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RE: Abdulsalami Abubakar Distinguished Lecture Series
Dr. Elnora D. Daniel, Ed. D., F.A.A.N. President, Chicago State University Cook Administration Building, Suite 313 9501 South M. L. King Drive Chicago, IL 60628 Phone: 773/995-2400
"Today, on the eve of a new century, I am both humbled and proud to stand at the helm of an institution with a legacy and commitments that are both humane and instructive. These dual principles of humanism and education are the same two principles that lay at the core of the three institutions that provided my early socialization: family, church and school.…"
Dear Dr. Elnora Daniel, I felt it was pertinent that I start with an excerpt from the speech you gave at your inaugural address. There is no question (from what I have read and being told about you) that you have always been at the forefront of the drive for human rights, justice, decency and the overall uplifting of God’s children regardless of race, creed, gender or background, but particularly, your remarkable efforts at forging greater unity and understanding between African-Americans and Africans (at home and abroad) have been both commendable and I must say quite exemplary. Which is why I and others, including Nigerians and other lovers of freedom and democracy all over the world, are quite shocked and extremely disappointed at your decision to stage the Abdulsalami Abubakar Distinguished Lecture Series in honour ostensibly of a man who was recently implicated (along with other Nigerian military “leaders” in the course of the sitting of Nigeria’s Truth and Reconciliation Panel currently being chaired by a Retired Supreme Court Justice of Nigeria, Justice Chukwudifu Oputa) in the murder of the winner of the freest and fairest democratic elections ever held in the history of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Chief Moshood K.O. Abiola. General Abdulsalami Abubakar may have handed over power to a civilian administration in a rather “smooth” transition, but he is still yet to answer for his stewardship in the period he was at the helm of affairs of that glorious nation that has been literarily bled to death by the likes of General Abubakar and his marauding cohorts. One is made to wonder how General Abubakar is able to have the means of supporting a scholarship fund named after him on the salary of a General in the Nigerian Military when millions of Nigerians at home can barely afford to have one meal a day! Furthermore, the so-called distinguished lecture series being put together by your institution serves to further fan the embers of the bitter ethnic and religious divide that presently obtains in Nigeria. Professor Ali Mazrui, has been one of the biggest supporters of a draconian religious law called the Sharia, which has been implemented in the Northern States of Nigeria in violation of the secular constitution of that nation. Recently, a female teenager, Bariya Magazu, from the northern Nigeria state of Zamfara, following her conviction under this draconian law was recently given 100 lashes for having sex outside of wedlock even though her father had made her have sex with at least three men. This inhumane and barbaric act runs in direct contravention to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as affirmed by the United Nations, and of which Nigeria is a signatory. Professor Ali Mazrui, rather than live up to the ideals of equity and justice for all God’s children (particularly on the African Continent) has allowed himself to be hijacked by the Ayatollahs and religious zealots of Nigeria and indeed Africa, who have proven themselves to be the architects of the pernicious institutions of religious, ethnic and gender bigotry! Also along the same line, we have gathered that the entourage of General Abdulsalami Abubakar, will also include some governors of the northern states of Nigeria (the Sharia states) as well as two former military despots, Generals Muhammadu Buhari and Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida. May I please inform you Dr. Daniel (since you obviously have been greatly misinformed) that this group of individuals (the last two in particular) represent the worst Nigeria or any country for that matter has to offer. They are essentially members of a “gangster” organization called he Arewa Consultative Forum that has essentially seen nothing good in the present Nigerian democratic dispensation simply because the current President, Olusegun Obasanjo is not only a southerner but also a Christian, and is committed to the ideals of freedom, justice and equity for all Nigerians! Perhaps the most despicable member of the group is the one General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, the former maximum ruler and avowed kleptomaniac who turned Nigeria into his personal village during his eight-year tyrannical rule. It was he, General Babangida that in fact annulled the freest and fairest elections (of which Chief Abiola was the winner) in the history of Nigeria and sent that great nation down the path of infamy and economic stagnation, as well as the brink of a second civil war (he may still yet accomplish the latter). Please be informed Dr. Daniel (since you may not be aware) that this lecture is in essence being used by these men of disrepute as an attempt to “sanitize” the former despot and renowned murderer (General Babangida) with an eye on the 2003 Presidential Elections in Nigeria. I can assure that they will fail since anything conceived in the dark and against the will of God will never materialize! Lovers of freedom and established democratic principles worldwide are committed to ensuring that NEVER AGAIN will any individual or group of people infringe upon the inalienable rights and freedoms of all God’s children, regardless of whom they may be or wherever they may reside. It is our sincere hope that you will live up to your promise of steering an institution “with a legacy and commitments that are both humane and instructive.” The majority of Nigerians (at home and abroad) and the world would expect nothing less from you. Finally, I encourage you Dr. Daniel to click on the hyperlinks below and I can assure you that once you read the related news and stories, you will find that your “Distinguished Lecture Series” is contrary to your notion and belief, being graced with the presence of individuals who have committed and still continue to commit crimes against humanity under the guise of religion and the maintenance of social order! http://allafrica.com/stories/200102120129.html http://allafrica.com/stories/200102110149.html
Secretary General 21st Century Nigerians James E. Payton Secretary General Nigerian/American Democratic Group Please send your comments and support of this viewpoint to:
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