London: Deputy High Commissioner, Mr Dozie Nwanna engages protesters in free for all Print E-mail
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Friday, 29 June 2007

The UK Team-29th of June Protest at the Spanish Embassy

The UK team converged at Victoria Train Station at 11:20AM from where we all walked down to the Embassy of Spain on Chesham Road; we met other protesters waiting for us. At exactly 12Midday, we approached the main entrance of the Spanish Embassy where an official was already waiting for us. He told us that the Embassy would only allow two people into the lobby to meet with a diplomatic official, the group protested but eventually succumbed and the duo of Anne Mordi and Uche Nworah walked into the lobby to deliver the letter and get a copy signed. We must however state that the embassy did not allow us take any photographs nor record the proceedings on video tape.

While we waited for the duo to come out, police officers swooped on us accusing us all that there was a report that we were restricting visitors and staff of the embassy from going in, we denied this and despite being angered maintained our cool: this was a diversionary tactic to derail us because there was obviously no reason why they must come armed to the teeth, dem no sabi how many times we don protest for Naija inside tear gas? Anne Mordi and Uche Nworah eventually came out and we proceeded to the barricaded traffic island provided by the Police where we had another confrontation. The chief officer wanted us to be caged but we protested this, Wale Akin and Uncle Tisha who had made initial arrangement with the Met Police had a quick discourse with the officer who eventually agreed to our argument. We protested, sang solidarity songs, distributed leaflets and posters to passersby and drivers. We left the Spanish Embassy at 2pm and proceeded to the Nigerian High Commission Building on Northumberland Avenue, London to also deliver a protest letter to the High Commissioner, HE Dr Christopher Kolade.

{mosgoogle} We were met with an initial stiff opposition which eventually melted and the duo of Uncle Tisha and Uche Nworah were invited into the building to deliver the letter and also get a copy signed. While we awaited the return of the duo, the official car of the Deputy High Commissioner, Mr Dozie Nwanna pulled into the diplomatic bay and the group approached him for an impromptu interview, he declined to be interviewed which resulted in a hot exchange of words that also went into a momentary free for all fight that brought the Police to calm the situation, we eventually got the letters signed and took our leave.

We must report at this juncture that the Deputy High Commissioner behaved in a manner not worthy of an Ambassador, he fought with our camera crew and wanted the cameras seized but we protested, to say that we were shocked was indeed an understatement! Nigerian public office holders need to know that they will be abused, heckled and painted black at all times, they need not mess up themselves in public!

We must therefore commend the participants for a job well done despite the low turn-out, Nigerians like to talk the talk but not work the work. Twenty one participants were involved in the protest in a country where there are over 2 Million Nigerians!!

May the soul of the deceased rest in perfect peace!

Signed
UK Group

 

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RobotRobot is offline 
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 # 1

Deputy High Commissioner, Mr Dozie Nwanna pulled into the diplomatic bay and the group approached
...Read the full article.

Posted by Robot| 29.06.2007 17:49

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AuspiciousAuspicious is offline 
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 # 2

Deputy High Comm fought in public??? Wait, as in fisticuffs??? That would be a shame on him, if true. Anyways, good job on the part of the organizers. We hope and pray that your efforts will yield the kid of positive results we expect: justice for Aikpitanhis and respect for the human rights of Nigerians everywhere.

Auspicious.

Posted by Auspicious| 29.06.2007 18:01

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tatafotatafo is offline 
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 # 3


While we awaited the return of the duo, the official car of the Deputy High Commissioner, Mr Dozie Nwanna pulled into the diplomatic bay and the group approached him for an impromptu interview, he declined to be interviewed which resulted in a hot exchange of words that also went into a momentary free for all fight that brought the Police to calm the situation, we eventually got the letters signed and took our leave.

We must report at this juncture that the Deputy High Commissioner behaved in a manner not worthy of an Ambassador, he fought with our camera crew and wanted the cameras seized but we protested, to say that we were shocked was indeed an understatement! Nigerian public office holders need to know that they will be abused, heckled and painted black at all times, they need not mess up themselves in public!



:lol::lol: wait let me laugh first and come back first. I need to read this again. Olagbara ju gan ni! :biggrin::biggrin:

Posted by tatafo| 29.06.2007 18:03

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nigeria we hail thee!nigeria we hail thee! is offline 
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 # 4

The so-called deputy high commissioner thinks he is in Nigeria where they behave like gods. Anyway, what do you expect where clowns are made ambassadors. They should have been the ones championing this. Ewu Gambia. :redface::redface::redface:

Posted by nigeria we hail thee!| 29.06.2007 18:47

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Sapele ManSapele Man is offline 
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 # 5

It's a shame that a Nigerian deputy High Commissioner went that far to engage in a fight over what really is a peaceful protest about an incident involving the Spanish authorities. I bet he is disappointed that the Nigerian Police wasn't there to tear gas the protesters as it is often the case in Nigeria.

The next petition should be about his removal from office. I am sending one directly to Yar'Adua. Enough is enough of these bad elements in our mist.

Posted by Sapele Man| 30.06.2007 01:34

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omakingbogunomakingbogun is offline 
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 # 6


=Auspicious;188035>Deputy High Comm fought in public??? Wait, as in fisticuffs??? That would be a shame on him, if true. Anyways, good job on the part of the organizers. We hope and pray that your efforts will yield the kid of positive results we expect: justice for Aikpitanhis and respect for the human rights of Nigerians everywhere.

Auspicious.



Auspicious and all fellow villagers, wetin dey surprise una sake of sai Deputi High Kommisioner dey fight for public? Dem pull peson comot for 'Ojuelegba', com make am deputi, wetin make we expect? Abeg me i no surprise at all. This 'AREA FATHER' of a deputi High Kommisioner jus dey show im turu color my peeps.

Anyway sha, make i give '1,000,000 GBOSAS' to all those 9ja pepo wey participate in this protest. Also, make Almighty Allah forgive the departed im sins (Amen). Also, thanks to the present government of the 'FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA' for eventually waking up from their 'COMA' and 'ATTEMPT' to investigate the inhuman killing of our citizen (Aikpitani) in Spain.
:rolleyes::redface::rolleyes:

Posted by omakingbogun| 30.06.2007 02:50

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akuluounoakuluouno is offline 
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 # 7

Hon Villagers,

I join others to commend the NVS on the successful protest over the dastardly death of our citizen in Spain in the hands of Spanish authorities. But for the bomb incident in the city by suspected Islamic terrorists, I would have made it just in time at least at the High Commission.
However, I believe that the incident at the Nigeria High Commission ought not to have taken place had it been some decorum was applied. Agreed the passion over the death of Osamuyiwa really ran high, but we need to re-examine the events at the Nigerian mission with a view to not allowing our emotions get a better part of our reason.
By the time I arrived, police cars have blocked off the street leading into the mission and were questioning some people.
I also heard allegations of a knive being pulled by someone during the melee. I believe that some decorum should be exhibited during protests so that it is not bedevilled by te ubiquitous Nigeria factor.
From the pictures, I saw so many decent villagers. But knowing crowd behaviour there may be some disgruntled elements who had other scores to settle and who saw this as an opportunity to mete out vengeance on persons who when they woke up that morning had good intentions for the world.
i beleive that when the situation calms down, honourable villagers might need to evaluate the ugly display at the high commisson and cause that a contrite action be adopted. :frown::frown:
Please throw away my words but do not throw me awayoooo.:D:D:D

Posted by akuluouno| 30.06.2007 03:09

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omakingbogunomakingbogun is offline 
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 # 8


=akuluouno;188132>.....................but we need to re-examine the events at the Nigerian mission with a view to not allowing our emotions get a better part of our reason.
By the time I arrived, police cars have blocked off the street leading into the mission and were questioning some people.



My sista, i see where you are coming from, and to a larger degree you are absolutely spot on. My only exception though is the lack of 'empathy, duty of care and diplomacy' on the part of a high ranking government official (indeed a representative of the office of the President of Nigeria) such as Mr Nwanna. In one of the spanish embassies, there was a bit of boisterousness too and the police had to be called. We did not see any Spanish embassy officials engaging in fisticuffs!!! (Haba)! It's a shame really that we have these 'BOLE K' A JA' officials. Pathetic really!!!!:rolleyes::redface:

Posted by omakingbogun| 30.06.2007 03:43

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tyatya is offline 
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 # 9


=akuluouno;188132>Hon Villagers,

I join others to commend the NVS on the successful protest over the dastardly death of our citizen in Spain in the hands of Spanish authorities. But for the bomb incident in the city by suspected Islamic terrorists, I would have made it just in time at least at the High Commission.
However, I believe that the incident at the Nigeria High Commission ought not to have taken place had it been some decorum was applied. Agreed the passion over the death of Osamuyiwa really ran high, but we need to re-examine the events at the Nigerian mission with a view to not allowing our emotions get a better part of our reason.
By the time I arrived, police cars have blocked off the street leading into the mission and were questioning some people.
I also heard allegations of a knive being pulled by someone during the melee. I believe that some decorum should be exhibited during protests so that it is not bedevilled by te ubiquitous Nigeria factor.
From the pictures, I saw so many decent villagers. But knowing crowd behaviour there may be some disgruntled elements who had other scores to settle and who saw this as an opportunity to mete out vengeance on persons who when they woke up that morning had good intentions for the world.
i beleive that when the situation calms down, honourable villagers might need to evaluate the ugly display at the high commisson and cause that a contrite action be adopted. :frown::frown:
Please throw away my words but do not throw me awayoooo.:D:D:D



Thanx AK. There are always two sides to a story and usually half of it is never told. We all know that the behaviour of Nigerian officials in our Embassies the world over towards their citizens can leave much to be desired. However, typical Naija Ambassandors are much too pompous to condescend to engaging if fisticuffs. Why the garnishing?

Posted by tya| 30.06.2007 04:25

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UncleTishaUncleTisha is offline 
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 # 10


=akuluouno;188132>Hon Villagers,

I join others to commend the NVS on the successful protest over the dastardly death of our citizen in Spain in the hands of Spanish authorities. But for the bomb incident in the city by suspected Islamic terrorists, I would have made it just in time at least at the High Commission.
However, I believe that the incident at the Nigeria High Commission ought not to have taken place had it been some decorum was applied. Agreed the passion over the death of Osamuyiwa really ran high, but we need to re-examine the events at the Nigerian mission with a view to not allowing our emotions get a better part of our reason.
By the time I arrived, police cars have blocked off the street leading into the mission and were questioning some people.
I also heard allegations of a knive being pulled by someone during the melee. I believe that some decorum should be exhibited during protests so that it is not bedevilled by te ubiquitous Nigeria factor.
From the pictures, I saw so many decent villagers. But knowing crowd behaviour there may be some disgruntled elements who had other scores to settle and who saw this as an opportunity to mete out vengeance on persons who when they woke up that morning had good intentions for the world.
i beleive that when the situation calms down, honourable villagers might need to evaluate the ugly display at the high commisson and cause that a contrite action be adopted. :frown::frown:
Please throw away my words but do not throw me awayoooo.:D:D:D




@Akuluouno,

I'm compelled to respond to the highlighted part of your post because of the grave allegation contained therein, particularly the underlined sentence. I don't know who made the allegation of a knife being drawn but it would be good, for posterity's sake that you please name and shame.

Several of us were at the protest and we faced challenges ranging from patronising behaviour of some Spanish officials, absolute lies against our persons by the same Spanish officials, attempted intimidation by some members of the Metropolitan Police and ultimately undue harrassment by some officers at the Nigeria House.

When I have the time and if it is absolutely necessary, I'll give a minute by minute account of the entire day so everyone can have the context of the events, from my own perspective. Most of the events were captured on video anyway.

At the Nigeria House, there was some reluctance to listen to us. Before the arrival of the main group, some had arrived at the Nigeria House earlier and requested, through the doorphone for access to the Embassy.

We arrived just as the door was opened and two officials, a man and a woman who did not eventually tell us their names, came outside. The woman was the spokesperson and she requested for a few minutes to check how many people could be accommodated inside the building. A few minutes later, she emerged, with the other man in tow, to inform us that they could only allow two people in, and that all the others should remain outside.

At this point, Uche Nworah informed her that we did not need to go into the embassy. All we wanted to do was submit a letter and then leave. At her insistence that we nominate two people to come forward, Uche and myself stepped up into the embassy where the woman, very professional, requested for the letter and proceeded to get it acknowledged. Her colleague stayed with us and collected our contact details.

After a waiting for a while, I went out to inform the group waiting outside of events inside. Upon getting back into the building, the Chief security Officer (I believe) of the embassy in the company of two other officials, came up to Uche and I , introduced himself and informed us that we should have given them prior notification of our coming to protest.

Uche and I again reiterated that we were not there to protest but to hand in their own copy of a letter duly addressed to all Nigerian Embassies worldwide. I particulaly informed him that we had nothing against them at the Nigeria House because the event happened in Spain. We then took the opportunity to inform them that there were several complaints against Nigerian Embassies generally and that we were, by the global activities of the day, serving them notice that we would henceforth be on their case.

At this point, another official hurriedly came in to request the attention of the Security Officer. All the officials that had been with us left at this point. After a few minutes, Uche and I decided to go outside to rejoin the group to await the acknowledged copy of our letter.

Upon getting outside, we noticed there was a war of words between some of members of our group and some Nigerian Embassy officials, right in front of a side door that led into the embassy.

The so-called "fight" started when the deputy high commissioner allegedlyattempted to snatch the camera being used to record the events and was rebuffed. A member of our group was actually hit in the face with the camera while that lasted. No one drew any knife at anyone even though there was a lot of shouting by both sides prior to the intervention of Uche and myself.

It was actually in the midst of all the noise that a Nigerian Embassy official collected a copy of the letter and duly acknowledged it, which was our original mission as clearly expressed to the embassy officials.

Once the letter was signed, we all left the embassy, walked to a nearby park, thanked ourselve for taking time out to participate in the protest, held hands, prayed and dispersed. One group opted to go via the bus while the rest of us decided to take the tube.

Posted by UncleTisha| 30.06.2007 05:39

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