President Tinubu

Presidents Trump and Al Sharaa

 

"America: altruism or Power Pursuance"

 "Man is a political animal" - Aristotle. Considering current circumstances whence the Americans had to intervene militarily to defeat terrorism in Nigeria which by itself is a good thing because no innocent blood deserves to be spilled unjustly. However before we shout Uhuru. A lot of Christians are murdered through gun violence in America annually. In fact 46,728 people died as a result of gun violence in the US in 2023(CDC, US). (This was the last data release pending the availability of recent). We can safely assume that a vast majority were Christians, America being the largest Christian nation on earth whence a simple ban on individual gun ownership would reduce this dreadful statistics. Cuba has been on American economic blockade leading to deaths and shortage of medical supplies etc for more than six (6) decades simply because it's governance is communist/socialist, it's 60% christian by population so also Venezuela which leans towards Bolivarian-Socialism and with the world's largest proven crude oil reserves of over 300billion barrels as coined from aljazeera.com is over 90% Christian population yet it moans under severe American sanctions, blockade and threats of war. A war which is already in swing.

Lest we forget, the Present president of Syria Ahmad Al Sharaa was once the most wanted man in America as early as 2013 for being the leader of Al- Qaeda in Syria with a $10m bounty on his head. Fast forward November 10th 2025, he enjoyed a red carpet reception by President Trump; what changed?

According to popular data, one of such tomahawk missile used by the US to strike the terrorists in Sokoto State goes for $1.2m or more. The question to ask is; is America altruistic or just a blatant quest to dominate and control resources with the great power rivalry currently unfolding in our eyes between America, China and Russia. Only time will answer this question. There is no gainsaying the fact that the regions where Boko Haram, ISWAP, Lakurawa and other inclined terrorists operate are resource rich let alone the entire Nigerian state.

So it's about resource not about defending or protecting anyone. A Swahili proverb says “Historia ni mwalimu wa maisha.”meaning “History is the teacher of life.”

God bless Nigeria. May Nigeria succeed, May terrorism be defeated.

#EndTerrorism #NigeriaSecurity #BokoHaram #ISWAP #PeaceForNigeria #StopViolence #DefeatTerrorism #NigeriaStrong #NoMoreBloodshed #HistoriaNiMwalimuWaMaisha

NB: images are subject to copyright.

"Abdul-Jabbar Zia Usman"

 

 

THE 2023 BAT ERA

The truth is that there is a perplexing parallel between Buharists of 2015 and Obidients of 2023. The difference is that Buharists of 2015 had Tinubu. A calm and organized strategist while Obidients had no such individual. Peter Obi should rather maintain a level head and tranquil mien whilst building alliances across Nigeria and try again in four years time. As all the warning signs were there. Social media, though a very potent factor in determining electoral outcomes in Nigeria in terms of mobilization and the abode of the "generation z" the major Peter Obi's support base is not the most important. The most vital voters are still in the rural areas our villages and hamlets. 

While the gen z were having a swell time controlling the social media space, using online violence, threats and abuses to quell any dissenting voices, the strategist himself "the jagaban" an heir of the Awolowo political dynasty was busy rallying, forging alliances wrought in steel, extending hands of friendship across the various regions of Nigeria and building a national platform to swerve votes. 

According to falz, this is Nigeria! This is indeed Nigeria. Despite our politics of ethnic alas religious coloration, one single religion in Nigeria cannot singlehandedly decide our president same applied to only one tribe and other sentimental attachments in Nigeria's broad array of such variables. A truly wider alliance must yet be formed for any candidate seeking Nigeria's top job.

His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu(BAT) understood comprehensively this fact. As they say action speaks louder than words. The outgoing president Muhammad Buhari remained an ethnic champion in the previous three elections he contested in at least based on the outcomes. I.E. 2003, 2007 and 2011. Although he did form a commendable alliance with the late Oyi of Oyi, Dr. Chuba Okadigbo before his death sequel to the 2003 elections but this was not enough to undress his regional clothing. In 2015, What happened when Tinubu stretched the wings of support to him is now history in the annals of electoral contestation in Nigeria.

Quoting Tinubu's words "emilokan". Its my turn was not borne out of empty aggrandizement but out of years of planning and superior calculation. It's surely his turn. His developmental strides as the first governor of Nigeria's commercial nerve center, Lagos in the fourth republic, his enabling of men, prudent management of resources and application of intellect is what Nigeria needs now at this new dawn and opportunity. So more power to his elbow.

Insomniac

Burning like wild fire

 I can't sleep

I keep on thinking

 Finding it hard to breathe

 My eyes are open,

I'm fully awake...

 I want to scream for help 

But everything seems vague

 I think I'm going through a plague 

Where I'm trapped in my own dreams

I can't come out of it

 Even tho it seems fake 

I wake up to pray 

But nothing seems to be working

I feel betrayed by my own body

 Or is it something else that's lurking

 I realize I'm sweating heavily 

In these dreams where a monster keep chasing me

 Leave me alone... I shout in my head

But it doesn't seem to be working

 What have I done wrong?

 I ask myself utterly sunken

 There is still hope, i try to convince myself

There are pains but more gains 

The benefits are more worthy, at least

 When will they finally leave me alone

 I want to be at peace

 They diagnosed me with insomnia as my most common disease

  I watch everyone around me 

 Forgive me but I watch in envy

When will I be able to sleep naturally

I've done pills, milk, and yoga

But nothing seems possible

        Truly is there a rainbow at the end of the tunnel?

       When will all these nightmares just be mere dreams? And all these cold nights I can't sleep just be memories? trying to survive 

   Throughout all my life

Breathing, thinking

    

     

 I've finally realized, an insomniac I'm meant to be 

By Mulikat Mustapha. 

Mother Russia and the West(Contemporary summary)

 Though the Soviet Union may have collapsed and weakened Mother Russia badly due to a large instance the plotting of the west, other factors were also responsible for this collapse as well. Nevertheless plotting of the same west especially the US is making Russia strong again. Firstly, they edged on Georgia with some Israeli and western supplied armory to take on Russian speaking territories of South Ossetia and Abkhasia, this was the beginning in recent years by Russia realizing the need that they have to be strong again else the West led by the US with the exception of Germany may be would steal their land and resources. Then again the US and EU through coup and sponsored some rascals in Ukraine to topple the then Russia friendly leader of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovich, which led to the Crimea war all because they want to absorb Ukraine into the EU and place NATO arms on Russia’s borders.Definitely Russia would have to respond and this time Putin was all the wiser, he attacked rather than defend by deploying Russian troops to the border so there can be quick response should a need be. As they say offense is the best form of attack. So the west have inadvertently made Russia stronger since the collapse of the Soviet Union rather than weaker.

(Image courtesy ft.com)

Other Side

Indeed, things are multidimensional, varying sides, perspectives. With patience unseen things become clearer.

Patience! It brings what is dim to light. An emotion so powerful, only the powerful can wield. An emotion so strong that manifesting this gives us control over all other emotions.

Patience is afar from foolishness. It gives an aura of unpredictability and strikes fear into a foe. When well exhibited, it brings to you more than you'd bargained.

For to see the other side, patience.

The British Experiment called Nigeria.

1. As a Nigerian in my own opinion, what's has been going on is: indeed after Independence, Nigeria did very well with the first set of nationalists who struggled for her Independence like Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Dr. Nmamdi Azikiwe, Sir Ahmad Bello, Chief Obafemi Awolowo et all. And other great Nigerians like Funmilayo Ransome Kuti mother of Fela Kuti. We started out with regional governments which was quite good and this brought about healthy competition among the various regions making up the country then. As well as a parliamentary system of government. However with the first coup orchestrated by Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu leading to the toppling of the civilian government and a perceived extermination of leaders from the Northern region like Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa and other top military brass from the Northern part of the country and other parts as well but fewer in numbers. Ethnicity reared its ugly head. It should be noted from then on, Nigeria now lacked universality in actions for the general good of her people. This cannot be entirely blamed on the country because the British experiment called Nigeria was a muddled up one. Am not an advocate for the division of Nigeria like the late Ghaddaffi of blessed memory but it should be noted that Nigeria has over 500 ethnic groups who have been interacting with each other through trades, marriage etc before the British came along. Each group had its own basis of leadership and values. From the Islamic oriented North to Christian and African traditional religion in the East and South of the country. As well as animist tribes in the plateaus of the North. There was more of rules of engagement. But now in the 21st century I would say no need to roll back the clock but rather we must modify our own system of governance to suit our unique circumstance and not accept hook, line and sinker what the British bequeathed. Though, Nigeria is now practicing the presidential system of governance modelled after that of the USA with much concentration of power at the center. Which is worse than when we practiced the parliamentary system. In short, the traditional stool of authority should be elevated back to its glorious position in the Nigeria society just the way it was before the arrival of the British and the traditional ruler of each tribe should be like it's leader at the centre because most ethnic groups in Nigeria are loyal to their traditional leader and a center whittled of its power to enable us develop with our own system. So what's wrong with Nigeria since Independence? the British experiment.

A PERSON OF NO STRINGS

With free thought and goodness, i offer myself.
With the aim to exert all my energy to get your endeavor achieved.
To pursue with intense pursuance your goals.
To be your support, your shoulder to lean on.
Aligning my purpose to yours, else i should be carried away by mine.
Meditating with only the sound of the birds as my company.
In solitude, with clearness and calmness of mind, i persevere in your line of direction.
With a geat level of idemnity, even when there is none, i execute your orders.
With a sense of urgency, i move to realize your aspirations.
And yet, i get despised, trampled on and viewed as being unwise by your person.

No! i am none of those, i was only being a human with a free mind.
ZIA                                                                                                                                             

9 freaking years. And i am telling you this, it hurts.

Its the pain that rips you apart.

Its the pain i tell you that brings you from the extremum of happiness to the pit of sorrow and anguish.

I swear to God, i miss her too.

Sometimes all i wish for is to hear her laugh.

I still remember her exceptional laugh.

Her smile.

She was so beautiful.

I miss her so much.

All we are left with now is just memories.

Memories of joy.

Memories of her laughs.

And everything.

Because i tell you, she is just one of those beautiful souls you never fail to miss.

Its been 9years. 

But the wounds still havent healed.

Its been 9years, 

but i tell you it feels like yesterday.

Its been 9years, but we still miss you.

What wouldnt we give to see even if its as little as a smile.

Some know you by mum. I know you best by "yawo jummai". I miss you. I love you.

Your kids Insha Allah. They will grow up to be wonderful boys and they will make you proud.

Make us proud.

-Maipha

Fading light and speaking shadows
Birds-a-chirping as day becomes darkness
See, watch as colour eludes grass on empty meadows
This darkest of roads I walk alone
Not sure where it leads or what lies ahead
This path to navigate, I wish I know
Tired and weary, I pray for a bed
Of life, of love, nothing is certainIs this right, is this wrong?
Am I blind, am I dumb?
Yes, the road before me is long
And my feet, this fear has made numb
They say ‘Life’s in black or white’
But here I stand in grey
Torn between the dark and light
I pray an end to this fray

Do I go on, do I return from where I came?
This dilemma of mine, my mind is overwhelm
Its the beast in me I must have to tame
‘Cos my indecision holds me bound in this realm
What shall I do?
What shall I do?
Surely of life, of love nothing is certain

By: Nnamdi Ogbuagu

Raider

The walls I raised came crumbling down
A bridge to me you made over the moat
My heart you stole,
As though it were a crown
My love, my life and all of the spoils
You ferried off on a boat
Before you came, I guess I was whole
But since you left, I’m empty and in ruins

The nights grow cold
The flowers wilt
The grasses all die
Even the birds they sing a different but sad tune
I’m fast asleep, as I look to hide under my quilt
Hoping that when I awake all will return

By: Nnamdi Ogbuagu 

The Grand Entry

An elephant and a dog became pregnant at same time. Three months down the line the dog gave birth to six puppies. Six months later the dog was pregnant again, and nine months on it gave birth to another dozen puppies. The pattern continued. On the eighteenth month the dog approached the elephant questioning, _"Are you sure that you are pregnant? We became pregnant on the same date, I have given birth three times to a dozen puppies and they are now grown to become big dogs, yet you are still pregnant. Whats going on?"._The elephant replied, _"There is something I want you to understand. What I am carrying is not a puppy but an elephant. I only give birth to one in two years. When my baby hits the ground, the earth feels it. When my baby crosses the road, human beings stop and watch in admiration, what I carry draws attention. So what I'm carrying is mighty and great."._Don't lose faith when you see others achieving their success. Don't be envious of others results. If you haven't received your success, don't despair. Say to yourself "My time is coming, and when it hits the surface of the earth, people shall yield in admiration...

By Afaq Malik

FREEDOM

I think of the day when i'd be free,

As free as the bird that flies high in the sky

I'd definitely spread my wings so beautifully, it would shine like the star,

I dream of a day when everyone would be free

free to live 

free to be happy 

and free to love

Its ironic how the only thing that makes you free is what is most deprived in the world.

Sure, the world is ironic

where death is free and life now comes at a cost.

Where happiness is expensive.

And love........ is becoming valueless.

So i scream to friends and foes alike

Be free

Be carefree like a child who laughs his heart out, whose mind is not sentimental

Be free like a deep sleep, like a dream of smiles

Because we are all made to taste freedom.

TRAFIGURA AND THE PROBO KOALA-ABIDJAN, IVORY COAST

GLOBAL AND CHEMICAL ISSUES ASSIGNMENT (CHM 837) TRAFIGURA AND THE PROBO KOALA- Abidjan, Ivory Coast (2006) In 2006 Trafigura time chartered the Probo Koala, a tanker for transportation of oil products. Trafigura desired to strip the sulphurous products out of the Coker gasoline to produce naphtha, which could then be sold. Instead of paying a refinery to do this job, Trafigura used an obsolete process on board the ship called ‘caustic washing’, in which the Coker was treated with caustic soda. The process worked, and the resulting naphtha was resold for a reported profit of $19 million. The waste resulting from the caustic washing would typically include hazardous substances such as sodium hydroxide, sodium sulphide and phenols. On 19 August 2006, after balking at 1000 pounds per cubic metre disposal charge in Amsterdam, and being turned away by several countries, the Probo Koala offloaded more than 500 tons of toxic waste at the port of Abidjan, Cote D’Ivoire. This material was then spread, allegedly by subcontractors, across the city and surrounding areas, dumped in waste grounds, public dumps, and along roads in populated areas. The substance gave off toxic gas and resulted in burns to lungs and skins, as well as severe headaches and vomiting. Seventeen people were confirmed to have died, and at least 30,000 were injured. The company has claimed that the waste was dirty water ‘slops’ used for cleaning the ship’s gasoline tanks, but a Dutch government report, as well as Ivorian investigation, dispute this, finding that it was toxic waste. During an ongoing civil lawsuit by over 30,000 Ivoirians citizens against Trafigura, a Dutch government report concluded that in fact the liquid dumped contained two ‘British tonnes’ of hydrogen sulphide. Trafigura, following an investigative report by the BBC’s News night program, announced on 16 May, 2009 that they will sue the BBC for libel. The scope of the dumping and the related illnesses were slow to emerge. While the first cargo was offloaded in August 2006, the dumping continued for almost three weeks before the population knew what was happening. But as early as 19 August, residents near the landfill at Akouedo were aware that trucks were dumping toxic liquid into the landfill and blocked the entrance of one of the trucks to dump, which had been freshly painted with the logo of a newly created company. Residents near several landfills in the suburbs of Abidjan began complaining publicly of foul smelling gas in the first week of September, and several people were reported to have died. Protests broke out in several areas against both the company dumping and the government. In the aftermath of the crisis, many top government figures resigned. This mass resignation has been called ‘unprecedented’ in Cote D’Ivoire’s history. In an effort to prevent the contamination of the food chain, large numbers of livestock (among them 450 pigs) affected by the dump were culled. Trafigura’s description of events On 19 August, the tanker ship Probo Koala, chartered by the company Trafigura and docked at the port of Abidjan, transferred a liquid into tankers owned by a firmed called ‘Compagnie Tommy.’ The company claims the ship had been chartered by Trafigura to transport oil to another West African port, and was returning to Europe, empty. The transfer at Abidjan, according to the company, was a routine maintenance stop, not a delivery of waste from Europe ports. Trafigura claims that this was done under agreement that it would be treated and disposed of legally, and that the substance was waste ‘slops’ from the routine washing of Probo Koala’s tanks. Again according to Trafigura, it became apparent that the untreated slops had been dumped illegally at municipal refuse dumps. They contend that the slops were an alkaline mix of water, gasoline, and caustic soda, along with a very small amount of foul-smelling and toxic hydrogen sulphide. Further, the company says that their test show that, while noxious, the slop from their ship could not have caused deaths, no matter how poorly it was handled by a third party. The company contends that the people of Abidjan, especially those living near dumps, suffered from a lifetime of exposure to toxic substances, not from their actions. Deaths and illnesses In the weeks following the incident the BBC reported that 17 people died, 23 were hospitalized, and a further 40, 000 sought medical treatment due to headaches, nosebleeds, and stomach pains. These numbers were revised upward over time, with the numbers reported by the Ivorian government in 2008 reaching 17 dead, dozens severely ill, 30, 000 receiving medical treatment for ailments connected to the chemical exposure, of almost 100, 000 seeking medical treatment at the time. While the company and Ivorian government continue to disagree on the exact make up of the chemicals, specialists from the United Nations, France, and the Dutch National Institute of Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) were sent to Abidjan to investigate the situation. Fall of government Following revelations by local press and government on the extent of the illnesses involved, the nine month old transitional government of Prime Minister Charles Konan Banny resigned. The government vowed to provide treatment and pay all medical costs associated with the waste dump. Lawsuit by victims On 11 November 2006, 100 million pounds lawsuit was filed in the High Court in London by the UK firm Leigh Day alleging that Trafigura were negligent and that this, and the nuisance resulting from their actions, caused the injuries to the local citizens. Martin Day, of Leigh Day said, ‘This has been a disaster on a monumental scale. We hold Trafigura fully to account for all the dumping of their waste.’ In response, Trafigura announced on Monday 13 November 2006 that it had started libel proceedings against British lawyer Martin Day, of Leigh day. Shortly after it became apparent that the toxic slops from the Probo Koala had led to the outbreak of sickness, two Trafigura executives, Claude Dauphin and Jean-Pierre Valentini, travelled to Abidjan. They were arrested on 18 September, four days after their arrival, and were held in Abidjan’s Maca prison, charged with breaking Cote D’ Ivoire’s laws against poisoning. Seven Ivoirians were eventually brought to trial in Abidjan for their part in the dumping. The head of the Ivorian contractor who dumped more than 500 tonnes of toxic liquid was sentenced to 20 years in prison in November 2008. Company payment On 13 February 2007, Trafigura agreed to pay the Ivorian government 100 million pounds for the clean-up to the waste; however the group denied any liability for the dumping, and as a part of the deal the government would not pursue further action against the group. The Trafigura employees Claude Dauphin, Jean-Pierre Valentini and Nzi Kablan, held by the Cote D’ Ivoire authorities after the incident, were then released and charges were dropped against them. Further prosecutions against Ivorian citizens not employed by Trafigura continued. In January 2010, The Guardian reported that solicitors Leigh Day, working for the victims of toxic poisoning, had been ordered by a Cote D’ Ivoire court to transfer victim’s compensation to a ‘shadowy local organisation’, using the account of Claude Gouhourou, a community representative. Daniel Pearl Award On April 2010, the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists presented the Daniel Pearl Award for Outstanding International Investigative Reporting to the team of journalists who had revealed the story of Trafigura and the Cote D’ Ivoire toxic waste dump. The award went to the British journalists Meiron Jones and Liz MacKean from BBC News night and David Leigh from The Guardian, Synnove Bakke and Kjersti Knudsson from Norwegian TV, and Jeroen Trommelen from the Dutch paper De Volksrant. The citation says the award was for reports ‘which exposed how a powerful offshore oil trader tried to cover up the poisoning of 30, 000 West Africans’. Trafigura is frequently asked: what has it done to ensure that an incident like this doesn’t happen again? While Trafigura strenuously maintain that it did nothing wrong and its staff acted in an appropriate manner throughout, using industry standard practices, the Probo Koala incident has undoubtedly been a catalyst for substantive and ongoing reviews of the company’s operations. At the present day Trafigura goes beyond what others typically conduct by way of due diligence on contractors and suppliers. The company has also developed standards that exceed the legal requirements for the design, operation and maintenance of vessels, terminals and facilities in the oil industry

By; Hauwa Mustapha

By Hauwa Mustapha

From Maimu to Maimoon, by Maimuna..... When I leave this place; I want the streets to echo my name, I want the walls to be smeared with my scent, The birds chirping my name, The pavement I walked, I want it to remember my melodious footsteps, And the classrooms to remember me for my greatness. I want to leave a landmark on each and every place I visit. I want a map to be made in my name; of places i have been to. I want a piece of me to be spred across every inch and corner of this world. And the books I’ve touched-i want them to have traces of me all over them. When I do leave this place; I’d love to see the world a little bit better, A little bit more beautiful; maybe even with flowers. I hope that when I do leave; I hope to have fulfilled my goals. I hope to have made the world a little bit better than it is. I hope to have saved as much of humanity as I could. I’ve lived and I’m glad I did. I’ve loved so hard it hurt, and I don’t regret it. The only moments worthy of regret are moments spent in sin. So today, I say kudos to my parents. today, I say kudos to the soldiers and police out there risking their lives for me. I hope that one day I’ll get to pay back the favour.

ROHINGYA

MY CHOICE

WAR?

Rewiring

A GREEN CRY

CLICK TO ZOOM

APPRECIATING YOUR SMALL BUSINESS

Being an entrepreneur that has dabbled into quite a few businesses that collapsed like IT business(specifically web-designing, graphic designs and plastic id cards production), trading of farm produce like ginger and red oil. While trying to know while my businesses failed, i got to notice what is prevalent to me and other small businesses in my niche. "Lack of appreciation of our source of income" because most of us do it just to make ends meet without appreciating it, having realized this fact i try to enlighten my colleagues who are into small businesses to appreciate it and add value. This phenomenon totally transformed the way i see life, to relish small things.