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Nigerian Activist Declared Persona Non Grata in Gambia
Monday, 24 October 2011 00:17
(JollofNews) - A Nigerian human rights activist and vocal critic of the government of President Yahya Jammeh was
last weekend unceremoniously sent packing from the Gambia.Chidi Anselm Odinkalu who works for the Open Society Justice Initiative (OSJI) was reportedly declared persona non grata by Gambia due to his criticisms of the Jammeh regime’s lack of respect for the rule law and the hostile media environment in the country.
Mr Odinkalu who is also a prominent member of the national executive of the Nigerian Bar Association was in the Gambia to attend the 30th anniversary of the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights held on October 22 and 23, 2011 at Sheraton International Conference Centre, Brusubi, where he was expected to deliver a paper titled: Normative Gaps in the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights: A Synopsis Overview.
News of his expulsion from the Gambia has left participants of the two-day colloquium flabbergasted.
''He is neither a mercenary nor an armed man. So, I don't know why he has been declared persona non grata by the Gambia government,'' a member of the Nigerian civil society movement stated.
Reacting to Mr Odinkalu’s expulsion, Oluarewayu Surayu, head of the West African Bar Association Secretariat, described it as a declaration and that his organisation would deal with the issue accordingly.
“It is most unfortunate that the Gambia is taking its repressive tendency beyond its borders,” he said.
Written by Abdoulie John
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Comments
I also agree that there are very many good Nigerians too.
Some of your comments are uncalled for and I think even gambianice and Radiokangkang will not want to associate themselves with those comments.
Nigerians,like Gambians,cannot be held collectively responsible for the activities of their fellow citizens abroad. There are many hard working,talente d and decent Nigerians,who are our brothers and sisters,and are contributing immensely in Africa and abroad.
I hope you see sense and withdraw those unfortunate comments of yours. I don't think that is the purpose of this forum: criminalising a whole nation.
Chidi is not even representing any Nigerian in the OSJI,so I can't see the relevance of those anti-Nigerian sentiments in this debate.
SORRY MATE ...,BUT THAT ATTACK IS UNWARRANTED.BLAST CHIDI,IF YOU MAY,BUT NOT ALL NIGERIANS FOR HIS 'CRIME' OF CRITICISING YAYA JAMMEH.
The pot is calling the kettle black.
Your's is the GABBAGE.
Don't disrupt the matured and civilized discourse between the gentlement. The topic has no place for tormented hearts. Now take a chill pill and let the gentle debate issues, not emotions.
Dont forget that it was the same Chidi who was 100% complicit in the Sierra Leone War. Wasnt this same socalled human right defender a close friend and confidant of Valentine Strasser???
The same chidi who was representing the business interest of his Boss and four other multinationals all of whom were 100% complicit in bloodbath in Africa and in particular Freetown. With all that activity, he conniving being decided to offered advise to the UN observers in Sierra Leone after the war!
How convienient? A close confidant of Valentine strasser is now a human right defender?!
Chidi held a grudge against Gambia when we decided to hand over his secret friend Strasser back to Sierra Leone.
Plz lets argue about something we all know more about. As 4 chidi only time will tell...be rest assured.
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