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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30 January 2019 American economic sanctions have been the worst crime against humanity since World War Two. America’s economic sanctions have killed more innocent people than all of the nuclear, biological and chemical weapons ever used in the history of mankind. The fact that for America the issue in Venezuela is oil, not democracy, will surprise only those who watch the news and ignore history. Venezuela has the world’s largest oil reserves on the planet. America seeks control of Venezuela because it sits atop the strategic intersection of the Caribbean, South and Central American worlds. Control of the nation, has always been…
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Venezuela’s crisis is both profound and man-made, mirroring a nation engulfed in war. It is plagued by acute shortages of food and medicine, unchecked crime, and frequent electricity outages. This narrative finds echoes in the experiences of another nation familiar to me. Economists have labeled Venezuela’s situation as an extreme hyperinflation scenario, where goods’ prices double every 26 days. For instance, a cup of coffee that cost 450 Bolivares in 2016 skyrocketed to an astonishing 2.5 million Bolivares by 2019. An overwhelming 90% of Venezuelans are ensnared in poverty, with a currency that has lost almost all value. The impoverished…
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“The Western Hemisphere is our Region” Michael Pompeo, US Secretary of State First published in March 2019 Introduction Not since the US pronounced the Monroe Doctrine proclaiming its imperial supremacy over Latin America, nearly 200 years ago, has a White House regime so openly affirmed its mission to recolonize Latin America. The second decade of the 21st century has witnessed, in word and deed, the most thorough and successful US recolonization of Latin America, and its active and overt role as colonial sepoys of an imperial power. In this paper we will examine the process of recolonization and the strategy…
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The argument over whether Nigerians should be allowed by law to carry weapons for self-defence is returning and gaining traction in light of the terrifyingly high levels of insecurity in the nation, especially kidnapping. When the notion was recently put to the Chief of Army Staff, he soberly rejected it. Nigeria’s chief of army staff, Taoreed Lagbaja, thought that there would be anarchy if Nigerians were allowed to carry firearms. “I do not support that. I think that is a call for anarchy,” said COAS Lagbaja during a TV programme recently. Also, previous Inspectors General Police (IGPs) had similarly firmly…
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In a landmark ruling on Wednesday, February 7, the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, directed the federal government to establish pricing for various goods and petroleum products within the next seven days. Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa issued the directive following a motion presented and argued by the petitioner, human rights lawyer Femi Falana, SAN. Justice Lewis-Allagoa stated, “After hearing the applicant Femi Falana in case No. FHC/L/CS/869/2023, and noting the absence of any counter-affidavit from the respondents—the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Price Control Board—it is concluded that the facts presented in the motion are accepted as unchallenged. Therefore,…
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Analyzing the Super Eagles’ Success: Team Composition and the Spirit of Patriotism FACTS: °12 Igbos out of 25 players ° 22 Christians out of 3 Muslims °21 Southerners out of 4 Northerners °12 states, Imo, Edo, Abia, Kogi, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Benue, Enugu, Anambra, Kebbi, Kano, Borno out of 36 States °12 Igbos, 5 Yorubas, 3 Binis, 3 Hausa Fulani, 1 Ibibio, 1 Idoma, 1 Bakor (Cross River). I carried out a prescriptive and a diagnostic data analysis on the Super Eagles and the findings might shock some of you. The descriptive analysis has turned out raw numbers into information…
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This Tuesday, in Abuja, the Save Democracy Group – West Africa (SDG-WA) and the Abuja School of Social and Political Thought (TAS) held a policy dialogue. They expressed alarm about the shortcomings of democracy, especially in West Africa, the sub-region where the majority of Black people live, as seen by the military’s increasing reentry into governance. The departure of three founding members of ECOWAS served as the impetus for the shared policy dialogue under reference. The partnering NGOs said that they will establish a West African Democracy Observatory (WADO) to track the sub-region’s political and governance health by keeping an…
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The Fulani socio-cultural organisation in Nigeria, Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, established the “Nomad vigilante group” in Nassarawa state on Wednesday, January 17, 2024. The Miyetti Allah’s national president, Bello Bodejo, stated that the security group will support law enforcement in their efforts to battle criminal activity within the state. He added that 1,144 Fulani youths who were chosen from different communities within the state’s 13 LGAs comprise the vigilante organisation. The ethnic vigilante group received tacit official approval by the presence of the commissioner of Police for Nasarawa state CP Umar Nadada represented by Assistant Commissioner of Police Operation, ACP…
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Sunday is the 20th anniversary of Facebook’s* launch. In twenty years, the company has grown into a major tool for manipulation, social engineering and control by the deep state, big business and Western intel agencies. Sputnik reached out to an insider-turned whistleblower for info on the architecture of Facebook’s censorship industrial complex. Formally launched on February 4, 2004, Mark Zuckerberg’s future empire started out as a modest “directory of information for college students,” with Zuckerberg and several of his Harvard classmates assembling the initial platform in about two weeks, and the company taking just four short years to surpass rival…
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Three influential opposition figures have hinted at the coming of a mega party that will challenge the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the 2027 general election. These are Prof. Pat Utomi of the Labour Party, a former governor of Kano State and the presidential candidate of the NNPP, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the former vice president of Nigeria and PDP candidate in the last two presidential elections. For Nigeria’s democracy to flourish and become functional once again, the need for a mega opposition party has become very critical. The other seventeen political parties, many of which are…
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France has been exerting pressure on Tinubu, utilizing its influence over previous allies such as Mali, Niger, Chad, and Cameroon. These countries have historically supported Nigeria’s efforts to maintain unity and combat insurgencies, including during the Nigeria-Biafra war and the fight against Boko Haram. In exchange, France was promised access to Nigerian gas. This arrangement has also been favorable to Britain, which has appreciated France’s efforts to keep Nigeria united since the 1960s. However, France has been disillusioned by the lack of support from the USA, UK, and others in suppressing uprisings in its former colonies. Instead of backing France,…
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Qatari negotiators are awaiting a final response from Hamas officials, who have seemingly welcomed the plan Israel has agreed to a ceasefire proposal that would halt its war with Hamas, Al Jazeera reported on Thursday, citing the Qatari Foreign Ministry. Hamas has reportedly given the plan a “positive” response. The ceasefire plan was hashed out in Paris over the weekend, with Qatari and Egyptian diplomats mediating between Israel and the Palestinian militant group. Delegations from West Jerusalem and Gaza left the French capital promising to study the proposal and negotiate further this week, and by Thursday evening, a deal was apparently within…
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A former gubernatorial aspirant in Ogun State on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Otunba Segun Showunmi has insinuated that the continued detention of Indigenous People of Biafra leader, Nnamdi Kanu, was a testament to the unfair treatment of South-East people in the country. This is as he also on behalf of Nigeria appealed to the Igbos to forgive the nation for the ugly experiences they went through during the civil war and what he described as crime against humanity that might have taken place, including loss of lives and assets. In a statement he sent out to…
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U.S. senators on Wednesday grilled leaders of the biggest social media companies and said Congress must quickly pass legislation, as one lawmaker accused the companies of having “blood on their hands” for failing to protect children from escalating threats of sexual predation on their platforms. The hearing marks the latest effort by lawmakers to address the concerns of parents and mental health experts that social media companies put profits over guardrails that would ensure their platforms do not harm children. “Mr. Zuckerberg, you and the companies before us, I know you don’t mean it to be so, but you have…
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The shift towards cryptocurrency in Nigeria has been influenced by economic factors and actions of law enforcement agencies like the now-disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). These agencies have targeted young, enterprising Nigerians, often labeled as ‘scammers’, leading to the blocking of bank accounts, seizure of cash and assets, and other forms of financial ostracism. In response, many young Nigerians have turned to cryptocurrencies to evade the scrutiny of these security agencies. Cryptocurrencies offer a level of anonymity and are less traceable than traditional bank accounts, providing an attractive alternative for those feeling…
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Ndigbo have a saying that, ‘Oji ọfọ ga ana’. Translated, this means that he or she that lives by pious virtues need not be afraid of any harm or danger coming to the person. Ọfọ is not just a piece of wood that can be seen in the home of a titled Igbo man, or the home of an Igbo man that is revered in his community. It is much more, and represents a lot. In the wider Igbo society, any Igbo man that has come of age, has joined his community’s age grade system (Ịpụta ọgbọ), or ‘Iwa akwa’…
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A democracy without opposition is like making an omelet without breaking eggs; or, a bird flying with one wing or one clapping with one hand. Yet, the fact is there is no opposition in the nation’s so-called democracy. Opposition political parties simply exist as platforms for power grabbers to contest and capture power and there it ends till another election season comes. It should be declared right away that the opposition political parties may soon not have enough time to do the needful to be able to successfully run and win the 2027 General Election. The gaps and flaws found…
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N40 Trillion LGA Allocations Unaccounted For. The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called upon the 36 state governors of Nigeria and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Mr. Nyesom Wike, to disclose the details of federal allocations intended for local governments in their respective states and the FCT. This request includes the actual disbursement of these allocations since the inception of democracy in 1999. Furthermore, SERAP urges these officials to invite the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for an investigation into the disbursement and…
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If we take the Central Bank of Nigeria to Sokoto, will that translate to wellness for the seat of the caliphate? The Central Bank of Nigeria recently announced a decision to send back to Lagos some of its departments. The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) also announced a decision to go back to its natural habitat, which is Lagos. The elites of the north are not happy; they are, in fact, angry. They allege a plot by the Yoruba, through Bola Tinubu, to under-develop the north by taking the capital out of Abuja. But what did Lagos lose by…
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In a significant move to promote transparency and address the decline in oil revenue, President Bola Tinubu has initiated a major reform in Nigeria’s oil sector. This reform involves transferring the responsibility of crude oil sales from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Historically, the NNPC had exclusive control over crude oil sales, reporting only to the federal government. This arrangement faced criticism for its lack of transparency, with concerns about possible underreporting of earnings by the NNPC. Under the new directive, the NNPC is mandated to forward all receipts from crude…
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In a startling development in Owerri, Imo State, the Nigerian Hunters and Forest Security Service (NHFSS) uncovered five decomposing bodies, including that of a woman, in a forest opposite the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO) Ihiagwa. This disturbing discovery, made during an operation based on intelligence reports, has raised significant fear and concern in the region. The bodies, in advanced stages of decomposition, were located in a forest now infamous for its criminal activities, especially kidnapping. The operation, under the leadership of State Commander Dr. Fabian Iwuoha, involved more than 50 officers and was conducted with the approval and…
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Justice Sebutinde argued that the case against Israel was political not legal Uganda’s government has distanced itself from Judge Julia Sebutinde, Kampala’s representative in the International Court of Justice (ICJ), after she opposed all emergency measures sought by South Africa in the genocide case against Israel. On Friday, the ICJ ordered Israel to take “all measures within its power” to prevent acts that could qualify as genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, but stopped short of calling for a full ceasefire. Out of nine provisional measures requested by South Africa, six were approved by the overwhelming majority of 17 judges on the panel,…
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Tony Elumelu, a prominent figure in Nigeria’s financial sector, is flourishing under the current administration. His bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA), is poised to earn a substantial commission of approximately $66 million (or 66 billion naira) for orchestrating and facilitating the Afrexim-NNPC $3.3 billion loan deal. However, this achievement is just a part of a larger narrative. In the previous year, Nigeria grappled with a severe dollar scarcity, leading to unprecedented spikes in the black market dollar rate. The Group Managing Director of NNPC, Mele Kyari, driven by the desire to remain in favor with Bola Ahmed Tinubu and…
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Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has expressed significant perplexity regarding a substantial $3.3 billion emergency crude oil repayment loan. This loan, obtained by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and facilitated by the African Export-Import Bank (Afrieximbank) in 2022, is a point of contention. This financial arrangement emerged during a period marked by the dramatic decline of the Nigerian Naira against the US Dollar. According to NNPCL, the loan was intended to bolster the Naira and ensure stability in the Foreign Exchange market. Atiku has raised concerns about the terms of this loan, noting that it involves repaying with…
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If history were a child, the Yoruba would insist on calling it an Abiku. History keeps climbing the chimney and, in Wole Soyinka’s voice, yelling at us: “I am Abiku, calling for the first/ And the repeated time.” And with J.P. Clark’s opening glee, his entrance chant, history revels in “coming and going these several seasons.” Hundreds of years before Christ, a rampaging General called Alexander the Great from Macedonia staged what history recorded as the Siege of Gaza. Second century Greek historian and military commander, Arrian of Nicomedia, wrote on the last days of the siege. He also gave…
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I wrote a piece highlighting the constitutional order that was being challenged in Anambra state when the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe, decided to call out Governor Chukwuma Soludo in the media. The much-respected royal father made a very poor decision with that one. It was an unprovoked fight with all gloves off. I feared that Soludo, who is the executive governor of Anambra state and a sub-sovereign in Nigeria, would use his maximum powers. Under a presidential democracy, in which there are only three arms of government, the law is very clear on the powers of the…
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Yes, Buhari was a Mistake. Few weeks ago, he turned 80. At that, he is the oldest Nigerian to serve as the leader of this country. He is unarguably one of the luckiest Nigerians. Besides Olusegun Obasanjo who became Nigeria’s democratically-elected President, having served as military Head of State, no other person has been as lucky as President Muhammadu Buhari, not only for twice emerging as Nigeria’s leader, but more because on both occasions, he landed the presidency of the country on a platter of gold. Even when he emerged as Military Head of State, on December 31 1983, the…
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The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) emerged from a long-standing secessionist sentiment in Nigeria’s South East region. Its roots can be traced back to the secessionist movement of the 1960s, led by Lt. Colonel Odumegwu Ojukwu, which sought to establish the Republic of Biafra. The movement stemmed from feelings of marginalization by the central government, dominated by leaders from the Northern part of Nigeria. This initial secession attempt led to the Nigerian Civil War from 1967 to 1970. Although the war ended with the reintegration of the Biafran region into Nigeria, the sentiment of separatism persisted IPOB, under the leadership…
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As year 2024 gets underway, not even the staunchest optimists and the predatory political class can pretend any longer that all is well with the world’s largest agglomeration of Black people. In all sectors of national life–governance, the economy, security, infrastructure, social services, and national cohesion–confusion, decay and misery are prevalent amid unmistakable symptoms of state fragility. Nigeria barely survived 2023 and its severe stresses, this year offers a new opportunity for the leadership and people to arrest the spiral and reset the country to a sustainable path. It is the collective responsibility of Nigeria’s 226.43 million persons (UN), but…
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The Ikwerre (natively known as Iwhuruọha are one of the Igbo Subgroups in Rivers State. Traditional history has classified Ikwerre into seven groups called “Ikwerre Essa”. They are Elele, Isiokpo, Rumuji, Emohua, Choba, Aluu Igwuruta and Obio group. This division was recognized by Forde and Jones; (1950) in their ethnographic study of the Igbo speaking peoples of South Eastern Nigeria Some Ikwerre people migrated from Ika a subgroup of Igbos in Delta State and Edo state while some migrated from Ngwa, Arochukwu and Ohaji/Egbema. The Aro first came into the Ikwerre area through Ozuzu-Etche, settling at Isiokpo, Igwuruta, Omagwa, etc.…
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The issue of Igbophobia in Nigeria is deeply rooted, with its origins dating back to the colonial era and the early years of Nigeria’s independence. During this time, the Igbo people were perceived as disproportionately favored by colonial authorities, leading to envy and resentment from other ethnic groups. This negative sentiment was further exacerbated by the events of the Biafran War, which saw the Igbo-led secession and subsequently strained relationships with other Nigerian ethnic groups, especially the Hausa-Fulani and Yoruba. The entrepreneurial spirit and cultural vibrancy of the Igbo people have often been met with suspicion and hostility. The recent…
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On January 17, 1961, in this farewell address, President Dwight Eisenhower warned against the establishment of a “military-industrial complex.” In a speech of less than 10 minutes, on January 17, 1961, President Dwight Eisenhower delivered his political farewell to the American people on national television from the Oval Office of the White House. Those who expected the military leader and hero of World War II to depart his Presidency with a nostalgic, “old soldier” speech like Gen. Douglas MacArthur’s, were surprised at his strong warnings about the dangers of the “military-industrial complex.” As President of the United States for two…
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The Nigerian nation is a confused state. The protection of people’s lives and property as well as their welfare are the two main reasons that governments are in place everywhere in the globe. Any additional justification is incidental rather than central. This implies that any nation with a government that is unable to guarantee the safety of people and their property is doing a poor job of fulfilling its basic obligations. Nigeria has been woefully inefficient in protecting its citizens and their property for decades, not to mention the incapacity of the country’s successive governments to ensure the fundamental well-being…
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The Nigerian Police Force (NPF) has a complex and evolving history, characterized by both achievements and significant challenges. Established with colonial origins, the NPF has played a crucial role in law enforcement and maintaining peace and order in Nigeria. However, the force has faced issues such as police brutality, extrajudicial killings, corruption, and a lack of public trust and confidence. These issues have frequently led to public outcry and protests, including the notable #ENDSARS movement in 2020. In recent years, there have been several reform efforts aimed at improving the effectiveness, professionalism, and accountability of the NPF. These efforts include…
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The US and Israel have clashed over the future of post-war Gaza Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared that Israel “will not settle for anything short of an absolute victory,” rejecting calls from Washington to either wind down the hostilities in Gaza or support the creation of a Palestinian state. The US pushed for the realization of the two-state solution earlier this week in Davos, with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken arguing that Israel’s path to “genuine security” lay with the formation of a Palestinian state. The Israeli PM dismissed the idea on Thursday, asserting that “Israel must maintain security control over all the territory…
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has committed “genocide” against the Palestinians of Gaza, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Friday. Speaking at a warship commissioning ceremony at the Yalova shipyard near Istanbul, the Turkish leader laid into both Israel and the West. “There is no more trust towards the Western countries that have failed the test on the Gaza issue. Their fascist faces have been exposed. They have not taken a single step to prevent violence. The organizations tasked with global security have suffered a fiasco,” Erdogan said. “They have confined themselves to idly watching acts of genocide and barbarism committed…
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Netanyahu has vehemently denied such claims, blaming Iran for the flow of arms and funds to the Palestinian group EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell has openly accused the Israeli government of funding Hamas, an allegation Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has denied. Borrell did not elaborate on the claim, which has been repeatedly made by opponents of Netanyahu and the Israeli media. Speaking at the University of Valladolid in Spain, Josep Borrell said Hamas “was financed by the Israeli government in an attempt to weaken the Palestinian Authority led by Fatah,” according to El Pais newspaper. Netanyahu has blamed the rise of…
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What is the Hidden Agenda? This “Engineered Chaos” –which consists in deliberately prolonging an unwinable war, to the detriment of the people of Ukraine–, creates conditions which favour the Neo-Colonial Privatization of An Entire country The Privatization of Ukraine was launched in November 2022 in liaison with BlackRock’s consulting company McKinsey, a public relations firm which has largely been responsible for co-opting corrupt politicians and officials Worldwide not to mention scientists and intellectuals on behalf of powerful financial interests. BlackRock, which is the World’s largest portfolio investment company together with JPMorgan “has come to the rescue of Ukraine”. The Ukraine Reconstruction Bank. was set up. The stated objective…
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On January 18, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated that the political West is trying to exert greater control over the increasingly unhinged Kiev regime frontman Volodymyr Zelensky. According to Lavrov’s assessment, the US-led power pole’s puppet is trying to expand his grip on power by eliminating any form of dissent, including canceling this year’s presidential election. The increasingly out-of-control Zelensky has become a nuisance for the United States, prompting it to insist on “more flexibility” from him, Lavrov said, adding that “all the latest rhetoric coming from [Zelensky’s] office only reflects the wish of that individual and his associates… to keep power as…
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Israel’s appearance at The Hague last week to defend itself against South Africa’s charge of committing genocide in the Gaza Strip marked the most significant legal and diplomatic challenge to the country since its inception more than seven decades ago. In a public hearing, South Africa’s legal team presented a solid legal document that outlined how Israel has breached the Genocide Convention during its three-month-old war on Gaza. More importantly, the plaintiff debunked Israel’s claim that its actions in Gaza were justified as self-defense in retaliation for Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack, which South Africa had condemned. And finally, using the…
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After 85 years, British energy major Shell (SHEL.L) has agreed to sell its Nigerian onshore oil and gas subsidiary in Nigeria to a consortium of five mostly local companies for up to $2.4 billion. Active in the West African country since the 1930s, Shell has struggled for years with hundreds of oil spills at its onshore operations as a result of theft, sabotage and operational issues that led to costly repairs and high-profile lawsuits. Shell’s SPDC Limited operates and has a 30% stake in the SPDC joint venture that holds 18 onshore and shallow water mining leases. According to report,…
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Fellow Nigerians, let me tell you from the outset and without equivocation that I voted “against” the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the February 25th presidential election. And if the opportunity arises again, I will repeat the same thing, whether in the rain or in the scorching sun. It was a promise I made to myself that I cannot in good conscience vote for a man who represented and still represents all the character attributes that generations of our forebears preached against. Yes, I couldn’t turn a blind eye to all the corruption and…
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When you read this column, you may think it’s about a successful entrepreneur selling his business and making a lot of money. He did make a lot of money, but the real story is that this man plans to build multiple businesses that will create many much needed high paying jobs. Birmingham and Jefferson County have struggled for decades to attract fast growing companies to expand our employment base. Yes, it’s true this man will likely make even more money, but that’s not the point, He’s committed to investing his time, energy, and capital locally when it might be easier…
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The debate over Nigeria’s political and governance structure is complex, touching on the nation’s diversity, large population, and centralized system. Nigeria’s immense diversity in ethnicities, religions, and languages is a potential strength but has led to conflicts, raising questions about the suitability of the current centralized government for such a diverse nation. The proposal to divide Nigeria into three regions or countries stems from concerns that central control over key governance areas — including education, health, transportation, INEC, legislature, executive, judiciary, revenue collection, police, and major infrastructure — is not effective for Nigeria’s size and diversity. This centralization in Abuja…
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In failing to look past Joe Biden, Democrats have shown cowardice and complacency American politics is paralysed by a contradiction as big as the Grand Canyon. Democrats rage about how re-electing Donald Trump would doom their country’s democracy. And yet, in deciding who to put up against him in November’s election, the party looks as if it will meekly submit to the candidacy of an 81-year-old with the worst approval rating of any modern president at this stage in his term. How did it come to this? Joe Biden’s net approval rating stands at minus 16 points. Mr Trump, leading…
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The term “challenge” can often trigger a defensive reaction, as it is frequently associated with conflict or drama. However, being challenged can also mean being intellectually stimulated or encouraged to excel. Regrettably, not many women encounter men who challenge them in this positive sense. Women have made significant progress in both financial and educational fields. They’ve been known to surpass men in many fields. This leads to the question: what role do men play in the lives of such accomplished women? The candid response is that, from a practical standpoint, women these days don’t necessarily need men. I argue that…
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Serial digital entrepreneur, Leo Stan Ekeh, has spotlighted the chief reasons why multinationals are exiting Nigeria and warned that if nothing was done, more of such businesses and indigenous ones may close shop in the coming months and years. In a press statement, Ekeh who is the Chairman of Zinox Technologies Limited, a Nigerian conglomerate with international affiliations, urged President Bola Tinubu to address the critical issues of corporate blackmail and bullying, which he said frustrate the Federal Government’s effort at promoting ease-of-doing-business in the country. While acknowledging that scarcity of forex is a challenge for businesses operating in Nigeria,…
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A court has ruled stolen assets worth £6.9m ($8.9m) can be returned to Nigeria. It comes after Jersey’s Attorney General served a forfeiture notice to the Royal Court in Jersey in November. The court ruled the money, deposited in a Jersey bank account, was likely stolen by officials in the Nigerian Government in 2014. The return of the assets will now be negotiated with the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The transfer of money was disguised as government-sanctioned contracts for arms purchases during incursions by Boko Haram in Nigeria between 2009 and 2015. ‘Victims of crime’ The Government of Jersey said it was…
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The current exchange rate of the Naira, around N1,000, is merely a midpoint in its journey to N3,000 by 2027. This projection is based on the lack of significant improvement in key macroeconomic variables or factors by then. The exchange rate is an economic metric comparing two economies. It reflects disparities in macro variables between countries, such as infrastructure, technology, foreign direct investment (FDI), rule of law, military power, education, energy, healthcare, etc. Economically disadvantaged relative to the US, the Naira is expected to depreciate against the Dollar. Since 1978, the Naira has plummeted by an astonishing 99.94%, retaining only…
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I believe Igbo should have their Biafra because I find no single positive reason why we must live as one nation while other people closer to us than the Igbo are having separate nations. As a man without colonial mentality, I do not allow colonial hangover to becloud my reason. There is already Biafra. No Hausa/Fulani dares dream of going to the east for whatever reason. So where is the One Nigeria? Is it not better to make the separation formal so that we can trade freely and and even send ambassadors? Can’t you see how we ralate with Niger…
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The battle against the hydra-headed monster known as corruption has primarily been political since the establishment of Nigeria’s two primary anti-corruption agencies. President after President has used these main agencies as a weapon against those who are thought to be opponents of the president or the ruling party. A national chairman of the ruling party once said: “If you enter the ruling party all your sins are forgiven.” After President Bola Ahmed Tinubu took office on May 29, 2023, Nigerians have been observing the two anti-corruption agencies’ dance moves. Every President’s body language has always been observed by these agencies,…
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Everywhere I look, it feels like a national emergency. The widespread despondency is matched only by a profound sense of helplessness. Driven by curiosity about this pervasive disquiet, I have been quietly observing conversations in various WhatsApp groups. Despair seems to reign; many believe the economy is in a nosedive. Opinions range from believing we’re applying Band-Aids to fatal wounds, to declaring Nigeria a lost cause. Yet, some still hold faith that, like the biblical dry bones, revival is possible. The plight of the poor, rendered voiceless and almost emasculated, is heartbreaking. They resort to desperate text messages, begging for…
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Globally, subsidies, whether for food, transportation, energy or housing, are part of good governance. So, the issue is not subsidies but who benefit from them. In Nigeria, subsidies are primarily of the rich, by the rich and for the rich. I will highlight a few, how they are being manipulated and how huge sums of money can be recovered not just to subsidize fuel but also provide funds for development. 1. Diversion of N40 billion from Federation Account A company, Continental Transfert Technique had been hired by the Ministry of Interior to collect the Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Alien…
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The problem with writing skewered history is that it equally misinforms its target: Kayode Esho was a great jurist, but Akunne Oputa was the “Socrates” of the Supreme court. Enahoro was a young editor at his paper, the Southern Nigerian Defender in Ibadan, but Azikiwe made him that young editor with Osita Agwuna as his assistant. The myth of Awolowo as building the first this and that does not match the documented economic history of the period. Between 1954 and 1964, Eastern Nigeria was described as “the fastest growing economy in the world,” by the Harvard Review; faster than China,…
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Countries across the continent have been unable to capitalise on their demographic dividend A global baby bust is slowing growth in every major economy, from China and Japan to Germany and the US. But the flip side of this story goes untold: even economies that could still get a big boost from population growth are failing to do so. The biggest problem for global growth is Africa, now home to 1.5bn people. One in three of those entering the workforce will live on the continent by the 2030s. For the world economy to grow faster as a whole, Africa would…
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This Friday, African Independent Television (AIT) aired two opposing press statements of the Nigeria Police and the Army regarding the Netizens’ 2024 slogan, “No Gree for Anybody.” The Police spokesman Olumuyiwa Adejobi issued a warning, stating that the slogan might cause the nation’s law and order to collapse. He said, “We have been informed from our intelligence that this slogan is coming from a revolutionary sector that may likely cause problems across the country.” On the other hand, the Army took up the slogan and used it to exhort Nigerians to rise against the banditry and terrorism that are destroying…
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An Intelligence Ministry document revealed by Local Call and +972 shows how the idea of population transfer to the Sinai is reaching official discussions. First published on November 1, 2023 The Israeli Ministry of Intelligence is recommending the forcible and permanent transfer of the Gaza Strip’s 2.2 million Palestinian residents to Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula, according to an official document revealed in full for the first time by +972’s partner site Local Call yesterday. The 10-page document, dated Oct. 13, 2023, bears the logo of the Intelligence Ministry — a small governmental body that produces policy research and shares its proposals with intelligence agencies, the…
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January 11 Hearing at the World Court Israel’s Secret Intelligence Memorandum An official “secret” memorandum authored by Israel’s Ministry of Intelligence “is recommending the forcible and permanent transfer of the Gaza Strip’s 2.2 million Palestinian residents to Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula”, namely to a refugee camp in Egyptian territory. There are indications of Israel-Egypt negotiations as well as consultations with the U.S. The 10-page document, dated Oct. 13, 2023, bears the logo of the Intelligence Ministry … assesses three options regarding the future of the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip … It recommends a full population transfer as its preferred course of action. … The document, the authenticity of which…
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Restructuring Federal Powers and Empowering Regional Autonomy. The argument for restructuring Nigeria and decentralizing key sectors such as transport, education, health, police, works, aviation, mines, and power to the states is multidimensional, encompassing historical, political, economic, and social aspects. With the Population Reference Bureau forecasting Nigeria’s rise as the world’s fourth-largest population by 2050, the current federal structure, primarily reliant on oil revenue sharing, is unsustainable. Transitioning to a model that promotes productivity and regional development is crucial, especially given the global shift towards a knowledge-based economy and the diminishing reliance on fossil fuels, to ensure Nigeria’s long-term economic sustainability.…
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I saw the BBC documentary on the late Prophet TB Joshua and his Synagogue church and wasn’t surprised. I have a personal experience too. I’m not sure if this qualifies as the proverbial “case of curiosity kills the monkey.” However, I was aware that Prophet TB Joshua and his Synagogue Church had gained significant traction in Nigeria and beyond, and I, too, had noticed this. I used to watch his Emmanuel TV station a lot back then when I was bored with the sad news from Nigeria. Even if I had my doubts about the validity of his amazing miracles,…
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The origin of the “Savior” – Later becoming the person worshipped today as Jesus Christ. Ptolemy I Meryamun Setepenre (circa 367-283 B.C.E- Before Common Era) (also known as Soter) (“Soter” means savior) became the first European pharaoh of Egypt through military force led by Alexander the Greek (a.k.a Alexander the Great). When Ptolemy became pharaoh of Egypt, he wanted the Egyptians to consecrate him as a god. He wanted to be called a god because that was the title all of the pharaohs of Egypt were called prior to him. However, the people of Egypt refused to call him a…
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The controversy about the request by the Honourable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation to the Accountant General, as widely reported, is only a reflection of the systemic failure in our public service. I will point out a few issues while we await the outcome of the investigation. Before I proceed, it is evident that the Ministerial Retreat did not deal with serious governance issues. I am confident that no one in the retreat presented the case study of Minister Adenike Grange, who was advised to approve payouts for the end of the year. A sterling career suffered extensive…
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The BBC reveals how the late megachurch leader TB Joshua, who is accused of committing sexual crimes on a mass scale, locked up his own daughter and tortured her for years before leaving her homeless on the streets of Lagos, Nigeria. Warning: Contains details some readers may find distressing “My dad had fear, constant fear. He was very afraid that someone would speak up,” says one of the pastor’s daughters, Ajoke – the first whistle-blower to reach out to the BBC about the abuse she witnessed at her father’s church, the Synagogue Church of All Nations (Scoan). TB Joshua, who…
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Dozens of ex-Synagogue Church of all Nations members – five British – allege atrocities, including rape and forced abortions, by Nigeria’s late TB Joshua. The allegations of abuse in a secretive Lagos compound spans almost 20 years. The Synagogue Church of All Nations did not respond to the allegations but said previous claims have been unfounded. TB Joshua, who died in 2021, was a charismatic and hugely successful preacher and televangelist who had an immense global following. The BBC’s findings over a two-year investigation include: One of the victims, a British woman, called Rae, was 21 years old when she abandoned her…
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When we enter luxurious malls, boutiques, and supermarkets, we often accept prices without question. We pay exactly what the price tags display and sometimes even generously tip the staff. However, this attitude sharply changes the moment we step outside to buy something as simple as bananas. Our haggling skills intensify. Imagine a poor widow, burdened with the responsibility of feeding her 12 hungry children, offering bananas for N100. She shares her struggles – the difficulty in sourcing them, the relentless pressure of a tough economy. Yet, we relentlessly bargain, refusing to pay more than N50. Some of us might even…
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1- In 1938, Lee Byung-Chull launched Samsung in South Korea as a grocery shop. 2- In 1940, due to tight competition in the grocery segment, Samsung abandoned grocery for producing and selling of noddles. 3- In 1950, Samsung abandoned production of noddles for producing of sugar. 4- In 1954, Samsung left sugar and started a woolen mill in Korea. 5- In 1956, Samsung abandoned woolen mill and started selling Insurance and securities. 6- In 1960, Samsung left selling of insurance and securities for production of television – the black and white television. Not color television. 7- In 1980, Samsung switched…
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“Was It A False Flag”? An Israeli cabinet meeting devolved into a bitter argument Friday in the wake of the IDF chief announcing plans to launch an inquiry into the military’s failure to respond to the Hamas attack on Oct. 7. Several ministers lambasted IDF Chief-of-Staff Herzl Halevi during a discussion on “the day after” the Gaza War over plans for the IDF to form an investigatory team to probe the security lapses surrounding Hamas’ deadly incursion into Israel. From The Jerusalem Post: At issue was opposition to an IDF plan for an internal investigatory committee that would include former Defense Minister and former…
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These are some of the things we adopted from the United States of America. In Nigeria’s past: These were the days before American influence transformed our society, days of strong, visionary leaders and communities bound by tradition and morals. Pastors and Imams were spiritual guides, and monarchs were custodians of customs. Then came the American influence, shifting our conservative ideologies to embrace capitalist ideals. This shift, supported by various global and national figures, led to significant changes in our religious, economic, and social fabric. We are now at a point where Nigerian leadership is heavily influenced by American policies, and…
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Cyber attack, Power Grid Goes Out, Synchronized Chaos, Collapse, “Civil War” “Leave the World Behind” depicts the unraveling of society in the wake of a surprise attack by an unknown assailant. Many believe the film, produced by Barack and Michelle Obama, predicts a cyberattack on the U.S. power grid A cyberattack that will make the COVID pandemic look like a minor inconvenience in comparison has been repeatedly “promised” in recent years by World Economic Forum (WEF) founder Klaus Schwab “Leave the World Behind” doesn’t preach preparedness ideologies or indulge in apocalyptic fantasies. Instead, it offers a glimpse into the potential ramifications of…
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End the Genocide against the People of Palestine. Nuremberg Principle IV: Disobey Unlawful Orders, Abandon the Battlefield under Principle IV of the Nuremberg Charter. The Republic of South Africa’s Legal procedure against the State of Israel. APPLICATION INSTITUTING PROCEEDINGS To the Registrar of the International Court of Justice, the undersigned, being duly authorised by the Government of the Republic of South Africa, state as follows: In accordance with Articles 36 (1) and 40 of the Statute of the Court and Article 38 of the Rules of Court, I have the honour to submit this Application instituting proceedings in the name…
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The educational landscape in Imo State, Nigeria, particularly in its public primary and secondary schools, has been facing significant challenges. When compared with past decades, the overall quality and quantity of education in Imo State have shown a negative trend. The neglect and near collapse of the education system in Imo State casts a shadow of uncertainty over the future, fostering hopelessness, joblessness, and insecurity. The current Imo State Government has reportedly inspected over 2,000 schools to identify those in need of rehabilitation and reconstruction. Governor Hope Uzodimma’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Enlightenment, Arinze Nwokedi, announced plans to renovate…
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Extraordinary Stories of the WaZoBia Billionaires: Ojukwu, Da Rocha, and Dantata” offers a captivating insight into the lives of three Nigerian remarkable figures who rose to immense wealth and influence in pre independence Nigeria. This book explores their unique journeys, business successes, personal challenges, and their significant socio-economic and cultural impact. Through engaging storytelling, it highlights their resilience, visionary entrepreneurship, and lasting legacies, providing an inspiring account of how these individuals shaped their world and history. By Chimazuru Nnadi-Oforgu Amazon.co.uk: Kindle Store http://www.oblongmedia.net
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It was established that sometime during August 1965, a small group of army officers, dissatisfied with political developments within the federation, began to plot in collaboration with some civilians, the overthrow of what was then the Government of the Federation of Nigeria. The plan which eventually emerged from their deliberations was that on a date not yet decided at the time, the following action would be taken by troops from selected units, led by the ringleaders of the plot. By Chimazuru Nnadi-Oforgu Amazon.co.uk: Kindle Store http://www.oblongmedia.net
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A pro-democracy organisation called Save Democracy Group – West Africa (SDG–WA) recently issued a press statement alerting the public to the ongoing military takeovers that have occurred in West Africa and Africa since 2020, as well as the pressing necessity to preserve democracy in the West African sub-region. In fact, since 2020, the military has overturned the governments of seven African countries: Mali, Chad, Guinea, Sudan, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Gabon and Guinea. A coup attempt was almost successful not so long ago in Sierra Leone, where numerous people are currently on trial for the incident and that country’s former…
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Nigerians are increasingly frustrated at the growing disconnect between the political class and ordinary people. Whatever else happens in the rest of his term of office, those informed in such matters will be eternally grateful to President Bola Tinubu for pulling the plug on the oil subsidy regime, a trough at which the Nigerian political class irrespective of party affiliation had gorged for as long as anyone can remember. Ordinary Nigerians may justify access to cheap gas on the presumption that it is the least that the citizenry of an oil-producing country is entitled to, but even those who may…
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From Chicago, Illinois to Tulsa, Oklahoma to Durham, North Carolina and many other cities in between, African Americans built flourishing centers of economic growth and commercial activity in their communities at the start of the 20th century. While each district had its own unique nickname reflecting its status as a financial boomtown, one moniker is often used to collectively describe these historic centers of Black wealth and success—Black Wall Street. Black Wall Street was the informal name for Greenwood, a neighborhood in Tulsa, Oklahoma, which, in the early 20th century, became a prosperous hub for African American businesses. This district…
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The killing of about 200 people on the Plateau on Christmas Eve has once again highlighted how helpless Nigerians have become in the face of the nation’s rising and intensifying terrorism. A national newspaper captured the tragedy thus: “Of the number, 148 were killed in Bokkos Local Government Area, 19 in Mangu Local Government Area, and 27 in Barkin Ladi. 1,290 houses were burnt down in Bokkos council, one house was razed in Mangu LGA and that of Barkin Ladi was yet to be ascertained at press time.” Nigerians need to start demanding more seriously the measures required to protect…
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Are we? Or do we live in a Media Society where brainwashing is insidious and relentless, and perception is filtered according to the needs and lies of state and corporate power? The United States dominates the Western world’s media. All but one of the top ten media companies are based in North America. The internet and social media – Google, Twitter, Facebook – are mostly American-owned and controlled. The United States has overthrown or attempted to overthrow more than 50 governments, mostly democracies. It has interfered in democratic elections in 30 countries. It has dropped bombs on the people of…
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The Houthis are going to prevent Israel-bound commercial ships from reaching Israeli ports as long as Israel prevents food, water and medicine from reaching Palestinians in Gaza. If Israeli leaders want to end the blockade, they need to stop killing Palestinians and end the siege. This is the simple, moral solution to the current crisis in the Red Sea. Over the weekend, Houthi fighters launched attacks on two more commercial ships despite the presence of US warships patrolling the area. The primary target was the Maersk Hangzhou that was swarmed by small boats filled with Houthi militants who fired small…
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America’s economy will be wiped out if Joe Biden stays in power, the former president has claimed Former US President Donald Trump has warned that the national economy will completely collapse if he does not return to the White House next year. He described the grim scenario in a post on his Truth Social platform on Friday. “The stock market is only high because people… expect me to win the presidential election of 2024,” Trump wrote in all caps. “If I don’t win, it is my prediction that we will have a stock market ‘crash’ worse than that of 1929 – a Great Depression!!!” “The only…
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Washington’s borrowings have reached $34 trillion for the first time, up by over $6 trillion since President Joe Biden took office US government debt has breached an unflattering milestone, topping $34 trillion for the first time in history and more than doubling the total of the world’s next-biggest borrower, China. The US Treasury Department disclosed the new debt total on Tuesday, saying it exceeded the $34 trillion mark by nearly $1.5 billion as of December 29, the last business day of 2023. Borrowings increased by $90 billion from the previous day. Washington’s public debt now amounts to about $102,000 for every man,…
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Why were worldwide measures taken which have caused one disaster after another and pushed humanity deeper towards the abyss instead of lifting them out of their misery. Superb explanation of one big reason the world went corona psychotic. Lecture by Ernst Wolff, renowned German economist and journalist. His focus is the on the global financial and monetary system, especially the role of the IMF, the World Bank, the Federal Reserve, the Bretton Woods system and the worldwide fiat money. . This speech is probably one of the best and most concise exposés of the whole Corona narrative and ends on a hopeful…
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Imo State, known for its rich cultural heritage and political dynamism within Nigeria, has been at the center of a significant political experiment: the Imo State Charter of Equity. This charter was conceived as a means to ensure a fair and equitable distribution of political power among the three senatorial zones of the state: Orlu, Owerri, and Okigwe. The idea was to foster a sense of inclusion and balance, preventing any single zone from monopolizing the state’s governorship and key political positions. The origins of this charter can be traced back to a well-intentioned agreement among the state’s key stakeholders.…
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On this final day of 2023, we must tell ourselves the truth if Nigeria, as we know it, is to survive. And where we are is that the Nigerian state has collapsed. While everything appears to be normal, there is an absence of substance or true value. Here are a few indications. One: The naira is now one of the three worst national currencies on earth, with Bloomberg declaring on Friday that not only is it poised for its worst record in the last 24 years, but that further depreciation is to be expected in 2024. “The naira plunged 55%…
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And what his unlikely tale reveals about imperialism The future prime minister, Winston Churchill, had a dramatic escape from a prisoner-of-war camp. He fled, stowed away on a train, and jumped off in a remote area, while the enemy was in pursuit. His distinctive appearance made him stand out in Africa, yet he managed to evade capture. Churchill’s escape from the second Anglo-Boer war (1899-1902) helped launch his political career. This story sheds light on aspects of war, journalism, and history. Churchill, admired in Britain for standing up to Nazi Germany, was a supporter of British imperialism. His coverage of…
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War devastates cities, a lesson every Nigerian city, or any aspiring city, should heed from the decline of Warri as an Oil City. In the 70s through the 90s, Warri was a bustling industrial hub. Key industries like Warri Refinery, NNPC, DSC, Delta Glass, Shell, Chevron, Schlumberger, Dunlop, Agip, Saipem, Halliburton, and others operated at full capacity. The Escravos & Forcados were at their zenith. The city was vibrant, filled with enthusiasm and dynamic activities. Even those living in nearby areas proudly identified as Wafarians, drawn by Warri’s unique lifestyle and culture. Banks, both multinational and local, flourished, including Citibank,…
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CIA Director, William Casey is reputed to have said to Ronald Reagan ‘We’ll know our disinformation is complete when everything the American public believes is false.’ Fast forward thirty years, and there’s no piece of fiction the masses will not swallow. From Woke to COVID to the war in Ukraine, people no longer make their own ideological pilgrimages to the truth – the truth is served oven-ready by their political betters. Nowadays, there’s little distinction between the two hemispheres: reality and illusion. It’s not so much that people have been robbed of their ability to decipher between these two, it’s that facts have been…
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In Nigeria, the issue of abandoned infrastructure projects is a complex and multifaceted problem, deeply rooted in various systemic issues and spanning over half a century. The Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors estimates the cost of these uncompleted projects at a staggering N12 trillion, with approximately 56,000 abandoned projects nationwide These projects range from the Ajaokuta Steel Complex, which remains unfinished despite substantial investment, to transportation and hospitality projects like the Rivers Moonrail and Suleja International Hotel, which have been left to deteriorate for decades. Others include; a) Nigeria Airways: Once a successful airline, it declined due to mismanagement and…
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Did you know that the original feasibility study for steel production, carried out by the Soviets in 1959, recommended that it should be sited in Onitsha? They suggested using iron ore from the Udi Hills in Enugu, selecting Onitsha due to the proximity of the Niger River and the city’s existing infrastructure. Steel production, a reduction process in chemistry, can be achieved through “wet” (water) or “dry” (gas) methods. The Soviets preferred Onitsha for easy channeling of the Niger River. The need for accommodation was also a factor, as leveraging existing housing in Onitsha was more feasible than constructing 30,000…
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When one read the statement from the so-called Coalition of South East Youth Leaders, COSEYL, demanding Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, the governor of Anambra State, to step down due to his purported incapacity to address security concerns in the state, one was taken aback. The call was ostensibly in response to Thursday night’s vicious attack in the state that claimed the lives of two police officers. May their souls rest in peace. Unidentified gunmen had ambushed Chief Chris Uba’s vehicle, a prominent figure in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Two of his security personnel were killed in the attack, and the…
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Alhassan Dantata, born in 1877 in Bebeji, Kano Emirate, was a prominent Northern Nigerian trader and the wealthiest man in West Africa at the time of his death in 1955. He was involved in trading kola nuts and groundnuts and was a key distributor of European goods, supplying large British trading companies with raw materials and having business interests in the Gold Coast (now Ghana). He was born into an established Agalawa trading family. His father, Abdullahi, inherited wealth and status from his own father, Baba Talatin, who had moved the family to Kano from Katsina. Abdullahi was a recognized…
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I wrote this Article below on November 2, 2021… Those close to Tinubu and his team should share it with them. Even if Nigeria borrows a new $50 billion without overhauling the whole constitutional, fiscal, institutional, electoral, socio-economic, resource production, and control foundation of Nigeria, it will be stolen and frittered away… Let’s quit this delusion and get serious…. WHAT BUHARI WOULD HAVE DONE DIFFERENTLY IN 2015/2016 THAT WOULD HAVE PREVENTED US FROM SLIDING INTO THE FIRST RECESSION AND DESTRUCTION OF NIGERIA’S ECONOMY. When Buhari took over the reins of power as the President of Nigeria on May 29, 2015,…
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The truth of the matter is that trade is a downstream segment of the business or enterprise valuechain and it really is not the most valuable part of the valuechain. That our people have remained at this point of the valuechain for over hundreds of years may mean we haven’t done enough as a community to guide ourselves. Every industry tends to extend value to either its upstream, midstream or downstream segments of its valuechain. And since our people deal mostly in consumer products (FMCG, beverages, textiles, pharmaceuticals, electronics etc), industrial goods, spare parts, vehicles, construction materials, and in some…
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Vital US interests are sacrificed to avoid offending Israel and its Lobby I don’t have anyone whom I would consider a friend who supports the genocide being carried out by Israel in Gaza. But my occasional interaction with the psychopaths who infest the US government and media and who are intimately connected by virtue of their political instincts as well as their personal interests in campaign donations and/or elevated salaries derived from Israel and its powerful lobby have plenty of sound bites to throw out to demonstrate their love of the Jewish state in all its manifestations. They mouth the…
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Made him a “Deep State” Target Like So Many Others Under COINTELPRO Former Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance has now cleared Muhammad Aziz and Khalil Islam who were wrongfully convicted of Malcolm’s 1965 murder. Vance and other government authorities, however, refused to investigate the FBI, NYPD, CIA, and other government agencies for their role in his killing. In recent months, the corporate media have made much of the exoneration of two members of the Nation of Islam (NOI) previously convicted of assassinating Malcolm X. After spending many years in jail, Muhammad A. Aziz (Norman Butler) and Khalil Islam (Thomas Johnson-now deceased) were cleared of the…
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Powerful new evidence of a government-abetted conspiracy has prompted King family members to demand a reopening of the investigation into his murder. At 6:01 p.m. on April 4, 1968, Martin Luther King, Jr., was struck in the face by a bullet as he was leaning over the balcony of his room at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee. An hour later he was declared dead at nearby St. Joseph’s Hospital. King had come to Memphis as part of his poor people’s campaign to support a sanitation workers strike. The civil rights leader was increasingly promoting socialist views, had become more outspoken…
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Martin Luther King was murdered in a conspiracy that was instigated by then FBI director J. Edgar Hoover. Review of William Pepper’s Book The realities of the United States of America and the campaign against racism. Let us reflect on “who is the enemy”. For one bright moment back in the late 1960s, we actually believed that we could change our country. We had identified the enemy. We saw it up close, we had its measure, and we were very hopeful that we would prevail. The enemy was hollow where we had substance. All of that substance was destroyed by…
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The tale of the abandoned Ogurugu Airport and Sea-Jetty is a poignant reminder of lost potential and the consequences of neglecting vital infrastructural projects. Situated in the coastal town of Ogurugu, Uzo-Uwani local government area of Enugu State, these facilities once served as significant commercial and transport hubs. Ogurugu Airport: 1. Historical Significance:The Ogurugu Airport, initially an Aerodrome, was established during the military regime of General Olusegun Obasanjo 2. Current State:Despite its robust beginnings, the airport now stands in a state of total abandonment, deterioration, and looting. Remarkably, the expansive facility that includes a runway, tarmac, and control stations, has…
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Many countries of the world do not have multiple seaports. Fortunately, Nigeria is blessed with many natural harbors, jettys and ports. Sadly, we are not taking advantage of this blessing. Why are the Port Harcourt, Ogurugu, Calabar, Warri and Koko seaports and airports underutilized? Note, however, that the Intels’ Onne port in River state is Nigeria’s best run and perhaps the most active ports in the country. The Intels’ Onne seaport is a privately-run seaport within the same region as the abandoned ports. According to the Nigeria Bureau of Statistics, in 2017, the cargo throughput on Nigeria seaport was highest…
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In recent times, there has been a growing sentiment in parts of West Africa favoring the return of military rule. This sentiment is largely fueled by the perceived inadequacies of democratic governance in the region. However, a closer examination of the historical record provides a better perspective on the merits and demerits of past military regimes in West Africa. The Merits of Military Governance The Demerits of Military Rule Contextual Considerations The impact of military rule in West Africa varied considerably across countries and time periods. In some cases, the efficiency and stability promised by military regimes were overshadowed by…
OBLONG MEDIA GLOBAL INTELLIGENCE 