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Showing posts from October, 2020

My response to news that UK government helped train Nigeria Police SARS Part 1 ...

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Read this story: End SARS protests: UK government admits it did train and supply equipment to Nigeria’s ‘brutal’ police unit https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/sars-nigeria-police-protests-uk-government-training-equipment-b1424447.html  Nigeria is independent. The UK's "help" in training SARS unit is destructive and dangerous. It should have done better. The onus however is on the government of Nigeria to ensure that it uses considerable Nigerian capacity to figure out what our national interest is, and use the most skilled and capable Nigerians in our technocratic institutions and diplomatic service, to project that national interest in a way that improves the quality of our democracy, respects human rights, protects and defends the constitution, for the benefit of all Nigerians, not just a select few. This is an urgent task.  This is why I say: #Neocolonialism thrives. With friends like the #UK #Nigeria definitely needs no enemies. #EndSARS #EndPoliceBrutali

My response to UK training of Nigeria's SARS unit, part 2

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Read this story: End SARS protests: UK government admits it did train and supply equipment to Nigeria’s ‘brutal’ police unit https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/sars-nigeria-police-protests-uk-government-training-equipment-b1424447.html  Nigeria is independent. The UK's "help" in training SARS unit is destructive and dangerous. It should have done better. The onus however is on the government of Nigeria to ensure that it uses considerable Nigerian capacity to figure out what our national interest is, and use the most skilled and capable Nigerians in our technocratic institutions and diplomatic service, to project that national interest in a way that improves the quality of our democracy, respects human rights, protects and defends the constitution, for the benefit of all Nigerians, not just a select few. This is an urgent task.  This is why I say: #Neocolonialism thrives. With friends like the #UK #Nigeria definitely needs no enemies. #EndSARS #EndPoliceBrutali

Response to President Muhammadu Buhari’s speech of October 22, 2020

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This is my response to President Muhammadu Buhari’s speech of October 22, 2020. I wholeheartedly support the  #EndSARS   #EndSWAT  protesters and object to the President’s attempt to trivialize the yearning of Nigerians for genuine good governance and democracy. Please join me. 

#ENDSWAT and My thoughts on looting

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  The Howard Zinn Quote: “Civil disobedience, that’s not our problem. Our problem is that people are obedient all over the world in the face of poverty and starvation and stupidity, and war, and cruelty. Our problem is that people are obedient while the jails are full of petty thieves, and all the while, the grand thieves are running the country. That’s our problem.” Let the kleptocrats give back our stolen wealth so that we can fix our infrastructure, schools, hospitals, and also offer worthwhile social protection to our people. Let the masses enjoy the full benefits of citizenship in Nigeria. Let the leaders and political class repent and build peace with justice. This is no time for politics as usual.

Why SWAT? Please #ENDSWAT

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#EndSWAT SWAT? Why? I say rethink this. According to a colleague, with whom I agree, “Nigeria Police is an oppressive instrument of the ruling elite. In the sixty year history of the Nigerian Police it has never been reformed hence a demand is that it should be reformed from bottom up with the assistance of UNDP. The present context provides the opportunity to make this demand. By the way, along with its reform should be creation of state police.” Just so people know, I’m Mojúbàolú Olufúnké Okome Professor of Political Science, African & Women's Studies Leonard & Claire Tow Professor, 2015/2016 Brooklyn College, CUNY  

Gendered Effects of COVID19 on Africa and Her Diaspora

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I'm moderating this panel discussion on the Gendered Effects of COVID19 on Africa and Her Diaspora on Sunday, October 25, from 1:30-3:30 pm. You are cordially invited. Attendance is free, but you must register. Looking forward to seeing you. October 25, 1:30 p.m., Zoom Whether it is in terms of  economic dislocations, or infections, or deaths , the pandemic has  disproportionately affected people of African descent in the Diaspora . Approximately  40% of those infected are women. The World Health Organization, says that “ Humanitarian crises, including health emergencies, affect men and women differently. As COVID-19 continues to spread in Africa, there are concerns over its impact on women and girls, with vulnerabilities feared to worsen as the pandemic overwhelms health systems . Women in particular have the burden of making ends meet when their primary employment is in the informal economy. A majority of African women lack adequate social protection.  Having people under lockdow