Dons Eze
- Foreign Affairs
- December 13, 2024
- 127 views
I IDENTIFY MORE AS A YORUBA THAN NIGERIAN – KEMI BADENOCH, UK PARTY LEADER
: I IDENTIFY MORE AS A YORUBA THAN A NIGERIAN – KEMI BADENOCH, UK PARTY LEADER I Have Nothing In Common With ‘Boko Haram’ Northern Nigeria – UK Party Leader, Kemi Badenoch Replies Vice-President [i] Kemi Badenoch, the leader of the United Kingdom’s Conservative Party, has stated that she identifies more with her Yoruba heritage than with Nigeria as a whole. In an interview with The Spectator, Badenoch expressed that she feels little connection to northern Nigeria, which she described as a “haven for Islamism and Boko Haram.” “I find it interesting that everybody defines me as being Nigerian. I identify less with the country than with the specific ethnicity (Yoruba),” she remarked. “I have nothing in common with the people from the north of the country, the Boko Haram where Islamism is,” she added. Her comments have drawn significant backlash from many Nigerians, including high-profile figures. Among her critics is Nigeria’s vice-president, Kashim Shettima, who recently told Badenoch she could change her name if she wished to disassociate from Nigeria, calling it the “greatest black nation on earth.” Despite the criticism, Badenoch has doubled down on her stance, asserting that her true identity lies in her Yoruba roots. She added, “Somebody once told me when I was very young that my surname was a name for people who were warriors. They protected the crown, and that’s what I see myself as doing.” She further emphasised, “I am here to protect and I will die protecting this country because I know what’s out there.” Meanwhile, Vice President, Kashim Shettima, had accused Kemi of disparaging her country of origin, Nigeria. He had made the statement on Monday during the 10th Annual Migration Dialogue at the State House in Abuja. Shettima said, “Kemi Badenoch, the leader of the British Labour or Conservative Party. We are proud of her in spite of her efforts at denigrating her nation of origin.” He further added, “She is entitled to her own opinions; she has even every right to remove the Kemi from her name but that does not underscore the fact that the greatest black nation on earth is the nation called Nigeria.” The Vice President highlighted Nigeria’s significance on the world stage, stating, “One out of every three, four black men is a Nigerian and by 2050, Nigeria will support the United States, and will be the third most populous nation on earth.”
- Foreign Affairs
- December 13, 2024
- 33 views
DONALD TRUMP NAMED TIME PERSON OF THE YEAR
DONALD TRUMP NAMED TIME PERSON OF THE YEAR AGAIN Time Magazine has named Donald Trump as their person of the year for the second time. “For marshaling a comeback of historic proportions, for driving a once-in-a- generation political realignment, for reshaping the American presidency and altering America’s role in the world, Donald Trump is TIME’S 2024 Person of the Year,” Time Editor-in-Chief Sam Jacobs said in a letter to readers. The Republican president-elect is set to ring the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange on Thursday to commemorate the honour alongside several of his family members. Trump was first named person of the year in 2016 after winning the US presidential election. The magazine’s tradition – which started in 1927 as “Man of the Year” – recognises a person or movement that “for better or for worse… has done the most to influence the events of the year”. Other previous winners include climate change activist Greta Thunberg, former President Barack Obama, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Pope Francis and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Time Magazine editors ultimately decide who wins the award. The outlet was considering 10 people for the person of the year award, including Vice-President Kamala Harris, the Princess of Wales and Tesla CEO Elon Musk, now a close confidante of Trump set to lead an advisory board called the Department of Government Efficiency. In a description of Trump for the list of finalists, Time said he had won the 2024 election “in a stunning political comeback”. “He has reshaped the American electorate, activating young male voters who propelled him to a decisive victory that saw him win the popular vote for the first time and turn every swing state red,” the outlet said. “His 2024 win is history-making in multiple ways: he will be the oldest President in U.S. history, and he was convicted earlier this year by a New York jury of 34 counts of fraud, making him the first convicted felon to be elected President.” Trump sat for interviews with the magazine in April this year during the campaign season. During the wide-ranging discussions, Trump talked about his plans for a second term, including his goals of reforming the US immigration system and deporting millions of people. Trump complained in 2015 when he was not chosen for the magazine cover during his first run for office, when the award went to former German Chancellor Angela Merkel. But after he was named person of the year following his election win, he called it a “great honor”. “It means a lot, especially me growing up reading Time magazine. And, you know, it’s a very important magazine,” he said at the time. He has, however, continued to criticise the magazine’s choices since winning, including the selection of Taylor Swift as Time’s person of the year in 2024.
- Foreign Affairs
- December 12, 2024
- 113 views
I STAND BY WHAT I SAID – UK PARTY LEADER, KEMI BADENOCH, TELLS VP SHETTIMA
I STAND BY WHAT I SAID – UK PARTY LEADER, KEMI BADENOCH, TELLS VP SHETTIMA The leader of the United Kingdom’s Conservative Party, Kemi Badenoch, has doubled down on her previous remarks about Nigeria, insisting she will not sugarcoat the truth about her homeland. The response comes after Nigeria’s Vice-President Kashim Shettima criticized her for describing the country as a “socialist nation brimming with thieving politicians and insecurity.” In a statement issued through her spokesperson, Badenoch said she is not interested in enhancing Nigeria’s global image, asserting that her focus is on addressing issues with candour and realism. “Kemi is not interested in doing Nigeria’s PR; she is the leader of the opposition in the UK. “She tells the truth. She tells it like it is. She’s not going to couch her words, and she stands by what she says,” the spokesperson said. Badenoch, born Olukemi Adegoke, has often spoken about her Nigerian heritage but has also been critical of the country’s leadership and systemic issues. She adopted the surname Badenoch after marrying her Scottish husband, Hamish Badenoch, a banker.
- Foreign Affairs
- December 11, 2024
- 96 views
DOZENS OF GHANA PRESIDENT-ELECT’S SUPPORTERS ARRESTED IN POST-POLL CHAOS
DOZENS OF GHANA PRESIDENT-ELECT’S SUPPORTERS ARRESTED IN POST-POLL CHAOS Police in Ghana have arrested more than 100 people – mostly opposition supporters of President-elect John Mahama – over acts of lawlessness.Supporters of the newly elected president who want jobs have allegedly attacked some state institutions, looted properties, and engaged in disturbances that have left some police and military personnel injured.The irate supporters also torched two electoral commission offices due to a delay in announcing the outcome of Saturday’s elections and disagreements over some parliamentary results.Mahama has condemned the vandalism and called on President Nana Akufo-Addo and security agencies to “act decisively” in addressing the violence.Vice-President Bawumia, the defeated presidential candidate of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), has publicly called on the president-elect to reign in his supporters.In Ghana, it is common for supporters of the winning party to take over state institutions, demanding that the incumbent government’s appointees vacate their offices before the president-elect is sworn in.This phenomenon is rooted in the country’s winner-take-all politics, where the party in power gets to control everything, including jobs and contracts.There have been similar attacks during previous transitions – a development which civil society has condemned.The police have warned all individuals and groups engaging in violence, saying they will not tolerate any form of lawlessness.So far 106 people have been arrested, including nine who were arrested on Tuesday over the burning of an electoral commission office in the Eastern Region.The Ghanaian army has also cautioned the public against attempts to disarm soldiers, following incidents of groups targeting those deployed to support the police to maintain order in the country.“The Ghana Armed Forces wishes to caution that military personnel on authorised duty have the right to defend themselves, innocent civilians, and property, including the use of lethal force, if necessary to preserve life,” said a statement signed by Brig Gen E Aggrey-Quarshie.Catholic bishops have condemned the violence as “unacceptable and go against the core values of peace, unity, and respect for life that we, as a nation, hold dear”.They have urged political leaders to take responsibility for the actions of their followers.In a live broadcast on Tuesday night, Mahama condemned the acts of vandalism and urged his supporters to exercise restraint, while also calling on the outgoing administration and security agencies to take immediate action.“Because state power is still in the hands of the present administration, I call on the president and security agencies to act decisively to curb the ongoing acts of lawlessness immediately,” he said.Mahama is due to be sworn in on 7 January 2025.
- Foreign Affairs
- December 10, 2024
- 215 views
3,270 NIGERIANS GAINED AMERICAN CITIZENSHIP VIA MILITARY SERVICE – US
3,270 NIGERIANS GAINED AMERICAN CITIZENSHIP VIA MILITARY SERVICE – US Nigeria has ranked fourth among countries whose citizens were granted U.S. citizenship through military naturalization between 2020 and 2024. During the period under review, the United States naturalised over 52,000 military service members across different countries. According to data obtained from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services on Monday, 3,270 Nigerian-born service members were granted U.S. citizenship, trailing only the Philippines (5,630), Jamaica (5,420), and Mexico with 3,670. “Service members born in the Philippines, Jamaica, Mexico, Nigeria, and Ghana — the top five countries of birth among those naturalised — comprised over 38% of the naturalizations since FY 2020. “The next five countries of birth — Haiti, China, Cameroon, Vietnam, and South Korea — comprised an additional 16% of military naturalisations from FY 2020 to FY 2024,” the analysis of the data partly read. The data revealed that the number of Nigerian service members gaining U.S. citizenship has steadily increased over the past five years. From 340 in 2020, the figure rose to 630 the following year, 680 in 2022, 690 in 2023 and 930 in 2024. The Army accounted for 60% of all military naturalisations during this period, followed by the Navy (20.4%), Air Force (10.6%), and Marine Corps (6.6%). Less than 1% of naturalised service members served in the Coast Guard. “Service members from the Army (including National Guard and Reserves) comprised almost two-thirds (60%) of all military naturalisations from FY 2020 to FY 2024. Service members from the Coast Guard comprised less than 1%. The Navy accounted for 20.4%, the Air Force for 10.6%, and the Marine Corps for 6.6%,” the report stated. Age-wise, half of the service members were between 22 and 30 years old when they naturalised. “Half of all service members were between 22 and 30 years old when they naturalised. The median age of all service members who naturalised between FY 2020 and FY 2024 was 27. More than 17% were 21 and under, while almost 5% were older than 40,” the analysis revealed. Regarding gender distribution, 73% of the naturalised service members were men. “Men comprised 73% of all service members naturalized between FY 2020 and FY 2024. The proportion of female service members slightly increased across the years,” the report added.Source:
- Foreign Affairs
- December 10, 2024
- 142 views
YOU CAN REMOVE KEMI FROM YOUR NAME – SHETTIMA TELLS UK PARTY LEADER
YOU CAN REMOVE KEMI FROM YOUR NAME – SHETTIMA TELLS UK PARTY LEADER Vice President, Kashim Shettima, has accused the newly elected leader of the United Kingdom Conservative Party, Kemi Badenoch, of disparaging her country of origin, Nigeria. He made the statement on Monday during the 10th Annual Migration Dialogue at the State House in Abuja. Shettima said, “Kemi Badenoch, the leader of the British Labour or Conservative Party. We are proud of her in spite of her efforts at denigrating her nation of origin.” He further added, “She is entitled to her own opinions; she has even every right to remove the Kemi from her name but that does not underscore the fact that the greatest black nation on earth is the nation called Nigeria.” The Vice President highlighted Nigeria’s significance on the world stage, stating, “One out of every three, four black men is a Nigerian and by 2050, Nigeria will support the United States, and will be the third most populous nation on earth.” In his address, Shettima also emphasised the key role of migrants in shaping society and contributing to economic growth. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting migrant rights and celebrating their contributions to national development. In 2022, Badenoch, a UK member of parliament of Nigerian descent, accused Nigerian politicians of misappropriating public funds. Following her election as the UK Conservative Party leader in November 2024, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) reached out to her office but received no response, according to NIDCOM Chairman, Abike Dabiri-Erewa.
- Foreign Affairs
- December 9, 2024
- 97 views
OUSTED SYRIAN PRESIDENT FLED TO RUSSIA, GRANTED ASYLUM
OUSTED SYRIAN PRESIDENT FLED TO RUSSIA, GRANTED ASYLUM Deposed Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his family have arrived in Moscow, Russian state media agencies reported, citing sources within the Kremlin. Reports also said that Assad and his family have been granted asylum by Russia. However, the report has not been independently verified. Assad was toppled earlier on Sunday following the capture of Damascus by rebels. For the past four years, it had felt like the civil war was effectively over. Assad’s government had regained control over most of Syria’s cities with the help of Russia, Iran and Iranian-backed militias like Hezbollah, and the frontlines were largely frozen. However, large parts of the country were still out of the government’s control. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and its allies said on November 27 that they had launched an offensive to “deter aggression”, accusing the government and allied Iran-backed militias of escalating attacks on civilians. But it came at a time when the government had been weakened by years of war, sanctions and corruption – with allies Russia and Iran preoccupied and apparently sapped by other conflicts. The Iran-backed group Hezbollah had recently suffered from Israel’s offensive in Lebanon. Israeli strikes had eliminated Iranian military commanders in Syria, and Russia was distracted by the war in Ukraine. Without the support of the allies, Assad’s forces were left exposed.
- Foreign Affairs
- December 8, 2024
- 143 views
FORMER PRESIDENT, JOHN MAHAMA, WINS GHANAIAN ELECTION
FORMER PRESIDENT, JOHN MAHAMA, WINS GHANAIAN ELECTION Ghana’s former President John Dramani Mahama has won the country’s presidential election after his main opponent, Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, conceded defeat. “The people of Ghana have spoken, the people have voted for change at this time and we respect it with all humility,” Bawumia said in a news conference on Sunday. The defeat in Saturday’s election ends two terms in power for the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) under President Nana Akufo-Addo, marked by Ghana’s worst economic crisis in years, involving high inflation and a debt default. Bawumia said he called Mahama, of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), to congratulate him. Earlier, NDC spokesman Sammy Gyamfi told reporters the party’s internal review of results showed Mahama won 56.3 percent of the vote against 41.3 percent for Bawumia. “It is very clear the people of this country have voted for change,” Gyamfi said. The vice president said Mahama won the presidency “decisively The NDC won the parliamentary election, according to the NPP’s internal tally of votes. Mahama, who was president of Ghana between July 2012 and January 2017, confirmed on X he had received Bawumia’s congratulatory call over his “emphatic victory”. Blaring horns and cheering, the 65-year-old’s supporters were already gathering and celebrating outside the party campaign headquarters in the capital, Accra. During his campaign, he promised to “reset” the country on various fronts and tried to appeal to young Ghanaians. His win marks a historic victory, making him the first president in the three decades of Ghana’s Fourth Republic – since the 1992 return to multi-party democracy – to reclaim the presidency after being voted out. Ghana’s economic woes dominated the election after the gold and cacao producer went through a crisis of default and currency devaluation, ending with a $3bn International Monetary Fund bailout. On corruption, Mahama vowed during the campaign that he will create a new office tasked with scrutinising government procurement above a $5m threshold. He said unchecked procurement processes are a major source of corruption. But Mahama also voiced support for the anti-LGBTQ bill passed by Ghana’s parliament in February but which is yet to be signed into law and has sparked international criticism. Ghana’s election commission had said official results were likely due by Tuesday. With a history of democratic stability, Ghana’s two main parties, the NPP and NDC, have alternated in power equally since the return to multi-party politics in 1992.
- Foreign Affairs
- December 7, 2024
- 78 views
TINUBU’S ASSOCIATION WITH FRANCE CAUSING DISQUIET IN NORTH – GALADIMA, GOLOLO
TINUBU’S ASSOCIATION WITH FRANCE CAUSING DISQUIET IN NORTH – GALADIMA, GOLOLO Indications emerged during the week to suggest that the cozy relationship that exists between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his French counterpart, Mr Emmanuel Macron, is causing some disquiet in the North. Saturday Telegraph gathered during the week in separate interviews with prominent leaders in the North that they are not finding the relationship funny and that they are observing the trend. Those who spoke with our correspondent on the development include, a chieftain of the opposition New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Engr. Buba Galadima; a chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Garus Gololo. Others who spoke include a former Presidential Adviser on Political Matters, Alhaji Tanko Yakassai. A former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Professor Usman Yusuf’s views were monitored in a televised interview during the week. Except for Yakassai, who pleaded that President Tinubu be allowed to govern, those who spoke were unanimous in their respective assertions that the relationship will spell doom for the North in the wake of the frosty relations that exists between France and some of its former colonies in West Africa. Countries such as Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger Republic have in recent times reviewed their ties with their erstwhile colonial master with many of them putting in place several measures to wean themselves off control by France, which in turn is doing all it can to retain its control in the sub-region. In many of the meetings of the regional bloc, Nigeria had initially threatened to use force to restore democratic order in Niger and Burkina Faso in the wake of the coup d’état in the two countries. President Tinubu is the chairman of the regional economic bloc, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). While a military junta seized power in Niger on July 26, 2023, their counterparts in Burkina Faso struck earlier on September 30, 2022. However, the decision by ECOWAS led by Nigeria to restore democracy in Niger Republic was vehemently rejected by stakeholders in the Northern part of the country who have continued to argue that such decision is a declaration of war on them considering that they occupy the frontline position should hostilities break out. Those who opposed this move also stated that the kinship between the people of the North and their cousins in Niger Republic is a source of worry to them too. The reservations of these elements in the North once again came to the fore with the recent visit of a Federal Government delegation, led by President Tinubu to France where he was hosted by his counterpart, President Macron, to a lavish reception in Paris, the French capital. Commenting on the development as it affects the North, Galadima in an interview with our correspondent during the week urged President Tinubu whom he described as a ‘friend’ to be careful, saying the North is watching his moves. He said: “I will advise the President to be extremely careful in his dealings with France. I am saying this because France is drawing him close because they want to use him to change the governments in Niger Republic, Mali and Burkina Faso. “He will have problems on his hands because people from the (Northern) part of the country will not support him in his journey. “We can’t support President Tinubu because of what these countries did for us during the Civil War. “He has to be careful in his relationship with France. All of us in the North are looking at him (President Tinubu) with some suspicion. “At least, as a friend, I can tell him this.” Similarly, Gololo said though he is a member of the APC, who worked for…
- Foreign Affairs
- December 7, 2024
- 115 views
SOUTH AFRICANS WANT PRESIDENT TO RESIGN OVER SIMPLIFIED VISA FOR NIGERIAN NATIONALS
SOUTH AFRICANS WANT PRESIDENT TO RESIGN OVER SIMPLIFIED VISA FOR NIGERIAN NATIONALS President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement of a simplified visa process for Nigerian nationals has sparked a growing backlash in South Africa, with some citizens taking to the social media to demand his resignation. The move, aimed at boosting economic and tourism activities, was announced during the 11th Session of the South Africa-Nigeria Bi-National Commission in Cape Town on December 3. Critics have called for the reversal of the decision, accusing the government of prioritising foreign relations over domestic concerns. The outcry has included an open letter to the president and widespread criticism online. Responding to the backlash, the presidency clarified that the initiative was part of broader efforts to modernise and streamline visa application processes globally. “Our efforts to create a favourable environment include introducing a simplified visa process for Nigerian business people. Those who qualify can be granted a five-year multiple-entry visa,” Ramaphosa explained. He added that Nigerian nationals would no longer need to produce a passport to apply for visa. The announcement came at a time when relations between Nigerians and South Africans have been tense, often reflected in heated exchanges on the social media. Critics argue that the relaxed visa policy could exacerbate existing social and economic challenges within South Africa. Despite the criticism, the government maintains that the policy is part of a strategy to strengthen bilateral ties and enhance economic cooperation between the two countries.