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 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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The Supreme Leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has declared Vice President Mohammad Mokhber as the country’s acting president, effective immediately. Khamenei also declared five days of national mourning to honour the victims of the helicopter crash which claimed the lives of Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, among others, in northern Iran’s East Azerbaijan province. Reports say that the crash, which occurred on Sunday, claimed the lives of all nine people on board, including a provincial governor. According to officials, new presidential elections will be held within 50 days, as stipulated by the Iranian constitution. The international…
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Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election, is rumoured to be intending to defect to the People’s Democratic Party, also known as the PDP. Akin Osuntokun, who served as the former Director General of the Labour Party Presidential Campaign Council, has responded to the rumours. Sunday was the day that Osuntokun provided his response in an exclusive interview with ARISE TV. During an interview with BBC Hausa, Atiku Abubakar, the prospective presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the election of 2023, made a passing reference to the possibility of a merger…
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The International Criminal Court is seeking arrest warrants for Hamas leader in Gaza Yahya Sinwar and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity over the October 7 attacks on Israel and the subsequent war in Gaza, the court’s prosecutor Karim Khan told CNN’s Christiane Amanpour in an exclusive interview on Monday. Khan said the ICC’s prosecution team is also seeking warrants for Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, as well as two other top Hamas leaders — Mohammed Diab Ibrahim al-Masri, the leader of the Al Qassem Brigades who is better known as…
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Russia purchased arms manufactured by its BRICS counterpart India by paying $4 billion in local currencies and not the US dollar. The Indian-made arms and equipment were procured by Russia citing ‘defense purposes’. The entire payment of $4 billion was cleared using the Rupee and the US dollar was left out from the transaction. The deal came straight from the BRICS playbook of putting local currencies ahead of the US dollar for trade. The alliance is using every opportunity to strengthen the de-dollarization agenda and put local currencies to use in the markets. Read here to know how many sectors in the…
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“THE HEN HAS COME HOME TO ROOST, WE MUST CLEANSE ALIGBO” The Truth is Bitter, but it must be told. As the Igbo say, and to state it in the noble West-Niger Igbo dialect: Onye nwanneya n’agba ajo egwu n’ako oko n’igbogbolo anya (a person whose kinsman is dancing in a queer manner scratches the cover of his eye). The Igbo of the West Niger are scratching the cover of their eyes today because their Southeast Igbo kinsmen have long been dancing in a queer manner to the mad drums of political music in Nigeria, and it appears that the…
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Just stumbled on this a moment ago that Kudirat Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun (Lagos) is poised to become the next CJN in August 2024, God-Willing, on the retirement of Justice Olukayode Ariwoola (Oyo), after 26 months as CJN. Justice Kekere-Ekun will have the privilege of 45 months in office until May 2028. Next in line to her is Justice Inyang Okoro (Akwa Ibom), who could be CJN for 14 months from May 2028 to July 2029. For the first time since 1987, Nigeria will have southern CJN for 7 years from June 2022 to July 2029. Since the first Northern CJN, Mohammed…
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Can you guess which painting sold for $450 million? Collectors are taking risks in today’s art world. Whether discovered in a corner of an antique store or a lavish contemporary gallery, art enthusiasts are investing in unexpected works that resonate with their personal tastes and evoke a sense of wonder. However, the question arises: How much are you willing to spend on a piece of art? The sky’s the limit for some collectors who are willing to spend a hefty price in the name of good art. Year after year, auction houses and private galleries witness record-breaking sales for works from both Old Masters and 20th-century luminaries, as…
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Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, the President of Nigeria from 2007 to 2010, would have turned 73 this May if he were still alive. But regrettably, he was taken by the icy hands of death and dropped from sight just when Nigeria most needed him. We cannot question God. As Epicurus once said, it is possible to guarantee security against all odds. But against death, all men, mortals alike, dwell in an unprotected place. President Yar’Adua was a model democrat and leader, and he could have finished as one of the most successful presidents Nigeria has ever had. That was not…
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Currently, there is a significant increase in mental disease due to the high rate of acute poverty among Nigerians. The Nigerian government’s commitment to the issue of mental health will be demonstrated by the Mental Health Act’s immediate and thorough implementation. Despite the Mental Health Act being passed into law, the Federal Ministry of Health has not yet established the Department of Mental Health, despite it being a crucial component of the Act. The Federal Ministry of Health’s refusal to create the Department of Mental Health inside the ministry as required by the Mental Health Act was one of the…
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Margaret Thatcher, the British prime minister from 1979 to 1990, once declared that “no nation ever grew more prosperous by taxing its citizens beyond their capacity to pay.” The reasoning goes that taxing people more than they can afford to pay will only make the economy worse since the burden of taxes will make people less productive overall. Whether on purpose or accidentally, the Tinubu administration has disregarded this fundamental fact. Any democracy’s ability to survive depends on the strength of its opposition. A democracy is nonexistent and a misnomer without opposition. There is overwhelming proof that the opposition has…
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The implementation of diaspora voting rights marks a pivotal evolution in the democratic processes of any nation. For Nigeria, where the diaspora’s economic contributions are both significant and transformative, this change is particularly critical. Nigerians living abroad are not only sending back billions of dollars annually but also investing in key sectors that stimulate economic growth, reduce poverty, and enhance technological advancement. Despite their substantial contributions, these global citizens lack the ability to participate directly in deciding the governance of their homeland. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should initiate discussions to establish the necessary modalities for diaspora voting, aiming…
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The term “South/South,” used to describe the delta region of Nigeria, is considered problematic for several reasons. This designation refers to a geographic and political region that includes states in the Niger Delta such as Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, and Rivers. The term is controversial due to its redundancy, ambiguity, and the political and social implications it carries. The label “South/South” is seen as redundant and fails to provide clear geographical guidance relative to Nigeria’s overall geography. Unlike more precise regional terms like “Southwest” or “Southeast,” “South/South” does not clearly delineate its location, leading to confusion and…
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Those who try to use the January 1966 coup to define the Igbo always refer to it anytime they are out of political relevance and these bad eggs enjoy support from gullible countrymen whose ignorance will continue to massage the ego of their sponsors. The coup was a purely selfish drive which has left Nigeria bleeding for nearly sixty years. Some of the so called five majors were out to settle personal scores with superior officers. Maj. Wale Ademoyega was the unseen leader of the coup but has continued to escape maximum scrutiny. We cannot keep dwelling on the big…
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In Nigeria, the quest for effective governance is often hampered by the quality of individuals who assume public office. The constitution of Nigeria stipulates basic qualifications for key public offices, including age requirements, citizenship by birth, educational qualifications, and party affiliation. For example, presidential candidates must be at least 35 years old and have a minimum of a school-leaving certificate. Despite these stipulations, the governance landscape is still marred by the presence of individuals who lack the necessary competence, ethical standards, and commitment to public service. The presence of unqualified or unsuitable individuals in public office significantly impedes the nation’s…
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The diplomat reportedly argued that aiding Kiev would help set the stage for negotiating peace with Russia in January UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron reportedly urged Donald Trump to support a Ukraine aid bill, telling him it would buy time to negotiate a peace agreement with Russia if the former US commander-in-chief wins back the presidency in November. Cameron made his pitch to the presumptive Republican presidential nominee when he visited Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida last month, according to media reports. He framed the long-stalled Ukraine funding bill, then pending in Congress, as a way to help Kiev stabilize…
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The proposal to establish State Police in Nigeria has sparked a contentious debate due to the concerns surrounding the persisting abuse of power by state governors. While the concept of State Police aims at enhancing security and law enforcement at the state level may seem plausible, however, the existing governance challenges and abuse of authority raise significant apprehensions about the potential consequences of entrusting state governors with coercive powers through State Police forces. Besides, in all the arguments for the establishment of State Police, there is not a single point where it is shown how the absence of State Police…
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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s year in office has been one like no other. He has willfully turned Nigerians into destitutes in their land of plenty. In a country that is officially not at war and has not experienced failure of rainfalls and drought, it is very painful to see citizens, predominantly women, and children, go through the humiliation of queuing up for cups of rice as one sees in war-torn Sudan, or Gaza Strip. This harsh and intolerable condition is as a result of President Tinubu’s inhumane, World Bank-prescribed economic policies of sudden removal of fuel subsidy, massive devaluation of…
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The drug Wegovy uses an active ingredient called Semaglutide which is part of a growing class of GLP-1 drugs that make people feel full, reducing their calorie intake. Anti-obesity jabs could reduce the risk of heart attacks, strokes or heart failure in obese people regardless of the amount of weight they lose while on the drug, researchers have found. The largest and longest study of the obesity drug Wegovy has also shown people maintain significant weight loss for at least four years, with fewer serious adverse events than those given placebo “dummy” treatment. Doctors say the finding will add pressure on UK…
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The possible main beneficiary of the ongoing crisis between Nyesom Wike and Sim Fubara in Rivers State appears to be Bola Tinubu. Tinubu has long been aware of the tensions in Rivers State and seems intent on allowing them to persist. Here’s why I believe this: Tinubu has been a significant figure in Rivers politics since the days of Chibuike Amaechi. Observing the pattern, every Rivers governor from Dr. Peter Odili to Amaechi and Wike has played a crucial role on the national stage, with ambitions extending to the presidency. When Amaechi left the PDP for the APC in 2014,…
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Truth be told, the Wike/Fubara situation in Rivers State is complex and cannot be easily resolved through litigation alone. The Edo State House of Assembly crisis during former Governor Oshiomhole’s tenure comes to mind. After several years of litigation, a political solution was eventually adopted, leading to the resolution of the matter. The path of adversarial litigation will only exacerbate the crisis, thereby defeating the objective of providing good governance to the citizens. Additionally, there is the existence of a Federal High Court order in Abuja, which granted the relief sought by the majority members by restraining the governor or…
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Former governors of Anambra State, including Chief Dr. Christopher Ngige, Mr. Peter Gregory Obi, Chief Dr. Williams Maduabuchukwu Obiano and the current governor, Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, are seemingly in neck-deep trouble. The issue revolves around the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) funds to the 21 Local Government Councils in the state since 2003, beginning with the administration of Chief Ngige. Trouble started with a suit filed in the Federal High Court of Anambra State of Nigeria, Awka Judicial Division, holden at Awka. The suit, filed on April 17, 2024, with case no. FHC/AWK/CS/90/2024, was initiated by Dr. Ifeanyichukwu Okonkwo, the Plaintiff.…
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It was officially called multi-dimensional poverty. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu indeed met Nigerians in the cauldron of abject poverty. It was officially called multi-dimensional poverty. Muhammadu Buhari, the former President, did not hand over to Tinubu until poverty became a permanent resident in virtually every home in Nigeria. Poverty under Buhari had a green card — positive identification — in Nigeria. A beleaguered Nigeria was handed over to Tinubu who was over-hyped by his image makers as the man with the magic wand — having turned Lagos into “paradise” while he was the governor. Now in Abuja — and surrounded…
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The Lagos-Calabar coastal road project is undoubtedly Nigeria’s most ambitious transport infrastructure project since independence. In terms of scope, distance covered, and connectivity, not even the 3rd Mainland Bridge in Lagos, the 2nd Niger Bridge in Onitsha/Asaba, or the Abuja-Kano expressway comes close. It is simply a world-class iconic project. Before I go further, I want us to take a brief trip back to history. The idea for a major coastal federal road in Nigeria was first conceptualized in 1955 by the then Federal Commissioner of Finance, Late Chief Festus Okotie-Eboh, who hails from present-day Delta State. Okotie-Eboh proposed the…
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Four people serving at the very top of the US government – Donald Trump, Joe Biden, Hillary Clinton and Mike Pence – appear to have mishandled classified materials. How do their cases differ? Mr Trump is in the deepest trouble. He has been indicted on 37 charges related to files found at his Florida home. His supporters are pointing to the examples of Joe Biden and Hillary Clinton as a double standard applied to Democratic politicians. This is how all these cases compare. What happened, in a nutshell? More than 325 classified files – including some marked with Secret and…
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A judge has indefinitely postponed Donald Trump’s federal trial in Florida over his alleged mishandling of classified documents while in office. US District Judge Aileen Cannon said that setting a trial date before resolving significant questions over trial evidence would be “imprudent”. Her court order on Tuesday cancelled the 20 May 2024 start date she had previously set for the proceedings. The trial is now unlikely to begin before the 5 November US election. Mr Trump’s lawyers have proposed that the trial be held after his presidential rematch with Joe Biden, his successor in the White House. Prosecutors meanwhile have…
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A delivery has been withdrawn over concerns about the Rafah operation, according to US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin The US paused a shipment of weapons to Israel last week over concerns of West Jerusalem’s looming ground operation in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has said, as cited by the Financial Times. Washington has not decided the final fate of the arms but is concerned about their possible use in the Palestinian city, the Pentagon chief reportedly told a congressional hearing on Wednesday. “We’re going to continue to do what’s necessary to ensure that…
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A lot of dust was raised in the press in 2004 over the Oduduwa issue. The controversies on Oduduwa are finally put to rest in this write-up. All students of history must carefully preserve this historical record as a reference point. Oduduwa is Prince Ekaladerhan of Bini and he entered Yoruba life about 900 years ago and that is categorical and final. The Yoruba/Edo collaborative evidence follow. The first most telling revelation about Oduduwa’s ancestry is from Oduduwa himself. He, in his lifetime, reserved a special seat in his Ife palace for his ancestors. The seat remains reserved until this…
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According to Samuel Johnson’s book “The History of the Yorubas from the Earliest Times to the Beginning of the British Protectorate” published in 1921, there is strong evidence to suggest that the Yorubas originated from the East. Their habits, manners, customs, and other cultural aspects all support this theory. Furthermore, Johnson ;a renowned historian argues that the Yorubas emigrated from Upper Egypt to Ife, which is supported by the existence of sculptures known as the “Ife Marbles.” These sculptures, attributed to the early ancestors of the Yoruba people, exhibit Egyptian characteristics and can still be observed in Ife. In addition…
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Nigerian politics is far too divisive and toxic. In addition to the toxicity, there is a pervasive self-fulfilling prophecy that holds that all public servants are corrupt. As a result, both elected and appointed public officials in the past and present are unfairly subjected to relentless media trials based on this assumption, usually on trumped charges. This sets the scene for understanding the current media trial that Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, the former governor of Abia State, is facing. Among other defamatory claims, his successor, Dr. Alex Otti, asserted that his predecessor had paid N10 billion for an Abia state airport…
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‘Indispensable’ president has successfully positioned himself as the living embodiment of Russia before his inauguration on Tuesday. When President Putin struts through the Kremlin’s gilded doors at his glittering inauguration ceremony in Moscow on Tuesday, he will be met by loyal members of the political and religious elite who portray him as the living embodiment of Russia. Not since Joseph Stalin, the Soviet tyrant, has a leader in Moscow established such a powerful cult of personality. A modern-day tsar in all but name, Putin has ruled Russia for 24 years and shows no signs of surrendering power — at least…
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Dave Umahi, the Minister of Works, will never change. He is ill-tempered and intolerant. Contraries have no place in his worldview. He sees life only from one prism. This explains why he is always at daggers drawn with those who perceive reality differently. Much more than this, Umahi is a quisling in every sense of the word. I have had cause to describe him in this manner in the past. The man radiates self-hate at every turn. His flagellum gets turned on once an opportunity presents itself for him to sell his Igbo brethren to those who do not wish…
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The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, spanning 700 kilometers across nine Nigerian states, has the ambitious goal of enhancing connectivity and economic activities from Lagos to Cross River. Despite its potential benefits, the project has been embroiled in controversy, raising concerns about the procurement process, the environmental implications, financial management, and the fairness in how it’s being executed. The procurement process has come under fire with allegations of favoritism, particularly involving the Chagoury Group, known for its connections to high-profile political figures, including President Tinubu. Critics claim the contract may have been awarded without a competitive bidding process, potentially compromising the…
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With a 40-year-old legacy, the Mercedes-Benz W126 S-Class sedan is one of the most sought-after Mercedes to date. And it will only go up from here. For many years, the S-Class has been Mercedes-Benz‘ most important model. The Mercedes-Benz W126 S-Class sedan was so groundbreaking that during the economic crisis, it was much cheaper to maintain than the competition. This car has become a legend over the years, synonymous with luxury and serving as a role model. When BMW introduced the first generation of the 7 Series, Mercedes was preparing to show the second generation of its S-Class. For years, it has set trends in…
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The geopolitical landscape of the Sahel region is undergoing significant and complex transformations as countries like Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso reassess their foreign military collaborations amid considerable political upheavals. These shifts, often resulting in coups, have sparked a reevaluation of foreign military presence due to national concerns over sovereignty and the effectiveness of these forces in addressing local security issues. The reactions of the United States and France to these changes illustrate their broader strategic intentions in the region, aimed at countering extremism and securing interests amidst rising anti-French and anti-Western sentiments. Political changes in Mali, Niger, and Burkina…
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My column in the Saturday Tribune talks of the letdown in not announcing a new minimum wage even after the current one expired in April and the minimum wage committee allocated N1b to itself for sittings: After three months of bootless committee meetings in the comfort of air-conditioned offices at the cost of one billion naira (President Bola Tinubu approved 500 million naira to “start with… first”) and about a month after the expiration of the last minimum wage approved in 2019, the Tinubu government has not been able to approve a new minimum wage for Nigerian workers even when…
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In Nigeria, we are just dishonest, unpatriotic and ungodly human beings on the path of self destruction. A shame on our race. I totally agree with the following by Barr. Ola Kunle Allison: who says Religion is not our albatross in Nigeria. It has never been. WE ARE JUST A SICK INDIGENOUS PEOPLE BLAMING EVERYTHING BUT OURSELVES. I just saw a short documentary on CNN about the Emirate of Dubai (an Islamic State) and her many disruptive and record-breaking technological/innovative strides, and my heart sank into despair. Dubai is NOT a country. It is just one out of seven emirates…
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Below is a comprehensive list of all Nigerian Tribes and the States where they are domiciled… 1 Abayon Cross River2 Abua (Odual) Rivers3 Achipa (Achipawa) Kebbi4 Adim Cross River5 Adun Cross River6 Affade Yobe7 Afizere Plateau8 Afo Plateau9 Agbo Cross River10 Akaju-Ndem (Akajuk) Cross River11 Akweya-Yachi Benue12 Alago (Arago) Piateau13 Amo Plateau14 Anaguta Plateau15 Anang Akwa lbom16 Andoni Akwa lbom, Rivers17 Angas Bauchi, Jigawa, Plateau18 Ankwei Plateau19 Anyima Cross River20 Attakar (ataka) Kaduna21 Auyoka (Auyokawa) Jigawa22 Awori Lagos, Ogun23 Ayu Kaduna24 Babur Adamawa, Bomo, Taraba, Yobe25 Bachama Adamawa26 Bachere Cross River27 Bada Plateau28 Bade Yobe29 Bahumono Cross River30 Bakulung Taraba31…
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The clouds of war are gathering with blood sucking gods that follow the perching of vultures. Vultures from Eastern Europe, vultures from Europe, vultures from Asia, yes, vultures from America that deal on arms. With eyes constantly fixed on any trouble spot in the world. They’re are hopefully praying to extend their business from Tripoli to Abuja. This is because, Nigeria is fast descending to the very path that Freetown took. The path that ruined Congo and Libya. The expressway to Rwanda, that is the path Nigeria is fast speeding to. Yet, this path is not a new path to…
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For sure that headline may sound so weird to religious bigots and many who has been lied to that our culture is demonic and nothing good can come out of it. Take a look around you and tell me what is working well as it should be. We were never created to go through this level of disorderliness and suffering in the midst of plenty. The black world is richly blessed to the envy of the so called nations. That is the reason Africa remains the theatre of action in the struggle for our God given resources. History reckons that…
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Who Will Apologize for the Millions of Igbo, Yoruba, and Middle Belt Christians the Fulani have Killed from 1945 till Date? The Igbo quisling socio-political organization, under the leadership of one of the most morally discredited Igbo politicians in modern history, recently met in Enugu, the capital city of Enugu State, under the aegis of the Ohaneze-Ndigbo Peace and Reconciliation Committee. Among their other obnoxious decisions, they declared that the Igbo would apologize to the murderous Fulani oligarchy for the assassination of Sir Ahmadu Bello, the late Sardauna of Sokoto and Premier of the defunct Northern Region, by an Igbo…
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The claim by Ohaneze Ndigbo and its President, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, that Ikwerre is part of Igbo, has drawn the ire of the Ikwerre socio-cultural group, the Iwhnurohna Progressive Organisation (IPO). The membership of the IPO led by Dr. Okahchukwu Dibia at the weekend said it was offensive, insulting, shameful, disgusting, insensitive, careless and uncivilised for Iwuanyanwu to be credited with the falsehood and unfounded claim that Ikwerre people were Igbo. Reading the position of the members after a meeting in Port Harcourt, Dibia said: “To us at IPO, Ikwerre is Igbo means that all the ancestral communities in Ikwerre originated…
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Some eminent leaders in the country as well as civil society organisations on Friday cautioned President Bola Tinubu against allowing the United States and the French governments to relocate their military bases from the Sahel to Nigeria. In an open letter to Tinubu and the leadership of the National Assembly, the leaders said the Nigerian government should not succumb to such pressure. Those who signed the letter obtained by SaharaReporters on Friday evening include Prof Abubakar Siddique Mohammed of the Centre for Democratic Development, Research and Training (CEDDERT), Zaria; Prof Kabiru Sulaiman Chafe, a former Minister of State for Petroleum…
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A singer, dancer, and actress, the artist known simply as Aaliyah took the world by storm as a teenager with the release of Age Ain’t Nothing But A Number. Throughout her short but incredibly successful and popular career in music, film, and fashion, Aaliyah would inspire and entertain millions with her talent, style, beauty, and infectious personality becoming one of the top entertainers of her era. Despite her untimely death twenty years ago, the award-winning singer continues to remain popular today and an inspiration to a new generation of artists What’s In A Name Fans mostly identified with the singer by her first name,…
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Marriage in this Bayankole tribe is of great importance as parents derive joy and pride from their children’s marriage. According to this Ugandan tradition, when a girl gets to the age of eight or nine, it is the duty of her aunt to groom her for family life. Virginity in this culture is held in high esteem so the girls must abstain from premarital s€x. The Ankole tribe considers the slim physique unattractive. To them, fat is simply sexy. So when girls get to the ages eight and nine, they are required to go through a fattening process. This is…
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The European Union is giving Ukraine €5 billion in exceptional macrofinancial assistance. Another 9 billion has been provided by the EU-sponsored fundraising campaign. However, this is not enough to cover the budget hole; Zelenski is immediately asking for another 55 billion euros. The US and EU have already donated 100 billion euros in military supplies to Kiev. Add to that billions more spent by the EU on training and arming Ukrainian forces, plus those spent for the same purpose by individual EU countries. In the U.S., a bill is passing in the Senate that allows the Pentagon to purchase, without…
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“It is a Good Day for World Peace” says Biden, “Makes America Safer”. $60.8 billion for Ukraine, $26.4 billion for Israel, and $8.1 billion for Taiwan The US Congress has approved a $95 billion bill for “aid” to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan. The Act was voted by a large bipartisan majority of Democrats and Republicans and provided $60.8 billion for Ukraine, $26.4 billion for Israel, and $8.1 billion for Taiwan in the Indo-Pacific region. The chairman of the Senate Armed Services, Republican Mike Rogers, said: “China, Russia, and Iran are working together in a new Axis of Evil to damage our alliances and undermine…
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Hundreds of nuclear warheads under the control of Israel’s defense establishment This incisive article by Michael Carmichael first published on January 15, 2007 provides a historical focus on Israel’s nuclear weapons program. In 1986, an Israeli civil servant who worked in the state-owned nuclear industry flew to London where he was invited to meet with reporters working for The Sunday Times. In these press briefings, Mordechai Vanunu revealed Israel’s top secret – the Israelis had gained control of a growing stockpile of nuclear warheads. In the weeks immediately following these explosive revelations, Mr Vanunu visited Rome where Israeli espionage agents abducted him and forced his…
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Former President Donald Trump just landed another $1.8 billion worth of stock in the corporate owner of Truth Social. The added shares he’s received give him an even more dominant stake in Trump Media. Trump Media & Technology Group disclosed the windfall for Trump in a filing Tuesday, saying the former president has received another 36 million shares in the company. That bonus, known as “earnout” shares, was triggered by the company’s share price staying above certain levels. Trump Media said in the filing that on April 26 it officially determined the performance criteria “had been satisfied” and Trump was…
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No Nigerian can visit Ajaokuta Steel Company (ASC), see investments of more than $8 billion rotting in the African sun, and not cry. I went there, I cried. What exactly is the problem? I have written several articles on this topic, but today, let me write a comprehensive post. Ajaokuta Steel Company is massive; she has a 68km road network and 24 housing estates on the project. Some estates have over 1,000 homes, a seaport, and a 110mw power generation plant; there are 43 separate plants in Ajaokuta alone. It is estimated that if Ajaokuta becomes operational, it will create…
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The US pressing sanctions on developing countries is making them cut ties with the dollar and look for alternative avenues. BRICS is filling in the void and helping other developing nations to survive without using the US dollar for trade. Sanctions might prove costly to the US as the world is looking at de-dollarization to strengthen its local currencies and native economies. On the heels of de-dollarization and sanctions, a new country has officially ditched the US dollar for oil trade. The decision comes straight from the BRICS playbook of using local currencies for cross-border transactions and not the US dollar. Read here to know how many sectors in the US will be…
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Upon reflection on the trajectory of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his journey to the presidency, I find my mind wondering if my Yoruba Uncle is still the same person that I have always known and admired. You might need to think through this to understand me. The Yorubas already carry misconceptions about betrayal, that we don’t keep our end of the bargain. That we use and dump people. That we are cunning around the power play. Except Olusegun Obasanjo who as both in and outside power as military and civilian head of state kept his side of the agreement…
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“No revolution is the fault of the people but the fault of the government.”—Johann Goethe, 1749-1832, A revolution is underway in the northern states of Nigeria. The downtrodden constituting 99.9 per cent of the population, hitherto docile beggars, saying rankaindede to the privileged 0.1 per cent, are sick and tired of begging. They are now demanding for their own share of “the national cake” to be delivered to them – at gun or cutlass points. Nigeria will never be the same again. The North is now gradually sliding into the dictatorship of the beggars or almajiris. As usual, Nigerian pseudo-socialists,…
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It’s not geopolitics, nepotism, or religion that will be the cause of the collapse of the largest black nation on the planet if the Nigerian state crumbles. Corruption is what’s going to make that happen if something drastic is not done before it’s too late. Countries like the People’s Republic of China execute corrupt officials and some other countries take other extreme measures to keep corruption at bay while Nigeria pays only lip service to the corruption fight. The whole foundation of Nigeria, its identity, and its statecraft have been undermined by corruption, and the corrosion is not abating. Boundaries…
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Throughout African history, it is evident that gender mattered in reference to power and every day freedoms. Many women were restricted to go to places such as cities, while men were eligible to go as far as working in a city. Men were also in charge of women because warrant chief’s expected men to keep their wives in order. Typically men held the power but in some situations women could be superior to men. Women used tactics such as “sitting on a man” which was a harassment technique used to get their way. They used “sitting on a man” to…
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It’s no secret that dating is no easy task, and when you are going out with a Sagittarius it can feel so hard to do. Countless books and coaches specialize in dating advice but rarely do they discuss dating this particular zodiac sign. Which is heartbreaking. It takes a lot to find someone you genuinely like that is looking for the same things you are. Things are even more complicated when you are dating a Sagittarius zodiac sign, and at least know that it’s hard but not impossible. Like any other zodiac sign, there are downsides to dating Sagittarius. Why…
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Advisers to the former US president are considering penalties for nations seeking to trade in national currencies, the outlet has reported Economic aides to former US President Donald Trump are looking for options to stop countries from shifting away from the US dollar as it faces a growing challenge from emerging markets, including BRICS nations, Bloomberg reported on Friday. The presumptive Republican nominee for the November presidential election and his team are discussing penalties against both allies and adversaries who seek to divert their trade from the greenback to other currencies. The options could include export controls, currency manipulation charges,…
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Sharmine Narwani is a brilliant journalist and analyst, has taught at Oxford and Columbia and has been published in The New York Times, USA Today, The Guardian, Huffington Post, Salon.com and other publications. Of course, the ones listed above don’t publish her anymore, because she’s too much of a journalist, like Chris Hedges, Seymour Hersh, Aaron Maté, Max Blumenthal and others no longer welcome in today’s mainstream media. Please see what Sharmine has to say in the short video below. According to her, “Iran has a full map of Israel’s missile defense system banks. It gained incredible intelligence. It also got…
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According to Chairman of Ukraine’s Parliament (2016-2019). This article was first published on September 7, 2018 Author’s Introduction The Neo-Nazi parties of Ukraine’s so-called coalition government are actively supported by “the international community” namely our governments. The Nazi faction within the Kiev government exerts its power in the realm of intelligence, internal affairs, national security and the military. It’s a proxy regime in liaison with its U.S.-NATO sponsors. Amply documented, the 2014 EuroMaidan US Sponsored Coup d’Etat was carried out with the support of the two Nazi factions: Svoboda and Right Sektor. These are not “Neo-Nazi” entities.They are full-fledged Nazi parties, historically aligned going back…
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It all started on March 5, 2014: a US sponsored fascist coalition government under the disguise of democracy was installed in Ukraine. With historical foresight pertaining to the dangers of a Third World War, this article by Felicity Arbuthnot was first published on March 15, 2014 in the immediate wake of the US sponsored EuroMaidan Coup d’état. On March 5, Ukraine’s Putsch “Prime Minister” Arseniy Yatsenyuk, arbitrarily sacked three senior Defence Ministry politicians, Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Oleynik, with Deputy Defense Ministers Vladimir Mozharovskiy and Arturo Francisco Babenko. According to Itar-Tass (6th March 2014) they had drawn Yatsenyuk’s ire by expressing: “sharp criticism over giving…
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Brussels has accused settlers of human rights abuses against Palestinians The European Union announced on Friday it was sanctioning four individuals and two entities over human rights abuses – including torture – of Palestinians in the West Bank. The measure was announced by the European Council, invoking its 2020 decree establishing the Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime, which allowed the block to punish abuses ranging from arbitrary arrests and torture to genocide. “The EU has decided to sanction extremist settlers in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem for serious human rights abuses against Palestinians,” the EU foreign policy chief Josep…
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Israel’s Minister of War, Yoav Gallant, told his troops the Iranian attack was not successful; that of about hundred drones and rockets, Israel downed them all but four, thanks to their good preparation. This is a lie on many levels. Both Netanyahu and Gallant expressed their determination to retaliate after a well thought-out plan. Netanyahu qualified, it needs to be a “clever response”. Likewise, army chief Herzi Halevi is crystal clear in his attempt at launching a response for Iran’s retaliatory attack on Israel, but he does not want to cause a war. The Israeli Cabinet is also “mulling” over what they call a…
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