Category: Socialist Democracy

AS ASUU CALLS OFF THREE MONTH OLD STRIKE Whither The Education Sector? (By Alayande Stephen T.) The perennial crisis rocking the nation’s education sector has continued unabated, and as usual, it took a whole three months for the Academic Staff Unions of Universities (ASUU) to suspend the strike action it embarked on in March 26, 2007. The point of disagreement

ROTIMI EWEBIYI ENDOWMENT FUND A Special Appeal For Donation The Democratic Socialist Movement appeals to labour, mass organizations and individuals to donate to the Rotimi Ewebiyi Endowment Fund (REEF). They are also invited to the 3rd Anniversary of Rotimi Ewebiyi and the re-launch of the Endowment Fund slated for August 18, 2007. The REEF was launched in July 2004 for

Can Economy Become Better Under Yar’Adua? (By Peluola Adewale) When Olusola Saraki, the Senate Leader in the second republic and the patriarch of the Kwara State politics led a group called the Northern Forum to pay him a visit, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, then the President-elect, unfolded his economic agenda. Reacting to comments by Saraki, he said, “I will ensure that

YAR’ADUA PRESIDENCY A New Dawn in Niger Delta? (By Peluola Adewale) With the emergence of Goodluck Jonathan as the Vice President of Nigeria, it was not out of place for some people to have expected improvement in the Niger Delta crisis. This hope was strengthened with the release of Asari Dokubo, the leader of the Niger Delta People Volunteer Force,

Spring Bank and Bank Consolidation (By Bosah Chinedu) The crisis that rocked the Spring Bank recently has totally exposed the hocus-pocus called bank consolidation or re-capitalization. When the macabre dance started in 2004, it was more of media hype in order to give the impression of glorious days ahead. From 89 banks, we now have 25 “big banks”. In less

THE UNITED STATES OF AFRICA Can It Ever Be? (By Lanre Arogundade) On the surface, the idea looks attractive, especially given the way the proponents present it. They pick the argument from a sore point. They argue that Africans were once united until the colonialists drew artificial boundaries that left the people divided and alienated. And they sound as if

SOUTH AFRICA PUBLIC SECTOR WORKERS’ STRIKE ANC Government Bows To Popular Pressure (By Eko John Nicholas) On Friday 1st June 2007, the South Africa public sector workers embarked on an indefinite mass action to campaign for a 12% salary increase. The strike, which lasted for almost 4 weeks, was unprecedented in the history of South Africa, for it represented the

Unending Crisis In Palestine (By Niran Okewole) The wheels of history recently turned in favour of Hamas in the struggle with Fatah over the control of Gaza strip. As it obtained in the January 2006 general election, the Fatah supporters were left stranded as the leading clique in Gaza, built around Mohamed Dahlan lost the influence they had had in

Victory For Ex-Unilorin Student Activist Victory again came the way of former student activist of University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), Lanre Akinola, when on June 8, 2007, the Court of Appeal sitting in Ilorin unanimously upheld the Judgment of the Federal High Court, Ilorin, which had earlier declared illegal and unconstitutional the withholding of Akniola’s academic record and degree. It also

UAD 6th National Convention The United Action for Democracy held its 6th National Convention in Bauchi on July 13-15, 2007. The National Convention also coincided with the 10th anniversary of the existence of the organisation since it was founded. The theme of the convention was “strengthening the UAD towards systemic transformation of Nigeria”. Issues of national importance that were discussed

DSM AND UAD JUNE 12 SYMPOSIUM Participants Call For Working Peoples Political Alternative On Tuesday 12 June 2007, the Democratic Socialist Movement (DSM) and United Action for Democracy (UAD) held a symposium with the theme: “2007 General Elections: Lessons Which The Working Masses and Pro-Working Masses Organization Must Draw”. The venue was the banquet hall of the Lagos Travel Inn,

DSM – A Brief History The Democratic Socialist Movement (DSM), the Nigerian affiliate of the Committee for a Workers’ International, has already a history of over two decades of struggle. Formed by labour and student socialist activists we had our first, founding conference in 1986. Because of the era of military dictatorship in which it was born, our organisation was

NCP: Mindless Destruction of a Good Objective For generations, there has been a need in Nigeria for a working peoples’ party, a party different from the robber bands masquerading as political parties that would fight against the miseries inflicted by capitalism and for a socialist future. The NCP’s launch marked a step towards such a party. It attracted the support

STATE OF REFINERIES A Ruling Class Sabotage (By Chinedu Bosah) Refineries can never work! That was the slogan repeatedly said by Obasanjo and his gang. Why? They said the government could not manage refineries. But they should be reminded that Venezuela government runs over 8 refineries such that it does not only export crude oil, it also exports refined products

YAR’ADUA ADMINISTRATION The Dawn Of Zero Tolerance For Corruption? (By Demola Yaya) The former Bayelsa State Governor, Diepreye Alamieyeseiagha, was sentenced to two-year jail term on July 26, 2007 after pleading guilty of stealing public wealth entrusted in him. In addition, as of the last count, five ex-governors are being prosecuted by the EFCC over serious allegation of stealing public