Sunday, 5 February 2017

Of Trump, Hitler and World History



Of Trump, Hitler and World History

Written By Ogbonna Nwuke

It wasn't really supposed to be easy either for America or for a world order that has evolved over time.
The signs had been there right from the time the new sheriff in town bared his fangs on the campaign trail.

Now America and a bewildered world are stuck with a situation that is unclear, an international system likely to be under siege soon, and a future that appears uncertain. Isolationism and protectionism had long taken a strong bashing as the world, secure in its dream for the emergence of a global village, marched in the direction of globalisation.

Of course, there has always been the threat posed to world peace by the cold war between the east and west, between the United States and Russia if you like. But skillful diplomacy as well as the cautious optimism of world leaders have helped to reduce the risk of a global war.

Side by side, the world has witnessed the spirited expansion of frontiers of trade through carefully documented treaties and agreements. On the home front, America has been a country of immigrants built on a liberal philosophy which allows anyone who meets the rigorous requirements for citizenship to pursue what has come to be seen as the American dream.

The flexibility of such a system anchored on basic freedoms which say all men are born equal basically created the opportunity for the forebears of Donald Trump whose home country, Germany, went to war with the rest of the world, including the United States, to migrate into America.

America in turn has benefitted from immigration, transforming into one of the greatest countries in the world, and holding such a promise for all who seek to escape persecution; who wishes to make a new home from home; and who desire to exploit the bountiful and latent energy life offers without any limitations.

In so many ways, the tale of America and a changing world have become intertwined, with America providing the moral fibre and leadership for most of the change that has characterised the notion of a free world.

So the promise of a United States has impacted positively on the concept of an European Union which now enjoys a common currency and engages in joint collaborative action in most areas, including free movement and immigration.

The birth of the African Union was ideally tailored along these lines as well. The fact that in order to bond closely, create huge markets, develop science, technology and infrastructure. And enhance cooperation essentially among African countries; Africa had to take advantage of some of the finest principles that are driving human progress.

Somehow, under the Trump administration, the world stares in unbelief as what some people are beginning to tag a new world order makes its forced entry.
The fight to evolve a new psyche,  a new world view, a new pecking order and new national perspectives for the world or for the people of the United States by the Trump government isn't coming without a strong challenge.

Outside of America world leaders are raising indignant voices as they try to make sense of the orders that are rolling out of Washington like German panzers.

It is as if nazism which strives on a culture of superiority, race, hate and extreme rightist ideals has been reborn. It is rather strange that it has chosen America described as the land of freedom to reincarnate under the watch of a German American. When Hitler realized his aspiration to be German Chancellor, he unleashed a wave of German nationalism just as Trump seeks to do now by pretending to reawaken American consciousness.

Hitler, the records show, followed up the demonstration of a nationalistic leadership with the repudiation of international agreements, including that which had committed Germany to paying reparations for its role in World War I.

In no time Germany was overrun by the nazi culture. Not even the German army known for its prowess and discipline was spared the control of the nazi movement.
The rest is history and not many nations, especially Israel and the Jews can forget what happened during World War II.

Although it is early in the life of the Trump administration, I can see some parallels between Trump and Hitler whose coming Nastrodamus foretold.

Nastrodamus had predicted a third global war. Is it possible that the actions and reactions of President Trump have the capacity to create room for the advent of the Prince of the house of Mohammed?
In his predictions that have never failed to come true, America's defence systems which Nastrodamus saw, failed to intercept what may be today's nuclear warheads fired by the Arabian Prince described as the third anti-Christ.

Trump denies targeting Islam, but the arguments flowing back and forth doesn't suggest that the world is struck by the truth of what he says.

Trump has spoken favourably about torture, a veritable tool that Hitler and his henchmen promoted to an art. He has spoken in derogatory terms with leaders of countries with which America has friendly ties like Mexico and Australia. He has ordered soldiers into action and began to cultivate the worst kind of propaganda that the American people have never seen like the Germans did under Goebels and Hitler.
I wish my heart could trust Trump, wish that Trump would have the wish to make the world a more peaceful and habitable place. But the signs aren't in any way near here.

Dreams of an indomitable Germany under Hitler spiralled out of control and led to the death of millions of men, women and children. Will the dream to make America great again turn out to be another smokescreen for dealing a deadly blow on humanity?

Trump didn't catch my fancy from the outset. Even now, his remarks as the strongest president on earth make me ill at ease. I followed his campaign speeches, his remarks about President Barak Obama the first black to occupy the White House, his proven track record for discriminating against blacks, and the snubbishness conveyed by the way he spoke while soliciting for votes. And I came off with a great feeling of trepidation that unrest in America and war abroad might be the ultimate outcome of a Trump presidency.

How I wish I would be wrong. How I wish that this President would help lay the foundation for a thousand years of peace as predicted by Nastrodamus. How I really wish.

There is no doubt that America has what it needs, going by Trump's victory via the Electoral College. But the vast majority who cast more popular votes for the protection of rights that are coming under threat early in the Trump era cannot stand it.

Right from inauguration day, they have been on the streets protesting the new face of America and the entry of a rawhide cowboy with a smoking gun who appears determined to reinvent Red Indian territory that ought to be conquered.

More Americans, worried by the turn of events,are joining the ongoing debate. Not many agree that in targeting Muslims, Trump would succeed in keeping America safe.The American court system hasn't demonstrated any understanding for the presidential order which securely shut the door in the face of citizens of some  Muslim nations or those from such countries who are already carrying valid US visas.
It is doubtful US courts ever will, given the uproar in America and the fear that the presidential orders may indeed be at variance with the tenets of their Constitution.

In the court of public opinion, among experienced diplomats and world leaders, Trump doesn't seem to have secured mainstream support for cancelling trade agreements entered into by the United States and other countries.

Many Americans are beginning to think about the consequential effects of the decisions of a president who appears to be unduly ego driven. I am not a pyschologist but I have a strong feeling that this president might be held hostage by a kind of dogma inherited from the formative stages of his life.

Office, the decorum and protocols that go with it are supposed to shape the attitude of leaders or the position of leadership on a wide range of issues and interests. Somehow, these do not appear to have any moderating influence on a President who continues to taunt perceived enemies and opponents even in a manner that no president before him has done.

The trouble is, Trump carries a huge responsibility. He needs to find a way out of the deepening cleavage that threatens America and the established world order in which Washington is a prominent player.

He needs to wake up to the reality that America cannot afford to act irresponsibly in a changing world that is faced with so many challenges.

Above all, he needs to come to terms with the fact that running a country cannot be the same as operating a business where one can easily say to an employee, "you are fired!"

Can Trump settle down to the reality of these facts in time to lead the free world?

Only time will tell.

Niger Delta Amnesty Beneficiaries To Kick Off Automobile Assembly Plant

 ...As Amnesty Office, Innoson Motors, Bayelsa State Government, Partner to Kick Start Process

“The Niger Delta Region has in recent times been in the news for the wrong reasons; but after a meeting of the Bayelsa State Government, Presidential Amnesty Office and Innoson Motors, in Bayelsa State over the weekend, it seems this trend is about to change” said Wabiye Idoniboyeobu, the media consultant to Gen. Boroh.

Wabiye in a statement today said last Friday, the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Affairs and Coordinator of the Niger Delta Presidential Amnesty Programme, Brigadier General Paul Boroh (Rtd), led a high-powered delegation, to the Bayelsa State Government House which included the following dignitaries; the Chairman, Innoson Group of Companies, Chief Innocent Chukwuma, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Economic Council, Mr Donald Benibo Wokoma,and the CEO JUMAB Global Services, Prince Jacob Momoh.

The aim of the visit according the media consultant to Gen. Boroh was to seek the support of the Bayelsa State Government in the establishment of a world-class Automobile Assembly Plant in the state.
The statement noted that the management of Innoson Motors who had trained and graduated over 100 Niger Delta Ex Agitators, in Automobile repairs and manufacturing; on the request of Gen. Boroh, have accepted to build a world class Assembly plant in the region, the plant will firstly absorb all the Ex Agitators, recently trained under Innoson Motors and also create job opportunities for other Niger Delta sons and daughters.

The statement reads: “The delegation received a warm reception by the Executive Governor of Bayelsa State, Hon Seriake Dickson, who on receiving the proposal, instructed the Commissioner of Trade and Investment, to allocate whatever space needed for the project, immediately all paper work is concluded. He also highlighted that the Bayelsa State Government is creating a massive Industrial Park for prospective investors to take advantage of. He expressed his delight for the initiative of the Amnesty office and Innoson Group, and promised to give his full support to the project.

“The Amnesty Coordinator, who facilitated this process, said, one of the strategies of the Buhari led Federal Government; to stabilising the region is to make the Niger Delta the Industrial hub of the Nation.He also added that Oil is fast loosing relevance and pointed out that now is the time to look into other avenues of generating revenue. Gen. Boroh highlighted the new Agriculture drive; the Amnesty office is pushing forward, and encouraged all, to have little farms in their surroundings.

“The Chairman of Innoson Group, Chief Innocent Chukwuma, expressed his delight, stating that, after training and studying the Amnesty beneficiaries sent to his school, he can confidently say "The people of the Niger Delta are good people". He indicated his readiness to move to site once the site has been allocated, adding that the Ex Agitators who successfully graduated at his academy will form the work foundation of the plant, once completed.”

Wednesday, 1 February 2017

Sapele residents insist on Eighteen – Hour Power supply



Sapele residents insist on Eighteen – Hour Power supply

Residents of Sapele on Monday decried the incessant power outage by the authorities of Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC).

They also condemned the attendant crazy bills by BEDC.

The Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Monday Igbuya, Chairman of Sapele Local Government Area, Hon Ejaife Odebala, elders and leaders of various political and non political groups in Sapele voiced their dissatisfaction, insisting on electricity for up to 18 hours daily.

At a stakeholders’ meeting in Asaba, the speaker urged BEDC to stop bringing estimated bills.

 “Don’t take people for granted. Your actions show great disrespect for all of us. Sapele residents are paying bills. BEDC must provide meters to consumers. The officials must respond to fault reported by consumers. They must communicate. The irregularity in power supply has disrupted daily life” he said.

Episcopal Vicar and Dean, St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Sapele, Very Rev Father Christopher Ekabo suggested ways towards a lasting solution to the crisis.

“At least 12 hours to 18 hours electricity should be given to Sapele. Anything less will not be good for the people. No more estimated bills. Prepaid meters should be made available to curb further collection of money by staffers of BEDC. The load shading should be done in a proper manner. The excuse of none payment of bills should be looked into” the priest said.

He urged BEDC to make a formal and public apology for it actions.
After a heated argument, the stakeholders agreed on eight hours of power for a start, subject to further improvement within the shortest possible time.

Sent in by: Ebireri Henry Ovie

Peterside, NIMASA DG Mourns Rivers CP Demise

Peterside, NIMASA DG Mourns Rivers CP Demise 

The Director General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Dakuku Peterside has described the death of serving Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Francis Odesanya as “shocking” and coming at a time when the state and Nigeria needed his professional competence and managerial capability. 

Dr. Peterside stated that the demise of CP Odesanya has robbed the nation of a fine officer and gentleman, who rose through the ranks before being posted to Rivers State to help curtail the activities of criminal elements. 

“Indeed, our state and the entire nation have lost a fine officer and gentleman who weathered it through the ranks to the position he held before his death. His loss becomes more painful considering his efforts at checkmating the dangerous activities of criminals in Rivers State,” Peterside bemoaned. 

The NIMASA DG sympathized with the Inspector-General of Police and Police Service Commission over the unfortunate loss, saying it was indeed a big loss to the Nigeria Police. 

“This is indeed a sad one to the Police, Rivers State and Nigeria. He has contributed to the corporate existence of Nigeria and fought several criminal elements in the society to ensure that we are able to move around freely and go about our normal duties. 

“For the few months he has been in Rivers State, he showed the attributes of a good leader, who is ready to lead from the front and provide direction for the rank and file,” Peterside stressed.   

The NIMASA boss prayed for the repose of the soul of the departed, just as he wished his family God’s guidance and grace as they mourn the demise of their illustrious son.

Saturday, 21 January 2017

Arrival – The Multiple Award winning Sci-Fi Film breaking Barriers!



…Storms cinemas in Nigeria from January 27th 2017


Imagine waking up one morning ready to start the day, then notice there’s a strange looking massive structure suspended in the sky. Curiosity lures you along the investigative path then you realize, yikes! It’s an alien ship! What!!! How did they sneak in? What do they want? Are we going to hear the famous words “Hello Earthlings”?

Hold on to your horses because Hollywood’s ace director Denis Villeneuve beautifully adapts Ted Chiang’s short story titled "Story of Your Life" to produce the blockbuster Sci-fi film titled Arrival”.

The film stars Amy Adams (one of the highest paid actresses in the world with two Golden Globe Awards, six BAFTA Awards and  five Academy Award nominations, starred in Batman v Superman:Dawn of Justice), Jeremy Renner (Captain America Civil war, Avengers :Age of Ultron), Forest Whitaker (Taken 3, Rouge One: A star wars story), Michael Stuhlbarg (Men in Black 3, Steve Jobs) and Tzi Ma (Rush hour 3).

In Arrival, twelve mysterious UFOs touch down across earth in random locations. No violent act is
made against mankind ‘yet’ but people are freaking out and want to know why they’re here! They need a versatile linguist in the art to communicate with these aliens a.k.a Heptapod and get answers from them. The US military enlists expert linguist Dr. Louise Banks (Amy Adams) and theoretical physicist Ian Donnelly (Jeremy Renner) to investigate these UFOs. They travel to one such landing site in rural Montana in search of the answers and what they discover will leave you speechless!

The film takes us on an emotional ride unveiling humanity, time, memory, and all that is worth fighting for on planet Earth. Arrival stands out and is in a class of its own with sixteen Awards, one hundred and twenty seven nominations including nine nominations at the British Academy Film Awards and two nominations at the Golden globe awards.

Even the hard hitting critics such as Robbie Collin have scored Arrival high saying it is “introspective, philosophical and existentially inclined – yet it unfolds in an unwavering tenor of chest-tightening excitement”.

It’s no doubt a fantastic, emotionally thrilling, mystery clad, action and suspense laced film. 

Arrival is distributed by Silverbird Film Distribution WA and opens in cinemas across the Nation from January 27th 2017.

 

Thursday, 19 January 2017

Delta State has lost a great human asset – Hon. Monday

Delta State has lost a great human asset – Hon. Monday

The death of Senator Francis Spanner Okpozo has been described as a monumental loss to Nigeria.

“I have learned with great sadness of the death of Third Republic Senator, Chief Francis Spanner Okpozo” the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Monday Ovwigho Igbuya said in Asaba.

The speaker who remembered the accomplishments of Okpozo in the country thanked God for the things he did to make Nigeria a better place.

Specifically, Igbuya highlighted the role of Okpozo in the development of the Niger Delta region.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Igbuya said the late senator was a great man and an amazing leader.

“Nigeria has lost a patriot. Senator Francis Okpozo was more than an illustrious son of Isoko land. He was a politician among politicians. He will be greatly missed” the statement said.

Senator Okpozo, one of the most articulate and ebullient politicians to have emerged from Isoko land was a member of the Third Republic Senate. He represented Delta South Senatorial District on the platform of the Social Democratic Party (SDP). He was deputy speaker of the defunct Bendel State House of Assembly under the platform of the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN).

“Senator Francis Okpozo was an outstanding politician and a law-maker per excellence” the speaker said.

He prayed for the peaceful repose of his soul.
Senator Okpozo will be buried on Friday, February 17, 2017 in Ozoro, Isoko North Local Government Area.

Thursday, 12 January 2017

Wike, PDP don’t drag APC into your war against security agencies – APC


The Rivers State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) said despite their determined efforts and resolve to stay clear of Gov. Nyesom Wike and the Peoples Democratic Party [PDP] war against Nigerian security agencies, the governor and his party [PDP] appear very determined to drag the All Progressives Congress [APC] into the fray of what seems to be a war they cannot win.

The APC in a statement signed by Senibo Chris Finebone noted with shock that Rivers PDP in a statement signed by Jerry Needam on behalf of the PDP State Chairman, Felix Obuah, is accusing the Nigeria Police of becoming the security arm of APC. This is a joke taken too far by every decent standard in politics.
The Statement reads: “We recall that in the same press statement PDP accused the Nigeria Police of arresting 21 ad-hoc staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, who took part in the legislative re-run election in the State.

“While the APC will not attempt to speak for the Nigeria Police, we wish to state that the PDP is simply crying wolf and this is typical of them and therefore not surprising to many. We do not see why the PDP should be too worried that ad-hoc staff of INEC or indeed anybody is invited by the Nigeria Police to assist it on any issue.  How that becomes a source of worry for the PDP is baffling to us. Could it be a confirmation of our long-held suspicion that PDP smuggled their members into the INEC ad-hoc staff list in order to do their bidding? Or could the investigation of the ad-hoc staff possibly lead to the unravelling of possible extent and dimensions of compromise of INEC officials by Gov. Nyesom Wike and the PDP hence the apprehension and false alarm?

“The APC is convinced that the camp of the PDP is presently thrown into confusion because the invited ad-hoc INEC staff are likely to confess and name those who compromised them over the December 10 rerun election and that is the reason behind the panic mode Rivers PDP and Gov. Wike have suddenly found themselves in.

“We wish to remind the governor and his party that clear conscience fears no accusation because the truth will ultimately prevail. The purported arrest and transfer of 21 ad-hoc INEC staff to Abuja by the Police, even if true, should not elicit the sort of animated frenzy that has become evident of the governor and PDP in Rivers State. Or could it be that that INEC and their staff in Rivers State have become the election administrative arm of Rivers PDP? We ask that we may know.

“We call on the Nigeria Police and other security agencies not to be fazed by Gov. Wike’s antics and empty threats for those are his stock-in-trade without which he may never function true to type.”