Nigerians protest against fuel subsidy loss at London embassy - 06.01.2012

Around 200 Nigerian students and emigres representing "Nigerian Students In Diaspora", "Nigerians In Diaspora" and their supporters protested on 06.01.2012 outside the Nigerian High Commission on Northumberland Avenue against the abolition by the government of Nigerian president Goodwill Jonathan of fuel subsidies which has seen the average price of petrol in Nigeria since January 1st 2012 rocket - with no prior warning - from $0.40 per liter to $0.89 per liter with black market prices as high as $1.25 per liter, which, in a country where the national average wage is around $2 per day, with two-thirds of Nigerians living on less than $1.24 a day and pre-January inflation at 10.5%, is having an immediate negative impact on the cost of living for millions of Nigerians.

Transport fares have already increased by 150% causing huge resentment amongst the general population who regard it as a devaluation of the minimum wage, triggering protests in several Southern cities and towns, including Lagos (on January 3rd), Ilorin and Kano (on January 4th) which provoked a violent response from government forces which resulted in several injuries and one death after protesters blocked access to gas stations.

The largest producer of oil on the African continent, Nigeria nevertheless lacks the infrastructure to refine oil to make petroleum and so imports $16 billion of fuel a year. The fuel subsidies have been adding a further $7.5 billion to the budget, and the Government - which is accused by activists and Human Rights Watch of squandering and stealing much of the nation's vast oil wealth, leaving very little for health services and education - now claims that this money would be better spent on improving national infrastructure and social programs. Most Nigerians, however, are convinced this is little more than a lie to further enrich the corrupt politicians and government officials at their expense.

Speaking earlier this week, Minister of Petrol Resources, Diezani Allison-Madueke said "We are looking not in fact at necessarily at subsidy removal, if you want to call it. It is actually a subsidy transfer, because we are looking at the real benefits to the economy and to Nigerians, that can be handed over to Nigerians, that all Nigerians across the spectrum will feel and see from the get go".

Following talks in the capital Abuja on Wednesday 4th January Nigeria's two main unions, the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress called for nationwide demonstrations and labour strikes starting on Monday 9th January unless the government restores the subsidy which is, they say, the only tangible benefit that ordinary Nigerians receive from the huge oil wealth flowing through the government's coffers. Despite being quickly labelled as "Hooligans" by the government, the unions say the mass rallies, street protests and general strikes targetting oil production sites, sea and air ports, banks and markets will be peaceful, and have advised ordinary Nigerians to stockpile supplies for their basic needs, including food and water.

The tension is further exacerbated by a presidential declaration of a state of emergency in fifteen locations relating to the long-running conflict with Southern militant group Boko Haram who, since 2009, have been attacking the oil industry and government in the North for many years as they demand more oil wealth is shared with the poor communities. The militants had carried out a bombing campaign recently to mark the end of a three-day deadline which Boka Haram had given for Southerners living in Northern Nigeria to move away, and had caused explosions in the Northern cities of Maiduguri and Damaturu, though there were no casualties. In a separate incident gunmen attributed to Boka Harem shot and killed two people in Damaturu, and on Christmas day they infamously bombed a catholic church in the capital, Abuja.

Community leader Chief Okoro Samson, a community leader in Delta state, said last week that the rising costs come at a very bad time in Nigeria: “Just take a walk around the city and you know everyone is angry. You risk demonstration in this country and protests are breaking out. You can't contain it because the terrorists, the so-called Boko Haram, will take advantage of it and launch their attacks everywhere,” he said.

The fuel subsidy protests continued on Tuesday in Lagos, which has not experienced the attacks of Boko Haram in the north. For many in the south, the enemy is the government of President Jonathan. Seun Kuti - son of legendary musician, the late Fela Kuti - addressing protesters in the southern city of Lagos said this week "Goodwill Jonathan is Nigeria's only terrorist. We cannot agree to this kind of financial IMF terror. Nigeria cannot pay the same price of petrol as Americans. We don't have American minimum wage".

Media Contact and General Query:

Nicholas: +447436296907

Charles: +447436307574

Aminu: +447852171675

And +447438348346

All photos © 2012 Pete Riches

Do not reproduce, alter or reblog my images without my written permission.

Hi-Res versions of these files are available for license on application. NUJ rates apply.

about.me/peteriches

Palestinians hold second angry protest at Israeli embassy - 17.11.2012

Around 1,000 Palestinians held their second large protest in two days outside the Israeli embassy in London in response to the ongoing bombing campaign being waged by the Israeli Defence Force using drones, F16's and warships on the almost completely defenceless Gaza Strip, described by many as the largest open-air prison in the world. The Israelis have mobilised 75,000 army reservists and are amassing this huge force on the borders of Gaza for a seven-week ground invasion using the codename 'Operation Pillar of Cloud', which is undoubtedly going to result in the deaths of many hundreds of captive Palestinians who are already denied medical supplies by the Israelis.

Though claiming that their strikes are "Precision-targeted at Hamas military positions and avoid unneccessary civilian deaths", when Israel last invaded Gaza in 2008 during Operation cast Lead the IDF (Israel Defence Force) subjected the civilian population to phosphorous bombs, chemical weapons, depleted uranium munitions and cluster bombs - all illegal under international law. This was done with only 10,000 reservists over a two week period and resulted in 1,471 deaths and thousands of injured. Nobody can even guess how many will die this time, and human rights organisations including the International Red Cross and Amnesty International have called for the Israeli government to stop this latest attack on Gaza.

All photos © 2012 Pete Riches

Do not reproduce, alter, re-transmit or reblog my images without my written permission.

Hi-Res, un-watermarked versions of these files are available on application solely at my discretion

Media buyers can purchase images from this story from Demotix/Corbis directly.

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Nigerians protest against fuel subsidy loss at London embassy - 06.01.2012

Around 200 Nigerian students and emigres representing "Nigerian Students In Diaspora", "Nigerians In Diaspora" and their supporters protested on 06.01.2012 outside the Nigerian High Commission on Northumberland Avenue against the abolition by the government of Nigerian president Goodwill Jonathan of fuel subsidies which has seen the average price of petrol in Nigeria since January 1st 2012 rocket - with no prior warning - from $0.40 per liter to $0.89 per liter with black market prices as high as $1.25 per liter, which, in a country where the national average wage is around $2 per day, with two-thirds of Nigerians living on less than $1.24 a day and pre-January inflation at 10.5%, is having an immediate negative impact on the cost of living for millions of Nigerians.

Transport fares have already increased by 150% causing huge resentment amongst the general population who regard it as a devaluation of the minimum wage, triggering protests in several Southern cities and towns, including Lagos (on January 3rd), Ilorin and Kano (on January 4th) which provoked a violent response from government forces which resulted in several injuries and one death after protesters blocked access to gas stations.

The largest producer of oil on the African continent, Nigeria nevertheless lacks the infrastructure to refine oil to make petroleum and so imports $16 billion of fuel a year. The fuel subsidies have been adding a further $7.5 billion to the budget, and the Government - which is accused by activists and Human Rights Watch of squandering and stealing much of the nation's vast oil wealth, leaving very little for health services and education - now claims that this money would be better spent on improving national infrastructure and social programs. Most Nigerians, however, are convinced this is little more than a lie to further enrich the corrupt politicians and government officials at their expense.

Speaking earlier this week, Minister of Petrol Resources, Diezani Allison-Madueke said "We are looking not in fact at necessarily at subsidy removal, if you want to call it. It is actually a subsidy transfer, because we are looking at the real benefits to the economy and to Nigerians, that can be handed over to Nigerians, that all Nigerians across the spectrum will feel and see from the get go".

Following talks in the capital Abuja on Wednesday 4th January Nigeria's two main unions, the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress called for nationwide demonstrations and labour strikes starting on Monday 9th January unless the government restores the subsidy which is, they say, the only tangible benefit that ordinary Nigerians receive from the huge oil wealth flowing through the government's coffers. Despite being quickly labelled as "Hooligans" by the government, the unions say the mass rallies, street protests and general strikes targetting oil production sites, sea and air ports, banks and markets will be peaceful, and have advised ordinary Nigerians to stockpile supplies for their basic needs, including food and water.

The tension is further exacerbated by a presidential declaration of a state of emergency in fifteen locations relating to the long-running conflict with Southern militant group Boko Haram who, since 2009, have been attacking the oil industry and government in the North for many years as they demand more oil wealth is shared with the poor communities. The militants had carried out a bombing campaign recently to mark the end of a three-day deadline which Boka Haram had given for Southerners living in Northern Nigeria to move away, and had caused explosions in the Northern cities of Maiduguri and Damaturu, though there were no casualties. In a separate incident gunmen attributed to Boka Harem shot and killed two people in Damaturu, and on Christmas day they infamously bombed a catholic church in the capital, Abuja.

Community leader Chief Okoro Samson, a community leader in Delta state, said last week that the rising costs come at a very bad time in Nigeria: “Just take a walk around the city and you know everyone is angry. You risk demonstration in this country and protests are breaking out. You can't contain it because the terrorists, the so-called Boko Haram, will take advantage of it and launch their attacks everywhere,” he said.

The fuel subsidy protests continued on Tuesday in Lagos, which has not experienced the attacks of Boko Haram in the north. For many in the south, the enemy is the government of President Jonathan. Seun Kuti - son of legendary musician, the late Fela Kuti - addressing protesters in the southern city of Lagos said this week "Goodwill Jonathan is Nigeria's only terrorist. We cannot agree to this kind of financial IMF terror. Nigeria cannot pay the same price of petrol as Americans. We don't have American minimum wage".

Media Contact and General Query:

Nicholas: +447436296907

Charles: +447436307574

Aminu: +447852171675

And +447438348346

All photos © 2012 Pete Riches

Do not reproduce, alter or reblog my images without my written permission.

Hi-Res versions of these files are available for license on application. NUJ rates apply.

about.me/peteriches

Nigerians protest against fuel subsidy loss at London embassy - 06.01.2012

Around 200 Nigerian students and emigres representing "Nigerian Students In Diaspora", "Nigerians In Diaspora" and their supporters protested on 06.01.2012 outside the Nigerian High Commission on Northumberland Avenue against the abolition by the government of Nigerian president Goodwill Jonathan of fuel subsidies which has seen the average price of petrol in Nigeria since January 1st 2012 rocket - with no prior warning - from $0.40 per liter to $0.89 per liter with black market prices as high as $1.25 per liter, which, in a country where the national average wage is around $2 per day, with two-thirds of Nigerians living on less than $1.24 a day and pre-January inflation at 10.5%, is having an immediate negative impact on the cost of living for millions of Nigerians.

Transport fares have already increased by 150% causing huge resentment amongst the general population who regard it as a devaluation of the minimum wage, triggering protests in several Southern cities and towns, including Lagos (on January 3rd), Ilorin and Kano (on January 4th) which provoked a violent response from government forces which resulted in several injuries and one death after protesters blocked access to gas stations.

The largest producer of oil on the African continent, Nigeria nevertheless lacks the infrastructure to refine oil to make petroleum and so imports $16 billion of fuel a year. The fuel subsidies have been adding a further $7.5 billion to the budget, and the Government - which is accused by activists and Human Rights Watch of squandering and stealing much of the nation's vast oil wealth, leaving very little for health services and education - now claims that this money would be better spent on improving national infrastructure and social programs. Most Nigerians, however, are convinced this is little more than a lie to further enrich the corrupt politicians and government officials at their expense.

Speaking earlier this week, Minister of Petrol Resources, Diezani Allison-Madueke said "We are looking not in fact at necessarily at subsidy removal, if you want to call it. It is actually a subsidy transfer, because we are looking at the real benefits to the economy and to Nigerians, that can be handed over to Nigerians, that all Nigerians across the spectrum will feel and see from the get go".

Following talks in the capital Abuja on Wednesday 4th January Nigeria's two main unions, the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress called for nationwide demonstrations and labour strikes starting on Monday 9th January unless the government restores the subsidy which is, they say, the only tangible benefit that ordinary Nigerians receive from the huge oil wealth flowing through the government's coffers. Despite being quickly labelled as "Hooligans" by the government, the unions say the mass rallies, street protests and general strikes targetting oil production sites, sea and air ports, banks and markets will be peaceful, and have advised ordinary Nigerians to stockpile supplies for their basic needs, including food and water.

The tension is further exacerbated by a presidential declaration of a state of emergency in fifteen locations relating to the long-running conflict with Southern militant group Boko Haram who, since 2009, have been attacking the oil industry and government in the North for many years as they demand more oil wealth is shared with the poor communities. The militants had carried out a bombing campaign recently to mark the end of a three-day deadline which Boka Haram had given for Southerners living in Northern Nigeria to move away, and had caused explosions in the Northern cities of Maiduguri and Damaturu, though there were no casualties. In a separate incident gunmen attributed to Boka Harem shot and killed two people in Damaturu, and on Christmas day they infamously bombed a catholic church in the capital, Abuja.

Community leader Chief Okoro Samson, a community leader in Delta state, said last week that the rising costs come at a very bad time in Nigeria: “Just take a walk around the city and you know everyone is angry. You risk demonstration in this country and protests are breaking out. You can't contain it because the terrorists, the so-called Boko Haram, will take advantage of it and launch their attacks everywhere,” he said.

The fuel subsidy protests continued on Tuesday in Lagos, which has not experienced the attacks of Boko Haram in the north. For many in the south, the enemy is the government of President Jonathan. Seun Kuti - son of legendary musician, the late Fela Kuti - addressing protesters in the southern city of Lagos said this week "Goodwill Jonathan is Nigeria's only terrorist. We cannot agree to this kind of financial IMF terror. Nigeria cannot pay the same price of petrol as Americans. We don't have American minimum wage".

Media Contact and General Query:

Nicholas: +447436296907

Charles: +447436307574

Aminu: +447852171675

And +447438348346

All photos © 2012 Pete Riches

Do not reproduce, alter or reblog my images without my written permission.

Hi-Res versions of these files are available for license on application. NUJ rates apply.

about.me/peteriches

Nigerians protest against fuel subsidy loss at London embassy - 06.01.2012

Around 200 Nigerian students and emigres representing "Nigerian Students In Diaspora", "Nigerians In Diaspora" and their supporters protested on 06.01.2012 outside the Nigerian High Commission on Northumberland Avenue against the abolition by the government of Nigerian president Goodwill Jonathan of fuel subsidies which has seen the average price of petrol in Nigeria since January 1st 2012 rocket - with no prior warning - from $0.40 per liter to $0.89 per liter with black market prices as high as $1.25 per liter, which, in a country where the national average wage is around $2 per day, with two-thirds of Nigerians living on less than $1.24 a day and pre-January inflation at 10.5%, is having an immediate negative impact on the cost of living for millions of Nigerians.

Transport fares have already increased by 150% causing huge resentment amongst the general population who regard it as a devaluation of the minimum wage, triggering protests in several Southern cities and towns, including Lagos (on January 3rd), Ilorin and Kano (on January 4th) which provoked a violent response from government forces which resulted in several injuries and one death after protesters blocked access to gas stations.

The largest producer of oil on the African continent, Nigeria nevertheless lacks the infrastructure to refine oil to make petroleum and so imports $16 billion of fuel a year. The fuel subsidies have been adding a further $7.5 billion to the budget, and the Government - which is accused by activists and Human Rights Watch of squandering and stealing much of the nation's vast oil wealth, leaving very little for health services and education - now claims that this money would be better spent on improving national infrastructure and social programs. Most Nigerians, however, are convinced this is little more than a lie to further enrich the corrupt politicians and government officials at their expense.

Speaking earlier this week, Minister of Petrol Resources, Diezani Allison-Madueke said "We are looking not in fact at necessarily at subsidy removal, if you want to call it. It is actually a subsidy transfer, because we are looking at the real benefits to the economy and to Nigerians, that can be handed over to Nigerians, that all Nigerians across the spectrum will feel and see from the get go".

Following talks in the capital Abuja on Wednesday 4th January Nigeria's two main unions, the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress called for nationwide demonstrations and labour strikes starting on Monday 9th January unless the government restores the subsidy which is, they say, the only tangible benefit that ordinary Nigerians receive from the huge oil wealth flowing through the government's coffers. Despite being quickly labelled as "Hooligans" by the government, the unions say the mass rallies, street protests and general strikes targetting oil production sites, sea and air ports, banks and markets will be peaceful, and have advised ordinary Nigerians to stockpile supplies for their basic needs, including food and water.

The tension is further exacerbated by a presidential declaration of a state of emergency in fifteen locations relating to the long-running conflict with Southern militant group Boko Haram who, since 2009, have been attacking the oil industry and government in the North for many years as they demand more oil wealth is shared with the poor communities. The militants had carried out a bombing campaign recently to mark the end of a three-day deadline which Boka Haram had given for Southerners living in Northern Nigeria to move away, and had caused explosions in the Northern cities of Maiduguri and Damaturu, though there were no casualties. In a separate incident gunmen attributed to Boka Harem shot and killed two people in Damaturu, and on Christmas day they infamously bombed a catholic church in the capital, Abuja.

Community leader Chief Okoro Samson, a community leader in Delta state, said last week that the rising costs come at a very bad time in Nigeria: “Just take a walk around the city and you know everyone is angry. You risk demonstration in this country and protests are breaking out. You can't contain it because the terrorists, the so-called Boko Haram, will take advantage of it and launch their attacks everywhere,” he said.

The fuel subsidy protests continued on Tuesday in Lagos, which has not experienced the attacks of Boko Haram in the north. For many in the south, the enemy is the government of President Jonathan. Seun Kuti - son of legendary musician, the late Fela Kuti - addressing protesters in the southern city of Lagos said this week "Goodwill Jonathan is Nigeria's only terrorist. We cannot agree to this kind of financial IMF terror. Nigeria cannot pay the same price of petrol as Americans. We don't have American minimum wage".

Media Contact and General Query:

Nicholas: +447436296907

Charles: +447436307574

Aminu: +447852171675

And +447438348346

All photos © 2012 Pete Riches

Do not reproduce, alter or reblog my images without my written permission.

Hi-Res versions of these files are available for license on application. NUJ rates apply.

about.me/peteriches

Nigerians protest against fuel subsidy loss at London embassy - 06.01.2012

Around 200 Nigerian students and emigres representing "Nigerian Students In Diaspora", "Nigerians In Diaspora" and their supporters protested on 06.01.2012 outside the Nigerian High Commission on Northumberland Avenue against the abolition by the government of Nigerian president Goodwill Jonathan of fuel subsidies which has seen the average price of petrol in Nigeria since January 1st 2012 rocket - with no prior warning - from $0.40 per liter to $0.89 per liter with black market prices as high as $1.25 per liter, which, in a country where the national average wage is around $2 per day, with two-thirds of Nigerians living on less than $1.24 a day and pre-January inflation at 10.5%, is having an immediate negative impact on the cost of living for millions of Nigerians.

Transport fares have already increased by 150% causing huge resentment amongst the general population who regard it as a devaluation of the minimum wage, triggering protests in several Southern cities and towns, including Lagos (on January 3rd), Ilorin and Kano (on January 4th) which provoked a violent response from government forces which resulted in several injuries and one death after protesters blocked access to gas stations.

The largest producer of oil on the African continent, Nigeria nevertheless lacks the infrastructure to refine oil to make petroleum and so imports $16 billion of fuel a year. The fuel subsidies have been adding a further $7.5 billion to the budget, and the Government - which is accused by activists and Human Rights Watch of squandering and stealing much of the nation's vast oil wealth, leaving very little for health services and education - now claims that this money would be better spent on improving national infrastructure and social programs. Most Nigerians, however, are convinced this is little more than a lie to further enrich the corrupt politicians and government officials at their expense.

Speaking earlier this week, Minister of Petrol Resources, Diezani Allison-Madueke said "We are looking not in fact at necessarily at subsidy removal, if you want to call it. It is actually a subsidy transfer, because we are looking at the real benefits to the economy and to Nigerians, that can be handed over to Nigerians, that all Nigerians across the spectrum will feel and see from the get go".

Following talks in the capital Abuja on Wednesday 4th January Nigeria's two main unions, the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress called for nationwide demonstrations and labour strikes starting on Monday 9th January unless the government restores the subsidy which is, they say, the only tangible benefit that ordinary Nigerians receive from the huge oil wealth flowing through the government's coffers. Despite being quickly labelled as "Hooligans" by the government, the unions say the mass rallies, street protests and general strikes targetting oil production sites, sea and air ports, banks and markets will be peaceful, and have advised ordinary Nigerians to stockpile supplies for their basic needs, including food and water.

The tension is further exacerbated by a presidential declaration of a state of emergency in fifteen locations relating to the long-running conflict with Southern militant group Boko Haram who, since 2009, have been attacking the oil industry and government in the North for many years as they demand more oil wealth is shared with the poor communities. The militants had carried out a bombing campaign recently to mark the end of a three-day deadline which Boka Haram had given for Southerners living in Northern Nigeria to move away, and had caused explosions in the Northern cities of Maiduguri and Damaturu, though there were no casualties. In a separate incident gunmen attributed to Boka Harem shot and killed two people in Damaturu, and on Christmas day they infamously bombed a catholic church in the capital, Abuja.

Community leader Chief Okoro Samson, a community leader in Delta state, said last week that the rising costs come at a very bad time in Nigeria: “Just take a walk around the city and you know everyone is angry. You risk demonstration in this country and protests are breaking out. You can't contain it because the terrorists, the so-called Boko Haram, will take advantage of it and launch their attacks everywhere,” he said.

The fuel subsidy protests continued on Tuesday in Lagos, which has not experienced the attacks of Boko Haram in the north. For many in the south, the enemy is the government of President Jonathan. Seun Kuti - son of legendary musician, the late Fela Kuti - addressing protesters in the southern city of Lagos said this week "Goodwill Jonathan is Nigeria's only terrorist. We cannot agree to this kind of financial IMF terror. Nigeria cannot pay the same price of petrol as Americans. We don't have American minimum wage".

Media Contact and General Query:

Nicholas: +447436296907

Charles: +447436307574

Aminu: +447852171675

And +447438348346

All photos © 2012 Pete Riches

Do not reproduce, alter or reblog my images without my written permission.

Hi-Res versions of these files are available for license on application. NUJ rates apply.

about.me/peteriches

Nigerians protest against fuel subsidy loss at London embassy - 06.01.2012

Around 200 Nigerian students and emigres representing "Nigerian Students In Diaspora", "Nigerians In Diaspora" and their supporters protested on 06.01.2012 outside the Nigerian High Commission on Northumberland Avenue against the abolition by the government of Nigerian president Goodwill Jonathan of fuel subsidies which has seen the average price of petrol in Nigeria since January 1st 2012 rocket - with no prior warning - from $0.40 per liter to $0.89 per liter with black market prices as high as $1.25 per liter, which, in a country where the national average wage is around $2 per day, with two-thirds of Nigerians living on less than $1.24 a day and pre-January inflation at 10.5%, is having an immediate negative impact on the cost of living for millions of Nigerians.

Transport fares have already increased by 150% causing huge resentment amongst the general population who regard it as a devaluation of the minimum wage, triggering protests in several Southern cities and towns, including Lagos (on January 3rd), Ilorin and Kano (on January 4th) which provoked a violent response from government forces which resulted in several injuries and one death after protesters blocked access to gas stations.

The largest producer of oil on the African continent, Nigeria nevertheless lacks the infrastructure to refine oil to make petroleum and so imports $16 billion of fuel a year. The fuel subsidies have been adding a further $7.5 billion to the budget, and the Government - which is accused by activists and Human Rights Watch of squandering and stealing much of the nation's vast oil wealth, leaving very little for health services and education - now claims that this money would be better spent on improving national infrastructure and social programs. Most Nigerians, however, are convinced this is little more than a lie to further enrich the corrupt politicians and government officials at their expense.

Speaking earlier this week, Minister of Petrol Resources, Diezani Allison-Madueke said "We are looking not in fact at necessarily at subsidy removal, if you want to call it. It is actually a subsidy transfer, because we are looking at the real benefits to the economy and to Nigerians, that can be handed over to Nigerians, that all Nigerians across the spectrum will feel and see from the get go".

Following talks in the capital Abuja on Wednesday 4th January Nigeria's two main unions, the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress called for nationwide demonstrations and labour strikes starting on Monday 9th January unless the government restores the subsidy which is, they say, the only tangible benefit that ordinary Nigerians receive from the huge oil wealth flowing through the government's coffers. Despite being quickly labelled as "Hooligans" by the government, the unions say the mass rallies, street protests and general strikes targetting oil production sites, sea and air ports, banks and markets will be peaceful, and have advised ordinary Nigerians to stockpile supplies for their basic needs, including food and water.

The tension is further exacerbated by a presidential declaration of a state of emergency in fifteen locations relating to the long-running conflict with Southern militant group Boko Haram who, since 2009, have been attacking the oil industry and government in the North for many years as they demand more oil wealth is shared with the poor communities. The militants had carried out a bombing campaign recently to mark the end of a three-day deadline which Boka Haram had given for Southerners living in Northern Nigeria to move away, and had caused explosions in the Northern cities of Maiduguri and Damaturu, though there were no casualties. In a separate incident gunmen attributed to Boka Harem shot and killed two people in Damaturu, and on Christmas day they infamously bombed a catholic church in the capital, Abuja.

Community leader Chief Okoro Samson, a community leader in Delta state, said last week that the rising costs come at a very bad time in Nigeria: “Just take a walk around the city and you know everyone is angry. You risk demonstration in this country and protests are breaking out. You can't contain it because the terrorists, the so-called Boko Haram, will take advantage of it and launch their attacks everywhere,” he said.

The fuel subsidy protests continued on Tuesday in Lagos, which has not experienced the attacks of Boko Haram in the north. For many in the south, the enemy is the government of President Jonathan. Seun Kuti - son of legendary musician, the late Fela Kuti - addressing protesters in the southern city of Lagos said this week "Goodwill Jonathan is Nigeria's only terrorist. We cannot agree to this kind of financial IMF terror. Nigeria cannot pay the same price of petrol as Americans. We don't have American minimum wage".

Media Contact and General Query:

Nicholas: +447436296907

Charles: +447436307574

Aminu: +447852171675

And +447438348346

All photos © 2012 Pete Riches

Do not reproduce, alter or reblog my images without my written permission.

Hi-Res versions of these files are available for license on application. NUJ rates apply.

about.me/peteriches

Nigerians protest against fuel subsidy loss at London embassy - 06.01.2012

Around 200 Nigerian students and emigres representing "Nigerian Students In Diaspora", "Nigerians In Diaspora" and their supporters protested on 06.01.2012 outside the Nigerian High Commission on Northumberland Avenue against the abolition by the government of Nigerian president Goodwill Jonathan of fuel subsidies which has seen the average price of petrol in Nigeria since January 1st 2012 rocket - with no prior warning - from $0.40 per liter to $0.89 per liter with black market prices as high as $1.25 per liter, which, in a country where the national average wage is around $2 per day, with two-thirds of Nigerians living on less than $1.24 a day and pre-January inflation at 10.5%, is having an immediate negative impact on the cost of living for millions of Nigerians.

Transport fares have already increased by 150% causing huge resentment amongst the general population who regard it as a devaluation of the minimum wage, triggering protests in several Southern cities and towns, including Lagos (on January 3rd), Ilorin and Kano (on January 4th) which provoked a violent response from government forces which resulted in several injuries and one death after protesters blocked access to gas stations.

The largest producer of oil on the African continent, Nigeria nevertheless lacks the infrastructure to refine oil to make petroleum and so imports $16 billion of fuel a year. The fuel subsidies have been adding a further $7.5 billion to the budget, and the Government - which is accused by activists and Human Rights Watch of squandering and stealing much of the nation's vast oil wealth, leaving very little for health services and education - now claims that this money would be better spent on improving national infrastructure and social programs. Most Nigerians, however, are convinced this is little more than a lie to further enrich the corrupt politicians and government officials at their expense.

Speaking earlier this week, Minister of Petrol Resources, Diezani Allison-Madueke said "We are looking not in fact at necessarily at subsidy removal, if you want to call it. It is actually a subsidy transfer, because we are looking at the real benefits to the economy and to Nigerians, that can be handed over to Nigerians, that all Nigerians across the spectrum will feel and see from the get go".

Following talks in the capital Abuja on Wednesday 4th January Nigeria's two main unions, the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress called for nationwide demonstrations and labour strikes starting on Monday 9th January unless the government restores the subsidy which is, they say, the only tangible benefit that ordinary Nigerians receive from the huge oil wealth flowing through the government's coffers. Despite being quickly labelled as "Hooligans" by the government, the unions say the mass rallies, street protests and general strikes targetting oil production sites, sea and air ports, banks and markets will be peaceful, and have advised ordinary Nigerians to stockpile supplies for their basic needs, including food and water.

The tension is further exacerbated by a presidential declaration of a state of emergency in fifteen locations relating to the long-running conflict with Southern militant group Boko Haram who, since 2009, have been attacking the oil industry and government in the North for many years as they demand more oil wealth is shared with the poor communities. The militants had carried out a bombing campaign recently to mark the end of a three-day deadline which Boka Haram had given for Southerners living in Northern Nigeria to move away, and had caused explosions in the Northern cities of Maiduguri and Damaturu, though there were no casualties. In a separate incident gunmen attributed to Boka Harem shot and killed two people in Damaturu, and on Christmas day they infamously bombed a catholic church in the capital, Abuja.

Community leader Chief Okoro Samson, a community leader in Delta state, said last week that the rising costs come at a very bad time in Nigeria: “Just take a walk around the city and you know everyone is angry. You risk demonstration in this country and protests are breaking out. You can't contain it because the terrorists, the so-called Boko Haram, will take advantage of it and launch their attacks everywhere,” he said.

The fuel subsidy protests continued on Tuesday in Lagos, which has not experienced the attacks of Boko Haram in the north. For many in the south, the enemy is the government of President Jonathan. Seun Kuti - son of legendary musician, the late Fela Kuti - addressing protesters in the southern city of Lagos said this week "Goodwill Jonathan is Nigeria's only terrorist. We cannot agree to this kind of financial IMF terror. Nigeria cannot pay the same price of petrol as Americans. We don't have American minimum wage".

Media Contact and General Query:

Nicholas: +447436296907

Charles: +447436307574

Aminu: +447852171675

And +447438348346

All photos © 2012 Pete Riches

Do not reproduce, alter or reblog my images without my written permission.

Hi-Res versions of these files are available for license on application. NUJ rates apply.

about.me/peteriches

Nigerians protest against fuel subsidy loss at London embassy - 06.01.2012

Around 200 Nigerian students and emigres representing "Nigerian Students In Diaspora", "Nigerians In Diaspora" and their supporters protested on 06.01.2012 outside the Nigerian High Commission on Northumberland Avenue against the abolition by the government of Nigerian president Goodwill Jonathan of fuel subsidies which has seen the average price of petrol in Nigeria since January 1st 2012 rocket - with no prior warning - from $0.40 per liter to $0.89 per liter with black market prices as high as $1.25 per liter, which, in a country where the national average wage is around $2 per day, with two-thirds of Nigerians living on less than $1.24 a day and pre-January inflation at 10.5%, is having an immediate negative impact on the cost of living for millions of Nigerians.

Transport fares have already increased by 150% causing huge resentment amongst the general population who regard it as a devaluation of the minimum wage, triggering protests in several Southern cities and towns, including Lagos (on January 3rd), Ilorin and Kano (on January 4th) which provoked a violent response from government forces which resulted in several injuries and one death after protesters blocked access to gas stations.

The largest producer of oil on the African continent, Nigeria nevertheless lacks the infrastructure to refine oil to make petroleum and so imports $16 billion of fuel a year. The fuel subsidies have been adding a further $7.5 billion to the budget, and the Government - which is accused by activists and Human Rights Watch of squandering and stealing much of the nation's vast oil wealth, leaving very little for health services and education - now claims that this money would be better spent on improving national infrastructure and social programs. Most Nigerians, however, are convinced this is little more than a lie to further enrich the corrupt politicians and government officials at their expense.

Speaking earlier this week, Minister of Petrol Resources, Diezani Allison-Madueke said "We are looking not in fact at necessarily at subsidy removal, if you want to call it. It is actually a subsidy transfer, because we are looking at the real benefits to the economy and to Nigerians, that can be handed over to Nigerians, that all Nigerians across the spectrum will feel and see from the get go".

Following talks in the capital Abuja on Wednesday 4th January Nigeria's two main unions, the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress called for nationwide demonstrations and labour strikes starting on Monday 9th January unless the government restores the subsidy which is, they say, the only tangible benefit that ordinary Nigerians receive from the huge oil wealth flowing through the government's coffers. Despite being quickly labelled as "Hooligans" by the government, the unions say the mass rallies, street protests and general strikes targetting oil production sites, sea and air ports, banks and markets will be peaceful, and have advised ordinary Nigerians to stockpile supplies for their basic needs, including food and water.

The tension is further exacerbated by a presidential declaration of a state of emergency in fifteen locations relating to the long-running conflict with Southern militant group Boko Haram who, since 2009, have been attacking the oil industry and government in the North for many years as they demand more oil wealth is shared with the poor communities. The militants had carried out a bombing campaign recently to mark the end of a three-day deadline which Boka Haram had given for Southerners living in Northern Nigeria to move away, and had caused explosions in the Northern cities of Maiduguri and Damaturu, though there were no casualties. In a separate incident gunmen attributed to Boka Harem shot and killed two people in Damaturu, and on Christmas day they infamously bombed a catholic church in the capital, Abuja.

Community leader Chief Okoro Samson, a community leader in Delta state, said last week that the rising costs come at a very bad time in Nigeria: “Just take a walk around the city and you know everyone is angry. You risk demonstration in this country and protests are breaking out. You can't contain it because the terrorists, the so-called Boko Haram, will take advantage of it and launch their attacks everywhere,” he said.

The fuel subsidy protests continued on Tuesday in Lagos, which has not experienced the attacks of Boko Haram in the north. For many in the south, the enemy is the government of President Jonathan. Seun Kuti - son of legendary musician, the late Fela Kuti - addressing protesters in the southern city of Lagos said this week "Goodwill Jonathan is Nigeria's only terrorist. We cannot agree to this kind of financial IMF terror. Nigeria cannot pay the same price of petrol as Americans. We don't have American minimum wage".

Media Contact and General Query:

Nicholas: +447436296907

Charles: +447436307574

Aminu: +447852171675

And +447438348346

All photos © 2012 Pete Riches

Do not reproduce, alter or reblog my images without my written permission.

Hi-Res versions of these files are available for license on application. NUJ rates apply.

about.me/peteriches

Nigerians protest against fuel subsidy loss at London embassy - 06.01.2012

Around 200 Nigerian students and emigres representing "Nigerian Students In Diaspora", "Nigerians In Diaspora" and their supporters protested on 06.01.2012 outside the Nigerian High Commission on Northumberland Avenue against the abolition by the government of Nigerian president Goodwill Jonathan of fuel subsidies which has seen the average price of petrol in Nigeria since January 1st 2012 rocket - with no prior warning - from $0.40 per liter to $0.89 per liter with black market prices as high as $1.25 per liter, which, in a country where the national average wage is around $2 per day, with two-thirds of Nigerians living on less than $1.24 a day and pre-January inflation at 10.5%, is having an immediate negative impact on the cost of living for millions of Nigerians.

Transport fares have already increased by 150% causing huge resentment amongst the general population who regard it as a devaluation of the minimum wage, triggering protests in several Southern cities and towns, including Lagos (on January 3rd), Ilorin and Kano (on January 4th) which provoked a violent response from government forces which resulted in several injuries and one death after protesters blocked access to gas stations.

The largest producer of oil on the African continent, Nigeria nevertheless lacks the infrastructure to refine oil to make petroleum and so imports $16 billion of fuel a year. The fuel subsidies have been adding a further $7.5 billion to the budget, and the Government - which is accused by activists and Human Rights Watch of squandering and stealing much of the nation's vast oil wealth, leaving very little for health services and education - now claims that this money would be better spent on improving national infrastructure and social programs. Most Nigerians, however, are convinced this is little more than a lie to further enrich the corrupt politicians and government officials at their expense.

Speaking earlier this week, Minister of Petrol Resources, Diezani Allison-Madueke said "We are looking not in fact at necessarily at subsidy removal, if you want to call it. It is actually a subsidy transfer, because we are looking at the real benefits to the economy and to Nigerians, that can be handed over to Nigerians, that all Nigerians across the spectrum will feel and see from the get go".

Following talks in the capital Abuja on Wednesday 4th January Nigeria's two main unions, the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress called for nationwide demonstrations and labour strikes starting on Monday 9th January unless the government restores the subsidy which is, they say, the only tangible benefit that ordinary Nigerians receive from the huge oil wealth flowing through the government's coffers. Despite being quickly labelled as "Hooligans" by the government, the unions say the mass rallies, street protests and general strikes targetting oil production sites, sea and air ports, banks and markets will be peaceful, and have advised ordinary Nigerians to stockpile supplies for their basic needs, including food and water.

The tension is further exacerbated by a presidential declaration of a state of emergency in fifteen locations relating to the long-running conflict with Southern militant group Boko Haram who, since 2009, have been attacking the oil industry and government in the North for many years as they demand more oil wealth is shared with the poor communities. The militants had carried out a bombing campaign recently to mark the end of a three-day deadline which Boka Haram had given for Southerners living in Northern Nigeria to move away, and had caused explosions in the Northern cities of Maiduguri and Damaturu, though there were no casualties. In a separate incident gunmen attributed to Boka Harem shot and killed two people in Damaturu, and on Christmas day they infamously bombed a catholic church in the capital, Abuja.

Community leader Chief Okoro Samson, a community leader in Delta state, said last week that the rising costs come at a very bad time in Nigeria: “Just take a walk around the city and you know everyone is angry. You risk demonstration in this country and protests are breaking out. You can't contain it because the terrorists, the so-called Boko Haram, will take advantage of it and launch their attacks everywhere,” he said.

The fuel subsidy protests continued on Tuesday in Lagos, which has not experienced the attacks of Boko Haram in the north. For many in the south, the enemy is the government of President Jonathan. Seun Kuti - son of legendary musician, the late Fela Kuti - addressing protesters in the southern city of Lagos said this week "Goodwill Jonathan is Nigeria's only terrorist. We cannot agree to this kind of financial IMF terror. Nigeria cannot pay the same price of petrol as Americans. We don't have American minimum wage".

Media Contact and General Query:

Nicholas: +447436296907

Charles: +447436307574

Aminu: +447852171675

And +447438348346

All photos © 2012 Pete Riches

Do not reproduce, alter or reblog my images without my written permission.

Hi-Res versions of these files are available for license on application. NUJ rates apply.

about.me/peteriches

Nigerians protest against fuel subsidy loss at London embassy - 06.01.2012

Around 200 Nigerian students and emigres representing "Nigerian Students In Diaspora", "Nigerians In Diaspora" and their supporters protested on 06.01.2012 outside the Nigerian High Commission on Northumberland Avenue against the abolition by the government of Nigerian president Goodwill Jonathan of fuel subsidies which has seen the average price of petrol in Nigeria since January 1st 2012 rocket - with no prior warning - from $0.40 per liter to $0.89 per liter with black market prices as high as $1.25 per liter, which, in a country where the national average wage is around $2 per day, with two-thirds of Nigerians living on less than $1.24 a day and pre-January inflation at 10.5%, is having an immediate negative impact on the cost of living for millions of Nigerians.

Transport fares have already increased by 150% causing huge resentment amongst the general population who regard it as a devaluation of the minimum wage, triggering protests in several Southern cities and towns, including Lagos (on January 3rd), Ilorin and Kano (on January 4th) which provoked a violent response from government forces which resulted in several injuries and one death after protesters blocked access to gas stations.

The largest producer of oil on the African continent, Nigeria nevertheless lacks the infrastructure to refine oil to make petroleum and so imports $16 billion of fuel a year. The fuel subsidies have been adding a further $7.5 billion to the budget, and the Government - which is accused by activists and Human Rights Watch of squandering and stealing much of the nation's vast oil wealth, leaving very little for health services and education - now claims that this money would be better spent on improving national infrastructure and social programs. Most Nigerians, however, are convinced this is little more than a lie to further enrich the corrupt politicians and government officials at their expense.

Speaking earlier this week, Minister of Petrol Resources, Diezani Allison-Madueke said "We are looking not in fact at necessarily at subsidy removal, if you want to call it. It is actually a subsidy transfer, because we are looking at the real benefits to the economy and to Nigerians, that can be handed over to Nigerians, that all Nigerians across the spectrum will feel and see from the get go".

Following talks in the capital Abuja on Wednesday 4th January Nigeria's two main unions, the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress called for nationwide demonstrations and labour strikes starting on Monday 9th January unless the government restores the subsidy which is, they say, the only tangible benefit that ordinary Nigerians receive from the huge oil wealth flowing through the government's coffers. Despite being quickly labelled as "Hooligans" by the government, the unions say the mass rallies, street protests and general strikes targetting oil production sites, sea and air ports, banks and markets will be peaceful, and have advised ordinary Nigerians to stockpile supplies for their basic needs, including food and water.

The tension is further exacerbated by a presidential declaration of a state of emergency in fifteen locations relating to the long-running conflict with Southern militant group Boko Haram who, since 2009, have been attacking the oil industry and government in the North for many years as they demand more oil wealth is shared with the poor communities. The militants had carried out a bombing campaign recently to mark the end of a three-day deadline which Boka Haram had given for Southerners living in Northern Nigeria to move away, and had caused explosions in the Northern cities of Maiduguri and Damaturu, though there were no casualties. In a separate incident gunmen attributed to Boka Harem shot and killed two people in Damaturu, and on Christmas day they infamously bombed a catholic church in the capital, Abuja.

Community leader Chief Okoro Samson, a community leader in Delta state, said last week that the rising costs come at a very bad time in Nigeria: “Just take a walk around the city and you know everyone is angry. You risk demonstration in this country and protests are breaking out. You can't contain it because the terrorists, the so-called Boko Haram, will take advantage of it and launch their attacks everywhere,” he said.

The fuel subsidy protests continued on Tuesday in Lagos, which has not experienced the attacks of Boko Haram in the north. For many in the south, the enemy is the government of President Jonathan. Seun Kuti - son of legendary musician, the late Fela Kuti - addressing protesters in the southern city of Lagos said this week "Goodwill Jonathan is Nigeria's only terrorist. We cannot agree to this kind of financial IMF terror. Nigeria cannot pay the same price of petrol as Americans. We don't have American minimum wage".

Media Contact and General Query:

Nicholas: +447436296907

Charles: +447436307574

Aminu: +447852171675

And +447438348346

All photos © 2012 Pete Riches

Do not reproduce, alter or reblog my images without my written permission.

Hi-Res versions of these files are available for license on application. NUJ rates apply.

about.me/peteriches

Nigerians protest against fuel subsidy loss at London embassy - 06.01.2012

Around 200 Nigerian students and emigres representing "Nigerian Students In Diaspora", "Nigerians In Diaspora" and their supporters protested on 06.01.2012 outside the Nigerian High Commission on Northumberland Avenue against the abolition by the government of Nigerian president Goodwill Jonathan of fuel subsidies which has seen the average price of petrol in Nigeria since January 1st 2012 rocket - with no prior warning - from $0.40 per liter to $0.89 per liter with black market prices as high as $1.25 per liter, which, in a country where the national average wage is around $2 per day, with two-thirds of Nigerians living on less than $1.24 a day and pre-January inflation at 10.5%, is having an immediate negative impact on the cost of living for millions of Nigerians.

Transport fares have already increased by 150% causing huge resentment amongst the general population who regard it as a devaluation of the minimum wage, triggering protests in several Southern cities and towns, including Lagos (on January 3rd), Ilorin and Kano (on January 4th) which provoked a violent response from government forces which resulted in several injuries and one death after protesters blocked access to gas stations.

The largest producer of oil on the African continent, Nigeria nevertheless lacks the infrastructure to refine oil to make petroleum and so imports $16 billion of fuel a year. The fuel subsidies have been adding a further $7.5 billion to the budget, and the Government - which is accused by activists and Human Rights Watch of squandering and stealing much of the nation's vast oil wealth, leaving very little for health services and education - now claims that this money would be better spent on improving national infrastructure and social programs. Most Nigerians, however, are convinced this is little more than a lie to further enrich the corrupt politicians and government officials at their expense.

Speaking earlier this week, Minister of Petrol Resources, Diezani Allison-Madueke said "We are looking not in fact at necessarily at subsidy removal, if you want to call it. It is actually a subsidy transfer, because we are looking at the real benefits to the economy and to Nigerians, that can be handed over to Nigerians, that all Nigerians across the spectrum will feel and see from the get go".

Following talks in the capital Abuja on Wednesday 4th January Nigeria's two main unions, the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress called for nationwide demonstrations and labour strikes starting on Monday 9th January unless the government restores the subsidy which is, they say, the only tangible benefit that ordinary Nigerians receive from the huge oil wealth flowing through the government's coffers. Despite being quickly labelled as "Hooligans" by the government, the unions say the mass rallies, street protests and general strikes targetting oil production sites, sea and air ports, banks and markets will be peaceful, and have advised ordinary Nigerians to stockpile supplies for their basic needs, including food and water.

The tension is further exacerbated by a presidential declaration of a state of emergency in fifteen locations relating to the long-running conflict with Southern militant group Boko Haram who, since 2009, have been attacking the oil industry and government in the North for many years as they demand more oil wealth is shared with the poor communities. The militants had carried out a bombing campaign recently to mark the end of a three-day deadline which Boka Haram had given for Southerners living in Northern Nigeria to move away, and had caused explosions in the Northern cities of Maiduguri and Damaturu, though there were no casualties. In a separate incident gunmen attributed to Boka Harem shot and killed two people in Damaturu, and on Christmas day they infamously bombed a catholic church in the capital, Abuja.

Community leader Chief Okoro Samson, a community leader in Delta state, said last week that the rising costs come at a very bad time in Nigeria: “Just take a walk around the city and you know everyone is angry. You risk demonstration in this country and protests are breaking out. You can't contain it because the terrorists, the so-called Boko Haram, will take advantage of it and launch their attacks everywhere,” he said.

The fuel subsidy protests continued on Tuesday in Lagos, which has not experienced the attacks of Boko Haram in the north. For many in the south, the enemy is the government of President Jonathan. Seun Kuti - son of legendary musician, the late Fela Kuti - addressing protesters in the southern city of Lagos said this week "Goodwill Jonathan is Nigeria's only terrorist. We cannot agree to this kind of financial IMF terror. Nigeria cannot pay the same price of petrol as Americans. We don't have American minimum wage".

Media Contact and General Query:

Nicholas: +447436296907

Charles: +447436307574

Aminu: +447852171675

And +447438348346

All photos © 2012 Pete Riches

Do not reproduce, alter or reblog my images without my written permission.

Hi-Res versions of these files are available for license on application. NUJ rates apply.

about.me/peteriches

Nigerians protest against fuel subsidy loss at London embassy - 06.01.2012

Around 200 Nigerian students and emigres representing "Nigerian Students In Diaspora", "Nigerians In Diaspora" and their supporters protested on 06.01.2012 outside the Nigerian High Commission on Northumberland Avenue against the abolition by the government of Nigerian president Goodwill Jonathan of fuel subsidies which has seen the average price of petrol in Nigeria since January 1st 2012 rocket - with no prior warning - from $0.40 per liter to $0.89 per liter with black market prices as high as $1.25 per liter, which, in a country where the national average wage is around $2 per day, with two-thirds of Nigerians living on less than $1.24 a day and pre-January inflation at 10.5%, is having an immediate negative impact on the cost of living for millions of Nigerians.

Transport fares have already increased by 150% causing huge resentment amongst the general population who regard it as a devaluation of the minimum wage, triggering protests in several Southern cities and towns, including Lagos (on January 3rd), Ilorin and Kano (on January 4th) which provoked a violent response from government forces which resulted in several injuries and one death after protesters blocked access to gas stations.

The largest producer of oil on the African continent, Nigeria nevertheless lacks the infrastructure to refine oil to make petroleum and so imports $16 billion of fuel a year. The fuel subsidies have been adding a further $7.5 billion to the budget, and the Government - which is accused by activists and Human Rights Watch of squandering and stealing much of the nation's vast oil wealth, leaving very little for health services and education - now claims that this money would be better spent on improving national infrastructure and social programs. Most Nigerians, however, are convinced this is little more than a lie to further enrich the corrupt politicians and government officials at their expense.

Speaking earlier this week, Minister of Petrol Resources, Diezani Allison-Madueke said "We are looking not in fact at necessarily at subsidy removal, if you want to call it. It is actually a subsidy transfer, because we are looking at the real benefits to the economy and to Nigerians, that can be handed over to Nigerians, that all Nigerians across the spectrum will feel and see from the get go".

Following talks in the capital Abuja on Wednesday 4th January Nigeria's two main unions, the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress called for nationwide demonstrations and labour strikes starting on Monday 9th January unless the government restores the subsidy which is, they say, the only tangible benefit that ordinary Nigerians receive from the huge oil wealth flowing through the government's coffers. Despite being quickly labelled as "Hooligans" by the government, the unions say the mass rallies, street protests and general strikes targetting oil production sites, sea and air ports, banks and markets will be peaceful, and have advised ordinary Nigerians to stockpile supplies for their basic needs, including food and water.

The tension is further exacerbated by a presidential declaration of a state of emergency in fifteen locations relating to the long-running conflict with Southern militant group Boko Haram who, since 2009, have been attacking the oil industry and government in the North for many years as they demand more oil wealth is shared with the poor communities. The militants had carried out a bombing campaign recently to mark the end of a three-day deadline which Boka Haram had given for Southerners living in Northern Nigeria to move away, and had caused explosions in the Northern cities of Maiduguri and Damaturu, though there were no casualties. In a separate incident gunmen attributed to Boka Harem shot and killed two people in Damaturu, and on Christmas day they infamously bombed a catholic church in the capital, Abuja.

Community leader Chief Okoro Samson, a community leader in Delta state, said last week that the rising costs come at a very bad time in Nigeria: “Just take a walk around the city and you know everyone is angry. You risk demonstration in this country and protests are breaking out. You can't contain it because the terrorists, the so-called Boko Haram, will take advantage of it and launch their attacks everywhere,” he said.

The fuel subsidy protests continued on Tuesday in Lagos, which has not experienced the attacks of Boko Haram in the north. For many in the south, the enemy is the government of President Jonathan. Seun Kuti - son of legendary musician, the late Fela Kuti - addressing protesters in the southern city of Lagos said this week "Goodwill Jonathan is Nigeria's only terrorist. We cannot agree to this kind of financial IMF terror. Nigeria cannot pay the same price of petrol as Americans. We don't have American minimum wage".

Media Contact and General Query:

Nicholas: +447436296907

Charles: +447436307574

Aminu: +447852171675

And +447438348346

All photos © 2012 Pete Riches

Do not reproduce, alter or reblog my images without my written permission.

Hi-Res versions of these files are available for license on application. NUJ rates apply.

about.me/peteriches

SoftTech VC Managing Partner Jeff Clavier, Intel Capital Director Christine Herron, American Express Ventures Managing Partner Harshul Sanghi, Co-Founder and CEO of Nextdoor.com Nirav Tolia.

Moderated by Jolie O'Dell, writer, VentureBeat.

DEMO Focus: Social and Media Technologies category during DEMO Spring 2012, the Launchpad for Emerging Technologies, at the Santa Clara Convention Center in Santa Clara, California Thursday April 19, 2012. DEMO is sponsored by AARP, Dynamics, Fusion-io, Microsoft BizSpark, Startup America Partnership, Porter Novelli and PlugandPlayTechCenter.com.

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Palestinians hold second angry protest at Israeli embassy - 17.11.2012

Around 1,000 Palestinians held their second large protest in two days outside the Israeli embassy in London in response to the ongoing bombing campaign being waged by the Israeli Defence Force using drones, F16's and warships on the almost completely defenceless Gaza Strip, described by many as the largest open-air prison in the world. The Israelis have mobilised 75,000 army reservists and are amassing this huge force on the borders of Gaza for a seven-week ground invasion using the codename 'Operation Pillar of Cloud', which is undoubtedly going to result in the deaths of many hundreds of captive Palestinians who are already denied medical supplies by the Israelis.

Though claiming that their strikes are "Precision-targeted at Hamas military positions and avoid unneccessary civilian deaths", when Israel last invaded Gaza in 2008 during Operation cast Lead the IDF (Israel Defence Force) subjected the civilian population to phosphorous bombs, chemical weapons, depleted uranium munitions and cluster bombs - all illegal under international law. This was done with only 10,000 reservists over a two week period and resulted in 1,471 deaths and thousands of injured. Nobody can even guess how many will die this time, and human rights organisations including the International Red Cross and Amnesty International have called for the Israeli government to stop this latest attack on Gaza.

All photos © 2012 Pete Riches

Do not reproduce, alter, re-transmit or reblog my images without my written permission.

Hi-Res, un-watermarked versions of these files are available on application solely at my discretion

Media buyers can purchase images from this story from Demotix/Corbis directly.

Standard NUJ rates apply.

about.me/peteriches

Nigerians protest against fuel subsidy loss at London embassy - 06.01.2012

Around 200 Nigerian students and emigres representing "Nigerian Students In Diaspora", "Nigerians In Diaspora" and their supporters protested on 06.01.2012 outside the Nigerian High Commission on Northumberland Avenue against the abolition by the government of Nigerian president Goodwill Jonathan of fuel subsidies which has seen the average price of petrol in Nigeria since January 1st 2012 rocket - with no prior warning - from $0.40 per liter to $0.89 per liter with black market prices as high as $1.25 per liter, which, in a country where the national average wage is around $2 per day, with two-thirds of Nigerians living on less than $1.24 a day and pre-January inflation at 10.5%, is having an immediate negative impact on the cost of living for millions of Nigerians.

Transport fares have already increased by 150% causing huge resentment amongst the general population who regard it as a devaluation of the minimum wage, triggering protests in several Southern cities and towns, including Lagos (on January 3rd), Ilorin and Kano (on January 4th) which provoked a violent response from government forces which resulted in several injuries and one death after protesters blocked access to gas stations.

The largest producer of oil on the African continent, Nigeria nevertheless lacks the infrastructure to refine oil to make petroleum and so imports $16 billion of fuel a year. The fuel subsidies have been adding a further $7.5 billion to the budget, and the Government - which is accused by activists and Human Rights Watch of squandering and stealing much of the nation's vast oil wealth, leaving very little for health services and education - now claims that this money would be better spent on improving national infrastructure and social programs. Most Nigerians, however, are convinced this is little more than a lie to further enrich the corrupt politicians and government officials at their expense.

Speaking earlier this week, Minister of Petrol Resources, Diezani Allison-Madueke said "We are looking not in fact at necessarily at subsidy removal, if you want to call it. It is actually a subsidy transfer, because we are looking at the real benefits to the economy and to Nigerians, that can be handed over to Nigerians, that all Nigerians across the spectrum will feel and see from the get go".

Following talks in the capital Abuja on Wednesday 4th January Nigeria's two main unions, the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress called for nationwide demonstrations and labour strikes starting on Monday 9th January unless the government restores the subsidy which is, they say, the only tangible benefit that ordinary Nigerians receive from the huge oil wealth flowing through the government's coffers. Despite being quickly labelled as "Hooligans" by the government, the unions say the mass rallies, street protests and general strikes targetting oil production sites, sea and air ports, banks and markets will be peaceful, and have advised ordinary Nigerians to stockpile supplies for their basic needs, including food and water.

The tension is further exacerbated by a presidential declaration of a state of emergency in fifteen locations relating to the long-running conflict with Southern militant group Boko Haram who, since 2009, have been attacking the oil industry and government in the North for many years as they demand more oil wealth is shared with the poor communities. The militants had carried out a bombing campaign recently to mark the end of a three-day deadline which Boka Haram had given for Southerners living in Northern Nigeria to move away, and had caused explosions in the Northern cities of Maiduguri and Damaturu, though there were no casualties. In a separate incident gunmen attributed to Boka Harem shot and killed two people in Damaturu, and on Christmas day they infamously bombed a catholic church in the capital, Abuja.

Community leader Chief Okoro Samson, a community leader in Delta state, said last week that the rising costs come at a very bad time in Nigeria: “Just take a walk around the city and you know everyone is angry. You risk demonstration in this country and protests are breaking out. You can't contain it because the terrorists, the so-called Boko Haram, will take advantage of it and launch their attacks everywhere,” he said.

The fuel subsidy protests continued on Tuesday in Lagos, which has not experienced the attacks of Boko Haram in the north. For many in the south, the enemy is the government of President Jonathan. Seun Kuti - son of legendary musician, the late Fela Kuti - addressing protesters in the southern city of Lagos said this week "Goodwill Jonathan is Nigeria's only terrorist. We cannot agree to this kind of financial IMF terror. Nigeria cannot pay the same price of petrol as Americans. We don't have American minimum wage".

Media Contact and General Query:

Nicholas: +447436296907

Charles: +447436307574

Aminu: +447852171675

And +447438348346

All photos © 2012 Pete Riches

Do not reproduce, alter or reblog my images without my written permission.

Hi-Res versions of these files are available for license on application. NUJ rates apply.

about.me/peteriches

Nigerians protest against fuel subsidy loss at London embassy - 06.01.2012

Around 200 Nigerian students and emigres representing "Nigerian Students In Diaspora", "Nigerians In Diaspora" and their supporters protested on 06.01.2012 outside the Nigerian High Commission on Northumberland Avenue against the abolition by the government of Nigerian president Goodwill Jonathan of fuel subsidies which has seen the average price of petrol in Nigeria since January 1st 2012 rocket - with no prior warning - from $0.40 per liter to $0.89 per liter with black market prices as high as $1.25 per liter, which, in a country where the national average wage is around $2 per day, with two-thirds of Nigerians living on less than $1.24 a day and pre-January inflation at 10.5%, is having an immediate negative impact on the cost of living for millions of Nigerians.

Transport fares have already increased by 150% causing huge resentment amongst the general population who regard it as a devaluation of the minimum wage, triggering protests in several Southern cities and towns, including Lagos (on January 3rd), Ilorin and Kano (on January 4th) which provoked a violent response from government forces which resulted in several injuries and one death after protesters blocked access to gas stations.

The largest producer of oil on the African continent, Nigeria nevertheless lacks the infrastructure to refine oil to make petroleum and so imports $16 billion of fuel a year. The fuel subsidies have been adding a further $7.5 billion to the budget, and the Government - which is accused by activists and Human Rights Watch of squandering and stealing much of the nation's vast oil wealth, leaving very little for health services and education - now claims that this money would be better spent on improving national infrastructure and social programs. Most Nigerians, however, are convinced this is little more than a lie to further enrich the corrupt politicians and government officials at their expense.

Speaking earlier this week, Minister of Petrol Resources, Diezani Allison-Madueke said "We are looking not in fact at necessarily at subsidy removal, if you want to call it. It is actually a subsidy transfer, because we are looking at the real benefits to the economy and to Nigerians, that can be handed over to Nigerians, that all Nigerians across the spectrum will feel and see from the get go".

Following talks in the capital Abuja on Wednesday 4th January Nigeria's two main unions, the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress called for nationwide demonstrations and labour strikes starting on Monday 9th January unless the government restores the subsidy which is, they say, the only tangible benefit that ordinary Nigerians receive from the huge oil wealth flowing through the government's coffers. Despite being quickly labelled as "Hooligans" by the government, the unions say the mass rallies, street protests and general strikes targetting oil production sites, sea and air ports, banks and markets will be peaceful, and have advised ordinary Nigerians to stockpile supplies for their basic needs, including food and water.

The tension is further exacerbated by a presidential declaration of a state of emergency in fifteen locations relating to the long-running conflict with Southern militant group Boko Haram who, since 2009, have been attacking the oil industry and government in the North for many years as they demand more oil wealth is shared with the poor communities. The militants had carried out a bombing campaign recently to mark the end of a three-day deadline which Boka Haram had given for Southerners living in Northern Nigeria to move away, and had caused explosions in the Northern cities of Maiduguri and Damaturu, though there were no casualties. In a separate incident gunmen attributed to Boka Harem shot and killed two people in Damaturu, and on Christmas day they infamously bombed a catholic church in the capital, Abuja.

Community leader Chief Okoro Samson, a community leader in Delta state, said last week that the rising costs come at a very bad time in Nigeria: “Just take a walk around the city and you know everyone is angry. You risk demonstration in this country and protests are breaking out. You can't contain it because the terrorists, the so-called Boko Haram, will take advantage of it and launch their attacks everywhere,” he said.

The fuel subsidy protests continued on Tuesday in Lagos, which has not experienced the attacks of Boko Haram in the north. For many in the south, the enemy is the government of President Jonathan. Seun Kuti - son of legendary musician, the late Fela Kuti - addressing protesters in the southern city of Lagos said this week "Goodwill Jonathan is Nigeria's only terrorist. We cannot agree to this kind of financial IMF terror. Nigeria cannot pay the same price of petrol as Americans. We don't have American minimum wage".

Media Contact and General Query:

Nicholas: +447436296907

Charles: +447436307574

Aminu: +447852171675

And +447438348346

All photos © 2012 Pete Riches

Do not reproduce, alter or reblog my images without my written permission.

Hi-Res versions of these files are available for license on application. NUJ rates apply.

about.me/peteriches

DPAC activists deliver protest letter to Minister for Disabled People, Maria Miller (MP) : London 13.02.2012

Campaigners from Disabled People Against Cuts (DPAC), Hammersmith and Fulham Coalition Against Community Care Cuts (HAFCAC) and the Right to Work Campaign (RtWC) protested outside the Department for Work and Pensions against the government's decision to abolish the Independent Living Fund (ILF) in 2015.

New applications to this critical funding resource for the most vulnerable people with severe disabilities was stopped in 2010. The protesters are very concerned that this has all been set in motion without any proper consultation with disabled users, and neither has there been an equality impact assessment of the effects ending the ILF will have on people living with disabilities. This, claim the protesters, violates articles 4, 17 and 19 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, to which the United Kingdom is a co-signatory.

Article 19 [Living independently and being included in the community"] states that "Disabled people have a right to live in the community, with the support they need and can make choices other people do". It also states that they should be included in things that other people do, and all countries signed up to the Convention must: "Make sure that disabled people get the help they need to live in the community; this means things like getting personal assistance."

In addition, the United Nations International Covenant on Economic Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR) states that "Disabled People have the right to enjoy the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health and have the right to an adequate standard of living".

As such, the UK has a duty to work progressively, to the maximum extent of its available resources, to deliver these rights, even in a period of economic downturn.

David Cameron's government, however, claims chillingly that funding disabled people is "unsustainable", yet we see billions of pounds in corporate taxes remaining uncollected by huge corporations and individuals who have wined and dined government officials and ministers, and we have witnessed the squandering of further billions of pounds by this government on consultants and failed IT systems. It seems to many that the government is more than happy to pour good money after bad to fund its favourite ideological political projects, yet there is not enough money to keep the most vulnerable members of our society out of the new-wave of Victorian Asylums.

Supposedly a ring-fenced resource for a priority group of disabled people with high support needs which provides a much better quality of life and independence which could not be provided by local authority funding, the loss of this fund will undoubtedly result in many severely disabled people losing their independence and finding themselves warehoused in unsuitable care homes, where, once isolated from the outside world, it is believed that many will suffer neglect. Maintaining some control over the provision of good quality care is hugely important to this small group of vulnerable users, both in terms of physical help, but also in terms of human dignity and pride.

The loss of the ILF will also mean many disabled people will no longer be able to do paid work and contribute back to society by way of income tax, further marginalising this already-demonized section of British society which has been under constant, sustained attack by the government since coming to power in 2010.

All photos © 2012 Pete Riches

Do not reproduce, alter, reblog or otherwise transmit my images without my written permission.

Hi-Res versions of these files are available for license on application. NUJ rates apply.

about.me/peteriches

Nigerians protest against fuel subsidy loss at London embassy - 06.01.2012

Around 200 Nigerian students and emigres representing "Nigerian Students In Diaspora", "Nigerians In Diaspora" and their supporters protested on 06.01.2012 outside the Nigerian High Commission on Northumberland Avenue against the abolition by the government of Nigerian president Goodwill Jonathan of fuel subsidies which has seen the average price of petrol in Nigeria since January 1st 2012 rocket - with no prior warning - from $0.40 per liter to $0.89 per liter with black market prices as high as $1.25 per liter, which, in a country where the national average wage is around $2 per day, with two-thirds of Nigerians living on less than $1.24 a day and pre-January inflation at 10.5%, is having an immediate negative impact on the cost of living for millions of Nigerians.

Transport fares have already increased by 150% causing huge resentment amongst the general population who regard it as a devaluation of the minimum wage, triggering protests in several Southern cities and towns, including Lagos (on January 3rd), Ilorin and Kano (on January 4th) which provoked a violent response from government forces which resulted in several injuries and one death after protesters blocked access to gas stations.

The largest producer of oil on the African continent, Nigeria nevertheless lacks the infrastructure to refine oil to make petroleum and so imports $16 billion of fuel a year. The fuel subsidies have been adding a further $7.5 billion to the budget, and the Government - which is accused by activists and Human Rights Watch of squandering and stealing much of the nation's vast oil wealth, leaving very little for health services and education - now claims that this money would be better spent on improving national infrastructure and social programs. Most Nigerians, however, are convinced this is little more than a lie to further enrich the corrupt politicians and government officials at their expense.

Speaking earlier this week, Minister of Petrol Resources, Diezani Allison-Madueke said "We are looking not in fact at necessarily at subsidy removal, if you want to call it. It is actually a subsidy transfer, because we are looking at the real benefits to the economy and to Nigerians, that can be handed over to Nigerians, that all Nigerians across the spectrum will feel and see from the get go".

Following talks in the capital Abuja on Wednesday 4th January Nigeria's two main unions, the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress called for nationwide demonstrations and labour strikes starting on Monday 9th January unless the government restores the subsidy which is, they say, the only tangible benefit that ordinary Nigerians receive from the huge oil wealth flowing through the government's coffers. Despite being quickly labelled as "Hooligans" by the government, the unions say the mass rallies, street protests and general strikes targetting oil production sites, sea and air ports, banks and markets will be peaceful, and have advised ordinary Nigerians to stockpile supplies for their basic needs, including food and water.

The tension is further exacerbated by a presidential declaration of a state of emergency in fifteen locations relating to the long-running conflict with Southern militant group Boko Haram who, since 2009, have been attacking the oil industry and government in the North for many years as they demand more oil wealth is shared with the poor communities. The militants had carried out a bombing campaign recently to mark the end of a three-day deadline which Boka Haram had given for Southerners living in Northern Nigeria to move away, and had caused explosions in the Northern cities of Maiduguri and Damaturu, though there were no casualties. In a separate incident gunmen attributed to Boka Harem shot and killed two people in Damaturu, and on Christmas day they infamously bombed a catholic church in the capital, Abuja.

Community leader Chief Okoro Samson, a community leader in Delta state, said last week that the rising costs come at a very bad time in Nigeria: “Just take a walk around the city and you know everyone is angry. You risk demonstration in this country and protests are breaking out. You can't contain it because the terrorists, the so-called Boko Haram, will take advantage of it and launch their attacks everywhere,” he said.

The fuel subsidy protests continued on Tuesday in Lagos, which has not experienced the attacks of Boko Haram in the north. For many in the south, the enemy is the government of President Jonathan. Seun Kuti - son of legendary musician, the late Fela Kuti - addressing protesters in the southern city of Lagos said this week "Goodwill Jonathan is Nigeria's only terrorist. We cannot agree to this kind of financial IMF terror. Nigeria cannot pay the same price of petrol as Americans. We don't have American minimum wage".

Media Contact and General Query:

Nicholas: +447436296907

Charles: +447436307574

Aminu: +447852171675

And +447438348346

All photos © 2012 Pete Riches

Do not reproduce, alter or reblog my images without my written permission.

Hi-Res versions of these files are available for license on application. NUJ rates apply.

about.me/peteriches

Nigerians protest against fuel subsidy loss at London embassy - 06.01.2012

Around 200 Nigerian students and emigres representing "Nigerian Students In Diaspora", "Nigerians In Diaspora" and their supporters protested on 06.01.2012 outside the Nigerian High Commission on Northumberland Avenue against the abolition by the government of Nigerian president Goodwill Jonathan of fuel subsidies which has seen the average price of petrol in Nigeria since January 1st 2012 rocket - with no prior warning - from $0.40 per liter to $0.89 per liter with black market prices as high as $1.25 per liter, which, in a country where the national average wage is around $2 per day, with two-thirds of Nigerians living on less than $1.24 a day and pre-January inflation at 10.5%, is having an immediate negative impact on the cost of living for millions of Nigerians.

Transport fares have already increased by 150% causing huge resentment amongst the general population who regard it as a devaluation of the minimum wage, triggering protests in several Southern cities and towns, including Lagos (on January 3rd), Ilorin and Kano (on January 4th) which provoked a violent response from government forces which resulted in several injuries and one death after protesters blocked access to gas stations.

The largest producer of oil on the African continent, Nigeria nevertheless lacks the infrastructure to refine oil to make petroleum and so imports $16 billion of fuel a year. The fuel subsidies have been adding a further $7.5 billion to the budget, and the Government - which is accused by activists and Human Rights Watch of squandering and stealing much of the nation's vast oil wealth, leaving very little for health services and education - now claims that this money would be better spent on improving national infrastructure and social programs. Most Nigerians, however, are convinced this is little more than a lie to further enrich the corrupt politicians and government officials at their expense.

Speaking earlier this week, Minister of Petrol Resources, Diezani Allison-Madueke said "We are looking not in fact at necessarily at subsidy removal, if you want to call it. It is actually a subsidy transfer, because we are looking at the real benefits to the economy and to Nigerians, that can be handed over to Nigerians, that all Nigerians across the spectrum will feel and see from the get go".

Following talks in the capital Abuja on Wednesday 4th January Nigeria's two main unions, the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress called for nationwide demonstrations and labour strikes starting on Monday 9th January unless the government restores the subsidy which is, they say, the only tangible benefit that ordinary Nigerians receive from the huge oil wealth flowing through the government's coffers. Despite being quickly labelled as "Hooligans" by the government, the unions say the mass rallies, street protests and general strikes targetting oil production sites, sea and air ports, banks and markets will be peaceful, and have advised ordinary Nigerians to stockpile supplies for their basic needs, including food and water.

The tension is further exacerbated by a presidential declaration of a state of emergency in fifteen locations relating to the long-running conflict with Southern militant group Boko Haram who, since 2009, have been attacking the oil industry and government in the North for many years as they demand more oil wealth is shared with the poor communities. The militants had carried out a bombing campaign recently to mark the end of a three-day deadline which Boka Haram had given for Southerners living in Northern Nigeria to move away, and had caused explosions in the Northern cities of Maiduguri and Damaturu, though there were no casualties. In a separate incident gunmen attributed to Boka Harem shot and killed two people in Damaturu, and on Christmas day they infamously bombed a catholic church in the capital, Abuja.

Community leader Chief Okoro Samson, a community leader in Delta state, said last week that the rising costs come at a very bad time in Nigeria: “Just take a walk around the city and you know everyone is angry. You risk demonstration in this country and protests are breaking out. You can't contain it because the terrorists, the so-called Boko Haram, will take advantage of it and launch their attacks everywhere,” he said.

The fuel subsidy protests continued on Tuesday in Lagos, which has not experienced the attacks of Boko Haram in the north. For many in the south, the enemy is the government of President Jonathan. Seun Kuti - son of legendary musician, the late Fela Kuti - addressing protesters in the southern city of Lagos said this week "Goodwill Jonathan is Nigeria's only terrorist. We cannot agree to this kind of financial IMF terror. Nigeria cannot pay the same price of petrol as Americans. We don't have American minimum wage".

Media Contact and General Query:

Nicholas: +447436296907

Charles: +447436307574

Aminu: +447852171675

And +447438348346

All photos © 2012 Pete Riches

Do not reproduce, alter or reblog my images without my written permission.

Hi-Res versions of these files are available for license on application. NUJ rates apply.

about.me/peteriches

Nigerians protest against fuel subsidy loss at London embassy - 06.01.2012

Around 200 Nigerian students and emigres representing "Nigerian Students In Diaspora", "Nigerians In Diaspora" and their supporters protested on 06.01.2012 outside the Nigerian High Commission on Northumberland Avenue against the abolition by the government of Nigerian president Goodwill Jonathan of fuel subsidies which has seen the average price of petrol in Nigeria since January 1st 2012 rocket - with no prior warning - from $0.40 per liter to $0.89 per liter with black market prices as high as $1.25 per liter, which, in a country where the national average wage is around $2 per day, with two-thirds of Nigerians living on less than $1.24 a day and pre-January inflation at 10.5%, is having an immediate negative impact on the cost of living for millions of Nigerians.

Transport fares have already increased by 150% causing huge resentment amongst the general population who regard it as a devaluation of the minimum wage, triggering protests in several Southern cities and towns, including Lagos (on January 3rd), Ilorin and Kano (on January 4th) which provoked a violent response from government forces which resulted in several injuries and one death after protesters blocked access to gas stations.

The largest producer of oil on the African continent, Nigeria nevertheless lacks the infrastructure to refine oil to make petroleum and so imports $16 billion of fuel a year. The fuel subsidies have been adding a further $7.5 billion to the budget, and the Government - which is accused by activists and Human Rights Watch of squandering and stealing much of the nation's vast oil wealth, leaving very little for health services and education - now claims that this money would be better spent on improving national infrastructure and social programs. Most Nigerians, however, are convinced this is little more than a lie to further enrich the corrupt politicians and government officials at their expense.

Speaking earlier this week, Minister of Petrol Resources, Diezani Allison-Madueke said "We are looking not in fact at necessarily at subsidy removal, if you want to call it. It is actually a subsidy transfer, because we are looking at the real benefits to the economy and to Nigerians, that can be handed over to Nigerians, that all Nigerians across the spectrum will feel and see from the get go".

Following talks in the capital Abuja on Wednesday 4th January Nigeria's two main unions, the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress called for nationwide demonstrations and labour strikes starting on Monday 9th January unless the government restores the subsidy which is, they say, the only tangible benefit that ordinary Nigerians receive from the huge oil wealth flowing through the government's coffers. Despite being quickly labelled as "Hooligans" by the government, the unions say the mass rallies, street protests and general strikes targetting oil production sites, sea and air ports, banks and markets will be peaceful, and have advised ordinary Nigerians to stockpile supplies for their basic needs, including food and water.

The tension is further exacerbated by a presidential declaration of a state of emergency in fifteen locations relating to the long-running conflict with Southern militant group Boko Haram who, since 2009, have been attacking the oil industry and government in the North for many years as they demand more oil wealth is shared with the poor communities. The militants had carried out a bombing campaign recently to mark the end of a three-day deadline which Boka Haram had given for Southerners living in Northern Nigeria to move away, and had caused explosions in the Northern cities of Maiduguri and Damaturu, though there were no casualties. In a separate incident gunmen attributed to Boka Harem shot and killed two people in Damaturu, and on Christmas day they infamously bombed a catholic church in the capital, Abuja.

Community leader Chief Okoro Samson, a community leader in Delta state, said last week that the rising costs come at a very bad time in Nigeria: “Just take a walk around the city and you know everyone is angry. You risk demonstration in this country and protests are breaking out. You can't contain it because the terrorists, the so-called Boko Haram, will take advantage of it and launch their attacks everywhere,” he said.

The fuel subsidy protests continued on Tuesday in Lagos, which has not experienced the attacks of Boko Haram in the north. For many in the south, the enemy is the government of President Jonathan. Seun Kuti - son of legendary musician, the late Fela Kuti - addressing protesters in the southern city of Lagos said this week "Goodwill Jonathan is Nigeria's only terrorist. We cannot agree to this kind of financial IMF terror. Nigeria cannot pay the same price of petrol as Americans. We don't have American minimum wage".

Media Contact and General Query:

Nicholas: +447436296907

Charles: +447436307574

Aminu: +447852171675

And +447438348346

All photos © 2012 Pete Riches

Do not reproduce, alter or reblog my images without my written permission.

Hi-Res versions of these files are available for license on application. NUJ rates apply.

about.me/peteriches

Nigerians protest against fuel subsidy loss at London embassy - 06.01.2012

Around 200 Nigerian students and emigres representing "Nigerian Students In Diaspora", "Nigerians In Diaspora" and their supporters protested on 06.01.2012 outside the Nigerian High Commission on Northumberland Avenue against the abolition by the government of Nigerian president Goodwill Jonathan of fuel subsidies which has seen the average price of petrol in Nigeria since January 1st 2012 rocket - with no prior warning - from $0.40 per liter to $0.89 per liter with black market prices as high as $1.25 per liter, which, in a country where the national average wage is around $2 per day, with two-thirds of Nigerians living on less than $1.24 a day and pre-January inflation at 10.5%, is having an immediate negative impact on the cost of living for millions of Nigerians.

Transport fares have already increased by 150% causing huge resentment amongst the general population who regard it as a devaluation of the minimum wage, triggering protests in several Southern cities and towns, including Lagos (on January 3rd), Ilorin and Kano (on January 4th) which provoked a violent response from government forces which resulted in several injuries and one death after protesters blocked access to gas stations.

The largest producer of oil on the African continent, Nigeria nevertheless lacks the infrastructure to refine oil to make petroleum and so imports $16 billion of fuel a year. The fuel subsidies have been adding a further $7.5 billion to the budget, and the Government - which is accused by activists and Human Rights Watch of squandering and stealing much of the nation's vast oil wealth, leaving very little for health services and education - now claims that this money would be better spent on improving national infrastructure and social programs. Most Nigerians, however, are convinced this is little more than a lie to further enrich the corrupt politicians and government officials at their expense.

Speaking earlier this week, Minister of Petrol Resources, Diezani Allison-Madueke said "We are looking not in fact at necessarily at subsidy removal, if you want to call it. It is actually a subsidy transfer, because we are looking at the real benefits to the economy and to Nigerians, that can be handed over to Nigerians, that all Nigerians across the spectrum will feel and see from the get go".

Following talks in the capital Abuja on Wednesday 4th January Nigeria's two main unions, the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress called for nationwide demonstrations and labour strikes starting on Monday 9th January unless the government restores the subsidy which is, they say, the only tangible benefit that ordinary Nigerians receive from the huge oil wealth flowing through the government's coffers. Despite being quickly labelled as "Hooligans" by the government, the unions say the mass rallies, street protests and general strikes targetting oil production sites, sea and air ports, banks and markets will be peaceful, and have advised ordinary Nigerians to stockpile supplies for their basic needs, including food and water.

The tension is further exacerbated by a presidential declaration of a state of emergency in fifteen locations relating to the long-running conflict with Southern militant group Boko Haram who, since 2009, have been attacking the oil industry and government in the North for many years as they demand more oil wealth is shared with the poor communities. The militants had carried out a bombing campaign recently to mark the end of a three-day deadline which Boka Haram had given for Southerners living in Northern Nigeria to move away, and had caused explosions in the Northern cities of Maiduguri and Damaturu, though there were no casualties. In a separate incident gunmen attributed to Boka Harem shot and killed two people in Damaturu, and on Christmas day they infamously bombed a catholic church in the capital, Abuja.

Community leader Chief Okoro Samson, a community leader in Delta state, said last week that the rising costs come at a very bad time in Nigeria: “Just take a walk around the city and you know everyone is angry. You risk demonstration in this country and protests are breaking out. You can't contain it because the terrorists, the so-called Boko Haram, will take advantage of it and launch their attacks everywhere,” he said.

The fuel subsidy protests continued on Tuesday in Lagos, which has not experienced the attacks of Boko Haram in the north. For many in the south, the enemy is the government of President Jonathan. Seun Kuti - son of legendary musician, the late Fela Kuti - addressing protesters in the southern city of Lagos said this week "Goodwill Jonathan is Nigeria's only terrorist. We cannot agree to this kind of financial IMF terror. Nigeria cannot pay the same price of petrol as Americans. We don't have American minimum wage".

Media Contact and General Query:

Nicholas: +447436296907

Charles: +447436307574

Aminu: +447852171675

And +447438348346

All photos © 2012 Pete Riches

Do not reproduce, alter or reblog my images without my written permission.

Hi-Res versions of these files are available for license on application. NUJ rates apply.

about.me/peteriches

Nigerians protest against fuel subsidy loss at London embassy - 06.01.2012

Around 200 Nigerian students and emigres representing "Nigerian Students In Diaspora", "Nigerians In Diaspora" and their supporters protested on 06.01.2012 outside the Nigerian High Commission on Northumberland Avenue against the abolition by the government of Nigerian president Goodwill Jonathan of fuel subsidies which has seen the average price of petrol in Nigeria since January 1st 2012 rocket - with no prior warning - from $0.40 per liter to $0.89 per liter with black market prices as high as $1.25 per liter, which, in a country where the national average wage is around $2 per day, with two-thirds of Nigerians living on less than $1.24 a day and pre-January inflation at 10.5%, is having an immediate negative impact on the cost of living for millions of Nigerians.

Transport fares have already increased by 150% causing huge resentment amongst the general population who regard it as a devaluation of the minimum wage, triggering protests in several Southern cities and towns, including Lagos (on January 3rd), Ilorin and Kano (on January 4th) which provoked a violent response from government forces which resulted in several injuries and one death after protesters blocked access to gas stations.

The largest producer of oil on the African continent, Nigeria nevertheless lacks the infrastructure to refine oil to make petroleum and so imports $16 billion of fuel a year. The fuel subsidies have been adding a further $7.5 billion to the budget, and the Government - which is accused by activists and Human Rights Watch of squandering and stealing much of the nation's vast oil wealth, leaving very little for health services and education - now claims that this money would be better spent on improving national infrastructure and social programs. Most Nigerians, however, are convinced this is little more than a lie to further enrich the corrupt politicians and government officials at their expense.

Speaking earlier this week, Minister of Petrol Resources, Diezani Allison-Madueke said "We are looking not in fact at necessarily at subsidy removal, if you want to call it. It is actually a subsidy transfer, because we are looking at the real benefits to the economy and to Nigerians, that can be handed over to Nigerians, that all Nigerians across the spectrum will feel and see from the get go".

Following talks in the capital Abuja on Wednesday 4th January Nigeria's two main unions, the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress called for nationwide demonstrations and labour strikes starting on Monday 9th January unless the government restores the subsidy which is, they say, the only tangible benefit that ordinary Nigerians receive from the huge oil wealth flowing through the government's coffers. Despite being quickly labelled as "Hooligans" by the government, the unions say the mass rallies, street protests and general strikes targetting oil production sites, sea and air ports, banks and markets will be peaceful, and have advised ordinary Nigerians to stockpile supplies for their basic needs, including food and water.

The tension is further exacerbated by a presidential declaration of a state of emergency in fifteen locations relating to the long-running conflict with Southern militant group Boko Haram who, since 2009, have been attacking the oil industry and government in the North for many years as they demand more oil wealth is shared with the poor communities. The militants had carried out a bombing campaign recently to mark the end of a three-day deadline which Boka Haram had given for Southerners living in Northern Nigeria to move away, and had caused explosions in the Northern cities of Maiduguri and Damaturu, though there were no casualties. In a separate incident gunmen attributed to Boka Harem shot and killed two people in Damaturu, and on Christmas day they infamously bombed a catholic church in the capital, Abuja.

Community leader Chief Okoro Samson, a community leader in Delta state, said last week that the rising costs come at a very bad time in Nigeria: “Just take a walk around the city and you know everyone is angry. You risk demonstration in this country and protests are breaking out. You can't contain it because the terrorists, the so-called Boko Haram, will take advantage of it and launch their attacks everywhere,” he said.

The fuel subsidy protests continued on Tuesday in Lagos, which has not experienced the attacks of Boko Haram in the north. For many in the south, the enemy is the government of President Jonathan. Seun Kuti - son of legendary musician, the late Fela Kuti - addressing protesters in the southern city of Lagos said this week "Goodwill Jonathan is Nigeria's only terrorist. We cannot agree to this kind of financial IMF terror. Nigeria cannot pay the same price of petrol as Americans. We don't have American minimum wage".

Media Contact and General Query:

Nicholas: +447436296907

Charles: +447436307574

Aminu: +447852171675

And +447438348346

All photos © 2012 Pete Riches

Do not reproduce, alter or reblog my images without my written permission.

Hi-Res versions of these files are available for license on application. NUJ rates apply.

about.me/peteriches

Larry Augustin, CEO, SugarCRM Inc., John Lilly of Greylock Partners, Greylock Partners, Founder and CEO of Color Labs Bill Nguyen, Color Labs during the DEMO Sage Panel for Social and Media Technologies category, moderated by Jolie O'Dell, writer, VentureBeat during DEMO Spring 2012, the Launchpad for Emerging Technologies, at the Santa Clara Convention Center in Santa Clara, California Thursday April 19, 2012. DEMO is sponsored by AARP, Dynamics, Fusion-io, Microsoft BizSpark, Startup America Partnership, Porter Novelli and PlugandPlayTechCenter.com.

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Around a thousand Pro-Palestinian supporters were joined this afternoon by the Stop the War Coalition, Anonymous and Rabbis from anti-Zionism group Naturei Carta, as they gathered outside the Israeli embassy on London's Kensington High Street in a hastily-called emergency protest following Israel's recent assassaination of senior Hamas commander Ahmed Said Khalil al-Jabari, which has been followed by an air and sea bombardment on the Gaza Strip.

It was announced this evening that following two days of sustained bombing of what are allegedly "terrorist targets", and which have already indiscriminately killed many civilians and children, Israeli IDF forces are preparing to make a ground assault on Gaza in what the Israeli military has christened "Operation Pillar of Defense", which brings to mind the brutality of "Operation Cast Lead" in 2008 which left much of the Gaza strip completely destroyed. Many commentators claim that the Israeli attacks on Gaza have been solely to bolster up the current Netanyahu government ahead of the leadership elections early in 2013. though Palestinian Katushya rocket attacks by the Islamists have been cited as justification for the heavy-handed and unbalanced attack on the largely defenceless Gazans.

There was a smaller (but equally spirited) counter demonstration further along the pavement by supporters of Israel.

All photos © 2012 Pete Riches

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Around a thousand Pro-Palestinian supporters were joined this afternoon by the Stop the War Coalition, Anonymous and Rabbis from anti-Zionism group Naturei Carta, as they gathered outside the Israeli embassy on London's Kensington High Street in a hastily-called emergency protest following Israel's recent assassaination of senior Hamas commander Ahmed Said Khalil al-Jabari, which has been followed by an air and sea bombardment on the Gaza Strip.

It was announced this evening that following two days of sustained bombing of what are allegedly "terrorist targets", and which have already indiscriminately killed many civilians and children, Israeli IDF forces are preparing to make a ground assault on Gaza in what the Israeli military has christened "Operation Pillar of Defense", which brings to mind the brutality of "Operation Cast Lead" in 2008 which left much of the Gaza strip completely destroyed. Many commentators claim that the Israeli attacks on Gaza have been solely to bolster up the current Netanyahu government ahead of the leadership elections early in 2013. though Palestinian Katushya rocket attacks by the Islamists have been cited as justification for the heavy-handed and unbalanced attack on the largely defenceless Gazans.

There was a smaller (but equally spirited) counter demonstration further along the pavement by supporters of Israel.

All photos © 2012 Pete Riches

Do not reproduce, alter, re-transmit or reblog my images without my written permission.

Hi-Res, un-watermarked versions of these files are available on application solely at my discretion

Media buyers can purchase images from this story from Demotix/Corbis directly.

Standard NUJ rates apply.

about.me/peteriches

Nigerians protest against fuel subsidy loss at London embassy - 06.01.2012

Around 200 Nigerian students and emigres representing "Nigerian Students In Diaspora", "Nigerians In Diaspora" and their supporters protested on 06.01.2012 outside the Nigerian High Commission on Northumberland Avenue against the abolition by the government of Nigerian president Goodwill Jonathan of fuel subsidies which has seen the average price of petrol in Nigeria since January 1st 2012 rocket - with no prior warning - from $0.40 per liter to $0.89 per liter with black market prices as high as $1.25 per liter, which, in a country where the national average wage is around $2 per day, with two-thirds of Nigerians living on less than $1.24 a day and pre-January inflation at 10.5%, is having an immediate negative impact on the cost of living for millions of Nigerians.

Transport fares have already increased by 150% causing huge resentment amongst the general population who regard it as a devaluation of the minimum wage, triggering protests in several Southern cities and towns, including Lagos (on January 3rd), Ilorin and Kano (on January 4th) which provoked a violent response from government forces which resulted in several injuries and one death after protesters blocked access to gas stations.

The largest producer of oil on the African continent, Nigeria nevertheless lacks the infrastructure to refine oil to make petroleum and so imports $16 billion of fuel a year. The fuel subsidies have been adding a further $7.5 billion to the budget, and the Government - which is accused by activists and Human Rights Watch of squandering and stealing much of the nation's vast oil wealth, leaving very little for health services and education - now claims that this money would be better spent on improving national infrastructure and social programs. Most Nigerians, however, are convinced this is little more than a lie to further enrich the corrupt politicians and government officials at their expense.

Speaking earlier this week, Minister of Petrol Resources, Diezani Allison-Madueke said "We are looking not in fact at necessarily at subsidy removal, if you want to call it. It is actually a subsidy transfer, because we are looking at the real benefits to the economy and to Nigerians, that can be handed over to Nigerians, that all Nigerians across the spectrum will feel and see from the get go".

Following talks in the capital Abuja on Wednesday 4th January Nigeria's two main unions, the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress called for nationwide demonstrations and labour strikes starting on Monday 9th January unless the government restores the subsidy which is, they say, the only tangible benefit that ordinary Nigerians receive from the huge oil wealth flowing through the government's coffers. Despite being quickly labelled as "Hooligans" by the government, the unions say the mass rallies, street protests and general strikes targetting oil production sites, sea and air ports, banks and markets will be peaceful, and have advised ordinary Nigerians to stockpile supplies for their basic needs, including food and water.

The tension is further exacerbated by a presidential declaration of a state of emergency in fifteen locations relating to the long-running conflict with Southern militant group Boko Haram who, since 2009, have been attacking the oil industry and government in the North for many years as they demand more oil wealth is shared with the poor communities. The militants had carried out a bombing campaign recently to mark the end of a three-day deadline which Boka Haram had given for Southerners living in Northern Nigeria to move away, and had caused explosions in the Northern cities of Maiduguri and Damaturu, though there were no casualties. In a separate incident gunmen attributed to Boka Harem shot and killed two people in Damaturu, and on Christmas day they infamously bombed a catholic church in the capital, Abuja.

Community leader Chief Okoro Samson, a community leader in Delta state, said last week that the rising costs come at a very bad time in Nigeria: “Just take a walk around the city and you know everyone is angry. You risk demonstration in this country and protests are breaking out. You can't contain it because the terrorists, the so-called Boko Haram, will take advantage of it and launch their attacks everywhere,” he said.

The fuel subsidy protests continued on Tuesday in Lagos, which has not experienced the attacks of Boko Haram in the north. For many in the south, the enemy is the government of President Jonathan. Seun Kuti - son of legendary musician, the late Fela Kuti - addressing protesters in the southern city of Lagos said this week "Goodwill Jonathan is Nigeria's only terrorist. We cannot agree to this kind of financial IMF terror. Nigeria cannot pay the same price of petrol as Americans. We don't have American minimum wage".

Media Contact and General Query:

Nicholas: +447436296907

Charles: +447436307574

Aminu: +447852171675

And +447438348346

All photos © 2012 Pete Riches

Do not reproduce, alter or reblog my images without my written permission.

Hi-Res versions of these files are available for license on application. NUJ rates apply.

about.me/peteriches

SoftTech VC Managing Partner Jeff Clavier, Intel Capital Director Christine Herron, American Express Ventures Managing Partner Harshul Sanghi, American Express Ventures, Co-Founder and CEO of Nextdoor.com Nirav Tolia, Nextdoor.com take part in a sage panel moderated by VentureBeat Writer Jolie O'Dell in the Social and Media Technologies category during DEMO Spring 2012, the Launchpad for Emerging Technologies, at the Santa Clara Convention Center in Santa Clara, California Thursday April 19, 2012. DEMO is sponsored by AARP, Dynamics, Fusion-io, Microsoft BizSpark, Startup America Partnership, Porter Novelli and PlugandPlayTechCenter.com.

For more information: bit.ly/DEMO2012

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Photos by Stephen Brashear: www.stephenbrashear.com

Nigerians protest against fuel subsidy loss at London embassy - 06.01.2012

Around 200 Nigerian students and emigres representing "Nigerian Students In Diaspora", "Nigerians In Diaspora" and their supporters protested on 06.01.2012 outside the Nigerian High Commission on Northumberland Avenue against the abolition by the government of Nigerian president Goodwill Jonathan of fuel subsidies which has seen the average price of petrol in Nigeria since January 1st 2012 rocket - with no prior warning - from $0.40 per liter to $0.89 per liter with black market prices as high as $1.25 per liter, which, in a country where the national average wage is around $2 per day, with two-thirds of Nigerians living on less than $1.24 a day and pre-January inflation at 10.5%, is having an immediate negative impact on the cost of living for millions of Nigerians.

Transport fares have already increased by 150% causing huge resentment amongst the general population who regard it as a devaluation of the minimum wage, triggering protests in several Southern cities and towns, including Lagos (on January 3rd), Ilorin and Kano (on January 4th) which provoked a violent response from government forces which resulted in several injuries and one death after protesters blocked access to gas stations.

The largest producer of oil on the African continent, Nigeria nevertheless lacks the infrastructure to refine oil to make petroleum and so imports $16 billion of fuel a year. The fuel subsidies have been adding a further $7.5 billion to the budget, and the Government - which is accused by activists and Human Rights Watch of squandering and stealing much of the nation's vast oil wealth, leaving very little for health services and education - now claims that this money would be better spent on improving national infrastructure and social programs. Most Nigerians, however, are convinced this is little more than a lie to further enrich the corrupt politicians and government officials at their expense.

Speaking earlier this week, Minister of Petrol Resources, Diezani Allison-Madueke said "We are looking not in fact at necessarily at subsidy removal, if you want to call it. It is actually a subsidy transfer, because we are looking at the real benefits to the economy and to Nigerians, that can be handed over to Nigerians, that all Nigerians across the spectrum will feel and see from the get go".

Following talks in the capital Abuja on Wednesday 4th January Nigeria's two main unions, the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress called for nationwide demonstrations and labour strikes starting on Monday 9th January unless the government restores the subsidy which is, they say, the only tangible benefit that ordinary Nigerians receive from the huge oil wealth flowing through the government's coffers. Despite being quickly labelled as "Hooligans" by the government, the unions say the mass rallies, street protests and general strikes targetting oil production sites, sea and air ports, banks and markets will be peaceful, and have advised ordinary Nigerians to stockpile supplies for their basic needs, including food and water.

The tension is further exacerbated by a presidential declaration of a state of emergency in fifteen locations relating to the long-running conflict with Southern militant group Boko Haram who, since 2009, have been attacking the oil industry and government in the North for many years as they demand more oil wealth is shared with the poor communities. The militants had carried out a bombing campaign recently to mark the end of a three-day deadline which Boka Haram had given for Southerners living in Northern Nigeria to move away, and had caused explosions in the Northern cities of Maiduguri and Damaturu, though there were no casualties. In a separate incident gunmen attributed to Boka Harem shot and killed two people in Damaturu, and on Christmas day they infamously bombed a catholic church in the capital, Abuja.

Community leader Chief Okoro Samson, a community leader in Delta state, said last week that the rising costs come at a very bad time in Nigeria: “Just take a walk around the city and you know everyone is angry. You risk demonstration in this country and protests are breaking out. You can't contain it because the terrorists, the so-called Boko Haram, will take advantage of it and launch their attacks everywhere,” he said.

The fuel subsidy protests continued on Tuesday in Lagos, which has not experienced the attacks of Boko Haram in the north. For many in the south, the enemy is the government of President Jonathan. Seun Kuti - son of legendary musician, the late Fela Kuti - addressing protesters in the southern city of Lagos said this week "Goodwill Jonathan is Nigeria's only terrorist. We cannot agree to this kind of financial IMF terror. Nigeria cannot pay the same price of petrol as Americans. We don't have American minimum wage".

Media Contact and General Query:

Nicholas: +447436296907

Charles: +447436307574

Aminu: +447852171675

And +447438348346

All photos © 2012 Pete Riches

Do not reproduce, alter or reblog my images without my written permission.

Hi-Res versions of these files are available for license on application. NUJ rates apply.

about.me/peteriches

Nigerians protest against fuel subsidy loss at London embassy - 06.01.2012

Around 200 Nigerian students and emigres representing "Nigerian Students In Diaspora", "Nigerians In Diaspora" and their supporters protested on 06.01.2012 outside the Nigerian High Commission on Northumberland Avenue against the abolition by the government of Nigerian president Goodwill Jonathan of fuel subsidies which has seen the average price of petrol in Nigeria since January 1st 2012 rocket - with no prior warning - from $0.40 per liter to $0.89 per liter with black market prices as high as $1.25 per liter, which, in a country where the national average wage is around $2 per day, with two-thirds of Nigerians living on less than $1.24 a day and pre-January inflation at 10.5%, is having an immediate negative impact on the cost of living for millions of Nigerians.

Transport fares have already increased by 150% causing huge resentment amongst the general population who regard it as a devaluation of the minimum wage, triggering protests in several Southern cities and towns, including Lagos (on January 3rd), Ilorin and Kano (on January 4th) which provoked a violent response from government forces which resulted in several injuries and one death after protesters blocked access to gas stations.

The largest producer of oil on the African continent, Nigeria nevertheless lacks the infrastructure to refine oil to make petroleum and so imports $16 billion of fuel a year. The fuel subsidies have been adding a further $7.5 billion to the budget, and the Government - which is accused by activists and Human Rights Watch of squandering and stealing much of the nation's vast oil wealth, leaving very little for health services and education - now claims that this money would be better spent on improving national infrastructure and social programs. Most Nigerians, however, are convinced this is little more than a lie to further enrich the corrupt politicians and government officials at their expense.

Speaking earlier this week, Minister of Petrol Resources, Diezani Allison-Madueke said "We are looking not in fact at necessarily at subsidy removal, if you want to call it. It is actually a subsidy transfer, because we are looking at the real benefits to the economy and to Nigerians, that can be handed over to Nigerians, that all Nigerians across the spectrum will feel and see from the get go".

Following talks in the capital Abuja on Wednesday 4th January Nigeria's two main unions, the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress called for nationwide demonstrations and labour strikes starting on Monday 9th January unless the government restores the subsidy which is, they say, the only tangible benefit that ordinary Nigerians receive from the huge oil wealth flowing through the government's coffers. Despite being quickly labelled as "Hooligans" by the government, the unions say the mass rallies, street protests and general strikes targetting oil production sites, sea and air ports, banks and markets will be peaceful, and have advised ordinary Nigerians to stockpile supplies for their basic needs, including food and water.

The tension is further exacerbated by a presidential declaration of a state of emergency in fifteen locations relating to the long-running conflict with Southern militant group Boko Haram who, since 2009, have been attacking the oil industry and government in the North for many years as they demand more oil wealth is shared with the poor communities. The militants had carried out a bombing campaign recently to mark the end of a three-day deadline which Boka Haram had given for Southerners living in Northern Nigeria to move away, and had caused explosions in the Northern cities of Maiduguri and Damaturu, though there were no casualties. In a separate incident gunmen attributed to Boka Harem shot and killed two people in Damaturu, and on Christmas day they infamously bombed a catholic church in the capital, Abuja.

Community leader Chief Okoro Samson, a community leader in Delta state, said last week that the rising costs come at a very bad time in Nigeria: “Just take a walk around the city and you know everyone is angry. You risk demonstration in this country and protests are breaking out. You can't contain it because the terrorists, the so-called Boko Haram, will take advantage of it and launch their attacks everywhere,” he said.

The fuel subsidy protests continued on Tuesday in Lagos, which has not experienced the attacks of Boko Haram in the north. For many in the south, the enemy is the government of President Jonathan. Seun Kuti - son of legendary musician, the late Fela Kuti - addressing protesters in the southern city of Lagos said this week "Goodwill Jonathan is Nigeria's only terrorist. We cannot agree to this kind of financial IMF terror. Nigeria cannot pay the same price of petrol as Americans. We don't have American minimum wage".

Media Contact and General Query:

Nicholas: +447436296907

Charles: +447436307574

Aminu: +447852171675

And +447438348346

All photos © 2012 Pete Riches

Do not reproduce, alter or reblog my images without my written permission.

Hi-Res versions of these files are available for license on application. NUJ rates apply.

about.me/peteriches

Palestinians hold second angry protest at Israeli embassy - 17.11.2012

Around 1,000 Palestinians held their second large protest in two days outside the Israeli embassy in London in response to the ongoing bombing campaign being waged by the Israeli Defence Force using drones, F16's and warships on the almost completely defenceless Gaza Strip, described by many as the largest open-air prison in the world. The Israelis have mobilised 75,000 army reservists and are amassing this huge force on the borders of Gaza for a seven-week ground invasion using the codename 'Operation Pillar of Cloud', which is undoubtedly going to result in the deaths of many hundreds of captive Palestinians who are already denied medical supplies by the Israelis.

Though claiming that their strikes are "Precision-targeted at Hamas military positions and avoid unneccessary civilian deaths", when Israel last invaded Gaza in 2008 during Operation cast Lead the IDF (Israel Defence Force) subjected the civilian population to phosphorous bombs, chemical weapons, depleted uranium munitions and cluster bombs - all illegal under international law. This was done with only 10,000 reservists over a two week period and resulted in 1,471 deaths and thousands of injured. Nobody can even guess how many will die this time, and human rights organisations including the International Red Cross and Amnesty International have called for the Israeli government to stop this latest attack on Gaza.

All photos © 2012 Pete Riches

Do not reproduce, alter, re-transmit or reblog my images without my written permission.

Hi-Res, un-watermarked versions of these files are available on application solely at my discretion

Media buyers can purchase images from this story from Demotix/Corbis directly.

Standard NUJ rates apply.

about.me/peteriches

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Nigerians protest against fuel subsidy loss at London embassy - 06.01.2012

Around 200 Nigerian students and emigres representing "Nigerian Students In Diaspora", "Nigerians In Diaspora" and their supporters protested on 06.01.2012 outside the Nigerian High Commission on Northumberland Avenue against the abolition by the government of Nigerian president Goodwill Jonathan of fuel subsidies which has seen the average price of petrol in Nigeria since January 1st 2012 rocket - with no prior warning - from $0.40 per liter to $0.89 per liter with black market prices as high as $1.25 per liter, which, in a country where the national average wage is around $2 per day, with two-thirds of Nigerians living on less than $1.24 a day and pre-January inflation at 10.5%, is having an immediate negative impact on the cost of living for millions of Nigerians.

Transport fares have already increased by 150% causing huge resentment amongst the general population who regard it as a devaluation of the minimum wage, triggering protests in several Southern cities and towns, including Lagos (on January 3rd), Ilorin and Kano (on January 4th) which provoked a violent response from government forces which resulted in several injuries and one death after protesters blocked access to gas stations.

The largest producer of oil on the African continent, Nigeria nevertheless lacks the infrastructure to refine oil to make petroleum and so imports $16 billion of fuel a year. The fuel subsidies have been adding a further $7.5 billion to the budget, and the Government - which is accused by activists and Human Rights Watch of squandering and stealing much of the nation's vast oil wealth, leaving very little for health services and education - now claims that this money would be better spent on improving national infrastructure and social programs. Most Nigerians, however, are convinced this is little more than a lie to further enrich the corrupt politicians and government officials at their expense.

Speaking earlier this week, Minister of Petrol Resources, Diezani Allison-Madueke said "We are looking not in fact at necessarily at subsidy removal, if you want to call it. It is actually a subsidy transfer, because we are looking at the real benefits to the economy and to Nigerians, that can be handed over to Nigerians, that all Nigerians across the spectrum will feel and see from the get go".

Following talks in the capital Abuja on Wednesday 4th January Nigeria's two main unions, the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress called for nationwide demonstrations and labour strikes starting on Monday 9th January unless the government restores the subsidy which is, they say, the only tangible benefit that ordinary Nigerians receive from the huge oil wealth flowing through the government's coffers. Despite being quickly labelled as "Hooligans" by the government, the unions say the mass rallies, street protests and general strikes targetting oil production sites, sea and air ports, banks and markets will be peaceful, and have advised ordinary Nigerians to stockpile supplies for their basic needs, including food and water.

The tension is further exacerbated by a presidential declaration of a state of emergency in fifteen locations relating to the long-running conflict with Southern militant group Boko Haram who, since 2009, have been attacking the oil industry and government in the North for many years as they demand more oil wealth is shared with the poor communities. The militants had carried out a bombing campaign recently to mark the end of a three-day deadline which Boka Haram had given for Southerners living in Northern Nigeria to move away, and had caused explosions in the Northern cities of Maiduguri and Damaturu, though there were no casualties. In a separate incident gunmen attributed to Boka Harem shot and killed two people in Damaturu, and on Christmas day they infamously bombed a catholic church in the capital, Abuja.

Community leader Chief Okoro Samson, a community leader in Delta state, said last week that the rising costs come at a very bad time in Nigeria: “Just take a walk around the city and you know everyone is angry. You risk demonstration in this country and protests are breaking out. You can't contain it because the terrorists, the so-called Boko Haram, will take advantage of it and launch their attacks everywhere,” he said.

The fuel subsidy protests continued on Tuesday in Lagos, which has not experienced the attacks of Boko Haram in the north. For many in the south, the enemy is the government of President Jonathan. Seun Kuti - son of legendary musician, the late Fela Kuti - addressing protesters in the southern city of Lagos said this week "Goodwill Jonathan is Nigeria's only terrorist. We cannot agree to this kind of financial IMF terror. Nigeria cannot pay the same price of petrol as Americans. We don't have American minimum wage".

Media Contact and General Query:

Nicholas: +447436296907

Charles: +447436307574

Aminu: +447852171675

And +447438348346

All photos © 2012 Pete Riches

Do not reproduce, alter or reblog my images without my written permission.

Hi-Res versions of these files are available for license on application. NUJ rates apply.

about.me/peteriches

Around a thousand Pro-Palestinian supporters were joined this afternoon by the Stop the War Coalition, Anonymous and Rabbis from anti-Zionism group Naturei Carta, as they gathered outside the Israeli embassy on London's Kensington High Street in a hastily-called emergency protest following Israel's recent assassaination of senior Hamas commander Ahmed Said Khalil al-Jabari, which has been followed by an air and sea bombardment on the Gaza Strip.

It was announced this evening that following two days of sustained bombing of what are allegedly "terrorist targets", and which have already indiscriminately killed many civilians and children, Israeli IDF forces are preparing to make a ground assault on Gaza in what the Israeli military has christened "Operation Pillar of Defense", which brings to mind the brutality of "Operation Cast Lead" in 2008 which left much of the Gaza strip completely destroyed. Many commentators claim that the Israeli attacks on Gaza have been solely to bolster up the current Netanyahu government ahead of the leadership elections early in 2013. though Palestinian Katushya rocket attacks by the Islamists have been cited as justification for the heavy-handed and unbalanced attack on the largely defenceless Gazans.

There was a smaller (but equally spirited) counter demonstration further along the pavement by supporters of Israel.

All photos © 2012 Pete Riches

Do not reproduce, alter, re-transmit or reblog my images without my written permission.

Hi-Res, un-watermarked versions of these files are available on application solely at my discretion

Media buyers can purchase images from this story from Demotix/Corbis directly.

Standard NUJ rates apply.

about.me/peteriches

Nigerians protest against fuel subsidy loss at London embassy - 06.01.2012

Around 200 Nigerian students and emigres representing "Nigerian Students In Diaspora", "Nigerians In Diaspora" and their supporters protested on 06.01.2012 outside the Nigerian High Commission on Northumberland Avenue against the abolition by the government of Nigerian president Goodwill Jonathan of fuel subsidies which has seen the average price of petrol in Nigeria since January 1st 2012 rocket - with no prior warning - from $0.40 per liter to $0.89 per liter with black market prices as high as $1.25 per liter, which, in a country where the national average wage is around $2 per day, with two-thirds of Nigerians living on less than $1.24 a day and pre-January inflation at 10.5%, is having an immediate negative impact on the cost of living for millions of Nigerians.

Transport fares have already increased by 150% causing huge resentment amongst the general population who regard it as a devaluation of the minimum wage, triggering protests in several Southern cities and towns, including Lagos (on January 3rd), Ilorin and Kano (on January 4th) which provoked a violent response from government forces which resulted in several injuries and one death after protesters blocked access to gas stations.

The largest producer of oil on the African continent, Nigeria nevertheless lacks the infrastructure to refine oil to make petroleum and so imports $16 billion of fuel a year. The fuel subsidies have been adding a further $7.5 billion to the budget, and the Government - which is accused by activists and Human Rights Watch of squandering and stealing much of the nation's vast oil wealth, leaving very little for health services and education - now claims that this money would be better spent on improving national infrastructure and social programs. Most Nigerians, however, are convinced this is little more than a lie to further enrich the corrupt politicians and government officials at their expense.

Speaking earlier this week, Minister of Petrol Resources, Diezani Allison-Madueke said "We are looking not in fact at necessarily at subsidy removal, if you want to call it. It is actually a subsidy transfer, because we are looking at the real benefits to the economy and to Nigerians, that can be handed over to Nigerians, that all Nigerians across the spectrum will feel and see from the get go".

Following talks in the capital Abuja on Wednesday 4th January Nigeria's two main unions, the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress called for nationwide demonstrations and labour strikes starting on Monday 9th January unless the government restores the subsidy which is, they say, the only tangible benefit that ordinary Nigerians receive from the huge oil wealth flowing through the government's coffers. Despite being quickly labelled as "Hooligans" by the government, the unions say the mass rallies, street protests and general strikes targetting oil production sites, sea and air ports, banks and markets will be peaceful, and have advised ordinary Nigerians to stockpile supplies for their basic needs, including food and water.

The tension is further exacerbated by a presidential declaration of a state of emergency in fifteen locations relating to the long-running conflict with Southern militant group Boko Haram who, since 2009, have been attacking the oil industry and government in the North for many years as they demand more oil wealth is shared with the poor communities. The militants had carried out a bombing campaign recently to mark the end of a three-day deadline which Boka Haram had given for Southerners living in Northern Nigeria to move away, and had caused explosions in the Northern cities of Maiduguri and Damaturu, though there were no casualties. In a separate incident gunmen attributed to Boka Harem shot and killed two people in Damaturu, and on Christmas day they infamously bombed a catholic church in the capital, Abuja.

Community leader Chief Okoro Samson, a community leader in Delta state, said last week that the rising costs come at a very bad time in Nigeria: “Just take a walk around the city and you know everyone is angry. You risk demonstration in this country and protests are breaking out. You can't contain it because the terrorists, the so-called Boko Haram, will take advantage of it and launch their attacks everywhere,” he said.

The fuel subsidy protests continued on Tuesday in Lagos, which has not experienced the attacks of Boko Haram in the north. For many in the south, the enemy is the government of President Jonathan. Seun Kuti - son of legendary musician, the late Fela Kuti - addressing protesters in the southern city of Lagos said this week "Goodwill Jonathan is Nigeria's only terrorist. We cannot agree to this kind of financial IMF terror. Nigeria cannot pay the same price of petrol as Americans. We don't have American minimum wage".

Media Contact and General Query:

Nicholas: +447436296907

Charles: +447436307574

Aminu: +447852171675

And +447438348346

All photos © 2012 Pete Riches

Do not reproduce, alter or reblog my images without my written permission.

Hi-Res versions of these files are available for license on application. NUJ rates apply.

about.me/peteriches

Palestinians hold second angry protest at Israeli embassy - 17.11.2012

Around 1,000 Palestinians held their second large protest in two days outside the Israeli embassy in London in response to the ongoing bombing campaign being waged by the Israeli Defence Force using drones, F16's and warships on the almost completely defenceless Gaza Strip, described by many as the largest open-air prison in the world. The Israelis have mobilised 75,000 army reservists and are amassing this huge force on the borders of Gaza for a seven-week ground invasion using the codename 'Operation Pillar of Cloud', which is undoubtedly going to result in the deaths of many hundreds of captive Palestinians who are already denied medical supplies by the Israelis.

Though claiming that their strikes are "Precision-targeted at Hamas military positions and avoid unneccessary civilian deaths", when Israel last invaded Gaza in 2008 during Operation cast Lead the IDF (Israel Defence Force) subjected the civilian population to phosphorous bombs, chemical weapons, depleted uranium munitions and cluster bombs - all illegal under international law. This was done with only 10,000 reservists over a two week period and resulted in 1,471 deaths and thousands of injured. Nobody can even guess how many will die this time, and human rights organisations including the International Red Cross and Amnesty International have called for the Israeli government to stop this latest attack on Gaza.

All photos © 2012 Pete Riches

Do not reproduce, alter, re-transmit or reblog my images without my written permission.

Hi-Res, un-watermarked versions of these files are available on application solely at my discretion

Media buyers can purchase images from this story from Demotix/Corbis directly.

Standard NUJ rates apply.

about.me/peteriches

Around a thousand Pro-Palestinian supporters were joined this afternoon by the Stop the War Coalition, Anonymous and Rabbis from anti-Zionism group Naturei Carta, as they gathered outside the Israeli embassy on London's Kensington High Street in a hastily-called emergency protest following Israel's recent assassaination of senior Hamas commander Ahmed Said Khalil al-Jabari, which has been followed by an air and sea bombardment on the Gaza Strip.

It was announced this evening that following two days of sustained bombing of what are allegedly "terrorist targets", and which have already indiscriminately killed many civilians and children, Israeli IDF forces are preparing to make a ground assault on Gaza in what the Israeli military has christened "Operation Pillar of Defense", which brings to mind the brutality of "Operation Cast Lead" in 2008 which left much of the Gaza strip completely destroyed. Many commentators claim that the Israeli attacks on Gaza have been solely to bolster up the current Netanyahu government ahead of the leadership elections early in 2013. though Palestinian Katushya rocket attacks by the Islamists have been cited as justification for the heavy-handed and unbalanced attack on the largely defenceless Gazans.

There was a smaller (but equally spirited) counter demonstration further along the pavement by supporters of Israel.

All photos © 2012 Pete Riches

Do not reproduce, alter, re-transmit or reblog my images without my written permission.

Hi-Res, un-watermarked versions of these files are available on application solely at my discretion

Media buyers can purchase images from this story from Demotix/Corbis directly.

Standard NUJ rates apply.

about.me/peteriches

Nigerians protest against fuel subsidy loss at London embassy - 06.01.2012

Around 200 Nigerian students and emigres representing "Nigerian Students In Diaspora", "Nigerians In Diaspora" and their supporters protested on 06.01.2012 outside the Nigerian High Commission on Northumberland Avenue against the abolition by the government of Nigerian president Goodwill Jonathan of fuel subsidies which has seen the average price of petrol in Nigeria since January 1st 2012 rocket - with no prior warning - from $0.40 per liter to $0.89 per liter with black market prices as high as $1.25 per liter, which, in a country where the national average wage is around $2 per day, with two-thirds of Nigerians living on less than $1.24 a day and pre-January inflation at 10.5%, is having an immediate negative impact on the cost of living for millions of Nigerians.

Transport fares have already increased by 150% causing huge resentment amongst the general population who regard it as a devaluation of the minimum wage, triggering protests in several Southern cities and towns, including Lagos (on January 3rd), Ilorin and Kano (on January 4th) which provoked a violent response from government forces which resulted in several injuries and one death after protesters blocked access to gas stations.

The largest producer of oil on the African continent, Nigeria nevertheless lacks the infrastructure to refine oil to make petroleum and so imports $16 billion of fuel a year. The fuel subsidies have been adding a further $7.5 billion to the budget, and the Government - which is accused by activists and Human Rights Watch of squandering and stealing much of the nation's vast oil wealth, leaving very little for health services and education - now claims that this money would be better spent on improving national infrastructure and social programs. Most Nigerians, however, are convinced this is little more than a lie to further enrich the corrupt politicians and government officials at their expense.

Speaking earlier this week, Minister of Petrol Resources, Diezani Allison-Madueke said "We are looking not in fact at necessarily at subsidy removal, if you want to call it. It is actually a subsidy transfer, because we are looking at the real benefits to the economy and to Nigerians, that can be handed over to Nigerians, that all Nigerians across the spectrum will feel and see from the get go".

Following talks in the capital Abuja on Wednesday 4th January Nigeria's two main unions, the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress called for nationwide demonstrations and labour strikes starting on Monday 9th January unless the government restores the subsidy which is, they say, the only tangible benefit that ordinary Nigerians receive from the huge oil wealth flowing through the government's coffers. Despite being quickly labelled as "Hooligans" by the government, the unions say the mass rallies, street protests and general strikes targetting oil production sites, sea and air ports, banks and markets will be peaceful, and have advised ordinary Nigerians to stockpile supplies for their basic needs, including food and water.

The tension is further exacerbated by a presidential declaration of a state of emergency in fifteen locations relating to the long-running conflict with Southern militant group Boko Haram who, since 2009, have been attacking the oil industry and government in the North for many years as they demand more oil wealth is shared with the poor communities. The militants had carried out a bombing campaign recently to mark the end of a three-day deadline which Boka Haram had given for Southerners living in Northern Nigeria to move away, and had caused explosions in the Northern cities of Maiduguri and Damaturu, though there were no casualties. In a separate incident gunmen attributed to Boka Harem shot and killed two people in Damaturu, and on Christmas day they infamously bombed a catholic church in the capital, Abuja.

Community leader Chief Okoro Samson, a community leader in Delta state, said last week that the rising costs come at a very bad time in Nigeria: “Just take a walk around the city and you know everyone is angry. You risk demonstration in this country and protests are breaking out. You can't contain it because the terrorists, the so-called Boko Haram, will take advantage of it and launch their attacks everywhere,” he said.

The fuel subsidy protests continued on Tuesday in Lagos, which has not experienced the attacks of Boko Haram in the north. For many in the south, the enemy is the government of President Jonathan. Seun Kuti - son of legendary musician, the late Fela Kuti - addressing protesters in the southern city of Lagos said this week "Goodwill Jonathan is Nigeria's only terrorist. We cannot agree to this kind of financial IMF terror. Nigeria cannot pay the same price of petrol as Americans. We don't have American minimum wage".

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Around a thousand Pro-Palestinian supporters were joined this afternoon by the Stop the War Coalition, Anonymous and Rabbis from anti-Zionism group Naturei Carta, as they gathered outside the Israeli embassy on London's Kensington High Street in a hastily-called emergency protest following Israel's recent assassaination of senior Hamas commander Ahmed Said Khalil al-Jabari, which has been followed by an air and sea bombardment on the Gaza Strip.

It was announced this evening that following two days of sustained bombing of what are allegedly "terrorist targets", and which have already indiscriminately killed many civilians and children, Israeli IDF forces are preparing to make a ground assault on Gaza in what the Israeli military has christened "Operation Pillar of Defense", which brings to mind the brutality of "Operation Cast Lead" in 2008 which left much of the Gaza strip completely destroyed. Many commentators claim that the Israeli attacks on Gaza have been solely to bolster up the current Netanyahu government ahead of the leadership elections early in 2013. though Palestinian Katushya rocket attacks by the Islamists have been cited as justification for the heavy-handed and unbalanced attack on the largely defenceless Gazans.

There was a smaller (but equally spirited) counter demonstration further along the pavement by supporters of Israel.

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Palestinians hold second angry protest at Israeli embassy - 17.11.2012

Around 1,000 Palestinians held their second large protest in two days outside the Israeli embassy in London in response to the ongoing bombing campaign being waged by the Israeli Defence Force using drones, F16's and warships on the almost completely defenceless Gaza Strip, described by many as the largest open-air prison in the world. The Israelis have mobilised 75,000 army reservists and are amassing this huge force on the borders of Gaza for a seven-week ground invasion using the codename 'Operation Pillar of Cloud', which is undoubtedly going to result in the deaths of many hundreds of captive Palestinians who are already denied medical supplies by the Israelis.

Though claiming that their strikes are "Precision-targeted at Hamas military positions and avoid unneccessary civilian deaths", when Israel last invaded Gaza in 2008 during Operation cast Lead the IDF (Israel Defence Force) subjected the civilian population to phosphorous bombs, chemical weapons, depleted uranium munitions and cluster bombs - all illegal under international law. This was done with only 10,000 reservists over a two week period and resulted in 1,471 deaths and thousands of injured. Nobody can even guess how many will die this time, and human rights organisations including the International Red Cross and Amnesty International have called for the Israeli government to stop this latest attack on Gaza.

All photos © 2012 Pete Riches

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Palestinians hold second angry protest at Israeli embassy - 17.11.2012

Around 1,000 Palestinians held their second large protest in two days outside the Israeli embassy in London in response to the ongoing bombing campaign being waged by the Israeli Defence Force using drones, F16's and warships on the almost completely defenceless Gaza Strip, described by many as the largest open-air prison in the world. The Israelis have mobilised 75,000 army reservists and are amassing this huge force on the borders of Gaza for a seven-week ground invasion using the codename 'Operation Pillar of Cloud', which is undoubtedly going to result in the deaths of many hundreds of captive Palestinians who are already denied medical supplies by the Israelis.

Though claiming that their strikes are "Precision-targeted at Hamas military positions and avoid unneccessary civilian deaths", when Israel last invaded Gaza in 2008 during Operation cast Lead the IDF (Israel Defence Force) subjected the civilian population to phosphorous bombs, chemical weapons, depleted uranium munitions and cluster bombs - all illegal under international law. This was done with only 10,000 reservists over a two week period and resulted in 1,471 deaths and thousands of injured. Nobody can even guess how many will die this time, and human rights organisations including the International Red Cross and Amnesty International have called for the Israeli government to stop this latest attack on Gaza.

All photos © 2012 Pete Riches

Do not reproduce, alter, re-transmit or reblog my images without my written permission.

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Around a thousand Pro-Palestinian supporters were joined this afternoon by the Stop the War Coalition, Anonymous and Rabbis from anti-Zionism group Naturei Carta, as they gathered outside the Israeli embassy on London's Kensington High Street in a hastily-called emergency protest following Israel's recent assassaination of senior Hamas commander Ahmed Said Khalil al-Jabari, which has been followed by an air and sea bombardment on the Gaza Strip.

It was announced this evening that following two days of sustained bombing of what are allegedly "terrorist targets", and which have already indiscriminately killed many civilians and children, Israeli IDF forces are preparing to make a ground assault on Gaza in what the Israeli military has christened "Operation Pillar of Defense", which brings to mind the brutality of "Operation Cast Lead" in 2008 which left much of the Gaza strip completely destroyed. Many commentators claim that the Israeli attacks on Gaza have been solely to bolster up the current Netanyahu government ahead of the leadership elections early in 2013. though Palestinian Katushya rocket attacks by the Islamists have been cited as justification for the heavy-handed and unbalanced attack on the largely defenceless Gazans.

There was a smaller (but equally spirited) counter demonstration further along the pavement by supporters of Israel.

All photos © 2012 Pete Riches

Do not reproduce, alter, re-transmit or reblog my images without my written permission.

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Palestinians hold second angry protest at Israeli embassy - 17.11.2012

Around 1,000 Palestinians held their second large protest in two days outside the Israeli embassy in London in response to the ongoing bombing campaign being waged by the Israeli Defence Force using drones, F16's and warships on the almost completely defenceless Gaza Strip, described by many as the largest open-air prison in the world. The Israelis have mobilised 75,000 army reservists and are amassing this huge force on the borders of Gaza for a seven-week ground invasion using the codename 'Operation Pillar of Cloud', which is undoubtedly going to result in the deaths of many hundreds of captive Palestinians who are already denied medical supplies by the Israelis.

Though claiming that their strikes are "Precision-targeted at Hamas military positions and avoid unneccessary civilian deaths", when Israel last invaded Gaza in 2008 during Operation cast Lead the IDF (Israel Defence Force) subjected the civilian population to phosphorous bombs, chemical weapons, depleted uranium munitions and cluster bombs - all illegal under international law. This was done with only 10,000 reservists over a two week period and resulted in 1,471 deaths and thousands of injured. Nobody can even guess how many will die this time, and human rights organisations including the International Red Cross and Amnesty International have called for the Israeli government to stop this latest attack on Gaza.

All photos © 2012 Pete Riches

Do not reproduce, alter, re-transmit or reblog my images without my written permission.

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DPAC activists deliver protest letter to Minister for Disabled People, Maria Miller (MP) : London 13.02.2012

Campaigners from Disabled People Against Cuts (DPAC), Hammersmith and Fulham Coalition Against Community Care Cuts (HAFCAC) and the Right to Work Campaign (RtWC) protested outside the Department for Work and Pensions against the government's decision to abolish the Independent Living Fund (ILF) in 2015.

New applications to this critical funding resource for the most vulnerable people with severe disabilities was stopped in 2010. The protesters are very concerned that this has all been set in motion without any proper consultation with disabled users, and neither has there been an equality impact assessment of the effects ending the ILF will have on people living with disabilities. This, claim the protesters, violates articles 4, 17 and 19 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, to which the United Kingdom is a co-signatory.

Article 19 [Living independently and being included in the community"] states that "Disabled people have a right to live in the community, with the support they need and can make choices other people do". It also states that they should be included in things that other people do, and all countries signed up to the Convention must: "Make sure that disabled people get the help they need to live in the community; this means things like getting personal assistance."

In addition, the United Nations International Covenant on Economic Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR) states that "Disabled People have the right to enjoy the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health and have the right to an adequate standard of living".

As such, the UK has a duty to work progressively, to the maximum extent of its available resources, to deliver these rights, even in a period of economic downturn.

David Cameron's government, however, claims chillingly that funding disabled people is "unsustainable", yet we see billions of pounds in corporate taxes remaining uncollected by huge corporations and individuals who have wined and dined government officials and ministers, and we have witnessed the squandering of further billions of pounds by this government on consultants and failed IT systems. It seems to many that the government is more than happy to pour good money after bad to fund its favourite ideological political projects, yet there is not enough money to keep the most vulnerable members of our society out of the new-wave of Victorian Asylums.

Supposedly a ring-fenced resource for a priority group of disabled people with high support needs which provides a much better quality of life and independence which could not be provided by local authority funding, the loss of this fund will undoubtedly result in many severely disabled people losing their independence and finding themselves warehoused in unsuitable care homes, where, once isolated from the outside world, it is believed that many will suffer neglect. Maintaining some control over the provision of good quality care is hugely important to this small group of vulnerable users, both in terms of physical help, but also in terms of human dignity and pride.

The loss of the ILF will also mean many disabled people will no longer be able to do paid work and contribute back to society by way of income tax, further marginalising this already-demonized section of British society which has been under constant, sustained attack by the government since coming to power in 2010.

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SoftTech VC Managing Partner Jeff Clavier, Intel Capital Director Christine Herron, American Express Ventures Managing Partner Harshul Sanghi, American Express Ventures, Co-Founder and CEO of Nextdoor.com Nirav Tolia, Nextdoor.com take part in a sage panel moderated by VentureBeat Writer Jolie O'Dell in the Social and Media Technologies category during DEMO Spring 2012, the Launchpad for Emerging Technologies, at the Santa Clara Convention Center in Santa Clara, California Thursday April 19, 2012. DEMO is sponsored by AARP, Dynamics, Fusion-io, Microsoft BizSpark, Startup America Partnership, Porter Novelli and PlugandPlayTechCenter.com.

For more information: bit.ly/DEMO2012

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Around a thousand Pro-Palestinian supporters were joined this afternoon by the Stop the War Coalition, Anonymous and Rabbis from anti-Zionism group Naturei Carta, as they gathered outside the Israeli embassy on London's Kensington High Street in a hastily-called emergency protest following Israel's recent assassaination of senior Hamas commander Ahmed Said Khalil al-Jabari, which has been followed by an air and sea bombardment on the Gaza Strip.

It was announced this evening that following two days of sustained bombing of what are allegedly "terrorist targets", and which have already indiscriminately killed many civilians and children, Israeli IDF forces are preparing to make a ground assault on Gaza in what the Israeli military has christened "Operation Pillar of Defense", which brings to mind the brutality of "Operation Cast Lead" in 2008 which left much of the Gaza strip completely destroyed. Many commentators claim that the Israeli attacks on Gaza have been solely to bolster up the current Netanyahu government ahead of the leadership elections early in 2013. though Palestinian Katushya rocket attacks by the Islamists have been cited as justification for the heavy-handed and unbalanced attack on the largely defenceless Gazans.

There was a smaller (but equally spirited) counter demonstration further along the pavement by supporters of Israel.

All photos © 2012 Pete Riches

Do not reproduce, alter, re-transmit or reblog my images without my written permission.

Hi-Res, un-watermarked versions of these files are available on application solely at my discretion

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Palestinians hold second angry protest at Israeli embassy - 17.11.2012

Around 1,000 Palestinians held their second large protest in two days outside the Israeli embassy in London in response to the ongoing bombing campaign being waged by the Israeli Defence Force using drones, F16's and warships on the almost completely defenceless Gaza Strip, described by many as the largest open-air prison in the world. The Israelis have mobilised 75,000 army reservists and are amassing this huge force on the borders of Gaza for a seven-week ground invasion using the codename 'Operation Pillar of Cloud', which is undoubtedly going to result in the deaths of many hundreds of captive Palestinians who are already denied medical supplies by the Israelis.

Though claiming that their strikes are "Precision-targeted at Hamas military positions and avoid unneccessary civilian deaths", when Israel last invaded Gaza in 2008 during Operation cast Lead the IDF (Israel Defence Force) subjected the civilian population to phosphorous bombs, chemical weapons, depleted uranium munitions and cluster bombs - all illegal under international law. This was done with only 10,000 reservists over a two week period and resulted in 1,471 deaths and thousands of injured. Nobody can even guess how many will die this time, and human rights organisations including the International Red Cross and Amnesty International have called for the Israeli government to stop this latest attack on Gaza.

All photos © 2012 Pete Riches

Do not reproduce, alter, re-transmit or reblog my images without my written permission.

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Benchmark Capital General, Partner Bill Gurley, DCM General Partner Jason Krikorian, General Partner at Matrix Partners Dana Stalder on a sage panel moderated by VentureBeat Writer Jolie O'Dell during DEMO Spring 2012, the Launchpad for Emerging Technologies, at the Santa Clara Convention Center in Santa Clara, California Thursday April 19, 2012. DEMO is sponsored by AARP, Dynamics, Fusion-io, Microsoft BizSpark, Startup America Partnership, Porter Novelli and PlugandPlayTechCenter.com.

For more information: bit.ly/DEMO2012

Find more pictures: bit.ly/DEMOflickr

Follow us on Twitter: bit.ly/DEMOTwitter

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Photos by Stephen Brashear: www.stephenbrashear.com

Vigil as House of Lords debates Welfare Reform Bill: London, 11.01.2012

Activists from the Zacchaeus 2000 Trust (Z2KT) and Single Mothers Self-Defence (SMSD) lobbied the House of Lords and held a vigil in Old Palace Yard opposite the Lords' Entrance on 11.01.2012 as the House of Lords gave its last reading and debate of the governement's Welfare Reform Bill and Benefit caps before it passes into law. The campaigners are extremely anxious about this bill which, if passed as is, will see hundreds of thousands of children, the sick and the disabled, plunged into inescapable poverty and homelessness from which many of them will never emerge.

The Welfare Reform Bill introduces Universal Credit to replace existing benefits including income-based Jobseeker's Allowance; income-related Employment and Support Allowance; Income Support; Housing Benefit; Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit. The Bill also makes provision for the Personal Independence Payment which will replace the existing Disability Living Allowance for over-16s.

The Zacchaeus 2000 Trust specialises in helping vulnerable debtors to gain justice from unfair systems and campaigns on a wide range of issues surrounding poverty, and the Single Mothers Self-Defence is a network of single mothers campaigning against benefit cuts and policies forcing single mothers on benefits to take on unwaged work.

The protesters were joined by political artist Kaya Mar, who showed his latest painting which portrays Her Majesty the Queen and Prince Philip on their uppers in a poverty-stricken Britain. The Queen holds two magazines promoting her Diamond Jubilee celebrations this year which will cost the taxpayer hundreds of millions of pounds and will lose many more millions of lose work hours to the economy than did the one-day strike on Nov 30th 2011!

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Palestinians hold second angry protest at Israeli embassy - 17.11.2012

Around 1,000 Palestinians held their second large protest in two days outside the Israeli embassy in London in response to the ongoing bombing campaign being waged by the Israeli Defence Force using drones, F16's and warships on the almost completely defenceless Gaza Strip, described by many as the largest open-air prison in the world. The Israelis have mobilised 75,000 army reservists and are amassing this huge force on the borders of Gaza for a seven-week ground invasion using the codename 'Operation Pillar of Cloud', which is undoubtedly going to result in the deaths of many hundreds of captive Palestinians who are already denied medical supplies by the Israelis.

Though claiming that their strikes are "Precision-targeted at Hamas military positions and avoid unneccessary civilian deaths", when Israel last invaded Gaza in 2008 during Operation cast Lead the IDF (Israel Defence Force) subjected the civilian population to phosphorous bombs, chemical weapons, depleted uranium munitions and cluster bombs - all illegal under international law. This was done with only 10,000 reservists over a two week period and resulted in 1,471 deaths and thousands of injured. Nobody can even guess how many will die this time, and human rights organisations including the International Red Cross and Amnesty International have called for the Israeli government to stop this latest attack on Gaza.

All photos © 2012 Pete Riches

Do not reproduce, alter, re-transmit or reblog my images without my written permission.

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Media buyers can purchase images from this story from Demotix/Corbis directly.

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about.me/peteriches