Video my brother took in Nigeria at a burial

Even though the video is not very long, it still shows a lot about the culture in Nigeria.

Counterfeit drugs on rise, pose global threat: WHO

Increasingly more counterfeit drugs are being produced and sold in both rich and poor countries. Often times people buy these drugs over the internet. The counterfeit medications are usually hidden in cargo on their way to their destinations, so it is hard to track them.

People who take these fake drugs are at risk. For example, the drugs may contain too much of an active ingredient, too much or too little of what the person needs, or may contain toxic or poisonous ingredients, which could be fatal.

This problem is becoming more complex. In wealthier countries, counterfeiting usually involves expensive hormones and/or steroids, anti-cancer medicines, and pharmaceuticals. In poor countries like Africa, however, counterfeit drugs are mostly made to treat life-threatening diseases, such as malaria, TB, or HIV/AIDS. Any medication that compromises safety or quality is extremely dangerous. Last year because of fraudulent medications, 84 children in Nigeria died.

MY REACTIONS: Earlier this semester, I did a report about counterfeit drugs in Nigeria. Reading this article reminded me of the research I did for that report. I think that, in the long run, this trend of increasing counterfeit drugs will end up severely hurting people, because they are not getting what they need.

Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE64I6G120100519

Shell pledges 2 billion dollars to cut gas flaring in Nigeria

May 19, 2010

Gas flaring is the burning of crude oil to either get rid of excess oil or to relieve well pressure as a safety precaution. This practice of burning oil is a major environmental problem, as it currently contributes to more than %1 of global emissions of CO2.

Shell, an oil company, decided that their project to cut down on gas flaring will have 26 flow stations in the Niger Delta. Shell says it has already spent more than 3 billion dollars in 32 flow stations in this region.

MY REACTIONS: I think gas flaring all over should stop because it has extremely negative effects on our environment. I would like to learn more about flow stations.

Source: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iMb71bl8nV0UTYzjjIxSjhbmlWXAD9FPT56O0

Human rights groups slam Nigerian Police

May 19, 2010

Nigerian citizens have had enough of police brutality. In Nigeria these days, police officers are "more likely to commit crimes than prevent them." Police are known to carry out executions of people accused or suspected of crimes. They also rely on torture to investigate; most major police stations have "torture chambers." Rape of arrested females has become more common for police officers working night shifts. Hundreds of Nigerians are murdered each year by police forces. Some methods used by Nigerian police are beatings, clubbings of soles of feet, burning suspects with hot irons or cigarettes, smashing the victims' heads against the wall, and tearing off fingernails; these are just some of the methods used. International rights watchdogs have accused Nigerian police of murder and abuse; the police have repeatedly denied the statements. President Goodluck Jonathan wants to lower police brutality.

MY REACTIONS: I think what is going on is terrible and overwhelming. It's not fair what is going on, and the government should do something about it quickly.

Source: http://www.africasia.com/services/news_africa/article.php?ID=CNG.beb8d54cebbe4239ef452bf2c3e0b7fd.441

Nigeria swears in Acting President

May 6, 2010

Nigeria's president, Yar'Adua, recently died from heart complications. However, he had been having heart problems for several years previous to his death. Therefore, there had been another official acting as president, Goodluck Jonathan, since November.

This acting president was sworn into presidency after Yar'Adua's death.

MY REACTIONS: I think that it's sad that a president has died, but I also think that it is helpful to have Jonathan sworn in as president. Now, Nigeria's official president is actually the one who is functioning as president and has the power over the government.

Source: http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/africa/05/06/nigeria.president/index.html?iref=allsearch

Rebel group bombs Nigerian government building

March 15, 2010

In Lagos Nigeria, a Nigerian government office was intentionally bombed. Government officials were holding a meeting to discuss steps forward to amnesty for militants who agree to lay down their arms. Three state governors and the minister for the Niger Delta were at this meeting.

Thankfully, no officials were hurt in this explosion. The MEND, a rebel group, claimed full responsibility for this bombing. The bombs were mounted on vehicles about 656 feet away from the building.

MY RESPONSE: I think that the rebels are trying to prove a point, but that they are going about it in the wrong way. The meeting being held while the building was bombed was to create peace; instead, these bombings were meant to stop/complicate these peace talks.

Source: http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/africa/03/15/nigeria.mend.attack/index.html?iref=allsearch

Plane crashes in mock rescue exercises

March 13, 2010

In Niger Delta city of Port Harcourt, what was supposed to be a mock rescue exercise turned into a real plane crash.

The crash occurred just off the runway after landing at 12:13 p.m. The plane, an Air Force G22, was carrying more than 30 NEMA workers when it crashed, leaving only two injured.

The aircraft was definitely severely damaged. No other details were given about this plane crash.

MY REACTION: This was scary; it must have been terrifying for the people on the plane. If I was in their shoes, I would have been extremely in shock. Also, there is some irony in this article- what was supposed to be a mock rescue exercise actually turned into a plane crash.

Source: http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/africa/03/13/nigeria.crash.mock.exercise/index.html?iref=allsearch