Biafra World Health Organization of the United Nations, which led to the early and cost-effective interruption of smallpox transmission in West Africa and elsewhere. On 29 May 2000, the Lagos "Guardian" newspaper reported that the now ex-president Olusegun Obasanjo commuted to retirement of the dismissal of all military persons, soldiers and officers, who fought for the breakaway Republic of Biafra during Nigeria's 1967–1970 civil war. In a national broadcast, he said the decision was based on the belief that "justice must at all times be tempered with mercy". In July 2006 the Center for World Indigenous Studies reported that government sanctioned
Regional Council of Unrecognized Villages the RCUV is the only body which seeks to represent the interests of residents of the unrecognized villages. For a long period of time this organization was not recognized by the state apparently because of its anti-Israel stance—it accuses the state of racism and committing crimes, which cannot be considered as a constructive position. Nevertheless, its activities may have influenced the government policies to a certain extent and brought some real problems to the light. Now government seeks to involve the Bedouin in finding an ultimate housing solution for them via recognition of most of these previously unrecognized Bedouin communities