Peace, Power and Politics in Nigeria
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In Nigeria this week, two civilians made history, as one
elected president handed over power to another in a first for that nation’s
long history of coups and military rule. But this year’s election process was
widely criticized as fraudulent, and Umaru Yar’Adua most likely will face legal
challenges to his victory. What will be on his agenda as he tries to govern the
second-wealthiest country in Africa, where half the population lives in
poverty? Also, Jack Kevorkian is
released from prison and, on Reporter's Notebook, it’s been called one of the
most influential albums of all time – today, Sargeant Pepper’s Lonely Hearts
Club Band turns forty. Sara Terry guest hosts.
Making News
Dr. Death Released from Prison ()
Jack Kevorkian, the retired pathologist who says he assisted at least 130 suicides, left prison in Detroit today, after completing eight years of a ten to twenty-five-year sentence for second degree murder. The man dubbed "Dr. Death" was convicted for injecting lethal drugs into a man suffering from Lou Gehrig's Disease. George Eighmey is executive director of Compassion and Choices of Oregon.
Guests:
- George Eighmey: Executive Director of Compassion & Choices of Oregon
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Main Topic
Can Nigeria's New President Bring Reform and Stability? ()
Nigerians witnessed an historic first this week, the peaceful transfer of power from one civilian president to another. Despite this first after the nation's long history of coups and military rule, the election process that brought Umaru Yar'Adua to power has been widely criticized as fraudulent and will most likely result in legal challenges to his victory. What will be on his agenda as he tries to govern the second-wealthiest country in Africa, where half the population lives in poverty? Can he build on the anti-corruption successes of his predecessor? Will the new president be able to persuade rebels in the oil-rich south to stop their attacks, which have cut the country's oil production by one-third? What about the expectations of average Nigerians? Sara Terry guest hosts.
Guests:
- Scott Baldauf: Africa Bureau Chief for the Christian Science Monitor
- Chris Fomunyoh: Regional Director for Africa at the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs
- Chukwuemeka Eze: Nigerian Network Coordinator for the West Africa Network for Peace Building
- Michael Watts: Director of the Center for African Studies at UC Berkeley
- Sulayman Nyang: Professor of African Studies at Howard University
Links:
Reporter's Notebook
Sgt Pepper's, Still Sounding Good at Forty? ()
The most famous lonely hearts club in the world turns forty today. Long-time music writer Alan Light celebrates the Beatles' Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, which has been called the most influential album ever.
Guests:
- Alan Light: long-time music writer
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