January 1, 2009
Nobody can ride your back unless you decide to bend - Martin Luther King Jnr.
Dear Supporters:
We at ChangeNigeria would like to thank everyone of you who has emailed in the last few days to express your support for the work we are doing. Your encouragement is the tonic we need to go on, although we would be happier if you take to the streets with us!Although quality of support is the ultimate, there is some strength to be gained from numbers.
Some of you have wondered why we are targeting Nigerian banks overseas. We believe that this story will help explain some of the reasons.
We need Nigerians to organize into local groups and find targets that will help the struggle - embassies, banks and businesses that are supporting the corrupt regime. You can also lookout for visiting politicians and demonstrate in front of the mansions they bought with your stolen money. There is nothing they can do because demonstration is legal as long as you are on the sidework or government property. Demonstrating against these politicians will expose them to their neighbours and it will not be long before the move.
You will also be helping Nigerians back home through these demonstrations. The governor of Niger state was de-invited from the list of people to receive awards in Toronto last month. We figured that we saved the people of Niger State about $100,000. We figured out this amount by estimating that the governor would have come to town with about seven (7) people flying first class at $5,000.00 each. Then accommodation at Sheraton or Hilton at about $500.00 a night. Then add to that, the dubious estacodes. We believe the amount saved would be enough to give the people of Niger state 50 boreholes at the cost of $2,000.00 a borehole. This is what a demonstration or the threat of it can do. The power to change Nigeria is in our hands and we are more powerful than we think.
Nigeria is not going to change simply because we are talking about change. We must begin to "walk" the change. In the era of Obamamania who is to tell us that we cannot win? With the little demonstrations so far, the banks are in a panic mood because they know the effect of what we are doing and unfortunately for them, there is no legal means of stopping us. Unlike Nigeria, they cannot order the police to arrest us. In fact, police forces in cities where we have demonstrated have been very supportive of our efforts. The banks have contacted us with a view to finding out what we need - you know what that means in Nigeria - bribe. But they have wrong people to deal with. We told them what we needed but not what they wanted to hear - the mass resignation of the current bank chiefs and their co-conspirator in chief, Saludo, and the institutions of compliance oversight committees supervised by credible local and international bodies. We know they will never do this so the demonstrations must go on. Obviously, they did not like this. Believe in yourself, we can shake these institutions and force the changes that we want. It is only in Nigeria that they are big men and women. Outside Nigeria, they are no different from any other citizen.
We are seriously looking for people to form a local ChangeNigeria group in Sout Africa because of the concentration of Nigerian banks there. We do not expect this to be easy, but it is not impossible. Anyone with information in this respect should please contact us at changenigeria.gmail.com
Finally, we would like to announce to you that we are currently working on our website and it should be operational in about two weeks. We are getting assistance from other Nigerians in its construction. This kind of contribution makes a difference because the money saved will be enough to cater for the logistics involved in one additional demonstration. When functional, the website will provide a forum for discussionand links to local chapters of ChangNigeria Movement as soon as they are formed. It will also provide information on how to organize demonstrations, planned activities, tracking of the movement of politicians for the purpose of demonstrating at functions attended by them and in front of their houses. If all we can do is stop one of them like the Niger state governor, you imagine the savings.
For your information, there will be more demonstrations in London, England in the month of December 2008. The exact dates will be announced later, although they will commence around the middle of the month. We are inviting you to come out and send a message to these thieving banks. For too long, they have taken your quietness for approval. We will be counting on your support. Do this for the teeming masses of Nigerians who are daily dying from diseases, insecurity, unemployment and other wants in a country that should be flowing with milk and honey. If there is anyone out there who is interested in doing their own demonstrations, we will be willing to link you with the resources we have around the world. All you have todo is let us know the details. Everyone must get involved in this struggle.
I will let you go at this point. Bear in mind that we do not have exclusive knowledge in terms of how to change Nigeria. Everyone of us must make a decision on how we want to contribute. If you do not like our technique, you find your own way. Afterall, we are all pursuing the liberation of Nigeria. We will work with any group that is serious and not out the conspire with the enemies - the political elites. As always, your suggestings are welcome. Have a great day and keep the candle burning. Our liberation is around the corner.
Regards,
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Majek Adega
ChangeNigeria
Toronto, Canada
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