Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
NOVEMBER 12, 2016
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Anti-Trump protests turn violent in America
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he Police in Portland, Oregon, U.S., have classified the anti-Trump protests in the area as a “Class C felony” after a once peaceful protest turned into a riot. Demonstrators were seen attacking drivers and committing acts of vandalism during their march against Donald Trump’s election Thursday night. According to KPTV, one driver had her windshield smashed and someone painted “Capitalism kills” on a nearby convenience store. The state Department of Transportation briefly shut down Interstate 5 between the Marquan Bridge and the Fremont Bridge due to the demonstration. Parts of Interstate 84 were also temporarily closed. Protesters in Portland’s Pearl District were breaking windows of several businesses and some were arming themselves with rocks from a construction site, police said. “People attending any of the various protest events are encouraged to obey all laws and be respectful of others who are using city streets, freeways and mass transit. “Marching into and blocking streets is illegal, and dangerous to protesters as
well as road users and has a significantly negative impact to our community. “Pedestrians walking on the freeway is illegal and extremely dangerous to all road users,” Portland police said. KPTV reported that the groups Don’t Shoot Portland and Black Lives Matter combined in Portland to become Portland’s Resistance. The founder told the station that “Trump is going to be our president. We need to save our city and hopefully allow people to come here to be a city where there is hope.” Anti-Trump demonstrations erupted across the U.S. for the second straight night. The protests took place in Portland, Chicago and New York. In New York City, a large group of demonstrators once again gathered outside Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue Thursday night chanting angry slogans and waving banners baring anti-Trump messages. In Denver, protesters managed to shut down Interstate 25 near downtown Denver briefly Thursday night. Denver police tweeted around 10 p.m. that demonstrators made their way onto
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A riot is a Class C felony in Oregon.
the freeway and traffic was halted in the northbound and southbound lanes. Police say the interstate was reopened about half an hour later as the crowd moved back downtown. Earlier protests in Denver, Boulder and Colorado Springs on Wednesday and Thursday went off peacefully. In San Francisco’s downtown, highspirited high school students marched through, chanting “not my president” and holding signs urging a Donald Trump eviction. They waved rainbow banners and
Mexican flags, as bystanders in the heavily Democratic city high-fived the marchers from the side-lines. Hundreds of protesters demonstrated outside Trump Tower in Chicago and a growing group was getting into some shoving matches with police in Oakland, California. Another protest was building in Los Angeles, where 28 people were arrested Wednesday for blocking traffic during a demonstration that also saw vandalism to some buildings and a news truck. (NAN)
Russia confirms link with American President-elect, Donald Trump
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he Russian government has confirmed an open secret, that US President elect, Donald Trump is chummy with President Vladimir Putin and there was contact between them during the Election campaign. The confirmation was made Thursday by one Russia’s deputy foreign minister, Sergei Ryabkov. He even added that Mr. Putin’s aides were in touch with members of President-elect Donald Trump’s political team during the U.S. election campaign. Accused by defeated Democratic contender Hillary Clinton of being a puppet of President Vladimir Putin after praising the Russian leader, Mr. Trump had dismissed suggestions he had anything to do with the Russian government during the campaign. Reuters reported that Ryabkov’s comments could prove politically awkward for the president-elect. “There were contacts,” Interfax cited Ryabkov as saying. “We are doing this and have been doing this during the election campaign.” Such contacts would continue, he added, saying the Russian government knew and had been in touch with many of Mr. Trump’s closest allies. He did not name names. “Obviously, we know most of the people from his (Trump’s)entourage. Those people have always been in the limelight in the United States and have occupied high-ranking positions,” he said. “I cannot say that all of them, but quite a few have been staying in touch with Russian representatives.” Moscow was just beginning to consid-
er how to go about setting up more formal channels to communicate with the future Trump administration, said Ryabkov. A spokeswoman for Mr. Trump did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Federal Bureau of Investigation opened a preliminary inquiry in recent months into allegations that Mr. Trump or his associates might have had questionable dealings with Russian people or businesses, but found no evidence to warrant opening a full investigation, according to sources familiar with the matter. The agency has not publicly discussed the probe. The U.S. government has blamed Russia for cyber attacks on Democratic Party organizations. Mr. Trump, who has spoken of his desire to improve tattered U.S.-Russia ties, has said he might meet Putin before his inauguration, but Putin’s spokesman has said there are currently no plans for such a meeting. Interfax reported on Wednesday that Dmitry Peskov, Mr. Putin’s spokesman, would be in New York this week for a chess tournament, a few blocks from Trump Tower, where the president-elect has his office. But it cited Mr. Peskov as saying he did not plan to pass any message to Mr. Trump from Mr. Putin. The Russian parliament erupted in applause on Wednesday when it heard that Mr. Trump had been elected and Mr. Putin told foreign ambassadors he was ready to fully restore ties with Washington. Mr. Ryabkov was more circumspect
though, saying the Russian Foreign Ministry felt no euphoria about the Republican’s win despite wanting to normalise relations with Washington. Moscow and Washington are at odds over Syria, Ukraine and NATO. Mr. Ryabkov said Mr. Trump’s allies had made some tough statements about Russia during the campaign and that his ministry was therefore not harbouring any “rose-tinted” hopes. “We are not expecting anything in particular from the new U.S. administration,” Interfax quoted Mr. Ryabkov as saying.
Vladimir Putin
American judge rules against President-Elect Donald Trump
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.S. Federal judge, Gonzalo Curiel, on Thursday in San Diego, California, largely sided with plaintiffs in the class-action lawsuit against President-elect Donald Trump over the defunct Trump University. The case is scheduled to go to trial later this month and Trump is expected to testify in his own defence against allegations that Trump University for-profit business seminars were a hoax and hundreds of individuals were charged large sums of money for courses that were essentially worthless. Judge Curiel ruled against Trump’s legal team seeking to ban testimony relating to Trump’s conduct during the presidential campaign. Mr. Curiel also ruled against Trump’s request to ban testimony about Trump University’s “F” rating by the Better Business Bureau and the fact that it has since gone bankrupt. He also denied a request by Trump’s lawyers to ban discussion of the financial condition of students, many of whom described themselves
as poor, and what impact the seminar fees had on their lives. Mr. Trump’s lawyers argued testimony about the presidential campaign, and testimony about the other elements of the case are irrelevant and would serve to colour the jury’s opinion of Mr. Trump and his business venture. Mr. Curiel ruled in favour of allowing Trump’s defence team to call students who would tell “success stories” about how the courses improved their understanding of business and real estate. Mr. Trump has steadfastly defended Trump University as a worthwhile investment for participants. The courses promised to offer students inside information on how he built his business. In a technical ruling, Mr. Curiel found insufficient evidence or supporting case law to warrant granting Mr. Trump’s other requests, though he said Mr. Trump’s lawyers could object to individual pieces of testimony during the trial. The trial is scheduled to begin Nov. 28.
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SOUTH SOUTH
NOVEMber 12, 2016
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C’River begins recruitment of personnel into state’s homeland security service RICHARD NDOMA, CALABAR
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overnor Ben Ayade has that recruitment of persons into the Cross River State Homeland security has began. He said this at the just concluded retreat organised by state government for political appointees in Cross River State. It would be recalled that few month ago, Ayade revealed that the state was to set up a Homeland Security Service as part of measures
to address the issues of crime and other security challenges in the state. National Mirror gathered that the governor is making provision for smooth operation of the security agencies. Sequel to this, over 400 vehicles have been bought and branded by the state government for both the homeland security and green police. The recruitment for the homeland security is been coordinated by the governor’s chief security officer. The measure is another in-
novative initiative by the Ben Ayade-led administration to create employment for the teeming youth population of the state. On the need for the establishment of the security outfit, Governor Ben Ayade while receiving the French Consul-General, Laurent Polonceaux, and his entourage on a courtesy visit in his private residence in Calabar, explained that the Homeland Security Service will be an entirely non-arm bearing outfit, and that the state will rely
on the support of the Government of France for technical and other logistics for the outfit. The Cross River State governor envisaged that the Homeland Security which is expected to provide 3000 jobs for people of the state, will however, be a complete departure from the traditional attitude to security operations, and that it will concentrate but not limited to providing intelligence, profiling of visitors coming in and out of the state, neighbourhood check
and watch and providing intelligent data and services to the Police. The governor asserted that “with the visit of the Consul-General of France in Nigeria and with the useful deliberation we had, looking the security challenges facing the state and the Niger Delta at this period and looking at how Lafarge can do business much better in a less security tense atmosphere, it became imperative for us to create a security architecture that can protect Lafarge and extend other services to other citizens and visitors to Cross River. Cross River has been the home of tourism, a signature and hallmark of hospitality and good lifestyle for all Africans; hence it is imperative we make it very safe.
It is against this background that Cross river State Government with technical partnership from the French government would be looking at the possibility of setting up a Cross River state Security services. The cross River Homeland Security service is a complete departure from what is the tradition, it will however include but not limited to things like providing intelligence, profiling of visitors coming in and out, providing intelligence services also, doing neighborhood check, neighborhood watch and to understand who comes in and out, providing intelligence data and services to Police, but it will be a non-arm bearing, but with vehicles, and personnel parading and inviting people”.
Ayade lauds Buhari on Onnoghen’s appointment as acting CJN RICHARD NDOMA, CALABAR
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L-R: Edo State Deputy Governor-elect, Philip Salawu; Bauchi Governor MA Abubakar; Sokoto State Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal; Kaduna State Governor Nasir Elrufai; Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole and Kaduna Deputy Governor, Bala Bantex, when Tambuwal unveiled the Upper Mission Road in Benin City, yesterday.
AEP, monarchs canvass return of Esan language in school curriculum OLUSEGUN KOIKI
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s part of efforts to avert the extinction of Esan Language, a professional body, Association of Esan Professionals (AEP) and traditional rulers in the community, have called for the inclusion of the language in schools’ curriculum. This is just as they advised parents to teach and speak Esan language to their children at any point in time. The groups made this call while speaking at the AEP 12th Esan Economic Empowerment Workshop with the theme, ‘Esan Language: Is it on the verge of Extinction? at the Samuel Adegboyega University Hall, Ogwa, Edo State, yesterday. Setting the ball rolling, the President of AEP and former Speaker of Edo State House
of Assembly, Hon. Matthew Egbadon, said that the essence of the gathering was to brainstorm on the need to prevent Esan Language from extinction, adding that the language was fast dying, as parents no longer speak Esan to their children. He observed that as of today, the language was endangered and that if drastic steps were not taken to address the issue, the language may become extinct in the next 25 years. The former speaker stated that the gathering at Ogwa was to find a way to salvage the language. The former lawmaker posited that during his primary school days, he was taught Esan Language in school, but today, the language was no longer taught in schools, which he said had further made the language go
into extinct. He said, “If you don’t understand Ishan language, there is no way you will understand the culture itself. We want Esan language re-introduced in schools’ curriculum. We intend to reach out to our people abroad on this matter. It is a very serious one. We have come to seek support and prayers of every Esan man and woman. But, the Speaker of the Edo State of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Dr. Justin Okonoboh, said that Esan language could not go into extinction, adding that the fear of language going into extinction was not restricted, as even the French and English people also entertain such fears. He maintained that the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare 11, had also called for the inclusion of Edo language and history in schools’ curriculum during
his coronation. The Speaker added that the Oba had implored the government to include Edo language and Benin history in schools’ curriculum, assuring that he would ensure that Esan language does not go into extinction. Also speaking at the occasion, the traditional ruler of Ekpoma, His Royal Highness, the Onojie of Ekpoma, Ehizojie Abumere Anthony 11, commended AEP for bringing the issue to the fore. On his part, the Onojie of Ogwa, His Royal Highness, Zaiki Victor Agbomere Ehizojie 11 re-echoed the words of the Onogie of Ekpoma, but decried a situation where despite the fact that both parents are Esan, yet the children cannot communicate in Esan language.
overnor Ben Ayade of Cross River State, yesterday described the appointment of Justice Walter Onnoghen by President Mohammadu Buhari as the Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria as a round peg in a round hole. Ayade made the remark in a congratulatory message, signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Christian Ita in Calabar Ayade described Justice Onnoghen’s elevation as an honour well deserved by a patriot and gentleman: “Your appointment as the Chief Justice of the Nigeria is a clear testimony to your integrity, morality, industry, passion and commitment to the values and noble ideals for which our people are known for. “On behalf of the government and good people
of Cross River State, I wish to congratulate you most profoundly on your welldeserved elevation. For us, this is a charge on you to do more and give more of your honest and selfless service to humanity and society as a whole. We are indeed proud of you.” Governor Ayade particularly thanked President Buhari for his special consideration of Cross River sons and daughters in several of his top appointments. “Our profound gratitude goes to our President and Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Mohammadu Buhari, for his graciousness in appointing our son, Justice Walter Onoghen, as the Chief Justice of the Federation. “For us, this appointment is one of several you have given to our sons and daughters in recent times. It is an indication of how much you love us a state and as a people.”
Oshiomhole appoints four Permanent Secretaries
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n the eve of his departure as Edo State governor, Adams Oshiomhole has appointed four new PermanentSecretaries. The Chief Press Secretary of the governor, Mr. Peter Okhiria, listed the appointees as Mr. Anthony Okungbowa, Ministry of Justice; Mr.
Kadiri Bashiru, Secretary, Nigeria Labour Congress; Mr Y.A Imoudu, Chairman, Association of Secondary School Principals; and Mrs Obosamwinye Obazee, Headmistress. The new permanent secretaries were sworn in by the outgoing governor yesterday.
Quote of the day
“We should not look at that as a reflection of the relationship. Don’t let us politicise very important issues. As we said this is work in progress”
— Minister of Finance, Kemi AdeosunSenate President, Bukola Saraki, on the Senate’s rejection of President Buhari’s request for a foreign loan plan of $30bn. He spoke shortly after he joined Buhari for Jumat prayers at the Presidential Villa.
Saturday, NOVEMBER 12, 2016. www.nationnationalmirroronline.net
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Conspiracy of convergence: Any political distance? T
he world has conspired to converge (a flat world) – to share blessings. But what was not envisaged is the sharing of curses! A conspiracy of the convergence of one world! Whose interests and what next? What political agenda for the convergence? What political paradigm to be adopted and whose interests? Before globalization, every county adopted any form of political dispensation and practice. To some, it was all about democracy, proclaiming equality and the rule of law with emphasis on strong judicial system where there is respect for law and social justice. Some nations preferred military government where there is maximum rulership demonstrating authoritarianism. Some nations simply continued with communism. To them, it was about the welfare of every one. Others practiced the traditional system that gave the entire country to a single family which ran the state as a personal estate! Globalisation is aimed at leading to convergence towards one dominant (political, economic and cultural) system, as put by Fukuyama in the End of History, Sachs and Warner in The Convergence of test, or Jimoh Ibrahim in Conspiracy of Convergence, a process leading to greater interindependence and mutual awareness among economic, political and social units in the world and among actors in general. Those who argue for a convergence of the world argue in sympathy of the need for the entire world to be celebrated as a flat world. They insist that the celebration of the 21st Century can only be
CFR
Which political system should we adopt? Should we opt for the western democracy of Britain and America, with their followers? Or do we prefer China’s communism, or the kingdom hierarchy of Saudi Arabia? Do we follow the Sheiks of UAE? in a world that is in convergence. Thomas Friedman leads the arguments in this regard. Regrettably the mythological paradigm of the conceptualisation of the United Nations is almost being kissed good night today. The conspiracy is to keep the United Nations aside while the discussion is ongoing or to force her to arrange some meetings! There is nothing to demonstrate the defence of Article 2(4) “Prevention of the use of force,” and Article 2(7) “Non interference in the domestic and internal political affairs of member nations.” Specifically, the United Nations’ Article 2(7) provides the argument postulated
by Friedman, which almost gives no room for doubt that the conspiracy of the convergence is already a success. According to Friedman, “distance is dead, the wall has been taken down, and Americans have gotten lazy!” So if one country has “gotten lazy,” then the world is captured in convergence – apologies to Friedman. Does that mean that it was America that was holding the convergence? Pankay Ghemamat wrote much from the influence of business. To him, if we redefine global strategy, there is nothing to suggest that a flat world is in the offering, for “we are more wire, but no
more global, or “globaloney.” The policies that we fickle humans enact are surprisingly reversible and international economic integration may be inherently incompatible with national sovereignty.” The main question, beyond the happiness of Friedman, is to ask if the world was connected and if there was integration that was beyond the praxis of the United Nations? Which political system should we adopt? Should we opt for the western democracy of Britain and America, with their followers? Or do we prefer China’s communism, or the kingdom hierarchy of Saudi Arabia? Do we follow the Sheiks of UAE? If we adopt the Saudi political system and the wisdom of monarchies, we simply say goodbye to democracy! Who will protest? Why? If that is not good enough and we opt for the communism of China, we do not need the strong institutions and we can accommodate corruption as it is in China. We again say goodbye to democracy! But what is wrong with that and where are complaints going to come from? Will the minority impose their political system on the majority? God forbid! Which way do we go? Which one should we adopt? The new convergence cannot operate two different political systems for one flat world. If we do, the convergence is not complete politically. A vote for one political system is key to the unity of the world. An imposed political system is preparation for the Third World War. (God forbid). The barrier of political distance as it stands, leads to the question: Will the conspiracy of convergence (a flat world) succeed?
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