NAF/BARAKALLAHU LAND DISPUTE: MILITARY CLEARS AIR

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NAF/Barakallahu land dispute: Military clears air
From ABDULGAFAR ALABELEWE, Kaduna
Thursday, January 26, 2012

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has expressed dismay over allegation by the host community, Barakallahu, of forced eviction and demolition of the community’s houses and destruction of farmlands around the Base in Kaduna.

This is coming on the heels of Monday morning’s demonstration by hundreds of women who took over the major Kaduna-Zaria Expressway protesting against their forced eviction by the NAF from their ancestral home at a village behind Barakallahu, near Rigachikun, a satellite town in Kaduna. The women were challenging NAF authority who had already mobilised workers to the site to build perimeter fence around the occupied community’s residences, farmlands and graveyards.

Meanwhile, in an interactive forum with newsmen at the Air Force Base in Kaduna yesterday, the Commander of 335 Base Service Group, Air Commodore Musbau Soladoye said NAF was not a tyrant organisation and had no intention to destroy anybody’s structure. He wondered why the complaint by the community, which, according to him, had enjoyed cordial relationship with NAF for decades, even after earlier extensive discussions with leadership of the host community over the issue.

“We rely on those people for the maintenance of security and they have been our neighbours with many of their children who grew up with us. I want to believe that people are inciting the residents against the Air Force because those people thrive on making trouble and causing public unrest,” Soladoye opined.

He, however, lamented that the community had continued to encroach on the NAF territory, saying “that is why the government and the traditional institutions in the state, in their continued resolve towards finding a lasting solution to the problem, convened a meeting with representatives of government, representatives of the Emir of Zazzau, Dr. Shehu Idris and the three leaders of Barakallahu, including the disputed leader of Ungwan Waziri, Samaila Waziri, in my office on Monday where an agreement was reached.”

According to the commander, “it was agreed that the demarcation exercise should continue and to stop demarcation up to places we do not have residential buildings. The meeting also resolved that the leadership of Barakallahu would be held responsible for any security breach in the area because they have been adequately consulted and what the NAF is doing is in line with what the government has put in place. The fourth agreement is that we are doing the demarcation in line with 2008 government agreement.”

BOKO HARAM: FEC SEEKS DIVINE INTERVENTION

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Boko Haram: FEC seeks divine intervention
From JULIANA TAIWO-OBALONYE, Abuja
Thursday, January 26, 2012

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) opened yesterday with prayers for divine intervention in the activities of the Islamist sect, Boko Haram. The council specifically prayed God not only to expose and disgrace the perpetrators of the dastardly act but to grant the nation peace and President Goodluck Jonathan the wisdom to govern at this time.

At the end of its meeting the FEC approved the procurement of two 45 seater fast-moving Passenger Ferries (Catamaran) by the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) to improve water transportation in the country. The procurement, awarded in favour of Messrs Karflex Fisheries Limited, will cost the government N168.45 million, inclusive of taxes with a delivery period of six months.

Addressing State House correspondents, the Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, alongside his colleagues in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Sen. Bala Mohammed, Science and Technology, Professor Ita Ewa, Transport, Umar Idris and Interior Abba Morro, said “the provision of the ferries will promote waterways transportation, boost economic activities and reduce pressure on other modes such as road transportation.

“The project will directly create 23 job opportunities for professionals and non-professionals during the operation of the ferries while many job opportunities will be created indirectly when the ferries are fully operational”. “Council took a major step to make operational the lower River Niger which dredging has been completed. As you all known since the 1960s, every administration in Nigeria had planned to dredge the lower Niger to faciltate the movement of goods and persons through the lower Niger up to the north of the country. But this plans had remained in the pipeline until the advent of the Yar’Adua/Goodluck Administration.

The contract for the dredging of the Niger was awarded under the Yar’Aduna administration. In the last two years, the dredging of the Niger has been completed. What is going on right now is the maintenance dredging. Also the inner waterway ports have been virtually completed, some are set for commissioning.

“So in order not to allow the Niger to remain fallow after dredging, Council approved the purchase of two fast moving ferries to ply the Niger right from Ontisha-Warri-Lokoja, carrying passengers. These farries would be jointly managed by government and the private sector and part of government efforts to bring down the cost of transportation in the country. Only two weeks ago, the President launched a mass transist project involves the supply of long buses at free interest rate. He had also hinted the utilization of the use of waterways to bring down the closet of transportation.

“The capacity of the ferries is 45 seater the cost of N168.4 million.

MAKE 2ND NIGER BRIDGE OUR FIRST PALLIATIVE, JDPC TELLS JONATHAN

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Make 2nd Niger Bridge our first palliative, JDPC tells Jonathan
From ALOYSIUS ATTAH, Onitsha
Thursday, January 26, 2012

The Justice Development and Peace Commission (JDPC), Onitsha Catholic Archdiocese, has appealed to the Federal Government to muster courage and construct the Second Niger Bridge from the proceeds of the oil subsidy removal.

Making the call in Onitsha, the Archdiocesan JDPC Coordinator, Rev. Martin Onukuba, said the reactions of angry Nigerians on the subsidy removal policy of the government was as a result of the betrayal of trust by successive governments in Nigeria in the provision of basic infrastructure and making life meaningful for the citizens He also regretted that the construction of the Second Nigeria Bridge had been a campaign gimmick by political office holders in the past while the present Niger Bridge had been over burdened. He therefore called on Mr. President to build and consolidate trust among Nigerians by taking firm decisions and matching words with action.

“The much talked about Second Nigeria Bridge has been a recurring issue for so many years and we don’t know whom to trust again. The most scandalous in the whole thing was the revelation that the contract was never signed in the first place even when a former president once came to flag off the project. This has been a promise and since we’ve heard it over and over again, we urge the government to now actualize the project. Let this be our first benefit from the Subsidy Reinvestment Empowerment Programme.
“While we appreciate government’s plan to bring back railways, we also should think about this bridge first because if this is done, the people of South-east and Nigerians will give more support to government programmes.”

Also reflecting on the lessons learnt from the protest over subsidy removal, the cleric said it had shown that Nigerians were now more conscious of their rights and the power of their voices in a democracy. He, therefore, advised political office holders to perform because their mandate renewal during elections henceforth would be determined by their output while in office.

TRIBUTE TO OJUKWU

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Tribute to Ojukwu
By Felix Elemchukwu Onuoha
Thursday, January 26, 2012

Late Ojukwu

Historically, the world, at one time or the other, receives from God, as gifts, talented great men and women destined to render critical services to man. The births and lives of these men and women are severally shrouded by mysteries and their bodies spiritually fortified to carry out difficult divine tasks. Their coming into the world usually provokes both Satan and man to challenge their mission.

They come in different forms with different messages; suffer great oppositions, rejections and confrontations. They preach and do not less of their vocations, and in turn are hated. Although many of them died half their journeys, their missions had never been uncompleted. Many are of lowly birth while few are of noble birth, but both show resemblance of greatness in contrast.

Like dispersal seeds, they are scatted across the world to places of their divine mandates as liberators, reformists, redeemers, leaders, scientists etc according to God’s divine will for man. It was for this same reason that General Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu was sent to the Igbos in Nigeria to defend and liberate them from extinction. Born on the 4th November, 1933, into the family of Sir Philip Odumegwu Ojukwu, the first Nigerian millionaire, from Nnewi in Anambra State of Nigeria, he had his early education in Nigeria, Britain and after graduation, joined the Nigeria army against his wealthy father’s will.

When he joined the army, no one knew why and what God wanted to do with him for his great race, until 1966. A nobleman of great affluence, but yet humbler than most men. To me, he was one of the amazing men ever lived. A man who laid his life and wealth to save his entire race from programmed decimation.

He was a genius in many areas than most men, and was also an astonishing soldier and leader. His prognostications were thirty years ahead of their time. His speeches were awe-inspiring and his remarkable ideas depicted great mind at work. His talent was amazing such as his drive was phenomenal. A man so fashioned by God and lavishly supplied with such influence and grace, charisma and ability that wherever he went or turned, each of his actions was so divine that he left behind all other men and clearly made himself known as a genius  endowed by God to achieve a divine mandate for his race.

The Igbos saw great passion in Gen. Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, who demonstrated great practical love for them which has never been sufficiently noticed and praised. And I hope that this  would be done at his burial and thereafter. A man endowed with inestimable grace and infinite wisdom in every action and capacity so fit and so vast that wherever his mind turned to difficult tasks, he resolved them completely with ease. His nobility and affluence joined with proficiency, and sincere spirit and bravery were steadily stately and liberal.

His fame and name spread so widely that the least of his race holds him in a high esteem even onto his death and thereafter. To the Igbos, he seemed indispensable. To others that are not Igbos, his death has brought an end to his uncompleted divine mandate. But like Moses, the God that anointed him will choose his own Aaron to complete his mission.

This great man, a sage and warrior, is dead at a time we need him most. His death is painfully obvious and lamentable. Yet, he has done his best. As a soldier, he rose above others. As a leader of Biafra, he was a hero. And if he had been a businessman, he would have been a guru. If he had been an engineer, optician, an architect, a manufacturer or studied science, he would have been a master. If he had studied mathematics, he would have been greater than the great Prof. Chike Obi. As a historian, he was admired by his peers and protégés and all professionals that have deliberated on his life.

A Renaissance and Universal man; the Ikemba Nnewi, Eze di Ora mma of Igboland and Eze Igbo gburugburu  (The grand commander of Igbo race).  Ikemba,  who will speak for us again? Or whose face would be as beard or as fierce as yours in tackling Igbo matters again? If you have not died, your words and warnings would have jittered the spineless boko haramists and
their sponsors to a stop. If you were alive, the Igbos killed in Madalla, Niger State,  and other parts of Northern Nigerian by Boko Haram would  have received much government attention and caused more street protests than the fuel subsidy withdraw.

From the foregoing, it is not mistaken if the Igbos and the world revere and idolize him. As we mourn him, we should reflect on the man ‘Emeka Ojukwu’, what he represented, stood for, his believes and what he preached. We should also reflect on his life, ideas and exploits. It is hoped that in doing so, his death and burial would unravel the untold truth about this great son of Ndigbo and offer other Nigerians a new vista to see and say the truth no matter which section of Nigeria a person comes from. What Ojukwu felt, what he taught and what he did were all the same. His silence worried his foes and portends difficult riddles.  Before now, you, Ojukwu, were like an iceberg that there is much more to you than meet the eye. Except for the Igbos, only about 15 percent of you were noticeable. Your real Emeka Ojukwu and your character was below, shrouded.  That was why many Nigerians knew you not and misunderstood you.

Ikemba, your vociferous stance on Igbo issues, fierce eyes and formidable face combine with compelling and flawless pronouncements on Igbo positions in Nigeria and beyond would certainly be missed.  On the other hand, the Igbos should not only give him the best state burial, but immortalize him much that generations yet unborn would see and say, ‘a shepherd and warrior has once been born unto the Igbos. They should also make the 26th of November of every year, a public holiday to commemorate his death.

A documentary on him (both in print (books) and electronic (video) should be made for our children to read and emulate his sterling quality and selfless life. His dream(s) should be kept alive. The Igbos, wherever they may be, should close their businesses and offices and accord this great son of ours the last respect come March 4,2012, he would be buried. For to whom more is given, much is expected. Ikemba, we love you, but God loves you most. Adieu, our beloved brother and leader!.

Onuoha writes from Abuja

JONATHAN FIRES IGP, ABUBAKAR STEPS IN

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Jonathan fires IGP, Abubakar steps in
On January 26, 2012 ·

By Clifford Ndujihe, Kingsley Omonobi & Daniel Idonor
LAGOS — EMBATTLED Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mr. Hafiz Ringim has been fired by President Goodluck Jonathan.

The former police boss, who is due for retirement in March is to proceed on terminal leave with effect from yesterday, January 25, 2012, according to a statement by President Jonathan’s Media Spokesman, Dr. Reuben Abati.

In his stead, the President approved  the appointment of Mr. Mohammed Dikko. Abubakar as Acting Inspector General of Police “as a first step towards the comprehensive reorganization and repositioning of the Nigeria Police Force.”

Before his elevation as IGP, Abubakar was Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 12 Headquarters in Bauchi. Born on May 5, 1958, Mr. Abubakar  enlisted in the Nigeria Police Force on July 30, 1979.

RINGIM: Fired and ABUBAKAR: Ready to serve

To pave the way for Abubakar, six Deputy Inspectors General of Police (DIG) were retired with immediate effect. The retired DIGs are  Mrs. Ivy Uche Okoronkwo, DIG POL 2i/c Force Headquarters, Abuja; Mr. Azubuko J. Udah, DIG Administration (“A” Dept); Mr. Sardauna Abubukar, DIG Training (“E” Dept.); Mr. Audu Abubakar, DIG Operations (“B” Dept); Mr. Saleh Abubakar, DIG Works (“C” Dept.) and Mr. Mohammed A. Yesufu, DIG Planning and Info-Tech (“F” Dept.).

The President also established a Special Committee headed by the Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Mr. Parry Osayande to oversee the urgent reorganization of the Nigeria Police Force.

President sets up panel

Other members of the nine-man panel are: Mr. Casimir T. Akagbosu, AIG (rtd.); Mr. Bashir A. Albasu, AIG (rtd.); Major Gen. S.N. Chikwe ( rtd), Prof. S.D. Mukoro, Dr. Fabian Ajogwu (SAN), Aisha Larai Tukur, Solicitor General of the Federation and  Permanent Secretary, SSO, Office of the SGF, who will serve as the secretary to the committee.

Specifically, the panel was charged to:

*To identify the challenges and factors militating against effective performance in the Nigeria Police Force and make recommendations for addressing the challenges.

*To examine the scope and standard of training and other personnel development activities in the Police to determine their adequacy or otherwise.

*To determine the general and specific causes of the collapse of public confidence in the police and recommend ways of restoring public trust in the institution.

*To examine records of performance of Officers and Men of the Nigeria Police Force with a view to identifying those that can no longer fit into the system due to declining productivity,  age, indiscipline, corruption and/or disloyalty;

*To make any other recommendations for the improvement of the Nigeria Police Force.

The committee’s recommendations shall be implemented along with those by previous committees set up by Government on the reform of the Nigeria Police Force.

Ringim’s rigorous  tenure

Since his appointment as the 15th IGP on  September 8, 2010,  Ringim  faced stiff challenges, with little or no success. His biggest problem was the dreaded Boko haram Islamic Sect, whose murderous activities have claimed over 1000 persons since 2009. Ceaselessly, Boko Haram attacked police stations including Police Headquarters, Abuja, Army barracks, churches and markets, etc at will even after giving notices.

Ringim’s lacklustre tenure in tackling Boko Haram’s  terrorist activities was worsened by the escape of Boko Haram kingpin, Alhaji Kabiru Umar, alias Sokoto, from Police custody last week. President Jonathan had handed him a 24-hour ultimatum to produce Umar or be sacked. He could not produce the escapee.

And matters were worsened with the series of bomb blasts and gun duel in Kano since last Friday, which has claimed over 211 persons including security agents.

President Jonathan who was billed to attend a World Economic Summit in Davos, Switzerland on Tuesday had to cancel the trip at the last minute to conclude serial security briefings to allegedly shop for Ringim’s successor.

Some Boko Haram attacks and mayhem under Ringim

Some of the prominent icidences of attack under the tenure of former IG, Hafiz Ringim included:

* December 2010: At least 80 people were killed in the Dec. 24, 2010 bombings as well as in clashes two days later between Muslim and Christian youths in Jos.

* January 2011: Human Rights Watch said more than 200 people were killed in violence over preceding month, with many hacked to death or burnt alive in attacks on villages, and reprisal killings in Plateau State.

* August -September 2011: At least 70 people were killed in clashes in central Plateau State since beginning of August. Cycle of violence started when Christian youths attacked Muslims as they gathered to celebrate end of Ramadan in Jos.

* Nov. 2011: At least 90 people killed in Northeast city of Damaturu when Boko Haram bombed churches, mosques and police stations.

* December 2011: 44 persons were killed on Christmas day in Madalla when Boko Haram bombed a Catholic church.

* January 5, 2012: Sect killed 8 at Deeper Life Church, Gombe:

January 5 and 6 2012: Boko Haram unleashed a wave of bloody attacks killing 28 people and wounding  many others in Gombe and Mubi, Adamawa State.

* January 20: Bomb attacks and gun battles in, Kano, killed 186 people.

The Foundation for African Leadership in Business

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Growing Africa from Within

Freidrich Nietzsche wrote: ‘What really raises one’s indignation against suffering is not suffering intrinsically, but the senselessness of suffering’ Sadly, this is the reality of many Africans. The continent is strangulated not only by the reality of her present circumstances but by the absence of role models and good leadership. The need to correct this inadequacy is the purpose of The Foundation for African Leadership in Business (ALB).

The Foundation for African Leadership in Business (ALB) creates business leaders by ensuring that the need of promising students to fund their management education is met. The Foundation also uses business as a platform to raise leaders committed to the more important project of building up Africa and Africans.

Why Africa? Despite being credited as the cradle of civilization, and also being the 2nd most populated and the most natural resource-rich continent on the planet, Africa’s claim of the world’s wealth in terms of GDP is a paltry 2%. This is clearly reflected in the number of African students that pursue advanced courses in management in comparison to students from other continents. The founding members of the foundation, who are four MBA graduates from three continents, chose to focus on Africa because “Africa needs it more”.

Only with the active participation of Africans can Africa be developed in a consistent and sustainable way. This is why the core of the ALB Foundation is to push to the forefront not only Africans who show the requisite acumen for business management, but those who have a commitment to return to Africa with their newly acquired perspectives. Congratulations to the lucky recipients of the 2011 ALB scholarship, Andrew Tarawali from Sierra Leone and Funmilayo Odushola from Nigeria.

 

Peace process, protection focus of JSR Gambari’s visit to Darfur’s regions

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Peace process, protection focus of JSR Gambari’s visit to Darfur’s regions

EL FASHER (DARFUR), Sudan, January 26, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Listening to the concerns of local stakeholders across Darfur and engaging them in the peace process was the focus of African Union – United Nations Joint Special Representative (JSR) Ibrahim Gambari over the past week.

The JSR, who travelled to localities in North, Central and South Darfur, from 19 to 23 January 2012, met with traditional leaders, representatives of internally displaced persons (IDPs), and local authorities.

The aim of the visits was to reaffirm UNAMID’s continued commitment to implement its core mandate and support for the peace process. The JSR received comments from the local population about their priorities, especially in the areas of security; provision of health and education facilities; means of livelihood; and, recovery and development.

On the first of his visits, JSR Gambari met with the leadership of the Kassab and Fataborno IDP camps in Kutum, North Darfur. Notable among the primary concerns of the residents were the cases of rape in and around the camp. In addressing the issue, the JSR vowed that he would raise the matter with the local authorities and that troops would be instructed to increase the number of night patrols.

In the new state of Central Darfur, the UNAMID chief interacted with IDP leaders along the Zalingei corridor. He held discussions with the combined representatives of Hassa Hissa and Hamediya camps. Most notably the youths, focussed largely on the need to bring the non-signatories on-board to join the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur (DDPD) and the need to address their specific concerns.

Finally in Greida, the JSR interacted with the residents of Donki Abyei camp, where he stressed that security would remain UNAMID’s highest priority, noting that the Mission would continue to maintain a robust posture in protecting civilians. He emphasized that the DDPD would be a step in the right direction and that he would use his position as acting Joint Chief Mediator to encourage others to join in the move for peace.

In addition to meeting with IDPs, the JSR made use of his visits by holding constructive meetings with local authorities and civil society representatives. Several commissioners expressed appreciation to UNAMID and noted the need to implement more developmental projects in the area.

The overriding theme for the JSR’s visits was to convey the need for peace in Darfur. “This is a cooperative effort. It’s about making peace for the good of all. This is the only way forward,” Mr. Gambari said in summing up the visits.

SOURCE 

United Nations – African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID)

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IMF Concludes Staff Visit to Guinea-Bissau

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IMF Concludes Staff Visit to Guinea-Bissau

BISSAU, Guinea Bissau, January 26, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ — An International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission led by Mr. Paulo Drummond visited Guinea-Bissau during January 18-24, 2012. The mission met with Prime Minister Carlos Gomes Junior, Minister of Finance José Mario Vaz, Minister of Economy Helena Embaló, as well as development partners. At the conclusion of the visit, the mission issued the following statement.

“The mission welcomes the authorities’ renewed commitment to the economic program supported by the IMF’s Extended Credit Facility (ECF) arrangement. The mission is also encouraged by the prospects of r support to the government by the international community. The country is now preparing for presidential and legislative elections this year. Economic stability and development will hinge on a peaceful transition in the period ahead.

“Economic performance has been satisfactory. Preliminary data through December 2011 suggests the government’s economic program is on track. Economic reforms have continued to advance in the areas of public financial management, tax administration, and debt management. The full unification of the government payroll system is now expected to be completed in the coming months, rounding up a long process of reform that should serve the country well.

“The IMF will continue to play its role as a partner of Guinea-Bissau. Decisive implementation of the ECF-supported program will put public finances on a stronger footing, can help catalyze much-needed budget support, and should pave the way for sustainable growth. A mission will return to Bissau in the Spring to assess the economic situation and conduct the fourth review under the ECF.”

SOURCE 

International Monetary Fund (IMF)

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LEADERS: SOME DON’T HAVE ‘EM

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Leaders: Some don’t have ‘em
By Uche Atuma
Thursday, January 26, 2012

It is a well-known fact that government, and indeed governance exists to serve the general mass of those associated under it – at least that is the picture in most sane societies. Little wonder why Thomas Jefferson asserted that “governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.” Succint, but quite instructive.
Government come in different forms.

But, it has been proven the world over that the best means of governing a people is by creating a pedestal which anchors the institution and tenets of governance on the sacrosanctity of the will of the governed. This is democracy! And it is the practice in most civilised nations. Fortunately for us as a people, this is what we have also elected to adopt as a style of governance.

Albeit, ours has been anything but rosy. And we have been sailing in this rickety ship in our turbulent waters – somewhat – since our democratic adventure commenced some twelve years ago. Unfortunately, however, what we have here, willy-nilly – with the benefit hindsight – has fallen short of what obtains in organised societies. Peradventure, ours is far from ‘participatory democracy’
The tenets of participatory democracy presupposes that governance is balanced on a scale of leadership and, by implication, followership.

Even a cursory analysis of the term leadership purveys an apparently resplendent revelation of the fact that it is neither dictatorial nor hegemonic. Infact, its outpouring should elicit humility, with an appreciable measure of docility to its followership. With every sense of responsibility, it is pertinent to postulate that this has been alien to us here. Prior to this time – the last couple of days that is – the country had been grappling with myriads of socio-economic, nay political maladies, chief of which has been the security threats posed by a diminutive group of ‘faceless’ religious sect – Boko Haram.

Alas! Then came the ‘killer-punch’ to send an already staggering populace to the canvas; the subsidy on premium motor spirit (pms) or fuel was removed on the first day of the new year. With the announcement and immediate implementation of this quasi insidious policy came its attendant outcry, which, consequently heralded all manner of debates, postulations, calculations and what have you. The resultant upheavals and protests were somewhat tumultuous, thus over-heating an already tensed polity.

Expectedly, quite a handful of government officials came out strongly in defence of this policy and to advocate its perceived merits and advantages. All sorts of figures and statistics were bandied around by these exponents to wheedle and whip Nigerians into line.
Now, having listened and digested most of the debates and sweet speeches for and against the removal of the subsidy on fuel, some deductions easily spring up, chief of which is that a large percentage of Nigerians are not really aversed to the new policy. However, the crux of the matter was the seemingly insensitivity of their ‘leaders’ to their pains hitherto the new arrangement; and government’s inability to carry them along. Rightly so!

The events of the last few days should act as a pointer to those in various positions of authority that Nigerians have woken up to their responsibilities. They no longer wish to be mere docile followers. They now realise that they are stakeholders in this project called Nigeria. They have chosen to be on the qui vive!

Atuma is on the staff of The Sun .

Canada / Baird Welcomes Egyptian Blogger’s Release

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Canada / Baird Welcomes Egyptian Blogger’s Release

OTTAWA, Canada, January 26, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird today issued the following statement on recent developments in Egypt:

“Canada welcomes the long-awaited announcement of the release of Egyptian blogger Maikel Nabil.

“Statements such as the ones he posted online last year are part of everyday discourse in functioning democracies.

“Social media users like Mr. Nabil played an important role—at great personal risk—in Egypt’s revolution of last year. His release is an encouraging sign as Egypt continues on its path toward democracy.

“Canada continues to support the ongoing democratic transition in Egypt, and urges those writing the country’s new constitution to safeguard the principles of freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law for all Egyptians.”

SOURCE 

Canada – Ministry of Foreign Affairs

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