This Blog is by Osbert E. Agho, a Benin City, Edo State based businessman and a prominent politician. On this blog, you will get first hand, and hard to find news items, commentaries and events happening around the World and Nigeria. News about the every day people and their environment. Enjoy reading news will uplift mankind.
Russia is now fully prepared for a nuclear war with NATO with this state-of-the-art flying command center capable of maintaining full control over Russia’s armed forces in case of a global disaster or nuclear war. Image source: Wikimedia CommonsRussia’s defense industry has completed a number of tests of the airborne strategic command center aboard an Ilyushin Il-80 aircraft, which will be used by Russia’s military on battlefields when there is no ground infrastructure in the area, and when communications from ground facilities have been disrupted, according to RT.
To this day, the United States was the only country in the world to possess a command center of this kind. The new generation flying command center is a modification of the Il-86 wide-body jet airliner, and is set to enter service in Russia’s military by the end of 2015, according to Russia’s United Instrument Manufacturing Corporation (UIMC).
The Il-80 command center has significantly improved performance in terms of survivability, functionality and reliability, while the electronics on board have drastically reduced power consumption, according to the manufacturers, as reported by RT.
The flying command center, which has already been named a ‘doomsday plane’ by the Pentagon, carries senior generals, staff officers as well as a crew of technicians who look after the aircraft’s technical equipment.
Doomsday plane has full control over Russia’s armed forces
The flying command center, thanks to its technical capabilities, is capable of managing and distributing tasks to all units of Russia’s armed forces: ground forces, aerospace forces, Navy and strategic missile forces.
Moreover, NATO, in the event of a military confrontation against Russia, will struggle to destroy the airborne command center because its main advantage is its “invincibility,” according to Aleksandr Komyakov, director general of the production company that designed the command center.
“While [command] installations with known ground positions could be eliminated, an airborne command post is a target hard to disable because it shifts continuously. The Americans call this type of aircraft “doomsday planes,” Komyakov said in an interview with ITAR-TASS.
The doomsday plane’s main task is “establishing [communications] networks in extremely unfavorable circumstances, with ground infrastructure missing or destroyed,” according to Komyakov.
World War 3: Russia will destroy NATO – report
The news come as the tensions between NATO and Russia have dramatically escalated after an incident that has already been named the most dangerous military encounter between NATO and Russia’s forces in over 50 years.
Last Tuesday, Russia’s Su-24 jet was shot down by Turkey in Turkish airspace. The Turkish military claims it had issued 10 warnings in 5 minutes to the Russian jet, but it ignored all the warnings and the two F-16 jets were sent to destroy the warplane.
The Russian Defense Ministry insists its fighter jet never violated Turkish airspace, and was flying over the Syrian territory.
Turkey, which is seemingly protected by NATO’s 5th Article, which states that an attack on one Ally shall be considered an attack on all NATO members, could find itself all alone in an imminent war with Russia, according to analysts of Russia & India Report.
While in theory the U.S. and other NATO member states are treaty-bound to come to Turkey’s defense, the chances that the Americans would be willing to risk New York for Istanbul are “smaller than small,” the report noted.
Moreover, it should not be ruled out that the “hothead” NATO member state – Turkey – could attack Russia on its own, the report suggests.
“A nuclear exchange will undoubtedly have catastrophic consequences for both sides – and perhaps the entire planet – but there are certain factors that could skew the fighting field in Russia’s favour,” according to the report.
Americans won’t risk New York for Turkey
Russia currently possesses 1,643 deployed strategic warheads, while the U.S. has 1,642, according to data exchanged between Moscow and Washington on October 1, 2014.
Even though the difference is insignificant – only one warhead – Russia’s land-based strategic forces have the kind of explosive magnitude that is greater than anything among U.S. military’s hardware.
Russia’s SS-18, which is called ‘Satan’ by the Pentagon and NATO, is capable of destroying an area the size of the New York state. The missile carries 10 warheads, each having a force of 750 to 1000 kiloton, while some of these missiles have a single ‘secret’ 20,000 kiloton warhead. To get the idea, that’s 1333 times Hiroshima.
It was also noted in the report that “80 per cent of the American population resides on the eastern and western seaboards,” which means a few “well-aimed” nuclear missiles – such as the SS-18 – can end all human life in these densely populated coastal strips.
Russia, meanwhile, has a population only half of the United States and the people are dispersed widely across the country, which means human life in Russia can easily survive first and second nuclear strikes.
Russia can destroy New York with one nuclear strike – report
With Russian President Vladimir Putin warning NATO of “serious consequences” for shooting down the Russian fighter jet last Tuesday, analysts have every reason to believe that Moscow is willing to unleash a nuclear war over the incident.
Despite the fact that Turkey is backed by NATO’s 5th Article, it is highly unlikely NATO member states, including the U.S., are going to risk the lives of their troops and their military equipment to save Turkey, according to analysts of Russia & India Report.
That assumption alone means the chances that Putin is going to test NATO’s resolve and start a nuclear war over the incident are very “likely,” according to Pavel Felgengauer, Russia’s top defense analyst, as reported by ValueWalk last Wednesday.
And in case Putin starts a war with NATO, the only way the Russians could win a war against NATO is by going nuclear, Felgengauer noted.
“It is most likely that it will be war,” said Felgenhauer, as reported by ValueWalk, citing Mirror. “In other words, more fights will follow when Russian planes attack Turkish aircraft in order to protect our [Russia’s] bombers. It is possible that there will be fights between the Russian and Turkish navies at sea.”
Putin urged to start dropping nuclear bombs on NATO
In what appears to be alarming signs that Russia’s leadership is considering the possibility of responding to NATO militarily, Russian officials are urging Putin to take action.
Vladimir Zhirinovsky, leader of the Liberal Democratic party and Russian presidential candidate in 2012, called on Putin to start dropping nuclear bombs on the Turkish capital of Istanbul, killing over nine million people.
“A nuclear attack can destroy Istanbul very easily. Just one nuclear bomb in the Istanbul Strait will wash the city away,” Zhirinovsky told Moscow Speaking Radio.
“It would be such a terrible flood, the water would rise to between 10m and 15m and the city would [flood],” Zhirinovsky continued and added, “And then there are nine million lives.”
The comments from one of Russia’s leading politicians come after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned Russia not to “play with fire,” hinting at NATO’s 5th article.
In what appears to be a yet another alarming sign, it was reported by ValueWalk on Tuesday that Russia has already started handpicking nuclear-powered allies for imminent nuclear war with NATO. In particular, Moscow is seeking to build military ties with Pakistan and China.
Like our Facebook page for breaking news updates and leaks.
With Esama, Oshiomhole has over stepped his bounds – Omo – Ojo
on
By Gabriel Enogholase
Journalist, publisher, frontline All Progressives Congress, APC stalwart and former commissioner in the Adams Oshiomhole government in Edo State, Hon. Orobosa Omo- Ojo in this interview speaks on contemporary issues in Edo politics. Excerpts:
Your party, the APC is yet to come out with its decision of which of the three senatorial districts in the state will have the governorship ticket. What is your take on this?
Hon. Orobosa Omo- Ojo
Let me say from the onset that my party, our party, the All Progressive Congress (APC) does not have a zoning formula. We have precedence that has been tested before now from the last presidential primaries, where we had aspirants from the South-West, North-East, and North-West. The PDP may have a reason why they zoned the governorship ticket to Edo South, but in APC, we don’t have such arrangement in place.
Will this not lead to acrimony and defections especially if the primary is seen not to be free and fair?
Dumping the party will become a viable and attractive alternative if the process leading to the election of the governorship candidate is not seen to be free and fair. For me, that can be the only decent and patriotic reason why anybody would want to leave the party. We must ensure that we tell ourselves the home truth that right now, the only viable way, the only serious means that our party the APC can guarantee our sustenance, our continuity in Denis Osadebey way is through a free and fair credible primaries because whether we like it or not.
We must tell ourselves the home truth; the popularity of our party two or three years ago is not there again. Let me say it loud and clear that I am personally taking my time even after leaving office to speak to Mr. Governor on the need for us to begin to take better steps in such a way that we keep to our promises we made in 2007 and 2012, in such a way that the election next year will be easier for us to win.
What is your reaction to claims that the governor is supportive of one of his aides to succeed him?
Well, I want to pretend that I have not heard that the governor has a preferred candidate to succeed him. The name that I have heard and being bandied about, I just obviously feel and believe that what I have heard amounts to mere rumours and so, I want it to remain so. If not, the consequences will be very great for our party because where we are now at the same spot we were in 2007 when few of us, patriots, came together to come against all odds to come and rescue the state, to put back the ship of state on sail.
There is so much division politically and socially in the state. So, it will only take a man that has a stone heart and goodwill across the three senatorial zones, a man that has populist followership, a man that is a friend to the students, market women, civil society, who we see as a stranger as Oshiomhole was in 2007 to the state politics.. The structure that was in place then, is no longer in place, the structure as it is that brought us into power in 2007 are antagonistic to us today, they are on the other side and by next year, we are confronting them.
So, let the governor not pretend, the party leaders not pretend and I am saying it loud and clear that the governor today does not have a political structure in the state; a lot of people will pretend, some people because of fear, because of what they will eat the next day may not want to tell him. I have consistently said so even as I as a member of the State Executive Council. I have told my colleagues who care to hear, I have consistently told the governor over four years ago of the need to build a political structure. Well, he has not done that, so, in less than seven months into the next governorship election, July next year, the only way we can salvage the state, and I hope our national leaders are listening is to give the ticket to a man who has already built a structure on his own.
How can the party harmonise the aspirations of the candidates from Edo South and Edo Central?
I am equally happy that the APC has said there is no zoning. So, let all the aspirants come on board and tell us their programmes, let them go out to the 192 wards we have in the state and sell their qualifications, their manifestoes and programmes to our members. Sadly, most of the names that are coming apart from maybe Ken Imansuangbon, and one or two others I have seen, others are waiting for the proverbial support of the governor.
The party needs a man that will come and heal structure, so that we can all come together, work and win the next election. So, whether, we have four or five aspirants from Edo South, two or three from Edo central, off-course, it is a straight contest between Zones, it does not worry me at all as long as we have quality aspirants vying for the position.
It is alleged that leaders of Edo Central are appealing to colleagues from Edo South to concede the governorship to them given their previous support for Edo South candidates like Chief Lucky Igbinedion and John Odigie Oyegun. What is your reaction?
I am one of those Edo South leaders that have been approached and I have listened to them, I have equally responded to say yes. Politics is not about emotion, it is not an emotional business, it is all about negotiation; it is all about marketing, if you have a beautiful product, if you come out and show case it and sell it. And I have advised the leaders from Edo Central to say, don’t work on the premises that it is my turn I believe that the issue of zoning has reduced this country to the mediocre level that we are today.
Oshiomhole
And when Adams Oshiomhole came in 2007 not because we was from Edo South, because we looked at all the major aspirants then, but they were all from Edo South, but when he came in at the last minute we decided to give him our platform because with the experience he had gathered at the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), that will put him in a good stead to be able to deliver the populist agenda in the state.
So, Edo State people have never, never bothered ourselves about tribes or religion before we decided. In the same 2007, when Adams Oshiomhole was contesting, we had Hon. Arigbe – Osula, a populist young man who won the House of Representatives seat for Oredo Federal Constituency on the platform of the ANPP at a time when the PDP was like an octopus in the state.
So, I have told my Edo Central leaders and friends that as they move around canvassing for votes, don’t say, is it our turn, say, we have the best candidate from Edo Central. And that is how I gave them my support. And I equally said, that my support for Ken Imansuangbon is not a support for Edo Central candidacy, it is not. Any other candidate from Edo Central may not have my support because I am a product of a transparent system.
It is because some of the aspirants believe that it is the turn of the Binis, that is why a man that cannot afford to remove debris from drainages, a man that cannot use broken blocks to fill pot holes as a commissioner and you want to be given the 18 local governments councils to govern, it then means we are going to go from bad to worse. That is my own position. I will not say because I am going to support Edo Central that you will go and bring one weakling from Edo Central. Ken Imansuangbon to me represents the hope and aspiration of the teeming people of Edo State. He is a wealth creator; he is very articulate and can deliver the goods.
Are you worried with the faceoff between Governor Adams Oshionhole and the Igbinedion family?
I am for probe but you don’t probe people on the pages of newspapers. You don’t probe your predecessor while addressing the youths. You don’t probe your former commissioner while you are speaking to cameras; rather, I will say that in recent times I have been worried by the uncontrolled manner in which Mr. Governor has been addressing some very, very salient issues. All through my stay in government because I know people will always say, what did you do when you were in government; I have spoken out against reckless accusations, I have always advised the governor against making imaginary enemies for himself.
My last meeting with him before my exit from government, the Commissioner of Finance was there, when the issue of the Esama of Benin came up; where he accused me that he was told that I made phone calls to the Esama, that I was seen in Pastor Ize-Iyamu’s church. And I did tell him in the presence of the Commissioner of Finance that the Esama of Benin Kingdom is a cultural icon, not just a political icon that he has grown above a political icon. And that I don’t see anything wrong in making phone calls to him, that I made phone calls to him before he became governor, and not just phone calls, I visit him at home.
And he asked me, ‘what you discussed about me with him?’ And I said, Esama is too big to discuss about you; he said, ‘don’t you know he is my political enemy?’ I said, sir, it is wrong for you to have political enemies. Why did I say that? I know of the role the Esama played in our emergence in 2007, up to the election in April 14, 2007, up to the Appeal Court judgment on November 11, 2008. So, I can’t see such a man and agree with Mr. Governor’s view that he is our political enemy. Ditto Pastor Ize-Iyamu. He accused me of worshipping in his church, and I told him I am a Redeemer.
He asked me, is Pastor Ize-Iyamu’s church the only Redeemed Church in Benin? I told him it is a church. So, for me the problem is that Mr. Governor is listening to so many sycophants who just go in there, to tell him and to create fear that does not even exist. That is how we got to where we are now. I would not support any of those unbridled statements that have been made about elders because I was brought up in Benin City. I believe and honestly believe for the fear of God that Mr. Governor has over stepped his boundary as the governor of the state. But whether he has said it or not, probe is not just meant for one person, don’t forget in the next eleven or twelve months, Adams Oshiomhole will be leaving office. His office will be opened up for probe!
US Secretary of State John Kerry delivers remarks on "Securing American Entities Operating Abroad" at the US Department of State Bureau of Diplomatic Security Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) November 20, 2013, during their 28th Annual Briefing at the US Department of State in Washington, DC. | AFP Photo/Paul J. Richards/Getty Images
Our attention has been drawn to a controversial bill making its way through the Nigerian National Assembly, aimed at gagging Nigerian citizens and threatening them with a heavy fine or a two-years imprisonment or both. The bill reminiscent of the obnoxious decree number 4, promulgated during the 18 months dictatorial regime of the current president Muhammadu Buhari, is authored by Senator Ibn Na’Allah (Kebbi), of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The bill read: “Where any person through text message, tweets, WhatsApp or through any social media post any abusive statement knowing same to be false with intent to set the public against any person and group of persons, an institution of government or such other bodies established by law shall be guilty of an offence and upon conviction, shall be liable to an imprisonment for two years or a fine of N2,000,000.00 or both fine and imprisonment.”
Cognizant of the injurious and terror inducing impact the bill may have on Nigerian citizens, particularly Diaspora Nigerians, an emergency meeting of the board of trustees of the US Headquartered Diaspora Nigeria Nationals Network (DNNN) was convened on December 4, 2015 and following a lengthy deliberation and consultation with our attorneys, took the following decisions:
Demand that the President of Nigeria’s Senate Mr Bukola Saraki kill this idiotic bill immediately, or compel us to begin a process of including all senators that vote for this bill, their families and relevant associates on the international-no-fly list, as they could constitute danger to the freedoms and lives of Nigerians including those beyond Nigeria’s borders whose views they find offensive.
Request meetings with the US Secretaries of State Mr. John Kerry and Homeland Security Jeh Johnson, to present our petition accordingly and initiate the above sanctioning process against the targeted law makers, their families and relevant associates.
Enough of the foolishness!
Signed:
Dr. Daniel Udia, Executive Director Dr (Mrs) Brigit Edevor, Executive Secretary Mr. David Azinge, Regional Director, Europe Mr. Uzoma Njoku, Regional Director, Asia Prof. Eddie Oparaoji, Regional Director, The Americas Dr. Seyi Leggon, Regional Director, Africa and the Middle East
By Umar Yusuf Yola – A former Commissioner for Finance and Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in Adamawa state during Boni Haruna’s administration, John Elias has been sentecenecd to 10 years imprisonment without option of fine by a Federal High Court sitting in Yola, presided over by Justice Bilkisu Bello Aliyu.
The judge on Friday also ordered the Corporate Affairs Commission to shut down his company, ALHAKIM NIGERIA LIMITED as well as pay the state sum of N51.5 million which he stole while he held sway in office.
The presiding judge who delivered the judgement under section 3 (2) of the miscellaneous act said the judgement will serve as a deterrent to occupiers of public office who may want to filter resources meant for developmental projects.
Aliyu noted that Elias ought to have protected the public trust giving to him by living above board but instead, he decided to flagrantly helped himself with resources of the state and hence have to be punished.
The judge convicted Elias on count 3 and 4 charges and sentenced him to 10 years on each charge though the two convictions would run concurrently.
“I hereby sentenced the first accused, John Babani Elias for 10 years imprisonment on count 3 and another 10 years imprisonment on count 4 but the two sentences will run concurrently.
“In addition, the first convict must return/refund the sum of N51.5 million to Adamawa state local Government joint account fund from where it was stolen and diverted by him and his Coy.
“With regards to the second convict ALHAKIM NIGERIA LIMITED, I sentenced it to pay a fine of N5 million on the offenses in count 3 and 4 it is convicted of. In addition, the company would wound up by Corporate Affairs Commission as provided by section 3(2) of the miscellaneous offenses and all its assets forfeited to federal government of Nigeria,” Aliyu ordered.
Fayose to Governors: Cut your travels, tours not minimum wages
on
Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State, has dissociated himself from calls by some state governors that the salaries of public servants be reduced or that there should be massive retrenchment in the public sector.
Fayose to Governors: Cut your travels, tours not minimum wages
Instead of reducing salaries and sacking workers, Fayose admonished the state governors to reduce the affluence they enjoy in office and put an end to wastages.
According to a statement issued in Ado-Ekiti on Friday by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr Idowu Adelusi, the governor said this during the Agenda for the Treasury Board meeting held as part of preparation of the state’s 2016 budget.
“Today most newspapers carried the story about call by some state governors that the minimum wage of N18,000 be reduced or that there should be massive retrenchment of workers in the public service. They are on their own and I take exemption to that. The minimum wage is even not enough.
“Reduction of wages or retrenchment of workers won’t happen in Ekiti State. Instead of those anti-labour and anti-people policies, the governors should cut down on their travels and tours and cut down minimum wives and children and their affluence. Let the governors cut their coats according to their sizes.”
Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum and governor of Zamfara state had on Thursday told newsmen inn Abuja that the current low prices in oil prices was making the payment of N18, 000 minimum wage impossible for state governments.
He said it would either be reviewed downward or workers would face sack.
MTN gets Dec 31 deadline to pay N674bn slashed fine
on
By Prince Osuagwu LAGOS— FINALLY, the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, has reduced the N1.04 trillion fine it imposed on MTN Nigeria to N674 billion.
However, the commission has also mandated the telecom operator to pay the fine on or before December 31, 2015.
The fine imposed on the telecom operator was due to what NCC described as MTN’s inability to disconnect about 5.1 million Nigerian subscribers improperly registered on its network, after several warnings in August and September 2015.
In reaction, MTN has said it would carefully study the new development and would mandate its Executive Chairman, Phuthuma Nhleko, to immediately and urgently re-engage with the Nigerian authorities before responding formally.
The reduction, which represents a 25 per cent slash, provides MTN with a reprieve, after series of meetings which have seen several officials from South Africa thronging the country to negotiate the fine.
Ikpoki, Goodluck resign
However, the reprieve did not come without costs as about three of the company’s top and finest management officials, including two Nigerians, Messrs Michael Ikpoki and Akinwale Goodluck, have been relieved of their duties following a management shake up as a result of the controversial fine.
While Ikpoki was MTN Nigeria’s CEO, Goodluck was Head of Regulatory and Corporate Affairs, until yesterday when MTN Group suddenly announced their resignation.
In their stead, Ferdi Moolman and Amina Oyagbola take positions as CEO and Head of Regulatory and Corporate Affairs, respectively.
Earlier, the Group CEO of MTN, Mr Sifiso Dabengwa, had resigned in likewise manner, when the pressure of the fine began to build hard on the company.
Acting Group CEO, Phuthuma Nhleko, said the shake up at MTN will strengthen leadership and improve operational oversight, as well as engender robust risk mitigation.
According to him, “this revised structure and strengthened leadership will improve operational oversight and increase management capacity. This will enable MTN to continue to realise its strategy and vision, while also ensuring we achieve high governance standards and robust risk mitigation.”
Informing its shareholders of the development, yesterday, MTN said after further engagements with the Nigerian authorities, it has received a formal letter dated December 2, 2015 from the NCC informing the company that, after considering the company’s request, it has taken the decision to reduce the fine on the MTN Nigerian business from the original N1,040,000,000,000 to N674 billion which has to be paid by December 31, 2015.
However, “the company is carefully considering the NCC’s reply, and the Executive Chairman, Phuthuma Nhleko, will immediately and urgently re-engage with the Nigerian authorities before responding formally, as it is essential for the company to follow due process to ensure the best outcome for the company, its stakeholders and the Nigerian authorities and accordingly all factors having a bearing on the situation will be thoroughly and carefully considered before the company arrives at a final decision.”
Shake up/new operating structure
Meanwhile, the company also used the opportunity to announce a shake up in its management level and introduced new operating structure.
The new structure will see three regions, South and East Africa, SEA, West and Central Africa, WECA and Middle East and North Africa, MENA.
The group said the review was with a view to strengthening operational oversight, leadership, governance and regulatory compliance across its 22 country operations in Africa and the Middle East.
It announced that “effective December 1, 2015, Ms Jyoti Desai assumed the new position of Group Chief Operating Officer (COO), reporting to the Executive Chairman, Phuthuma Nhleko.
People are inexplicably upset about Mark Zuckerberg's decision to give away 99% of his fortune
By Matt RosoffDecember 2, 2015 2:48 P
View photo
.
((Photo by Chris Kleponis-Pool/Getty Images)) Priscilla Chan and Mark Zuckerberg. Mark Zuckerberg's announcement on Tuesday that he would be giving away 99% of his Facebook stock to "advance human potential and promote equality" was greeted with universal cheers, right?
Well, no.
There were a lot of people who found bad things to say about the announcement.
They fell into several camps.
The 'gotcha — it's not really a charity!' camp
BuzzFeed pointed out that the organization they're donating to, the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, is a corporation — an LLC — rather than a nonprofit charity. In addition, the initiative won't necessarily be donating all the money to charitable causes — it will also make private investments and do things like advocacy work and lobbying.
Entrepreneur Anil Dash called the structure of the giveaway "clearly flawed," but admitted that:
It's impossible to know how much of those flaws are about ulterior corporatist goals and how much are accommodations of arcane regulations. For example, almost all non-profit organizations are founded as conventional corporations and then converted after the fact, so starting as an LLC may not be an indicator of future purpose.
As Bloomberg explains, setting up the organization as an LLC allows it to spend money on lobbying, earn money to reinvest in the organization, do joint ventures with fewer restrictions, and lets them give away money at a pace they determine rather than the mandatory 5% per year for non-profits.
The 'Zuck sucks' camp
Gawker pointed out that Zuckerberg's donation is going toward furthering the things that he thinks would help the world, which are not necessarily the things that other people think would help the world.
For instance, the writer called Zuckerberg's question "Can you learn and experience 100 times more than we do today?" a "patently hellish" vision that could only be hatched by a "technocrat."
The "billionaires don't know anything" camp
There were several takes with this angle. Dash pointed out that most charitable contributions don't really help society:
No matter how good their intentions, the net result of most such efforts has typically been neutral at best, and can sometimes be deeply destructive. The most valuable path may well be to simply invest this enormous pool of resources in the people and institutions that are already doing this work (including, yes, public institutions funded by tax dollars) and trust that they know their domains better than someone who’s already got a pretty demanding day job.
A lot of folks linked to a 2010 Der Spiegel interview with businessman Peter Kramer, who argued that billionaires in the U.S. who give their money away are implicitly saying that they know better how to help society than government does:
It is all just a bad transfer of power from the state to billionaires. So it's not the state that determines what is good for the people, but rather the rich want to decide. That's a development that I find really bad. What legitimacy do these people have to decide where massive sums of money will flow?
Devon Maloney at The Guardian had a similar caution and linked it to white imperialism:
But it also means that the rich are still effectively buying the future they’d like to see, no matter how selfless their intentions may be. International philanthropy and the western world’s desire to eradicate poverty and disease can’t ever truly rid themselves of their imperialist roots; as many critics have pointed out, the white savior industrial complex has never been more pervasive in global culture.
Capitalism!
Here's some perspective.
It's Mark Zuckerberg's money. He made it legally, by building a product that a lot of people use by choice. He can do anything he wants within the bounds of the law with that money. He could bury it in a hole. He could set it on fire. He could buy guns, or boats, or islands.
Instead, he publicly pledged to use it to fix some of the problems that he sees in the world.
You have to look really, really hard to find something to criticize here.
A lot of journalists are numb from the relentless spin we receive from the companies and people we cover. But if you're seeing this strictly as a public relations move meant to distract us from the evils of Facebook, you need to turn off your computer for a while and go for a walk.
The guy had a kid. He's looking at the future. He's got a crazy amount of money which he'll never spend. He wants to spend it on things that he thinks will make the world a better place.
@sama I think the reason you're surprised is that not being a loser yourself you underestimate the power of envy.
Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari will meet Chinese leader Xi Jinping this week to discuss restarting stalled rail projects in Africa’s biggest oil producer under new agreements that would see China provide the bulk of at least $20.3 billion in funding.
Buhari is scheduled to hold talks with Xi on the sidelines of the Dec. 4-5 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in Johannesburg to follow up on previous discussions the two had over Nigeria’s dilapidated rail network, Garba Shehu, a Nigerian presidential spokesman, said in an e-mailed statement on Wednesday.
“Of particular interest is the coastal railway project stretching for 1,402 kilometers (871 miles) linking Lagos in the west with Calabar in the east; a project that is expected to be financed with a $12 billion Chinese loan and which will create about 200,000 jobs,” Shehu said. “Another rail project that will be up for renegotiation is the $8.3 billion Lagos-Kano standard gauge modernization project, of which only a segment, Kaduna-Abuja has reached completion stage.”
Xi is currently embarking on a five-day trip to Africa at a time when the continent is suffering more than anywhere else from China’s slowing economic growth and the associated rout in the value of the region’s commodity exports. Trade between China and Africa slumped 18 percent in the first nine months of 2015 from a year earlier.
Nigeria’s finances have also been hit by last year’s plunge in oil prices, with economic growth set to slow to 3.9 percent this year from 6.3 percent in 2014, according to the median estimate of 10 economists surveyed by Bloomberg.
Africa's largest mobile operator, MTN, has succeeded in its bid to reduce a $5.2bn £3.4bn) fine imposed by Nigerian authorities for failing to cut off unregistered users.
Nigeria wants mobile phone companies to verify the identity of their customers.
The government says it is concerned unregistered Sim cards are being used by criminal gangs.
The South African company has been in talks with authorities since October when the original fine was imposed.
It said on Thursday it had succeeded in reducing the fine by a third.
The original fine amounted to double MTN's annual profits last year.
"After further engagements with the Nigerian authorities, the NCC has reduced the imposed fine," MTN said in a statement. It added the fine was now $3.4bn.
Admired and valued
MTN has 231 million subscribers in 22 countries across Africa, Asia and the Middle East. However, Nigeria is its biggest market.
In September, the company was named as most admired brand in Africa in the Brand Africa 100 awards, beating Samsung, while it was also awarded the continent's most valuable brand, worth $4.6bn (£3bn).
MTN was South Africa's second mobile operator when it was set up in 1994 after the end of apartheid.
It began its expansion across Africa four years later with operations in Rwanda, Uganda and Swaziland.
