World

Figure 1: Main themes in TV News (continued)The Biafran War and the IbosIbos one of the biggest/third largest tribes in the country 1Ibos live mainly in the East where the Biafran war was fought 1Biafran war was one of independence 2The Biafrans were crushed/A million died in the fighting and famine 2Nigerian army was far better equipped 2Ibos deprived of basic amenities 2Ibos feel disenfranchised/marginalised 5Ibos believe they’re still being punished for Biafran war. 2Example of a businessman who despite his best efforts, sees no return 5Biafran veterans beg 1New Eastern radicals ready to fight again 7Nigerian soldiers regret fighting Biafra – symbolic of what’s happening to Nigeria 2Total 30The Delta RegionIncreasing numbers of kidnappings – youth demanding share of wealth 2Execution of Ken Saro Wiwa (under Abacha) 2Nigeria was outcast (after the execution) 1Nigeria’s elections to result in return to international community 1Demands of Delta region (a headache to new govt.) 5Delta people have no voice 4Oil/Shell does not provide wealth for Delta people 8Oil industry causes pollution 3Local chief punished for his people’s protests 3Ijaw the angry young men of the Delta 3Neighbouring Itshekiri say the Ijaws are attacking their villages/that they should vote 3/2Total 39North and SouthThe North is Muslim/culturally different from the South 3The military power base is in the North 3Northern Nigeria has dominated politics and military since independence 1Both candidates are Christians and Yorubas from the South 1Obasanjo favoured in North – military connections and not biased against Muslims 1Conservative Muslim North – women say their husbands tell them who to vote for 2Poor turnout in North because candidates are from the South 1North is poor 2North is feudal 1Military leaders stole the money for themselves 1South sees the North as parasitic 2The Emir remains the cultural leader in the North 4Northern Muslims united with Yorubas and Ijaws of the South through colonialism 1Total 23PrescriptionsElections will not make any difference 2Democracy will be better than a military regime 4Nigeria needs to be united 12Military will not stay out of power long. 3Total 2238 DFID – July 2000