CAPTAIN IBRAHIM TRAORÉ - AN ENVISIONED SERVANT AND COURAGEOUS LEADER

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By Yahaya Balogun

In a recent speech to Burkina Faso youths, Captain Ibrahim Traoré said to write an informative article on agriculture, science, and technology on social media. It will have fewer than one hundred likes, but posting women's nudity, disinformation, and misinformation stuff will garner over a million likes. Captain Ibrahim Traoré's statement cannot be farfetched in today's netizens' African social media dilemmas. 

Captain Ibrahim Traoré was born March 14, 1988. He is a military officer from Burkina Faso who has served as the country's interim leader since the coup d'état in September 2022. This putsch removed the previous interim president, Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba. At 36, Traoré is recognized as the second youngest current head of state globally, following Icelandic Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir. He is also the youngest president currently in office.

Ibrahim Traoré emerges as one of the youngest political figures on the international scene today. Since seizing control via a military coup, he has introduced a novel perspective to African governance, effecting a significant shift in the concept of participatory leadership within two years. His leadership has led to notable advancements in various sectors, including agriculture, oil, healthcare, private enterprise, and public administration, coupled with a renewal of military discipline and national identity. Captain Traoré is poised to confront Africa's governance challenges by promoting the continent's decolonization. As a symbol of optimism for Burkina Faso, this vibrant young leader seems determined to reveal and honor Africa's rich socio-cultural legacy.

Recently, sources reported that Captain Ibrahim Traoré turned down a proposal from Saudi Arabia's government to construct 200 mosques in Burkina Faso. The astute Traoré likely activated his keen awareness, recognizing the hidden motives behind the ambitions of the young authoritarian leader, Muhammad Bin Salman, of Saudi Arabia. Captain Ibrahim Traoré is emphatic that religious extremism should not align with the values of unity and progress that the revolutionary leader represents for the Burkinabe people. Instead, he fosters inclusivity and promotes shared ideals that strengthen his country.

In the tapestry of contemporary human history, Africa has etched a complex and distressing identity for itself—a label that has shrouded its sociopolitical terrain and cast the continent into a shadowy void of the past.

The political landscape across Africa has often fallen short of its aspirational goals, resulting in widespread disillusionment and a sense of neglect among its citizenry regarding governance. From the era of post-colonial independence to today, the lofty principles of democracy, prosperity, and equitable distribution of resources have frequently been compromised by various impediments, including corruption, authoritarianism, and ineffective leadership.

Instead of fostering an environment conducive to transparency, accountability, and meaningful citizen engagement in the political process, numerous governments have resorted to repressive tactics that suppress dissent and overlook the urgent needs of the populace. For many Africans, the aspirations for an improved quality of life—characterized by access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities—remain largely unfulfilled.

Consequently, a substantial portion of the population faces the harsh realities of poor governance, which often manifests in inadequate public services, pervasive poverty, and deficient infrastructure. The initial optimism for a brighter future has been eclipsed by disillusionment, as ruling elites tend to prioritize personal interests over the welfare of their constituents, exacerbating feelings of betrayal among the very individuals they pledged to support. In this milieu, the prospect of political transformation appears remote as citizens continue to strive for the fundamental rights and dignity they are entitled to in their everyday existence.

Captain Ibrahim Traoré is the modern embodiment of Thomas Sankara, a figure hailed as one of Africa's most remarkable leaders. Sankara's approach to leadership—marked by inclusivity and compassion—can potentially revolutionize Burkina Faso and Africa. However, the visionary life of this revolutionary figure was tragically cut short by betrayal from a friend turned foe. The young Captain Ibrahim Traoré is resolutely committed to reshaping and harnessing the timeless legacy of Thomas Sankara for the benefit of Burkina Faso.

The dawn of a new Africa seems just around the corner, thanks to the transformative vision of the bold leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré. If this visionary young man continues his transformational leadership, Burkina Faso may become the new China or America of Africa. Additionally, Captain Ibrahim Traoré's spontaneous and groundbreaking oratory holds the power to spark a wave of revolutionary fervor throughout the continent. To liberate Africa from the grips of corruption and neocolonialism, we must see a surge of passionate leaders like Captain Ibrahim Traoré emerge to champion the cause of African liberation and emancipation across Africa.

Pope Francis finally laid to rest at Santa Maria Maggiore basilica

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By Tina Adekorede

Pope Francis has been laid to rest at the Santa Maria Maggiore basilica.

The late pontiff’s entombment was a private event which allowed those close to him to pay their last respects.

Thousands of people, including world leaders and monarchs witnessed Pope Francis’ funeral mass at St Peter’s Basilica on Saturday.

From there, the coffin carrying the pontiff’s corpse was transported to Santa Maria Maggiore basilica where it was entombed.

Mourners queued up along the streets to witness as his corpse was moved from the Vatican to his final resting place.

The late Argentine is the first in over a century to be buried outside the Vatican.

Speaking during the funeral, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, said the Catholic pontiff “touched minds and hearts” and wanted to “build bridges, not walls.”

Pope Francis died on Easter Monday at the age of 88. In his final moment, the deceased suffered a stroke, coma, and a heart failure.

Pope Francis was admitted at Gemelli hospital in Rome on February 14 after suffering from pneumonia in both lungs. The Vatican, however, claimed that the Pope was making progress in recent days that followed.

FRANCE AND ITS PERMANENT COLONIES: It ruined Haiti, the first black country to become independent in 1804 • It is on course to ruin all its former African colonies

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By Toyin Falola

It is no coincidence that the recent spate of coups in Africa has manifested in former French African colonies (so-called Francophone Africa), once again redirecting the global spotlight on France’s activities in the region.

And that the commentaries, especially among Africans, have been most critical of France and its continued interference in the region.

This is coming against the backdrop of France’s continuous meddling in the economic and political affairs of “independent” Francophone countries, an involvement that has seen it embroiled, both directly and indirectly, in a series of unrests, corruption controversies, and assassinations that have bedevilled the region since independence.

Unlike Britain and other European countries with colonial possessions in Africa, France never left—at least not in the sense of the traditional distance observed since independence by the other erstwhile colonial overlords.

Instead, it has, under the cover of a policy of coopération within the framework of an extended “French Community,” continued to maintain a perceptible cultural, economic, political, and military presence in Africa.

On the surface, the promise of cooperation between France and its former colonies in Africa—which presupposes a relationship of mutual benefit between politically independent nations—where the former would, through the provision of technical and military assistance, lead the development and advancement of its erstwhile colonial “family—is both commendable and perhaps even worthy of emulation.

However, when this carefully scripted façade is juxtaposed with the reality that has unfolded over the decades, what is revealed is an extensive conspiracy involving individuals at the highest levels of the French government.

Along with other influential business interests—also domiciled in France—they have worked with a select African elite to orchestrate the most extensive and heinous crimes against the people of today’s Francophone Africa.

A people who, even today, continue to strain under the weight of France’s insatiable greed.

The greed and covetousness that drove the European nations to abandon trade for colonialization in Africa are as alive today as they were in the 1950s and 1980s.

The decision to give in to African demands for independence was not the outcome of any benevolence or civilised reason on the part of Europe, but for economic and political expedience.

Thus, when the then President of France, Charles de Gaulle—who nurtured an ambition to see France maintain its status as a world power—agreed to independence for its African colonies, it was only a pre-emptive measure to check the further loss of French influence on the continent.

In other words, the political liberation offered “on a platter of gold” was a means to avoid the development of other costly wars of independence, which, after World War II depleted France, was already fighting in Indochina and Algeria.

Independence was, thus, only the first step in ensuring the survival of French interests in Africa and, more importantly, their prioritisation.

Pursuant to this objective, De Gaulle also proposed a “French Community”—delivered on the same “golden platter”—as a caveat to continued French patronage.

As such, the over ninety-eight percent of its colonies that agreed to be part of this community were roped into signing cooperation accords—covering economic, political, military, and cultural sectors—by Jacques Foccart, a former intelligence member of the French Resistance in the Second World War, handpicked by De Gaulle.

This signing of cooperation accords between France and the colonies, which opted to be part of its post-independence French Community, marked the beginning of France’s neo-colonial regime in Africa, where Africans got teachers and despotic leaders in exchange for their natural resources and French military installations.

Commonly referred to as Françafrique—a pejorative derivation from Felix Houphouet Boigny’s “France-Afrique,” describing the close ties between France and Africa—France’s neo-colonial footprint in Africa has been characterised by allegations of corruption and other covert activities perpetrated through various Franco-African economic, political, and military networks.

An essential feature of France is the crookish mafia-like relations between French leaders and their African counterparts, which were reinforced by a dense web of personal networks.

On the French side, African ties, which had been the French presidents’ domaine réservé (sole responsibility) since 1958, were run by an “African cell” founded and managed by Jacques Foccart.

Comprising French presidents, powerful and influential members of the French business community, and the French secret service, this cell operated outside the purview of the French parliament, its civil society organisations, and non-governmental organisations.

This created a window for corruption as politicians and state officials took part in business arrangements, which amounted to state racketeering.

Whereas pro-French sentiments in Africa and elsewhere still argue for France’s continuous presence and contributions, particularly in the area of military intervention and economic aid, which they say have been critical to security, political stability, and economic survival in the region, such arguments intentionally play down the historical consequences of French interests in the region.

Enjoying a free reign in the region—backed mainly by the United States and Britain since the Cold War—France used the opportunity to strengthen its hold on its former colonies.

This translated into the development of a franc zone—a restrictive monetary policy tying the economies of Francophone countries to France—as well as the adoption of an active interventionist approach, which has produced over 120 military interventions across fourteen dependent states between 1960 and the 1990s.

These interventions, which were either to rescue stranded French citizens, put down rebellions, prevent coups, restore order, or uphold French-favoured regimes, have rarely been about improving the fortunes of the general population of Francophone Africa.

French interventions have maintained undemocratic regimes in Cameroun, Senegal, Chad, Gabon, and Niger.

At the same time, its joint military action in Libya was responsible for unleashing Islamic terrorism that threatened to engulf countries like Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Nigeria.

In pursuit of its interests in Africa, France has made little secret of its contempt for all independent and populist reasons while upholding puppet regimes. In Guinea in 1958, De Gaulle embarked on a ruthless agenda to undermine the government of Ahmed Sékou Touré—destroying infrastructure and flooding the economy with fake currency—for voting to stay out of the French Community.

This behaviour was again replicated in Togo, where that country’s first president, Sylvio Olympio, was overthrown and gruesomely murdered for daring to establish a central bank for the country outside the Franc CFA Zone.

Subsequently, his killer, Gnassingbé Eyadema, assumed office and ruled from 1967 until his death in 2005, after which he was succeeded by his son, who still rules. In Gabon, you had the Bongo family, who ran a regime of corruption and oppression with the open support of France throughout 56 years of unproductive rule.

As for Cameroun’s most promising pan-Africanist pro-independence leader, Felix Moumie, he died under mysterious circumstances in Switzerland, paving the way for the likes of Paul Biya, who has been president since 1982.

France also backs a Senegalese government, which today holds over 1500 political prisoners and singlehandedly installed Alhassan Ouattara as president of Cote d’Ivoire.

Therefore, the widespread anti-France sentiment spreading through the populations of Francophone Africa and beyond is not unfounded, as it has become apparent to all and sundry that these countries have not fared well under the shadow of France.

In Niger, where France carried out one of the bloodiest campaigns of colonial pacification in Africa—murdering and pillaging entire villages—and which is France’s most important source of uranium, the income per capita was 59 percent lower in 2022 than it was in 1965.

In Cote d’Ivoire, the largest producer of cocoa in the world, the income per capita was 25 percent lower in 2022 than in 1975.

Outside the rampant unemployment, systematic disenfranchisement, and infrastructural deficits that characterise these Francophone countries, there’s also the frustration and anger of sitting back and watching helplessly.

In contrast, the wealth of your country is being carted away to nations whose people feed fat on your birthright and then turn around to make judgements and other disparaging comments on your humanity and condition of existence.

The people are tired of being poor, helpless, and judged as third-world citizens! France is a dangerous country.

It is indeed overdue for France to cut its losses—whatever it envisages they are—and step back from its permanent colonies to allow the people of Francophone Africa to decide on their preferred path to the future.

After nearly 200 years of occupation, the people have had good reasons to say France should leave.

The restlessness and coups that have become commonplace in the region are symptoms of deeper underlying social, economic, and political problems, including weak institutions, systematic disenfranchisement, poverty, corruption, and/or misappropriation of national wealth.

And as we call on France to do the honourable thing and withdraw, we should also rebuke Africa’s leaders, who have not only put their interests above those of their people but have also turned the instruments of regional intervention and development (like the AU and ECOWAS) into tools for ensuring their political survival.

SOURCE: NIGERIAN TRIBUNE

Abiodun bags Visionary Leadership Award, says “we have made Ogun a haven of industries”

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SOUTH-WEST NIGERIA - Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has said that his administration has intensified efforts to provide basic infrastructure and create a conducive business environment, noting that more industries have flocked to the state in six years than in previous administrations.

The state, Abiodun noted, is one of the six states where Special Agro Processing Zones were created in the country in collaboration with the Federal Government, African Development Bank, African Export-Import Bank, and Islamic Bank, adding that his administration decided to partner with private sector players for the prompt take-off of the zone.

Abiodun stated this while receiving the Distinguished Visionary Leadership Award by the Foreign Investment Network (FIN) for his unique leadership style and untiring efforts in opening up more business frontiers in the state at his office in Oke Mosan, Abeokuta.

Speaking on the steps taken to promote the ease of doing business in the state, the governor said that apart from establishing a Business Environment Council to act in collaboration with the State Investment and Facilitation Agency as a one-stop shop, tax payment has been computerized to eliminate multiple taxation.

He said: “This administration has improved the transportation sector by constructing over 1,200 kilometers of roads in six years. We have built the best-equipped airport in Nigeria, and this airport is centrally located.

“We have adopted a multimodal transport system that incorporates air, road, sea, and rail lines. We are extending a rail line that stopped at Agbado to Ogun State,” he said.

The state, Governor Abiodun further explained, is blessed with a large population and natural resources, and it is strategically located to take advantage of the biggest market in the country. He disclosed that the government is working to ensure that the state has the cheapest electricity for industries and the people.

While calling on investors to take advantage of the numerous opportunities that abound in agriculture, power generation, manufacturing, and other sectors, the state helmsman urged the Foreign Investment Network (FIN) to intensify efforts in showcasing the state’s potential to the outside world and assured that the organization would be involved in planning the proposed State Economic Summit to make it a grand event.

Earlier, while presenting the Distinguished Visionary Leadership Award to the governor when she led a business delegation to the Governor’s Office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, the Chairperson of the organization, Dr. Olayinka Fayomi, said the state had witnessed tremendous economic development in the last six years of the administration.

She said: “The governor has done well. Two years ago when we saw what the governor had accomplished, we decided to promote him further. This award is to acknowledge his efforts in expanding business frontiers in the state.

“Investors outside are noting what Ogun is doing, especially in health, education, agriculture, and infrastructure. The governor has made the state a significant business destination. We are attending a business summit in Oman, where we will present the business opportunities that exist in Ogun State.”

Fayomi noted that apart from promoting and facilitating investments in African countries, especially Nigeria, over the last 45 years, her organization is also involved in magazine publication in English, French, and Chinese, to expose business opportunities on the continent to the outside world.

Responding, Governor Abiodun expressed appreciation to the Chairperson of FIN for the award, emphasizing that it was an indication that the modest efforts of the administration in developing the state are being recognized, and he called on the organization to continue to attract more investors to come and do business in the country.

DAILY POST

The Link Between the Modern day Yoruba and the Ancient Egyptians

Ooni of Ife 

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By Reno Omokri

The ‘Yoruba’ people are some of the most spiritual people on Earth, (if not the most spiritual bar none). Sadly, however, a lot of Yoruba people do not know that there is absolutely nothing like Yoruba as a people or as a language. Yoruba is a modern creation, from a mispronounced Fulani word. The term Yoruba did not exist before the 19th Century. Yoruba is just like the English language, which was created as a mixture of several Germanic languages, including German, Danish and Dutch, when a mishmash of Saxons came to Britain in the 4th Century and mixed in with the Angle tribe that was native to Britain. When Samuel Ajayi Crowther was captured by Fulani slave traders from his village of Osoogun in 1821 at the age of 12, he reported that he could neither speak or understand the language of the villages they passed through on the way to Lagos. These were villages in present day Ogun and Oyo. Google it yourself. Don’t take my word for it. At that time, there was Egba language, Ijebu language, Owu language, Awori language, Ijesha language, Ondo language, etc. So how did Yoruba come about? When the Portuguese entered Eko and changed the name to Lagos, it became a big trading post and attracted a variety of Edekiri peoples (Edekiri is the actual name for the group of languages now referred to as Yoruba). Gradually, they evolved a mixture of their various dialects and thus began the origins of the modern language now known as Yoruba. As Lagos grew in importance under the British, so did the new language grow in vocabulary and spread. But if you understand the pure root Edekiri language, you will be able to understand bits and pieces of all languages spoken from modern day Kwara, to Kogi, to Edo, to parts of Delta, and to the Southwest states, and to Benin Republic.

Now, in my present pilgrimage to Egypt, a land that was known as Kemet by the original Black inhabitants who were pushed deeper into Africa by wave after wave of invaders, my Egyptologist guide kept on mentioning names that would sound familiar to anyone who is aware of the pure Edekiri language, before it was diluted in Lagos. One of such names is Tiye, wife of Pharaoh Amenhotep III and daughter of Yuya and Tuya. Tiye was Black. This is undisputed in Egyptology. You ought to research this, or at least Google it. Her DNA was tested. But the interesting thing is that the root word of Tiye’s name and the name of her parents (Yuya and Tuya) is Iye or Iya, which is the pure Edekiri word for mother. Do you still doubt me? Okay. Let’s go deeper. Tiye’s son, who succeeded his father as Pharaoh was Smenkhkare. Google it. That is a pure Edekiri name that is still being used as a name amongst the Edo of Benin (also called Bini). You have such similar names as Nosakhare, Nehikhare being used till today. Another of Queen Tiye’s son’s name, who also became Pharaoh is Akenaten. This is also a root Edekiri name that is still being used in Benin till this very day. In fact, the Binis had a king (Oba) named Oba Akenzua. You will also notice a strong similarity between the ancient Egyptians and the Edekiri people-they did not write their history in words. They carved it, in wood, stone, and metal, using symbols.

Now, let’s talk about the pyramids of Egypt (which are in reality the Pyramids of Kemet). They were built 4600 years ago. By who? Google the Groundnut Pyramids of Nigeria. They were built entirely by native Hausa people. They were not built under the direction of the British. Native Hausas built them just like Black people once built the pyramids in Egypt. Do you know that there are pyramids in Nigeria? Google the Nsude Pyramids. These are pyramids built by people of Igbo origin for their god, Ala. it is not known exactly when these pyramids were built, only that they are prehistoric.

I am still in Egypt, and I have a lot more I could write. But I often hesitate, because when I write these things (especially if I don’t step them down), I end up frightening, or shocking too many people and that is not my intention. So, let me stop here and also encourage my readers to not only read, but even more importantly, do their own thorough independent and unbiased research, just like I have done. I will also encourage my readers to read my earlier work ‘The Ijebu, The Yoruba and Their Influence on The Bible and Judaism’.

‘Social media is a terrorist organisation’ – Sultan of Sokoto

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The head of Nigeria’s Northern Muslims and the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has claimed that social media is a “terrorist organization”.

He stated this while citing social media’s role in spreading false information and inciting unrest.

The sultan, while speaking during the 7th Executive Committee Meeting of the Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council in Maiduguri, Borno State, called on security agencies to treat social media platforms with the same seriousness as other threats to national security.

“Somebody can sit in the comfort of their home and formulate stories and you will consider that it is true. Social media is a terrorist organisation that we must deal with. Security agencies must deal with this terrorist organisation called social media.” He stated. 

The sultan also condemned the ongoing violence and killings in Plateau and other parts of the country. He urged political leaders and security agencies to take urgent and decisive action.

Daily Post

Breaking: Pope Francis, first Latin Pope dead at 88!

CC™ GlobalScope Pos

Pope Francis, the first Latin American pontiff who ministered with a charming, humble style and sincere care for the poor, has died at the age of 88. 

Francis had been ill recently but emerged on Easter Sunday, a day before his death, to bless thousands of people in St. Peter’s Square and treat them to a surprise popemobile romp through the piazza, drawing wild cheers and applause.

Francis was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the eldest of five children, to Italian immigrant parents on Dec. 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

May his soul rest in peace. 

Zelenskyy warned against accepting mineral deal with the Trump administration

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A senior economist with the Center for Economic Strategy in Kyiv, Volodymyr Landa, has said that the Minerals Deal between the United States of America and Ukraine has gone through “multiple iterations”.

According to him, as quoted by media reports, “It’s hard to say what’s inside.”

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine is keen to improve relations with the US President Donald Trump administration. The Ukranian leader has so far turned down America’s demand that revenue from the new joint fund is used to cover the cost of weapons deliveries provided by the Biden administration.

Recall that President Trump had announced previously that Kyiv “owes” the US $300bn (£226bn).

However, Zelenskyy maintained that America’s assistance to his country came in the form of a grant, not as a loan, with Republicans and Democrats approving it in Congress.

Zelenskyy said that going forward partnership has to be based on “parity”, and should benefit both countries.

Landa said he did not expect Kyiv to accept that previous “non-refundable military aid” was now “debt”.

“That’s not only unfair and unrealistic, but may also negatively affect the full global financial system.

“If it suddenly turns out that countries and organisations can demand payments for aid given unconditionally in previous years, it will make recipients more cautious, and could reopen difficult issues from previous decades around the world.”

The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene Animated Book Summary - All laws explained

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Ancient Egyptians, not Greeks, were true fathers of medicine

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Scientists examining documents dating back 3,500 years say they have found proof that the origins of modern medicine lie in ancient Egypt and not with Hippocrates and the Greeks.

The research team from the KNH Centre for Biomedical Egyptology at The University of Manchester discovered the evidence in medical papyri written in 1,500BC - 1,000 years before Hippocrates was born.

"Classical scholars have always considered the ancient Greeks, particularly Hippocrates, as being the fathers of medicine but our findings suggest that the ancient Egyptians were practising a credible form of pharmacy and medicine much earlier," said Dr Jackie Campbell.

"When we compared the ancient remedies against modern pharmaceutical protocols and standards, we found the prescriptions in the ancient documents not only compared with pharmaceutical preparations of today but that many of the remedies had therapeutic merit."

The medical documents, which were first discovered in the mid-19th century, showed that ancient Egyptian physicians treated wounds with honey, resins and metals known to be antimicrobial.

The team also discovered prescriptions for laxatives of castor oil and colocynth and bulk laxatives of figs and bran. Other references show that colic was treated with hyoscyamus, which is still used today, and that cumin and coriander were used as intestinal carminatives.

Further evidence showed that musculo-skeletal disorders were treated with rubefacients to stimulate blood flow and poultices to warm and soothe. They used celery and saffron for rheumatism, which are currently topics of pharmaceutical research, and pomegranate was used to eradicate tapeworms, a remedy that remained in clinical use until 50 years ago.

"Many of the ancient remedies we discovered survived into the 20th century and, indeed, some remain in use today, albeit that the active component is now produced synthetically," said Dr Campbell.

"Other ingredients endure and acacia is still used in cough remedies while aloes forms a basis to soothe and heal skin conditions."

Fellow researcher Dr Ryan Metcalfe is now developing genetic techniques to investigate the medicinal plants of ancient Egypt. He has designed his research to determine which modern species the ancient botanical samples are most related to.

"This may allow us to determine a likely point of origin for the plant while providing additional evidence for the trade routes, purposeful cultivation, trade centres or places of treatment," said Dr Metcalfe.

"The work is inextricably linked to state-of-the-art chemical analyses used by my colleague Judith Seath, who specialises in the essential oils and resins used by the ancient Egyptians."

Professor Rosalie David, Director of the KNH Centre, said: "These results are very significant and show that the ancient Egyptians were practising a credible form of pharmacy long before the Greeks.

"Our research is continuing on a genetic, chemical and comparative basis to compare the medicinal plants of ancient Egypt with modern species and to investigate similarities between the traditional remedies of North Africa with the remedies used by their ancestors of 1,500 BC."

The research is being funded by the Leverhulme Trust.

The University of Manchester

The African Origin of Humanity and Civilization

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A TYRANNICAL DESPOT: THE REAL BUHARI

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Dream Big: Your Dreams Are Not Big Enough If They Do Not Scare You

CC™ VideoSpective

The Origin Of Black People According To The Bible

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Nigeria will not move forward without a Rawlings-like revolution

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Secrets of Ancient Egypt and its Nubian Pharaohs

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Were the Greeks essentially a 'Copy and Paste' Civilization?

CC™ VideoSpective

KADOSH - Messianic Horns By Kunle Olusesi

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China tells US companies it will protect rights of foreign-funded firms

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China's Vice Commerce Minister Ling Ji told U.S. companies including Tesla and GE Healthcare that the country would always protect the rights of foreign-funded firms in China, including those from the United States.

China has been, is, and will be an "ideal, safe, and promising investment ground for foreign investors," Ling said at a roundtable meeting in Beijing on Sunday with more than 20 U.S.-funded companies.

The comments from Ling, also China’s deputy trade negotiator, suggest Beijing has no plans to penalise U.S. companies even as U.S. President Donald Trump escalates a tariff war with the rest of the world including China.

Citing Ling, China's Commerce Ministry said in a statement on Monday that it would protect the "legitimate rights and interests of foreign-funded enterprises in accordance with the law, and actively promote the resolution of foreign-funded enterprises' problems and demands."

The "abuse of tariffs on all trading partners, including China" has seriously damaged the rules-based multilateral trading system," Ling said, adding that the root of the tariff dispute "lies in the United States".

Last month, President Xi Jinping urged a gathering of multinational CEOs in Beijing to protect global industry and supply chains.

Xi said foreign firms contribute one-third of China's imports and exports and have also created more than 30 million jobs, stressing their value to the world's second-biggest economy.

REUTERS

Trump slams Nigeria’s import ban, says it affects American exporters

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Nigeria’s import ban on 25 different product categories impacts U.S. exporters, particularly in agriculture, pharmaceuticals, beverages, and consumer goods, the United States Trade Representative said in a statement on Monday.

According to the statement posted on its X platform, Nigeria’s restrictions on items like beef, pork, poultry, fruit juices, medicaments, and spirits limit U.S. market access and reduce export opportunities.

These policies create significant trade barriers that lead to lost revenue for U.S. businesses looking to expand in the Nigerian market.

The country’s reaction comes at a time when tensions are rising over its sweeping tariffs imposed on several countries.

Last week, the Trump administration imposed various tariffs ranging between 10 per cent and 65 per cent on different countries across the world, including Nigeria which got a 14 per cent tariff on its exports to the United States.

Nigerian stocks on Monday recorded their biggest drop in recent times following the impact of U.S President Donald Trump’s tariffs on global trade markets.

Investors lost about N659 billion at the close of trading after the Nigerian Exchange’s All Share Index (ASI) decreased by 1.23 percent, its biggest single-day decline this month.

Stocks like Oando and Honeywell Flour Mills helped to push the market lower. Oando decreased the most, from N42 to N37.80, down by N4.20 or 10 percent, while Honeywell dropped from N11.32 to N10.19, losing N1.13 or 9.98 percent.

The Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) All-Share Index (ASI) and equities market capitalisation decreased from the preceding day’s 105,511.89 points and N66.147 trillion, respectively, to 104,216.87 points and N65.488 billion. The Nigerian market’s return this year has decreased to +1.25 percent.

Countries such as China have since said they would retaliate from the imposed tariffs.

China vowed on Tuesday to “fight to the end” against fresh tariffs of 50 percent threatened by US President Donald Trump, further aggravating a trade war that has already wiped trillions off global markets.

The Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, on Monday said that the Federal Government will boost non-revenue as a means of cushioning the adverse effects to trade tariffs imposed on countries by President Trump.

Edun also assured that the Economic Management Team (EMT) will meet to assess the likely impact of the 14 per cent tariff on goods exported from Nigeria to the United States.

He said the EMT will afterwards, make recommendations to cushion its impact on the nation’s economy.

Edun, who was speaking at an event organised by the Ministry of Finance Incorporated on Monday, said that while the adverse effect on Nigeria will be through an oil price plunge, the government is intensifying efforts to ramp up oil production and boost non-oil revenues.

CHANNELS TV

Dominican Republic: Nightclub Roof Collapses, Kills 27 Including Governor

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The governor of the northern Montecristi province, Nelsy Cruz, was among those who have died.

Rescue workers have been searching for survivors in the rubble of the Jet Set club, director of the Centre of Emergency Operations, Juan Manuel Mendez, said.

There were 134 ambulance transfers to different hospitals, which Mr Mendez said could be the equivalent of 150 to 160 patients.

He added that many people were still expected to be alive, adding that authorities “will not give up until not a single person remains under that rubble”.

The cause of the roof collapse was yet to be ascertained.

Among the injured is Dominican singer Rubby Perez, who was performing when the roof collapsed.

His manager, Enrique Paulino, whose shirt was spattered with blood, told reporters at the scene that the concert began shortly before midnight, with the roof collapsing almost an hour later, killing the group’s saxophonist.

Mr Paulino said: “It happened so quickly. I managed to throw myself into a corner.”

He added that he initially thought there had been an earthquake.

Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader wrote on X: “We deeply regret the tragedy that occurred at the Jet Set nightclub. We have been following the incident minute by minute since it occurred. All relief agencies have provided the necessary assistance and are working tirelessly in the rescue efforts. Our prayers are with the affected families.”

Mr Abinader arrived at the scene and hugged those looking for friends and family, some with tears streaming down their faces.

HERITAGE TIMES

No country has developed under democracy — Burkina Faso President

CC™ PersPective

Captain Ibrahim Traoré, Burkina Faso’s interim leader, has dismissed the notion that democracy is a prerequisite to development.

Traoré said it is difficult to pinpoint a country whose development is attributable to democracy as a system of government.

According to him, it is false to believe any country has developed under a democratic system.

The military leader said this recently during a flag-raising ceremony at the Koulouba Palace.

He clarified that Burkina Faso practices what he called “a popular, progressive revolution,” adding that democracy has no place in his country.

“If we have to say it loud and clear here, we are not in a democracy, we are in a popular, progressive revolution.

“We must necessarily go through a revolution, and we are indeed in a revolution. So this question of democracy or libertinism of action or expression has no place. As much as you think you are free to speak and act, the other is also free to speak and act, and there we end up with a society of disorder.”

“It is impossible to name a country that has developed in democracy. Democracy is only the result,” Traoré said.

The 37-year-old military officer emerged as Burkina Faso’s interim leader following the September 2022 coup d’état that ousted interim president Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba.

Fulani Terrorists Declare War on Edo State With The Acquiescence

 CC™ VideoSpective

CREDITS - IFEOMA EDUM

The Corruption at CAF and Patrice Motsepe’s agenda against the West African Football Union (WAFU)

CC™ VideoSpective

CREDITS - OUR AFRICAN FOOTBALL MEDIA

In leaked audio, Atiku allegedly admits to setting up channels for corruption

CC™ Politico

The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Atiku Abubakar, has been accused of complicity regarding bribery and misappropriation of public funds.

This came to light in a viral audio shared by Atiku’s former aide, Michael Achimugu, where the former vice-president allegedly admitted to having collected N100 million bribe from Mr Joshua Dariye, a former Plateau State governor, which was paid directly to Marine Float, one of the three firms he registered.Play audio 

In the audio recording which Achimugu claimed was with Atiku, the former Vice President is heard explaining how he set up an ‘SPV -Special Purpose Vehicle’ to receive monies from corruption-related dealings.

During his tenure as governor from 1999 to 2007, Dariye was found to have stolen N2 billion in public funds. He was found guilty of criminal misappropriation and criminal breach of trust.

“When the governor sent donations, he sent it to Marine Float. It stayed in Marine Float. One of the subscribers of Marine Float was Otunba Fasawe. That was where the N100 million went to. It did not go to Atiku Abubakar. It went to Marine Float. Marine Float was a special-purpose vehicle,” Atiku revealed in the YouTube phone recording.

Atiku said the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had afterwards “very thoroughly” investigated Marine Float accounts but had still not “discovered anything” connecting him to the company’s fraudulent practices.

The former vice president also described how he was in charge of establishing onshore shell companies to operate as a conduit for taking large sums of money from public works contracts for himself and former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

He said, “What happened was when we came into office and I advised the president against open corruption.

“I told him to give me three people you trust and I will prepare three companies in which they will be subscribers or rather the directors.

“So that if there is any contract that we give they will act like consultants and they are given a fee. That fee is what we use to fund the party.”

Atiku was accused by Nigerian senators in 2007 of misusing more than $100 million (£51 million) in taxpayer money for personal gain.

A Senate investigation suggested that Atiku be prosecuted for diverting funds to businesses he was associated with.

After the then-president, Obasanjo, transmitted accusations made against Atiku by Nigeria’s anti-corruption agency, the Senate opened the investigation.

The investigative panel acknowledged in a report given to the Senate that it concurred with the conclusion that Atiku had abetted in the transfer of $145 million from Nigerian government accounts to banks.

The panel’s research and conclusions, though, had no effect.