OBLONG MEDIA GLOBAL INTELLIGENCE is where independent minds meet to dissect politics, society, power, and global affairs without fear or filters. This is not mainstream media.
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The IDF’s “brute force” strategy makes no sense from a counterinsurgency perspective, Col. Jacques Baud has claimed Israel’s tactics in Gaza go against all the rules of counterinsurgency and can only be explained as a deliberate effort to “eliminate the Palestinians,” former NATO analyst and Swiss intelligence officer Col. Jacques Baud has said. Speaking to ‘Going Underground’ host Afshin Rattansi on Monday, Baud said that Israel is “not trying to solve the problem [of Hamas violence] on the political side, as we normally should for a counterinsurgency.” “They are doing it by brute force, meaning that they destroy people and that’s the name…
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Some displaced Gazans have found a new home in Grozny, capital of Russia’s Chechen Republic Over 200 Palestinians displaced from Gaza have been given apartments in a newly built neighborhood of Grozny, the capital of Russia’s Muslim-majority Chechen Republic, regional leader Ramzan Kadyrov has announced. A foundation run by Kadyrov’s mother Aymani commissioned the construction of the five apartment buildings, to permanently house refugees welcomed to the Russian region last November. “Congratulations to the Palestinian brothers and sisters on finding new comfortable housing! I wish them never to see war again, to live in plenty and prosper!” Kadyrov said in a…
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Voters can no longer ignore the president’s deteriorating condition, the US newspaper’s editorial board has warned US Democrats must admit that President Joe Biden is no longer capable of defeating Donald Trump on Election Day in November, and that they need to find a stronger candidate to replace him, The New York Times editorial board wrote on Friday. The appeal came a day after Biden delivered what was universally seen as a disastrous performance against Trump during a live presidential debate in Atlanta, Georgia. Observers noted that Biden appeared frail and confused, struggling to finish his sentences and mixing up…
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The 81-year-old president’s condition puts the country in a “very dangerous situation,” Mike Johnson has argued Joe Biden should be replaced as US president, having shown he is “not up to the task” during his debate with Donald Trump, House Speaker Mike Johnson has said. The US president’s performance in his first election face-off with Trump on Thursday was widely viewed as a disaster. The 81-year-old appeared frail and confused, struggling to finish his sentences and mixing up words. According to media reports, Democrats were “panicking” after the debate, and some donors have demanded that the president be dropped from the party’s ticket for the November…
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Here are the facts… The latest worm to creep out of the “can of worms” in this govt is the newly commissioned VP’s house, built for Shettima. The date was June 7th. The president, flanked by his enablers—Godswill Akpabio, Wike, and others—“proudly” commissioned the N21 Billion VP’s Residence. The house now becomes the official residence of the VPs of Nigeria. Shettima is yet to move in. Some details about the new residence… The house, which is located at the “Three Arms Zone” in Aso Rock, was initiated and started in 2010 by Goodluck Jonathan. At the time, it was awarded…
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The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has criticized Washington for the persistent “misalignment” of its fiscal policy US budget deficits and soaring debt present a “growing risk” to the global economy and have to be urgently addressed, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) warned on Thursday. The US national debt is piling up, approaching $35 trillion, data shows. The US federal budget deficit jumped from $1.4 trillion in fiscal 2022 to $1.7 trillion last year, according to the IMF’s latest figures. The Congressional Budget Office, the official fiscal watchdog in the US, predicted earlier this month that the deficit was likely to hit…
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Imo State stands out in the South East region for a troubling reason: it is perhaps the only state where young, able-bodied men widely view politics and government as their primary means of livelihood. This dependence on political positions and government contracts has bred a generation of morally bankrupt and misguided youth, whose actions reflect the worst aspects of human nature. Blackmail, backbiting, betrayal, and warped reasoning are rampant, epitomizing a societal decay that sociologists might describe as “crabology”, the tendency to drag each other down to prevent anyone from succeeding. The Roots of the Problem The root of this…
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Knowledge can be a wonderful thing, but in the case of the ancient philosopher and mathematician Hypatia of Alexandria, it also led to her doom. Hypatia was one of the most important intellectuals of the Byzantine Empire in the 4th Century, and she was also a woman. Her story is both inspiring and terrifying. Hypatia was born around 355, when the Roman empire had just split, leaving Alexandria in a disconnected state of religious and social unrest. Members of all religions – Christians, Jews, and pagans – were now living together in perpetual strife. Over the next few decades, their…
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For two thousand years we have lived among you, offering you our knowledge, discoveries and inventions. At the UN Special General Assembly in New York, held at the request of the leaders of the European Union and the New Arab Bloc, the representative of Israel, Miriam Novak, spoke. Standing at the podium, in front of the green marble wall of the main UN hall, Miriam Novak said into the microphone: “Ladies and gentlemen! As you know, eighty years ago, Europe, led by Germany, carried out an ethnic purge: it exterminated almost all the Jews who lived there. French, Belgians, Dutch,…
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For around two decades after the (First) Cold War Russia tried building close ties with the European Union, the United States and other countries of the political West. Obviously, ties to its old friends never died, but were essentially reduced in terms of practicality. Moscow didn’t want any sort of enmity with NATO, seeking to build a mutually beneficial relationship that would defuse tensions and create an atmosphere of peace and cooperation. However, the world’s most aggressive racketeering cartel had other plans. The NATO-orchestrated Georgian War of 2008 was the first direct clash between a Western proxy and the Russian military…
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The mainstream has presented the G7 summit in Puglia, under Italian chairmanship, as some kind of grand social event, ignoring the Final Communiqué: a document of about 40 pages by which the G7 – composed of the 6 major NATO powers plus Japan, NATO’s main partner in East Asia – set out their agenda. They denounce Russia for “the brutal and unjustifiable war of aggression against Ukraine, and for the blatant violation by it of international law and the fundamental principles that underlie the international order.” They then announce that “the G7 will launch extraordinary loans in order to make approximately…
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For those who are less familiar with the Project for the New American Century (PNAC), since the media abstained from mentioning it lately, PNAC was officially created in 1997 in Washington DC, by the cream of the crop of the then new neoliberal elite, William Kristol and Robert Kagan. The PNAC’s declared objective is to: “Fight and decisively win multiple, simultaneous major theater wars”. This statement indicates that the US plans to be involved simultaneously in several war theaters in different regions of the World. Neo-Conservatives Note to readers: Please click the share button above. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter and subscribe to our Telegram Channel.…
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Chima: The Aro Native Doctor. “Eze Chima was an Aro native doctor. In pursuance of the role of the Aros in the Atlantic Slave Trade quoted…from Michael Crowder’s story of Nigeria, Chima left Arochukwu to Benin to set up as an agent of the Aro Long Juju, for the usual purpose of collecting slaves from Benin. Whenever, in the olden days, a native doctor travelled to a place, he by custom would, on arrival, report himself to the local chief or to the head of the society of native doctors of the land. He is either the guest of the…
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The political atmosphere in Imo State has arguably never been this electrified. The most common discussion among groups in the state today revolves around whether to organize and manage the political and cultural diversity in Imo, similar to other states, or continue as a chaotic “banana state,” the worst so far in Southeast history. Hope Uzodinma, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), vowed during his reelection campaigns to address the marginalization of the Owerri zone, which has not had an opportunity to fully contribute to governance. However, as we speak, aspersions are being cast due to his reappointment…
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A prescription for President Tinubu’s urgent action to stabilize the Naira, tame inflation, and reboot economic growth As Nigeria grapples with a failing economy and soaring inflation, President Tinubu’s administration faces an unprecedented challenge. The country’s economic woes are a complex web of factors, including a crashing currency, declining oil revenues, inadequate infrastructure, and a lack of diversification in the economy. In this critical moment, President Tinubu must take bold and decisive action to restore economic stability and reboot growth. This comprehensive plan outlines the urgent steps the President must take to revive Nigeria’s economy, focusing on three key areas: stabilizing…
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It’s surprising to note that open grazing is not practiced in any of the top twenty countries in the world that breed cow or export beef. Equally surprising is that Nigeria is also not one of these top twenty nations that export cow meat or breed cows. However, Nigeria is the nation with the greatest number of fatalities from violent disputes between farmers and herders. These conflicts and deaths between farmers and herders are the result of Nigeria’s refusal to breed cattle in confined spaces like ranches like these twenty top-ranked countries do. The question is: why the refusal? Speaking…
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The New York Times in its June 11, 2024, edition described Nigeria as a nation of 200 million citizens who are skilled at filling the gap for government. Let me quote it directly: “A nation of entrepreneurs, Nigeria’s more than 200 million citizens are skilled at managing in tough circumstances, without the services states usually provide. They generate their own electricity and source their own water. They take up arms and defend their communities when the armed forces cannot. They negotiate with kidnappers when family members are abducted. But right now, their resourcefulness is being stretched to the limit.” For…
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Vladimir Putin said Russia and North Korea have ramped up ties to a “new level,” pledging to help each other if either nation is attacked in a “breakthrough” new partnership announced during the Russian president’s rare visit to the reclusive state. Thousands of North Koreans chanting “welcome Putin” lined the city’s wide boulevards brandishing Russian and North Korean flags and bouquets of flowers, as Putin kicked off his first visit to North Korea in 24 years with a finely choreographed display of influence in the dictatorship. The pair then signed the new strategic partnership to replace previous deals signed in 1961, 2000 and 2001, according to Russian…
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Imo State remains a grouping of fragmented and disengaged clans that have been drowned in socio-economic quagmires through tribalized clannism and Abuja politicized democratic kakistocracy. This has left the state with endemic bad leadership, the enthronement of electoral fraud, corruption, and mediocrity. Since the dawn of the Fourth Republic in 1999, Imo State has suffered a prolonged period of substandard governance, earning an unfortunate reputation as the kakistocracy capital of Nigeria. This term, describing a government run by the least qualified and most unscrupulous individuals, has become synonymous with the leadership in Imo State, reflecting a chronic pattern of ineptitude…
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The leader of the Ijaw Nation, Chief Edwin Clark, says former President Muhammadu Buhari did everything to subjugate Igbos from the South-Eastern part of Nigeria for reasons best known to him, noting that Buhari excluded the southeast from some of his appointments during his time in office. Clark stated this in a letter to President Bola Tinubu, where he also pointed out that Buhari did not appoint anyone from the sSouth East in his constitution of the Board of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, even though the region had three oil-producing states including Abia, Anambra and Imo States. He further…
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Nigerians are naturally creative. Forget their indiscipline, Nigerians are punctilious people. Nigerians “love good life” and they have high survival instincts. Nigerians like to sugarcoat things too. They give fancy names to odd jobs in order to show class or have an upscale feel. Hence, tailors and seamstresses are proudly called “fashion designers” and “costumiers”. Barbers are called “hair dressers” who work in “barbing salons” and spas. Nigeria can easily pass for a huge comedy scene. Palace jesters and clowns have been restyled “stand-up comedians” who now live posh lives from huge amounts of money they are paid. While erstwhile…
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A growing number of countries want to discard the vestiges of imperialism, the former Russian president has argued A growing number of countries want to break free from colonial legacies, former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has said. Numerous former imperial powers in the West have imposed unprecedented sanctions against Russia over the Ukraine conflict, triggering accusations from Moscow of neocolonialist policies. Medvedev, who currently serves as deputy chairman of the Russian Security Council, made the comments in an opinion piece titled ‘The time of colonial powers is over’ for the Rossiyskaya Gazeta newspaper. The article was published ahead of a…
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The bloodshed was caused by long-standing Western “arrogance” and NATO expansion, the economist has said The West could have easily prevented the catastrophic Ukraine conflict, which had been brewing for many years, by abandoning its many escalatory policies including NATO expansion, according to Jeffrey Sachs, the president of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network. In an interview with Going Underground host Afshin Rattansi on Saturday, Sachs, a prominent expert on post-Soviet economies who served for more than a decade as Special Adviser to the UN Secretary-General, claimed that the Ukraine conflict represented the “utter failure” of US diplomacy. He said that G7…
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Last Year on June 14, we commemorated Kari’s 100th birthday Today June 14, 2024, one year later we celebrate Kari Polanyi Levitt’s 101st birthday. The legacy of Kari Polanyi Levitt and her father Karl Polanyi will live forever. While Kari’s health is fragile, more than ever she remains firm in her incisive understanding and analysis of world events, committed to national sovereignty and fundamental human rights. She constitutes a powerful voice in the understanding and analysis of US hegemony and the global political economy. Her first book published in 1970 entitled, Silent Surrender: The Multinational Corporation in Canada, predicted with foresight more…
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Despite soaring fatalities, massive devastation and rising famine in Gaza, the Biden administration continues to arm and protect Israel from criticism and condemnation. The US claims its UN Security Council resolution is aimed at getting Hamas to agree to a ceasefire, captive swap, massive injection of humanitarian aid into Gaza as a first step in halting Israel’s war and proceeding toward the “two-state solution” of a Palestinian state alongside Israel. Hamas has welcomed the resolution, but Israel insists that the war will continue until Hamas is eliminated. It remains to be seen if the Biden administration will exert pressure on…
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US global power rests on a few key pillars, some of the most important of which are: (A) Dollar dominance in trade, (B) dollar dominance in investment and finance, (C) physical (military) control on the supply of oil, and (D) base agreements to further expand US military control in strategic (and oil producing) regions. A key foundation for this global exercise of US power is the Saudi-US petro-dollar agreement from 1974. Saudi Arabia has reportedly decided not to renew its 80-year petro-dollar deal with the U.S. This bad news for the US is censored in Western media, but is reported…
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Today, June 14, 2024, the people of Ohaji made their voices heard. The entire Communities and social cultural groups from Ohaji clan in Imo State have rejected to be included in the proposed new state in South-East which has passed first reading at the Green chamber, being majorly sponsored by a House of Representative member, Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, from Imo State. Attached are the Letters coming from Ogbako Ohaji and “Awarra Court Area”, which represents the Elders and Youth bodies respectively. They submitted their letter of protest to both the Senate President and the House Speaker, expressing their opposition…
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Serbian President Vučić: “There will be a world war in 3-4 months – we are checking the stocks of oil, flour, sugar”What does the Serbian president know? Shocking interview for the Swiss media.. Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić gave a long interview to the Swiss weekly Weltwoche in which he revealed that Serbia is checking oil, flour and sugar stocks because there will be a world war in 3-4 months. Given the very good relations of the Serbian president with Vladimir Putin and Moscow, it is possible that Vučić knows what is happening behind the scenes and interpreted the Russian ultimatum…
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The Asian country’s automakers sold over 13 million new vehicles globally in 2023, according to researcher JATO Dynamics Chinese auto manufacturers have sold more cars than their US counterparts for the first-time last year, according to a report issued by researcher JATO Dynamics on Thursday. Data showed that Chinese brands, led by Shenzhen-based BYD, sold 13.43 million new vehicles last year, while US brands sold about 11.93 million. Japanese brands “maintained a strong position,” leading with 23.59 million in global sales. The report also indicated that China-origin companies’ sales growth exceeded that of the US, up 23% from the previous year, compared with the…
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Zelensky’s Cockamamie Peace Conference China’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning has agreed to attend next month’s Ukrainian peace conference in Switzerland with one proviso, that Russia be invited. Mao said that Beijing supports the “timely convening of an international peace conference that is recognized by both the Russian and Ukrainian sides.” That sounds reasonable, after all, one would expect that peace negotiations would include the representatives of the warring parties. But that is not the case here. And while more than 90 countries have confirmed that they will attend the upcoming meetings, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has excluded the one nation whose presence might…
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“Take alarm at the first experiment on our liberties.” — James Madison James Madison, often referred to as the “Father of the Constitution,” once predicted that the Bill of Rights would become mere “parchment barrier,” words on paper ignored by successive generations of Americans. How right he was. Although Madison initially felt that the inclusion of a bill of rights in the originally ratified Constitution was unnecessary to its success, Thomas Jefferson persuaded him that “a bill of rights is what the people are entitled to against every government on earth, general or particular, & what no just government should refuse,…
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Abstract This study examines the role of the far right in the Euromaidan in Ukraine, primarily in the Maidan massacre and other key cases of violence. The involvement of far-right organizations in these crucial events in the Ukrainian and world politics has been politicized and polarized in Ukraine, the West, and Russia. This study analyzes various data sources, such as online live streams and TV broadcasts, videos, broadcasts of the Maidan massacre trials, the database of court decisions in Ukraine, media reports, and field research on the Maidan. The findings reveal that radical nationalist and neo-Nazi organizations had significant but minority representation among the…
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For decades, the political West was resting on its laurels after “winning” the (First) Cold War. It also expanded the tentacles of its malignant power projection to every corner of the world, including Russia itself, where liberal exponents of US/EU/NATO implanted themselves in the Kremlin, ensuring that Moscow’s economic might is ruined, so that the Eurasian giant can never recover, let alone return to superpower status. Keeping Russia down was one of the crucial aspects of the infamous Wolfowitz Doctrine and one of the first documents published by the abominable Clinton administration. This unequivocally imperialist strategy that even many Americans thought was…
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Ukrainian negotiators would agree not to join alliances or host bases of foreign troops. The proposals would require a referendum in Ukraine. Towards Peace? On June 15-16, 2024, delegates from 90 countries will be meeting at the Bürgenstock resort near Lucerne, in the context of a Peace Conference organized by the Swiss government to which Russia was not invited. The article below focusses on the sabotage of the Istanbul Peace negotiations in March 2022. My first reaction in early March 2022, following Russia’s “Special Operation” initiated on February 24, 2022, was that The War in Ukraine had “Ended before it Began”. The Russians literally destroyed…
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People in Africa’s most populous nation are suffering as the price of food, fuel and medicine has skyrocketed out of reach for many. Nigeria is facing its worst economic crisis in decades, with skyrocketing inflation, a national currency in free-fall and millions of people struggling to buy food. Only two years ago Africa’s biggest economy, Nigeria is projected to drop to fourth place this year. The pain is widespread. Unions strike to protest salaries of around $20 a month. People die in stampedes, desperate for free sacks of rice. Hospitals are overrun with women wracked by spasms from calcium deficiencies.…
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The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), as the country’s premier oil company, has long been a subject of intense scrutiny and criticism. Despite its pivotal role in Nigeria’s economy, the NNPC has often been described as opaque and riddled with issues that undermine its accountability and efficiency. Several challenges confronting the corporation, including asset integrity issues, crude oil and product theft, sub-commercial contracts, low capacity utilization of refineries, issues with subsidy management, lack of accountabily, inadequate metering, disconnection from the ministry of finance, prevalence of illegal refineries, an inefficient business model etc. have been identified. Asset Integrity Issues Asset integrity…
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What’s in a name? That which we called a rose by any other name would smell just as sweet.- Williams Shakespeare. I beg to disagree with William Shakespeare on this, not on the strength of my intellect or literary prowess. Shakespeare was a literary giant at an era the English language reached its evolutionary peak as a global language. The 16th century, when it enriched legal communication, not even the translation of the Bible from Latin to English was spared of its flair and beautiful twist of words; prose and poem, thus giving us the version that remains the favourite…
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Governor Hope Uzodinma’s decision to relocate the Imo State Government House to Orlu has been a significant political move that has generated a mix of support and criticism. The relocation is seen by many as an effort to decentralize the administration and bring development to different parts of the state. Supporters argue that this move is part of a broader strategy to enhance infrastructural development across Imo State. Under Uzodinma’s administration, critical road projects like the Owerri-Orlu, Owerri-Okigwe, and Owerri-Umuahia roads have been prioritized, significantly improving transportation and boosting economic activities. However, the relocation has not been without controversy. Critics…
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One is reminded of carved-up Christmas turkeys when considering Nigeria and how both foreigners and its citizens plunder its resources. An Igbo proverb that refers to the guidelines for cultivating newly discovered farmland that belongs to no one in the community is “Okata okolu” (farm as you may). The elders would declare a day on which the people would farm the land because no one owned it. Everyone gathers on the designated day and hour, and each person tills as much of the land as their strength carries them. That’s how Nigeria has come to be. Prebendalism – the idea…
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Long tied to outgoing President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, will Sheinbaum be able to carve out a new path? She is poised to become Mexico’s first female president, after winning a historic mandate in the country’s June 2 election. But Claudia Sheinbaum faces a challenge: how to distinguish herself from her political mentor, current President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, popularly known as AMLO. Representing the left-leaning Morena party, Sheinbaum campaigned in Lopez Obrador’s image, embracing many of his trademark projects and policies. But experts say her personal history and past governing experience offer valuable clues about how her tenure in office might differ from…
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Gaza is a classic case of genocide in the sense that Western-supported Zionists are intentionally, methodically, using every strategy to destroy and extinguish the native Palestinian population, not only their present, but also their past. It has nothing to do with Hamas. In the above video, Dr. Mads Gilbert correctly describes the genocide as a colonial project which is eliminating the Palestinian people, their culture, their institutions, their archives, their history. Hospitals, health care, primary health care, universities, museums are all being destroyed. Poets, academic leaders, universities, museums, and archaeological sites are all being destroyed. Western-supported Zionists are destroying the…
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The lame argument regarding the deputy governorship slots in Imo State highlights a low point in the political debate between the Owerri and Okigwe zones. The Owerri zone has occupied deputy governor positions, most of which were tumultuous. This relegation of the Owerri zone to the deputy governorship became necessary due to the distortion of the original charter of equity in 2007, which favored the Okigwe zone and produced HE Ada Okwuonu as deputy governor to HE Ikedi Ohakim.Notably, figures such as HE Jude Agbaso and HE Eze Madumere served as deputy governors from 2011, and more recently In 2023,…
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By the end of the Nigeria Civil War(1967-1970 BB), the Igbo people of Nigeria faced devastating losses, including estimated 3 million deaths, displacement, and economic ruin. Despite the federal government’s “no victor, no vanquished” rhetoric, the policies of the country post civil war left the Igbo people feeling marginalized and excluded from Nigeria’s affairs. Fifty years after, Ndigbo are still nursing that feeling of systemic exclusion from government appointments, infrastructure development, and resource sharing. This has led to renewed agitations for secession and the resultant insecurity challenges in the southeast region of Nigeria. However, the message behind this treatise is…
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The truth needs to be told without fear or favour. The political landscape in Owerri Zone of Imo State has been marred by a persistent issue: the propensity of some of its leaders to sell out to other zones for personal gain. This recurring betrayal has undermined the zone’s ability to secure the governorship despite its electoral and political strengths. The consequences of such self-serving actions are far-reaching, affecting not only the immediate political outcomes but also the long-term development and unity of the zone. The most glaring issue is the lack of altruistic interest among Owerri Zone’s political leaders.…
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As the political climate intensifies, the stakes for effective leadership in the Owerri zone have never been higher. The need to present the best, most capable, qualified, and experienced candidate transcends party affiliations. In a state where elections are often fiercely contested, Owerri zone cannot afford to be found lacking in terms of representation and capability. It is imperative that the zone rallies around its best candidate, irrespective of micro-zoning issues, to ensure the manifestation of a competent, favorable Owerri zone candidate who can govern Imo State effectively to the satisfaction of all its citizens. Owerri zone stands at a…
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The weight of crimes committed by a president can be subjective and depends on various factors such as the nature of the crimes, their impact, and historical context. However, some presidents are often noted for their particularly severe or impactful actions: Richard Nixon: Watergate Scandal: This was a major political scandal that began with the break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate office complex in 1972. Members of Nixon’s re-election campaign were caught attempting to wiretap phones and steal documents. The scandal escalated when it was revealed that Nixon had attempted to cover up his administration’s involvement.…
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Is that what this is all about; testing Putin to see if he’s bluffing? President Putin’s press conference on Wednesday in Uzbekistan might have been the most unusual and extraordinary event in his 24-year political career. After addressing the Constitutional issues surrounding Ukrainian President Zelensky’s decision to remain in office beyond his four-year term, Putin delivered a brief but disturbing statement on NATO’s plan to fire long-range weapons at targets inside Russia. Putin made it clear that Russia would respond to these attacks and that the countries that provided the weapons systems would be held responsible. He also gave a…
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For two years Biden was absolutely adamant that no US weapons could be used to strike Russia. Now he reverses the policy — aka, he lied. \ So where’s the pushback? Congress, media? What could be of greater consequence than lying the country into war with a nuclear superpower?” — Michael Tracey Are the peoples of the Western world so completely insouciant that they do not notice that their politicians are pushing them into direct conflict with Russia? It seems Hungarians are the only European people who have any sense. The Kremlin could not issue any warnings more dire, and in response…
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We are only just beginning to recognise the extraordinary power that exists within the field of our projected thoughts. The power to do good and the power to do harm. We need to be aware that multiple interconnected streams of invisible energy carry our thought waves from one end of the world to the other; contributing to the overall psychic health or sickness of all sentient life forms. The ‘thought manufacturers’ of the push for full spectrum dominance and central control within a New World Order/Great Reset, are fully aware of the power available to them through the organised projection of…
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May 2024 will be remembered as one of the most turbulent months in recent times. First we had the assassination attempt on Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico, while just four days later Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian both died when their US-made Bell 212 went down near the city of Varzaqan in northwestern Iran. Seven other high-ranking officials, including the governor-general of Tehran’s East Azerbaijan province Malek Rahmati, as well as the state representative in the region Mohammad Ali Ale-Hashem, were also killed in this highly controversial helicopter crash. Ever since the tragic incident, there’s been speculation about what exactly happened. This includes some rather…
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The ongoing debate about the minimum wage, has significant implications for all parties involved. While a proposed minimum wage of 494,000 Naira may seem unrealistic given the current economic conditions, it is essential to find a fair and sustainable solution. Setting the minimum wage at 494,000 Naira is not feasible for many businesses, especially in the private sector. The economic situation in the country, marked by inflation, high unemployment rates, and sluggish economic growth, makes it difficult for businesses to afford such high wages without cutting jobs or going out of business. A potential solution could be to set different…
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American lawmakers approved a bill allowing the confiscation of funds on Wednesday The “weaponization” of the US dollar through the seizure of frozen Russian assets could prompt a global shift away from the greenback, Bloomberg reported on Wednesday, citing a former International Monetary Fund (IMF) official. US President Joe Biden signed a bill this week allowing the administration to seize Russian state assets held in America. Washington has long insisted on the confiscation of the funds to aid Ukraine in its war effort against Moscow. Meanwhile, G7 finance chiefs and EU officials continue to express concerns about the legal precedent…
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President Bola Tinubu announced a no-confidence vote on himself last week, unknown to him. He inadvertently admitted that he is unable to do the job and that his administration is in crisis when he inaugurated two hurriedly cobbled up, new-fangled economic committees to run things and revive economy. The one is a 31-member Presidential Economic Coordination Council (PECC), while the other is a 14-man Economic Management Team Emergency Task Force, code-named (EET). If Nigerians noticed the move by Tinubu, they didn’t seem to give a damn. Many had long given up on the Tinubu presidency anyway and they have switched…
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Heraclitus Thomas Jefferson, the third President of the United States (US), said: “Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude” As a clergyman, I have watched pitiably how people self-sabotage themselves by seeking spiritual solutions to character-deficit issues. They look around at everybody as suspects for their predicaments when their greatest demons lurks within them – their character. What we often call our destiny is truly our character, and since that character can change, then destiny can be altered. Character is destiny…
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The Transmission Company of Nigeria has announced the complete shutdown of Nigeria’s power grid by labour unions as the strike by the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress begins. NLC and TUC commenced a nationwide industrial action on Monday in protest against the N60,000 minimum wage proposal of the Federal Government. Announcing the shutdown of the national power grid in a statement issued on Monday morning by TCN spokesperson, Ndidi Mbah, the transmission firm said the action was deliberately done by the workers. The statement was titled, “Grid shutdown: Union Deliberately shuts down the National Grid.”. It read in…
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In the intricate dance of relationships, men often hold a significant role in ensuring that the spark of attraction remains alive and thriving. It’s a common misconception that once a relationship is established, the need for physical upkeep diminishes. This couldn’t be further from the truth. For men, maintaining their appearance and character is essential not just for personal confidence but also for nurturing a healthy, vibrant relationship. One of the primary reasons men should strive to look their best is to boost their self-confidence. Feeling good about one’s appearance translates into a positive attitude, which can significantly enhance all…
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In the journey of life, self-care and personal presentation play pivotal roles, not just in our individual well-being but also in the dynamics of our relationships. While societal pressures often dictate rigorous beauty standards, the motivation to maintain our best selves should stem from a place of self-love and mutual respect within our relationships. When a woman feels confident in her appearance, it radiates through every aspect of her life. This confidence isn’t about meeting external expectations but about embracing a sense of self-assurance and positivity. Feeling good about oneself fosters a powerful internal glow that enhances not just personal…
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This week last year, two things were enthroned in the Nigerian political space. One was the man, Bola Tinubu, who was sworn in as the president. The other was the myth of the man as a headhunter endowed with a unique instinct for sourcing the right talent and an astute administrator. So much was this idea of Tinubu as administrative capacity believed that his supporters were sure he would—to use the language of former Abia state governor Orji Kalu—forward Nigeria to all forwardness. Well, it is one year now, and we might as well start asking how that myth has…
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Today marks the first anniversary of the presidency of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who rode to power on the mantra of renewed hope agenda for a better Nigeria. Clearly, this is an administration that has left no one in doubt of its bold policies, especially around the economy. But quite confounding are the policies’ glaring conflict with the platitude of hope and a better country for Nigeria. The truth is that the country is now worse off than Tinubu met it, yet the administration seems adrift from the existential free-fall into which it has plunged the country in just 12 months.…
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The Presidential Election Has Just Caught Fire: Instant Analysis of Trump’s Explosive Guilty Verdict
And why the real battle for the soul of America begins NOW Donald Trump becomes the first ever former President of the United States to be convicted of a crime. A unanimous New York jury found him guilty on all 34 counts of illegally trying to cover up a $130,000 payment to porn star Stormy Daniels to stifle a sex scandal that he feared would derail his 2016 presidential campaign only days before America went to the polls. Paying the hush money was not in itself illegal but the prosecution successfully argued that it was designed to influence the outcome of the election — a…
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“For many people all around the world, Chinua Achebe is and still is their first African writer.” There are reports that Prof. Wole Soyinka has reiterated his stance that Achebe is not “the father of African literature.” We recall that a few weeks after Achebe’s demise, Soyinka remarked: “Chinua himself repudiated such a tag—he did study literature after all and earned a degree in the subject… Those who seriously believe or promote this must be asked: have you the sheerest acquaintance with the literatures of other African nations, in both indigenous and adopted colonial languages? What must the francophone, lusophone,…
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The decision to withhold staff salaries for complying with the May 30th sit-at-home order by the Imo state government raises serious concerns. This hypocritical approach punishes civil servants who are often in extremely vulnerable positions, caught between their duty to work and concerns for their personal safety. The government’s focus should rather be on addressing the root causes of insecurity and the emergence of such orders rather than penalizing the affected helpless workers. The government needs to tackle the underlying factors contributing to insecurity. This involves addressing issues like poverty, unemployment, and lack of education and the continued incarceration of…
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It was like a joke at first. Nigeria’s national anthem was being reversed to the previous one by a law passed by the National Assembly. The president is believed to be the inspiration for this somewhat pointless action taken by the national parliament, the logic for which has been looked for to no avail. It couldn’t determine if the bill was an executive or private member bill. However, it is noteworthy and unprecedented how quickly President Tinubu signed it and how urgently the national assembly passed it. Simply put, the Tinubu Presidency is majoring in minor amid economic and security…
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The story has it that in the past, the hyena kept a respectable distance from the cock. The hyena believed the cock carried fire on its head, which is why it was afraid of it. The hyena, however, was reassured by the cock that there was nothing to worry about, as what he mistook for fire was only an erect red crest. The hyena verified that it was true. It was tender. The hyena quickly overcame the dread of the cock and proceeded to bite off its crest when he attacked. This was the story conjured up in mind each…
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Custom coachbuilding of the 1920s and 1930s was the ultimate form of self-expression for the rich and famous. Whether it was a Waterhouse-bodied Packard, a Figoni & Falaschi-bodied Delahaye or a Murphy-bodied Duesenberg, the affluent could essentially own a one-of-a-kind vehicle. Each of these famous coachbuilders was known for their specialized workmanship and was commissioned to build custom bodies over the years. Conversely, a company more accustomed to clothing buses and trucks with their commercial styling wouldn’t be the typical choice to build the coachwork for a Rolls-Royce, yet Jonckheere Carrossiers of Belgium did just that when they re-bodied a 1925…
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If Trump becomes president again this November, it will be in no small part thanks to the botched legal attacks his enemies directed at him. Republicans have rallied behind the former president. A little over a year ago, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg announced that Donald Trump had been indicted in his jurisdiction on 34 counts of falsifying business records. It seemed like a turning point. For the first time in American history, a former president was facing criminal charges. In the months that followed, three more indictments came down. Conventional wisdom suggested that this would be more than enough…
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The guilty verdict is the first in American history for a former president Former US president and current presidential candidate Donald Trump has been found guilty of falsifying business records to influence the 2016 election, in a case related to alleged ‘hush money’ payments to porn actress Stormy Daniels. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, a Democrat, charged Trump last year with 34 counts of criminal behavior, alleging that the Republican politician sought “to conceal damaging information and unlawful activity from American voters before and after the 2016 election.” The jury deliberated for two days and returned the verdict just before 5pm…
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This Thursday, May 30, 2024, I am supposed to step out to perform my self-imposed obligation, a 10 kilometer walk in honour of Bruce Mayrock for his service above self. The event has now become a yearly event since it kick-started in 2020. This year’s edition will however hold on Saturday, June 1, 2024 for some obvious reasons. Born 1949 and died May 30, 1969, the story of Mayrock has not left my memory since I learnt about his activities and efforts to call the attention of the then world leaders to the plight the entire Igbo people, especially women…
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The Senators passed a bill to compel us to go back, adopt and sing the old national anthem, the President assented to it. It is now a law. The distinguished Senators in collaboration with the President, might have seen or heard what we, the undistinguished Nigerians neither saw nor heard. The bill, I guess was one of their continued ingenious searches for a new prosperous Nigeria. The old anthem, must be sang in order to revive our old glorious era, the concerned Senators mulled. The era of groundnut pyramids in the North, palm oil in the East, coco in the…
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Note to the Reader: The essay below was a 2021 FB post in commemoration of Biafra Memorial Day. I have reproduced it here with some minor revisions for the Alayi audience. As May 30th and 31st rolls around, I am once again plunged into mourning over family members and acquaintances who perished in Biafra. I remember my dad, Ogele Ukpabi, my siblings, Ikpendu, Anyaele and Obiazonwa, civilians who perished from the ravages of war. I remember my cousins, Dickson Nweke Okenwa and Chukwueke Okenwa, who both volunteered and died as combatants. Cousin Chukwueke’s case was so poignant. He was restless;…
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The late producer Al Ruddy faced death threats on the set of Coppola’s gangster epic – so he did a deal with The Godfather himself. The Godfather, one of the greatest films ever made, arguably wouldn’t exist without a pact with the Devil. In 1971, the movie’s producer Al Ruddy made headlines with an appearance at a press conference alongside the Italian-American Civil Rights League, which was fronted by a campaigning mobster. Ruddy, who has died aged 94, assured his new friends that the film wouldn’t use the terms “Mafia” or “La Cosa Nostra” – derogatory terms to Italian-Americans. His…
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On this Democracy Day, we come together to reflect on the state of our nation and the journey of our Quasi democracy. The recent 2023 elections and the early days of President Bola Tinubu’s administration provide us with a unique opportunity to evaluate our progress and chart a course for the future. The 2023 elections were marred by numerous challenges that underscore the persistent issues within our electoral process. Reports of electoral fraud, including ballot stuffing, vote buying, and result manipulation, were widespread, fundamentally undermining the integrity of our democratic process. These practices have led many to question the legitimacy…
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Your name says you are a man of strength. Some say you are a strongman. Others call you Nebuchadnezzar. You say you are a man of capacity, character and INTIGRITY. Hon minister, he, who fights and runs away, lives to fight another day. The gods are not amused when men play god. For some mistakes, you must count your losses, lick your wounds and let sleeping dogs lie. The best military commanders understand tactical retreats. You had prophesied the formidability of this young governor who didn’t like talking. The Igbo say it is the small faeces that do the real…
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I once wrote an open letter to Wole Soyinka titled, “Open Letter to Wole Soyinka,” when his disingenuous, regrettable evolution was in its infancy. Now, that knavish unfolding is complete as he cretinously wallows in self-debasement before the world… Soyinka’s routine attack on Peter Obi is not only invidious but treacherous. Recently, he unconscionably wished that Peter Obi would not indicate interest in the 2027 election as president. He declared that Peter Obi is unfit to be the president of Nigeria for the flimsy reason that he could not control the Obidient Movement. Nothing could be more ridiculously infantile and…
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Retrofitting classic cars with electric motors may cause motoring purists to shake their heads, but it offers fantastic opportunities to get old treasures back on the road. Two trends are currently colliding in the automotive industry to create an intriguing microniche: the advent of electrified classic cars. So-called “restomodding” – the modernisation of classic vehicles to make them more comfortable and usable – is nothing new. Still, until recently, the focus was largely on restoring or upgrading models with petrol engines. But as more and more car buyers become open to buying an electric vehicle, the demand for electrified classic…
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The True Meaning of the Word “Yariba” (Yoruba) ASK A FULANI MAN: WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THE WORD “YARIBA” IN THE FULANI LANGUAGE? Have you ever wondered where-from the word “Yoruba” originates? Have you heard many misconceptions and misunderstandings that left you baffled? That curiosity drove me to investigate its origins. What is the meaning of Yoruba? Does it relate to our language? This is a thought-provoking topic that requires profound reasoning and extensive research for better understanding. It’s time we confronted the issue many have tried to ignore. In Yoruba culture, names often derive from significant factors or…
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States are opposing local government autonomy because they fear the Federal Government may incite the councils against them, said Adebo Ogundoyin, Chairman of the Conference of Speakers of House of Assembly, yesterday. He argued that financial and administrative autonomy for councils would lead to massive corruption at the grassroots level. Ogundoyin, who is also the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, noted that anti-graft bodies lack the manpower and resources to investigate corruption at the local level. He spoke at a national conference on security challenges and good governance at the local government levels, organized by the House…
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One day in 399 BC, the philosopher Socrates stood before a jury of 500 Athenians. He was accused of “refusing to recognize the gods recognized by the state” and “corrupting the youth”. Aguilty verdict could mean death. After six hours of arguments from Socrates and his accusers, the jury voted by placing “guilty” or “not guilty” discs into an urn. The verdict: guilty by 280 to 220. The jury was asked to decide on Socrates’ penalty, which his accusers argued should be the death penalty. When asked for his opinion, Socrates impudently suggested that he receive a government salary and…
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In about the year 1848, an Egbado town was raided by the Dahomey (modern day Benin Republic) Army, in the time of King Gezo. Among the captives was a girl of about 7 years old. Though very young and of royal blood, the little girl later revealed that her family lived in Oke-Adan part of Egbado area. King Gezo consequently gave the little girl away as a “present” to Queen Victoria through Commander Forbes, an English Naval Commander who was in Dahomey at the time. Eventually, Sarah was taken to England on a British navy warship called “HMS Bonetta.” She…
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After I wrote about the origin of the word Yoruba, a young Yoruba man WhatsApp’ed me, asking me the right word for God in his language. In his memoirs, Ajayi Crowther revealed that after he was raided from his village in Osogun (in present day Oyo state) by Fulani slave raiders, he could not understand the Egba or Awori language. Although he meant well, Bishop Samuel Ajayi Crowther unintentionally damaged both what has now become the Yoruba language (which is actually the Edekiri Olukumi language) and Igbo. Because he wrote the first books in both languages, many words that we…
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The original people and founders of the Benin Kingdom, the Edo people, were initially ruled by the Ogiso (Kings of the Sky) who called their land Igodomigodo. The first Ogiso (Ogiso Igodo), wielded much influence and gained popularity as a good ruler. He died after a long reign and was succeeded by Ere, his eldest son.Nearly 36 known Ogiso are accounted for as rulers of this initial incarnation of the state. In the 12th century, a great palace intrigue erupted and crown prince Ekaladerhan, the only son of the last Ogiso, was sentenced to death as a result of the…
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The duo of Abba Yusuf, governor of Kano State, and the Nigerian presidency stand the risk of plunging Kano back into the year 1893. Their weapon would be politics and votes of the over 2 million people of Kano. In the year 1893, in the words of highly rated scholar on Northern emirate administration, C. N. Ubah, a bitterly disputed succession battle plunged the Kano emirate into anarchy and civil war. Indeed, the Kano royal family had overtime been a hotbed of divisions and acrimony. Beginning from the first civil war fought in Kano in 1565, the royal house of…
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The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has asked the Supreme Court to stop the remitting of local government funds to states. In the action instituted on behalf of the federal government, Fagbemi also wants the Supreme Court to stop the 36 state governments from the disbandment of elected local government chairmen and replacing them with caretaker committees. In the suit dated May 20, 2024, the federal government sough a declaration “that by virtue of Section 162(5) of the Nigerian Constitution, 1999, the state government is merely an agent of the local government in…
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Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Gagbemi, says there is the need for scrapping State Electoral Commissions, which he described as the main impediments to the development of local governments. He said this at a one-day ‘Discourse on National Nigeria’s Security Challenges and Good Governance At the Local Government Levels” in Abuja on Monday. The programme with the Theme: ‘Nigeria’s Security Challenges And Good Governance At The Local Government Levels’ was organised by the House of Representatives. According to Fagbemi, governors have latched on to the inadequacies and lacunas in some sections of the 1999 Constitution to undermine and render…
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On this Children’s Day, as we reflect on the challenges facing Nigeria, it is equally important to celebrate the remarkable achievements of our youth who, despite the odds, continue to shine and inspire. Nigeria’s youth possess incredible creative ability and tech potential. They have shown remarkable resilience and innovation, making waves in the music, film, and technology sectors. Against a backdrop of systemic challenges, they have improvised and created their own paths, achieving global recognition and success. Our music industry, driven by talented young artists, has taken the world by storm. Nigerian musicians are celebrated internationally, bringing our rich cultural…
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While Russian forces are advancing in the Kharkov region, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is reportedly shouting at his generals out of fear that they are hiding the truth from him at a time when Ukrainian soldiers are “outraged.” This could partially explain why the Ukrainian president is making increasingly unhinged statements. Ukrainian soldiers in Kharkov are “outraged” that Russian forces are able to advance so far and so quickly, The Economist reported. Some soldiers criticise delays in Western aid, and others suspect that “incompetence or even betrayal” played a more significant role in the emergence of this situation. “Conspiracy theories are also…
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What follows purports to be a description of the impenetrable Israeli security barrier around Gaza written by a former commander of a section of the fence. Whether it is or not, the description of the security barrier provided can be checked. It seems impossible that Hamas could have succeeded in a surprise attack: Here’s what commander of the Kerem Shalom Battalion, who knows the area in detail, wrote…: “Something here doesn’t add up to me!!! This is a mystery that I can’t find an answer to. I happen to know how things work in Gaza and on the border. I was the commander of the…
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Introductory Note Today our thoughts are with the People of Palestine. Building solidarity requires confronting the crimes committed by the State of Israel from the very outset in 1948 May 15, 2024. We commemorate the Nakba. This is the object of Felicity Arbuthnot’s article first published with foresight in 2017. According to Arbuthnot The “Nakba” (“catastrophe”) has been ongoing for 76 years The Washington Post reports that: “All 100 U.S. Senators signed a letter Thursday asking U.N. Secretary General António Guterres to address what the lawmakers call entrenched bias against Israel at the world body.” The letter: “… uses strong language to insist that the United Nations…
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Introduction There is a complex history behind Israel’s October 2023 plan to “Wipe Gaza off the Map”. It’s an ongoing genocide, an absolute slaughter, coupled with atrocities: It’s a criminal undertaking based on Israel’s doctrine of “Justified Vengeance” which was first formulated in 2001. The“Justified Vengeance” doctrine propounds in no uncertain terms that Palestine (despite its limited military capabilities) is “the Aggressor” and that “Israel has the right to defend itself” which since October 7, 2023 consists in the conduct of a carefully planned genocide against the People of Palestine. Paul Larudee begs the question: “Is there a point at which the genocide in Gaza becomes egregious enough to provoke other countries to directly intervene in the Gaza…
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The Ukrainian conflict could devolve into a global war that would be a “greater tragedy than World War II,” President Aleksandar Vucic warns There’s little time left to conclude the Ukraine conflict, which risks escalating out of control and inciting a global war, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has said. The president made the remarks on Friday to the broadcaster Prva Srpska Televizija. The world is standing on the brink of an all-out global conflict, and it is likely already too late to avoid it, the Serbian leader suggested. “I am afraid that there is little time left for the war…
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The “detailed” scheme involves cutting Kiev off from US aid, the Hungarian PM said. Donald Trump intends to end the Ukraine conflict, if reelected as US president, and has a “detailed plan” to do so, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban told local media, after meeting the presumed Republican nominee. The former US leader repeatedly claimed on his campaign trail that, if he had remained in the White House for a second term, there would be no hostilities between Moscow and Kiev. If voted back in, he promises to end the conflict “in 24 hours” by applying pressure on stakeholders. Orban, who spoke with Trump…
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The presumptive Republican nominee pledges to end US involvement in “other people’s wars” Former US President Donald Trump has reiterated his promise to swiftly end the Russia-Ukraine conflict if re-elected in November. The Republican frontrunner argued that by financing “other people’s wars” the US is increasing the likelihood of a global war, and promised to end such funding. Speaking at the Libertarian Party’s national convention in Washington DC on Saturday, Trump claimed that under the current leadership, the US is turning into a “failed nation” and promised to restore “peace and stability” if he returns to the White House. He named the main priorities as ending…
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The ex-president’s warning comes after Poland said Washington would hit Russian targets if Moscow were to use nukes in Ukraine. Any US attack on Russian targets in Ukraine would automatically trigger a world war, former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has warned. The official, who currently serves as Deputy Chair of Russia’s Security Council, made the remarks after Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski claimed Washington had threatened to conduct such a strike should Russia use nuclear weapons in Ukraine. In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday, Medvedev suggested that Sikorski “apparently, has decided to scare his masters.” He noted that Washington,…
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On the 7th of July, 1999, there was a report released by the ‘Petroleum (Special) Trust Fund (PTF) Interim Management Committee’, instituted by then President Obasanjo which revealed that the PTF under Buhari’s supervision was grossly mismanaged. However, with developments which have seen Chief Obasanjo publicly advising President Buhari not to seek a second term over poor performance so far, and President Buhari’s recent $16 billion power comment indicting Obasanjo’s 1999 – 2006 administration, a reliable source close to the former President has stated that had then President Obasanjo acted on the recommendations of the 1999 PTF committee, Nigerians could…
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In our land today there is a way that men and women who are not coupled are looked at. Different people hold different opinions about them some of which seek to mock and embarrass them. This situation is more pronounced among women. Today we have a lot of unmarried marriageable women in the society majority of who may have outgrown their prime. In some cases some may have even attained menopause. Cultural and religious factors and indeed social consciousness may have largely accounted for the negative perceptions among unmarried persons in the country. Even with the level of education and…
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Kano’s Muhammad Sanusi II has been rethroned the exact way he was initially enthroned and dethroned: in the melting pot of the politics of vengeance and recrimination. And he just might be dethroned yet again by this, or another subsequent partisan government, given Sanusi’s infamous incapacity to rein in his tongue and to understand the wisdom in restraint and tact, which his position requires of him—and, of course, the juddering, hypocritical contradictions between what he says and what he does. Recall that when he worked at the UBA, Sanusi had derided then Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso as a scorn-worthy “rural…
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Have you ever wondered what year formal education was established in Nigeria? Or have you ever questioned just how long some of the famous schools in Nigeria have been in existence? Well your prayers have been answered because someone has really taken the time and painstakingly compiled this list of the Oldest Secondary Schools in Nigeria: The highlighted schools morphed from primary schools/Teachers’ Training Colleges into secondary schools before independence. The exact date of metamorphosis of these schools cannot be ascertained, hence the original years of establishment was used in listing them. Primary Schools and Teachers’ Training Colleges that didn’t…
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In the complex political landscape of Imo State, Nigeria, the actions of the late Senator Francis Arthur Nzeribe has had a profound and enduring impact. Known for his significant maverick political influence and strategic maneuvers, Nzeribe was central to reshaping the senatorial landscape of the state, specifically with the inclusion of Ohaji/Egbema and Oguta into the Orlu zone from Owerri zone. This redistricting aimed at consolidating power and resources notably affected the political and economic dynamics within the state, particularly disadvantaging the Owerri zone. Senator Nzeribe, hailing from Oguta, utilized his political clout to advocate for the excision of Ohaji/Egbema…
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The “Imo Charter of Equity” as recently propounded, envisions a rotational governance system among the three zones, Orlu, Okigwe, and Owerri, with the intent to balance political power. There’s an understanding that the current governor from Orlu should pass the baton to Owerri zone for its eight-year term starting in 2027 to adhere to this charter. Political dynamics within Imo State has triggered discussions on state creation and restructuring, largely driven by perceived imbalances and regional disparities. The Orlu zone, one of Imo State’s three senatorial districts alongside Owerri and Okigwe, has been the most politically dominant since 1999. This…
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At the beginning, Maroko was a sub-city within Lagos. It was peaceful and very popular. The places now called Oniru Royal Estate, and some parts of Victoria Island and Lekki Phase 1 were formerly known as Maroko and it was inhabited by mainly low income earners. Over 300,000 people inhabited Maroko then. Maroko prided itself with over 150 streets and houses owned by ten thousand landlords. Though, once in a while, its residents experienced ocean incursion, the surge never carried even the least domestic animal (fowl). The people were happy and contented. The plot to take Maroko But research shows…
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