OTHERS' VIEWS
SUNDAY 1-DEC
Hearn confirms Joshua’s 2025 return date
https://reubenabati.com.ng/sports/hearn-confirms-joshua-s-2025-return-date
Why Nigeria Needs Tax Reform – Oyedele
https://reubenabati.com.ng/feature/why-nigeria-needs-tax-reform-oyedele
Okpebholo, APC Jittery Over Exposure Of Systemic Rigging In Edo, Lies To Cover Fraud – Obaseki
https://reubenabati.com.ng/feature/okpebholo-apc-jittery-over-exposure-of-systemic-rigging-in-edo-lies-to-cover-fraud-obaseki
CBN tells Nigerians to report cash withdrawal issues from December 1, banks to face penalties
https://reubenabati.com.ng/feature/cbn-tells-nigerians-to-report-cash-withdrawal-issues-from-december-1-banks-to-face-penalties
Local Government Autonomy….Concerns Mount Over Non-execution Of Supreme Court Ruling
https://reubenabati.com.ng/feature/local-government-autonomy-concerns-mount-over-non-execution-of-supreme-court-ruling
Tinubu Tax: North’s anger grows as youths attack Deputy Senate President
https://reubenabati.com.ng/feature/tinubu-tax-north-s-anger-grows-as-youths-attack-deputy-senate-president
OAuGF report reveals huge financial infractions in NNPCL, NUPRC, NMDPRA
https://reubenabati.com.ng/feature/oaugf-report-reveals-huge-financial-infractions-in-nnpcl-nuprc-nmdpra
Rivers: N27bn IGR behind Fubara, Wike rift, INEC now APC member – Adeyanju
https://reubenabati.com.ng/feature/rivers-n27bn-igr-behind-fubara-wike-rift-inec-now-apc-member-adeyanju
‘I Am Against Tax Reform Bills, It Gives Some States More Advantage’ – Ningi
https://reubenabati.com.ng/feature/i-am-against-tax-reform-bills-it-gives-some-states-more-advantage-ningi
[STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE] President Tinubu Congratulates New NUJ President And Executive Team
https://reubenabati.com.ng/news/state-house-press-release-president-tinubu-congratulates-new-nuj-president-and-executive-team
[PRESS RELEASE] President Tinubu Approves Funds for UNESCO Media and Information Literacy Institute in Nigeria
https://reubenabati.com.ng/news/press-release-president-tinubu-approves-funds-for-unesco-media-and-information-literacy-institute-in-nigeria
Trump threatens 100% tariff on BRICS countries over currency plans
https://reubenabati.com.ng/news/trump-threatens-100-tariff-on-brics-countries-over-currency-plans
‘From Secular To Sacred’ - Filmmaker, Mike Bamiloye Reflects On Transformation To Gospel Drama
https://reubenabati.com.ng/feature/from-secular-to-sacred-filmmaker-mike-bamiloye-reflects-on-transformation-to-gospel-drama
Darey Art Alade and wife Desola mark 18th wedding anniversary
https://reubenabati.com.ng/feature/dare-art-alade-s-wife-deola-celebrate-18th-wedding-anniversary
Sokoto NLC Suspends Planned Strike Over ₦70,000 Minimum Wage
https://reubenabati.com.ng/feature/sokoto-nlc-suspends-planned-strike-over-70-000-minimum-wage
Nigeria needs collaborative leaders for national progress - Peter Obi
https://reubenabati.com.ng/feature/nigeria-needs-collaborative-leaders-for-national-progress-peter-obi
How Tinubu’s fiery critics became spokespersons, loyalists
https://reubenabati.com.ng/feature/how-tinubu-s-fiery-critics-became-spokespersons-loyalists
2027: Atiku, Obi deny joint presidential bid after reunion
https://reubenabati.com.ng/feature/2027-atiku-obi-deny-joint-presidential-bid-after-reunion
Tax Reform Bill: Atiku Calls For Transparency, Inclusivity In Debate
https://reubenabati.com.ng/news/tax-reform-bill-atiku-calls-for-transparency-inclusivity-in-debate
As a scholar of classical antiquity and history of political thought, I believe I am well positioned to situate the current debacle in America with the eventual unraveling of the Roman Republic which was once the greatest democracy on Mother Earth before the Visigoths intruded upon the realm.
Once, the greatest boast on earth was “Civis Romanus I” – I am a Roman Citizen. Such was the dignity and reverence of Roman citizenship.
There is even an anecdotal exemplary about a Roman Ambassador who confronted a recalcitrant Barbarian monarch by drawing a circle around the ancient monarch insisting he should bow to the demands of the Roman Republic without which he could not leave the drawn circle. Trembling before the Roman might, the subdued suzerain naturally gave way to the Roman authority.
Such then was the pacific Roman dominance wielded with the balance of the sword and democratic pulchritude, magnified by the Augustan beauty that the great Johnson once spoke of “that it would have been better that Augustus was never born or Rome never existed.” In this very contradictory statement inheres the very decline of the American democracy.
Johnson spoke of a great Augustan era that spurred the parade of enlightenment, the recrudescence of commerce, the elevation of literature, the spurring of the Arts, the acclaim of wisdom and then the vitiating of the Republic through venomous populism, the antiquated divisionism, the baiting for blood and the rise of the authoritarian order. And then the eventual fall of Rome.
All human institutions are subjected to a rise and fall, to an effulgence and a withering of the clime, to a brightness and a dawn.
Christopher Columbus “discovered” America through a navigational fault that eventually decimated the indigenous population, invariably transplanting a foreign composition.
The new conquistadors implanted their truths, their verities, their mores and imported norms. With brute force they wiped out the indigenous entities, enforcing a new order, from murder, slavery, liberative gradualism and the revered Lincolnian emancipatory democracy.
From FDR to Kennedy, America grew in enlightened might and democratic values, enshrining the rights of man in her compositional order.
It eventually grew into that beacon on the hill, the shining North Star upon which the world swoon and embrace with amazement and alluring attraction.
No more. America the beautiful now is adorned in ugly bewildering spectacle. It is now a frightening sight woven in racist divisionism emblematic of a fascist called Trump. The giant of old is thus diminished, crumbling into nothingness, dissolving into the dust, wasting into the vastness of a grim desert.
The world needs the core values of America which enshrine hope for the lost, justice for the deprived, and the reclaiming latitude for those who have lost the redeeming path.
How then to handle the Trumpian sickness. Alas, he represents a dark and unfathomable side of America. Trump and his MAGA crazies are now emblematic of an American demise, a dissolution of all that is righteous and fair, an avulsion and darkling of the brightness of old.
- Prince Uthman Shodipe –Dosunmu, the Oloriekun of Olowogbowo and Apesinola of Okolaba Ẹkun wrote in from the U.S.
Six weeks after the death of his wife, Gov. Umo Eno was conferred with a doctorate degree in Political Science by the University of Uyo this afternoon, making him the first sitting governor in the country to attain such qualification while in office. Congratulations to the governor. It must be a moment of mixed emotions for him and his family as this is coming exactly two weeks to his wife’s funeral events. It should also be an inspiring occasion for Akwa Ibom youths and I urge them to learn a few lessons here, chief among which is that no matter your situation in life, you can achieve whatever you set your mind to. I know this for a fact and it is what I tell my children every day.
The second lesson is that education is a very important tool that helps you fulfill your potentials in life. Dr. Umo Eno said this much in his speech at the convocation ceremony in Uyo this afternoon. In recognition of the importance of education, the governor said, he is sustaining the compulsory free education which his predecessors have implemented since 1999. In addition, he’s improved on the value of scholarship and bursary awards to various categories of students and is revamping primary schools to enhance learning environment. But despite these, a lot of our children are still hawking in the streets during school hours, instead of being in school. Last month, I talked with a young boy of about 10 years old, who was hawking groundnut around. He said he dropped from school because his guardian did not buy him exercise books. His father is dead, his mother sent him to live with a guardian who has now turned him into a hawker; and so, his teacher asked him to withdraw till he gets his exercise books. There are so many cases family situations stopping our children from going to school. The government should address the nagging problem of school dropouts.
I understand that our primary schools, especially those that are located in the villages, require more teachers. The government should set in motion a rigorous recruitment process to bring in brilliant, qualified and dedicated teachers into our primary and secondary schools. The last recruitment exercise happened over five years ago. We should also emphasize vocational training and rehabilitate the dilapidated vocational schools in the state. In terms of WAEC performance, our state has been around the 17th position consistently for many years. I am sure we can improve on that if our teachers are more dedicated and motivated. Alumni associations should launch motivational programs to encourage our students. The governor should also pay attention to the needs of the state-owned university, AKSU.
Indeed, education is a very important tool and we need to make the necessary investments to make it work for everybody.
As Americans head to the polls to elect their next president, the world is reminded of the far-reaching implications of this election outcome. From the Russo-Ukraine war to conflicts in the Middle East and the geopolitics of Africa and Asia, the election outcome will shape events far beyond the shores of the US.
With most polls suggesting razor-thin margins between Trump and Harris, this election is turning out to be one of the most closely contested elections in American history. Undecided or hesitant voters have become critical in breaking the tie between closely matched support bases on both sides come 5th November 2024. The race to the White House is driven by an intense war of words, where rhetorical framing is the key weapon being deployed by both sides to shape opinions and influence voting decisions. Here are my thoughts on how Trump and Harris employ rhetorical framing to tip the scale in this neck-to-neck race for the White House.
Issue salience and selection
Both candidates assign prominence to issues they believe resonate with their audiences. Kamala Harris emphasises the significance of economic support for the middle class and working families, framing her vision for reform as an “opportunity economy” that serves ordinary Americans. She also focuses on themes of unity and inclusivity, pledging "to be a president for all Americans,” and stating that regardless of differences, Americans “all have the same dreams and aspirations.” Additionally, Harris’ campaign rhetoric always essentialises her commitment to protecting reproductive rights, and the need to “chart a course for the future and not go backward to the past.”
On the other hand, Trump prioritises illegal immigration, crime, and economic decline, rhetorically framing the situation as one of severe crises. He often employs emotive rhetoric to project fear of “criminal immigrants” stressing that "millions of people pouring into our country from prisons and jails, from mental institutions and insane asylums” are taking jobs meant for Americans. By framing immigration and crime as national crises, Trump aims to rile up his base and discontented voters against the political establishment.
Identity and Personal Framing
Both Trump and Harris rely heavily on identity framing to connect with voters. Kamala Harris often frames herself as an advocate for middle-class and working families. Referencing her childhood during her live debate with Trump, she said, “I was raised as a middle-class kid. And I am actually the only person on this stage who has a plan that is about lifting up the middle class and working people of America.”
Throughout her campaign, Harris consistently amplifies her experience as a prosecutor and her capacity to unify America in contrast to Trump’s leadership. She said: “Americans see in each other a neighbour…they don't want a leader who is constantly trying to have Americans point their fingers at each other.”
On the other hand, Donald Trump positions himself as a strong leader fighting against the political establishment to protect American borders and restore its greatness on the global stage. During his debate against Harris, he touted his strong relationship with world leaders to underscore his influence on the global stage. Trump boasted, “He (Hungarian Prime Minister, Viktor Orban) said the most respected, most feared person is Donald Trump. We had no problems when Trump was president… China was afraid of him. North Korea was afraid of him.” Trump often refers to his political opponents as ‘weak.’ By framing himself as a strong leader, Trump seeks to amplify the contrast between his image and the characterisation of weak leadership he ascribed to Harris on fundamental issues like immigration, crime, and the economy.
Oppositional Framing
Trump and Harris regularly employ oppositional framing to diminish the credibility of the opponent. Harris frames Trump as a failed, divisive, and self-serving leader unfit to lead America. For example, she stressed that ”Trump will not talk about people’s needs, dreams, and desires” and that America deserves a leader who “puts them first” positioning herself as such a leader. She also consistently frames Trump as dangerous to American democracy, referencing the January 6th Capitol riots as Trump’s attempt to upend the will of the American people. Furthermore, she refers to Trump as a liar, warning their debate audience from the start of the debate to expect “a bunch of lies” from Trump, in a pre-emptive tactic to undermine his credibility. In the last few weeks leading to the election, Harris’ campaign has ramped up rhetoric that frames Trump both as a fascist and mentally unstable.
Trump’s framing of Harris is equally pejorative, often using rhetoric that positions her as weak and incompetent on the economy, crime, immigration, and foreign policy. He also characterises Harris as unintelligent, mentally unfit, a radical leftist, and a Marxist, who would confiscate guns, stop fracking, and allow “transgender operations on illegal aliens.” By framing Harris this way, Trump reinforces the portrayal of Harris as a radical leftist who has lost touch with American values.
Rhetorical Appeals
Both Trump and Harris often employ a range of emotional, logical, and credibility-based appeals. Harris uses vivid imagery to emphasise concerns about women impacted by restrictions on reproductive rights. She rhetorically painted an image of "pregnant women...bleeding out in a car in the parking lot” to connect with the emotions and struggles of American women and underscore her commitment to their plights. She also uses fear rhetoric to describe a potential Trump presidency for the second time.
Trump, on the other hand, employs fear and a sense of urgency to drive emotional appeal. He frequently uses hyperbole and repetition to amplify issues and frame them as major crises. For example, he often claims that “millions of criminals, and terrorists are pouring into America and destroying the country." By invoking fear and a sense of urgency, he seeks to play on people’s anxieties about national security.
In terms of logical appeal, Harris’ rhetoric regularly seeks to drive persuasion by presenting logical arguments. She cited Goldman Sachs’ endorsement of her economic plan to suggest that her policies are supported by independent expert evaluation. She also employed logical appeal to discredit Trump’s economic plan, arguing that reputable entities like Goldman Sachs’, Wharton School, and 16 Nobel Laureates all declared that Trump’s plan would worsen the US economy.
Trump, in contrast, appeals to logic whenever he declares that he “created one of the greatest economies in the history of America” and that he would do it even better again if given a second chance.
Applying credibility-based appeal, Harris often emphasises her credentials as a prosecutor to demonstrate her capacity to fight crime and maintain the rule of law. Similarly, Trump appeals to credibility by consistently highlighting his achievements as a strong leader on the global stage, touting his ability to negotiate and stop what he alleged to be a rip-off from China, Europe, and NATO.
Conclusion
Overall, this US election looks set to be decided by swing or undecided voters, the majority of whom will not conduct granular scrutiny of each candidate’s policies. Instead, they will respond to key soundbites and rhetorical framing that collectively shape their view of both candidates and consequently, their voting decision. While some argue that campaign rhetoric has limited influence on core voter bases, the rhetorical framing of arguments and counter-arguments that resonate with swing voters will ultimately tilt the scales towards Democrats or Republicans.
Dr Toju Ogbe is a Strategic Communications consultant and an academic whose research focuses on rhetorical leadership.
[OPINION] Kemi Badenoch’s Silence: A Deep Response to Nigeria’s Leadership Failures, Not a Rejection of Heritage - John Egbeazien Oshodi
AdminHon. Dabiri, Your Cultural Point is Well Taken, But Hon. Kemi’s Global Criticism of Nigeria Reflects the Nation’s Persistent Corruption, Human Rights Violations, Police Brutality, and Leadership Impunity — Not a Rejection of Culture and Heritage
In a recent statement, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chair of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), extended a diplomatic gesture toward Kemi Badenoch, the newly appointed Leader of the UK Conservative Party, hoping to bridge cultural ties by emphasizing her Nigerian heritage. Dabiri-Erewa’s outreach, which sought to congratulate Badenoch on her ascent to this prominent role, was undeniably rooted in a desire to maintain connections with Nigerians in the diaspora. Yet, it is important to understand that Kemi’s silence in response to this outreach does not signify a rejection of her heritage, but rather speaks to a much deeper frustration with the state of her homeland, Nigeria—a frustration that cannot be ignored by any well-meaning Nigerian, whether in the diaspora or at home.
Kemi Badenoch’s relationship with Nigeria is complex, rooted in both pride and disillusionment. Born in Wimbledon, London, to Nigerian parents, Badenoch spent significant portions of her formative years in Nigeria, the United States, and the UK. Her youth in Nigeria was marred by the harsh realities of political instability, economic mismanagement, and the slow decay of basic services that the nation’s citizens continue to suffer from today. These experiences forged her political beliefs and a deep-seated desire to see her home country achieve the prosperity and justice that should accompany its vast resources. But despite Nigeria’s bountiful natural wealth and the billions of dollars funneled in from international donors, the country has remained stagnated by pervasive corruption, human rights violations, police brutality, and a justice system that is more a tool of the powerful than an institution for fairness.
It is this disillusionment with Nigeria’s political and social systems, not a rejection of Nigerian culture, that likely informs Kemi’s decision to remain silent. As an influential British politician, Kemi Badenoch’s voice carries weight, not only within the UK but also internationally. Her career in British politics, spanning high-profile roles in the Conservative Party, highlights her ability to navigate complex political landscapes, from her technical background in IT to her rise through ministerial positions. Despite her ascent in British politics, it is Nigeria’s failure to realize its potential, largely due to the misconduct of its leaders, that draws her harshest criticism.
Badenoch’s silence in response to Dabiri-Erewa’s outreach should be viewed not as a personal affront to her Nigerian identity, but as a symbolic protest—a muted cry in response to the disheartening and increasingly inescapable reality that Nigeria’s leaders remain mired in corruption and impunity. While Dabiri-Erewa’s outreach is rooted in cultural pride, the reality is that Kemi, much like many Nigerians in the diaspora, has watched as Nigeria’s government continues to betray its people. The frustration and pain caused by these ongoing failures are not abstract—they are visceral and real.
Nigeria’s leaders, who are blessed with unimaginable wealth, both from the country’s vast oil reserves and foreign aid contributions, continue to perpetuate the suffering of the Nigerian people. The immense sums of money that pour into Nigeria from international partners, including Britain, are regularly siphoned off by corrupt officials, leaving Nigeria’s infrastructure in a state of disrepair. Basic human rights, like access to healthcare, clean water, and electricity, remain largely inaccessible to the majority of the population. Even more troubling, Nigerian leaders, such as former President Buhari and current President Tinubu, routinely travel to the UK for extended stays, often receiving healthcare treatment unavailable in their own country, while Nigerians at home die due to the absence of basic medical services. This hypocrisy—the wealth of the leaders against the suffering of the citizens—is what pains Kemi. She sees how her country is being drained by a system of governance that protects the rich and powerful, leaving the vulnerable to suffer.
This is why, despite her Nigerian roots, Kemi Badenoch has voiced her concerns about the state of her country and its leadership with blunt honesty. In her recent statements, Badenoch emphasized that while colonialism had a significant and lasting impact on Nigeria’s development, the time for using that as an excuse has passed. She agrees that the colonial legacy left a deep imprint on the Nigerian political system, but she firmly believes that contemporary Nigerian leaders must take responsibility for addressing the systemic issues that continue to plague the nation. In Badenoch’s eyes, it is not enough to simply point to the past—it is essential that Nigeria’s current leadership stop exploiting these historical grievances as a shield to justify their own failures. The responsibility for reform and development now lies squarely with the country’s leaders.
It is vital to note that Kemi’s silence in response to Dabiri-Erewa’s outreach is not an expression of hatred toward Nigeria or her Nigerian heritage. Instead, it can be interpreted as a deep and emotional response to the relentless corruption and impunity within Nigeria’s political structures. Kemi understands that the power of her voice can make a difference, and while she remains silent in this instance, her position on Nigeria’s political leadership has been crystal clear. She speaks out because she believes that the Nigerian people deserve better than the perpetual cycle of corruption, police brutality, and political impunity that continues to characterize the nation.
What should be understood from this interaction is that while NiDCOM’s efforts to connect Nigerians in the diaspora with their heritage are admirable, they should not overshadow the larger issues at play. Dabiri-Erewa’s approach, while well-meaning, is only part of the equation. The reality is that for many Nigerians abroad, including Kemi, the struggle goes beyond cultural identity—it is about Nigeria’s leadership and its failure to deliver on its promises to the people. A cultural connection, while important, cannot supersede the urgent need for governance that respects the rule of law, protects human rights, and prioritizes the needs of the people.
Moreover, it is crucial to acknowledge that while Kemi’s silence might be interpreted as cold or unresponsive, it speaks volumes. It reflects not only her sorrow over Nigeria’s continued degradation but also her frustration with the global complacency toward these issues. As a Nigerian-British leader, she carries the weight of both worlds—the cultural pride of her heritage and the moral responsibility of witnessing Nigeria’s ongoing struggle. In choosing to remain silent, she may be crying inside—tears shed for the countless Nigerians suffering at the hands of their own leaders, while their elected representatives live lives of luxury abroad.
While the outreach from NiDCOM should be appreciated, we must also recognize the deeper truths behind Kemi’s silence. She knows that no amount of cultural celebration can erase the systemic failures that continue to afflict Nigeria. Dabiri-Erewa’s efforts to congratulate Kemi on her political rise are laudable, but they must be tempered with an understanding of the larger political context—one that is shaped by deep-seated corruption, human rights abuses, and the suffering of Nigeria’s most vulnerable.
In the future, we hope that Kemi Badenoch will feel moved to acknowledge the congratulatory messages from NiDCOM, not only as a gesture of gratitude but also as a recognition of the potential for future collaboration and constructive dialogue. Her response, however, should never be seen as an obligation, but rather as a reflection of her own journey—a journey that is simultaneously one of pride in her Nigerian heritage and frustration with Nigeria’s ongoing failure to meet the needs of its people.
Let us hope that in time, Nigeria’s leaders will heed the calls for reform and accountability, embracing the responsibility to create a society where the basic needs of every citizen are met. And let us also hope that, in the future, Kemi Badenoch will see her silence give way to a more constructive dialogue—one that acknowledges the cultural ties that bind us, while also demanding the ethical leadership required to move Nigeria forward. She is a leader who has shown that change is possible, but that it requires honesty, accountability, and a willingness to confront uncomfortable truths about the past, the present, and the future.
Professor John Egbeazien Oshodi, born in Uromi, Edo State, Nigeria, is an American-based police and prison scientist, forensic psychologist, public policy psychologist, and legal psychologist. He’s a government advisor on forensic-clinical psychological services in the USA and the founder of the Dr. John Egbeazien Oshodi Foundation for Psychological Health. With a significant role in introducing forensic psychology to Nigeria through N.U.C. and Nasarawa State University, he’s also a former Secretary-General of the Nigeria Psychological Association. He’s taught at esteemed institutions like Florida Memorial University, Florida International University, Nova Southeastern University, and more, and is currently an online faculty member at ISCOM University, Weldios University and Walden University.
[OPINION] No Virtue In Vice: Celebrating Sexual Perversion Is A Dangerous Trend - Isaac Asabor
AdminIn recent times, social media platforms have become both the judge and jury of society’s moral compass. From trending hashtags to viral scandals, nothing escapes the unforgiving glare of the internet. Unfortunately, in this rapidly evolving digital age, we are witnessing a troubling shift where certain behaviors that should be condemned outright are instead celebrated, often by those who are perceived as influencers or “yeyebrities.”
A recent case in point is the scandal involving Baltasar Ebang Engonga, a man from Equatorial Guinea whose alleged sexual misconduct went viral. For the uninitiated, Engonga was exposed as a sexual pervert whose actions were nothing short of reprehensible. However, rather than being castigated and condemned for his Babylonic behavior, some Nigerian celebrities, who easily pass for “Yeyebrities” and some social media influencers have shockingly taken a different route: they appear to be romanticizing his exploits, turning a blind eye to the moral depravity of his actions.
Baltasar Ebang Engonga, who is no doubt a prominent figure in Equatorial Guinea and the Director General of its National Financial Investigation Agency, recently became embroiled in a scandal involving over 400 explicit videos. These videos, reportedly discovered during a corruption investigation, featured Engonga engaging in sexual acts with multiple women, including high-profile figures such as relatives of senior officials and wives of government personnel. The encounters were allegedly recorded with consent, but the scandal drew significant backlash, especially as some tapes were filmed in official spaces like his office. This controversy not only tarnished his professional reputation but also sparked outrage over the misuse of public office for personal indulgence.
It is indeed alarming that in the wake of this scandal, instead of condemning such despicable behavior, there has been a disturbing trend of celebrating it as some kind of “sexual prowess.” On various social media platforms, there are posts that glorify Engonga’s actions, with some even going as far as to suggest that he is a “ladies’ man” or that his conduct reflects a certain level of masculinity.
But what exactly is being celebrated here? This trend is symptomatic of a much larger problem: the erosion of values in our society. When deviant behavior is applauded, it sends a message that morality no longer holds a place in the collective conscience of our communities. It creates a culture where the lines between right and wrong are blurred, leaving the younger generation confused about what is acceptable and what is not.
The influence of celebrities in today’s digital world cannot be overstated. Many young people look up to these figures as role models, emulating their actions and adopting their beliefs. However, when celebrities, particularly those with significant social media followings, choose to glorify reprehensible actions, they wield their influence irresponsibly.
These “yeyebrities” are often quick to jump on the latest trend for likes, comments, and shares, without considering the consequences of their words and actions. In their bid to remain relevant, they have lost sight of the moral responsibility that comes with their influence. Instead of using their platforms to condemn vices and promote virtues, they contribute to the spread of a morally bankrupt culture that normalizes sexual perversion.
It is indeed a worrying phenomenon when people with a significant following choose to ignore the immorality of the acts themselves and instead focus on praising the offender’s so-called “prowess.” By doing so, they not only trivialize the pain of the victims but also encourage others to see such behavior as something to aspire to.
Lost in the sensationalism and eulogizing of Engonga’s actions are the real victims, the women and individuals who have suffered due to his actions. These victims are often silenced or forgotten in the rush to sensationalize the story for social media clout. In a society where victims are already hesitant to speak up due to stigma and fear of not being believed, this kind of behavior by influencers only worsens the situation.
By focusing on the perpetrator and glorifying his actions, we are effectively telling victims that their pain is insignificant. This not only discourages them from coming forward but also emboldens others to engage in similar acts, knowing that they too might be celebrated rather than condemned.
As a society, we have a collective responsibility to set boundaries and standards for acceptable behavior. We cannot afford to be passive in the face of growing moral decadence. If we choose to remain silent or worse, join in the chorus of those celebrating perversion, we are complicit in the erosion of our values.
There is nothing to admire or emulate in the actions of someone like Engonga, as sexual misconduct and perversion are not demonstrations of masculinity or strength; they are signs of weakness and moral bankruptcy. It takes no strength to prey on the vulnerable; it takes no honor to exploit others for personal gratification. What should be celebrated are acts of kindness, respect, and mutual consent in all relationships.
One might wonder how we arrived at a point where the lines between decency and depravity are so blurred. Social media plays a significant role in this, as it has become a platform where anything can be sensationalized for the sake of clicks and engagement. The need for instant fame and recognition has driven many people to say or do anything, no matter how morally repugnant.
Additionally, the rise of influencer culture has led to the unfortunate reality where people who lack depth, substance, or any meaningful achievements are placed on pedestals simply because they are popular. When these individuals are the ones shaping the narrative, it is no surprise that our societal values are in decline.
To reverse this disturbing trend, we must return to the basics of what it means to be a society governed by principles and values. First, celebrities and social media influencers must realize the immense power they wield and use it responsibly. They should be at the forefront of condemning immoral acts, not glorifying them.
Second, as a society, we need to encourage critical thinking among young people. They should not take everything they see on social media at face value. Parents, educators, and community leaders have a role to play in teaching young people the difference between right and wrong, and the importance of integrity and moral character.
In fact, it is crucial that we hold individuals accountable for their actions. This includes not only those who commit heinous acts but also those who use their influence to normalize or trivialize such behavior. The celebration of sexual perversion and misconduct must be called out for what it is: a dangerous trend that has no place in a civilized society.
The time has come for us to draw a line in the sand. We must reject the idea that sexual perversion is something to be celebrated. There is no virtue in vice, and there is nothing admirable about behavior that harms others. It is high time that we stop glorifying those who engage in such acts and instead celebrate those who uphold values that contribute to the betterment of society.
The world is watching, and the internet never forgets. If we continue down this path of celebrating depravity, we risk creating a future where moral bankruptcy becomes the norm. Let us choose instead to be champions of decency, respect, and integrity. It may not be the popular choice, but it is certainly the right one.
Expectedly, politicians, who wish to run for the 2025 gubernatorial elections in Anambra, are bent on denying the obvious. They talk down – or rather play the ostrich by pretending not to see – the massive transformation going on in all sectors of the economy in Anambra State in order to make themselves look good and support their jaundiced narratives. When one commentator confronted a social media handler who dished out misinformation for these deceptive politicians, the social media handler responded by telling the commentator that he should know that ‘’this is the game of politics and that lies are allowed’’. Politics should not be about deception!
Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s transformational leadership makes the work of these political ‘hopefuls’ extremely difficult. And many – if not all of them – have even resorted to making promises that no politician can ever keep. At least, recent history shows that. They all say that they plan to run for a single term in office.
Here are the issues. Anambra State has an unwritten zoning arrangement for the governorship position that allows power to rotate between the three senatorial zones in the state, after every eight years. This arrangement was solidified by former Governor Peter Obi, who insisted that his then political party, APGA, produced a candidate from Anambra North as a way to balance the power rotation after his tenure, since he came from Anambra Central. Today, after Anambra North, it is the turn of Anambra South – the region the incumbent governor hails from. This has balanced the political calculus in Anambra and has ensured that Anambra has been peaceful politically. This has really worked in Anambra and the consensus is that this is the way to go.
In order not to alter this arrangement, all the aspiring politicians for the 2025 elections – off course most of them are from Anambra South where the incumbent comes from – have promised to run for only one term.
But no politician, in history, has kept such promise. Making this promise is to play with people’s intelligence. In some cases, there are even arguments about whether a politician actually made the one–term promise. In 2014, during the 2015 presidential election campaigns, President Olusegun Obasanjo told Bloomberg News that, in the 2011 election campaigns, President Jonathan promised not to serve beyond a single term. This was denied by President Jonathan’s camp. In 2018, the social media was awash with an interview that was purportedly granted by President Buhari to Daily Trust where he promised to run for one term if elected in 2015. But the then presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina, argued that the president was misquoted.
In 2019, the Politico newspaper, reported that President Biden – who was 77 years then – signaled to aides that he would run for only one term. If this was actually true, observers of the recent US election will tell you that the only reason President Biden did not run for re-election was because of his age, probably his health and pressure from his political party. (He actually started the campaigns for his re-election before he threw in the towel). In the case of President Nelson Mandela, who is revered as one of Africa’s greatest leaders, if not for his failing health and age, Mandela would probably not have retired from active politics at 80 years in 1999 – the year he decided not to run for re-election. In Africa, the sit-tight culture of leaders makes a 4–year tenure promise an impossibility! Only life-threatening issues make this ‘’promise’’ possible.
Let us even assume that these politicians who claim to serve for only one term are honest about it and interrogate their concept of development. Many of them do not even have a track record of a strong public service experience. This means that they would likely take the first two years to learn on the job, if they were elected by any chance. They would probably not even achieve anything in their proposed 4 years. (Governor Soludo performed exceptionally well in the last 30 months because he came with a lot of experience). Besides, the conception and planning of mega projects take time. In the UK, for example, the Hinkley Point C Power Project which began in 2018 is expected to be completed in 2028.
In Anambra, massive projects are expected to commence in the coming months. They include the remodeling of the Onitsha main market, the construction of three new smart and eco-friendly cities and a massive railway system within the state. So far, there are many mega projects Governor Soludo would be commissioning in the coming months. Interested readers can see these projects here: https://www.thecable.ng/on-5-mega-projects-executed-by-soludo-without-borrowing-a-penny/
In terms of security, despite the fact that most communities do not have functional police stations in the state, the Governor Soludo-led administration’s community policing strategy still remains the most viable way to keep Anambra safe. Tech is also part of the strategy being used to keep Anambra safe. Security is not something to play divisive politics with. It is everybody’s job to keep their communities safe!
The future of Anambra, under Governor Soludo’s watch, is really bright and the politicians spewing lies because of their selfish ambitions know this.
Nwankwo is the special adviser to Soludo on special projects.
This column spared no love for the Obama/Biden presidency. In an Exclusive Commentary of December 5, 2020, in the Houston-based USAfrica, titled “Will Biden Impose Alternative Lifestyles on Africans?” my submission was that a Biden presidency should be a source of worry to non-enthusiasts of gay marriage and anti-gay advocacy. The publication began thus: “On January 2021, upon being sworn in as president of the United States, Joe Biden will begin to reconnect with many “globally significant” individuals towards the globalization of new (alternative) lifestyles and values pyramid. ‘The Return of all the freedom enjoyed under Barrack Obama’ is already the mantra of many who are cheering the November 2020 election of Joe Biden as president”.
Let us recall that the Obama administration – where Biden served as vice president for eight years, 2009 to 2017 – threatened Nigeria with sanctions for passing a law against same-sex marriage. “That presidency diligently promoted the same sex agenda and Gay relationships with the LGBTQ+ movement and created a new world for the exercise of those ‘rights’ when in 2016, Donald trump barged in bared teeth and all.”
The problem with the values and tendencies diligently promoted by the Obama/Biden government lay more in the determination of the duo to universalize those values and tendencies than in their mere endorsement. Go back to the teachings of William James about “truth”. He taught his American admirers that truth is whatever “works” for you at any time. That was the new pragmatism that began to smoulder and grow in that period of intellectual explosion that took violent possession of a land of hope, opportunity and enlightenment. It all began after the land got christened as “God’s own country, with more than its fair share of great men and women.
It took more than a hundred years for all of this to mature into the global nightmare it has become today, with the US as the imperator and chief exporter of the nightmare. They speak of human right, without first asking what makes an entity human. Without asking what human values are in themselves.
With Trump’s victory two days ago, the two politico-spiritual currents and counter currents which have been at war in the US for a long time now have come to a new corner of the road. We are now well beyond that point in the progressive development of the argument for expansion of the social space. These are no longer the early days of instalmental gains on minority rights, or the more recent grand campaigns for inclusivity and greater sensitivity towards, and support for, many otherwise less privileged groups and interests.
What climaxed in the US under Obama and Biden, and which Kamala was poised to drive further, was the chorus of submissions driving the view that everyone had the right to whatever pleased him, provided he did not disturb anyone about it unduly.
It did not begin with them, surely. The conscious, deliberate and well funded campaign in defence of Lesbians and gays had grown elaborate flagella over time and changed to LGBTQ. Then it added the plus sing to LBGBTQ, for any stray tendency that may turn up in the neighbourhood. In other words, space was already for the unknown, the unnamed and the unimagined, just in case it turned up.
The Memorandum seeks a worldwide plan to strengthen the protection of LGBTQI+ rights, in such a way that it would be taken for granted that humanity must now collectively drive a new global priority under this umbrella of rights. But is this continuation of the Obama government’s agenda of driving LGBTQI+ issues willy-nilly as welcome as they are making it seem? Should all mankind tremble and fall in line because an American president has announced that his country would roll out sanctions against other countries which do not subscribe to America’s preferred values?
Can he even do that in US states which are yet to fall in line in this regard? Can he do anything about the legislative federalist orientation of the American State, despite a respected Supreme Court?
The article continued: “What warrants Biden’s presumption? In what way did it make sense to him to pass his country off as defender of humanity and protector of the ideal values? Is America, with its daily murder records in New York City alone, and its many socio-culturally disruptive engagements all over the world, really in a position to speak about guiding the world to greater sanity? By what universal standard was Nigeria rightly classified a “homophobic” country; as was done under Obama, because of the country’s anti-gay law?
Biden’s Vice President, Kamala Harris, is as dead set on pro-Gay values as anyone can be. Recall her public position on the matter, including her submission on what to do about homeless homosexuals.
“This column did not, for once, comment on the person of Donald Trump before, during, or after his stint in the White House. He was, in my view, a historical necessity. His tenure as president threw up much about America that needed recalibration and reconsideration, especially along deep fault lines the country was pretending did not exist.
When Biden said: “The United States belongs at the forefront of this struggle – speaking out and standing strong for our most dearly held values”, did he consider that “our most dearly held values” in Nigeria are not American values? Since when did America start speaking for all climes? When Biden spoke of “…enforcing freedoms and promoting tolerance,” does he consider that he is the President of the US, rather than the earth? Does he even look at the overall impact of the US on “rights” with regards to global peace, climate change and morality?
On November 23, 2020, this column carried a piece with the title “Biden and the Global Gender Crisis.” That article observed as follows: “The Obama Government threatened Nigeria with official sanctions, when the National Assembly passed a law against same-sex marriage. The Obama government also refused to sell arms to Nigeria to fight Boko Haram. It also discouraged other countries from selling arms to Nigeria; even as thousands were being slaughtered every day. The argument, then, was that the Nigerian government was not respecting the human rights of the terrorists! …The Obama Presidency stood out in its promotion of gay relationships under the LGTBQ+ movement.”
Today, all the investments seeking and securing special treatment for homosexuals and interference with gender distinctions, which are all in line with the LGBTQI+ campaign spelt out in Marshal Kirk and Hunter Madsen’s 1987 Essay, “The Overhauling of Straight America,” stand challenged under a Trump presidency. The above mentioned work, which urged Gays to project themselves in ways that would make the world think of them as normal people who prefer to do certain things differently, was updated years later, in the book “After the Ball: How America will Conquer its Fear of Gays in the 90s.” The latter work mapped out a public relations strategy for the movement. And it is working.” Yes, it is!
Which is why, as said in the USAfrica article: “Oklahoma Senator, Tom Coburn, in 2004, saw the gay movement as a more pressing danger than terrorism. In 2005, James Dobson, Director of Focus on the Family, described the homosexual agenda as including “universal acceptance of the gay lifestyle, discrediting of scriptures that condemn homosexuality, muzzling of the clergy and Christian media, granting of special privileges and rights in the law, overturning laws prohibiting paedophilia, indoctrinating children and future generations through public education, and securing all the legal benefits of marriage for any two or more people who claim to have homosexual tendencies.”
Now that Trump is president, much will change in America. He is out to fight the traditional values of the conservative American State. Religious practices, Big Pharma and all big bad boys and girls are now in the line of fire. While at it, Trump should remember what happened to JFK. He has already been shot at twice.
QUOTE
…This column did not, for once, comment on the person of Donald Trump before, during, or after his stint in the White House. He was, in my view, a historical necessity. His tenure as president threw up much about America that needed recalibration and reconsideration, especially along deep fault lines the country was pretending did not exist.
A few weeks ago, I spoke at a symposium in my university here in Georgia on the implications of the U.S. presidential election for the African diaspora. To the bemusement of my audience (who were a mix of Donald Trump and Kamala Harris supporters), I explained the curious phenomenon of African support for Donald Trump, particularly among Nigerian and Kenyan evangelicals.
I described how a surprising number of African Christians (and, in fact, some Muslims) consider Trump “God’s chosen one,” a valiant defender of conservative religious values whom they imagine will take on global LGBTQ rights with righteous vengeance.
The audience was incredulous and struggled to reconcile Trump’s infamous moral transgressions with his appeal to African conservatives. When I explained that these supporters see Trump as a warrior against the “cultural liberalism” they believe threatens their faith, eyebrows raised.
The eyebrows raised even further when I pointed out that there are Muslims who are so disillusioned with the Biden/Harris administration’s support for Israel that they prayed for a Trump win even when Trump is more manifestly hawkish than Biden/Harris and so disdains Muslims that he enacted a “Muslim ban” (which actually included non-Muslims) within the first few months of his first presidency.
But here’s the crux: Donald Trump is no more interested in religious morality than he is in the theological reveries of his African fan base. He is, in truth, a transactional man, a walking paradox of deals and calculations, utterly bereft of the very spiritual or moral foundation his African supporters so naively project onto him.
Trump’s “faith,” such as it is, is at best a performance, an asset to be deployed for strategic gains among America’s own conservative Christians, whom he has calculatedly courted for votes. To imagine Trump as the champion of conservative religious values is to mistake calculation for conviction and propaganda for principle.
His record speaks louder than his rhetoric. In 2015, for example, at a gathering of conservative Christians in Iowa, he openly admitted he never asks God for forgiveness, a theological anathema for any believer.
Later, on the campaign trail, he betrayed his biblical unfamiliarity, when he clumsily referred to “Two Corinthians” rather than the more common “Second Corinthians.” A slip of the tongue, perhaps, but in a subsequent interview, he tried to salvage his Christian credibility but ended up quoting a verse that doesn’t even exist: "Never bend to envy," he offered, an adage Christians say is found nowhere in the Bible.
Even when cornered about his favorite Bible verse, he misfired by citing “an eye for an eye,” a command Jesus explicitly repudiated. These are not the errors of a deeply religious man but the floundering of someone who considers faith a tool, not a calling.
Two Trump biographers sum up his attitude to Christianity and God nicely. Timothy O’Brien, in a 2007 book titled TrumpNation: The Art of Being Donald, wrote: “Donald has never been a spiritually or religiously serious person.”
And in 2001 book titled The Trumps: Three Generations That Built an Empire (which was revised and reissued as The Trumps: Three Generations of Builders and a President), Gwenda Blair wrote: “He's a transactional guy with humans, and it's no different with God — it's all about whatever is to his advantage with regard to his supporters, and referencing God is exactly and only that.”
Yet for all his transparent artifice, Trump has nonetheless cast a beguiling spell on certain parts of Africa and the African diaspora, who see in him a savior of conservative values. They seem unfazed by the fact that his administration’s policies, his rhetoric, and his track record show little regard for Black humanity.
This disdain was palpable during his last tenure, and his recent rallies have done nothing to dispel it. Take, for instance, his unfounded claim during the first and only presidential debate that Black Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, were eating cats and dogs, a baseless assertion that isn’t just false but revelatory: it reveals a mind committed to degrading Blackness wherever he sees it.
There’s a dark and disheartening history here. Trump’s disdain for Black people isn’t new, nor has it emerged from thin air. His bigotry is old news, woven through an embroidery of disparaging comments, discriminatory practices, and racially motivated policies dating back decades.
In 1973, the Department of Justice sued Trump for refusing to rent apartments to Black families, citing his blatant violation of the Fair Housing Act. He fought the case before reluctantly signing an agreement to stop his racist practices.
His remarks afterward? He railed that the government was forcing him to rent to “welfare recipients,” the vile code by which he aligned poverty with Blackness. The sentiment was clear: in his mind, Black people didn’t belong, and it was his duty to keep them out.
Such is Trump’s enduring perspective, made all the more alarming by his political ascendance. The implications of his return for Africa are both direct and symbolic. During his previous presidency, Trump cut aid programs that many African countries rely on and dismissed African immigrants as a detriment to American society.
His rhetoric went beyond mere words; his policies made a statement, a policy posture that informed his supporters, shaped the broader narrative around Black immigration, and foreshadowed his now-infamous “shithole countries” comment in 2018.
When Trump disparaged Haiti, Nigeria, and other Black-majority nations in favor of immigration from Norway, it wasn’t just a one-off gaffe; it was a worldview rooted in negrophobic disdain.
In truth, Trump has never reckoned with the humanity of Black people. Even before his “shithole countries” remark, he lambasted a Black accountant in 1991, citing “laziness as a trait in Blacks.”
Years later, during his 2016 campaign, he praised Ann Coulter’s venomously xenophobic book, which decried the arrival of Nigerians in the United States as a criminal invasion.
His decision to block the appointment of Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, a Nigerian-American, to lead the World Trade Organization in 2020, was yet another evidence to his disregard for Black excellence—American citizenship or no.
This is not a man whose opinions have been shaped by reasoned disagreement but by ingrained prejudice and an unwavering belief that Black lives, both within and outside of America, are lesser. Such a man at the helm of one of the world’s most powerful nations isn’t just a potential diplomatic nightmare; it’s a moral catastrophe for those who value the dignity of human life.
For Africa, the implications of a Trump resurgence are manifold. His approach to immigration alone could lead to increased restrictions on Africans seeking opportunity or refuge in the United States.
His contempt for Africans doesn’t only taint those who seek to immigrate but extends to those who remain. His willingness to denigrate entire nations with his vile language reinforces a global view of Africa as “the other,” a place he deemed too backward to deserve respect or dignify.
But Trump’s leadership affects more than just immigration. His previous administration gutted health programs that African nations relied on to tackle AIDS, malaria, and other epidemics. His withdrawal from multilateral agreements and climate initiatives destabilized African countries that disproportionately suffer from the effects of global warming and benefit the least from its economic causes.
Africa is neither immune to nor shielded from Trump’s reign. From economic pressures to ideological disrespect, his contempt manifests as policies that undermine progress and sow the seeds of isolationism.
For Africans, Trump’s victory isn’t just a foreign policy issue; it’s a personal affront. It’s a slap in the face to the millions of Africans who know America as a country that historically symbolized freedom, opportunity, and hope.
Africa’s bond with the United States transcends politics; it is the memory of independence movements supported by the promise of democracy, the aspiration for economic opportunity, and the reverence for cultural exchange. Trump’s worldview, with its utter disregard for Black humanity, threatens to erode this bond, leaving in its wake a continent left to question its ties with the West.
The challenge before Africa is to use this moment as an opportunity for unity and self-determination.
Trump’s contempt is an ugly mirror, a stark reminder that Africa cannot rely on foreign validation. Leaders and citizens alike must demand dignity, both in their interactions with the United States and in their own national narratives.
The message should be clear: Africa is neither a pawn nor a supplicant. It is a continent rich in resources, diversity, and human potential, undeserving of the scorn Trump so freely dispenses.
Trump’s victory may symbolize a return to darkness, but it is also an opportunity to galvanize resilience. Africa need not waste energy on a man who cannot see beyond his prejudice; instead, it should look to the future with resolve.
Africa’s destiny lies not in the hands of a foreign leader, and certainly not in one so blind to its humanity. Let his disdain be a rallying cry, not for despair, but for Africa to rise on its own terms.
[OPINION] Caribbeans, Latin-Americans discuss colonialism and a future under re-elected Trump - Owei Lakemfa
AdminA FEW hours after Donald Trump proclaimed victory over Kamala Harris in the United States, US, presidential election, groups in the Caribbean and Latin America met virtually to discuss the future.
Convened by the ten-country Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America, ALBA Movimientos, the participants on the Wednesday, November, 6, 2024, focused on the on-going struggles for independence in Martinique and Guadeloupe and the implications of a second Trump presidency for independence struggles.
Martinique is the birth place of Franz Fanon, famous author of The Wretched of the Earth which became the handbook of many liberation fighters.
Guadeloupe is the butterfly-shaped six-island country with enchanting beaches, tropical rainforest and famous for its rum and sugar.
On the other hand is Western Sahara, also known as the ‘Last colony in Africa’, which has been mainly occupied by neigbouring Morocco in an attempt to re-colonise it. Trump, in one of his inexplicable acts as US President, had given Western Sahara, a land his country never owned, to Morocco. So there is the issue: what would a renewed Trump presidency try against this sovereign African country?
Then there is the issue of Puerto Rico, a US colony whose people have no voting representation in the Congress or federal government. In fact, during the Madison Square Trump rally in October 2024, a comedian, Tony Hinchcliffe, called Puerto Rico a “floating island of garbage”.
Esteli Capote of the IPRI Puerto Rican Institute of International Relations spoke about the outcome of the election and the implications of a renewed Trump presidency.
She said for Puerto Ricans the American election was a “Colonial electoral process” in which the Puerto Rican Independence Party came second. This, she said, was the first time in over two centuries the independence movement would garner such votes. Esteli said with such large amount of votes for those who want independence: “We are saying to the US that we are tired of the colonial process; we are saying we are ready to move on to independence.” She said the US had deliberately impoverished Puerto Ricans and turned them in to a heavily indebted people. She added that Puerto Rico has been consciously working with regional organisations because: “It is important for us to work with the Caribbean, to work towards Our America. We are surrounded by water (but) we touch the same sea. Without the Caribbean, there is no American continent. Unfortunately, Puerto Rico is being used to militarise not just the Americas, but other peoples. There are ten bases in Puerto Rico, not just for war, but also against countries that are progressive like Venezuela. The bases here were used for the attempted coup in Venezuela. It is important to state that Puerto Ricans have never given up on independence.”
Esteli said her people developed the slogan, ‘Puerto Rico for Puerto Ricans’ because US citizens come to displace the people. That slogan, she said, is now being expanded to: “The Caribbean for the Caribbeans” because the people are inspired by the teachings of Bolivia and Jose Marti. She talked about a dream to build a confederation of the Latin American people.
The Puerto Rican leader talked about her experience in Abuja, Nigeria in August, 2024 when the international relations think tank, the Society for International Relations Awareness, SIRA, organised an international conference to end colonialism in the world. She said its main achievement was the transformation of the conference into an international End Colonialism Movement, ECM, with the aim of uniting all colonies to end colonialism.
The Puerto Rican internationalist called on all Caribbean, Pacific and Latin American countries to encourage the establishment of ECM branches. She said organising peoples for freedom has taken a more urgent need with the re-election of Trump because in his last presidency, he issued a lot of decrees against various peoples.
Cuba, she said, has been at the forefront of the war against colonialism. So: “If we want to fight colonialism, we must also fight against the (American) blockade of Cuba.”
Daylon Roque of the ALBA Movimentos said the struggles of the Caribbeans, Latin Americans and Africans are linked.
Roque refered to the February 4, 1962 ‘Second Havana Declaration’ in which Fidel Castro emphasised that national liberation has to be for all peoples. Fidel had submitted: “What is Cuba’s history but that of Latin America’s? What is the history of Latin America but the history of Asia, Africa and Oceania? And what is the history of all these peoples but the history of the cruellest and most ruthless exploitation of the world by imperialism?”
Roque said Cuba decided to militarily intervene in Africa against the advice of the Soviet Union which showed that Cuba was not being dictated to by the former. He said Cuba is propelled by principles which is why it supports Argentina on the issue of the Malvinas which is being colonised by Britain. He said it is based on these principles that Cuba annually raises the issue of de-colonisation in the United Nations.
Alain Limery, of the National Council of Popular Committees in Martinique, said the country is monopolised by the descendants of the old slave owners. He added that the protests in Martinique are a mere symptom of the crises in the region, adding that the option is either chaos or change. He said to the people the only solution is independence. The reaction of colonial France, he added, has been to bring back its murderous riot squad which had previously committed crimes against humanity.
Limery is optimistic that a New World Order is rising, pointing out that the rise of the BRICS may well be heralding that new order.
Jean Yves Judith, of the Association of Workers and Peoples of the Caribbean, presented Guadalupe’s position. He said the French have been saying that colonialism is not a crime against humanity. He added that there is the need to have a structure that can organise the workers and peoples of Martinique and Guadalupe.
Kandis Sebro, host of the virtual conference, highlighted the on-going struggles in Martinique and Guadalupe, the push-back against neo-colonialism in the Sahel, the colonial debt crises heaped on Haiti, the principled struggles of Cuba, the teachings of Walter Rodney on underdevelopment, and the need for emancipation.
The participants said they recognise that the re-election of Trump is part of the rise of the far-right and fascist forces, so there is the need for all progressive forces to unite.
Micherline Islanda Aduel, a youth peasant leader from Haiti who has been displaced for ten years, moderated the conference. She rounded off the programme with the advice that progressive humanity needs to raise awareness against colonialism and build advocacy for freedom.
The real sector – agricultural and industrial – is a critical factor for economic growth and development. A nation is as affluent as its industrial sector. In fact, this sector is the mitochondrion of a productive economy.
Nigeria is endowed with a vibrant consumer market – the largest in Africa. And where there is consumption, there is demand, and there should be commensurate local production. Incentivising production and creating the enabling environment for businesses to thrive are indispensable for sustainable economic growth and job creation.
Since he assumed office, President Bola Tinubu has taken ingenious decisions to ensure the blossoming of Nigeria’s industrial and sundry sectors, as well as to stimulate and pyramid the variables for job creation. For instance, he issued executive orders to enhance local production of healthcare products and incentivise agricultural and consumer goods production, in addition to effecting a full-system upgrade of the oil and gas industry.
Among the robust measures to support the manufacturing sector, inclusive of micro, small, and medium scale enterprises, is the N200 billion Presidential Intervention Fund Programme.
The fund is in three parts – the Presidential Conditional Grant Scheme (PCGS); the FGN MSME Intervention Fund, and FGN Manufacturing Sector Fund.
The Presidential Conditional Grant Scheme (PCGS) provides N50,000 grant to nano-business owners, especially women and young people, with beneficiaries from all the local government areas (LGAs) across the country.
The FGN MSME Intervention Fund is valued at N75 billion and seeks to attenuate the challenges faced by MSMEs, offering a maximum of N1 million per beneficiary at a 9 percent interest rate, while the FGN Manufacturing Sector N75 billion Fund offers support to eligible manufacturing businesses, with each beneficiary receiving up to N1 billion at a comparable interest rate.
The programme is being implemented by the Bank of Industry (BOI).
Here is a status update on the programme as of September/October 2024.
N50BN PRESIDENTIAL CONDITIONAL GRANT SCHEME (PCGS)
• This scheme planned to disburse N50,000 grants to 1 million beneficiaries across the LGAs.
• The sum of N38.8 billion has been disbursed to 774,593 beneficiaries across the 774 LGAs and area councils of the FCT.
• Letters have been sent to state governors requesting additional beneficiaries (based on population) and nomination of focal persons in the respective states to complete the 1,000,000 beneficiaries target for the programme.
• Twenty-Three (23) states (Abia, Adamawa, Akwa lbom, Benue, Borno, Ebonyi, Ekiti, FCT-Abuja, Gombe, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Kogi, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Plateau, Sokoto, Yobe, Zamfara, Enugu, and Lagos) have responded with the details of the nominated focal persons.
• Ten (10) states (Gombe, Jigawa, Osun, Sokoto, Yobe, Taraba, Kogi, Abia, Akwa lbom, Kaduna) have sent a total of 61,055 candidate data and verification of these candidates is in progress.
N75BN FGN MICRO, SMALL, AND MEDIUM SCALE ENTERPRISES (MSME} INTERVENTION FUND
• The programme seeks to disburse loans of up to N1 million to at least 75,000 beneficiaries.
• The Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade & Investment (FMITI) transferred the public database of 832,359 MSMEs to the Bank of Industry on September 3, 2024.
• Out of the above number, only 211,248 applicants submitted completed information, out of which 932 have been evaluated and approved for disbursement, which is ongoing. Other applicants with incomplete information have been contacted to submit missing documentation.
• The National Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME) and the Nigerian Association of Small-Scale Industrialists (NASS) have been contacted and are being involved to ensure that their membership is on-boarded to become beneficiaries. Over 412 members of NASME are being evaluated.
N75 BILLION FGN MANUFACTURING SECTOR FUND (MSF)
• The programme seeks to disburse up to N1 billion to 75 manufacturing companies.
• The funds under this programme have been fully allocated.
• The Bank received several applications directly and has processed and approved 143 manufacturing companies with a total loan value of N78.5 billion.
• As of September 24, 2024, the Bank has successfully disbursed the sum of N6.3 billion to eight manufacturing companies.
• 23 other projects valued at N9.1 billion are currently at various stages of disbursement.
• The remaining 112 companies valued at N63.1 billion are currently at various stages of meeting the conditions precedent to loan disbursement. All 143 companies being reviewed are geographically spread as follows north-central – 13; north-west – 23; north-east- 36; south-west – 46; south-east – 18; south-south – 7.
• The Bank met with the executives of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) to ensure that all beneficiaries are real manufacturers. This is to provide additional validation of the loan applicants for the programme.
Fredrick Nwabufo is Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Engagement
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[OPINION] The True Essence of Marriage: Lessons from Ezeudo’s Heartfelt Reflections - Isaac Asabor
AdminIn an era where the concept of marriage is constantly being tested by modern challenges and shifting social values, it is heartwarming and inspiring to stumble upon words that remind us of the true essence of this age-old institution. Recently, Chief (Dr.) Uche Nworah, also known as Ezeudo Enugwu-Ukwuna Umunri, who is a respected brand and marketing expert, shared a profound note on his Facebook page. In it, he offered timeless advice to both married couples and those planning to embark on the journey of matrimony. His words resonated deeply with many, especially couples whose relationships are characterized by disagreements and constant conflicts.
Chief Nworah’s reflections are not just another set of clichés; rather, they are anchored in his nearly two decades of personal experience in marriage. His heartfelt note carries an underlying message of hope, endurance, and partnership, a message that every married couple can learn from.
Ezeudo begins his message with a straightforward but profound piece of advice: “Marry someone who genuinely cares about you. Marry someone who will be in the marriage for the long haul.” In a world where marriages are increasingly seen as disposable, where conflicts often lead to quick divorces rather than resolutions, Chief Nworah’s counsel is a refreshing reminder that the foundation of a lasting marriage lies in genuine care and commitment.
Couples need to understand that marriage is not a sprint but a marathon. The key to staying the course is choosing a partner who is not just physically present but also emotionally invested in the relationship. When two individuals are committed to weathering the storms together, there is little that can break their bond.
The emphasis on selecting a God-fearing, family-oriented, prayerful, hardworking, forgiving, and resourceful partner is another significant point that Ezeudo highlights. These qualities are not only crucial in sustaining a marriage but also in navigating the inevitable challenges that come with it.
When couples are guided by a shared faith and mutual respect, they can draw strength from each other in times of difficulty. Ezeudo’s note reminds us that the person you marry should not just be your partner but also your confidant, cheerleader, and rock. The journey of marriage is long, and having someone who aligns with your values and shares your vision can make all the difference.
One of the most striking parts of Chief Nworah’s message is his statement: “Wives and husbands do not come ready-made and are not manufactured in a factory to be bought off-the-shelf.” This simple yet profound metaphor encapsulates the reality of marriage. Many couples enter into marriage with unrealistic expectations, believing that their partners should be perfect or that love alone will magically smooth out all differences. The truth, as Ezeudo so eloquently points out, is that marriage is a continuous work in progress.
No partner is perfect, and neither are we. It is through the process of understanding, forgiving, and growing together that couples can build a resilient and enduring bond. This lesson is particularly relevant to those whose marriages are characterized by frequent disagreements. Rather than viewing conflicts as the end, couples should see them as opportunities to grow closer, to understand each other better, and to become more tolerant of each other’s weaknesses.
In sharing a personal anecdote, Chief Nworah provided a beautiful testament to the power of support in marriage. Reflecting on an incident where he needed financial help, he recalled how his wife promptly wired the money to him without hesitation. When he asked her why, she simply responded, “I didn’t want my husband to be put to shame.” This small yet powerful gesture speaks volumes about what a supportive and loving marriage should look like.
A successful marriage is not just about grand gestures or lavish displays of affection. It’s in the little acts of kindness, the silent sacrifices, and the unspoken understanding between two people. It’s about being each other’s backbone, especially in moments of vulnerability. When one partner is in need, the other steps in without being asked. This, as Chief Nworah’s story exemplifies, is the true essence of a partnership that lasts.
Chief Nworah’s 19 and a half years of marriage have not been devoid of challenges. Yet, his message is clear: enduring marriages are those that embrace imperfections. “Over time, God perfects your union helping you to overlook each other’s weaknesses and shortcomings,” he says. This powerful statement speaks to the divine role in nurturing and sustaining marriages.
In an era where the pressure to present perfect relationships on social media is at an all-time high, couples can feel discouraged when faced with challenges. However, the reality is that no marriage is without its ups and downs. It’s through God’s grace, patience, and mutual understanding that couples can find harmony despite their differences.
Ezeudo’s words encourage couples to focus on building each other up rather than tearing each other down. It’s a reminder that marriage is not a competition but a collaboration, where both partners bring their strengths to the table to complement each other.
Chief Nworah’s message is not just for those already married but also serves as a valuable guide for intending couples. By emphasizing the importance of choosing a partner who shares your values, is willing to put in the work, and remains committed for the long haul, he provides a blueprint for building a marriage that stands the test of time.
His note concludes with a heartfelt prayer: “May you find that one person, Amen.” This is not just a prayer for those seeking a life partner but also a wish for couples already married to rediscover th
In today’s fast-paced world, where marriages are often overshadowed by societal pressures and unrealistic expectations, Chief (Dr.) Uche Nworah’s reflections serve as a breath of fresh air. His note is a gentle but powerful reminder that marriage is not just about love; it’s about choosing to care, to support, and to grow together every day, even when it’s hard.
For couples whose marriages may be experiencing turbulence, Ezeudo’s words are a beacon of hope, a reminder that every union can be perfected over time with patience, faith, and mutual respect. The message is clear: no marriage is perfect, but with the right partner, the journey can be beautiful, rewarding, and fulfilling.
As couples reflect on these wise words from a man who has walked the marital path for nearly two decades, may they find inspiration to nurture their own relationships, to support each other unconditionally, and to grow together in love.
[OPINION] The Indomitable Spirit Of Donald Trump: A Lesson In Resilience For All - Isaac Asabor
AdminIn a world where setbacks, criticisms, and harsh realities can easily overwhelm even the strongest of spirits, there remains a handful of individuals who, regardless of the odds, refuse to throw in the towel. Among this elite group is Donald J. Trump, the controversial yet undeniably resilient figure whose “never say die” attitude has become his defining trait. Whether you admire or detest him, there is an undeniable lesson in the sheer force of will that he embodies, a lesson from which everyone can draw inspiration.
Donald Trump’s journey has never been an easy ride. From his early ventures in real estate to his eventual emergence as a global political figure, Trump’s life has been marked by a series of challenges that would have discouraged most people. Yet, instead of retreating or succumbing to the pressures, Trump has consistently demonstrated an extraordinary ability to bounce back stronger.
One of the most glaring examples of this resilience was his 2016 presidential campaign. Initially dismissed by many as a joke or a publicity stunt, Trump faced ridicule from political pundits, opponents, and even members of his own party. Yet, against all odds, he secured the Republican nomination and went on to win the presidency in one of the most shocking upsets in American electoral history. For Trump, failure is never an option, it is simply an obstacle to be overcome.
Trump’s journey, however, did not start with the presidency. As a businessman, he faced multiple financial setbacks. He saw his companies file for bankruptcy on several occasions, most notably in the early 1990s. At that time, his flagship property, the Trump Taj Mahal, along with other ventures, was struggling to stay afloat. Many critics predicted that it was the end of Trump’s empire.
Yet, true to his tenacious nature, Trump found ways to restructure his debts, negotiate with creditors, and rebuild his brand. He never allowed financial challenges to define him. Instead, he saw them as stepping stones to future successes. In a speech reflecting on those difficult times, Trump once said, “What separates the winners from the losers is how a person reacts to each new twist of fate.” This mindset, one that embraces adversity as a tool for growth, is what sets him apart.
Despite his contentious presidency, Trump’s impact on American politics is still felt today. After losing the 2020 presidential election to Joe Biden, many assumed that Trump would quietly fade into the background. But that assumption could not have been further from the truth. Trump refused to accept defeat in the traditional sense, launching legal battles to contest the election results and continuing to rally his supporters with the slogan, “Make America Great Again.”
Trump’s refusal to accept defeat might be seen by some as obstinacy, but there is an underlying lesson of persistence and belief in one’s cause. Even with the barrage of criticisms, investigations, and legal challenges that characterized his race to the White House which he just won, Trump has remained undeterred. Instead of retreating into political obscurity, he has continued to be a formidable force within the Republican Party, and has in his resiliency ran for the presidency in 2024 and won. The message here is clear: no matter how hard life knocks you down, there is always a path forward if you are determined to find it.
While Trump’s story is uniquely American and deeply intertwined with the complexities of politics and business, the essence of his resilience is something that anyone can learn from. In our personal and professional lives, we all face challenges, failures, and moments when giving up seems like the easier option. But Trump’s story reminds us that the path to success is rarely straightforward. It is often riddled with detours, dead ends, and disappointments.
Consider how often we are quick to abandon our dreams when we encounter a single setback. The fear of failure or public ridicule can paralyze us. However, Trump’s life is a case study in the power of self-belief. He has shown time and again that criticism, no matter how intense, is no match for the unwavering belief in one’s vision.
At the heart of Trump’s tenacity is a mindset that is fixated on winning. He has often been criticized for his brash demeanor, his unwillingness to concede, and his relentless pursuit of what he believes is rightfully his. Yet, it is this unyielding spirit that has allowed him to keep going, even when the odds were overwhelmingly against him.
Trump’s “never say die” attitude is not just about refusing to accept defeat, it is about reinventing oneself in the face of adversity. It is about pushing boundaries and refusing to be limited by the expectations of others. His unrelenting drive has turned his name into a brand that is recognized globally, proving that there is no limit to what one can achieve with enough determination.
Without a doubt, Trump has bequeathed a resilience formula to humanity through which we can learn from. His resilience can be distilled into several actionable lessons that cut across believing in oneself even when others don’t. In fact, the world will often doubt your capabilities, but what matters is your belief in yourself. If you do not believe in your potential, no one else will.
In a similar vein, he has taught us that failure is not the end. In fact, Trump’s life is filled with examples of turning failures into stepping stones. View setbacks not as an end but as a chance to start over with more wisdom.
Also in a similar vein, he has taught us to stay focused on our visions. In an era of distractions and naysayers, having a clear vision can keep you grounded. Trump’s commitment to his beliefs, whether popular or controversial, has been a key driver of his success.
Not only that, he has taught people to be relentless in pursuit of their goals. In fact, consistent effort, even in the face of adversity, is what separates those who achieve their goals from those who do not. Trump’s tireless energy, even at an age when most people are contemplating retirement, is proof that relentlessness pays off.
Also learnt from his disposition is that of being not afraid of criticism. If Trump’s story tells us anything, it is that criticism is a sign that you are doing something impactful. Embrace it, learn from it, but do not let it deter you from your path.
It is easy to get caught up in the polarizing nature of Donald Trump’s personality and politics, but beyond the controversies lies a powerful message of resilience that everyone can relate to. In a world where failure is often feared and criticized, Trump’s example shows us that setbacks are just stepping stones to success. His “never say die” attitude is a testament to the power of grit and determination.
For those navigating personal struggles, career hurdles, or the pursuit of big dreams, Trump’s journey serves as a potent reminder that giving up should never be an option. While you may not agree with his politics, his life story is a testament to the fact that, with enough resilience, you can overcome even the most insurmountable challenges.
So, the next time you face an obstacle that seems too difficult to overcome, remember the spirit of Donald Trump. Whether you admire him or not, there is no denying that his indomitable attitude is a lesson in perseverance, one that each of us can apply in our own lives.
Professor Fidelis Oditah’s recent interactive discussion on a wide range of issues on Arise News, are quite engaging. As a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN and an international legal mind, his views on national issues cannot be disregarded. Benjamin Disraeli, former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom once said, “with words we govern men”. Thus, Oditah’ s words are important and cannot be dismissed as empty effusion lacking weight or impact.
However, the learned Professor’s submission on what he called the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC’s three fundamental problems are, to say the least, prejudicial, unfounded and misleading. First, Oditah stated that “The EFCC is often being used for settling many scores. Some are political scores, some are social scores. So, you could run away from your girlfriend and the girlfriend goes to the EFCC and the EFCC could ask you questions(sic). What has that got to do with economic crimes? That is blatant abuse of power”(sic).
How on earth will this kind of a scenario painted by the learned silk hold water? The simplest argument against this kind of effusion is to challenge Oditah to provide proofs of such banality. We all know that this just an idle talk because the EFCC is a serious- minded law enforcement agency. The only worrisome aspect of such a talk is that it betrays an embarrassing lack of grasp of what the EFCC’s focus is.
This issue of appropriate and proper focusing of the mandate of the EFCC has been a central pivot of the three- pronged agenda of the Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede. In the full glare of the entire world, while addressing members of the National Assembly in October 2023, Olukoyede stated that the focus of every fight against corruption was to stimulate growth in the economy. For more than a year now, the EFCC’s boss has been consistently following this route. The review of the arrest and bail procedures of the EFCC is in line with this. Professor Oditah is probably busy with his works as a King’s Counsel in the United Kingdom and have no time to be abreast of development in the EFCC. Olukoyede is a lawyer of high pedigree and would not allow what the learned counsel called “ blatant abuse of power”.
The second “ fundamental problem of the EFCC”, according to Oditah is that “The EFCC has abandoned its mandate and reduce itself to a debt- collection agency, notwithstanding the numerous court decisions saying the EFCC must stay within the narrow confines of financial and economic crimes. The EFCC has gone out for debt recovery”. This submission, again, is hollow and vacuous. The EFCC’s Establishment Act does not empower the Commission to collect debt on behalf of anyone. The recovery the EFCC does is taking back proceeds of crime from fraudsters. Asset recovery, all over the world, is a fundamental law enforcement and anti- corruption initiative. As a matter of fact, it is the ground norm of every anti- corruption fight. To this end, Olukoyede in just one year, recovered N248,750,049,365.52 (Two Hundred and Forty-Eight Billion, Seven Hundred and Fifty Million, Forty-Nine Thousand, Three Hundred and Sixty-Five Naira, Fifty-Two Kobo).
In foreign currencies, recoveries of the Commission in the one year of Olukoyede’s leadership are: $105,423,190.39 (One Hundred and Five Million, Four Hundred and Twenty-Three Thousand, One Hundred and Ninety Dollars, Thirty-Nine Cents); £ 53,133.64 (Fifty-Three Thousand, One Hundred and Thirty-Three Pounds, Sixty-Four Pence; €172,547.10 (One Hundred and Seventy-Two Thousand, Five Hundred and Forty-Seven Euros, Ten Cents) and many others.
Going by the quantum of these recoveries, not to talk of real estate recovered all over the country, including shares acquired with proceeds of crime in blue- chip companies, it is simply preposterous to reduce and ridicule asset recoveries to debt recovery. Professor Oditah owes the EFCC and the entire nation unconditional apology in this regard. Just two days ago, a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos granted final forfeitures of over $2million and seven princely properties in choice areas of Lagos to the Federal Government. The assets are proceeds of crime traced to a former governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN. Do such recoveries fall into the category of debt recovery insinuation of Oditah? President Bola Ahmed Tinubu recently directed that N100billion be channeled to the funding of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, NELFUND and the Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation, CreditCorp, respectively from the monetary recoveries of the EFCC.
Is the Professor aware of all these? It is evident that bringing down the issue of asset recovery to the ridiculous corridor of debt recovery is deliberate caricature of an important anti- corruption framework of the government. This is an initiative which local, regional and international agencies are commending Olukoyede and the EFCC about. It is to be noted also that the Director of FBI and the DG of National Crime Agency in the UK where he resides have paid cortesty visits to Olukoyede commending him on the feat he has attained in the fight against corruption and financial crimes and to seek more collaboration with the agency in their shared mandate of fighting corruption and financial crimes
The third issue Odikah raised against the EFCC, like the earlier issues, again, lacks any firm ground of substance. Hear him:
“The EFCC itself, a number of officers are more corrupt than those they are chasing. So, you remember what happened to Mr Bawa, Mr Matawalle, when Mr Matawalle finished his tenure as governor of Zamfara state and he said he was invited by Mr Bawa to bring $2million so as not to be investigated. The EFCC itself has become a corrupt organisation which needs to be completely disbanded and a new body set up . The EFCC has the resources. It does not have the ethics. The EFCC majors on minor issues, catching students and showing them as cyber criminals and so it says, it procured 1000 convictions and when you look at them they are people who have defrauded people of 20 or 22 dollars. That’s not the mandate. That’s the periphery. The central mandate is to ensure that the resources which are put in the hands of states are used by the states and that’s where the EFCC”
Going through all these trumped- up claims, it is obvious that Oditah has elected to totally launch unwarranted verbal war against the Commission and its officers. How many officers of the EFCC have been tainted with corruption allegations? Is it acceptable to use the “ sins” of very few elements in a community to paint and taint it as a community of sinners? It should be noted that there is no law enforcement agency in the world that is not vulnerable to corrupt officers. What is important is what the agency is doing to such elements. Olukoyede is known for his no- nonsense approach to ethical issues in the Commission. As a matter of fact, upon assumption of duties, he directed every officer of the Commission to declare their assets and ensure that verification of assets so declared is established. He went ahead to name the Department of Internal Affairs as Department of Ethics and Integrity. Beyond all these, some erring officers of the Commission have either been shown the way out or facing trial. In recent times, the Commission has had cause to dismiss some officers on allegations of corruption and gross misconduct. The EFCC is self- cleansing and the Commission deserves commendation for this.
It is worrisome that a Professor of the reputation and exposure of Oditah could dismiss the Commission’s onslaught against internet fraudsters as an unserious engagement. The damages this genre of fraudsters are causing the nation is untold. A crime that has a projection of $10.6trillion loss to the whole world in 2025 and Nigeria lost more than $500million in 2022 alone, is what Oditah derisively lampooned the EFCC about. We have cause to be worried that those who ought to know better are either playing the Ostrich or advertising their ignorance of a major malaise confronting the nation. Owing to the threat of cybercrimes to the development of our country, the EFCC has held two national dialogues on it. The recent one held few days ago at the Presidential Villa. The Professor should know that the EFCC mandate is to investigate all financial and economic crimes and no financial crime is small or big to be investigated in order to save the soul of the nation. It should be recalled that in recent times, the EFCC had had cause to prosecute and file charges against four ex- governors and some former ministers who were found culpable by EFCC’s investigation for looting state treasuries. This is just to confirm that the Commission is not scared of taking up large- scale fraud’s investigations and prosecution which we shall continue to do
There is no denying the fact that the respected professor goofed in all his comments about the EFCC and his views are not reflective of the realities on ground concerning the anti- corruption fight of the government.
On a final note, we enjoin professor Oditah to get himself familiar with the works of the Commission and lend his expertise and rich experience to the nation for a more robust and fully- integrated war against corruption. We also want to advise the fourth estate of the realm not to allow their platforms to be used to cast unfounded aspersions on the good works of the EFCC. The Commission is not averse to meaningful contributions and advise from well- meaning and reform- minded Nigerians to strengthen our processes and procedures as we continue this crusade,
**Dele Oyewale is Head, Media & Publicity of the EFCC.
I understand wealthy US citizens and conservatives of the evangelical hue rooting for Donald Trump. The rich believe he would loosen regulations and protect them and their businesses from excessive taxation. Conservative evangelicals believe he is the bulwark against wokeism, especially the ultra-liberal variety. And white folks want their country back.
But Africans at home and in the Diaspora – what is their business supporting a guy who described their continent as a “shithole” and has worn his anti-immigrant rhetoric on his sleeves? It didn’t seem to make sense that anyone who saw Trump 1.0 would ever dream or wish for the second version. But now, he’s back. He even has the Supreme Court and the Senate in his Red corner as of press time.
With the media (especially the major networks) awash with polls indicating a dead heat up to zero hours, I became more interested in the pro-Trump sentiment among Nigerians. I also checked in with friends elsewhere on the continent, and the feedback surprised me.
Trump, we want
Some friends told me Trump is just the man the US needs to purge itself of its hubris and arrogance. Once upon a time, the US was a moral force for good worldwide. Its exceptionalism didn’t often require bullying others to make the point.
It did many bad things during the Cold War, as did its arch-rival, the Soviet Union. But after that phase and with the fall of the Berlin Wall, many had hoped to see the emergence of a multipolar world, one in which, if you like, the lion and the lamb would lie side by side.
But that was not to be. From Cuba to Venezuela, Libya to the Persian Gulf and the Middle East, and right up to the old sphere of influence of the USSR, the US stoked—and still stokes—a zero-sumness that hardly brooks “live and let live.” Since then, the world has experienced fewer devastating wars, but it has wrestled with no fewer tensions of a new variety aided and abetted by technology.
Same difference?
Trump 2.0, these folks hope, will do at least two things for the world. It would further hasten the internal decay of the US by aggravating racial tensions and emboldening right-wing excesses. Two, Trump’s America First ultra-insularity and his off-the-fly foreign policy style will distance the US from its traditional allies and enable crazies around the world, like North Korea’s Kim Jong Un, to run amok.
This sounded more like saying that if US voters were happy to be seduced by their worst selves, they deserve what they get.
But that was not all. Some also wanted Trump’s victory as a stick to beat their leaders back home. On the eve of the election, Larry Madowo of CNN reported that Kenyans wanted Trump to win because “with him, you know where you stand.” The report contrasted Trump’s style with Kenya’s political elite, who could hardly be trusted.
Trumphobes
The CNN report might also have been about Nigeria, where Trumphobes wanted him to win for a slightly curiously different reason. They think his anti-immigration policy will force Nigerians and their government to fix their own country. In the US, Nigeria has the highest diaspora population of Africa, 327,000 citizens, followed by Ethiopia, 222,000, and Egypt, 192,000.
It didn’t matter much to the Trumphobes that Nigeria’s US diaspora sends home $20 billion yearly, an increasingly significant source of support for a distressed economy. What is at work is a reverse schadenfreude, which says that the fewer opportunities Nigerian immigrants have outside the country, the more seriously the government would be obliged to fix the country.
Someone even said to me that the “malicious support” for Trump was payback for the bad leaders that the US routinely propped and supported around the world, a list that included Saddam Hussein, Augusto Pinochet and Mobutu Seseko.
Republican African record
Some pro-Trump sentiments are, however, driven by facts. For example, Republicans have a far better record of engaging Africans than Democrats. The Republican Party opposed colonialism. Its support for African initiatives such as the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) and efforts to combat AIDS contrasts with the Democrat’s preference for aid diplomacy.
The hope is that Trump 2.0 will not be an exception. Here, Diasporans are not too far from their Black cousins in the US. A NAACP poll in September showed that one in four Black men under 50 supported Trump for president.
Trump 1.0 showed tough love towards Africa, but it was on his watch, for example, that the US finally authorised the sale to Nigeria of the much-needed fighter jets for the prosecution of the war on Boko Haram, which President Barack Obama had blocked for eight years. On his part, President Joe Biden will only make a brief visit – his first to Africa in four years – to Angola on his way out of the White House.
Better or worse?
Trump’s overwhelming victory might mean one of two things for his presidency: The weight of the responsibility could humble him and increase the likelihood that he would be more restrained than before. On the other hand, it could also bring out the worst in him – that feeling that he never really lost in 2020, that he was cheated of victory as he claimed, that it’s now time to take his pound of flesh with a vengeance.
We’ll have to wait and see. If Trump 2.0 means Africans who were not on the radar during the campaign will now have to look inward and find their way through an uncertain future, then so be it.
Ukraine and Gaza
Trump’s victory might hasten the end of the war in Ukraine and, hopefully, improve the protracted global supply chain crisis that has affected the supply of agricultural products and cooking oils to many African countries. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky knows he cannot depend on Trump to bear the cost of a war that has, for all purposes, become a meat grinder. The war in Ukraine might end sooner than later.
As for the Middle East, Trump. 1.0 moved the Embassy of the US from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem despite protests by the Palestinians and some Arab countries. If that means anything, it should suggest that Trump 2.0 will not walk on the eggshell of a two-state solution in his approach to the current war on Gaza. He’s flat-out pro-Netanyahu and big on oil deals with Gulf states.
I make no pretence of my dislike of Trump’s politics. Nor do I have any illusions that his second term would be significantly different from his first, which left the world holding its breath dangerously for four years. But if he’s the man American voters have chosen to lead them, so be it. Unfortunately, what America does – for good or ill – affects the rest of the world whether or not we cast a ballot.
Ishiekwene, Editor-In-Chief of LEADERSHIP, is the author of the new book Writing for Media and Monetising It.