During 1994 and 1995, the newspaper known as The Democrat, which was founded in 1983, was based at 9 Ahmed Talib Avenue in Kaduna State (Europa 1994 1994, 2244; Europa 1995 1995, 2316). The Europa World Year Book also lists the newspaper's editor for those two years as Abdulhamid Babatunde (Europa 1994 1994, 2244; Europa 1995 1995, 2316), and the paper's daily circulation as 100,000 (ibid.). Two additional references to The Democrat being based in Kaduna State, northern Nigeria, were found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate (NMM 23 Feb. 1998; Abuja Mirror 16-22 Feb. 2000).

Two references to articles published by The Democrat during 1994 and 1995 were found among the sources consulted; however, they did not address the issue of the government's treatment of the Yoruba ethnic group (PON 25 Aug. 1994; AP 13 Nov. 1995). One of the articles was reported to carry an interview with Jibril Aminu, Nigeria's oil minister (PON 25 Aug. 1994), and the other article reported on a Nigeria Airways plane crash at Kaduna airport that killed 150 people (AP 13 Nov. 1995).

Additional information on The Democrat newspaper, including whether it published articles critical of the Nigerian government's treatment of the Yoruba ethnic group, could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

Abuja Mirror. 16-22 February 2000. "Professor Ali Mazrui Replies Soyinka - The Strange Case of Nobel Schizophrenia." http://www.n-today.ndtilda.co.uk/mrep150.htm [Accessed 8 Apr. 2003]

Associated Press (AP) Worldstream. 13 November 1995. "International News: Lagos, Nigeria." (NEXIS).

The Europa World Year Book 1995. 1995. 36th ed. Vol. 2. London: Europa Publications Limited.

The Europa World Year Book 1994. 1994. 35th ed. Vol. 2. London: Europa Publications Limited.

Nigeria Media Monitor (NMM). 23 February 1998. Vol. 3, No. 8. "Democrat Staff Cry Out Over Salary Arrears." http://www.derechos.net/ijc/monitor/0308.html [Accessed 8 Apr. 2003]

Platt's Oilgram News (PON). 25 August 1994. "Nigeria Strike Drags On, Force Majeure Extended." (NEXIS)

Additional Sources Consulted

Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). Attacks on the Press in 1995;

Attacks on the Press in 1994

IRB Databases

NEXIS

Internet sites, including:

Africa Online

AllAfrica.com

Amnesty International (AI)

Article 19

BBC Africa

Campaign for Good Governance

Global IDP

Human Rights Watch (HRW)

International Centre for Journalists (ICJ)

International Crisis Group (ICG)

International Freedom of Expression Exchange (IFEX)

Relief Web

Reporters Without Borders (RWB)

World News Connection (WNC)

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