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.
Posts
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
A delivery has been withdrawn over concerns about the Rafah operation, according to US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin The US paused a shipment of weapons to Israel last week over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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
‘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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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,…
-
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…
-
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…
-
“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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
“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,…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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,…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
Joe Biden is caught in a trap caused by his own weakness Given the lying and fact-twisting that have routinely been part and parcel of accounts of what is occurring in the Middle East, the past several weeks have nevertheless been shocking in terms of how an abysmally low standard of truth can be reduced even farther. Looking at developments objectively, one comes up with a series of facts. First of all, Israel was not at war with either Syria or Iran during the first weeks in April. Iran had never attacked Israel prior to that point and Syria last fought Israel…
-
First published on April 23, 2023 At first sight you may wonder what do Ursula Von der Leyen and McKinsey and Pfizer have in common? The answer is: Corruption. Utmost corruption. Madame Von der Leyen, unelected President of the European Commission (EC) has several corruption scandals on her neck. It was recently revealed that Madame von der Leyen’s son, David, had a “summer intern” stint at McKinsey, the giant US-based management consulting firm. Though, records of David’s responsibilities with McKinsey are purposefully flimsy, it appears that his employment was much more than a “summer intern”. He had consulting teams under his responsibilities and worked for McKinsey for…
-
Nigeria’s economy, which ranked as Africa’s largest in 2022, is set to slip to fourth place this year and Egypt, which held the top position in 2023, is projected to fall to second behind South Africa after a series of currency devaluations, International Monetary Fund forecasts show. According to a recent report from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the country’s decline in economic ranking is due to the economic policies implemented by President Bola Tinubu. The IMF projects Nigeria’s GDP to be $253 billion this year, ranking behind Algeria ($267 billion), Egypt ($348 billion), and South Africa ($373 billion). The report…
-
An attack on Tehran’s facilities will trigger tit-for-tat retaliation, the IRGC officer in charge of their safety has said. A senior officer of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has warned that Tehran is capable of striking Israeli nuclear facilities if its own are hit, according to local media. Tensions have escalated in the Middle East this month following an alleged Israeli airstrike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus on April 1, in which seven IRGC officers were killed. Tehran retaliated last weekend with a massive barrage of drones and missiles, most of which were reportedly downed by the Jewish…
-
Companies listed on the London Stock Exchange control over $1trillion worth of Africa’s resources in just five commodities – oil, gold, diamonds, coal and platinum. My research for the NGO, War on Want, which has just been published, reveals that 101 companies, most of them British, control $305billion worth of platinum, $276billion worth of oil and $216billion worth of coal at current market prices. The ‘Scramble for Africa’ is proceeding apace, with the result that African governments have largely handed over their treasure. Tanzania’s gold, Zambia’s copper, South Africa’s platinum and coal and Botswana’s diamonds are all dominated by London-listed…
-
Contrary to their mainstream portrayal, as inspired purely by religious fundamentalism, Daesh are primarily guns for hire. Within just 24 hours of the horrific mass shooting in Moscow’s Crocus City Hall on March 22nd, which left at least 137 innocent people dead and 60 more critically wounded, US officials blamed the slaughter on ISIS-K, Daesh’s South-Central Asian branch. For many, the attribution’s celerity raised suspicions Washington was seeking to decisively shift Western public and Russian government focus away from the actual culprits – be that Ukraine, and/or Britain, Kiev’s foremost proxy sponsor. Full details of how the four shooters were recruited, directed, armed,…
-
The Israeli online magazine +972 has published a detailed report on Israel’s use of an artificial intelligence (AI) system called “Lavender” to target thousands of Palestinian men in its bombing campaign in Gaza. When Israel attacked Gaza after October 7, the Lavender system had a database of 37,000 Palestinian men with suspected links to Hamas or Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ). Lavender assigns a numerical score, from one to a hundred, to every man in Gaza, based mainly on cellphone and social media data, and automatically adds those with high scores to its kill list of suspected militants. Israel uses another automated system,…
-
Kaduna State was once the most cosmopolitan city in the Northern Region, followed by Jos. As the regional capital and having close to one hundred and twenty ethnic groups within 250 kilometers radius, it was indeed a mini-Nigeria. Only Lagos, which was the Federal Capital, surpassed the city in terms of ethnic diversity – until the Federal Capital moved to Abuja. It was the epitome of religious, ethnic and political tolerance under the late Premier of Northern Nigeria, Alhaji Ahmadu Bello, 1910-1966. A more tolerant and even-handed ruler in a multi-ethnic society would be hard to find. For instance, the…
-
The Ukrainian president wants the collective West to protect his country directly, pointing to how Iran’s strike this past weekend was handled Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has urged the collective West to become involved in the conflict with Russia and protect Kiev similar to how it aided Israel during the Iranian airstrike over the weekend. Zelensky issued the appeal in a Telegram post on Monday, showering praise on the “allied action” to help Israel. According to Israeli and Western claims, the vast majority of the projectiles fired by Iran were shot down before even reaching the country’s airspace, primarily by US and…
-
“Operation True Promise” represents Tehran’s response to the targeted assassinations of military commanders and diplomatic personnel in Damascus, Syria nearly two weeks before. Iran has fired hundreds of drones and missiles into Occupied Palestine in retaliation for the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) bombing of their embassy in Damascus, Syria on April 1. Seven people were killed in the attack which was never condemned by the staunch allies of Tel Aviv in Washington, London and Brussels. The United Nations Security Council failed to condemn the attacks against the Iranian embassy due to the lack of support by the western imperialist states…
-
The warning was on the wall. Ever since Israel attacked “out of the blue” on 1 April 2024 the Iranian Consulate in Damascus, Syria, killing 7, including two generals, an Iranian retaliation was to be expected. The New York Times (NYT) reports “Iran mounted an immense aerial attack on Israel on Saturday night, launching more than 200 drones [other sources talk about 300 drones] and missiles in retaliation for a deadly Israeli airstrike in Syria two weeks ago, and marking a significant escalation in hostilities between the two regional foes.” The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) say there were over 300 areal threats,…
-
Moscow has urged both sides to exercise restraint, warning that escalation will benefit no one No one would benefit from a conflict between Iran and Israel spiraling out of control, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said, voicing hope that the two regional powers will be able to resolve their differences peacefully. Speaking to reporters on Monday, Peskov weighed in on a massive Iranian strike on Israel over the weekend, which West Jerusalem said involved more than 300 drones and missiles. The attack came in response to an alleged Israeli strike on Tehran’s consulate in Damascus, Syria, earlier this month. The…
-
330 Against Israel Iran just sent 330 drones and missiles from own territory to Israel. In spite of Israeli statements – the Iranian attack DID penetrate Israel’s defenses, see this. The Israeli generals don’t look happy. This Will Explode Israel will retaliate. Iran is already prepared to escalate on an even MUCH larger scale. Iran’s response to any action will be much greater, see this. There is no way Israel will sit down and say “let’s call it a day”. Israel will have to respond even bigger, and Iran’s next wave of attack will be even bigger yet. How big? Well –…
-
Former US leader and current Republican Party presidential candidate Donald Trump warned in Michigan on April 2 that US President Joe Biden could trigger World War III. Trump’s comments come as he surges in the polls while Biden’s policy on Ukraine is continuously scrutinised. The former president also criticised the way his successor handled the nuclear issue, questioned his mental condition, and claimed that other foreign powers respected the US during his presidency. “This guy has no clue,” the former president said about Biden. “He can’t put two sentences together, and he’s dealing with Putin, and he’s dealing with President Xi, and he’s dealing with Kim Jong-un.…
-
Chicken-Hawks Chicken-Hawk: Someone who sends, or intends to send, other people to die for their own ambitions or ulterior motives. Who are the biggest Chicken-Hawks in today’s world? How about French President Emmanuel Macron? British Foreign Secretary David “Lord” Cameron? Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu? U.S. President Joe Biden? That’s enough to start on. Macron France has been a second-rate power since the defeat of Napoleon. 19th century France had too many presidents, emperors, and cabinets to count. Germany crushed France in weeks in the Franco-Prussian War, the biggest European war of the period. France and Russia were then roped into World War I by…
-
Journalists of wars prolonging U.S. and NATO nations media are providing cover for a monstrous genocidal crime against humanity by portraying the Israeli U.S. provisioned devastating bombing and air strikes on Israel’s military occupied Gaza Strip as ‘defensive war.’ “Israel can’t claim a right to defend itself from the people it oppresses and whose land it colonises,” UN Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories Francesca Albanese, April 8, 2023. The successful Hamas guerrilla attack of October 7 was part of an ongoing many decades long Palestinian fight for freedom, and was so described by United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres addressing the UN General…
-
Biden’s signs of senility, the fentanyl crisis, the dearth of life and the disaffection of the democratic left wing in the face of the Israeli massacres in Gaza, would have sunk his popularity to historic lows, which would facilitate the triumphant return of Donald Trump in the November presidential elections by having cleared the way to the White House after the latest decisions of the Supreme Court. Also, six months after the invasion of Gaza, Israeli society’s disaffection with Netanyahu would have increased due to its nefarious management of the crisis with Hamas and its zero interest in rescuing the…
-
Following Israel’s terrorist attack on the diplomatic building of the consulate of Iran in Damascus, Syria that resulted in the deaths of several officials of the Iranian military including a highly respected IRGC official, Mohammad Reza Zahedi is essentially the beginning of the end for Western-Zionist power structure in the Middle East. Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi’s reaction to the terrorist attack said that “After repeated defeats and failures against the faith and will of the Resistance Front fighters, the Zionist regime has put blind assassinations on its agenda in the struggle to save itself,” he continued “Day by day, we have witnessed the strengthening of…
-
Genocide is on The Drawing Board of the Pentagon. The Zionist Lobby is firmly aligned with U.S. Foreign Policy First published on November 13, 2023 This article originally published on November 11, 2023 was revised on January 14th, 2024 with a focus on the dangers of escalation and the role of “False Flags”. 1. In Solidarity with Palestine We stand in Solidarity with Palestine. But we must recognize that the United States Military and Intelligence apparatus is firmly behind Israel’s genocide directed against the People of Palestine. And this must be part of the solidarity campaign, namely to Reveal the Truth regarding Washington’s insidious role, which is part of…
-
In an unprecedented and dangerous escalation, Israel targeted the Iranian Consulate in Damascus on April 1. It has been many years since Israel has bombed targets inside Iran, and the diplomatic building, directly attached to the Iranian Embassy, is considered the same as an attack on Tehran. According to the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, in 1961, articles 21 and 22 concern embassies and all types of diplomatic missions. According to accepted international norms and traditions, diplomatic premises are considered part of the sovereignty and territory of the sending states. Therefore, the attack on the Iranian consulate can be seen…
-
One expects that anyone involved in politics will lie whenever they think they can get away with it to burnish one’s own image and while also distorting reality to promote policies that are being favored. Nevertheless, the record of high crimes committed by a series of presidents and their top aides since the so-called “war on terror” began has established a new low for government veracity. One would have thought that the fake intelligence fabricated by a group of Zionists in the Pentagon and White House to launch the misadventures in Afghanistan and Iraq would be as bad as it…
-
In a significant move aimed at advocating for the rights of Nigerian citizens, Hon. Obi Aguocha-MHR, representing the Ikwuano Umuahia Federal Constituency, has issued a compelling media release concerning the detention of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). Released on Friday, April 12, 2024, at 9:00 PM, the media release titled “Re: Nnamdi Kanu, Sowore, Igboho, and Emefiele” discusses the legal status of individuals accused by the government of various alleged offenses. Aguocha highlights the judiciary’s role in upholding the rights of citizens, citing the cases of Omoyele Sowore and Sunday Igboho, who have been…
-
An Encounter with Enron One of my memorable early experiences in BPE was a political baptism of fire – an encounter that opportunity to cash in on that misfortune. They did something similar in India in the 1990s and it went really wrong but they learnt some lessons and came to Nigeria with a more refined approach. What Enron proposed was to supply second-hand, barge-based generators (moveable and easy to relocate in case of payment defaults) using diesel initially, to be supplied by Wale Tinubu’s Ocean & Oil Ltd. (now Oando) until gas pipelines are extended from Egbin to the…
-
Multiple entities, including Burisma Holdings, have been involved in funding terrorism, Russian investigators are claiming Criminal probes into the financing of terrorist activities in Russia and abroad have been launched against several private companies, the country’s Investigative Committee announced on Tuesday. The list of suspects includes the Ukrainian industrial conglomerate Burisma Holdings, linked to a corruption scandal surrounding the Biden family that has been dragging on for years. The criminal investigation stems from a complaint filed by a group of Russian MPs and public figures in the aftermath of the deadly Crocus City Hall attack outside Moscow last month. The original complaint…
-
The billionaire suggested the southern border crisis could eventually lead to a 9/11-scale tragedy Elon Musk has warned that a terrorist attack on the scale of September 11, 2001 could take place in the US unless the crisis at the southern border and the uncontrolled influx of migrants is addressed. The Tesla and SpaceX CEO made the remarks in response to an X post by former Republican presidential candidate and businessman Vivek Ramaswamy, who called for mass deportations and the sealing of the US-Mexico border. “Even if only 0.1% of illegal aliens who’ve crossed our border have hostile intentions, that’s…
-
According to a new power distribution plan approved by the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), certain segments of the Nigerian population will henceforth have regular electricity and pay more, while the rest of society will see far less electricity supply and pay a lower tariff. If this Orwellian electricity plan is followed through, the Nigerian middle class as well as urban and rural poor, who constitute the majority of the country, will most likely retreat into medieval darkness. From a policy standpoint, below are 3 downsides to the new electricity plan: Electricity is much more than cables, light bulbs, and…
-
Former Vice President Atiku Abubukar has expressed apprehension about the proposed Lagos-Calabar highway project restarted by President Bola Tinubu. In a statement by his media aide, Paul Ibeh, Atiku said the 700-kilometre Lagos-Calabar coastal highway plan should have commenced from Calabar if it were genuine, and not another project intended to merely cajole the people. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate in the last general election lamented that the road project looked dubious, with all the hallmarks of a white elephant project. Atiku alleged that the Tinubu administration had again revealed its penchant for shady deals. The statement said,…
-
Issues surrounding corruption in the Judiciary in Nigeria has been a matter of concern for many for a long time and i will like to shed some light on what is going on. I will be revealing facts many may not know, but I will protect the anonymity of my sources so I will not be naming names. I want to explain the categories of undue Influence on Judges and exactly how Judges who bow to these pressures corruptly decide cases to favor litigants But before I go into judges, let me quickly say this. There is massive corruption through…
-
The Black African, the wretched of the earth, Is the only member of the human race who has been brainwashed to think that his ancestors bequeathed him with a curse that has prevented him from Attaining aspired goals and life desires. Almost every misfortune he encounters on earth is the fault of some ancestor… Who must be bound and cast with the fire of the Holy Ghost in the name of Jesus. The white people dont have terrible ancestors who have done terrible things. No. It’s only the black ancestor. Over the years, the black ancestor has been so vilified…
-
From Lagos, one Ayinde Salihu wrote to the Sardauna of Sokoto and Premier of the Northern Region, Alhaji Ahmadu Bello, on 19 January, 1964, describing the premier as the “Prophet of Nigeria.” The man wanted the Sardauna to take him to Mecca for Hajj. Buliyaminu Oladiti Fadairo wrote from Ibadan on 21 January, 1964, saluting the Sardauna as “Nigerian Holiest Father.” It was his way of massaging the big man’s ego so that he would make him a pilgrim in that year’s Hajj. Same day from Kabba, Aruna Agbana wrote begging the Sardauna to sponsor his pilgrimage to Mecca “in…
-
Imagine a political landscape distinctly different from the one we are accustomed to, one where sycophancy and politicians lacking integrity are not the norm but the exception. In this alternate scenario, the dynamics of power and success undergo a profound transformation, offering a glimpse into how political and societal structures might operate under the principles of meritocracy and genuine leadership. In this scenario, political leaders are selected and supported not for their ability to pander or manipulate but for their vision, competence, and commitment to serving the public interest. These leaders, grounded in a strong sense of integrity, navigate the…
-
The pursuit of wealth and success drives countless individuals worldwide, deeply embedded in the cultural fabric of various societies. However, this pursuit often carries substantial moral and ethical implications. In places like Nigeria, where material success and social status are highly esteemed, the pressure to achieve financial success can be overwhelming. This societal backdrop reveals the lengths to which some are willing to go to realize their financial ambitions, often unfolding a series of ethical dilemmas centered around the principle of integrity—the essence of being honest and upholding strong moral principles. The compromise of integrity in the relentless chase for…
-
Have you noticed that most men raised by today’s above average and wealthy families end up disappointing their parents and many people who had expected them to turn out as a chip of the old block or even better? What we see now is the rise of the children of the not so privileged into prominence in all areas of life. Do you feel bad that your privileged son to whom you provided all you could is not doing well at all? It has nothing to do with the work of “your enemies” but a harvest of what you sowed…
-
In the fabric of human interaction, there exists a delicate balance between extending acts of kindness and safeguarding oneself from exploitation. While the virtues of generosity, humility, effective communication, helpfulness, accommodation, and sharing are celebrated, it’s imperative to remain vigilant against the pitfalls of being taken for granted, taken advantage of, or neglected. Being nice to others is not just a social nicety but a reflection of our inherent goodness. However, there’s a fine line between being kind and allowing others to perceive it as a weakness. Similarly, the essence of generosity lies in giving without expecting anything in return.…
-
Marriage is becoming a risky business by the hour. Instead of enlarging the family, it is reducing it. When your son or daughter marries, you expect grandchildren as dividends. Now, your initial investment gets liquidated in a pool of blood, without recourse to you. One infuriated sick and weak girl just grabs a kitchen knife and carves up your son in a flash, ripping out your heart and dreams of being surrounded by happiness in your old age. One silly boy in a moment of uncontrollable blinding fury stabs your daughter in the throat, leaving you reeling in that kind…
-
The recent advocacy by some Igbo leaders within the All Progressives Congress (APC) for closer ties with the national grid, amidst the longstanding backdrop of marginalization and exclusion, prompts a critical examination of their motives. This push comes at a time when the Igbo commune is navigating systemic challenges and is in pursuit of autonomy and self-sufficiency. The timing and zeal of these calls suggest they may be more aligned with personal political ambitions than with a genuine effort to address the deep-rooted challenges faced by the region. Leaders championing this cause often present themselves as intermediaries between the federal…
-
This is the very tragic story of Hadiza, a girl who had the dream of conquering the skies. She did achieve her dream before she was cut down in her prime by the very people she fed, clothed and trusted with her own life. The late Captain Hadiza Lantana Oboh was the first and only female pilot of the defunct Nigeria Airways. LOVE, FAMILY AND MARRIAGE Hadiza was single and lived alone in her residence where she enjoyed every available luxury and was hardly visited by friends, relations or associates. She seemed to have been very much focused primarily on…
-
Anti-government demonstrators marched towards the prime minister’s residence, demanding immediate elections Protesters clashed with Israeli police outside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s home in Jerusalem on Tuesday night as they called for him to step down, according to media reports. Thousands of demonstrators gathered outside the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, to express their outrage at Netanyahu’s handling of the war in Gaza, which has so far killed nearly 33,000 people. They were calling for the release of hostages and immediate elections. The march began with a series of speeches given by family members of hostages being held by Hamas in…
-
The turn away from expansion, production and trade toward lending and speculation has precipitated decline for centuries One of the curious features of the American landscape is the fact that these days the financialization of the economy is widely condemned as unhealthy, yet little is being done to reverse it. There was a time, back in the 1980s and ‘90s, when finance-driven capitalism was supposed to usher in a time of better capital allocation and a more dynamic economy. This is not a view one hears often anymore. So, if such a phenomenon is overwhelmingly viewed negatively but isn’t being amended,…
-
Divisive politics and historical power structures helped Bola Tinubu win. Nigeria’s 1966 coup d’état ushered a group of young military men into power, where they remain today as kingmakers, wielding immense political influence. In this circle of elites known as the Class of ‘66 is Nigeria’s outgoing President Muhammadu Buhari and the former military leader and later civilian president, Olusegun Obasanjo. The late Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, who was handpicked as Obasanjo’s successor, was the younger brother of an army officer turned vice president during the junta’s rule in the 1970s. Even Nigeria’s former civilian president, Goodluck Jonathan (the only president…
-
Nigeria’s political parties have many similarities than differences, the only visible difference being their names. It is sad we lack the opportunity to vote in terms of party ideology rather; we vote for personalities. This is because the best voters could do in the absence of party ideology is to look for the candidate of their choice. Political parties during the days of the Late Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s Action group (AG), for instance, were social democrats, and when you voted AG, you would be sure to access free education if the group won the election. Today we lack parties that…
-
The Obinze-Ihiagwa-Nekede road, a crucial conduit that enhances connectivity in one of Nigeria’s most vibrant regions, is in dire need of comprehensive rehabilitation. This road, pivotal for its economic, educational, and strategic significance, connects major arteries leading to Port Harcourt, Aba, Umuahia, Uratta, Okigwe, Orlu, and Onitsha roads. It supports the Federal Polytechnic Nekede, the Nigerian Police Training School Nekede, and the Federal University of Technology Ihiagwa, Owerri, making it indispensable to the nation’s educational and security infrastructure. Despite the obvious necessity for a durable solution to the road’s dilapidation, recent efforts by the Imo State government, spearheaded by Governor…
-
In Imo State, Nigeria, a concerning reality has emerged. Esteemed educational institutions, including Holy Ghost College, Government College, Emmanuel College, Bishop Shanahan College, Égbu Comprehensive, GTC Owerri, Ihiagwa secondary school, Uratta secondary school, Nekede Boys high school, St Augustine’s Grammer school Nkwerre, National high school Okigwe, Akabo girls high school and others, are in a dire states of shameful and disgraceful disrepair. Once pillars of academic excellence and sources of community pride, these schools now reflect a profound level of neglect and decay, undermining the educational opportunities for the youth of Imo State and eroding the rich legacy of its…
-
As Lead Speaker at the Ohaneze Ndigbo Retreat which ended a few days ago in Enugu, I saw the gathering as part of the cocktail of measures being put in place by the current leadership of Ohaneze to ensure greater group cohesion and more strategic engagement, going forward. As Ndigbo would say, the mother hen that does not bring its chicks together from time to time to educate them about their environment, to warn them about the dangers in that environment and also to explain to them how to successfully navigate the environment, has laid a solid foundation for their…
-
In this regard, we must understand the history: On how Assange was betrayed and misled by those who allegedly supported him. Julian’s Assange Relation with the Mainstream Media Julian Assange was initially lauded and supported by the mainstream media. In 2008 The Economist, which is partly owned by the Rothschild family granted Assange The New Media Award. Was this a genuine endorsement of Assange’s commitment to “freedom of the press”? Or was it a public relations ploy? Assange was framed by those who supported him: The Guardian, The New York Times, The Economist, Vaughan Smith, George Soros, the Rothschilds, the Council on Foreign Relations, et al.…
-
The people of Abia State indeed have reasons to be particularly joyful, especially with Dr. Alex Otti assuming office as the Governor of Abia State. Otti, inaugurated on May 29, 2023, brought a rich background in economics and banking to his governance, previously serving as the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Diamond Bank Plc (now part of Access Bank). His educational achievements are notable, with a First Class Honours degree in Economics from the University of Port Harcourt and an MBA from the University of Lagos, alongside executive education from prestigious institutions such as Columbia, Stanford, and Wharton Business…
-
Nigeria needs a change of direction, not a change of government. With Nigeria plunged into a full-blown crisis due to a worsening economic climate, a cross-section of Nigerians, desperate for a quick turnaround and certain that the Bola Tinubu administration has lost the plot, have started clamoring for a coup d’état. So loud has been the agitation, especially on social media, that Chief of Defense Staff Christopher Musa came out last week to warn those behind it that “the law will come after them,” and that “the armed forces of Nigeria are here to protect democracy.” It is an interesting paradox…
-
The relationship between a Nigerian pastor on death row and his congregation offers a timely glimpse into the nature of devotion and social obedience across African Pentecostal churches. On February 26, members of the Christian Praying Assembly (CPA) Church Worldwide, a Lagos-based Pentecostal church, took out paid advertorials in a Nigerian daily newspaper to celebrate the birthday anniversary of their pastor, Chukwuemeka Ezeugo, aka His Holiness Dr. Reverend King. This has been their practice since January 2007 when Reverend King was convicted and sentenced to death by the Lagos High Court for the murder of a congregant, Ann Uzor. Ms. Uzor had…
-
More than a mere automobile, the sport utility vehicle (SUV) in Nigeria is rich in social meaning. Many Nigerians and observers of Nigerian politics reacted with a mix of outrage and disbelief when, last November, it emerged that a supplementary budget by the Bola Tinubu administration had earmarked upward of one hundred million dollars for imported sport utility vehicles (SUVs) at a cost of more than $150,000 each for the country’s 460-odd lawmakers. Pressed to defend the costs at a time when a majority of Nigerians were struggling to put food on the table, some of the lawmakers argued, without any irony,…
-
Sometimes the only thing worse than foreign intervention is non-intervention. It takes no special powers to discern that external intervention is officially in bad odor. To hear a wing of the foreign policy commentariat talk about it, nothing could be more damaging to the health and long-term stability of (developing) countries undergoing various forms of political distress. The argument advanced against external intervention basically boils down to two key ideas. The legal one is simple enough and goes as follows: intervention is an unwarranted intrusion in the private business of a sovereign state, a direct attack on the idea that…
-
Large sums of money were transferred to the Crocus City Hall attackers from Ukraine, the Russian Investigative Committee has said The suspects in last week’s Moscow terrorist attack were linked to Ukrainian nationalists, the Russian Investigative Committee stated on Thursday, citing preliminary findings. The perpetrators had received “significant sums of money” from Ukraine, the law enforcement agency said. The investigators have obtained “substantiated evidence” that the suspected assailants received funding from Ukraine in the form of cryptocurrency, which was then used to prepare the terrorist attack, the statement read. Law enforcement officers also identified and detained another suspect who was allegedly involved in financing…
-
The Enugu State High Court presided over by Justice A.O Onovo has thrown away for lack of merit, a suit initiated by the late Chief (Dr) Debe Odumegwu Ojukwu (who claimed to be the first son of the late Ikemba Nnewi, Dim Chukwemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu) against Ikemba’s window, Mrs. Bianca Ojukwu. Debe had gone to court challenging the authenticity of Ikemba’s will, arguing that as the first son of the late Biafra leader, his name was supposed to be contained in the will which his name was not therein. Debe further claimed that Ojukwu’s will was tampered with and sought…
-
African countries see Moscow as a “reliable partner” in the atomic energy sector, according to Rosatom Russian energy giant Rosatom has signed several agreements for developing cooperation in nuclear energy with Mali, Burkina Faso, and Algeria on the sidelines of the 13th international ATOMEXPO exhibition and forum in Sochi this week. The roadmaps outline steps each country will take to establish a working proficiency in civilian nuclear technologies, enhance nuclear infrastructure, and cultivate a favorable public perception of nuclear power in Africa, Rosatom’s press service reported on Tuesday. According to Ryan Collier, acting CEO of Rosatom Central and…
-
Reminiscing about the demise of His Excellency Okwadike Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife, one might easily think of the great philosopher Epicurus. The great thinker made this statement on the marble: “Against all else, it is possible to provide security, but as against death, all of us mortals alike dwell in an unfortified city.” Death is indeed an inevitable end that must come when it must come. In his magnum opus, The City of God, one of the Doctors of the Church (Catholicism), St. Augustine, pointed out how death is inevitable. He said, “For no sooner than we begin to live in…
-
The British army lacks ammo and equipment, the deputy chief of the Defense Staff has told MPs. The British Armed Forces are not prepared for a potential confrontation with an adversary such as Russia, the deputy chief of the Defense Staff, Lieutenant General Robert Magowan, told a parliamentary defense committee on Tuesday. The military severely lacks the resources, particularly ammunition, for any such conflict, he believes. The amount of money the government spends on ammunition, although “significant,” still “does not meet … the threats we face,” Magowan stated, adding that the military would have to manage “operational risk” linked to the lack of resources. When further…
-
Not sending a delegation to the US was a “message to Hamas,” the Israeli prime minister has said Israel canceled the planned visit of a high-level delegation to the US as a message to Hamas, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday. The snub came after Washington refused to veto a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza on Monday. Meeting in Jerusalem with US Senator Rick Scott, a Florida Republican, Netanyahu explained his reasons. “I thought the US decision in the Security Council was a very, very bad move,” the Israeli prime minister said. “The worst part about it… was that…
-
Western officials were too quick to distribute blame for the Moscow attack in ways agreeable to their political goals In the wake of the terrorist attack that killed over 140 people in Moscow, the White House is sure about a lot of things – that it had nothing to do with Ukraine, and that the fact that Washington’s intelligence-based prediction came to fruition is proof-positive that American counterterrorism efforts are working. Excuse me? What just transpired in Moscow strikes me as the kind of thing that suggests it’s not actually working all that well, considering a bunch of people were killed.…
-
Nigerien military ruler Abdourahamane Tchiani has spoken to the Russian president about security in the Sahel, the Kremlin says Niger’s transitional leader, Abdourahamane Tchiani, and Russian President Vladimir Putin have committed to coordinating efforts to combat terrorism in the Sahel region, where Western military partners have suffered setbacks in recent years According to the Kremlin, the issue was discussed on Tuesday when the West African nation’s military ruler spoke to Putin by phone to express solidarity with Moscow following last Friday’s terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall, which killed 139 people. “In discussing the bilateral agenda, the leaders expressed determination…
-
Ohanaeze Ndigbo zones President-General to Rivers State for 2025, emphasizing democracy, equitable leadership, and Igbo community’s socio-economic growth. Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the apex Igbo socio-political organization, has recently made headlines with its announcement to zone the position of President-General to Rivers State for its 2025 elections. This decision, unveiled in a press statement following the 2024 Easter Igbo retreat dubbed the Asaba Declaration, underscores the group’s commitment to democracy and equitable representation within its leadership structure. The statement, signed by prominent members including Prof. Nwokojie Ambrose and Chief Chidi Ibeh, also reflects on the Igbo community’s resilience and contributions to Nigeria’s…
-
Footage of the incident shows cars falling into the water A large section of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore has collapsed into the Patapsco River after being hit by a ship, the authorities in the largest city of the US state of Maryland have confirmed. The incident happened at around 1:30 am, according to AP. The clips posted on X (formerly Twitter) show several sections of the bridge going down, with multiple cars falling into the water. There have so far been no reports of deaths or injuries. The Maryland Transportation Authority said that all lanes in both…
OBLONG MEDIA GLOBAL INTELLIGENCE 