The government of Chile demonstrated that it values its citizens no matter how lowly placed. The Nigerian government may not worry itself sick about an incident involving only 33 persons out of 150 million.
Rwandan genocide could have been stopped with as few as 5,000 troops, saving at least 300,000 African lives. Not only did Clinton refuse to, he blocked other countries and the United Nations from rescue efforts.
Humanitarian Operation of Sri Lanka - Factual AnalysisNalin Gunawardana
This document provides a factual analysis of the humanitarian operation conducted by the Government of Sri Lanka from July 2006 to May 2009 to defeat the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). It summarizes the background of the LTTE, including its history of atrocities against civilians and rejection of peace negotiations. It describes the size and capabilities of the LTTE fighting forces. It details the government's efforts to negotiate a settlement and the LTTE's behavior during ceasefires. The document outlines the military operations against the LTTE in the East and Wanni, the rescue of civilians, and humanitarian assistance provided. It concludes that the government made extensive efforts to minimize civilian casualties while defeating a ruthless enemy that endangered
This document outlines a 6-day lesson plan on teaching about the Rwandan genocide. Day 2 provides background on the origins of the genocide, including how Belgian colonialism exacerbated tensions between the Hutu and Tutsi ethnic groups by privileging Tutsis. It discusses the plane crash that killed Rwanda's president in 1994, fueling revenge killings. Day 4 discusses the limited response of the UN despite its purpose to prevent threats to international peace. Statistics are provided on the approximate 800,000 Tutsi and moderate Hutus killed by Hutu militias over 100 days. The aftermath involved Hutu refugees and attempts at reconciliation are discussed for Days 5 and 6.
After WWII, the world saw major geopolitical changes with the end of imperialism and colonialism as new independent nations emerged across Asia and Africa. Key events included the dissolution of colonial empires and creation of over 100 new countries, as nationalist movements led to the decline of European political and economic control over their former territories.
1. This document discusses the history of immigration to the United States from the colonial period through modern times. It outlines the major periods of immigration and the national origins of immigrants during each era.
2. Key periods included the colonial period with English immigrants, the mid-19th century with northern Europeans, the early 20th century with southern and eastern Europeans, and post-1965 with Latin Americans and Asians.
3. Immigration policy has changed over time, becoming more restrictive in the 1920s and 30s and more permissive after the 1965 Hart-Cellar Act abolished national quotas. Legal immigration has steadily increased since the 1960s.
Maria Corazon "Cory" Aquino was the first female president of the Philippines. She served from 1986 to 1992 after leading the People Power Revolution that ousted Ferdinand Marcos from power. Some of her accomplishments included establishing a new democratic constitution, instituting agrarian reform, and decentralizing government powers to local levels. Her presidency faced numerous coup attempts and natural disasters, including the 1990 Luzon earthquake and 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo.
Rwandan genocide could have been stopped with as few as 5,000 troops, saving at least 300,000 African lives. Not only did Clinton refuse to, he blocked other countries and the United Nations from rescue efforts.
Humanitarian Operation of Sri Lanka - Factual AnalysisNalin Gunawardana
This document provides a factual analysis of the humanitarian operation conducted by the Government of Sri Lanka from July 2006 to May 2009 to defeat the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). It summarizes the background of the LTTE, including its history of atrocities against civilians and rejection of peace negotiations. It describes the size and capabilities of the LTTE fighting forces. It details the government's efforts to negotiate a settlement and the LTTE's behavior during ceasefires. The document outlines the military operations against the LTTE in the East and Wanni, the rescue of civilians, and humanitarian assistance provided. It concludes that the government made extensive efforts to minimize civilian casualties while defeating a ruthless enemy that endangered
This document outlines a 6-day lesson plan on teaching about the Rwandan genocide. Day 2 provides background on the origins of the genocide, including how Belgian colonialism exacerbated tensions between the Hutu and Tutsi ethnic groups by privileging Tutsis. It discusses the plane crash that killed Rwanda's president in 1994, fueling revenge killings. Day 4 discusses the limited response of the UN despite its purpose to prevent threats to international peace. Statistics are provided on the approximate 800,000 Tutsi and moderate Hutus killed by Hutu militias over 100 days. The aftermath involved Hutu refugees and attempts at reconciliation are discussed for Days 5 and 6.
After WWII, the world saw major geopolitical changes with the end of imperialism and colonialism as new independent nations emerged across Asia and Africa. Key events included the dissolution of colonial empires and creation of over 100 new countries, as nationalist movements led to the decline of European political and economic control over their former territories.
1. This document discusses the history of immigration to the United States from the colonial period through modern times. It outlines the major periods of immigration and the national origins of immigrants during each era.
2. Key periods included the colonial period with English immigrants, the mid-19th century with northern Europeans, the early 20th century with southern and eastern Europeans, and post-1965 with Latin Americans and Asians.
3. Immigration policy has changed over time, becoming more restrictive in the 1920s and 30s and more permissive after the 1965 Hart-Cellar Act abolished national quotas. Legal immigration has steadily increased since the 1960s.
Maria Corazon "Cory" Aquino was the first female president of the Philippines. She served from 1986 to 1992 after leading the People Power Revolution that ousted Ferdinand Marcos from power. Some of her accomplishments included establishing a new democratic constitution, instituting agrarian reform, and decentralizing government powers to local levels. Her presidency faced numerous coup attempts and natural disasters, including the 1990 Luzon earthquake and 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo.
Rutger Beckers - The Application Store at Ring RingWalravens
A company founded by mobile industry pioneers has created a new mobile billing platform called TAPP to boost interactivity between brands and audiences via mobile devices. TAPP allows users to select favorite brands and interact with them through polls, competitions, comments and more, while generating more revenue for brands. The company aims to launch TAPP in Europe by the fourth quarter of 2010 so major brands can start interacting with audiences on this new mobile application platform.
Cyclops is a leading provider of automotive navigation content such as speed camera alerts, which 87% of customers consider a must-have feature. Their locally-based survey teams professionally verify all photo content to ensure accuracy. Partnering with Cyclops can deliver high-value content and generate additional revenue for automotive navigation applications through their superior in-car experience and most accurate, reliable speed camera alerts.
TULI eServices is a US and India based software development company that specializes in web, mobile, and desktop applications. They follow an agile development process that includes monthly iterations, continuous client interaction, and quality assurance testing. TULI has expertise in various programming languages, databases, frameworks, and design tools. Their services include development, testing, maintenance, and digital marketing.
Gory's Cafe aims to be the top cafe in the city known for quality food and excellent customer service. To achieve this, their strategy focuses on hiring and training talented chefs to create delicious and innovative menu items. It also focuses on training all staff to provide friendly, efficient service so customers feel welcomed and want to return.
The document discusses how creativity and independent thinking have become commodified and marketed, especially to hipsters and the creative class. It references Richard Florida's book on the creative class and defines hipsters as valuing independence, counter-culture, and intelligence while rejecting mainstream culture. Several cities like Denver and New York are mentioned as centers of creativity and hipster culture.
International literacy day and my communityNdudi Osakwe
Brought home to my community in Ndokwa West Local Government Area, an oil bearing community in Delta State, International Literacy Day means more than being able to read, write and count. Of course there are lots of people that can do all that. What it should mean in my community is empowerment.
Af DB on how nigeria can achieve vision 20Ndudi Osakwe
According to the President, African Development Bank (AfDB), three things critical to Nigeria achieving its vision 20:2020 include infrastructural development, increased agricultural production and improved fiscal policy.
Nigeria marks its 50th anniversary of independence from British rule. While the country has endured challenges like military rule and civil war, there is reason to celebrate its progress toward democracy. However, Nigeria has not achieved the promise expected at independence, as countries like Malaysia and India that were peers have now surpassed Nigeria economically and developmentally. Nigeria continues to face major problems like poor infrastructure, healthcare, education, corruption, insecurity, and a lack of vision from its leadership despite its human and natural resources. The key issue is Nigeria's political system which lacks accountability and nourishes a bloated bureaucracy, parasites, and selfish elites over serving the people.
Benin republic cross border biz (slideshare)Ndudi Osakwe
Celebration of the Jubilee year of political independence is in the air for many African countries. Benin has celebrated hers and Nigeria’s is in the horizon as it celebrates her independence from Britain this October.
The Jubilee Year of political independence provides a basis for stock taking on how well the peoples of Benin and Nigeria have fared and the way forward for the two countries with somewhat common heritage but for the partition.
This involves the envisioning of programs that would enhance connectivity, improving competitiveness and the promotion of a greater sense of community.
That Nigeria’s economy would be in a dire strait in 2009 is no longer news; not with the fall in the price of petrol in the international market and the much talked about and already pinching global economic meltdown.
We have identified seven sectors that foreign investors should consider putting their money even as Merrill Lynch endorsed Nigeria as one of the safest countries for foreign investment in the entire world.
My Companion magazine highlights opportunities for investment and trade in West Africa especially Nigeria and countries in the Co-Prosperity Alliance Zone (COPAZ) namely Nigeria, Benin, Togo and Ghana. Other ECOWAS countries are equally looked at for economic and investment opportunities.
ग्रेटर मुंबई के नगर आयुक्त को एक खुले पत्र में याचिका दायर कर 540 से अधिक मुंबईकरों ने सभी अवैध और अस्थिर होर्डिंग्स, साइनबोर्ड और इलेक्ट्रिक साइनेज को तत्काल हटाने और 13 मई, 2024 की शाम को घाटकोपर में अवैध होर्डिंग के गिरने की विनाशकारी घटना के बाद अपराधियों के खिलाफ सख्त कार्रवाई की मांग की है, जिसमें 17 लोगों की जान चली गई और कई निर्दोष लोग गंभीर रूप से घायल हो गए।
#WenguiGuo#WashingtonFarm Guo Wengui Wolf son ambition exposed to open a far...rittaajmal71
Since fleeing to the United States in 2014, Guo Wengui has founded a number of projects in the United States, such as GTV Media Group, GTV private equity, farm loan project, G Club Operations Co., LTD., and Himalaya Exchange.
12062024_First India Newspaper Jaipur.pdfFIRST INDIA
Find Latest India News and Breaking News these days from India on Politics, Business, Entertainment, Technology, Sports, Lifestyle and Coronavirus News in India and the world over that you can't miss. For real time update Visit our social media handle. Read First India NewsPaper in your morning replace. Visit First India.
CLICK:- https://firstindia.co.in/
#First_India_NewsPaper
17062024_First India Newspaper Jaipur.pdfFIRST INDIA
Find Latest India News and Breaking News these days from India on Politics, Business, Entertainment, Technology, Sports, Lifestyle and Coronavirus News in India and the world over that you can't miss. For real time update Visit our social media handle. Read First India NewsPaper in your morning replace. Visit First India.
CLICK:- https://firstindia.co.in/
#First_India_NewsPaper
Christian persecution in Islamic countries has intensified, with alarming incidents of violence, discrimination, and intolerance. This article highlights recent attacks in Nigeria, Pakistan, Egypt, Iran, and Iraq, exposing the multifaceted challenges faced by Christian communities. Despite the severity of these atrocities, the Western world's response remains muted due to political, economic, and social considerations. The urgent need for international intervention is underscored, emphasizing that without substantial support, the future of Christianity in these regions is at grave risk.
https://ecspe.org/the-rise-of-christian-persecution-in-islamic-countries/
13062024_First India Newspaper Jaipur.pdfFIRST INDIA
Find Latest India News and Breaking News these days from India on Politics, Business, Entertainment, Technology, Sports, Lifestyle and Coronavirus News in India and the world over that you can't miss. For real time update Visit our social media handle. Read First India NewsPaper in your morning replace. Visit First India.
CLICK:- https://firstindia.co.in/
#First_India_NewsPaper
Shark Tank Jargon | Operational ProfitabilityTheUnitedIndian
Don't let fancy business words confuse you! This blog is your cheat sheet to understanding the Shark Tank Jargon. We'll translate all the confusing terms like "valuation" (how much the company is worth) and "royalty" (a fee for using someone's idea). You'll be swimming with the Sharks like a pro in no time!
Rutger Beckers - The Application Store at Ring RingWalravens
A company founded by mobile industry pioneers has created a new mobile billing platform called TAPP to boost interactivity between brands and audiences via mobile devices. TAPP allows users to select favorite brands and interact with them through polls, competitions, comments and more, while generating more revenue for brands. The company aims to launch TAPP in Europe by the fourth quarter of 2010 so major brands can start interacting with audiences on this new mobile application platform.
Cyclops is a leading provider of automotive navigation content such as speed camera alerts, which 87% of customers consider a must-have feature. Their locally-based survey teams professionally verify all photo content to ensure accuracy. Partnering with Cyclops can deliver high-value content and generate additional revenue for automotive navigation applications through their superior in-car experience and most accurate, reliable speed camera alerts.
TULI eServices is a US and India based software development company that specializes in web, mobile, and desktop applications. They follow an agile development process that includes monthly iterations, continuous client interaction, and quality assurance testing. TULI has expertise in various programming languages, databases, frameworks, and design tools. Their services include development, testing, maintenance, and digital marketing.
Gory's Cafe aims to be the top cafe in the city known for quality food and excellent customer service. To achieve this, their strategy focuses on hiring and training talented chefs to create delicious and innovative menu items. It also focuses on training all staff to provide friendly, efficient service so customers feel welcomed and want to return.
The document discusses how creativity and independent thinking have become commodified and marketed, especially to hipsters and the creative class. It references Richard Florida's book on the creative class and defines hipsters as valuing independence, counter-culture, and intelligence while rejecting mainstream culture. Several cities like Denver and New York are mentioned as centers of creativity and hipster culture.
International literacy day and my communityNdudi Osakwe
Brought home to my community in Ndokwa West Local Government Area, an oil bearing community in Delta State, International Literacy Day means more than being able to read, write and count. Of course there are lots of people that can do all that. What it should mean in my community is empowerment.
Af DB on how nigeria can achieve vision 20Ndudi Osakwe
According to the President, African Development Bank (AfDB), three things critical to Nigeria achieving its vision 20:2020 include infrastructural development, increased agricultural production and improved fiscal policy.
Nigeria marks its 50th anniversary of independence from British rule. While the country has endured challenges like military rule and civil war, there is reason to celebrate its progress toward democracy. However, Nigeria has not achieved the promise expected at independence, as countries like Malaysia and India that were peers have now surpassed Nigeria economically and developmentally. Nigeria continues to face major problems like poor infrastructure, healthcare, education, corruption, insecurity, and a lack of vision from its leadership despite its human and natural resources. The key issue is Nigeria's political system which lacks accountability and nourishes a bloated bureaucracy, parasites, and selfish elites over serving the people.
Benin republic cross border biz (slideshare)Ndudi Osakwe
Celebration of the Jubilee year of political independence is in the air for many African countries. Benin has celebrated hers and Nigeria’s is in the horizon as it celebrates her independence from Britain this October.
The Jubilee Year of political independence provides a basis for stock taking on how well the peoples of Benin and Nigeria have fared and the way forward for the two countries with somewhat common heritage but for the partition.
This involves the envisioning of programs that would enhance connectivity, improving competitiveness and the promotion of a greater sense of community.
That Nigeria’s economy would be in a dire strait in 2009 is no longer news; not with the fall in the price of petrol in the international market and the much talked about and already pinching global economic meltdown.
We have identified seven sectors that foreign investors should consider putting their money even as Merrill Lynch endorsed Nigeria as one of the safest countries for foreign investment in the entire world.
My Companion magazine highlights opportunities for investment and trade in West Africa especially Nigeria and countries in the Co-Prosperity Alliance Zone (COPAZ) namely Nigeria, Benin, Togo and Ghana. Other ECOWAS countries are equally looked at for economic and investment opportunities.
ग्रेटर मुंबई के नगर आयुक्त को एक खुले पत्र में याचिका दायर कर 540 से अधिक मुंबईकरों ने सभी अवैध और अस्थिर होर्डिंग्स, साइनबोर्ड और इलेक्ट्रिक साइनेज को तत्काल हटाने और 13 मई, 2024 की शाम को घाटकोपर में अवैध होर्डिंग के गिरने की विनाशकारी घटना के बाद अपराधियों के खिलाफ सख्त कार्रवाई की मांग की है, जिसमें 17 लोगों की जान चली गई और कई निर्दोष लोग गंभीर रूप से घायल हो गए।
#WenguiGuo#WashingtonFarm Guo Wengui Wolf son ambition exposed to open a far...rittaajmal71
Since fleeing to the United States in 2014, Guo Wengui has founded a number of projects in the United States, such as GTV Media Group, GTV private equity, farm loan project, G Club Operations Co., LTD., and Himalaya Exchange.
12062024_First India Newspaper Jaipur.pdfFIRST INDIA
Find Latest India News and Breaking News these days from India on Politics, Business, Entertainment, Technology, Sports, Lifestyle and Coronavirus News in India and the world over that you can't miss. For real time update Visit our social media handle. Read First India NewsPaper in your morning replace. Visit First India.
CLICK:- https://firstindia.co.in/
#First_India_NewsPaper
17062024_First India Newspaper Jaipur.pdfFIRST INDIA
Find Latest India News and Breaking News these days from India on Politics, Business, Entertainment, Technology, Sports, Lifestyle and Coronavirus News in India and the world over that you can't miss. For real time update Visit our social media handle. Read First India NewsPaper in your morning replace. Visit First India.
CLICK:- https://firstindia.co.in/
#First_India_NewsPaper
Christian persecution in Islamic countries has intensified, with alarming incidents of violence, discrimination, and intolerance. This article highlights recent attacks in Nigeria, Pakistan, Egypt, Iran, and Iraq, exposing the multifaceted challenges faced by Christian communities. Despite the severity of these atrocities, the Western world's response remains muted due to political, economic, and social considerations. The urgent need for international intervention is underscored, emphasizing that without substantial support, the future of Christianity in these regions is at grave risk.
https://ecspe.org/the-rise-of-christian-persecution-in-islamic-countries/
13062024_First India Newspaper Jaipur.pdfFIRST INDIA
Find Latest India News and Breaking News these days from India on Politics, Business, Entertainment, Technology, Sports, Lifestyle and Coronavirus News in India and the world over that you can't miss. For real time update Visit our social media handle. Read First India NewsPaper in your morning replace. Visit First India.
CLICK:- https://firstindia.co.in/
#First_India_NewsPaper
Shark Tank Jargon | Operational ProfitabilityTheUnitedIndian
Don't let fancy business words confuse you! This blog is your cheat sheet to understanding the Shark Tank Jargon. We'll translate all the confusing terms like "valuation" (how much the company is worth) and "royalty" (a fee for using someone's idea). You'll be swimming with the Sharks like a pro in no time!
Slide deck with charts from our Digital News Report 2024, the most comprehensive exploration of news consumption habits around the world, based on survey data from more than 95,000 respondents across 47 countries.
projet de traité négocié à Istanbul (anglais).pdfEdouardHusson
Ceci est le projet de traité qui avait été négocié entre Russes et Ukrainiens à Istanbul en mars 2022, avant que les Etats-Unis et la Grande-Bretagne ne détournent Kiev de signer.
Recent years have seen a disturbing rise in violence, discrimination, and intolerance against Christian communities in various Islamic countries. This multifaceted challenge, deeply rooted in historical, social, and political animosities, demands urgent attention. Despite the escalating persecution, substantial support from the Western world remains lacking.
Why We Chose ScyllaDB over DynamoDB for "User Watch Status"ScyllaDB
Yichen Wei and Adam Drennan share the architecture and technical requirements behind "user watch status" for a major global media streaming service, what that meant for their database, the pros and cons of the many options they considered for replacing DynamoDB, why they ultimately chose ScyllaDB, and their lessons learned so far.
केरल उच्च न्यायालय ने 11 जून, 2024 को मंडला पूजा में भाग लेने की अनुमति मांगने वाली 10 वर्षीय लड़की की रिट याचिका को खारिज कर दिया, जिसमें सर्वोच्च न्यायालय की एक बड़ी पीठ के समक्ष इस मुद्दे की लंबित प्रकृति पर जोर दिया गया। यह आदेश न्यायमूर्ति अनिल के. नरेंद्रन और न्यायमूर्ति हरिशंकर वी. मेनन की खंडपीठ द्वारा पारित किया गया
Federal Authorities Urge Vigilance Amid Bird Flu Outbreak | The Lifesciences ...The Lifesciences Magazine
Federal authorities have advised the public to remain vigilant but calm in response to the ongoing bird flu outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu.
15062024_First India Newspaper Jaipur.pdfFIRST INDIA
Find Latest India News and Breaking News these days from India on Politics, Business, Entertainment, Technology, Sports, Lifestyle and Coronavirus News in India and the world over that you can't miss. For real time update Visit our social media handle. Read First India NewsPaper in your morning replace. Visit First India.
CLICK:- https://firstindia.co.in/
#First_India_NewsPaper
Howard Fineman, Veteran Political Journalist and TV Pundit, Dies at 75
Rebranding nigeria (good time to be a Chilean)
1. @eldrastic Ndudi Osakwe
REBRANDING NIGERIA: If the trapped Chilean miners were Nigerians, would there
have been any hope for rescue? Reply to inquiry@ibgnigeria.com
9 Oct via web
When I posted the above question on Twitter, the idea was to beat Dr. Reuben Abati to
it, knowing he would ask the same question. Few days later, he did.
Though we received several responses, Dr Abati in his usual style assembled in one
piece all the points raised by our numerous respondents. Happy reading!
Abati: Doing it the Chilean way: Lessons for Nigeria
Friday, 15 October 2010 00:00 By Reuben Abati
COMING shortly after the disgraceful bomb blasts in Abuja that robbed Nigeria of
glory on the occasion of its golden jubilee anniversary, Chile’s inspiring handling of the
rescue of 33 miners, trapped since August 5 in the San Jose gold and copper mine,
provides very useful lessons in national character, national solidarity, values and
leadership that should be of interest to all Nigerians. The rescue operation was Chile’s
finest moment of the year, nothing could be more memorable and moving than that
moment shown on cable television all over the world when with the emergence of the
33rd miner, the Chileans broke out in song: their national anthem, and thereafter took to
the streets of Santiago and Copiapo in jubilation. For them adversity had turned into
2. triumph and history. When President Sebastian Pinera gushed: “we did it the Chilean
way”, he underscored the sense of national pride and determination that defined the
entire process. You know the worth of a nation by the way it treats its citizens in
difficult circumstances.
The story of those 33 miners would have been different if they were Nigerians. They
would have been left for dead or allowed to die. For almost 17 days, there was virtually
no trace, no contact with the trapped miners. But the Chilean authorities kept searching
and when they found traces of life, they set to work determined to rescue the miners.
They spared no expense, nor effort. The initial projection was that it could take four
months to get to the men, 2,041 feet below the earth surface, but it took 69 days and 8
hours. Even the rescue operation was completed earlier than scheduled in 22 hours 37
minutes. The entire will-power of a nation, the spirit of the people, helped to propel the
rescue team to success.
In Nigeria, the accident would have been described as an “act of God.” The President
would have gone on television to say that “this is the work of his enemies, an act of
sabotage designed to bring his government to ridicule.” All the time that the Chileans
spent thinking through the rescue process mobilizing international support, would
have been wasted by Nigerians on unnecessary politicization of the incident. Our ever-
ready army of opportunistic soothsayers, prophets and pastors would have come
forward to claim that they had previously predicted that a serious calamity involving
human lives would befall the nation. No serious effort would have been deployed
towards rescue services. When a C-130 aircraft crashed in Ejigbo in 1992, many of the
victims were alive for more than ten hours. They were left to die. In another plane
crash, as the victims cried for help, other Nigerians looted the scattered luggage.
There was something in the Chilean incident about the value of human life: its
sacredness. The government of Chile demonstrated that it values its citizens no matter
how lowly placed. The Nigerian government may not worry itself sick about an
incident involving only 33 persons out of 150 million. Our governments treat us as if
we, the people are expendable. Chile is a small country of 17 million people but it
stands tall on the scale of humanism. Two weeks after the Abuja bomb blasts,
government still has no record of the victims, or the survivors or those who were
traumatized by the incident and who may require further help. In the Niger Delta
where we have had many cases of pipeline explosion and fires, the victims are often
accused of inflicting the tragedy upon themselves. In cases of oil spillage which damage
the ecology of the area, the blame is heaped on saboteurs, vandals and militants and the
government is unconcerned about the associated tragedy.
In Chile, the devotion of the government in that moment of tragedy was instructive. As
each miner was successfully rescued, medical teams were available to conduct tests and
to take the person to a medical facility for further examination. The Chile mission was a
3. multi-national rescue operation: American drillers, NASA officials, media crews from
Asia, South Africa, Europe and the United States; different professionals were also
involved: nurses, doctors, geologists, engineers, psychologist, counselors,
physiotherapists, and so on. For the next six months, the government has promised to
keep the men under observation. Mining accounts for 40% of Chile’s earnings, but the
ordinary miner is a poor man (earns about $1, 600 per month); in Nigeria, working class
people do not get such quality official attention as we saw in Chile.
President Sebastian Pinera was in charge. He and his wife stood by as the miners were
being rescued. One of the miners was a Bolivian. The Bolivian President, Evo Morales
travelled to Chile to show that Bolivia cares. In Nigeria, that one citizen would have
been ignored: “what is he looking for in Chile, for God’s sake? – would have been the
question on every lip. And if in an attempt to share out of the international limelight,
the Nigerian President decides to go to Chile in solidarity with the Nigerian miner, he
would as usual travel with the largest delegation imaginable with representatives from
every clan and ethnic group; the cost of the travel alone would have been nearly double
the entire expenditure of the Chilean government on the rescue operation! But that is if
the President condescends to travel to Chile because of one Nigerian miner.
During the Ikeja cantonment bomb blast in Lagos, President Obasanjo showed up at the
venue of the tragedy which claimed hundreds of lives and the only word of comfort
that he had for those who dared to ask him a few questions was: “I don’t have to be
here!” It took the Bola Tinubu government to provide leadership at that critical
moment, while Obasanjo waltzed away. Leadership is about duty. Pinera considered it
his duty to stand up for the miners. So also Evo Morales. President Goodluck Jonathan
visited the victims of the October 1 Abuja bomb blast in the hospital but after the photo-
op that this provided, he and other Nigerian leaders began to play politics with the
tragedy.
There has been no talk about political gain in Chile and neither the ruling party nor the
opposition saw the accident as an opportunity to score political points. Character: the
foreman was the last man to exit the mine, the first rescue worker to go down was the
last to return. If it were in Nigeria, there would have been a fight over the order of exit.
We saw in Chile, national institutions that are capable and effective. The rescue capsule
was built by the Chilean Navy. In many countries of the world, when there is a national
emergency, the military are usually the first to step forward to help. The Nigerian Navy
and the other armed forces are under-equipped. Our military officers are busy
intimidating the public with their uniforms, chasing innocent citizens off the road with
their sirens. Chile’s success rallied the people around the national flag. They could sense
correctly that their country had won the respect of the world. All through, the white,
blue and red Chilean flag was on display. The capsule was draped with it. On October
1, there was no excitement over the Nigerian flag.
4. And did anyone notice the discipline of the crowd at the rescue site? There was no
riotous behaviour, no ethnic associations turning the event into a cheap popularity
campaign, no sachet water sellers. There is ethnic diversity in Chile but this was not an
issue. If it were in Nigeria, there would have been a distractive national argument over
the rescue process. If the first man to be rescued was Hausa, other Nigerians would
have protested that this is an extension of the politics of Northern domination. The
Yoruba would have called for a National Conference! If there had been no Easterner
among the first ten to be rescued, there would have shouts of marginalization and how
Easterners are the best of the miners and should have been rescued first.
If no minority showed up early enough, minority groups would have called for a
Constitutional Amendment to address the mischief of the majority ethnic groups
always thinking that Nigeria belongs to them alone! There would have been demands
for the application of the federal character principle even in the choice of drillers and
engineers. The politics of ethnicity would have been so overwhelming; the world would
again have been forced to ask: what is wrong with Nigeria? Not to forget the fact that in
the course of the rescue, some of the foreign journalists could have been kidnapped;
some of the officials will have their pockets picked!
Human tragedies which should unite us as a people, often divide us further in Nigeria.
Chile, Pablo Neruda’s country, has just shown us that national character can be built
through extra-ordinary moments in history. For Chile, the tragedy has been a call to
action. Questions are being asked about safety and the mining industry. Top regulatory
agency officials have been fired, 18 other mines have been shut down.
There are plans to convert the San Jose mine into a national monument, to be a symbol
of hope for future generations. In Nigeria, we don’t teach history nor do we know
how to preserve it; often we miss opportunities for progress. The change that we seek
must begin at the level of national character, first by our learning to value human lives
and working towards preserving the dignity of man in all ways through our
institutions.