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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Somalia has insisted on Ethiopia terminating its “illegal” agreement with Somaliland Somalia has rejected mediation in a dispute with Ethiopia, insisting that resolution is only possible if its landlocked East African neighbor cancels a Red Sea access agreement it concluded with breakaway Somaliland. Relations between Mogadishu and Addis Ababa have deteriorated since Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Somaliland’s president, Muse Bihi Abdi, signed a memorandum of understanding at the beginning of January granting Ethiopia access to the Red Sea port of Berbera for 50 years. Although Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991, it has yet to be internationally recognized as…
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Somaliland will apply to the International Court of Justice with a request for sovereignty The government of Somaliland is set to appeal to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in a bid to be granted sovereignty, local media reported on Sunday. Lawyers have compiled a case on behalf of the government and will shortly file it with the ICJ, Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Dr. Issa Kayd Mohamud announced, according to a report in the Somaliland Standard on Saturday. Somaliland gained independence from the UK in 1960, while Somalia achieved independence from Italy soon afterwards. From 1960 to…
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The US president, however, insists that he will continue supporting the Jewish state no matter what Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is doing Israel more harm than good by ignoring civilian casualties in Gaza amid the ongoing war with Hamas, but that doesn’t mean that Washington will stop backing the Jewish state, US President Joe Biden has said. According to Gaza’s health ministry, at least 30,960 people have been killed and 72,524 others wounded since October 7, when the IDF began its attacks on the Palestinian enclave in response to the Hamas surprise attack on Israel, in which more than…
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The president is violating the aid law because the Netanyahu government is blocking humanitarian assistance to Gaza, a letter from a group of Democrats argues in A group of Democrats in the US Senate has called on President Joe Biden to stop providing weapons to Israel until it lifts restrictions on Washington’s humanitarian assistance to Gaza, according to a New York Times report. The Senate approved an emergency national security aid bill last month that would send an additional $14.1 billion in military aid to Israel, including $10 billion for offensive weapons for the country’s war against Hamas. The NYT…
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The US president was told in October that Israeli airstrikes were often carried out without “solid intelligence,” the newspaper claims The White House knew since late October that Israel was regularly bombing civilian targets in Gaza, but President Joe Biden continued to publicly defend the Israeli military’s conduct, the Washington Post reported on Monday. On October 27, three weeks into Israel’s war with Hamas, Biden’s top foreign policy officials told a small group at the White House that “Israel was regularly bombing buildings without solid intelligence that they were legitimate military targets,” the newspaper wrote, citing three sources familiar with the meeting. …
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Niger’s coup leaders have canceled a defense pact with Washington, citing a breach of diplomatic protocol A US delegation that traveled to Niger last week warned the new leadership of the West African nation about its potential relations with Russia and Iran, the Pentagon said on Monday. The statement followed an announcement by Niger’s military on Saturday that it was revoking an agreement for US military personnel and civilian contractors to operate in the Sahel nation. Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh told reporters that Washington is “working through diplomatic channels to seek clarification” on the Nigerien decision. According to the Pentagon, there are…
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Niger has denounced “with immediate effect” a defense pact that allows Washington to operate a $100 million drone base Authorities in Niamey have decided to revoke an agreement with the US which allowed American military personnel and the Pentagon’s civilian contractors to operate in the West African state, a spokesman for the post-coup government announced on national television. “The National Council for the Protection of the Fatherland officially denounced… the military cooperation agreements linking the country to the United States of America,” spokesman Colonel Amadou Abdramane said in a statement on Saturday night. The decision comes just days after a senior US delegation,…
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Contracts with domestic energy firms are aimed at boosting daily production in major fields of the sanctions-hit country. Iran’s energy companies were granted their biggest contracts in the past decade on Sunday, as Tehran seeks to boost output at major oil fields, state media have reported. Deals worth $13 billion, aimed at developing deposits and increasing production by as much as 350,000 barrels per day, were signed in the presence of Oil Minister Javad Owji and National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) Managing Director Mohsen Khojastehmehr. The contracts were signed two days before the 73rd anniversary of the sector’s nationalization. Iranian…
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The incumbent head of state has also attracted a record share of the total poll, securing a fifth term in office Vladimir Putin has been re-elected as Russia’s president, according to the official results of the country’s presidential vote, published on Monday by its Central Election Commission (CEC). Putin has claimed 87.28% of the vote, a record share of votes, winning his fifth term in office by a landslide. Putin’s candidacy was supported by over 75 million voters. Putin’s opponents in the 2024 race, Communist Party candidate Nikolay Kharitonov, Vladislav Davankov of the New People party, and Leonid Slutsky of the Liberal Democrats…
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The US and its allies have tried to manipulate this country’s politics since the Soviet Union collapsed in the early 1990s One of the most curious cases in the turbulent history of post-Cold War US-Russian relations is the decision of the US authorities to reduce financial aid to Moscow after the free elections to the State Duma in 1993 gave a significant number of seats in the new Russian parliament to representatives of the former ruling Communists and the nationalist LDPR. This direct reaction by Washington to the results of the popular will in a foreign country was a perfect…
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Unless we rely on anarchy and total system collapse to push complete political Restructuring, we need a quorum of two thirds, 66%, of votes, but with only about four states being financially viable, it might be a tall order to expect financially dependent states to vote for true fiscal federalism. Therefore it might be wise to address the colonial foundations of the Nigeria economy that has skewed development towards only a few states. Nevertheless, low hanging fruits like State Police demands could be achieved, but things like true representative democracy whereby ethnicities are empowered to vote out states to join…
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By Nze James Chinonyerem. Nigeria is sadly, a huge open theatre of absurd. We laugh and grin over serious issues. Issues that make nations burn, monarchies collapse, eminent personalities drown in the river of public opporibrium are laughed away just like that in our country. At the best of our actions, we’re treated to outlandish radio and television analysis of what happened and not happened, why it is right or wrong, at the end, we move on. Cry, the beloved country (apologies to Camara Laye). We laugh to cry and cry to laugh. There’s this existential contradictions in our national…
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Sadly most Nigerians will not read or appreciate this contribution because it is beyond them. Worst still many of them, particularly in the younger generation, find it difficult to read more than three lines even though it is to their shame and detriment. For those that have the gravitas, insight, foresight, profundity and intellectual virility to read and comprehend the counsel I have offered in this write-up I urge you to bookmark it and wait and see what unfolds unless and until we quickly identify and recognize the problem and address the issues raised. There are two reasons for the…
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We need a new Nigeria national architecture, which will include the new national culture, new national structure and new national infrastructure for unity, peace and development. The present inherited architecture is outdated and unable to provide answers to the emerging national questions and challenges. Unless we make a collective commitment to a new Nigeria nation, the old and present Nigeria can no longer serve the founding purpose of the nation. The national values in the old testament Nigeria (1900 – 1960) formed by the colonial masters have all failed to stand the taste of the time. The new testament Nigeria…
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The crisis in Nigeria offers a rare opportunity to rethink the moral foundations of the Nigerian state. As is often the case in moments of crisis, the current ugly situation in Nigeria has provided occasion for aggressive finger-pointing. That public indignation is overwhelmingly directed at the incumbent Tinubu administration is perhaps to be expected. Among other things, it has been blamed for withdrawing the subsidy on fuel—the lifeblood of the Nigerian economy—without a concrete plan for alleviating the discomfort to the average Nigerian that was bound to follow; for not doing enough to bring widespread insecurity under control; for letting…
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How an Unimaginable War Could Bring About the Only Imaginable Peace For years, the vision of an Israeli state and a Palestinian state existing side by side in peace and security has been derided as hopelessly naive—or worse, as a dangerous illusion. After decades of U.S.-led diplomacy failed to achieve that outcome, it seemed to many observers that the dream had died; all that was left to do was bury it. But it turns out that reports of the death of the two-state solution were greatly exaggerated. In the wake of the monstrous attack Hamas launched on Israel on October 7 and…
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The current dominant system of the American establishment would use the invisible dictatorship of compulsive consumerism of material goods to nullify the ideals of the primal individual and transform him into an uncritical being, fearful and conformist who will inevitably join the ranks of a homogeneous society, uniform and easily manipulated by the techniques of mass manipulation and would have as a pillar of its political system the successive alternation in power of the Democratic Party and the Republican (both supported by the Israeli lobby). Thus, in a speech delivered at the New York meeting of the World Jewish Congress in 2016,…
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If Israeli apartheid were to disappear, oil and trade would still flow from the Middle East towards the West, write Jean Bricmont and Diana Johnstone. Why does the United States give total support to Israel? In answer, there is a common myth shared by both champions and radical critics of the Zionist state which needs to be dispelled. The myth is that Israel is a major U.S. strategic asset, described as a sort of unsinkable American aircraft carrier vital to Washington’s interests in the Middle East. The line of argument of those who share this myth is to show that…
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President Biden began his State of the Union speech with an impassioned warning that failing to pass his $61 billion dollar weapons package for Ukraine “will put Ukraine at risk, Europe at risk, the free world at risk.” But even if the president’s request were suddenly passed, it would only prolong, and dangerously escalate, the brutal war that is destroying Ukraine. The assumption of the U.S. political elite that Biden had a viable plan to defeat Russia and restore Ukraine’s pre-2014 borders has proven to be one more triumphalist American dream that has turned into a nightmare. Ukraine has joined North Korea,…
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Indian academic Pratap Bhanu Mehta, a former president of the Centre for Policy Research, writes that a Trump election would be a threat for democracy in the US. Other experts have argued Trump could endanger NATO and bring back American isolationism. Things might not be quite so simple, though. As I wrote recently, besides the much talked about issue of NATO’s enlargement, one should also consider the expansion of the US infamous Central Intelligence Agency (CIA): according to a recent New York Times’s exposé, in the past decade the Agency has backed a “network of spy bases” in Ukraine, including “12 secret locations along the…
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How did Karl Maier, that American journalist get it so right in his description of the Nigerian state as a criminal enterprise about two decades ago? What made his dark prediction about the future prospects of the country so remarkable was that he made his prophesy at the dawn of the 4th republic in 1999 when optimism was naturally supposed to trump pessimism. His seminal work ‘This House Has Fallen’ was eloquent testimony to his dispassionate study of the diverse realities, strenghts and weaknesses of the country. His study of the country’s elites, state institutions and the various fault lines…
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The Russian president has spoken at length on international politics and Moscow’s place on the global stage Russian President Vladimir Putin has given an extensive interview to Dmitry Kiselyov, the head of Rossiya Segodnya. The journalist noted that it expands upon Putin’s keynote speech to the Federation Council earlier this month. Among the topics, the Russian leader discussed nuclear weapons and the conditions in which Moscow could use them, the possibility of a peaceful resolution of the Ukraine conflict, and the potential for Polish military intervention in the neighboring state. The interview comes days ahead of the presidential election, in…
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The top-polling US presidential candidate has suggested he would not try to block the use of cryptocurrencies Former US President Donald Trump has essentially ruled out the threat of cryptocurrencies being banned if he wins another term in the White House, triggering a jump in Bitcoin prices to an all-time high. Trump, who warned in 2021 that cryptocurrencies were a “disaster waiting to happen,” appeared in a CNBC interview on Monday to have softened his stance. He acknowledged the popularity of alternative currencies, noting that Bitcoin was even used by many buyers of the special-edition Trump sneakers that he unveiled last month.…
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The Ukrainian president increasingly resembles self-proclaimed president Juan Guaido, Nicolas Maduro said Ukraine’s President Vladimir Zelensky looks like a clown, a brute, and a loser when he attacks Pope Francis for urging a negotiated peace with Russia, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said during a television program on Monday. The Latin American leader was rebuking his Ukrainian counterpart’s rejection of the Pope’s call last week for Kiev to consider making concessions for the sake of peace negotiations. Pope Francis is a great man who has high moral authority and Zelensky is in no position to speak poorly about him, Maduro said.…
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The money is intended to be used to “revive democracy and protect human rights” on the continent The US State Department has requested $322.5 million for the 2025 fiscal year to bolster operations in Africa, including in response to Chinese and Russian activities, according to a press release on Monday. The funds are slated “to support 2022 Africa Leaders Summit deliverables, including commitments to build more stable, inclusive African economies; tackle the climate crisis; revitalize democracies and champion human rights; counterbalance the influence of the People’s Republic of China and Russia; and renew alliances and partnerships across the continent.” The department…
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Question: Is Southeast and Igboland the same thing? Answer : Not at all. Southeast is only about 3/5th of Igboland. Igboland covers the whole of Southeast, parts of Rivers, Delta, Edo, Cross river, Benue, Kogi and Akwa Ibom states. Question: Why were we taught in school that Igbo people are easterners? Answer : It is both an unfortunate parroting by teachers and careless adoption by Igbo educated class. Igbo people come from Southern Nigeria and not Eastern Nigeria. It may be correct to say that the Igbo are found predominantly in eastern Nigeria. However, by saying that the Igbo are…
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Victoria Nuland’s retirement is an admission that Washington’s premier foreign policy project has failed. No government official is more identified with the Ukraine fiasco than Nuland. She was on the ground micro-managing activities during the 2014 coup, and has overseen the State Department’s sordid involvement since the war began. Her career-path is inextricably linked to the ill-fated NATO-backed disaster which has resulted in the needless deaths of hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian regulars and the obliteration of much of the country. Thus, the question we need to ask ourselves is whether Nuland’s persistent machinations to drag NATO into an unwinnable war…
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The suspension and subsequent arrest of the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has brought the inevitable collision between President Tinubu and ex-President Buhari closer than the two of them realize. Buhari, who hoped to have a peaceful retirement in Daura or Niger Republic, will soon discover that he had murdered sleep. Short of killing Emefiele, to silence him, the probe of the CBN ordered by Tinubu will reveal to what extent Buhari and his cabal, including Ministers and Advisers, privatized the bank. Since this is only a short article, it is not my intention to reveal all…
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The former president has met with the tech mogul as he trails Joe Biden in campaign funds, the NYT reports Donald Trump met with Tesla CEO Elon Musk on Sunday as the former US president seeks a major cash infusion for his reelection campaign, the New York Times has reported, citing sources. According to a report by the outlet on Tuesday, Musk attended the gathering along with a number of wealthy Republican donors. Trump and his team are working to find major contributors to shore up his finances for the election campaign against incumbent US leader Joe Biden,…
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The two countries’ foreign ministers have discussed increased cooperation in energy and agriculture Russia and Nigeria have discussed opportunities to enhance cooperation in energy and agriculture, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announced during a press conference on Wednesday. Lavrov noted that Russian-Nigerian ties continue to develop following talks with Nigerian Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar. “This concerns all spheres of our relations, primarily the trade and economic component. Among the most promising directions, we have identified cooperation in energy, infrastructure construction, agriculture, healthcare, and education,” Lavrov said. He added that the parties agreed to increase attention to these spheres, to “intensify…
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US presidential hopeful Nikki Haley has suspended her campaign following Super Tuesday losses Former US President Donald Trump has become the presumptive Republican nominee in the 2024 election, after Nikki Haley suspended her campaign following the Super Tuesday primaries. Trump swept 14 out of 15 states that held primaries, with Haley only winning in Vermont. At the end of the day, Trump stood at 995 Republican convention delegates – more than a tenfold lead over Haley’s 89. “The time has now come to suspend my campaign,” Haley told supporters in Charleston, South Carolina on Wednesday morning. “I have no regrets,” she said,…
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Some officers seem to have forgotten which country they are sworn to defend – and they are really bad at deception, too Since Russia has revealed that on February 19 high-ranking Luftwaffe officers discussed – on a basically open conference platform – how German Taurus cruise missiles could strike Russian targets (let’s call it the ‘Taurus Huddle’), the public reaction in the West has taken two main forms: In Germany, the key register has been clumsy damage control; among Berlin’s allies, embarrassment has ensued, as well as barely concealed anger at multiple indiscretions – particularly regarding British and US covert operations in Ukraine.…
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HISTORICAL CONTEXT: The Imo Charter of Equity was initiated in 1999 and later truncated in 2011. I’ll call it Imo Charter of Equity 1.0. The Charter, adopted by the Imo State Council of Elders, aimed to facilitate a smooth transfer and rotation of the office of Governor among the three Senatorial Zones of Okigwe, Orlu, and Owerri. Also affected by the Charter by implication are the offices of the Deputy Governor, and Speaker of the House of Assembly. The central theme of the Charter of Equity revolves around ensuring fairness and balance in the governance of Imo State. It seeks…
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A linguist and language professor discusses the intersection between words and racism. Discrimination against Black people has seeped into English and Spanish languages. / Design: Musab Abdullah Güngör Black and white—opposite tones. White, a reflection of light, sum of all colours of the spectrum. Black—total absence of light and colour. What we recognise as black and white is nothing more than a phenomenon of perception, given that our brain interprets electromagnetic waves as colours. Once perceived, we not only interpret and assign them names, but we establish countless associations for each. Red is associated with love, intensity, energy, strength, and…
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France’s financial control over the African nations is a relic of a shady past. Only African initiatives imagined and implemented by Africans will pave the way for the continent’s awakening. In 1962, when Modibo Keita, President of the newly-independent Mali, decided to create the Malian Franc, the immediate result was for his neighbours, themselves freshly independent but members of the CFA Franc zone, to raise commercial barriers and isolate him economically. A year later, his Togolese counterpart Sylvanus Olympio – who planned an independent monetary project for his newly-independent country – was assassinated by a group of military personnel trained…
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Politics apart, the aggregate of opinion is that Nigeria is in a very bad shape; opinion is divided, though, on what needs to be done to return it to a better shape. Has this become a mission impossible? Can Nigeria be salvaged or is it beyond redemption? Is the task of our heroes, past and present, condemned to being like that of Sisyphus? Greek mythology records that Sisyphus, a king of Corinth, was punished in Hades (Hell) for his misdeeds by being condemned eternally to rolling a heavy stone up a hill: Each time he approached the top of the…
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Last week, we ran the first part of Prof. Banji Akintoye’s treatise on Nigeria, its history, problems, prospects and, well, final solution to the Nigerian quagmire; hopefully, not in the mould of Adolf Hitler’s final solution to the Jewish question! None of the over 360 Nigerian ethnic nationalities equates to the Jews, in my reckoning, and the resolution of the national question in Nigeria does not necessarily have to proceed in the same fashion as it did in Hitler’s Germany. Prof. Akintoye’s recommendations, which he wants President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Nigerian ruling class to consider with dispatch, are…
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The more I watch Cardoso and Edun struggle to come to grips with the abnormal situation, the more I am convinced they are not the right men for this season. Firstly, I personally give them their due for at least hustling to find solutions. They are not just staying in their offices, crying or looking at the ceiling to divine answers from the silent ceiling. They are moving and throwing everything they can at the abnormality known as the Nigerian economy. They have issued over dozens of new policies in less than a year, dropping one Ikoyi-minded policy one after…
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It may never be known whether the man, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, would have gone ahead to contest in the 2023 presidential election if he had an idea of what had gone down under the eight-year rule of Muhammadu Buhari. It may also never be known whether President Bola Tinubu would have acted differently and not be “possessed with courage”, had he seen the books and known how much of Nigeria’s commonwealth had been stolen by a few, fat cats in the Buhari administration, on Monday, May 29, 2023, when he announced the removal of subsidy on PMS. Nigerians may not…
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Nigeria is facing a multitude of challenges, from pervasive poverty and hunger to escalating insecurity and inadequate government policies. These challenges have profound implications for the well-being and development of the country and its people. The pressing question on the minds of many citizens is: which way Nigeria? Poverty and Hunger Nigeria has one of the highest poverty rates in the world, with millions of people living below the poverty line. According to the World Bank, as many as 4 in 10 Nigerians live below the national poverty line. Poverty is more prevalent in rural areas, where 52 percent of…
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So, Herbert Onyewumbu Wigwe would be carried home like a man who has fallen at the war front. He was a different kind of hero, with a lot of medals and a lot of scars. He won many battles. He, like Admiral Horatio Nelson of Trafalgar, won his last battle, but still fell. He could not have believed that his story would end so soon. He had dashed out to the United States with his wife Chizoba and his son, Chizi. They were to watch the super bowl of American football and then dashed home to resume the fast life…
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Nigeria’s large and growing population is impossible for business to ignore and a recent exodus from the West African state won’t last, South African billionaire Christo Wiese said in an interview on Bloomberg TV. Major events that defined Tinubu’s 100 days in office “How do you ignore an economy like this?” said the former chairman of Shoprite Holdings Ltd., the continent’s largest grocer which left Nigeria in 2021. “Sooner or later the big players will enter again,” the billionaire declared. In December Procter & Gamble Co. also ditched Nigeria, with at least three other global conglomerates in recent months announcing they are exiting…
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As the Fiat factory pulsates with vitality in the year 1920, we find the dynamic Giovanni Agnelli surveying the labyrinth of his automotive kingdom. Hopes of power and control echo in his thoughts, twirling like shadowy dancers in a mysterious ballet. A startling ripple breaks through the harmony of the factory as a hush-voiced messenger steals his way in, bearing a secret note from the infamous Benito Mussolini. Retreating to the quiet safety of his office, Agnelli meticulously studies the plea. As he does, Mussolini’s eerie figure appears as a shadow against the wall, casting an ominous sign of the perilous alliance to come. It’s…
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One of the oft-repeated myths in this country is that when the poor are hungry enough, their final resort will be to eat the rich. But when one considers the Nigerian situation, one wonders just how much more hungry people need to get before they finally combust. Several revolutions in human history have been triggered by people who could no longer manage their hunger pangs. From Russia in the 16th century to South Africa in 2020, hunger has launched the public protests that changed the course of history. Only time will tell if the physiological experience of hunger will drive…
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The rapprochement of the Economic Commission of West African States, ECOWAS, with the three countries that recently quit the regional body namely, Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso, is such a welcome development. But many more rivers to cross before the conflict in the 15-member sub-continental body will be over. Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu hardly took over as the ECOWAS chairman before he was greeted by the military coup in Niger and later by the exit of the three countries. The validity of Tinubu’s election as President of Nigeria was still at the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) at that…
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His Excellency Hon. Chief Dr. Samuel Onunaka Mbakwe, Ph.D. (Dee Sam), who served as the Governor of Imo State from 1st October 1979 to 31st December 1983, was a visionary and transformative leader. His tenure marked significant and enduring contributions across Imo, Abia, and parts of Ebonyi States, which then comprised the old Imo State. He was instrumental in establishing numerous industrial and commercial enterprises, providing gainful employment for many, constructing miles of durable roads, and founding world-class educational and medical facilities, including Imo State University with its satellite campuses. Dee Sam’s foresight included a multi-campus system for Imo State…
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Nigeria’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) may slam huge fines running into billions of dollars on one of the world’s biggest exchanges, Binance, and other cryptocurrency firms operating in the country, THISDAY gathered on Wednesday. SEC, alongside other security operatives is currently probing allegations that the crypto companies had engaged in currency manipulations activities against the Naira without underlying transactions, a development which had contributed to the current FX liquidity crisis in the country. Binance has previously been sanctioned by the US government for repeatedly engaging in currency manipulation. Following the crackdown by the federal government, the company on Wednesday…
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The Bretton Woods approach, characterized by the influence of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, traditionally offers financial aid and loans to developing countries with strict economic policy conditions aimed at market liberalization and fiscal austerity. This Western-centric model often imposes a one-size-fits-all solution that may not align with the unique contexts and needs of developing countries. On the other hand, a multipolar approach to development recognizes the shifting global power dynamics and encourages developing countries to diversify their development partners beyond traditional Western institutions. This strategy taps into a broader array of global sources for investment,…
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Mali’s army “has the opportunity to defend its territory” and the nation needs to continue to work with Moscow, Abdoulaye Diop has said Military cooperation with Moscow has helped strengthen the security of Mali, Abdoulaye Diop, the foreign minister of the West African state, announced during a press conference on Wednesday. After talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Diop noted that working in tandem with Russia had enabled the Malian army “to defend its territory.” “Cooperation with Russia has contributed to ensuring security, our potential has been strengthened, and we see the results,” Mali’s foreign minister stated. Abdoulaye Diop…
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Congratulations to Professor Barth Nnaji and his crew for the successful completion of Aba Power project after many years of setbacks. This is a day of jubilation for Aba residents and people of the five southeast states. Governor Alex Otti and his officials deserve praise for their contribution to the completion of the Aba Power project. Aba is the heartland of Igbo industrialization. The prospect of 24 hours power every day in Aba portends good fortunes for the Southeast region. This is evidently a landmark event that elicits joy across the country. But, it is sad that some want to…
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The Politics of Collective Immiseration A northern politician once said something that Yorubas ought to ponder seriously about if we are still a thinking people He said if Bola Ahmed Tinubu had come before Obafemi Awolowo, most Yorubas would be almajiris todayDid you hear that? I never heard a word so true from the mouth of a politician of the Fourth Republic. “There are only two families in the world, the Haves and Have-Nots.”– Miguel de Cervantes “A man may imagine things that are false, but he can only understand things that are true.”– Isaac Newton The large crowd I…
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First published March 23, 2008 When President Umar Yar’Adua made an allusion last January to the colossal sum of $10b sunk between 1999 and 2007 in the power sector by the Olusegun Obasanjo administration which was yet to produce expected results, the news was received with bewilderment across the country. Many thought that, perhaps, the President was mistaken, misinformed or that he made a hasty pronouncement. Conflicting figures below the $10b began to tumble into the grapevine from sympathizers of the former president. Even after the President subsequently sacked his Senior Special Assistant on Power Sector Reform and Coordinator of…
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Residents of Eastern Nigeria’s industrial hub of Aba are still jubilating over the 24-hour power supply that Geometric Power will now bring to them after years in which mindless politics threatened to scuttle the country’s first-ever Integrated Power Plant. Geometric Power, owned by a professor of engineering and former minister of power, Barth Nnaji, had been prevented from keeping its promise of lighting up Aba after vested interests, crony capitalists, an inept bureaucracy putting up barriers to doing business and murky dealings traceable to the very top of Nigeria’s political class combined to delay the 181-megawatt power plant. The plot…
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Despite formidable obstacles, Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s Master Plan for a new Anambra has begun to document numerous victories. Since its founding on August 27, 1991, Anambra State has tried to prosper under minimum government. It was not until the Anambra Vision 2070, chaired by Professor Chukwuma Soludo, that the state was projected into a sustainable and respectable future worthy of it. It was clear that Anambra required a major reset by the time Soludo assumed office as governor. And the governor had figured out exactly how to go about it evident in his comprehensive manifesto while running for governor in…
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The Naze-Nekede-Ihiagwa-Obinze Road, integral to the Owerri master plan, plays a significant role in reducing traffic congestion in and around Owerri city by providing a bypass to other cities and connecting crucial institutions and communities. This route traverses more than 20 communities, with its potential to accelerate economic activities along the route and making it a low-hanging legacy project for any administration. This route has been a source of major concern due to its severely deteriorated condition. It serves as a vital link between significant locations, including the Federal Polytechnic Nekede, the Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO), and the Nigeria…
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Last year, the exchange rate was stable at 730 Naira to $1, mirrored in the Binance P2P market where USDT was pegged at the same rate. So, what changed within a year to cause a 60% depreciation of the Naira? There are two main reasons: Exploration of Factors In June last year, the government took a bold step to unify the official FX rate with the parallel market by floating the Naira—a move that required a solid backup plan for potential volatility which was absent. This oversight was exploited by speculators, leading to the Naira’s steep decline. Explanation The dynamics…
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A laymans free economic advise. To address the economic challenges Nigeria faces, a strategic approach centered on enhancing transparency, undergoing economic and political restructuring, and enacting sustainable policies is essential. This approach demands significant political determination, a steadfast commitment to exemplary governance, and the engagement of all societal sectors to realize the economic transformation Nigeria aspires to achieve. A pivotal step involves ensuring transparency and accountability through the establishment of mechanisms for meticulous tracking and reporting on the use of funds saved from subsidy removals and the proper utilization of borrowed funds. This should include rigorous auditing and public reporting…
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Imo State was created in 1976, and since then Abia and some parts of Ebonyi States have been carved out of the State. As presently constituted, Imo is divided into three Senatorial Zones of Orlu, Okigwe and Owerri. Since 1999 the present Democratic dispensation birthed, the State has produced five elected Civilian Governors namely; His Excellencies Chief Achike Udenwa, Dr Ikedi Ohakim, Senator Rochas Okorocha, Rt Hon Emeka Ihedioha and Senator Hope Uzodinma, in that order. Imo as one of the Thirty Six States of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is situated in the Southeast axis of the country. Imo…
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The Chairman of Geometric Power Group, Professor Barth Nnaji, has explained that his passion to contribute to industrial development in Igbo land in a manner that would accelerate rapid development of Nigeria was the major influence behind the decision to locate the Geometric Power Plant in Aba. Nnaji, who was Nigeria’s former Minister of Power, disclosed this at the leadership colloquium on, “Igbo Leadership and Development,” that was convened recently. He said: “I am passionate about the rapid development of Nigeria, starting with Ala Igbo because of the structural problems it has faced since the end of the Nigerian Civil…
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Bola Tinubu’s biggest shortcomings are rooted in his debilitating intellectual laziness. Two months into office have brutally exposed this. Bola Tinubu has guile, he is cunning, and is blessed with significant street smarts, but he is not an intelligent man. Ibrahim Babangida while corrupt was very intelligent. It might be an oversell to describe Olusegun Obasanjo as intelligent but he was thoughtful and intellectually curious. He respected knowledge and sought to improve himself by acquiring it. Tinubu has no regard for knowledge which like many ‘technocrats’ he sees as an unnecessary accessory. He believes in “getting things done’ a task…
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The US leader’s “crazy SOB” comment only proves his point, the Russian president has said US President Joe Biden’s recent insulting remarks are proof that it would be better for Russia if he stayed in office, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday. Speaking at a fundraiser in California on Wednesday, Biden had called Putin a “crazy son of a b*tch.” Russian journalist Pavel Zarubin asked the Russian president to comment on this. “When you asked me our preference for the next US president, I said we would work with any, but for us, for Russia, Biden was better,” Putin replied. “Judging by what…
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A few days ago, Ndigbo came under fire from Professor Usman Yusuf, the former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), for their perceived lack of interest in the ongoing nationally spreading hunger protests and strikes. He said: “I honestly don’t know why the South East is quiet, uncharacteristically quiet. But the President needs to find out.” Normally, one would disregard and deny additional visibility to a professor whose only contribution to national progress is Fulani supremacism for such an insulting and inflammatory tirade. However, it is a professor who has shaped the opinion of his divide and…
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Scared of being abandoned by the US under Trump, European officials are floating the idea of the bloc’s own nuclear force With its farmers rebelling, its economy declining, and its traditional parties decaying, you’d think the European Union has enough to worry about at home. Yet its thoroughly detached elites love to think big. And what’s bigger than nuclear weapons? That’s how they have ended up falling for one of Donald Trump’s typically blunt provocations. The former – and likely future – American president has warned that NATO members not spending enough on defense won’t be able to count on US protection on his watch. Eminently…
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Crime in Nigeria has increased exponentially over the past few recent years, crimes ranging from car-jacking in streets, armed robbery in homes, sometimes with POS machines to the more grievous kidnapping, abductions and other acts of terrorism. As these problems increase, one reads in the media is calls for more investment in tracking equipment and military support. It isn’t a good security strategy to concentrate on how to intercept criminals after the crime has been committed, especially in a country like Nigeria with substantial undeveloped land mass covered mostly by dense tropical vegetation; it is better to think of how…
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If even France, with its mighty reputation, is losing interest in getting frisky, what hope do the rest of us have? Paris remains the City of Love, the French kiss a globally renowned tongue twister and Serge Gainsbourg’s graphically sexual Je t’aime, moi non plus, a shock to the senses. Everywhere you look, it seems, the French are at it. This week alone, reports emerged of a senator caught with his trousers down on the job with an assistant in a sex tape blackmail scandal. The Senate president is looking into it. All help to bolster the long-held belief that France is the…
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The president of Venezuela backed the assessment of the Gaza conflict made by his Brazilian counterpart Lula da Silva Modern Israel enjoys “the same encouragement, the same funding, and the same support” of the collective West like Adolf Hitler’s Nazi Germany before the World War II, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has said. The president made the remarks on his own TV program With Maduro Plus, backing the assessment of the situation in the Middle East provided recently by his Brazilian counterpart Lula da Silva. “Powerful family names in the US, Europe and London supported and celebrated Hitler’s arrival to power in 1933.…
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A colleague yesterday shared a 1992 campaign video of Chief M.K.O. Abiola promising to demystify governance in Nigeria and stop “people’s heads” from being “shaved in their absence.” A professor friend (political scientist) commented that “that’s partly why he never became president.” Becoming president or king comes with a price. When ‘The Price of Kings’, a political documentary on Palestinian leader, Yasser Arafat, was released in 2011, the Financial Times titled its review of the film: ‘All about the art of compromise’. The reviewer describes the film as a portrait of leadership; he talks about “years of gritty compromise and…
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In an age where information is abundant and not all of it trustworthy, the ability to critically evaluate sources, understand context, and apply common sense reasoning is crucial. This includes recognizing credible sources, understanding the motives behind the information presented, and reflecting on one’s biases. In essence, fostering a culture of critical thinking and skepticism towards unverified information is key to combating the spread of misinformation and ensuring a well-informed public. The vast amount of information available online, combined with the speed at which it spreads, makes it challenging for individuals to discern fact from fiction. Misinformation exploits biases, plays…
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Please, make it a habit to check in on your family, friends, acquaintances and colleagues. You never know who might have passed away or who might be struggling with thoughts of suicide. Nigeria has unfortunately seen a rise in suicide rates in recent times. Many are also suffering greatly due to the current economic hardships and widespread poverty. Kakistocracy, a term for a government run by the worst people, seems to be prevailing more than ever in Nigeria’s political history. We live in a time where death seems to triumph over life, darkness over light, and lawlessness in cities with…
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Victor Hugo, a renowned philosopher, famously said, “No force on earth can stop an idea whose time has come”. An idea that has reached its prime is known as a zeitgeist or spirit of the times. The moment that yields to its utility as demanded by historical necessity is when the idea or concept—a “spirit,” if you prefer—is appropriately received. This is a momentous historical occasion for Nigeria and its people. This famous quote is perfect for discussing the possibility of state police being established nationwide by the state governments. Because security is local, every federating unit in a federal…
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Many, including myself, recognize the pivotal role that politics will play in the success of government policies. But I wonder if there could also be a concept of ‘economic will’ behind the effectiveness of economic policies? I hope so. If we accept that rational decision-making derives from deep held convictions, then Nigeria’s foreign exchange (FX) management dilemma must stem from our policymakers’ belief that the primary function of the Naira is its ability to procure Dollars. Consequently, they seem to perceive the Naira as lacking any significant inherent value in the local economy. This has been the mindset guiding the…
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Nigeria is blessed with a wealth of young talent excelling in various fields, including Engineering, the Sciences, the Arts, Education, Commerce, Agriculture, Entertainment, Fashion, Banking, Entrepreneurship, E-commerce, and Divinity, to name a few. However, one area where this talent seems conspicuously absent is in Politics. When I highlight an exception in politics, it’s with good reason. The few young individuals navigating the halls of power often find themselves sidelined, lacking genuine influence or insight into the pivotal decisions made behind closed doors. Youths in positions such as governors, representatives, ministers, and senators often find themselves in roles more akin to…
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Russia supplied just over €29 billion ($31.2 billion) worth of energy to the EU last year, according to data from the bloc’s statistics office, Eurostat, as cited by the Russian business daily RBK. Despite bans and extensive sanctions, the bloc has continued to import oil, petroleum products and natural gas from Moscow This figure represents a threefold drop compared with the previous year, when the EU purchased over €90 billion worth of Russian energy. The bloc continues to import Russian oil, petroleum products, and natural gas. Though Brussels banned purchasing oil and petroleum products from Russia, temporary exemptions were provided…
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The phenomenon of the quick money syndrome versus the acquisition of formal education and gradual wealth building in Nigeria has significantly impacted our youth’s psyche and development. This contrast reflects broader societal issues influenced by economic challenges, unemployment, and societal values that prioritize material success over educational attainment and ethical labor. Additionally, there’s an increasing trend among unemployed and even educated youth who have embraced politics as a professional career and a shortcut to overall success. These individuals navigate the political landscape for personal gain, sidelining the principles of public service and governance. This involves aspects like political patronage, clientelism,…
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Today, President Bola Tinubu in company of Vice President Kashim Shettima at the State House met with the 36 States Governors and the FCT Minister. He informed the Governors that the Federal Government will work with them and the National Assembly towards putting in place a mechanism that will engender state police instead of the vigilantes that are being used in some states and thatmodalities for State Police and addressing security issues to be discussed further at National Economic Council. The proposal for state police in Nigeria has sparked a robust debate, reflecting deep concerns about the nation’s security infrastructure’s…
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The 1963 Constitution of Nigeria, often referred to as the Republican Constitution, marked a significant transition in Nigeria’s constitutional and political development. It replaced the Queen of England as the head of state with a President elected by a secret ballot of the joint session of the two houses of the Federal Assembly. This move to a republic signified Nigeria’s full sovereignty, with the President becoming the Head of State and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. The Supreme Court replaced the Privy Council as the highest court of appeal, which was a move towards judicial independence and the entrenchment of…
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An aging population and higher interest expenses have been pushing the country’s indebtedness higher The US national debt could surge by $19 trillion over the next decade to surpass the $54 trillion mark, owing to the mounting costs of an aging population and higher interest expenses, according to the latest report by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO). The debt exceeded $34 trillion in December. A key factor that will likely lead to a further surge in the national debt is the sharp increase in the federal deficit, according to the CBO, which projects the annual shortfall rising to $2.6 trillion…
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President Bola Tinubu recently declared that he should be included in the Guinness Book of Records for having the guts to remove fuel subsidy on his first day in office—something that no other Nigerian president has ever done. Yes, he does deserve a spot like that, but sadly, it’s not for the wrong reason. The damage Tinubu has done to the country’s economy is comparable to chopping off a person’s legs without giving them anesthesia or providing drugs to prevent inevitable infections. And in a short while, Nigeria’s economy will fully fit Venezuela’s collapsed economy in all its ramifications unless…
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Josep Borrell has urged the US to send “less arms” to Israel Supplies of weapons to Israel should be reduced as the country’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ignored international calls to avoid civilian casualties during the IDF’s military operation in Gaza, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell has said. According to the latest figures from Gaza’s health ministry, 28,473 people have been killed and 68,146 more wounded in Israeli airstrikes and the ground offensive against the Palestinian enclave. The IDF has been attacking Gaza since the Palestinian armed group Hamas launched its October 7 strike on Israel, in which…
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Naledi Pandor claims to have received intimidating messages arising from the war crimes case against Israel South African Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor has accused Israeli intelligence of attempting to intimidate her and her family in response to Pretoria’s genocide case against the Jewish state in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) over the war in Gaza. Pandor told reporters on Thursday in the South African city of Cape Town, on the sidelines of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s address to the nation, that she had requested extra security after receiving threatening messages. “What I’m more concerned about is my family, because in…
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People need to be given a “political horizon” toward a state of their own, the foreign minister said The UK is considering whether to officially recognize a Palestinian state, British Foreign Secretary David Cameron has revealed. Such a gesture would create “irreversible progress” toward peace in the Middle East, he believes. Speaking at a reception for Arab diplomats in London on Monday, Cameron called for a ceasefire in Gaza, the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas, and for the Palestinian people to be given “a political horizon” toward a two-state solution. “We have a responsibility there because we should be starting to set…
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West Jerusalem must carefully consider any military action in Rafah, Foreign Secretary David Cameron has said Israel must carefully consider the consequences of further military action in Rafah in southern Gaza, which hosts approximately a million displaced Palestinian civilians, British Foreign Secretary David Cameron has said. His comments came shortly after Israel carried out airstrikes that killed 67 people in the city and left dozens injured, according to local officials. Located near the Egyptian border, Rafah had a population of around 280,000 people before hostilities between Israel and Hamas broke out last October. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) had previously…
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The expansion of Israel’s ground operations in the southern Gaza city may further violate Palestinians’ rights, Johannesburg says South Africa urged the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to evaluate whether Israel’s planned ground offensive in the southern Gaza city of Rafah requires the court to intervene to prevent further breaches of Palestinian rights in an emergency filing on Monday. “The unprecedented military offensive against Rafah, as announced by the State of Israel, has already led to and will result in further large-scale killing, harm and destruction,” the South African Presidency said in a statement published on Tuesday, suggesting the ICJ take…
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Disgusting: Here are the 18 Republicans Who Voted with Democrats In an unusual session held on Super Bowl Sunday, the US Senate voted to move forward a substantial $95 billion aid package that will support Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, with no southern border security provisions. The vote garnered support from RINOs, with a final tally of 67-27. The vote came in response to Senator Rand Paul (R-Ky.)’s steadfast refusal to expedite voting on the bill, which he vehemently criticized as “rotten” and detrimental to national interests. Senator Paul, expressing his staunch opposition, declared he would not allow the bill to…
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This narrative invites a reflection on the principles of self-determination, the importance of respecting cultural and ethnic identities, and the potential for peaceful restructuring to create more cohesive and prosperous societies. It’s a call to consider alternative pathways to harmony and development, emphasizing dialogue, respect, and mutual understanding as foundational pillars. The emphasis on peaceful separation as a catalyst for development draws from historical precedents where nations have successfully navigated their way towards sovereignty and economic prosperity through peaceful means. This approach advocates for a reevaluation of existing structures, suggesting that a reimagined political and economic landscape could potentially unlock…
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The microzoning dilemma in the Owerri zone, involving the three power blocs—Owerri, Mbaike, and Mbaise—underscores a tangled scenario of political maneuvering and equity issues. This situation calls for a unified effort from all Owerri zone stakeholders to establish unity and reach a consensus on rotating political offices, ensuring equitable representation for all blocs. Such collective action aims not only to enhance the zone’s political influence but also to foster inclusivity and a sense of community, signaling readiness for governance to the governor. Despite Governor Uzodinma’s commitment to equitable power distribution in Imo State, with a preference for an Owerri governorship,…
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Report, February 2, 2024. Dele Alake states, “State governments and local governments are entitled to collect other taxes, such as ground rent, but not royalties and taxes on mining.” This policy, if enforced, undermines the revenue-generating capacity of mineral-rich states and escalates constitutional disputes highlighted by recent Supreme Court of Nigeria (SCN) rulings on internal waterways and Elegushiland in Lagos State. Before proceeding, I must share my foundational beliefs. Having been honored to write the foreword to Governor Victor Attah’s book, “Resource Control,” in 2004 and edit its second edition in 2018, I assert that the federal government’s treatment of…
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The political environment in Imo State is characterized by the emergence of various self-serving, unsanctioned political pressure groups. These groups, often formed to advance specific political agendas, may align more with individual or party interests than with the general welfare of the public. Their activities, ranging from advocacy and lobbying to potentially manipulative actions affecting public opinion and electoral outcomes, underscore a complex dynamic within the state’s political landscape. Operating without formal approval or oversight, these entities position themselves outside the established political framework. While some argue they contribute to democratic processes by fostering political engagement and advocacy, their lack…
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In June 2022, Bola Tinubu’s declaration of “Emi lokan” (It is my turn) during an event in Ogun State starkly underscored the self-centered ethos pervading Nigeria’s political scene. This proclamation, far from being a mere personal ambition, epitomized the widespread greed, self-indulgence, and egotism characterizing Nigerian politics. It unveiled a deeper, detrimental political philosophy where individual aspirations undermine collective welfare. This prevalent “Emi lokan” mentality underscores a concerning trend across Nigeria’s political spectrum, from governors to the presidency. Such deep-rooted self-interest poses significant threats to governance and erodes public trust. Rooted in the concept of egoism, the actions of Nigerian…
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Delay in Appointing New Ambassadors Raises Concerns Over Nigeria’s Diplomatic Relations. Five months have passed since President Bola Tinubu recalled all of Nigeria’s ambassadors, and he has yet to appoint their replacements. On September 2, 2023, President Tinubu ordered the immediate recall of all Nigerian ambassadors and envoys. Nigeria operates 109 diplomatic missions globally, including 76 embassies, 22 high commissions, and 11 consulates, as reported by Daily Trust. Since gaining independence in 1960, Nigeria has sustained diplomatic relations with numerous countries. Despite occasional reports of inactivity at some Nigerian diplomatic missions, experts argue that countries gain more respect through visible…
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Nigeria stands as a beacon of potential, evoking both admiration and concern on the global stage. Its wealth in natural resources, from aluminum and gold to fertile lands yielding diverse crops, positions it as a powerhouse for industrial and agricultural development. The vision of thriving industries—from technology to agriculture, fueled by resources such as oil, signals a future of prosperity and influence. Yet, this promise remains largely unfulfilled, overshadowed by challenges of governance and economic management. The mention of Nigeria stirs discussions of its potential as a leader not only in Africa but globally, driven by its young and vibrant…
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Will Western media outlets look past their egos and establishment narratives to take advantage of the insights from the conversation? American establishment media spent the days in the run-up to Tucker Carlson’s interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin pre-judging it as propaganda, and soliciting the opinions of establishment figures, like former US secretary of state, first lady, and presidential candidate, Hillary Clinton, who dismissed Carlson a “useful idiot.” All this before they even had the slightest notion of the interview’s content. All they knew was that Putin would have an opportunity to speak, and that ever since Carlson left Fox News and turned independent, there…
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From our Archives 31 October 2019 Even the Gray Lady admits the president is up against a powerful bureaucracy that wants him sunk. The New York Times on Thursday published a remarkable piece that essentially acknowledged the existence of an American “deep state” and its implacable hostility to Donald Trump. The Times writers (fully five on the byline: Peter Baker, Lara Jakes, Julian E. Barnes, Sharon LaFraniere, and Edward Wong) certainly don’t decry the existence of this deep state, as so many conservatives and Trump supporters do. Nor do they refrain from the kinds of value-charged digs and asides against Trump…
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As more nations continue to find viable solutions to bypass the US dollar for other alternative currencies, the US government’s stranglehold on global finance and trade continues to decline. No one should be surprised at this point since Washington has been using its currency as a weapon of war including the economic sanctions it has imposed on various nations across the globe and its open threats for regime change and so on against those who are unwilling to obey Washington’s Old-World Order. So you can expect major challenges for Washington. Most of the world are currently working to end the…
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Background and Introduction This relatively lengthy introduction is deemed necessary to understand how we got to where we are today; to grasp the long-term western (US) plan to dominate the world economy with their currency, the US dollar, to which some 23 years ago the US-dollar’s cousin, the Euro, was added, with the same “zero-backing” base. The current western (US) made International Monetary System (IMS) has been plagued by unfairness since the beginning, when it was created through the so-called Federal Reserve Act (FRA), signed by US President Woodrow Wilson on December 23, 1913. Image is from the public domain The FRA…
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First published in June 2023 In his bestselling book of 1987, The Rise and Fall of Great Powers, historian Paul Kennedy chronicles the rise of western power and its world dominance from 1500 to the present. He reports that the rise was not due to any particular event, nor even an unusual series of events. It was, in fact, neither foreseen nor even recognized until it was already well under way, although it may be accurately ascribed to multiple factors, which Kennedy discusses. The same may be said of the ongoing fall of western power. Although the decline of the…
OBLONG MEDIA GLOBAL INTELLIGENCE 