisions to showcase the Kemetic greatness they naturally possess.

An idle hand will always remain the devil's workshop.This explains the present situation of banditry and terrorism, as it cuts across the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria, it reminds me of the warning, years back, of the great sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo "the children of the poor you failed to train will never let your children have peace."

Let it be known to all, particularly, the self-centered Nigerian "leaders" and that of Africa at large, that we will know no peace until the son of a nobody can become somebody without knowing anybody. The French Revolution of 1789 and the recent #EndSARS campaign, should serve as deterrent to the present African leaders and members of ruling class. From the look of things in recent times, we move very speedily towards an era where the matching order would be nothing but "take it back or die fighting"!

I believe that all our sufferings in Africa are caused by greed, ignorance and people inflicting pains on others in the selfish pursuit of individual accomplishment, materialism, happiness or satisfaction. Unfortunately, true happiness could only come from a sense of peace and contentment. We should strive to build a decent society where collective interest supersede all other considerations

We are not asking for a pure system but a working one; a system with a mechanism that guarantees solidarity and not charity; charity is vertical; so it is humiliating; it goes from the top to the bottom; Solidarity is horizontal; It respects others and learns from them. Vote buying and intentional breach of human rights are insults to humanity.The masses cannot continue to be subjects of ridicule in a land flowing with milk and honey.

It is time to sincerely look the way of science, technology and agriculture. We have all it takes to drive a Nigeria that would wake up the sleeping giants in Africans at large.The freedom and human capacities of individuals must be developed to their maximum but individual powers must be linked to democracy in the sense that social betterment must be the necessary consequence of individual flourishing. This is the only way out of the impending Tsunami of the masses' anger.

The Nigerian youths who recently, proved that they are not lazy, are equally not criminals neither are the poor masses. They have committed no crime. If their only crime to the ruling class is asking for good governance, then the consuming fire of "the Mau Mau forces" should be expected to rise sooner than later.

FREEDOM COMES BY STRUGGLE WHICH CONSUMES THE OPPRESSORS!

THIS IS THE BEGINNING OF THE EMANCIPATION AND PROCLAMATION OF FREEDOM..HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL OUR COMPATRIOTS.

Odusanya is the convener of AFRICA COVENANT RESCUE INITIATIVE ACRI

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A suspected armed robber was set ablaze by an angry mob in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital, on Monday.

SaharaReporters gathered that the suspected robber was set ablaze at ASAS bus stop, Molete, while another escaped being lynched by a mob at Oke Ado, Ibadan.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Olugbemiga Fadeyi, who confirmed the incidents to reporters in Ibadan on Monday, said, “Around 0900 hours on 28/12/2020, one other person was rescued by an Amotekun team and handed over to the police. He was treated at the Police Clinic, Eleyele, but one was set ablaze.”

Fadeyi said investigation had commenced into the matter to ascertain the reasons behind the actions of the angry mobs.

"Notwithstanding, the act of jungle justice is condemned in strong terms as this has become a recurring decimal in the state.

"When allowed to continue unabated, it will degenerate into what all and sundry will not be able to curb thereafter and many innocent lives will be terminated unjustly. Consequent upon this, the Commissioner of Police therefore warns those that are taking the law into their own hands to stop forthwith before the long hands of the laws catch up with them." 

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A suspected armed robber was set ablaze by an angry mob in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital, on Monday.

SaharaReporters gathered that the suspected robber was set ablaze at ASAS bus stop, Molete, while another escaped being lynched by a mob at Oke Ado, Ibadan.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Olugbemiga Fadeyi, who confirmed the incidents to reporters in Ibadan on Monday, said, “Around 0900 hours on 28/12/2020, one other person was rescued by an Amotekun team and handed over to the police. He was treated at the Police Clinic, Eleyele, but one was set ablaze.”

Fadeyi said investigation had commenced into the matter to ascertain the reasons behind the actions of the angry mobs.

"Notwithstanding, the act of jungle justice is condemned in strong terms as this has become a recurring decimal in the state.

"When allowed to continue unabated, it will degenerate into what all and sundry will not be able to curb thereafter and many innocent lives will be terminated unjustly. Consequent upon this, the Commissioner of Police therefore warns those that are taking the law into their own hands to stop forthwith before the long hands of the laws catch up with them." 

News AddThis :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
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The Israeli health ministry has said a 75-year-old man from Beit She’an died of a heart attack two hours after receiving vaccination against COVID-19 on Monday morning.

 

It was learnt that the man had preexisting conditions and had suffered from heart attacks in the past.

 

Chezy Levy, the Director-General of the Health Ministry, has launched an investigation into the incident. “We share in the grief of the family,” he said in a statement.

 

He was injected at around 8:30 am at a Clalit Health Services Clinic. He stayed at the facility, as is customary, for a short period of time to ensure he had no side effects. When he felt well, the clinic released him.

According to Levy, the early discoveries do not reveal a link between the man’s death and his inoculation.

Illustration The Times of Israel

When Pfizer presented its safety data to the US Food and Drug Administration in early December, it was found that two trial participants had died after receiving the vaccine. One of the deceased was immunocompromised, meaning the person’s immune defences were low.

In response to the report of those deaths, Israel’s Midaat Association said when vaccines are administered to at-risk populations, “there may be unfortunate cases. One should not infer from this about the safety of the vaccine, but welcome the transparency required from the pharma companies in the drug approval process.”

In large trials of tens of thousands of people, death can occur without any connection to the trial, but companies such as Pfizer are required to report those deaths, Midaat said.

“According to the published data, six of the participants in the experiment died, two of whom received the vaccine and four of the control group,” said Dr. Uri Lerner, Midaat’s scientific director. “After an in-depth examination, no connection was found between the experiment and the cause of death.”

Conspiracy theories surrounding side effects and claimed dangers of the newly released coronavirus vaccines have spread rapidly throughout social media.

The main side effects reported in the trials of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines were pain, swelling and redness at the site of injection and chills, tiredness and headache in general. But these effects usually only persisted for a few days at most.

Any potential long-term side effects are still unsubstantiated, as the vaccines are still new. However, the majority of health officials have said they believe the vaccines will cause no long-term harm. In Israel, more than 80 per cent of medical personnel are expected to be inoculated.

As of Monday morning, Israel had vaccinated 380,000 citizens with the first dose of the coronavirus vaccine. According to Health Minister, Yuli Edelstein, 99,000 people were vaccinated on Sunday.

Currently, Israel is vaccinating medical personnel, people over the age of 60 and those with chronic illnesses. It hopes to start vaccinating teachers and school staff later this week.

The IDF vaccination campaign kicked off on Monday.

Israel hopes to vaccinate as many as 150,000 people per day, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Saturday night. If successful, 2.25 million Israelis will be vaccinated within a month and a half.

International PUBLIC HEALTH News AddThis :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
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The Israeli health ministry has said a 75-year-old man from Beit She’an died of a heart attack two hours after receiving vaccination against COVID-19 on Monday morning.

 

It was learnt that the man had preexisting conditions and had suffered from heart attacks in the past.

 

Chezy Levy, the Director-General of the Health Ministry, has launched an investigation into the incident. “We share in the grief of the family,” he said in a statement.

 

He was injected at around 8:30 am at a Clalit Health Services Clinic. He stayed at the facility, as is customary, for a short period of time to ensure he had no side effects. When he felt well, the clinic released him.

According to Levy, the early discoveries do not reveal a link between the man’s death and his inoculation.

Illustration The Times of Israel

When Pfizer presented its safety data to the US Food and Drug Administration in early December, it was found that two trial participants had died after receiving the vaccine. One of the deceased was immunocompromised, meaning the person’s immune defences were low.

In response to the report of those deaths, Israel’s Midaat Association said when vaccines are administered to at-risk populations, “there may be unfortunate cases. One should not infer from this about the safety of the vaccine, but welcome the transparency required from the pharma companies in the drug approval process.”

In large trials of tens of thousands of people, death can occur without any connection to the trial, but companies such as Pfizer are required to report those deaths, Midaat said.

“According to the published data, six of the participants in the experiment died, two of whom received the vaccine and four of the control group,” said Dr. Uri Lerner, Midaat’s scientific director. “After an in-depth examination, no connection was found between the experiment and the cause of death.”

Conspiracy theories surrounding side effects and claimed dangers of the newly released coronavirus vaccines have spread rapidly throughout social media.

The main side effects reported in the trials of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines were pain, swelling and redness at the site of injection and chills, tiredness and headache in general. But these effects usually only persisted for a few days at most.

Any potential long-term side effects are still unsubstantiated, as the vaccines are still new. However, the majority of health officials have said they believe the vaccines will cause no long-term harm. In Israel, more than 80 per cent of medical personnel are expected to be inoculated.

As of Monday morning, Israel had vaccinated 380,000 citizens with the first dose of the coronavirus vaccine. According to Health Minister, Yuli Edelstein, 99,000 people were vaccinated on Sunday.

Currently, Israel is vaccinating medical personnel, people over the age of 60 and those with chronic illnesses. It hopes to start vaccinating teachers and school staff later this week.

The IDF vaccination campaign kicked off on Monday.

Israel hopes to vaccinate as many as 150,000 people per day, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Saturday night. If successful, 2.25 million Israelis will be vaccinated within a month and a half.

International PUBLIC HEALTH News AddThis :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
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A civil rights activist, Ibrahim Garba Maryam, has said that Hisbah operating in some states in northern Nigeria is being used by politicians to oppress underprivileged people.

Garba said Hisbah was primarily inaugurated to settle disputes in marriages in the region, and that it lacked the legal right to arrest and prosecute any citizen.

Garba disclosed this to SaharaReporters in an exclusive interview on Monday.

See Also Islam Hisbah Conducts Door-to-door Search To Fish Out ‘Sinners’ In Kano 0 Comments 1 Month Ago

He condemned some of the actions of Hisbah against people in the North, such as arresting people for improper dressing and destroying alcoholic beverages.

“Hisbah was created to intervene in divorce cases or marital issues in the North,” he said. “They don’t have any constitutional right to arrest and prosecute people. And if they claim they do, ask them to show you.”

“You see, illiteracy and ignorance are the main problems among our people, and the politicians are using Hisbah to oppress and suppress the underprivileged.”

Speaking on the application of Sharia law in the North, Garba pointed out that the law is not binding on non-Muslims even if they reside in the region because Nigeria is a secular country.

He said, “Nigeria is a secular nation, and anything that is not in the constitution is not superior to the constitution. Sharia is only binding on Muslims. We have some laws documented as Sharia for the North, but let me tell you, our political leaders have hijacked Hisbah for their selfish gain.

“Hisbah is an instrument used by politicians to suppress the underprivileged in the North because of the high illiteracy rate and ignorance there.”

He also described the destruction of alcoholic drinks in Kano by Hisbah as oppression by politicians.

“Who gave them approval to open their business in the first place? Was it not the government? Who do they pay their taxes to?  That’s why I talk about illiteracy and ignorance. The people have the right to ask Hisbah critical questions. It is only the Nigeria Police and courts of law that have those rights that Hisbah claim to have. They are just vigilantes,” he said.

On the recent ban on underage marriages by the Saudi Arabian government, Garba said it was a right decision.

He said, “Even the prophet (Muhammad) that we claim that we love did not marry his underaged daughters off. The other time a man from here married a white woman older than him, they were criticising him. The first wife of the prophet was also older than him by 15 years, so what is the issue all about?

“Government is using Hisbah to steal. The funds they get are not necessary. We are fighting for the people, but they (the people) don’t know their rights. That’s why we are calling on organisations like the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project to look at the cases of injustice in Kano.” 

Islam News AddThis :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
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A civil rights activist, Ibrahim Garba Maryam, has said that Hisbah operating in some states in northern Nigeria is being used by politicians to oppress underprivileged people.

Garba said Hisbah was primarily inaugurated to settle disputes in marriages in the region, and that it lacked the legal right to arrest and prosecute any citizen.

Garba disclosed this to SaharaReporters in an exclusive interview on Monday.

See Also Sahara Reporters Hisbah Conducts Door-to-door Search To Fish Out ‘Sinners’ In Kano 0 Comments 1 Month Ago

He condemned some of the actions of Hisbah against people in the North, such as arresting people for improper dressing and destroying alcoholic beverages.

“Hisbah was created to intervene in divorce cases or marital issues in the North,” he said. “They don’t have any constitutional right to arrest and prosecute people. And if they claim they do, ask them to show you.”

“You see, illiteracy and ignorance are the main problems among our people, and the politicians are using Hisbah to oppress and suppress the underprivileged.”

Speaking on the application of Sharia law in the North, Garba pointed out that the law is not binding on non-Muslims even if they reside in the region because Nigeria is a secular country.

He said, “Nigeria is a secular nation, and anything that is not in the constitution is not superior to the constitution. Sharia is only binding on Muslims. We have some laws documented as Sharia for the North, but let me tell you, our political leaders have hijacked Hisbah for their selfish gain.

“Hisbah is an instrument used by politicians to suppress the underprivileged in the North because of the high illiteracy rate and ignorance there.”

He also described the destruction of alcoholic drinks in Kano by Hisbah as oppression by politicians.

“Who gave them approval to open their business in the first place? Was it not the government? Who do they pay their taxes to?  That’s why I talk about illiteracy and ignorance. The people have the right to ask Hisbah critical questions. It is only the Nigeria Police and courts of law that have those rights that Hisbah claim to have. They are just vigilantes,” he said.

On the recent ban on underage marriages by the Saudi Arabian government, Garba said it was a right decision.

He said, “Even the prophet (Muhammad) that we claim that we love did not marry his underaged daughters off. The other time a man from here married a white woman older than him, they were criticising him. The first wife of the prophet was also older than him by 15 years, so what is the issue all about?

“Government is using Hisbah to steal. The funds they get are not necessary. We are fighting for the people, but they (the people) don’t know their rights. That’s why we are calling on organisations like the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project to look at the cases of injustice in Kano.” 

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https://ift.tt/34GnqSe

The pan-Yoruba sociocultural group, Afenifere, and the apex Igbo group in Nigeria, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, have thrown their weights behind the declaration of the Northern Elders Forum that the North is now ready to support the calls for restructuring.

President of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), Ango Abdullahi, had in an interview with Vanguard described the extant presidential system in the country as flawed, adding that the North would welcome debates on how to restructure Nigeria to make it more viable.

Yinka Odumakin

See Also Politics Nigeria’s Presidential System ‘Totally Useless’, Northern Region Now Ready For Restructuring – Ango Abdullahi 0 Comments 11 Hours Ago

The elder statesman and former Vice-Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State, had added that Nigeria did much better when it had federating regions than now, when it has states and local governments that are largely not viable. He said the political structure of the country before the military incursion into power by 1966.

Speaking in an interview with SaharaReporters on Monday, the publicity secretary of Afenifere, Yinka Odumakin, described the Northern group's position as a welcome development.

According to Odumakin, the country is already collapsing and the only way to put it back on track is through restructuring.

He added that Afenifere was ready to cooperate with any set of Nigerians also in support of restructuring.

He said, "We welcome their declaration; it's only enemies of Nigeria who don't want the progress of this country that will say they're opposing restructuring at this point. Nigeria is about to collapse and the only way to stop it from collapsing is for us to restructure.

"We will cooperate with any set of Nigerians who are ready for restructuring to put this country back on track."

He, however, said Afenifere would be hoping the position expressed by the Northern Elders Forum was not a hoax.

Odumakin said Afenifere was interested in knowing the ideas of the NEF so there could be deliberations on the way forward.

He added: "We just hope that they mean what they have said. Clearly, we will be interested to know what their ideas are, what they have in mind, and how they think we should go about it."

In a similar vein, Ohanaeze Ndigbo said every patriotic Nigerians should embrace restructuring to save the country from an imminent collapse.

According to Vanguard, the acting Secretary-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Uche Achi-Okoaga, said: “Restructuring does not connote turning Nigeria inside-out. It has to do with shifting from frivolities, analogous and straightjacket institutions, and governance structure and to Identify with digital, enterprising, and professing embellishments of the developed climes.

“Insecurity, for instance, look at the number of soldiers we are losing to Boko haram, bandits, or insurgents (as you may have it). This is still in the same era where drones are now used to detect and flush out criminals in their hideouts. If there is any improvement in the security architecture, Nigerians have not heard or seen it and we just cannot continue to do things the same way and expect different results.

“In the area of elections, we should move away from incidences of ballot box snatching and infer cases and enter the era where Nigerians can open their laptops or mobile phones to vote for candidates of their choice even in their places of work or business while the government would not need to shut everything and everywhere for election.

“To some people, when they hear restructuring, they think it is to change the name North to Nothing or South to Something. I liken the scenario to an instance. Thus, when a building is dilapidated you reinforce or strengthen it but if the dilapidation is beyond repair, you pull it down to avert impending calamities.

“It is the case with Nigeria, it requires to be reinforced or strengthened in all ramifications – economically, politically, legally, socially, etc. and where necessary, to pull down completely to rebuild.

“I urge any other person, group, or segment still skeptical about restructuring to embrace the raging and intractable wave of restructuring in order to save Nigeria from total political disintegration. I call on the Nigerian government to quicken the steps towards restructuring before the 2023 general elections."

 

Politics News AddThis :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
https://ift.tt/2AbRoSS

The pan-Yoruba sociocultural group, Afenifere, and the apex Igbo group in Nigeria, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, have thrown their weights behind the declaration of the Northern Elders Forum that the North is now ready to support the calls for restructuring.

President of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), Ango Abdullahi, had in an interview with Vanguard described the extant presidential system in the country as flawed, adding that the North would welcome debates on how to restructure Nigeria to make it more viable.

Yinka Odumakin

See Also Politics Nigeria’s Presidential System ‘Totally Useless’, Northern Region Now Ready For Restructuring – Ango Abdullahi 0 Comments 10 Hours Ago

The elder statesman and former Vice-Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State, had added that Nigeria did much better when it had federating regions than now, when it has states and local governments that are largely not viable. He said the political structure of the country before the military incursion into power by 1966.

Speaking in an interview with SaharaReporters on Monday, the publicity secretary of Afenifere, Yinka Odumakin, described the Northern group's position as a welcome development.

According to Odumakin, the country is already collapsing and the only way to put it back on track is through restructuring.

He added that Afenifere was ready to cooperate with any set of Nigerians also in support of restructuring.

He said, "We welcome their declaration; it's only enemies of Nigeria who don't want the progress of this country that will say they're opposing restructuring at this point. Nigeria is about to collapse and the only way to stop it from collapsing is for us to restructure.

"We will cooperate with any set of Nigerians who are ready for restructuring to put this country back on track."

He, however, said Afenifere would be hoping the position expressed by the Northern Elders Forum was not a hoax.

Odumakin said Afenifere was interested in knowing the ideas of the NEF so there could be deliberations on the way forward.

He added: "We just hope that they mean what they have said. Clearly, we will be interested to know what their ideas are, what they have in mind, and how they think we should go about it."

In a similar vein, Ohanaeze Ndigbo said every patriotic Nigerians should embrace restructuring to save the country from an imminent collapse.

According to Vanguard, the acting Secretary-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Uche Achi-Okoaga, said: “Restructuring does not connote turning Nigeria inside-out. It has to do with shifting from frivolities, analogous and straightjacket institutions, and governance structure and to Identify with digital, enterprising, and professing embellishments of the developed climes.

“Insecurity, for instance, look at the number of soldiers we are losing to Boko haram, bandits, or insurgents (as you may have it). This is still in the same era where drones are now used to detect and flush out criminals in their hideouts. If there is any improvement in the security architecture, Nigerians have not heard or seen it and we just cannot continue to do things the same way and expect different results.

“In the area of elections, we should move away from incidences of ballot box snatching and infer cases and enter the era where Nigerians can open their laptops or mobile phones to vote for candidates of their choice even in their places of work or business while the government would not need to shut everything and everywhere for election.

“To some people, when they hear restructuring, they think it is to change the name North to Nothing or South to Something. I liken the scenario to an instance. Thus, when a building is dilapidated you reinforce or strengthen it but if the dilapidation is beyond repair, you pull it down to avert impending calamities.

“It is the case with Nigeria, it requires to be reinforced or strengthened in all ramifications – economically, politically, legally, socially, etc. and where necessary, to pull down completely to rebuild.

“I urge any other person, group, or segment still skeptical about restructuring to embrace the raging and intractable wave of restructuring in order to save Nigeria from total political disintegration. I call on the Nigerian government to quicken the steps towards restructuring before the 2023 general elections."

 

Politics News AddThis :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
https://ift.tt/2AbRoSS

The pan-Yoruba sociocultural group, Afenifere, and the apex Igbo group in Nigeria, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, have thrown their weights behind the declaration of the Northern Elders Forum that the North is now ready to support the calls for restructuring.

President of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), Ango Abdullahi, had in an interview with Vanguard described the extant presidential system in the country as flawed, adding that the North would welcome debates on how to restructure Nigeria to make it more viable.

Yinka Odumakin

See Also Sahara Reporters Nigeria’s Presidential System ‘Totally Useless’, Northern Region Now Ready For Restructuring – Ango Abdullahi 0 Comments 7 Hours Ago

The elder statesman and former Vice-Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State, had added that Nigeria did much better when it had federating regions than now, when it has states and local governments that are largely not viable. He said the political structure of the country before the military incursion into power by 1966.

Speaking in an interview with SaharaReporters on Monday, the publicity secretary of Afenifere, Yinka Odumakin, described the Northern group's position as a welcome development.

According to Odumakin, the country is already collapsing and the only way to put it back on track is through restructuring.

He added that Afenifere was ready to cooperate with any set of Nigerians also in support of restructuring.

He said, "We welcome their declaration; it's only enemies of Nigeria who don't want the progress of this country that will say they're opposing restructuring at this point. Nigeria is about to collapse and the only way to stop it from collapsing is for us to restructure.

"We will cooperate with any set of Nigerians who are ready for restructuring to put this country back on track."

He, however, said Afenifere would be hoping the position expressed by the Northern Elders Forum was not a hoax.

Odumakin said Afenifere was interested in knowing the ideas of the NEF so there could be deliberations on the way forward.

He added: "We just hope that they mean what they have said. Clearly, we will be interested to know what their ideas are, what they have in mind, and how they think we should go about it."

In a similar vein, Ohanaeze Ndigbo said every patriotic Nigerians should embrace restructuring to save the country from an imminent collapse.

According to Vanguard, the acting Secretary-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Uche Achi-Okoaga, said: “Restructuring does not connote turning Nigeria inside-out. It has to do with shifting from frivolities, analogous and straightjacket institutions, and governance structure and to Identify with digital, enterprising, and professing embellishments of the developed climes.

“Insecurity, for instance, look at the number of soldiers we are losing to Boko haram, bandits, or insurgents (as you may have it). This is still in the same era where drones are now used to detect and flush out criminals in their hideouts. If there is any improvement in the security architecture, Nigerians have not heard or seen it and we just cannot continue to do things the same way and expect different results.

“In the area of elections, we should move away from incidences of ballot box snatching and infer cases and enter the era where Nigerians can open their laptops or mobile phones to vote for candidates of their choice even in their places of work or business while the government would not need to shut everything and everywhere for election.

“To some people, when they hear restructuring, they think it is to change the name North to Nothing or South to Something. I liken the scenario to an instance. Thus, when a building is dilapidated you reinforce or strengthen it but if the dilapidation is beyond repair, you pull it down to avert impending calamities.

“It is the case with Nigeria, it requires to be reinforced or strengthened in all ramifications – economically, politically, legally, socially, etc. and where necessary, to pull down completely to rebuild.

“I urge any other person, group, or segment still skeptical about restructuring to embrace the raging and intractable wave of restructuring in order to save Nigeria from total political disintegration. I call on the Nigerian government to quicken the steps towards restructuring before the 2023 general elections."

 

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Nigerians on social media are demanding justice for 11-year-old student, Don Davis Archibong, who was allegedly sexually abused at Deeper Life High School, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

Deborah Okezie, the mother of the Junior Secondary School 1 pupil at the Christian school, had last week shared a video on her Facebook account wherein she alleged that her son was starved and molested by some senior pupils of the school.

FR

Okezie claimed that the senior pupils molested the boy by pushing their hands and legs into his anus.

The mother said her son told her that they threatened to kill him if he reported to the principal or his parents.

See Also News Nigerians Demand Probe Of Deeper Life School Over Assault On Student 0 Comments 1 Week Ago

With the #JusticeForDonDavis hashtag on Twitter, Nigerians on Twitter are calling for justice for Don Davis after the mother revealed he now experiences nightmares and suddenly rises from sleep.

For instance, Socio-political activist, and co-convener of the Bring Back Our Girls Movement, an advocacy group that brings attention to the abduction of over 200 girls from a secondary school in Chibok, Nigeria in 2014, Aisha Yesufu, on her handle, @AishaYesufu, tweeted, “It seems that many didn't learn from ‪#MeToo. Many will do anything to see ‪#JusticeForDonDavis fade away because they are afraid the searchlight is going to come to the crimes of molestation that they committed! The number of people on the sanctimonious throne that molested little boys will shock you! We have refused to open the door all this while. ‪#JusticeForDonDavis will give many men the voice to call out the men that raped them when they were young.” 

Another Twitter user, whose handle is @Petayeni, wrote: “Yes na. All deeper Life High School should be shut. All boarding schools in Nigeria should be closed (including Federal Government schools). In fact, all schools should be closed. ‪#JusticeForDonDavis should be carried out accordingly.” 

In the same vein, @Shayne wrote before and after pictures of Davis: “Only God knows what would have happened to this boy if his mum had not had that scary dream. Maybe he would have died, school terms it as an accident, boy gets buried and forgotten. The end! But God forbid! So, let's get ‪#JusticeForDonDavis.”

See Also News My Life Is Not Safe, Mother Of Assaulted Deeper Life School Student Cries Out 0 Comments 4 Days Ago

@SaintMa41005848‪ said, “#Justicefordondavis Boarding school is the worst place for any child to be in, especially when they are either just boys or girls. Dear Pastor (William) Kumuyi (founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry), do not put Christ to shame, do something.”

Similarly, @dokubo_kenneth wrote: “If Don Davies was a girl by now, FIDA (The International Federation of Women Lawyers) and other human rights organisations would have carried the case on their head like Gala and pure water in traffic (taken up the case with determination to get justice). Again, because he is a boy child, nobody wants to plead his cause ‪#JusticeForDonDavis.”

@Faevy_Lugards also wrote, “We see something so precious and beautiful but we abuse...what really is wrong with humans…how can people be so heartless and cruel...an 11-year-old raped, abused, starved and threatened and you see the svh@‪#deeperlifehigh trying to cover it up...we have to Sorosoke (speak up), my people. ‪#JusticeForDonDavis.”

Also, @Chief_talker said, “Until Pastor Kumuyi sees all this and condemns it publicly, we won't stop ooo. Any deeper Life (church) member here should tell their pastor to tell their senior pastors until Baba himself hears this. Abi una no dey twitter (Or are you not on Twitter)? #JusticeForDonDavis ‪#deeperlifehighschool ‪#justicefordondavies.”

@BhadmusAkeem wrote: “State ministries are filled with lots of evil doers. In 2018 when I had an issue with a school, a staff member of the state Ministry of Education made sure the school went scot-free. In fact, a young staff member on Twitter who wanted to help with the case stopped picking up my calls. ‪#JusticeForDonDavis.

“Am I surprised Mrs Enobong Udemeabasi Mbobo, the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner of Education is trying to silence the mother of the victim? Nope, I’m not. It’s what they do because the schools ‘take care of them’ a lot.

“Or should I talk about how Ministry of Justice staff members were bribed to move a case from one court to a favourable court for the school just to get back-door judgement? These are ministries where people who have children work. It’s only God that can judge all of them.”

@Jessica12754192 wrote: “We fear the rape of our daughters, now we have to fear the rape of our sons? Imagine if this boy hadn't opened up and carried this pain into adulthood, what kind of man would he be? It makes you think of the man you judge, what has he been through? What pain is he hiding? ‪#JusticeForDonDavis.”

@Sther_MOA said, “So that's all? #JusticeForDonDavis just disappeared off the trends table like that? For people who are always complaining about sexually abused boys not getting enough attention, you all put in too little energy into demanding justice for this poor boy. #deeperlifehighschool.”

And as for @Biisi96, “Missionary school but you are trying to silence your victim. If an institution tightly affiliated with your church can be this vile and wicked in the public eye, it’s only you people and God that know what goes behind the science in your church. #JusticeForDonDavis.”

@That_IjebuBadoo said: “A mum was documenting her son's abuse online, an abuse that almost killed him and has traumatised him. The Commissioner for Education called her to the office & seized her phone. This is Nigeria, the abuse of children is seen as an embarrassment to the government. #JusticeForDonDavis.”

@_chidinmaaaa wrote: “Don Davis is an 11-year-old boy who was maltreated and molested at Deeper Life High School, Uyo. The mother has been seeking justice but the school and the state government want to kill the case. So guys, let's help Don Davis get the justice he deserves ‪#JusticeForDonDavis.”

“Elisha Abbo is still in office. A governor reconciled a woman with her abuser. Now, a commissioner for education is supporting a school in covering up the sexual abuse of a minor. The Nigerian government has a notorious pattern of shielding abusers. ‪#justicefordondavis,” @sa_vvy wrote.

 

Human Rights Scandal News AddThis :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
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Nigerians on social media are demanding justice for 11-year-old student, Don Davis Archibong, who was allegedly sexually abused at Deeper Life High School, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

Deborah Okezie, the mother of the Junior Secondary School 1 pupil at the Christian school, had last week shared a video on her Facebook account wherein she alleged that her son was starved and molested by some senior pupils of the school.

FR

Okezie claimed that the senior pupils molested the boy by pushing their hands and legs into his anus.

The mother said her son told her that they threatened to kill him if he reported to the principal or his parents.

See Also News Nigerians Demand Probe Of Deeper Life School Over Assault On Student 0 Comments 1 Week Ago

With the #JusticeForDonDavis hashtag on Twitter, Nigerians on Twitter are calling for justice for Don Davis after the mother revealed he now experiences nightmares and suddenly rises from sleep.

For instance, Socio-political activist, and co-convener of the Bring Back Our Girls Movement, an advocacy group that brings attention to the abduction of over 200 girls from a secondary school in Chibok, Nigeria in 2014, Aisha Yesufu, on her handle, @AishaYesufu, tweeted, “It seems that many didn't learn from ‪#MeToo. Many will do anything to see ‪#JusticeForDonDavis fade away because they are afraid the searchlight is going to come to the crimes of molestation that they committed! The number of people on the sanctimonious throne that molested little boys will shock you! We have refused to open the door all this while. ‪#JusticeForDonDavis will give many men the voice to call out the men that raped them when they were young.” 

Another Twitter user, whose handle is @Petayeni, wrote: “Yes na. All deeper Life High School should be shut. All boarding schools in Nigeria should be closed (including Federal Government schools). In fact, all schools should be closed. ‪#JusticeForDonDavis should be carried out accordingly.” 

In the same vein, @Shayne wrote before and after pictures of Davis: “Only God knows what would have happened to this boy if his mum had not had that scary dream. Maybe he would have died, school terms it as an accident, boy gets buried and forgotten. The end! But God forbid! So, let's get ‪#JusticeForDonDavis.”

See Also News My Life Is Not Safe, Mother Of Assaulted Deeper Life School Student Cries Out 0 Comments 4 Days Ago

@SaintMa41005848‪ said, “#Justicefordondavis Boarding school is the worst place for any child to be in, especially when they are either just boys or girls. Dear Pastor (William) Kumuyi (founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry), do not put Christ to shame, do something.”

Similarly, @dokubo_kenneth wrote: “If Don Davies was a girl by now, FIDA (The International Federation of Women Lawyers) and other human rights organisations would have carried the case on their head like Gala and pure water in traffic (taken up the case with determination to get justice). Again, because he is a boy child, nobody wants to plead his cause ‪#JusticeForDonDavis.”

@Faevy_Lugards also wrote, “We see something so precious and beautiful but we abuse...what really is wrong with humans…how can people be so heartless and cruel...an 11-year-old raped, abused, starved and threatened and you see the svh@‪#deeperlifehigh trying to cover it up...we have to Sorosoke (speak up), my people. ‪#JusticeForDonDavis.”

Also, @Chief_talker said, “Until Pastor Kumuyi sees all this and condemns it publicly, we won't stop ooo. Any deeper Life (church) member here should tell their pastor to tell their senior pastors until Baba himself hears this. Abi una no dey twitter (Or are you not on Twitter)? #JusticeForDonDavis ‪#deeperlifehighschool ‪#justicefordondavies.”

@BhadmusAkeem wrote: “State ministries are filled with lots of evil doers. In 2018 when I had an issue with a school, a staff member of the state Ministry of Education made sure the school went scot-free. In fact, a young staff member on Twitter who wanted to help with the case stopped picking up my calls. ‪#JusticeForDonDavis.

“Am I surprised Mrs Enobong Udemeabasi Mbobo, the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner of Education is trying to silence the mother of the victim? Nope, I’m not. It’s what they do because the schools ‘take care of them’ a lot.

“Or should I talk about how Ministry of Justice staff members were bribed to move a case from one court to a favourable court for the school just to get back-door judgement? These are ministries where people who have children work. It’s only God that can judge all of them.”

@Jessica12754192 wrote: “We fear the rape of our daughters, now we have to fear the rape of our sons? Imagine if this boy hadn't opened up and carried this pain into adulthood, what kind of man would he be? It makes you think of the man you judge, what has he been through? What pain is he hiding? ‪#JusticeForDonDavis.”

@Sther_MOA said, “So that's all? #JusticeForDonDavis just disappeared off the trends table like that? For people who are always complaining about sexually abused boys not getting enough attention, you all put in too little energy into demanding justice for this poor boy. #deeperlifehighschool.”

And as for @Biisi96, “Missionary school but you are trying to silence your victim. If an institution tightly affiliated with your church can be this vile and wicked in the public eye, it’s only you people and God that know what goes behind the science in your church. #JusticeForDonDavis.”

@That_IjebuBadoo said: “A mum was documenting her son's abuse online, an abuse that almost killed him and has traumatised him. The Commissioner for Education called her to the office & seized her phone. This is Nigeria, the abuse of children is seen as an embarrassment to the government. #JusticeForDonDavis.”

@_chidinmaaaa wrote: “Don Davis is an 11-year-old boy who was maltreated and molested at Deeper Life High School, Uyo. The mother has been seeking justice but the school and the state government want to kill the case. So guys, let's help Don Davis get the justice he deserves ‪#JusticeForDonDavis.”

“Elisha Abbo is still in office. A governor reconciled a woman with her abuser. Now, a commissioner for education is supporting a school in covering up the sexual abuse of a minor. The Nigerian government has a notorious pattern of shielding abusers. ‪#justicefordondavis,” @sa_vvy wrote.

 

Human Rights Scandal News AddThis :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
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Although the coronavirus pandemic dealt a heavy blow to global public health and economy, this year has seen some positive developments, and some signs of hope for humanity and pointers to a better future. One of such developments is the launching of an advocacy campaign against witch persecution on the continent of Africa. Witchcraft allegations constitute a form of death sentence for the accused in the region. And this should not be the case because witchcraft is a form of superstition. Since January, the Advocacy for Alleged Witches (AFAW) has been working to fill in the gaps in activism against witchcraft allegations in the region. Witchcraft belief has been associated with the African continent for too long. Western anthropologists designate witchcraft as the gatekeeping concept for Africa, which is the frame to study and understand Africa including African thought and culture. This designation is no longer helpful if it ever was and it is time that the concept was discarded.

While there have been reports of egregious abuses linked to witch persecution in Africa, very little is being done to eradicate this social menace. Local and international programs to combat witch persecution leave much to be desired on all fronts. Western NGOs dominate and drive efforts to end witch persecution in the region. Unfortunately, many of these NGOs have some hidden agenda that is incompatible with dispelling witchcraft fears and anxieties in the region. In the name of what they call "respect for African religious and cultural beliefs", these organizations have betrayed the cause of ending witch persecution in Africa because these organizations cannot call African witchcraft by its name: superstition. So these Western NGOs organize wishy-washy programs that paper over the problem of witchcraft allegations. 

Look, to end witch persecution in Africa, the region needs robust and effective campaign programs with a clear and categorical position against witchcraft imputation and witch-hunting. Africa needs NGOs that operate without double standards, organizations that are genuinely committed to eradicating this dark and destructive phenomenon without reservations.

Leo Igwe

In its Decade of Activism 2020-2030, AFAW outlined a vision to end abuses linked to witchcraft allegations in 2030. It aims to realize a critical mass of advocates against witch persecution in all African countries. AFAW proposed an expiry date for witchcraft imputation in the region to ensure that witch persecution is approached with the urgency that it deserves. Expectedly, this Decade of Action has elicited mixed reactions. Some people think that the target is unrealistic and cannot be achieved given the enormity of the problem. These persons welcomed the vision to end witch persecution by 2030 but wondered where AFAW would get the resources to achieve this objective. Others were of the notion that the target of 2030 was realizable and that ending witch persecution in Africa was long overdue. British scientist and humanist, Richard Dawkins tweeted saying that we should not wait that long to end this violent and horrific abuse.

Since January, AFAW has hit the ground running. Despite the restrictions occasioned by the global pandemic, the campaign has made progress on various fronts. AFAW has been visible in local and international media. it has used reports and articles, press releases, and statements to challenge the narratives of witchcraft. Witchcraft belief persists in Africa because witchcraft narratives are seldom questioned or critically examined. AFAW exists to change this culture of dogma and blind faith. AFAW's declaration that witchcraft was a myth and a form of superstition was widely reported in the media. Media outlets found the declaration newsworthy because the predominant notion was that witchcraft was real and witches existed. In churches and mosques, schools, colleges and universities, over the radio and television, on print and electronic media, Africans are taught that witches and other demonic and occult forces are facts, not fantasies. Many of those who promote these narratives are priests, pastors, and mallams, quasi clerics and spiritualists who claim to speak in the name of the traditional, Christian, or Islamic God. The largely unchallenged dubious views of these godmen and women are reported in the media. And they reinforce witchcraft beliefs and fears in the minds of the people. AFAW has been critical of the preaching and questionable claims of witch-hunting clerics. AFAW has challenged witch-hunting pastors who claimed that they healed or could heal Covid-19 patients. The skeptical challenge generated debates and discussions on social media for weeks. AFAW will continue to use its media statements to educate and enlighten, and to persuade Africans to question and critically examine witchcraft ideas.

In the past one year, AFAW has intervened in several cases of witch persecution. It has rescued and helped relocate accused persons. AFAW continues to support child victims while urging the police and other state authorities to arrest and prosecute suspected witch hunters. Beyond Nigeria, AFAW has petitioned the police and other state authorities in Kenya, Zambia, Ghana, Malawi, and Liberia urging them to take action against witch killers and witch-finders. Unfortunately, 2020 has been marked by tragic incidents linked to witchcraft beliefs. Alleged witches have lynched and stoned to death in various African countries. In Ghana, a local mob set an alleged Akua Denteh ablaze.  In Nigeria, some witch hunters including a local politician lynched 15 persons suspected of witchcraft in Boki, Cross River state. Mobs burnt alleged witches in the Kisii region in Kenya and stoned them to death in Dedza, Malawi. In fact the list of victims goes on. That these horrific incidents continue to happen in this 21st century is a cause for concern and more cogent actions. Proactive measures are urgently needed locally and globally to address this problem.

Looking ahead to 2021, AFAW will continue the public education and enlightenment of the African public. It will continue to pressure state authorities to take necessary measures to dispel witchcraft fears and anxieties. AFAW will work to end impunity for crimes linked to witchcraft beliefs and ensure that witch-killers and witch hunters are brought to justice. The internet has helped in getting advocates to alert AFAW of cases of witch persecution in the region. AFAW will liaise with its partners, families of victims, community leaders across the region to ensure a rapid response to any instance of witch persecution. It will strive to extend support to the victims, educate and enlighten witchcraft accusers and believers. Witch persecution happens more often in rural communities where there is a limited presence of state institutions and services. 

AFAW will work with all affected communities to specifically address the root causes and drivers of witchcraft allegations. AFAW is aware of some complex underlying drivers of witch-hunting in the region. In A Short Textbook of Preventive Medicine for the Tropics, Lucas and Gilles(1982) noted some development features in African countries: "Limited central organization of services, scattered populations living in small self-contained units, low level of economic development, limited educational facilities, and inadequate control of common agents of diseases". They noted that "Some of these communities are still held tightly in the vicious circle of ignorance, poverty, and disease". 

Unfortunately these observed features of the African society of the 70s and 80s apply to Africa today. One must add superstition to that circle because ignorance, poverty, and disease provide a subsoil for the proliferation of irrational fears and anxieties. As AFAW's Decade of Activism enters its second year, the movement will press ahead with its vision and mission. It will draw attention of global, regional, and local institutions to this vicious circle and other dire socio-economic situations and stressful conditions that breed witch persecution and killing.

Opinion AddThis :  Original Author :  Leo Igwe Disable advertisements : 
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