NEWS
Rise up, reclaim your nation before it is annihilated, Utomi challenges Nigerians
The chairman of National Consultative Front and leader of the shadow Government professor Pat Utomi has challenged Nigerians to wake up from their docility to reclaim their country before it is annihilated.
In his New year message which was made available to newsmen in Abuja on Friday he said
“As we cross over I want to call out all patriots to recognize that 2022 is the year to stop sitting on the fence and take action.
“Nigeria can and must rise up again but it will take patriots and true citizens willing to take on the fight for a new Nigeria as freedom is not served a la carte but taken by a bold generation responsible and accountable to a future foretold.
“As we cross over from 2021 to 2022 there is much to thank God for in spite of a surge in COVID infections, inflation eating away the income of poor Nigerians just as global supply chain crisis and problems at the Ports were compounding the woes of manufacturers and traders; and insecurity was making farming and food security the worry of the year.
“In joining fellow compatriots in Thanksgiving I would particularly like to pay tribute to the emergence in 2021 of an a new crop of patriots in politics and civil society who seem to have recognized a desperate need to Save Nigeria from challenges that have brought our dear country to the edge of a political and economic precipice.
“Movements like NCFront, RNP, The New Fabian Society of the Concerned Professionals, and emerging coalitions of alternative track political parties have provided hope in a time of gloom and despair as the country goes borrowing everywhere with the unfortunate tag of the poverty capital of the world.
“The collaboration of these groups to deepen our democracy with the idea of a Shadow Government marks for me a call for national renewal.”
He said reflecting on all that 2022 is the year of citizen awakening to save Nigeria.
“The promise of Nigeria in 1960 was the promise of peace and prosperity for all of its people, though tribe and tongue may differ but in brotherhood they would stand to shine the light to lead Africa out of serfdom.
“The future foretold has been setback by bad politics and poor economics. But we must now say no to the entrepreneurs of politics who have brought shame to the arena of politics as service on which our founding fathers like Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Sir Ahmadu Bello, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, Dr Michael Okpara, Prime Minister Tafawa Balewa and others, erected the foundation of our beloved country. “If millions of us have to get on the streets in the manner of the Orange or Pink revolution. to make the dream of a more desirable Nigeria that Fela Durotoye often envisions in his motivational exercises then that we must do.
“We owe this duty of transforming Nigeria to our children because, in a sense we have been accomplices in the undoing of their future.
“George Orwell declared long ago that those who elect corrupt politicians, impostors and thieves are not victims but accomplices.
“In allowing those who loot our treasuries and use the war chest to brag about being ready to be elected we are accomplices twice over and need to make reparation in committing to vanquishing of money politics.
International News
JUST IN: Equatorial Guinea Blocks WhatsApp Multimedia Amid Engonga Sex Scandal
The government of Equatorial Guinea has imposed new restrictions on WhatsApp, limiting citizens’ ability to download and share multimedia files through mobile data.
This policy follows recent directives for telecommunications operators to control access to “inappropriate content.”
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The measure, however, has led to public frustration, with citizens now relying solely on WiFi for sharing photos, videos, and audio files.
The restrictions come in the wake of a high-profile scandal involving Baltasar Engonga, Director General of the National Financial Investigation Agency (ANIF).
Engonga, 54, is currently under investigation for fraud. During an unexpected search of his home and office, ANIF officials reportedly discovered a collection of more than 400 explicit videos involving Engonga and the wives of various prominent figures.
Among those reportedly involved are relatives of senior officials, including the wife of the Director General of Police, multiple government ministers’ spouses, and even family members of the President of Equatorial Guinea.
The leaked videos have caused a media uproar, with calls for transparency from the government.
Citizens are questioning whether the restrictions on WhatsApp multimedia sharing are part of an effort to prevent the spread of sensitive content related to the scandal.
So far, officials have not commented on the duration of these restrictions or whether they are linked to the ongoing investigation.
The local news platform Ahora EG has reported widespread frustration over the restrictions, quoting anonymous sources expressing concern about the impact on essential communication.
“Should an entire country pay for the actions of a few?” one source asked. “This measure interferes with work and educational activities for thousands who rely on WhatsApp, and it feels more like a move to control than to facilitate communication.”
Critics have also questioned the transparency of the new restriction, with some speculating it may be linked to Vice President Teddy Nguema’s recent announcement of a plan to install surveillance cameras in state offices.
This initiative, he said, is part of a broader government crackdown to reinforce public service laws and combat misconduct among officials.
As frustrations mount, Equatorial Guinea’s citizens are left awaiting clarity on the government’s intentions behind these measures.
With no official statements on how long the restrictions will remain in place, many continue to speculate whether these changes will be temporary or signal a new era of state control over digital communication.
International News
U.S. Election: Historic Decision Looms As Kamala Harris, Trump Enter Dead-Heat Contest
On a high-stakes Tuesday, American voters are heading to the polls in an election that will either catapult Kamala Harris into history as the first woman president or grant Donald Trump a historic return to the White House.
After months of intense campaigning and unexpected developments, Democratic Vice President Harris, 60, and former Republican President Trump, 78, remain locked in one of the closest and most turbulent races of modern times.
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As polling stations open nationwide, both candidates are counting on a strong turnout in key swing states, including Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, and Pennsylvania.
With early voting already at record numbers, tens of millions more are expected to cast their ballots throughout the day, adding to the over 82 million who voted early.
Campaign Finale: Fierce Push for Every Vote
Both campaigns spent Monday frantically rallying supporters. In Pennsylvania, Harris stood on the iconic “Rocky” steps in Philadelphia, energized by celebrities like Lady Gaga and Oprah Winfrey.
“Momentum is on our side,” she said, calling the race potentially “one of the closest in history” and urging supporters to get to the polls.
Meanwhile, Trump held his closing rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan, after stops in North Carolina and Pennsylvania.
Emphasizing his populist message, he depicted a nation under siege from crime and economic turmoil, promising that his leadership could restore America’s greatness.
“With your vote tomorrow, we can fix every single problem our country faces and lead America — indeed, the world — to new heights of glory,” he declared.
An Election of Unprecedented Drama
This election has been marked by surprising developments that left voters and analysts reeling.
Harris took over the Democratic nomination in July following President Joe Biden’s withdrawal, a dramatic shift that reshaped the race.
Trump’s campaign faced its own challenges, including surviving two assassination attempts and pushing forward even after a criminal conviction.
Despite these extraordinary events, polls show the race remains deadlocked.
Observers are bracing for potential delays in determining a winner, with the tight race suggesting that final results could take days.
In Washington, security is heightened with barriers around the White House and storefronts boarded up, fearing possible unrest.
Trump’s ongoing claims about election integrity — similar to those he made in 2020 — have already raised concerns about the potential for dispute if he loses.
Global Impact: Allies, Rivals Watch Anxiously
The international community is closely watching the U.S. election, as the outcome could reshape key policies.
A Harris administration would likely pursue climate action, support for NATO, and continued aid to Ukraine in its war with Russia.
Trump’s “America First” approach, however, signals a return to isolationist policies that unsettle allies while promising sweeping trade tariffs that concern trading partners.
The election’s significance extends beyond politics, as Harris would make history as the first Black woman and South Asian president in the United States, breaking another barrier after her 2020 election as vice president.
Trump, if successful, would make his own history, becoming only the second president after Grover Cleveland to win non-consecutive terms and the oldest president to assume office.
Divided Nation Faces Uncertain Path Forward
Harris’s campaign has focused on reproductive rights and healthcare, aiming to galvanize women and young voters.
Though she has condemned Trump’s “dark rhetoric,” she ended her campaign with an optimistic message, calling for unity and avoiding further mention of her rival.
Trump, meanwhile, has leaned into his populist appeal, casting himself as the country’s last line of defense against rising crime and immigration issues.
In his final speeches, he warned of election fraud — claims widely debunked by experts — and hinted that he might not concede if he loses, saying he should “never have left” the White House in 2021.
As polls close later tonight, Americans and the world wait anxiously for what could be a turning point in U.S. history. Regardless of the result, today’s vote promises to reshape the nation’s future and its role on the global stage for years to come.
NEWS
Tragic Building Collapse In R/State Leaves One Dead, Several Injured
A tragic building collapse in Rivers State has left a middle-aged contractor, identified as Udeme, feared dead after a two-storey structure under construction caved in at the Egbelu Mgbaraja area of Ogbogoro Community, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.
This incident comes just one week after a three-storey building collapsed at the Iriebe axis of the same local government, though that incident fortunately recorded no casualties.
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The latest collapse occurred on Monday, November 4, 2024, around 2 p.m., with construction workers on site when the structure gave way.
According to eyewitness Mr. Jonathan Obey, the building’s second floor suddenly buckled, trapping Udeme beneath the rubble, while another worker managed to escape with serious injuries.
Obey, who attempted to rescue the trapped contractor, suspected negligence, saying, “We couldn’t reach him despite our efforts. An inspection revealed substandard materials had been used, with the foundation only three feet deep for a two-storey building, which is insufficient. The rebar was of poor quality, and essential supports, such as a center beam, were absent.”
The Rivers State Government has since sealed off the property and declared the developer, Vincent Nwoye, wanted for questioning.
Rt. Hon. Evans Bipi, Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, visited the site and expressed his dismay, attributing the collapse to gross negligence.
“This tragedy was preventable,” Bipi stated. “The developer failed to obtain an approved building plan and used inferior materials. The government will ensure accountability and take severe action.”
Bipi extended his condolences to the victim’s family and the Ogbogoro Community, affirming that the government will facilitate the family’s recovery of their loved one’s remains. “We sympathize with the bereaved family and the entire community,” he added.
The Commissioner for Special Duties, Dr. Samuel Anya, also condemned the developer’s actions, highlighting the dangers posed when profit is prioritized over safety. “This loss is a direct consequence of unethical practices,” he said.
The government has committed to a thorough investigation and tighter regulatory enforcement to prevent further tragedies in Rivers State.