This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/africa/8482420.stm
The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| US blames Nigeria for extremism | US blames Nigeria for extremism |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has blamed failings by Nigerian leaders for increasing "radicalisation" among young Nigerians. | US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has blamed failings by Nigerian leaders for increasing "radicalisation" among young Nigerians. |
| She pointed to poor living standards and "unbelievable" corruption. | She pointed to poor living standards and "unbelievable" corruption. |
| Mrs Clinton was speaking after a young Nigerian man from a wealthy family was accused of trying to blow up a plane over the US on Christmas Day. | Mrs Clinton was speaking after a young Nigerian man from a wealthy family was accused of trying to blow up a plane over the US on Christmas Day. |
| She said she believed that bombing suspect Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab was "disturbed by his father's wealth". | She said she believed that bombing suspect Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab was "disturbed by his father's wealth". |
| The Nigerian government has not responded to Mrs Clinton's criticism. | The Nigerian government has not responded to Mrs Clinton's criticism. |
| Anti-state uprisings | Anti-state uprisings |
| Nigeria is one of the world's biggest oil exporters but most of its people live in poverty. | Nigeria is one of the world's biggest oil exporters but most of its people live in poverty. |
| With its large impoverished Muslim population and oil industry, Western diplomats have long feared that Nigeria could be a prime target for al-Qaeda. | With its large impoverished Muslim population and oil industry, Western diplomats have long feared that Nigeria could be a prime target for al-Qaeda. |
| There has to be a recognition that in the last 10 years, a lot of the indicators about quality of life in Nigeria have gone the wrong direction Hillary Clinton | There has to be a recognition that in the last 10 years, a lot of the indicators about quality of life in Nigeria have gone the wrong direction Hillary Clinton |
| But there have been no known al-Qaeda attacks in the country. | But there have been no known al-Qaeda attacks in the country. |
| However, there have been several violent uprisings against the state by local radical Muslim sects. | However, there have been several violent uprisings against the state by local radical Muslim sects. |
| Mrs Clinton was speaking at a "town hall" meeting with state department officials. | Mrs Clinton was speaking at a "town hall" meeting with state department officials. |
| "I do think that Nigeria faces a threat from increasing radicalisation that needs to be addressed, and not just by military means," she said. | "I do think that Nigeria faces a threat from increasing radicalisation that needs to be addressed, and not just by military means," she said. |
| "There has to be a recognition that, in the last 10 years, a lot of the indicators about quality of life in Nigeria have gone the wrong direction. | "There has to be a recognition that, in the last 10 years, a lot of the indicators about quality of life in Nigeria have gone the wrong direction. |
| "The information we have on the Christmas Day bomber so far seems to suggest that he was disturbed by his father's wealth and the kind of living conditions that he viewed as being not Islamic enough." | "The information we have on the Christmas Day bomber so far seems to suggest that he was disturbed by his father's wealth and the kind of living conditions that he viewed as being not Islamic enough." |
| Following the alleged plot, security screening for Nigerians travelling to the US has been tightened. | Following the alleged plot, security screening for Nigerians travelling to the US has been tightened. |
| Nigeria's government has condemned the measures, saying 150 million Nigerians should not be blamed for the actions of one man. | Nigeria's government has condemned the measures, saying 150 million Nigerians should not be blamed for the actions of one man. |
| Nigerian officials have also sought to distance their country from the alleged bomber - stressing that he left the country 10 years ago. | Nigerian officials have also sought to distance their country from the alleged bomber - stressing that he left the country 10 years ago. |
| Mr Abdulmutallab has reportedly admitted undergoing military training with al-Qaeda operatives in Yemen. | Mr Abdulmutallab has reportedly admitted undergoing military training with al-Qaeda operatives in Yemen. |
| Who do you think is to blame for the extremism among some young Nigerians? Do you agree with Mrs Clinton's criticism? Send us your views, using the postform below. | Who do you think is to blame for the extremism among some young Nigerians? Do you agree with Mrs Clinton's criticism? Send us your views, using the postform below. |
| A selection of your comments will be published. | A selection of your comments will be published. |
| In as much as I agree with Mrs Clinton on the unbelievable levels of corruption in Nigeria, creating unbelievable poverty in the land. However, I totally disagree that the elder Mutallab's legitimate wealth somehow contributed to the son's actions. If that be the case, then the Aliko Dangote's an industrialist, the Dantata's whose family wealth is as old as the Rockefeller's just to name a few, will all be terrorist. A parent should not be blamed for trying to position his child education wise, for the challenges ahead. If anything his father should be congratulated for doing what most parents will not do, reporting an earring child to the authorities, as painful as it is to do so.Stanley Duru, Abuja, Nigeria | |
| America didn't hesitate to label Nigeria has a terrorist Nation because of Abdumutallab's actions but they purposely Ignored the fact that he was radicalised and recruited in the UK. Why is the UK not labelled as a terrorist nation? even after the shoe bomber? This is racism and Nigerian youths are no extremists!Afolalu Charles, Lagos, Nigeria | |
| Nigerians should not be blamed for that act of one bad boy. The boy is on his own he should be punished for that bad stupid act. Charles, Abia State, Nigeria | |
| Having recently relocated to Nigeria from the UK to coordinate a community based organisation in Lagos I know that Nigeria has a larger number of creative and enterprising youth. Unfortunately however most political leaders do not seem to have put meaningful youth development on the agenda. many of our leaders seem only to be interested in amassing wealth by any means possible leaving a ticking time bomb of youth unemployment and underemployment. | |
| When youth have no means of making a meaningful life existence then they will be tools in the hands of extremists. Many youth are honestly appalled by their lack of opportunities and seek means to address this injustice. So yes by default and inaction our leaders are responsible for youth extremism among youth in NigeriaYomi Oloko, Lagos | |
| As a Nigerian i think we are responsible for our problems. A section of the country lives in unimaginable wealth in direct contrast to the quality of life of the majority. No questions are asked, there is no dignity of labour. Some Nigerian youth feel the failed bomber should have targeted the NATIONAL ASSEMBLY. I agree with Mrs Clinton. yomi johnson, Lagos, Nigeria | |
| I would rule Mrs. Clinton wrong on her saying the standard of living in this country is deteriorating for there is vast improvement over the years, as for the terrorist Abdul he did not live and school in Nigeria so he would not act as a true Nigeria. Solomon Danladi, Jos Nigeria | |
| I agree with her to the extent that the systemic failure in Nigeria has entrenched bad leadership that enable youth fall victims of extreme views. | |
| President Obama has said it, we don't need men, because they will die and can disappoint. What we need are "strong institutions". Institutions that will ensure the system works, if the system works, good leadership will be entrenched. | |
| However, your reported is unfair to say "its large impoverished Muslim population". This gives the impression that only Muslim population in Nigeria are impoverished, rather the entire country, be it Muslim, Christians or traditionalists. I will be happy if this is corrected. Lekan, UK | |
| I strongly agreed with what Mrs. Clinton said about our failing leaders . Dikko Ibrahim, Nigeria | |
| American embassy in Nigeria grants visa premeditatively. The right people are never given visa. I had been a victim. Hillary has the right to a free speech, but she is always wrong in her perception of Nigeria. Nigerians are good people. Iyefe Lanikoniyo, Nigeria (Paradise on earth) | |
| Government should be blames for the poverty and the Westerns World should be blame as well for the extremism act in Nigeria. | |
| who keep the stolen money for the Govt in Nigeria? Westerner / US. | |
| Who encourage Africans Govt to steal more & more money? Westerner / US (Buying Luxurious and paying huge tax to their Govt). | |
| Who assist them to travel to exile to seek refugee, if alarm blow? Westerners / US. | |
| Where is Cecilia Ibrus, Ibori, IBB, OBJ, Atiku and Tinubu kept there stolen wealth? Switzerland. | |
| Hilary Clinton should say something else and stop blaming games. | |
| Is Chevron paying the right tax to the revenue of Nigeria. What about Corporate Social Responsibilities to the welfare of people? | |
| We young generation are coming with unique ideas of changing the face of Nigeria as a nation.Hammed Bolaji, Dublin, Ireland | |
| I strongly agree with mama clinton because of uneven wealth distribution makes the poor think r worthless n hopeless n need to revenge just to annoy!Dr.kissanga, Tanzania | |
| Most young people in Nigeria are disillusioned and desperate... The stifling weight of corruption and the worsening economy are driving some to seek avenues for the expression of their anger.Chinedu madu, Orlu, Nigeria | |
| Nothing can be further from the truth. Nigerian rulers (they are not leaders) have not only failed the country, they have failed Africa and the black world. The level of what Mrs. Clinton called unbelievable corruption is understatement compare to the recklessness by which the rulers are violating the country's constitution in order to perpetuate their grip on the suffering Nigerian masses. It is just a matter of time before the country would be declared a failed state and the international community ought to step in now to prevent another Yugoslavia, Liberia, Burundi or Congo. Abiola Falayajo Jr., Ipetu-Ijesha, osun state | |
| The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions | The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions |