Untold story of the legendary ALABUKUN POWDER and its maker

NEWS EXPRESS – Jacob Sogboyega Odulate, the Blessed Jacob, sat at the work table in his laboratory, writing the notes which contained the formula for what would ultimately be known as his famous patented medicine, Alabukun Powder.

This was in the year 1918. It was early in the evening of another hectic day at his place of work, a functional combination of office, consulting room and laboratory-cum workshop. His single minded pursuit of the goal of establishing an indigenous medical/pharmaceutical brand was legendary. He had displayed the same purposeful determination when at the age of 14, he decided to uproot himself from his ancestral town of Ikorodu and he had embarked on an exploratory journey which took him three months on foot to establish a domestic and commercial base in Abeokuta. His very modest, but cherished “headquarters” was built in the Sapon area of Abeokuta, a mere walking distance from the site of his future three-storey landmark home in Ijemo Agbadu.

With the day’s work finished, he supervised the ritualistic tidying-up of the office, a task in which some of his children were willing and excited participants.

Soon it would be time to join his friends for a few games at tennis at the Abeokuta Tennis Club, and then go off to his home to join his wives and children for dinner. His face, which could sometimes bear the disconcertingly combined countenance of both a firm disciplinarian and a mirthful father in equal measure, was today aglow with joy. He, a black man and member of the Yoruba ethnic group had triumphed against the seemingly insurmountable obstacles that the British colonial authorities had placed in the path of ambitious “natives”. He had penetrated the fortress of British-dominated commercial enterprise in nascent Nigeria, to become one of a very small group of Nigerian entrepreneurs in the colony. He had reasons to smile.

From the modest, but gradually escalating proceeds of the sale of Alabukun Powder, Alabukun Mentholine and other locally made products – all produced by him – the Blessed Jacob was able to realize his overarching desire, which was to underwrite all the expenses associated with sending his children to the land of the erstwhile colonial rulers, Britain, to further their education. One after the other, his offspring went off to study at Durham, Newcastle, USA and London to qualify as educationists, medical doctors, lawyers and engineers. They returned to Nigeria to join the pool of highly educated and successful professionals for which Abeokuta has been particularly famed in Nigeria history. Alabukun’s offspring have prospered and have made immense contributions to Yorubaland and to Nigeria in their various professions and spheres of endeavour.

The enduring success of the Alabukun brand is now interwoven into the fabric of modern Nigeria medical history. The Alabukun Powder in particular is displayed and sold in thousands of pharmacies, markets and roadside stalls all over Nigeria. In many states in Nigeria, Alabukun powder is considered to be the obligatory cure-all for almost every ailment. In neighbouring countries such as Benin Republic, Ghana and Cameroon, the eye-catching Alabukun brand is to be seen advertised everywhere. Alabukun products are sold in several towns and cities in the USA, the UK, in Europe, Brazil, Jamaica, and yes, even as far away as China. You can buy Alabukun products on-line, off-line, under-bridges and over-expressways.

Just last year, 2012, the descendants and family of the Blessed Jacob marked and celebrated the 50th anniversary of the passing on of this towering man. In a manner in which he would have been proud, the celebrations were modest and without fanfare. None of the governors of the various states in South West Nigeria in which the Blessed Jacob made huge contributions was present. Both Ogun State and Lagos State were in no way officially represented at this significant anniversary. However, we owe nobody any grudge because for a particular reason the family had decided to make the anniversary a low-key affair.

Happily, his children, his grandchildren, great grand-children and great-great grandchildren as well as the descendants and relations of the multitudes of his beneficiaries, patients, friends and employees, were all there to celebrate the history of this under-appreciated icon.

And so, one year after this 50th anniversary, what are the physical edifices and buildings that can serve as a present and future testimony to his legacy, to his industriousness, to his trailblazing entrepreneurship?

Even then a befitting memorial, indeed, a legacy, solid, towering structure such as a house has severally suffered from uncaring and insensitive official arm.

First to go was the magnificent family residence in Ijemo Agbadu with its unique granite-hued frontage and castle-like grounds which for more than half a century housed living quarters for family and friends alike – DEMOLISHED!

Secondly, in 2013 the building (the first two-level building in Abeokuta, Sapon) the original birthplace and home of the Alabukun brand was – DEMOLISHED!!

Thirdly, the storey-building that the Blessed Jacob built on the east side of Ikorodu Road and which for decades was the most significant landmark on that road before one reached the landmark Ikorodu Roundabout was also pitifully – DEMOLISHED!!!

This sad history of willful disregard and disrespect for the legacies of those who came before us and who contributed so much to the nation that we today call Nigeria is abundantly exemplified in the tragic fate of Alabukun’s properties. We, the descendants of the glorious Blessed Jacob are so grateful and proud of his life. The education that he bestowed upon us, the wonderful example he showed in his personal and business life, his immense generosity and kindness of spirit, these are what we and our own descendants will never forget.

For those who find themselves in power today, and for those who were in power when all of the destructive acts described above were committed, we have only this to say:

The act of destruction of the physical properties of those who did so much to make our nation great can never desecrate their names or their legacies. It is those who permit such destruction who should ask themselves this: “Is this the way to honour the past? Are we proud to announce to the world that we allowed history to be corrupted and eroded like this?”

Finally, sad as we may feel about this story of demolition as chronicled above, we, the descendants, especially his children, are proud and grateful to God that our magnificent Patriarch, Papa Chief Jacob Sogboyega Odulate – ALABUKUN – The Blessed Jacob – left us a legacy that can never be forgotten in the history of Nigeria. In life and in death he stands up in the development of Nigeria.

What a man! What a hero! What a legacy!

For more information on the life of this great man, I refer you to the book “Reaching for the Stars” an autobiography of one of his children – Chief Folake Solanke SAN.

•This article was originally entitled “The happy life of a pioneer” and culled from Nigerian Tribune. The writer, Chief (Mrs.) Stella O. Odesanya, MFR, is the eldest surviving child of Chief J. S. Odulate – Alabukun – The blessed Jacob, whose photo appears alongside this piece.

OsunDefender

Shake-up in Army, new GOCs, others appointed

From MOLLY KILETE  Abuja

A major shake-up has taken place in the Nigerian Army with the appointment of two new General Officers Commanding, new commandant for the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), a new Military Secretary (Army), and a new Director, Army Public Relations among others.
This followed the retirement of some senior officers from the service and the promotion of others, who were recently decorated with their new ranks.
Saturday Sun gathered that under the new arrangement announced late Thursday night, Major-General J. N. Nwaoga, is now the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division, Jos, while Major-General J.S. Bindawa, is the new GOC 7 Division, Maiduguri.
Major-General E.B. Awala, the former GOC, 3 Division, has been appointed Military Secretary, (Army), while Major-General U. Buzugbe, the former Military Secretary, is now the commander, Nigerian Army Artillery Corps.
Major-General M.I. Idris, former Deputy Commandant, National Defence College, is now the Commandant, Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), while Major-General Chris Olukolade is to remain as Director, Defence Information.
Brigadier-General O. Laleye is the new Director, Army Public Relations while the former director, Ibrahim Attahiru, is to move to 13, Brigade, Calabar, as commander.
Major-General P.A.T. Atkem is now director, Army Legal Services, while S. Yusuf, has been appointed Commandant, Depot, Nigerian Army.
Also appointed, are Major General I.I. Abbah, Commander, Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Pulo Shield, Bayelsa; Brigadier-General H.T.Z Vintenaba, Commandant, Nigerian Army School of Military Police (NASMP); A. Oyebade, Deputy Commandant, National Defence College (NDC); C.C. Oknonkwo, MD/CEO, Post Service Development, Army; Brigadier-General Ransome Kuti, Commander, Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF); Maj-Gen. J.S. Kwabe, Chief of Logistics, Defence Head Quarters; Brig-Gen. Ebenebe, Commandant, Warrant Officers Academy (WOA) among others.

TheSun

NNPC $50bn saga: Sanusi to go on forced pre-retirement leave

By BLAISE UDUNZE

Indications have emerged that Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, has been compelled to take an early retirement following his recent leaked letter to President Goodluck Jonathan detailing the theft of close to $50 billion in oil proceeds by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).
Sanusi will be eased out of office three months before the expiration of his tenure, in which a source disclosed that the CBN governor agreed to the early retirement following threats from the presidency to investigate his spending habits. A recent report quoted anonymous sources as claiming that President Goodluck Jonathan believes that Sanusi has been making erratic pronouncements just to demean the office of the president.
Sanusi’s tenure as CBN governor is supposed to expire in June 2014, after which he is expected to pursue his ambition to become the next Emir of Kano.
Late President Umaru Yar’Adua appointed Sanusi governor on June 3, 2009.
However, when Saturday Sun contacted the spokesman of the apex bank, Mr. Ugochukwu Okoroafor, said that he wasn’t aware of the development, saying he was outside the office as at the time he was contacted.
In a brief text message to our correspondent, he further responded, “This is news to me. I am outside the office today. You can reach me later to give me time to get the true situation. I request you exercise caution in handling an issue of this magnitude.”
Meanwhile, another source who preferred not to be named owing to the sensitive nature of the matter in another report said the terminal leave had nothing to do with the recent scandal in the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation.
According to the source, the need for the terminal leave became imperative as Sanusi had not been observing his vacation as and when due.
The source said, “The governor has said it so many times that he would not be staying longer than his tenure.
“Recall that he granted an interview where he spoke extensively that he won’t want his tenure to be renewed.
“I think left to the governor, he would even prefer to go now but there are feelers that he would even go before his tenure expired in June since he has some outstanding leave that he hasn’t taken.
“So based on that, he might take his leave early next year and this might lead him into retirement as the CBN governor.”
Besides his policies as the CBN governor, Sanusi’s views on national issues have attracted both criticisms and commendations.
The CBN governor had in recent times being under attacks, the recent being his letter to President Goodluck Jonathan that the sum of $49.8bn was not remitted to the federation account by the NNPC.
But following the controversy, which the letter generated, a committee was set up to reconcile the account.
But the committee failed to produce a concrete explanation for the unremitted oil revenue. Meanwhile, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNP), which is at the centre of his allegation, has vehemently denied any such diversion of funds meant for the Federation Account as alleged by the CBN governor.
According to the NNPC, three agencies of government are involved in collecting accruals from oil for the Federal Government and that the one that concerned it was properly lodged in the Federation Account with the CBN.
The corporation said that CBN should have crossed checked his facts with relevant agencies before embarking on such misinformed letter and leaking it to the media.
The NNPC insinuated that Sanusi might just be driven by a hidden political agenda or simply playing to the gallery.

TheSun

Letter bomb: Deconstructing Jonathan’s reply

Former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, fired the first shot on December 2, 2013, with a letter to President Goodluck Jonathan, in which the former accused the latter of many unsavoury things.
In fact, the summary of the letter was that the country was haemorrhaging badly and something had to be done before it was too late.

It was late when Jonathan replied, but not too late.  It took 21 whole days before the president defended himself and his government against the portentous allegations from Obasanjo.

The former president wrote in 18 pages.  As if still deferring to him slightly, saying you are still my boss, no matter what, Jonathan replied in 17 pages.  Have you seen somebody who replied one slap with six, or a wife who replied her husband’s two words with 20?  Jonathan did not do like that.  He still allowed Obasanjo to win by one page, but that did not in any way detract from the pungency of the reply.

Was it good that Jonathan replied the man that virtually installed him in office?  It was.  The president owed not just Obasanjo the letter, but the entire country.  Since the earlier letter was an open one, it was also okay that the reply was made open.  If the original letter had not been replied, the public would have been left in a wilderness of conjecture, and all sorts of conclusions, perhaps wrong, would have been made about Jonathan and his government.

Wait a minute! Am I saying the letter war was good?  By no means.  We could have done without the indignity, without the indecorousness of washing dirty linen in the public.  But once the first shot was fired, it was only necessary that it became Operation Fire-for-Fire.

In deconstructing Jonathan’s reply to Obasanjo’s letter, let me note that the language was still a bit restrained, despite the obvious loss of respect and affability between the two.  Yes, Jonathan came out smoking, but the language was not as down market or fishwife-like as one could have expected.  Kudos to restraint in the face of grave provocation.

Now, to the details.  Obasanjo complained that he had written four earlier letters to Jonathan, which were never acknowledged.  The president explained that the letters were brought by hand, and the issues in them discussed.  “I had not, before now, seen the need for any formal reply, since they contained advice from a former president to a serving president.”

Lesson one for President Jonathan.  There are some things that need to be put on record.  Those four letters should have been duly acknowledged, and Obasanjo thanked for raising the issues in them, even if he was in the wrong.  That would have prevented the former president from turning it into ija igboro (open scuffle) by leaking the fifth letter to the public.  You know Obasanjo never runs from a fight. In fact, he often spoils for one.  So, President Jonathan played into his hands by not officially acknowledging the first four letters.

Jonathan gave 10 reasons for replying Obasanjo’s letter in open form.  Coming three days before Christmas, I call it ‘Jonathan’s Carol Service and 10 Lessons.’  The 10 reasons were germane and well conceived, even if they contained a lot of insinuations and innuendoes.  Well, it was already ija igboro, and as they say, all is fair in love and war.
“Nigerians know the role you have played in my political life, and given the unfortunate tone of your letter, clearly, the grapes have gone sour,” President Jonathan wrote.  And I say this is the understatement of the year.  Knowing Obasanjo, whom his military colleague once described as somebody that “designs good and bad schemes with equal celebrity,” not only are the grapes sour, they have also become poisonous.  With this ija igboro, in which they have both put each other’s backs on the ground, Obasanjo will fight to the death.  Let no one think reconciliation or rapprochement is possible between the erstwhile godfather and godson. Never!  This is fight to finish, as Obasanjo always gets his pound of flesh.

Remember how he visited Chuba Okadigbo at home, danced with the man’s wife, and the next day, Okadigbo was impeached as Senate president.  Again, remember how he visited Audu Ogbe, former PDP chairman at home, requested for pounded yam and egusi soup, and within hours, Ogbe’s resignation was demanded at gunpoint.  The deaf does not need to be told that the market is over.  If he cannot hear the din, he can at least see the traders packing their wares.  It is over between Jonathan and Obasanjo.  No reconciliation is ever possible again, at least not from Obasanjo’s end.

“It appears that your letter was designed to incite Nigerians from other geopolitical zones against me, and also calculated to promote ethnic disharmony.  Worse still, your letter was designed to instigate members of our party, the PDP, against me,” Jonathan declared.

Two points to raise here!  Ethnic disharmony is not just being incited, it is well and alive in Nigeria.  Perhaps more than at any other time in the life of the country, there is real, palpable antagonism among the ethnic nationalities.  The relationship is suspicious, virulent, with possibilities of an eruption at any time. Just hear Dr Junaidu Mohammed speak. Or listen to Alhaji Dokubo-Asari, and you will admit that ethnic disharmony is not about to be incited, it is already here, well and alive. And that is something that should worry President Jonathan very deeply.
Again, PDP members are not just being instigated against the president.

I think they already are.  If not, how did New PDP emerge, and how could five serving governors leave the party in one fell swoop.  To say the party is being instigated is an understatement.  The rebellion is already in full bloom, and has developed a life of its own.  The President says the party has always recovered from its challenges in the past, but I also think with its current state, the PDP may never really be the same again.

On the security situation in the country, which Obasanjo had accused him of handling improperly, the President wrote: “My administration is working assiduously to overcome current national security challenges, the seeds of which were sown under previous administrations.  There have been setbacks; but certainly there have also been great successes in our efforts to overcome terrorism and insurgency.”

I have this to say:  it does not matter under which administration the seeds of insecurity were sown, the primary responsibility of any government is to guarantee the security of lives and property.  That is what our constitution says.  Any government that cannot do that loses its raison detre for existence.  So, President Jonathan needs not pass the buck to previous administrations.  What matters now is that the buck stops at his table, and he should do the needful.

Jonathan says some people continue to downplay the successes of his government in tackling insecurity telling Obasanjo that he (Obasanjo) “must now be numbered” among those unbelievers. But in fairness to this administration, I’ll say it has done its level best in the situation and circumstances at hand.  Yes, insurgency is still here, insecurity still stalks the land, but things are improving.  Two Christmases ago, it seemed it was the end of the end.  There was the bombing of a Catholic church at Madalla, in Niger State, which seemed to be the height of evil.  But two days ago was another Christmas, and things were fairly better.  Mark it, we are not there yet, but we seem to be fairly out of grave danger.  I applaud our security agencies in the fight against insurgency, particularly the State Security Service (SSS), which gets my highest accolades, the military, and then the Nigeria Police.  I will not downplay their successes in the battle against insurgency, but simply agree with the President that: “there have been some setbacks; but certainly there have also been great successes.”

A blow below the belt.  Ouch, it hurts!  Jonathan told Obasanjo: “It is just as well to remind you that the first major case of kidnapping for ransom took place around 2006.  And the Boko Haram crises dates back to 2002.  Goodluck Jonathan was not the President of the country then.”

If Jonathan was not the president then, who was?  If my memory serves me right, Obasanjo was president in both 2002 and 2006.  So, in essence, Goodluck Jonathan was telling him: kidnapping for ransom started under you, Boko Haram began under you.  So, what the heck are you saying?  Obasanjo will never forgive or forget that, but will rather design “good and bad schemes with equal celebrity” against Jonathan.

One of the most-weighty allegations in Obasanjo’s letter (Jonathan called it “invidious accusation” in his reply) was that the President was allegedly training snipers abroad, and had also placed over 1,000 Nigerians on a political watch list.  Jonathan denied it, and followed with a blow to the solar plexus, questioning Obasanjo’s religiosity:
“Baba, I don’t know where you got that from but you do me grave injustice in not only lending credence to such baseless rumours, but also publicising it.  You mentioned God 17 times in your letter.  Can you as a Christian hold the Bible and say that you truly believe these allegations?”

Well, this is my own comment: “thou shall not swear at all: Neither by heaven, for it is God’s throne; nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.

TheSun

BREAKING NEWS: Governor Oshiomhole In Horrible Road Accident (Statement By Edo Government)

Governor Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole survived a motor accident at Ewu Village along the ever-busy Benin-Auchi road in Edo State at about 9.45am Saturday, 28th December 2013 on his way back to Benin City from his Iyamho Village.

The incident occurred at about 9.45am at Ewu, in Edo Central Senatorial District, when a Peugeot J5 Bus filled with tomatoes and plantains apparently lost control and rammed into the Governor's Flag Car from the opposite direction before swerving into a roadside ditch.

Three vehicles in the Governor's convoy were in front of the Governor's Flag Car and had passed the Peugeot J5 Bus before it [J5 Bus] had direct impact with the Governor's car, which had the Governor, his Aide-De-Camp [ADC] and his Driver as occupants.

The Governor's Car was badly affected but both occupants of the Peugeot J5 Bus and that of the Governor's sustained no injuries.

The Peugeot J5 Bus was following a truck that was descending the Ewu Slope when it suddenly veered off into the Governor's lane from the opposite direction and directly impacted on the Governor's vehicle, apparently because of brake failure.

Fortunately, none of the passengers in both vehicles sustained injuries. The Comrade Governor is hale and hearty, his ADC and other occupants of the Peugeot J5 are also in good condition.

The incident has been reported to the Divisional Police Station at Ewu for further investigation. This is to assure all good people of Edo State that there is no cause for alarm.

Their loving Comrade Governor is fine, hale and hearty as well as other occupants of the other affected vehicle. The Comrade Governor is wishing everyone a prosperous new year ahead. Signed.

Naij.com

ALL RELIGIONS ARE TRUE, ADAM AND EVE A FABLE, HELL IS A MERE METAPHOR – says Pope Francis

For the last six months, Catholic cardinals, bishops and theologians have been deliberating in Vatican City, discussing the future of the church and redefining long-held Catholic doctrines and dogmas. The Third Vatican Council, is undoubtedly the largest and most important since the Second Vatican Council was concluded in 1962. Pope Francis convened the new council to “finally finish the work of the Second Vatican Council.” While some traditionalists and conservative reactionaries on the far right have decried these efforts, they have delighted progressives around the world.

The Third Vatican Council concluded today with Pope Francis announcing that Catholicism is now a “modern and reasonable religion, which has undergone evolutionary changes. The time has come to abandon all intolerance. We must recognize that religious truth evolves and changes. Truth is not absolute or set in stone. Even atheists acknowledge the divine. Through acts of love and charity the atheist acknowledges God as well, and redeems his own soul, becoming an active participant in the redemption of humanity.”

“Through humility, soul searching, and prayerful contemplation we have gained a new understanding of certain dogmas. The church no longer believes in a literal hell where people suffer. This doctrine is incompatible with the infinite love of God. God is not a judge but a friend and a lover of humanity. God seeks not to condemn but only to embrace. Like the fable of Adam and Eve, we see hell as a literary device. Hell is merely a metaphor for the isolated soul, which like all souls ultimately will be united in love with God” Pope Francis declared.

In a speech that shocked many, the Pope claimed “All religions are true, because they are true in the hearts of all those who believe in them. What other kind of truth is there? In the past, the church has been harsh on those it deemed morally wrong or sinful. Today, we no longer judge. Like a loving father, we never condemn our children. Our church is big enough for heterosexuals and homosexuals, for the pro-life and the pro-choice! For conservatives and liberals, even communists are welcome and have joined us. We all love and worship the same God.”

One statement in the Pope’s speech has sent traditionalists into a fit of confusion and hysteria. “God is changing and evolving as we are, For God lives in us and in our hearts. When we spread love and kindness in the world, we touch our own divinity and recognize it. The Bible is a beautiful holy book, but like all great and ancient works, some passages are outdated. Some even call for intolerance or judgement. The time has come to see these verses as later interpolations, contrary to the message of love and truth, which otherwise radiates through scripture. In accordance with our new understanding, we will begin to ordain women as cardinals, bishops and priests. In the future, it is my hope that we will have a woman pope one day. Let no door be closed to women that is open to men!”

In addition to the Pope’s sweeping calls for tolerance and a new progressive understanding of Catholicism, he condemned racism, raising his voice and pounding the podium in front of him. Pope Francis spent over an hour castigating anti-immigrant politicians, parties and individuals. Wagging his finger sternly with righteous indignation, the Pope shouted “Racism today is the ultimate evil in the world. When Italians, Spanish or French turn back the boats of African migrants seeking a better life, are they not like the inn keeper who told Mary and Joseph that there was no room for them and the infant Christ? These migrants are children of God and we are commanded to love them!”

His voice loudly echoing through St. Peter’s basilica, the Pope stated “those who would dare to turn immigrants away, be they legal or undocumented, turn their backs on Christ himself! A racist is not a true Christian. A racist casts aside his humanity to become a beast, a demon! He is the embodiment and personification of evil, a Satan!”

To a chorus of thunderous applause, Pope Francis stated “because Muslims, Hindus and African Animists are also made in the very likeness and image of God, to hate them is to hate God! To reject them to is to reject God and the Gospel of Christ. Whether we worship at a church, a synagogue, a mosque or a mandir, it does not matter. Whether we call God, Jesus, Adonai, Allah or Krishna, we all worship the same God of love. This truth is self-evident to all who have love and humility in their hearts!”

In a announcement that shocked many people, Pope Francis warned that “those who seek to deny a home to the migrant, to the African and the Muslim, risk their membership in the church. We will consider excommunication for those whose souls willingly dwell in the darkness and evil of intolerance and racism. Satan himself is a metaphor or a personification, for the collective evils of mankind. Today, these evils manifest foremost as racism, intolerance, religious persecution and bigotries of all kinds.”

A couple of prominent Catholic cardinals have responded to Pope Francis’ declarations by leaving the church. Cardinal Arinze of Nigeria asked, “what do we stand for if we declare that truth is relative? On the contrary, truth exists independently of our personal feelings. All of this talk of love and tolerance is hollow if we have no identity of our own, if we stand for nothing. I charge that Francis has become a heretic, and that he is not a valid Pope. Indeed, Francis is no longer even a Catholic. The seat of Saint Peter is vacant. I am now a Sedevacantist. I should have become one long ago. The Vatican has embraced ecumenism in the past, but worse than that, it has now embraced moral relativism on abortion and homosexuality. At the same time it is embracing moral absolutism in favour of illegal immigration and cultural genocide against Europe.”

In his most controversial statement, Cardinal Arinze said “Islam has overrun my own country, and now it threatens to overrun Europe. Some parts of Nigeria now live under Islamic Sharia law. Catholics there are no longer free to practice their faith publicly. Francis is a fool if he thinks that his liberal immigration policy will end well. He has betrayed western civilization. Vatican City will one day become a giant mosque if things continue in Europe along their present course. Those in the West who ignore this truth, do so at their own peril.”

In an angry and vitriolic rant revealing deep self-hating tendencies, the African Cardinal Arinze stated “There is nothing wrong with Europeans who want to protect their borders. The problem is that there is not enough border control and the immigration policies are far too lenient in Europe. Is it racist to desire to preserve one’s own home? Why is it racist to want to preserve your own culture and a future for your people and your children? Have white people gone stupid today?”

This much is clear, the Catholic Church has made a decision to rejoin humanity and to reject intolerance and extremism. The church has lost a few narrow-minded bigots, with reports of some small parishes and a few cardinals and bishops defecting, but Pope Francis has gained the friendship of the world. Pope Francis deserves praise for taking a humane stand in defence of human rights and against bigotry.

Diversity Chronicle

Ten predictions for 2014

What are going to be the biggest news events of 2014? Here are ten predictions.

Barnaby Phillips

What are going to be the biggest news events of 2014? Below are 10 predictions for the coming year.

But before going any further, you might want to read the similar column I wrote at this time last year, then looking ahead to 2013. It provides a salutary warning not to take my powers of prediction too seriously.

You’ll see that I got many things wrong. I thought we would see a more effective Obama presidency, and the demise of President Bashar Al-Assad of Syria. We did not. At least my safer predictions - that Netanyahu and Merkel would win elections in Israel and Germany, and that the fragile Greek government would struggle on for another year - turned out to be correct. And Andy Murray did win Wimbledon!

Now, for 2014. The usual caveat applies - my predictions do not necessarily reflect my personal preferences. I am simply trying to judge/guess/estimate what the next 12 months have in store.

1. I’m doing a volte-face on Syria, and now believe that President Assad will survive at least until the end of 2014. I underestimated Russian, and Iranian commitment to keep him in power. The rebel groups will remain fractured. Western countries, dismayed at the spread of radical Islam, will feel increasingly ambivalent about the outcome. But much depends on the Geneva talks, scheduled for late January.

2. A crucial issue for global security will be the success of the interim Iranian nuclear deal, and whether it leads to a permanent deal with the US, the UK, France, Germany, Russia and China. The obstacles are huge: the distrust between the US and Iran, and the complexity of internal politics in those countries as well as in Israel. But Presidents Obama and Rouhani will put huge amounts of political capital into making a nuclear deal stick, and most of the world will be cheering them on.

3. Many countries will hold elections in 2014 but India is perhaps the most important. In India the Congress Party, which has been so disappointing in government, will be swept from power. The Hindu-nationalist BJP, led by Narendra Modi, will dominate a new coalition, to the dismay of many Muslims.

4. There is also an election in South Africa. The ANC will win, but people are increasingly frustrated with corruption and poverty. Even the emotions unleashed by Nelson Mandela’s death may not help the ANC. As people reflect on Madiba’s legacy, dissatisfaction with President Zuma will grow.

5. Politics in Nigeria is even murkier. The ruling party, the PDP, is in a state of convulsion, with many defections. Nigerian political parties are not ideologically coherent entities, but vehicles for regional and personal interests. The PDP has an inglorious record in office, although it is an effective election-winning machine. But President Goodluck Jonathan will have to show hitherto concealed political skills if is government is to survive through 2014, before the election in 2015.  A safer prediction, just as I wrote last year, is that African economies will continue to grow, and African middle-classes will grow more assertive, even as the standard of political leadership on the continent lags behind.

6. Scotland will vote on Independence from the UK... and the result will be ‘No’.

7. The Eurozone will remain intact (and will even grow, as Latvia becomes the 18th country to join the single currency on January 1) but politics in Italy, Portugal and Greece will remain volatile. Expect a government to fall in at least one of those countries.

8. At the end of 2014... Julian Assange will still be in the Ecuadorean embassy in London, Edward Snowden will still be in Russia... but Yulia Tymoshenko will no longer be in custody in Ukraine.

9. There will be a surge in tourism to...Sarajevo, as visitors mark the 100th anniversary of the start of the 1st World War by seeing where the catastrophe began with the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand.

10. The football World Cup in Brazil will be won by... Germany, who will thereby become the first European country to win the competition in South America.

Aljazeera