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Articles by Patrick Cole
Russia, Ukraine and war propaganda (2)
My mother’s question in 1960, “what has Great Britain done to cause us to want to break the link between Britain and Nigeria? Why don’t we like the Queen, whom she regarded as a very nice person! A traditional expression is that what an old man or woman saw sitting down, a young man on top of an Iroko tree would never see. Looking at Nigeria since independence, she may have been a clairvoyant, she foresaw the mess Nigeria is today, and perhaps she saw this while sitting.
Russia, Ukraine and war propaganda | The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News Original
Are we slowly moving to World war 3? Can Russia allow NATO to gulp Ukraine? Is this existential threat to Russia? Can Russia exist with NATO countries surrounding Russia and a NATO member its gut? Real Politics will suggest that having now exposed Russian weakness, the West has no alternative but to push on its own advantage. Russia is the heart of the Slavic people and Ukraine is its soul. A soulless Russia will collapse- this is Putin’s view. How did Russia lose its preeminent arms producing power?
CBN, politics and the travails of bank clients - Part 2 | The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News Original
On the 4th of April 2022, I informed my account manager that I was writing Cheques to various people and asked again that my balances be sent through WhatsApp, the account officer replied; “ok sir Noted” and I immediately asked again for my balance. On the 4th of April 2022, I informed my account manager that I was writing Cheques to various people and asked again that my balances be sent through WhatsApp, the account officer replied; “ok sir Noted” and I immediately asked again for my balance.
CBN, politics and the travails of bank clients
The currency crises and the change of bank notes were carefully choreographed following a well-constructed programme towards a plan to weaken protests. The government was determined to close every other activity except the election. This was a determined and committed plan. It was a controlled march from election to inauguration. There was no missteps acceptable to this process.
The Nigerian nation: A look through Urhobo chiefs - Part 2 | The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News
This is an invaluable book about Urhobo customs and indeed the origins of Urhobos. At least we now have more in print than the old writings of the intelligence reports, without which many Nigerians would know little of, about their past; so weak has historical telling of our origins have been, that we have almost our history since the cessation of the Intelligence Reports. Sometimes I wish the government had continued the intelligence reports of the colonial government.
The Nigerian nation: A look through Urhobo chiefs
Certain long standing issues that I have been dealing with- the elites and the traditional leaders’ structure and political progress in pursuing independence and developing the economy. I found these themes developed in the autobiography of Chief Obrik Uloho- “The Strength of an Eagle and Peace of a Dove.” Uloho’s biography is a template for social history for most Nigerians who were first and second generation educated between 1930-1965.
The cesspool of Nigerian airlines
The flight was for 6:30pm from Abuja to Lagos, we left home at Katampe at 3:00pm and got to the slipway to Abuja airport about half an hour later. Just before the toll gate at the airport, there was a security checkpoint, Military, Police etc. After paying the toll, we moved towards the departure entrance, we had to go through a road bordered on both sides by gigantic constructions of a new terminal by the Chinese.
Nigerian airline cesspool
The flight was for 6:30pm from Abuja to Lagos, we left home at Katampe at 3:00pm and got to the slip way to Abuja airport about half an hour later. Just before the toll gate at the airport, there was a security check point, Military, Police etc. After paying the toll gate, we moved towards the departure entrance, we had to go through a road bordered on both sides by gigantic constructions of a new terminal by the Chinese.
Oil theft as distraction amidst going pillage Original
For more than 15 years I have been campaigning to draw attention to the damage that oil theft in the Niger Delta does to Nigeria. In 2008, we got traction. I was published in the Financial Times drawing global attention to it. President Yar’adua called on the G8 to provide global support to eradicate it and it looked like we were finally building momentum towards a solution. But as normal, the interests involved were able to distract, threaten and wiggle their way out of it.
Nigeria and its white elephants -
By Patrick Dele Cole Some economists claim that you can predict the economy of a nation by counting the number of people idling around at motor parks and airports. There are all kinds of touts outnumbering the ones that are employed. They are so busy collecting money and extorting people.
Nigeria and abandoned projects - Part 2
Continued from yesterday The Steel plants in Ajaokuta, and the oil refineries in Warri, PH and Kaduna are all mothballed. (By the way it was the Ukrainians who built the Ajaokuta Steel Plants). The Ajaokuta steel plant occasioned the building of the railways to Warri, now it is a useless moribund white elephant project. Apart from the Ajaokuta Steel Plant, Nigeria built 6 Steel rolling mills which have all been abandoned.
Nigeria and abandoned projects | The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News
Some economists claim that you can predict the economy of a nation by counting the number of people idling around at motor parks and airports. There are all kinds of touts outnumbering the ones that are employed. They are so busy collecting money and extorting people.
Killing homosexuals, marrying under aged girls
Issues like this confuse Nigerians and the pursuit of democracy and pluralism. I have no problem with adults doing what they want in private. Unfortunately, the LGBT group have taken the offensive to attack anybody who does not fully accept their vision of life. Having cornered the main street news media by infiltrating it thoroughly, LGBT now has taken up the cause of same-sex marriage, (whatever that means).
Tribalism in N.N.P.C. and Rivers State
Many years ago the names one heard in NNPC were Marinho, Lolomari, Edem Duke, Olu Fubara, Green, Dakoru, Adams, Akpeyi, Itsueli, Okon, Okonkwo, Jack, Briggs, Effiong, maybe a Dapchi, Musa, Mongonu, Lukman, Bello, Mohammed etc.
Nigeria’s democracy and the pitfalls to avoid -
By Patrick Dele Cole Social media has helped the demise of democracy and the enthronement of autocracy: Dutarte in the Philippines, Bolasonaro in Brazil, and Victor Orban in Hungary are the three people who used toxic social media to attain power. But can this policy be replicated in Nigeria? Possibly. The throngs following Obi obviously believe so. Thus the more outrageous the story, the greater the adherence: e.g. several thousand polling booths have been discovered in Niger and Chad.
The danger in Nigeria’s democracy - Part 2 | The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News Original
From the steps of the Owo church, Mr. President would throw the challenge that those responsible for these massacres would be hunted down and brought to justice. Such action would show non-Muslim that the danger posed by religious killing have no place in Nigeria. This protocol would be followed whenever and wherever such killing take place. Silence is not an option. It gives the impression that ASO ROCK is complicit with these barbarian killings.
The danger in Nigeria’s democracy Original
Social media has helped the demise of democracy and the enthronement of autocracy: Dutarte in the Philippines, Bolasonaro in Brazil, and Victor Orban in Hungary are the three people who used toxic social media to attain power. But can this policy be replicated in Nigeria? Possibly. The throngs following Obi obviously believe so. Thus the more outrageous the story, the greater the adherence: e.g. several thousand polling booths have been discovered in Niger and Chad.
Political will and returned Africa’s looted artifacts from Europe? -
By Patrick Dele Cole One of the unintended consequences of Colonialism is the study of the social and political history of the colonized and the cultural preservation of a sizeable number of the artifacts of Africa. Many of these artifacts were if we use the modern parlance looted and taken to Europe where they adorn nearly all the European museums and quite a few of the heritage domains of the colonialists.
Returning Africa’s looted artifacts from Europe Original
One of the unintended consequences of Colonialism is the study of the social and political history of the colonized and the cultural preservation of a sizeable number of the artifacts of Africa. Many of these artifacts were if we use the modern parlance looted and taken to Europe where they adorn nearly all the European museums and quite a few of the heritage domains of the colonialists.
Travails in the banking hall -
By Patrick Dele Cole I arrived in UBA 2:15 pm in the hope that at the utmost I would be out in 30 minutes. The girls manning the tellers were polite enough. I brought out my cheque book which immediately meant I was antediluvian (old fashioned, out of date, no understanding of the digital revolution in banking). Cheque book in 2022? Who does that in Nigeria? The lady asked me if I had no UBA card. I did not. I wrote out the cheque and my travails began.
Travails in the banking hall | The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News
I arrived in UBA 2:15 pm in the hope that at the utmost I would be out in 30 minutes. The girls manning the tellers were polite enough. I brought out my cheque book which immediately meant I was antediluvian (old fashioned, out of date, no understanding of the digital revolution in banking). Cheque book in 2022? Who does that in Nigeria? The lady asked me if I had no UBA card. I did not. I wrote out the cheque and my travails began.
Learning about Ndi Igbo
Book by Agunze Chib Ikokwu Foundation) One thing is clear about the Igbos, by whatever standards there are, they are a remarkable people, strong in will, great in achievement, and undeterred by difficulties. What is it that has produced these remarkable people? What keeps them going? How do people enhance their self-awareness even amidst open hostility, jealousy and outright discrimination?
T. O Graham-Douglas: Political magician of incredible talents | The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News
Mr.Tom Adokiye Fabyan, former M.D. of AP had just arrived from Lagos after completing his school cert. in Methodist Boys High School, in 1956. He met T.O. Graham Douglas in Ibadan during a family Christmas holidays in 1951. I had arrived in Port Harcourt in 1954 to start school in Baptist High School. Ete (as he was fondly called) Graham Douglas had also arrived in Port Harcourt and we were enrolled in the school.
Nigeria should have legislation to ban tribalism as Europe has done for racism -
By Patrick Dele Cole People who complain about racism should also complain if they accept tribalism. Those who practice tribalism have no right to complain about racism. The Developed Nations no longer celebrate racism as they did some decades back. Their views have shifted from understanding that all men are equal beings to now views about inclusivity and diversity. Even in the countries that were the most racist, France, Germany and Britain, there are people of other races running for parliament.
Racism and tribalism - Part 2 | The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News Original
We should have legislation to ban tribalism as Europe has done for racism. It may be argued that racism is different from Tribalism. Really? How? In the North, if there were legislation against tribalism, perhaps the fear of a Northern powerful hegemony may be lessened. There are many ethnic units in Adamawa. Bornu, Bauchi which have no hope of adequate representation in the office of governor or in government. The same applies to Benue, Plateau, Nassarawa.
Insecurity: Beyond Self-Defence By Mack Ogbamosa
Insecurity is everywhere in the land. Except for the period of the Civil War between 1967 and 1970, the country has never experienced anything close to this level of insecurity. From the North East to the South East, from the North West to the South West and from the North Central to the South-South, everywhere is being attacked. If they are not terrorists, they are bandits. If they are not bandits, they are kidnappers. If they are not kidnappers, they are insurgents.
Racism and Tribalism By Patrick Dele Cole
People who complain about racism should also complain if they accept tribalism. Those who practice tribalism have no right to complain about racism. The Developed Nations no longer celebrate racism as they did some decades back. Their views have shifted from understanding that all men are equal beings to now views about inclusivity and diversity. Even in the countries that were the most racist, France, Germany and Britain, there are people of other races running for parliament.
Constitutionalism - Part 5: The Case For Parliamentary Democracy In Nigeria By ‘Femi D. Ojumu
“A state without some means of change is without the means of its conservation. Without such means, it might even risk the loss of that part of the constitution which it wished the most religiously to preserve” – Edmund Burke 1729-1797, Reflections on the Revolution in France, 1790. Upon independence from Britain on 1st October 1960, Nigeria, adopted parliamentary democracy, as distinguished from presidential democracy, as its political system.
APC Chieftain Blames Poverty, Ignorance For Vote-Buying
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in Anambra State, Kodilichukwu Okelekwe, has blamed poverty and ignorance as the main reason vote buying thrives during elections in Nigeria. Okelekwe, a senatorial candidate of the APC for Anambra Central zone, spoke during a stakeholders’ meeting of the party in the state.
Air Peace To Hell! By Patrick Dele Cole
The flight was scheduled to leave at 2:30pm, so we sent our aides in advance to the airport at 9am! At 9:15am they had done all the necessaries but of course Air Peace personnel needed to see the passengers even though we had already checked in online. At mid-day, I got a frantic call from Air Peace that I had to be at the airport within 30 minutes otherwise Air Peace would close the counter. funny thing is that, the flight was scheduled for 2:30pm.
Fallacy of Ethnic Influenced Electoral Choices By IkeChukwu U. Unegbe
It is a generally accepted fact that every election is determined by those citizens who show up to cast their votes. By implication, therefore, the ideology, conviction, aspiration of such citizens ultimately influences the direction of the choices they do make. Many, out of ignorance of the law of ‘cause and effect’ step out to make such choices thoughtlessly, without any regards to future consequences.
Air Peace to hell! | The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News
The flight was scheduled to leave at 2:30pm, so we sent our aides in advance to the airport at 9am! At 9:15am they had done all the necessaries but of course Air Peace personnel needed to see the passengers even though we had already checked in online. At mid-day, I got a frantic call from Air Peace that I had to be at the airport within 30 minutes otherwise Air Peace would close the counter. funny thing is that, the flight was scheduled for 2:30pm.
Combinatorial analytics identifies hundreds of precise drug repositioning opportunities
It is well known that the development of a new drug is exorbitantly expensive and is a process which usually fails. Researchers at PrecisionLife posit that failure and the many patients with unmet treatment needs result from an over simplistic view of disease pathogeneses and an overreliance on a narrow range of target genes and pathways, as well as the idea that patients with the same diagnosis share the same cause of their disease.
Ukraine, NATO, Russia and World War - Part 4 | The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News
In trying to solve the Ukraine problem, some including Ukrainians have suggested that the West give fighter planes to Ukraine, give more sophisticated weapons- long range missiles, more sophisticated killer drones etc. The Ukrainians have long advocated for cut off on Russian gas and oil exports to Europe. What are the likely results of these measures? Will they weaken Russia or merely inflame them to greater and more desperate war? Is the West ready to go to World War with Russia over Ukraine?
Ukraine, NATO, Russia and World War - Part 3
Continued from yesterday In international law, it’s hardly ever fully enforced and nobody complains too hard. Eventually, those who have power exercise it to their benefit. It may not be the most correct thing to do but it’s been done, and people have grown to live with it. The United States itself had prevented USS from planting missiles in Cuba (which is only 90 miles away from the United States) by the then Soviet Union.
Ukraine, NATO, Russia and World War - Part 2 | The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News Original
But regardless of this, the Russians felt that their efforts in the second world war had not only been unappreciated but that at the tail end of the war, the United States bombed Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan, with two hydrogen bombs/atomic bombs without the knowledge of the Russians. The Russians felt betrayed that their partner in fighting the war could have such weapon without any disclosure.
Ukraine, NATO, Russia and World War | The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News
Enlarging NATO would ensure that no rival superpower is allowed to emerge. From US policy paper, in 1993 the US approached Ukraine to ask Ukraine to apply for NATO membership. It is important to stress from the onset that Ukraine was no go. The US gave numerous assertions to the effect that NATO would not move one inch beyond its 1991 boundary. Nevertheless this policy was not set in stone. If an opportunity arose to breach that policy, the US would do so.
Russia, Nigeria PMS subsidies and Petroleum Industry Act - Part 2 | The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News
Voluntary conversion to incorporated Joint ventures, subject to the guiding principles defined in the second schedule to the PIB. Ministerial approval of lease or consent on assignment subject to the recommendation of the Commission and must be given within the specified period; otherwise, it is deemed as given. Acquisition cost of interest in a lease to be broken into value of rights and value of assets.
Russia, Nigeria PMS subsidies and Petroleum Industry Act | The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News
By Russia is one the highest suppliers of Naphtha (a critical gasoline blending feedstock) to European refiners and blenders. Naphtha represents about 30% of the components that make up gasoline and Russia supplies about 20% of the world Naphtha consumption. In Europe, Belgium and the Netherlands are the most dependent on Russian Naphtha with Belgium importing over 50% of its Naphtha requirements from Russia.
The politics of zoning | The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News
The argument of zoning, at its best, gives a cause of inclusion, fair play, inclusiveness and belief in a better organized Nigeria. But recent experience has shown that zoning is now a response to nepotism, irregularly preferment in jobs and promotions, in short, those who argue for zoning see the skewered and screwed appointment policy, preferment policy, sectional development and consequent neglect of the other parts. Now what is the basis of the argument?
The politics of zoning
The argument of zoning is at its best gives a cause of inclusion, fair play, inclusiveness and belief in a better organised Nigeria. But recent experience has shown that zoning is now a response to nepotism, irregular preferment in jobs and promotions, in short, those who argue for zoning see the skewered and screwed appointment policy, preferment policy, sectional development and consequent neglect of the other parts. Now what is the basis of the argument?
Nigeria and Cattle: Dialogue of the deaf | The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News
The Fulani North claims that cattle is central to their existence if they cannot sell their cattle the way they have been doing then The Northerner’s very existence is threatened. The South is not listening to this plea of the Fulani North’s necessity to survive.
Power equilibrium: Russia, China and the U.S. - Part 2
Continued from yesterday Nigerians like the can-do spirit of the US, the land of opportunity where anyone can do anything and prosper. This they compare unfavorably with their country where nothing apparently works. Politicians’ line up to take sides in US politics, for example, many Nigerians believe that President Goodluck Jonathan did not have much luck in dealing with President Obama who preferred Muhammad Buhari in 2015.
Power equilibrium: Russia, China and the U.S. | The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News
All three countries are growing incredibly richer and more powerful. Considerable success in the arms race, technological development such as, internet, artificial intelligence, space. Going to Mars will soon be as common as man going to toilet. Environmental decision common to all who also share a certain skepticism that this does not have the killer blow.
Let’s not forget - Part 2
Continued from yesterday No constitution was forcibly foisted on Nigerians. Constitution work by building institution, masses, customs, conventions – to strengthen the adaptive capacity of the constitution. Framers know this hence amending the constitution is usually extremely difficult. In federalism the courts, among other things, interpret the constitution: that is why in federations there are three co-equal branches – the Executive, the Legislative, and the Judiciary. x 8.
Let’s not forget | The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News
Africa. Photo: GETTYIMAGES Nigeria was better than we are now. We recognized our responsibility to bring the African from slavery, discrimination and to imbue Africans with pride. Walter Rodney and a host of other African intellectuals and freedom seekers saw Nigeria as African’s champions and Nigeria responded. We led the fight against Apartheid in South Africa and Rhodesia and Zambia and South West Africa.
Arabs, Islam and Nigeria - Part 2 | The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News
The day Muhammad was born is called ‘Day of the Elephant’. Riyadh (Arab) and Teheran (Persian) are physically separated by the Gulf of Hormuz but are also separated by an abyss of antique antagonisms older than Islam and deeper than the Persian Gulf. Arabic independence was sustained by their language, which Byron, the poet, described as a form of oratory, a transformation of speech from the audible to the visible. “Recite… by the pen and what they write”.
Arabs, Islam and Nigeria | The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News
In many places, including Nigeria, that which is Arabic, Islamic and northern have been conflated and even combined to mear the thing – the clothes and robes, the hijab, purdah, etc. in a way that is not common to combine religion and every day aspects of life in other parts of the world and with different religion. In Europe Islamic schools have been established in an aggressive display of what it is to be Islamic or Arabic – exhibiting these differences in culture, clothes etc.
Mea culpa…my fault - Part 2
Okada riders awaiting passengers at Marina in Lagos. PHOTO: FEMI ADEBESIN-KUTI Continued from yesterday By the way, are okadas not vehicles? Is anybody blind to the number of okadas in the so-called okada free zones? Whatever happened to the laws requiring the wearing of the helmet for driver and pylon passengers on okadas? Okadas do not stop at traffic lights; they travel against the one-way system; they are on the Third Mainland Bridge, they stop whenever and wherever. I could go on.
Mea culpa (1) - Vanguard News
By Patrick Dele Cole TRADITIONAL society and the processes therein are a study of how change takes place while still maintaining the outward symbols of that society. Such changes are achieved by subtlety – acting quickly while the King is not paying attention or employing some supernatural agencies, like the soothsayer, to say enigmatic things that can later be read back to show that what was said was the will of the gods. But to criticise directly is always seen as indecorous.
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