Xenophobia row exposes rivalry between South Africa and Nigeria

* South African anti-immigrant attacks kill 7 * Nigeria recalls top diplomat from South Africa * Nigeria, South Africa have long-standing rivalry * Two biggest economies key to Africa's success JOHANNESBURG The recall of Nigeria's top diplomat after a spate of xenophobic attacks in South Africa follows several similar spats that expose the two countries' deep rivalry for economic and political dominance in Africa. Nigeria's Acting High Commissioner to South Africa Martin Cobham said on Saturday he had been "invited" to Abuja to discuss this month's anti-immigrant attacks in South Africa, which have killed at least seven people. Televised images of armed gangs attacking immigrants and looting foreign-owned stores in Johannesburg have sparked a backlash in Nigeria, where hundreds protested in front of shops owned by South African brands like MTN and Shoprite. South Africa's foreign ministry on Sunday called Cobham's recall an "unfortunate and regrettable step", before taking a swipe at Abuja for its own record on protecting foreigners. Last September, a church hostel collapsed in Lagos, killing 115 people, most of them South African. Nigeria was criticised for its slow response to the disaster and what some saw as a haphazard rescue effort. "It would be curious for a sisterly country to want to exploit such a painful episode for whatever agenda," a foreign ministry statement said in response to Cobham's recall. "We did not blame the Nigerian government for the deaths and more than nine months' delay in the repatriation of the bodies of our fallen compatriots." Such tit-for-tat slights are becoming increasingly common. Weeks after the hostel collapse, South Africa seized $9.3 million from a private jet carrying two Nigerians, funds Abuja said were for a legitimate arms deal. South Africa said the deal was being conducted without relevant permits. Abuja accused South Africa of xenophobia when Nigerians were deported after staff at Johannesburg airport believed their yellow fever certificates were fake. Arik Air, Nigeria's biggest airline, briefly cancelled flights to South Africa. CANNIBALS Nigeria banned 2009 film "District 9", a hit movie directed by a South African that depicted Nigerians as cannibals, criminals and prostitutes who had sex with aliens. Rows over Hollywood movies and yellow fever certificates are reflective of a more serious battle for economic dominance and control over Africa's representation on the global stage. "It's no secret that Africa's would-be superpowers don't like each other very much," analyst Simon Allison wrote in a column in the Daily Maverick, a leading South African political online newspaper. "For all their lofty talk of unity and pan-Africanism, both Nigeria and South Africa are actually locked in a fierce struggle to be sub-Saharan Africa's pre-eminent superpower." Nigeria overtook South Africa as the continent's biggest economy last year after re-basing its GDP. Pretoria said the numbers reflected Nigeria's larger population and not the sophistication of their respective economies. "Despite what was said publicly, Nigeria's rebasing was resented by the South African government," a Pretoria-based Western diplomat told Reuters. Diplomats say that when South African politician Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, the ex-wife of President Jacob Zuma, won a close race to chair the African Union Commission in 2012, Nigeria strongly backed her opponent. Both countries are also lobbying for a permanent position to represent Africa on the United Nations Security Council. Given their political and economic heft -- together, the two economies are larger than the rest of sub-Saharan Africa's combined -- relations between South Africa and Nigeria could be decisive for the future of a continent of 1 billion people. "Nigeria and South Africa are like two prisoners in the same cell of poverty, inequality and bad leadership," Nigerian writer and political commentator Elnathan John told Reuters. "Together they could muster the strength to break their bonds and overpower the jailer but instead they spend time feuding with each other in a needlessly fractious relationship." By Joe Brock and Nqobile Dludla

Taye Taiwo & Turkish club Bursaspor mutually terminate contract

Nigerian out-of-favour international defender Taye Taiwo has mutually terminated his contract with his Turkish club Bursaspor. The club said in their official website to confirm the news.

The statement reads: "Our club have reached an agreement with Taye Taiwo to mutually terminate his contract."
Taiwo who has not made an appearance for the club this season joined the Turkish Super League outfit in July 2013.

The left back, born on April 16, 1985 has previously played for Olympique Marseille, AC Milan, Queens Park Rangers and Dynamo Kiev. His time with Marseille was the most memorable for the attacking defender, he made 253 appearances for Marseille and scored 23 goals.

Taiwo has played for the Super Eagles 54 times and scored 5 goals for the national team of Nigeria.

Where next for the versatile left-back?

Floating Hotels for Qatar 2022 World Cup

Qatar plans to accommodate some 12,000 football fans on cruise ships during the World Cup in 2022, a spokesman for the Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) said on Monday.

The proposal for "floating hotels" is a revival of an idea which was initially rejected two years ago.

However, Qatar is now seeking to strengthen its presence in the cruise ship market and the idea to house fans during the tournament has been re-floated.

The QTA announced the proposals at a trade conference in the US over the weekend.

In a statement on the official Qatar News Agency, the QTA said: "Over the past few years, QTA established a number of strong relationships with international cruise operators as well as with other specialists involved in the industry.

"This has proved to be of great importance especially that Qatar will be extensively benefiting from cruise ships over the 2022 World Cup, as a means of providing additional accommodation supply for fans and visitors over the period.

"QTA will be contracting a minimum of 6,000 rooms on cruise ships for 2022 tournament."

A spokesman for the authority confirmed on Monday that this equated to space for 12,000 fans.

It is not yet clear where the cruise ships will be docked but as part of Qatar's huge $200-billion (190-billion euros) capital spending project, ahead of football's most prestigious tournament, the country is building a new port south of the capital, Doha.

FIFA guidelines say Qatar must have 60,000 rooms available for fans by 2022.

Ambitious Qatar though has pledged to make 100,000 rooms available.

This however may lead to thousands of hotel rooms going empty once the tournament, being played in November and December 2022, finishes.

Housing football fans offshore may ease any problems of hotel room over-capacity and it could also help with the thorny issue of alcohol.

AFP

Nigerians resident in Qatar to vote new excos on 10 April

Just as Nigerians will go to the polls on Saturday, 11th April, 2015 to vote for gubernatorial aspirants in the 36 states of the federation, Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO-Qatar) will hold a general election for elective positions on 10 April 2015 for new executives, at Crowne Plaza Hotel in Doha

The wind of change occasioned by General Muhammed Buhari upstaging President Goodluck Jonathan as President-Elect, and Jonathan's acceptance and congratulatory message to the APC candidate has galvanised Nigerians home abroad, including Nigerian residents in Qatar to clamour for change. The over 7,500 Nigerians residents in Qatar have shown they too can elect theirs peacefully. The tempo is high with the electrifying campaigns, banners, SMS messages and meetings around town ahead of the election.

One thing is certain, Nigerian residents will be better for the whole process as the new executives will be tasked to clean up and positively promote the Nigerian image as a country of Good People and Great Nation. As part of making the process peaceful, the candidates for the different positions met and promised to work with whomsoever emerge as winners.

The highpoint of the election is the presidential race between Mutiu Adedeji, a Chartered Quantity Survey, and Member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and Amadi Nwokocha, a chartered Accountant, and a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN).

Speaking ahead of the election, Adedeji said, "I am one Nigerians who believes in our great nation, even though tribes and tongues may differ and despite the challenges we face outside our country, we remain a great people with zeal to excel in any field we may find ourselves. The Nigerian community in Qatar that I know even though far from being the ideal is good enough to identify with and be proud of. It is my belief that a big community organisation like ours needs VIBRANCY. On this note, I hereby seek your support and cooperation so that we can take NIDO-Qatar to a greater height."

"Within the 3 years that I have been in Qatar. I have had the privilege to visit and counsel people at detention camps, and have had several meetings with the Nigerian embassy officials on best ways to address some of the peculiar issues facing Nigerians in Qatar. I have also had the opportunity to assist some people, with challenges to relocate back to Nigeria," said Amadi Nwokocha. 

According to Princewill Mbah, a Nigerian, " As we go to vote on Friday, 10th April, 2015, let us have the mindset that we are all one family, we are not in any form of competition, ours supports and preferences for different candidates is not to set anybody or group against the other, or tear down NIDO-Qatar, but should be based on our knowledge and understanding of those candidates as regards leadership qualities and service, vis-a-vis meeting the yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians in Qatar."

Other positions to be filled include vice-president, general secretary, assistant general secretary, financial secretary, treasurer, social secretary, public relations officers, welfare officer and chief whip.

The Nigerians Diaspora-Qatar Chapter (NIDO-Qatar) formerly the Nigerian Community in Qatar Association (Dohanaija) was formed by a group of eminent Nigerians in 2002 as a social, non-religious and non-political forum where members can mingle, get-together as well as provide support for one another.

The organisation operates as a charitable entity and its main financial sources are from fees, levies, voluntary contributions and grants.

https://xa.yimg.com/kq/groups/4727699/1810415146/name/FINAL_ELECTION_CANDIDATES.pdf

Obama praises Jonathan for conceding defeat

US President Barack Obama praised President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday for conceding defeat in an election that he said showed "Nigeria's commitment to democratic principles."
"President Jonathan has placed his country's interests first by conceding the election and congratulating president-elect (Muhammadu) Buhari on his victory," Obama said in a White House statement.
Buhari won the election by 2.57 million votes official results showed Wednesday, defeating incumbent Jonathan in a close fought race.

"I look forward to working with President Jonathan throughout the remainder of his term, and I thank him for his many years of service and his statesmanlike conduct at this critical juncture," Obama said.
With dissatisfaction rife over insecurity and corruption and the economy faltering as oil revenues dive, voters turned out in force sensing an unprecedented opportunity for change in the weekend election.
"The last few days have shown the world the strength of Nigeria's commitment to democratic principles," Obama said.

"By turning out in large numbers and sometimes waiting all day to cast their votes, Nigerians came together to decide the future of their country peacefully."
After an often bitter campaign that included highly charged rhetoric on both sides, Buhari said he planned to meet with Jonathan soon to plan the transition.

"I urge president-elect Buhari and President Jonathan to repeat their calls to their supporters to continue to respect the election outcomes, focus on unifying the country, and together lead Nigeria through a peaceful transition," Obama said.

Buhari, a 72-year-old former army general who led Nigeria as a military ruler in the 1980s, said the vote had proved the country's "belief in democracy."
Obama also praised Nigeria's Independent National Election Commission (INEC) and its chairman, which he said "deserve special recognition for what independent international observers have deemed a largely peaceful and orderly vote."

Jonathan rewrites history, concedes defeat

President Goodluck Jonathan has etched his name in gold after conceding defeat to former military ruler Muhammadu Buhari, who has become the first opposition candidate to win a presidential election in Nigeria.

The people's General Buhari beat incumbent Goodluck Jonathan by more than 2.5 million votes, final results showed. Following President Jonathan’s telephoned call to his rival to concede defeat; Gen Buhari's supporters took to the streets to celebrate.
Nigerians have generally praised the election and praised the Jonathan for the single act of conceding defeat and avoiding a heat up and confrontation from his supporters with the rival party.
A , "Some called you a weakling, some too soft, some clueless, some dumb, but you are a man Nigeria will not forget for a long time, you avoided bloodshed, allowed peace to reign even when you heard negative utterances, you never went into dirty exchange of words with anybody, you are a gentleman par excellence, a man who gave his best but got nothing at the end. My quiet and cool president (GEJ) your name will be written on Sands of time with a diamond pen. Your stupidity as some think is actually a virtue given to you by God. Unknowingly you saved millions of lives today with the election results because of your acceptance and calmness. God bless you sir and bless Nigeria."

Chukwuma Anthony, a contributor from Facebook said, "History would prove Jonathan to be the BIG winner on this day. By far he proved too sensitive to the wish of the people and I can be proud that in my lifetime I witnessed a relatively credible, fair election. Whether it's going to be better, we wait and see. But we should all consider the truth about this election; the results shows a great divide based on ethnic and tribal sentiments you claim."

  One contributor in Vanguard Newspaper said, "GEJ has written his name in gold in the history of Nigeria and Africa for allowing a change in the election process (card readers) that made the votes of the people count and also for honourably accepting defeat. He has shown that he is a gentleman and a statesman. He has saved Nigeria from the prophecies of doom and crises even when he has the resources to plunge the nation into darkness. This is a rare trace in the black man's gene that even the president-elect should find exemplary and worth learning from. May God bless him as he turned another page in his life."

"The world is in awe of Jonathan's bravery in defeat and some you can't even get over your ex's for years, you think it is easy to do? Tweeted @Saintlee99

Obert Kingsley said, “Respect respect!!! Some people may translate it to be cowardice, but I translate to be heroic. Your statement, Mr President has automatically humbled me as a person though I celebrated your well deserved victory.”