26 comment(s)

1. Omotaylor | Dec 14, 2007 | Reply

   It will be a grevious mistake in the long term if Nigeria i.e. Yaradua deviates from his earlier decision and partners with the US on AFRICOM. It will be interesting to hear in the near future his full explanation and reasoning behind changing his mind. Leaders are accountable to the people for when the problem starts, the people are the same that would suffer for it.

2. Bobby | Dec 15, 2007 | Reply

   “Partnering” and Hosting are two different things. In a “Get it While It’s Hot” fashion it’s just wordplay used to pressure corrupt leaders to make the choice to benefit them and not their national interest. Nigerian officials are not dumb. They are being pressured to make it seem like they will conform to fool their neighbors. And I’m sure they will not.

3. BRE | Dec 15, 2007 | Reply

   I told you so in the previous debate but nobody wanted to listen. At the end of the day it’s about the money. How much? By the look on President Yar’Adua’s face in the photo above President Bush is talking about some serious money. The President of Nigera said the following during a joint White House press briefing:

   “We have discussed on security issues, security within Nigeria, the Niger Delta, the Gulf of Guinea and peace and security on the African continent. We shall partner AFRICOM to assist not only Nigeria but also the African continent to actualise its peace and security initiatives. It is an initiative to have standby forces in each of the regional economic groupings in Africa,”…

   And then he (President Yar’Adua) went on to say,

   “I am highly honoured and privileged to be here. I will never forget this moment in my life. I have briefed Mr. President on the situation in Nigeria and our efforts to anchor democracy on the rule of law, to have a credible electoral process and to ensure that the principles of justice, equity will guide the conduct of affairs in Nigeria.

   “Transparency, accountability and the fight against corruption and Mr President has expressed his support to assist Nigeria to ensure that we continue to uphold democracy and the rule of law, zero tolerance on corruption and the development of a free market economy through economic reforms,”…

   “This will set the principles upon which we build a free society, capable of growing an economy that will cater for the development and needs of the people of Nigeria. In this great effort we are making, we find great friendship and assistance from the government and people of the United States. We are very grateful for this expression of support.”

   Sounds like President Bush and President Yar’Adua is on the same page to me, including the delicate issue of the U.S. AFRICOM rollout in West Africa.

4. CareTaker | Dec 15, 2007 | Reply

   What transpired in Washington between Yar’Adua and Bush can best be imagined.

   Did Yar’Adua really say this: “I will never forget this moment in my life…”?

   I think Yar’Adua successfully tagged himself a “massa boy” in Washington and in the west. Regardless of what he saw and heard in DC, he ought to have reserved his comment (and kept his emotions in check) until he gets to Abuja - even he would come out to concede to the AFRICOM idea after saying no earlier. What a rookie !!!

5. Omotaylor | Dec 15, 2007 | Reply

   This is a sell out and i now agree with BRE - all for the love of money. We had better watch it though for Yaradua is displaying signs of someone who doesnt know what leadership is all about. You cannot keep taking your problems to others to solve while you should be solving it. Oh yes I agreed that the British Police should be called to assist the Nigerian police but I restricted this to the area of training only, and not handing over for I read the full post. But now Yaradua is happy to fall and kiss Bush’s feet! Who else would he be running to next and for what. The Ostrich seems to be winning as opposed to the Machiavelli in our president.

   “Tardiness often robs us opportunity, and the dispatch of our forces”.
   Niccolo Machiavelli

6. forevah | Dec 15, 2007 | Reply

   My African sisters and brothers. Yar’Adua will not allow the U.S to host its base in Nigeria. The Council of state mentioned the U.S could help with assisting an African stanby force. You don’t expect our leader to go the U.S and reveal his true intentions for this nonsence U.S base. He is simply paying them lip service so that he does not have to be on the defensive. It is wrong condemn your host while you are a guest in there house. The picture above speaks a thousand words. You can see Bush is hoping that our President has agreed accepting the base. I have serious close contacts with our Military and Aso-rock. No U.S base in Nigeria period.

   Remember that Bush wants to build a missile defence shield in the Czech Republic. He invited President Putin to the U.S to discuss this shield, and everybody thought Putin has let down by playing along with Bush. After Putin returned home, he let his frustrations out by telling the U.S that “Of course we can sometime in the future decide that some anti-missile defence system should be established somewhere on the moon,” Putin said, according to an English translation. “But before we reach such arrangements we will lose the opportunity for fixing some particular arrangements between us.” The Nigerian government are not bothered because they know very well where Yar’Adua’s intention lies.

7. BRE | Dec 17, 2007 | Reply

   I don’t think that the US Congress or the Pentagon is seeking to setup a large US military presence in the country of Nigeria. That would be a very dumb move, especially in light of the overwhelmingly negative perceptions about AFRICOM expressed by so many Nigerians online in the previous debate at African Loft. It would be interesting to see an accurate polling of the Nigerian public re: AFRICOM after the Pentagon carries out proper general education and some “public diplomacy” about the new command, but that initiative doesn’t seem to be in the cards for AFRICOM at the moment. AFRICOM commander General William Ward was interviewed on the CNN Inside Africa program this past weekend in case you missed it.

   In regards to Nigerian President Yar’Adua’s comments at the White House as quoted above, it doesn’t seem to me that he is a man that minces his words. He appears to be soft spoken, courteous but direct in meetings and talks with world leaders (i.e. his recent visits to Berlin and Lisbon and meetings with German President Horst Köhler, German Chancellor Angela Merkell, and a host of other European leaders, EU/EC commissioners and parliamentarians). Time will tell whether he will be a good, a great, or a very bad leader for the people of Nigeria.

   I was being somewhat cynical with my statement “it’s all about the money”. If a sustainable long-term improvement in political stability and security for people’s rights as well as property rights and the rule of law can be achieved in West Africa over the next two decades through a new regional co-operation with the USA, the EU, and other partner nations from around the world, then Yes countries like Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Senegal and their neighbors will see a vast increase in foreign investment and trade, public health, education, and the public welfare.

   This is the “light” that President Yar’Adua might see a bit clearer now after his talks with political and business leaders in Washington D.C., Berlin, and Lisbon. We shall see how this new co-operation and partnership develops over the next months and years, oder?

8. Omotaylor | Dec 17, 2007 | Reply

   Some of our readers seem to know our President much better than I do and I can only pray that they are correct. I may be judging him with almost the same yardstick as his predecessors, so once again I hope and pray I am proven wrong and that Forevah’s analysis is very right. One thing is clear, we all want the best for Nigeria and Africa and our interests are not personal.

9. CareTaker | Dec 17, 2007 | Reply

   I think Yar’Adua goofed terribly in his statement on Africom after meeting with Bush. Now the Nigerian government is fire-fighting and doing some damage control! This has deep meanings - see http://www.africanloft.com/what-does-partnering-with-africom-mean/ and Grandiose Parlor’s: http://grandioseparlor.com/2007/12/africom-where-does-nigeria-stand/

10. forevah | Dec 17, 2007 | Reply

    As I stated earlier, Yar’Adua will not go against the will of the Nigerian people because there will be consequences. There will be no U.S base in Nigeria period, so please my African sisters and brothers do not worry again about this stupid base. Yar’Adua fumbled with his lip service. He definitely needs a coach to help him give better international speeches like this one. One way or the other we all knew he was going to defend his statement. He is still a rookie and naive, so this mistake is permissible.

    I served in the Nigerian Navy before coming the U.S to settle. Yar’Adua was trying to imply the U.S can continue assisting, sharing and provding Nigeria with furture Military technology in terms of military co-operation. But he told the U.S that Africans and only Africans will be responsible for military operations throughout the continent under the A.U standby force.

    And yes my Nigerian bretheren the U.S and Nigeria has been assiting each other in terms of Military co-operation for more than three decades. Incase you did not know, IT IS NOT BY ACCIDENT THAT NIGERIA IS STILL ONE OF THE TOP BEST MILITARY POWER IN AFRICA. Nigeria already has a military pact with the U.S, the nigerian Army and Airforce constantly go to the US for Training, we even have Liasons and are offered our own slots at USMA West Point, New York. This is one of the best U.S military institute.

    They put up a picture of a Nigerian Army Major on the wall of the Artilery Training school’s main building for performing with great valor for U.S students to see. And yes our fine officers kicked there butts everytime in Military academics, training and professionalism. We do very well in there Naval institutes and bases in Rhode Island, Vermont and New Hampshire. We also train our kind of special ops in Fort Bragg, N.C. I am revealing too much, lol…

    A team of US Army special forces were in Nigeria for 2
    years, they left in 2002 i think, even one of them died in training while in Nigeria. These are the few reasons why the U.S wants this stupid base in Nigeria other than there greed for oil. Nigeria has the WILL and KNOWLEDGE they can build there base on. The Military liason on the US side is located in Nigeria under the Military attache at the U.S embassy who reports to Africom based out of Germany. Our President only agreed that this kind of co-operation can continue, but with no U.S base period.

11. Omotaylor | Dec 19, 2007 | Reply

    This excerpt is a recent comment (update) on Yaradua’s position on AFRICOM as reported in Nigerian THIS DAY newspaper, curtesy of http://www.gamji.com, interesting:

    “…..Also fielding questions on the purported endorsement of the United States-backed African Command (AFRICOM) by President Yar’Adua in the US, Adeniyi said, “The issue of AFRICOM is very interesting because I don’t understand what the controversy is all about. The President was very clear and unambiguous. One thing people forget is that AFRICOM already exists and is based in Germany.
    “The United States wants to take the base to Africa and most African leaders led by Nigeria and South Africa are saying if your interest is security and peace in Africa, American soldiers don’t have to be here. African Union is proposing African Standby Force where African countries will send troops, and if you want to support Africa you can do so by way of funding logistics, training.
    “We don’t mind that, but not that American soldiers will come on African soil and that is the position. The position of Nigeria has not changed. That was the position the President expressed to the National Council of State when they had a meeting in Abuja. That decision was not even that of the Council of State as reported but the position of the President in which he informed the Council and this position has not changed.”
    When the President said the country did not mind partnering AFRICOM, Adeniyi said, he was expressing the views of the AU leaders.
    Acording to him, “If you want to support security in Africa and if your interest is to protect Africa, then we don’t mind that. But you can support an African Standby Force which will be put in place where the troops will be Africans. That is what the President is saying.
    “I have read all kinds of comments including the one by the AC. Many people have not even read the statement of the President before making their criticism which is unfortunate. But the position of Nigeria remains the same, which is he will not allow AFRICOM in Nigeria.”

12. SOLOMONSYDELLE | Dec 20, 2007 | Reply

    “Sof’ly, sof’ly” Yardy is talking out of both sides of his mouth and people are surprised? Haba nah, that is politics for you. I wonder if such duplicity bodes well for his promise to leave office if the Tribunal finds that his election was fraudulent.

    I’m just curious….

    Nigeriancuriosity.blogspot.com

13. CareTaker | Dec 20, 2007 | Reply

    I’m not convinced that Yar’Adua was being “political” by his statement on AFRICOM after his meeting with the U.S president. The manner of the rebuttal reeks out an administration that realized they did not provide the right “sound bytes” and went all out to damage-control their mess.

14. Beauty | Dec 20, 2007 | Reply

    I do not share a lot of the concerns here because the focus is on the US as the big bad wolf that will burn Nigeria/Africa (Here is one they did earlier, Iraq). Partnership is about engagement and shared beliefs. Words like partnerships forgive most sins but the shortfall in our poor Yar’Adua who was genuinely overwhelmed at the White House could be a good thing after all. It may say weakness and loss of face to many but it is equally pleasing to see a normal non-egoistic, “I am a Nigerian born-to-rule” president.

    Who are/were the effective leaders? A key, perhaps the key to leadership is the effective communication of a story, Yar’Adua may/not have good advisers and his delivery may fall short of expectations. It is irrelevant because unlike super baba OBJ who did not change Nigeria, his legacy may yet tell a different story. The meek may yet inherit the earth by partnering with the devil himself.

    “Before you can inspire with emotion, you must be swamped with it yourself. Before you can move their tears, your own must flow. To convince them, you must yourself believe.” —Winston Churchill

15. CareTaker | Dec 20, 2007 | Reply

    Must we compare Yar’Adua to Obasanjo? We ought to be looking forward and pushing for higher standard.

    Below is some excerpts from Nigerian Tribune Newspaper [How Yar’Adua goofed on AFRICOM in US]:

    Meanwhile, a cold war is going on between officials of the Presidency and those of the Foreign Affairs Ministry over Yar’Adua’s visit, Empowered Newswire has reported.

    The problem is about the circumstances leading to President Yar’Adua’s statement last Thursday at the White House where he declared that Nigeria would partner with the US military command for Africa.

    US Embassy sources disclosed to Empowered Newswire that top presidency officials were shocked that Yar’Adua went into the White House meeting with Bush without clearly defined talking points.

    Presidency sources also said this loophole partly explained the presentation of the president when he and Bush briefly spoke to the press at the White House after the meeting.

    Bush did not say a word about AFRICOM, and diplomatic sources said even at the closed door meetings, it was the US Secretary of State, Condoleeza Rice and her assistant in charge of Africa, Jendayi Frazer, who discussed AFRICOM with Yar’Adua in some greater details.
    http://www.tribune.com.ng/20122007/news/news7.html

16. BRE | Dec 20, 2007 | Reply

    My understanding is that Mr. Yar’Adua is the elected President of the Republic of Nigeria. If that is so, then it is the President who sets the agenda and direction for Nigeria’s foreign policies and not officals at the (Nigerian) Foreign Affairs Ministry. In fact, if President Yar’Adua doesn’t like how certain “officials” in his government are doing their jobs, including those at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he has the power and the right to replace said officials promptly. Or not?

    If Nigerian President Yar’Adua sat down with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice AND with her SSA military affairs and defense expert Asst. Secretary of State for African Affairs Dr. Jendayi Frazer to discuss AFRICOM and US security concerns for Africa, then YES this was a life-changing moment for the man. Rice and Frazer is one of the toughest and most respected (feared) “tag teams” in the business. After a meeting with these two on serious global issues you will be made to “see the light”. I’m happy to hear that everyone got along just fine in Washington D.C.

    Let’s see how the new President of Nigeria handles the reality of AFRICOM with his critics and supporters back home and how he deals with the African national leaders and defense ministers who claim to be vehemently opposed to AFRICOM setting up a HQ in their respective country while at the same time trying to milk as much $$$ as possible out of Washington D.C. for their “own national agendas”.

    Word on the street is that South Africa’s President Mbeki may not be a problem much longer in regards to AFRICOM…or anything else having to do with SA foreign affairs. Jacob Zuma is the new ANC Big Man down under.

17. forevah | Dec 20, 2007 | Reply

    @Beauty. I have been tracking your comments about your undying love for this U.S Africom base. You are hiding behind your computer so it is difficult for anyone to know somewhat about your identity. 99.9% of Nigerians disapprove of this U.S base in Nigeria. I wonder if you are a Nigerian because your thinking and support for such a blasphemous U.S base in Nigeria is quite frightening. And if you are a Nigerian citizen then I ashamed of you. With all the history about how Africans have survived opression from the west; you still advocate for Nigeria to sell themselves again.

    Small Nigerian history for you:
    BRITISH NIGER COAST PROTECTORATE.
    British official intervention in this region had started in 1849, when, it had to protect British commercial intrests and to impose anti-slave-trade treaties then a consul “for the Bight of Biafra” was appointed. The treaties were signed in several of the coastal states including the peoples of (Old Calabar 1850, Itsekiri 1851, …). In 1885, British control remained in fact very loose and limited to the major trading regions, known as the Oil Rivers. After the Conference of Berlin of 1884 - 1885, in order to prevent expansion of other countries (France and Germany)in the region, British presence was formalised by the proclamation of a Protectorate of the Oil Rivers. The British administration still remained very limited and it was only in 1891 that London decided to straighten its authority over the region and even to expand it. By 1893 much of the coast had indeed been brought under British control and the name of the Protectorate was restyled Niger Coast Protectorate today know as the Niger Delta.

    Two words the U.S is constantly using to sell there command is interests and protect. These are the same words the British used to colonize Nigeria and to make us financially dependent on them. They said they came to stop slavery and Nigerians agreed to sign it which was good, but we did not know that they had other worst ideas. They declared themselves protectorates of our homes and merged the British southern protectorate with the British Northen protectorate knowing fully well there will be conflict. They expected Nigeria to have beeen destroyed by now, so that they would come and feast on our land, but World war II bankrupted the British which led to our independence. This link is about an article that Nigeria would collapse in 15 years by US intelligence. Now they want military base to achieve that feat. http://usafricaonline.com/ngrcollapse15.usintel.html

    If you “beauty” are a Nigerian now knowing this history then you are WICKED and HEARTLESS with full of greed!! If you are not a Nigerian then you are just one Gitmo lover (Guantanamo Bay U.S base lover) running your mouth and opinions on Nigerian affairs.

18. Beauty | Dec 21, 2007 | Reply

    @forevah - Thank you for adding another facet to my understanding of our history. I quite agree that using history as a guide/reference tool is important but fast fwd your small history to the 1970s, when oil prices rocketed, Nigeria looked set to become the shining example of a prosperous and democratic West African republic but perversely managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. Nigeria is an oil-rich Cinderella state that never quite made it to the ball. That has been the story and this is still the now.

    Nigeria what´s new? The disappearance of a Russian oil tanker in Nigerian custody in 2004 is a reason we need AFRICOM´s technology. Pls there could be more, also some 30,000 barrels of oil are lost to fuel thieves each day in our country with a semi-functional navy. How do we stop thousands of African migrants drowning trying to reach Europe each year?

    This is not just about Nigeria which is why I strongly object to your traitor label, and words like wicked, heartless & full of greed will not help educate me. “Be kind for everyone you meet is fighting a great battle” -Philo of Alexandria. Above all else, respect others.

19. Omotaylor | Dec 21, 2007 | Reply

    @Beauty, if AFRICOM does have a technology, wouldnt it be better for Africans to understudy this and model it for their own use as opposed to allowing American Soldiers on African soil, dictating, manipulating and Engineering what would be beneficial to America and not necessarily to Africa. I am aware that African leaders and political managers arent corrupt free but with the eyes of the world watching, with America keeping tabs on what is happening to something that originated from them, and more so, especially in Nigeria with the new trend of naming and shaming corrupt people, maybe, just maybe Africa can deliver without becoming surbonitates of America. For this is what it would all boil down too, taken the so called American interventions in other countries (oh yes IRAQ jumps to mind).

    I believe we are all sharing our opinions and thoughts on AFRICOM and of course we shall beg to differ on many ocassions, so I say sorry about forevah’s harsh words. Getting emotionally involved with something dear to heart does bring out the monster in us sometimes. I have been guilty of this in the past and I have come a long way with AFRICANLOFT in maintaining patience and tolerance. Thanks for your matured response.

20. forevah | Dec 21, 2007 | Reply

    @Beauty. YOU ARE NOT A NIGERIAN. That is why you failed completely to understand the point I was conveying. You are reading international news and putting your opinions up here in which you are entitled to. I can tell you have never been to Nigeria either. It is obvious. What you say about your exceptance of Africom in Nigeria does not matter. In the sixties, someone like you was pushing for the Nigerian-Anglo defence pact and failed miserably.

    Despite ceding some of Bakassi to Cameroun; it is not the first or second time that foreigners have wanted to station there troops close to or at the Niger Delta. We always said NO. We said NO yesterday, NO today and we say NO tomorrow. Note this, you are foreigner and I am from Delta state the Delta region. You will never know much about the future of the Niger Delta than me a Nigerian.

21. forevah | Dec 21, 2007 | Reply

    @Omotaylor. Ok, I apologize to beauty or who this person is. Beauty is entiled to his/her own opinons. I got emotional because I grew up there and I am from that region. I was experssiong the pain, poverty and surfferings of people in that part of Nigeria which is one of the worst in the country. A lot Nigerians do not know this, but Asaba, the capital of Delta state was the very first capital of Nigeria under the British. When you join the Nigerian Military, you will be taught a lot of things about Nigeria that you will not find in Western history.

    For almost 150 years that part of the country did not develop because of various attempts of foreigners trying to control that region. The bribes taken from Shell, Exxon-Mobil and other oil companies have contributed to this poverty stricken area. Including the covering up of oil spillages and so on.

    If you are not Nigerian, why comment strongly on something you do not know about? Again I repeat, Beauty is entiled to his/her own opinons. I do not hate the west, I love them because I live in the U.S. But when a few group of people are pursing there own agendas that will affect Nigeria in a very negative way in the long term; I will stand up against such things and let my voice be heard. We Nigerians are the only ones that can solve our problems, nobody can do it for us. It is Ok to get help, but we must do it with caution to avoid debt. We are prosecuting the former governor of Delta state for corruption and abuse of office. It is a small step we are climbing to hold our leaders accountable. I apologize to you, other Nigerians and who ever feels bad about my insults to beauty. My stance is NO US base in Nigeria.

22. Omotaylor | Dec 21, 2007 | Reply

    @forevah, God bless your gallant spirit. I echo your stance, and say another resounding big NO to the set up of AFRICOM, AMERICOM or any shambolic military base in Africa and Nigeria in particular. I sensed from the start that you were incensed because of your love and deep feelings for Nigeria and the Delta region but i sort of felt sorry for Beauty because he/she believed something good could come out of AFRICOM (talk of squeezing water from a dry rag), and h/she was trying to painstainkingly rationalise. H/She could well be an African or Nigerian or maybe not, but we can always argue out the folly in an argument without personal attacks and this is why I felt I needed to apologise to Beauty. I am sure h/she now understands and will continue to ENJOY AfricanLoft as a member/commentator etc.

    Ha African Loft you do bring out the best in us and we shall continue to fight then kiss and make up like good lovers.

    So we see how passionate many of us are about Nigeria and Africa and especially about issues that could make the common man suffer further (as if we/they have not suffered enough). It is only a wicked hen that would keep up breaking the eggs she has laid and eating it up. May Nigeria change o, in Jesus name. May the Delta Region witness peace and progress and may they return to their former glory. It is we Nigerians that can make good things happen in Nigeria and if we are not in a position of power, the least we can do is express ourselves.

    Forevah, be blessed. Beauty be blessed. Nigeria be doubly blessed like the prophet Elisha. Merry Xmas to you all my lovely folks once again.

    @Beauty, I was wondering if you could unmask a bit and let us know if you are African/Nigerian. Curiosity will not kill this cat called Omotaylor (oh is that a smile?) Good.

23. Omotaylor | Dec 21, 2007 | Reply

    My Beauty Forevah, I have a small gift for both of you, please click on the following links and enjoy:

    http://www.africanloft.com/category/tv/

    http://community.africanloft.com/kickapps/service/displayMediaPlayPage.kickAction?mediaId=10463&mediaType=BLOG&as=4392&b=

24. Omotaylor | Dec 21, 2007 | Reply

    Sorry, the first link is the general page, go to page 2 and click on the fourth which is I GO YARN BY ELDEE

25. sheddyovo | Jul 17, 2008 | Reply

    @omotaylor, Beauty & Forevah–trully, i say this without any form of duress that those comments i read in your site were exciting.
    never seen such exciting moments before. it makes me remember the old saying “we disagree to agree”.
    i must be quick to add a voice here that whether or not africom exists, depends on the powers that be- the leaders.

    if our leaders love their own kids and all members of their family, whatever happens to africom(whether or not it is born), will be what we shall expect. if you dont love your immediate family whom you see and know too well, how can yo love nigerians whom you dont know?

    the struggle in nigeria is all about these three things viz: love, trust and faithfulness; like the Bible says, and the greatest of these is LOVE.
    thank you omotaylor, beauty and forevah. my name is shadrach, abuja.

26. Omotaylor | Jul 23, 2008 | Reply

    Thanks to you Shadrach, your comments are encouraging

3 trackback(s)

1. From Military Blog Updates » On AFRICOM: Nigeria will Partner with US Military Command for Africa | Dec 14, 2007

2. From What Does Partnering with AFRICOM Mean? - AfricanLoft | Dec 17, 2007

3. From my thoughts on the law that bans tokunbo cars older than 8-years old « My Pen and My Paper | Jan 7, 2008

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