Friday

Kobe Bryant's in depth interview with Jimmy Kimmel

CC™ Videoscope

Thursday

A vestige of the 'cancel' culture of liberals as principal calls Kobe Bryant and daughter's deaths 'karma'

CC™ News

A high school principal who suggested Kobe Bryant deserved to die by posting it was "karma" after the NBA legend's fatal helicopter crash has resigned.

"Not gonna lie. Seems to me that karma caught up with a rapist today," Liza Sejkora, now-former principal of Camas High School in Camas, Washington, posted on Facebook the day the former Los Angeles Laker died.
Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter Gianna Bryant and seven others were killed when their helicopter went down in Southern California on Jan. 26 while they were on their way to a basketball game.
Sejkora apologized after the incident, saying she regretted writing the post.
"I have some personal experience that generated the visceral reaction," Sejkora told ABC Portland station KATU on Tuesday. "This was a situation where I didn't think before I posted, and I'm terribly regretful about that."
She resigned on Friday.

"Students and staff deserve to have a learning environment free of disruptions," Sejkora said in a statement. 

Camas Schools superintendent Jeff Snell said Sejkora's comments did not meet the standards set by the district.
"This has been a tumultuous week; however, I've been impressed with the level of professionalism our staff members have displayed as well as the caring and compassion from our families," Snell said in a statement, according to KATU.
Sejkora's initial post was in reference to a 2003 case involving Bryant and a woman in Colorado. Bryant was accused of sexual assault by an employee of a hotel, but the case was dismissed after the victim didn't want to testify. Bryant said the encounter was consensual, but the two settled in civil court.
The public memorial for Bryant is set for Feb. 24 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. It was at that arena that Bryant's career flourished.
He played his entire 20-year career with the Lakers, winning five NBA championships, one MVP and two finals MVPs. 

Wednesday

Nigerians are one of America's best educated immigrant groups and Trump just banned them

Nigeria is Africa's tech capital
CC™ Introspective - By Yemi Akinwale

Last Friday, the Trump administration announced a new wave in its blanket bans on people from certain countries. And this time around, it includes one particular group of people — a group that tends to be very successful once it arrives in the U.S.

President Trump's original travel ban was one of his first acts in office, blocking people from several countries, most of which were majority Muslim, from coming to the U.S. altogether. This newest iteration explicitly bans people from Eritrea, Kyrgyzstan, Myanmar, Nigeria, Sudan, and Tanzania from receiving immigration visas, but doesn't touch those who are just visiting temporarily. That leaves 13 total countries on the travel ban list.
The fact that the ban explicitly targets those who are here to stay is particularly confusing when it comes to Nigeria, seeing as its immigrants are among the most likely immigrants to receive college degrees once they come to the United States. 
In fact, an estimated 60 percent of Nigerian immigrants to the U.S. have college degrees, as opposed to only 33 percent of Americans that have the same, Census data has also shown that Nigerian immigrants are also much more likely to hold master's as well as doctorate degrees and work in highly skilled and specialized areas of the American economy.
What makes the Nigeria ban even more perplexing is that the country is a veritable U.S. ally and in fact has been since its independence from Great Britain in 1960. The country, in addition to being the largest economy in Africa is also a key trading partner of the U.S. and has cooperated militarily on a consistent basis in helping to snuff out the challenges of Islamic militants in Africa, especially in the West African region.

Nigerians are not, have never been and will never be a security threat to the United States, but this current White House, as we witnessed with the Ukraine issue that got President Donald Trump impeached is grossly ill-informed on foreign policy matters and essentially uses the President's personal and political agenda as a yardstick for conducting American foreign policy.

The sad thing for Nigerians is that the current administration of President Muhammadu Buhari is ill-equipped to deal with the current U.S. administration from a stylistic and strategic standpoint, politically. When you have a supposed leader like Buhari that runs a rudderless outfit in Abuja and compromises the territorial and sovereign integrity of his own country at will, it is pretty easy to see why the Trump administration has absolutely no regard for Nigeria and Nigerians. 

The bottomline is the Nigeria ban is simply about race. Donald Trump is determined to ensure that no black ethnic group, especially not one as accomplished, aggressive, determined and impactful as Nigerians, becomes influential to the point where they begin to shape America's domestic and foreign policy. 

The unfortunate thing for Trump and his myopic allies though is that they may have succeded in alienating a key (and growing) group that has historically alligned with the Republican and moderate Democratic principles of hard work, commitment and dedication to excellence, through personal responsibilty and accountability.

Monday

State of the nation: Trump misplaces Kansas City Chiefs in Kansas as opposed to Missouri

CC™ News

The Kansas City Chiefs won Super Bowl LIV on Sunday, defeating the San Francisco 49ers 31-20 to lift the Lombardi Trophy for the first time in 50 years.
After the game, President Donald Trump tweeted congratulations to the team.
"Congratulations to the Kansas City Chiefs on a great game and a fantastic comeback under immense pressure," Trump wrote. "We are proud of you and the Great State of Kansas. You are true Champions!"
As many Twitter users were quick to point out, there was one small problem with Trump's tweet — the Kansas City Chiefs are based in Missouri, not Kansas.


Trump quickly deleted and replaced his erroneous tweet, correctly congratulating the state of Missouri in his second attempt.
Congratulations to the Kansas City Chiefs on a great game and a fantastic comeback under immense pressure. We are proud of you and the Great State of Missouri. You are true Champions!

53.1K people are talking about this

Sunday

Nigeria to Address Security Issues That Led to U.S. Visa Restrictions

CC™ Newscope - By Sam Olukoya/AP

“African immigrants in general and Nigerian immigrants in particular are among the most educated and successful immigrants in the United States,” Frank Sharry, the executive director of the immigration advocacy group America’s Voice, said in a statement. “But the success and contributions of African communities is beside the point for this administration. It’s not a policy announcement based on facts – it’s based on Trump’s desire to make America white again.”

(LAGOS, Nigeria) — Nigeria’s government pledged Saturday to try to address security issues the Trump administration cited in its decision to stop granting immigration visas to people from Africa’s most populous nation.

Immigrants from Nigeria and three other countries no longer will be eligible for visas allowing them to live in the United States permanently, the White House said Friday.

They would still qualify for tourist and business visas, but Nigerians rarely are granted those now because the U.S. says too many visitors from the West African country overstay their visas.

Nigerians, who have long decried the visa application processes in both the United States and Europe as racist, expressed disbelief and anger after the Trump administration announced the new policy, which takes effect Feb. 21.

Okorafor Chimedu, a 29-year-old teacher in Warri, Nigeria, called it a “collective punishment.” Chimedu has a university degree and relatives already living in the United States to sponsor him but knows his odds of relocating are now slim unless something changes.

“I hope the two nations will rectify their differences soon so that the ban can be lifted,” he said. “We need each other to progress in this world. No man is an island of his own.”

The U.S. government said it decided to impose new visa restrictions on a total of six more countries that failed to meet minimum security requirements for verifying travelers’ identities and whether individuals posed a national security threat.

Immigrant visas were targeted because people with those visas are the most difficult to remove after they arrive in the United States, U.S. officials said.

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhar has established a committee “to study and address the updated U.S. requirements,” presidential spokesman Femi Adesina said Saturday.

“The committee will work with the U.S. government, Interpol and other stakeholders to ensure all updates are properly implemented,” Adesina said in a statement.

Others, including the opposition candidate who finished second in official results from Nigeria’s presidential election last year, blamed Buhari for the U.S. move.

People’s Democratic Party candidate Atiku Abubakar said the United States instead should “consider adopting measures that individually target those in government who have failed in their duties, rather than target the entire Nigerian population.”

The U.S. travel restrictions come at a time of growing insecurity in Nigeria. The country’s military is still battling a decade-long insurgency by with the Islamic extremist group Boko Haram in the northeast, and also now confronts a breakaway faction that has pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group.

Nigeria, the seventh-most populous nation in the world with more than 200 million people, is expected to see that figure double by 2050.

Associated Press writer Krista Larson in Dakar, Senegal contributed.

Friday

Buhari's Dictatorial Past and the Rule of Law Today in Nigeria

CC™ Perspective - By John Campbell

In the immediate aftermath of the State Security Service’s invasion of an Abuja court room and its re-arrest of Nigerian journalist Omoyele Sowore, the Lagos newspaper the Punch announced that it will prefix President Muhammadu Buhari’s name with his military rank, Major General, and will refer to his administration as a “regime,” until “they purge themselves of their insufferable contempt for the rule of law.”

In its announcement, Punch draws parallels between Buhari’s government and his “ham-fisted military junta in 1984/85,” when he was military chief of state. For Punch the “regime’s actions and assaults on the courts, disobedience of court orders and arbitrary detention of citizens reflect the true character of the martial culture.” The Punch announcement also attacks the military and the police because they “fail to understand that peaceful agitation and the right to associate are fundamental rights.”

In addition to Sowore, Punch refers specifically to the detention of the leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, Ibrahim el-Zakzaky, and his wife, and of former National Security Advisor Sambo Dasuki, all in violation of various court orders. It also refers to various governors that have sought to curtail media freedom and the right to demonstrate. Punch claims to be the largest circulation daily in Nigeria. In addition to the daily, it publishes Saturday PunchSunday PunchPunch Sports Extra, and digital platforms, of which the best known is Punchng.com.

During the period of military rule, Punch was known for its democratic and human rights activism. The military closed it three times and imprisoned its editor and deputy editor. It remains to be seen how the Buhari government will respond. The newspaper is based in Lagos, and it and its readership has long been critical of northern Nigerian governance. Its criticism of Buhari is not surprising, but it is worth noting that Zakzaky and Dasuki are both northern Muslims. What is different this time is the parallelism between military rule and Buhari’s civilian administration. Buhari’s supporters are likely to find the Punch stance infuriating. Nigeria’s foreign friends will be hoping that the government takes no move to limit Punch’s freedom of expression. The SSS assault on a court room and the re-arrest of Sowore has already damaged the country’s international reputation.

Source: Council on Foreign Relations 

Thursday

A new year and a brand new decade filled with great promises ahead.....

By Editor-in-Chief

Regardless of what 2019 may have brought for you, as you head into the New Year (and a New Decade as well), resolve to do one thing - promise yourself that this year will not be just another year, but in-fact, a year where all your dreams and aspirations will begin to manifest, yes, a New Year indeed and not just another year!

It is true that we have what we say and if you must change your life for the better, you must decide to begin to make positive confessions over your life and that of those around you, regardless of what others around you may say.

While I will promise not to preach in this article, it is important to note that the tongue is the most powerful organ in the body and it can either breathe life or death into your existence, as a function of how you use it. Make sure you always see your cup as not just half-full, but overflowing with the best of Heaven's best!

No one can stop you from accomplishing your dreams once you have made up your mind to succeed!

Do not listen to those who tell you something contrary to what you believe for yourself. They are merely agents of the devil and as we know too well, the devil is a liar! Not only is he a liar, he is also a loser and a defeated foe!

As we enter into this great year, as well as a brand new decade, strive to set realistic but exceptional goals for yourself and your family. You must also resolve to improve your spiritual and emotional intelligence.

To quote the General Overseer of the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries, Dr. D.O. Olukoya, there are five large "universities" in the world where people are currently enrolled - University of Ignorance, University of Fear, University of Oppression, University of Confusion and the University of Failure.

I decree that you shall not be enrolled in any of the afore-mentioned "institutions" and that if you are currently enrolled in them, you shall be expelled by fire, in the name of Jesus!

I wish you all a Happy and Prosperous New Year and welcome you on this great journey with your irreversible enrollment in the University of Divine Prosperity and Abundance!

May God Bless you all!

Tuesday

Boko Haram: You goofed by removing Ihejirika, Nnamdi Kanu carpets Jonathan

CC™ Introspective - By Chimaobi Nwaiwu

The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra. IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, stated recently that the greatest mistake made by former President Goodluck Jonathan was the removal of the former Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Azubike Ihejirika. He is right. Boko Haram is a creation of the Northern establishment and they are the main benefactors of the terrorist group. 

Nazi Kanu alleged that the North formed Boko Haram insurgents to fight former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Dr Jonathan during their respective administrations.

While according to him Obasanjo summoned the courage to deal with the leadership of Boko Haram, before Jonathan took over, Jonathan had the opportunity of dealing with them but was deceived into removing Ihejirika. As proof of the Northern establishment backing of Boko Haram, there was a call in 2014 for General Ihejirika to be dragged before the International Criminal Court at the Hague

According to Kanu, when the North saw that Ihejirika was mercilessly dealing with the Boko Haram insurgents, their creation, they put pressure on Jonathan to remove him and Jonathan succumbed to their pressure and today, the terrorist have taken the fight against Jonathan to his village in Otueke, Bayelsa State.

“This is just the beginning, many more attacks will cone for him irrespective of Buhari’s assurance to him that there is no cause for alarm, that attack was their advanced party, the terrorist are in Army and Police uniforms, they are doing this in order to retain power and remain relevant”

Mazi Kanu also alleged that Abba Kariyi and El Rufai are being used to deal with Alhaji Bola Tinubu because he has shown interest to be President of Nigeria.

According to Kanu, the North used Tinubu to destroy Yoruba land, while giving him wrong impression that they love him, but he did not understand that they were just using him to run an errand and now they have suddenly in completing the errand they want him for they are gradually dumping him and throwing up El Rufai as the successor to Buhari.

The IPOB leader said that it is the responsibility of his group to liberate Biafrans and Nigerians who want to know the truth about the alleged deceptive Fulani cabal that is controlling Aso Rock, adding that IPOB will never abdicate the responsibility, neither will anybody or group divert its attention.

“Biafra will come and I am proclaiming today that Biafra is the kingdom we are looking for, God has abandoned Nigeria and is angry with the country because its present deceitful leaders who are only interested in empowering one ethnic group to the detriment of others.

They are using Islam to destroy Nigeria, they have taken over other parts on Nigeria, but we assure them that they will not find a foot in any part of Biafra land, let them continue to conquer where they are busy conquering but they will never set a foot in any Biafra land and succeed.

Biafra blessing goes with them, wherever Biafrans go, they will be established in the land of the living because of God's love and blessing for them, nobody can divide Biafra, not even the treacherous British government that hate Biafrans with passion and have been conniving with the enemies to try to pull us down.

“They are deceiving many people with one Nigeria, but I assure you that Nigeria can never be one because they are not made to be one, there is nothing binding Nigeria together except corruption, we have nothing in common, Biafrans are different people and can never be one with Nigeria.

“That is why since 1945, they have been fighting to drag us down, but thank God, they have not succeeded and will never succeed, there is no way we can agree on anything except on total liberation.

Monday

U.S. travel ban on Nigeria, ill conceived — Lai Mohammed

President Buhari has failed in his pledge to defeat Islamic terrorists
CC™ Nigeriaworld

The federal government says the speculated plan by the U.S. to add Nigeria to its existing list of visa  travel ban countries is ill conceived.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, stated this on Monday in London during an interview session with the media.

The minister is in London to officially engage with international media and other think tank.

Mr Mohammed said although the report is speculative, but if it turns out to be true the government will respond comprehensively.

“On the issue of the travel ban our position is that it is still speculative because we are yet to be communicated. When we are communicated we will respond comprehensively.

“However, in our view it was not well thought out but based largely on negative narratives spread by naysayers.

“I know that we are working very well with our neighbours to ensure that terrorism is addressed. We are working with the international community including the EU and the U.S.

“Our advice to the U.S. is that it should have a rethink on the issue because any travel ban is bound to affect investment and growth in the country and those who will be affected are the most vulnerable people in Nigeria,” he said.

It was recently reported that the Donald Trump administration planned to add Belarus, Eritrea, Kyrgyzstan, Myanmar, Nigeria, Sudan and Tanzania to its existing list of U.S. visa travel ban countries.

Speaking on the border closure, the minister told Reuters that Nigeria took the hard decision because the neighbours, notably Benin Republic and Niger Republic, failed to respect the ECOWAS Treaty on Transit of Goods.

“Not only that they are sabotaging the economy of the country but also the security of the nation was being threatened.

“Under the guise of smuggling rice, a lot of small arms and light weapons are being smuggled into the country,” he said.

Mr Mohammed said the border drill had been positive and successful in terms of revenue, securing the nation and boosting the capacity of the farmers.

On the date to end the closure, he said the government was awaiting the outcome and recommendations of the committee that was set up to look into the issue.

The minister also said that measuring the successes recorded in the fight against terrorism in the North-East region must go beyond the military.

He said that the fight against insurgency in the region had been largely successful in the area of economy and social activities.

Specifically, he said Monday markets in Maiduguri and the popular Baga fish market which respectively contributed a lot to the economy of the state had remained open.

He added that schools had remained open in the state since the administration came into power while social activities had come back to live.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)