Downtown Houston on standstill for official Nigeria’s Independence celebration – spectacular photos and videos

Grand Marshal of the Nigerian Cultural Parade **Sheila Jackson Lee**, U.S. Representative for Texas’s 18th congressional district prepares to lead the procession.

International Guardian – Houston, TX. It was Sheila Jackson Lee, U.S. Representative for Texas’s 18th congressional district who mounted a convertible sports car to lead as the Grand Marshal, the Nigerian Cultural Parade yesterday (September 27, 2019) at Houston’s downtown. Hon. Jackson Lee led a mile thread of other parade participants from various school organizations, businesses including various sponsors and cultural groups representing various organizations in Houston.

Asa Festival USA @ the 2019 Nigerian Cultural Parade

Egungun Masquerade @ the 2019 Nigerian Cultural Parade

Ross Sterling High School Raider Band @ the 2019 Nigerian Cultural Parade

Greater Owerri Community @ 2019 Nigerian Cultural Parade

The night before this event (Friday, September 27, 2019), the City of Houston honored Nigeria’s Independence Day by illuminating both the City Hall and major Highway bridges “green-white-green”. This was the first time such an honor would be accorded to Nigeria by Houston–the fourth largest city in the United States.

**Otu-Umuokpu Anambra, USA Association** @ the 2019 Nigerian Cultural Parade

**SHAPE Community Center** (celebrating 50 years), one of the longest standing African-American organization highlighting African culture at the parade.

Attendees queue for Nigerian food at the WAZOBIA. Wazobia African Market, the Largest African Store in Texas is a title sponsor of the event.

October is officially Nigeria’s Independence month. This country, the most populous in Africa, gained independence from Great Britain in October 1, 1960. Celebrating Nigeria’s 59th Independence in a city – one of most diverse in the United States, stands to promote and advance the cultural, civic and social welfare of this community. Studies show that Nigerians are the single largest contemporary African immigrant group in the United States. In addition, the city of Houston is home to the highest population of Nigerians outside of the country. But the whole idea was not to Africanize the great City of Houston. Nope. Downtown Houston endorsed the parade platform as a city event – thus allowing the Nigerian community to showcase, share, as well as educate the population on the greatness of her art and culture. For those who did not visit last year’s parade, September 28th, 2019 will offer a greater perspective of this community.

The parade started at 10.30 AM and was preceded by other cultural events which lasted the whole day. Attendees had access to various vendor booths and enjoy special Nigerian cuisine by the title sponsor, Wazobia African Market, the Largest African Store in Texas.

ALSO…

Houston City Hall, Highway bridges to be illuminated in green to celebrate Nigeria’s Independence

Houston and outskirts gear up for Annual Nigeria Cultural Parade

Trump call transcript summary shows he pressed Ukrainian president to probe Biden

The Trump administration has released the much-anticipated transcript summary of President Trump’s phone call with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky, after Mr. Trump authorized publishing the transcript. A memo summarizing the call shows that the president urged Zelensky to probe Joe Biden and his son, Hunter Biden, who sat on the board of a Ukrainian natural gas company.

The memorandum released by the Justice Department is not, according to the administration, a verbatim transcript. The text, according to the document released by the administration, is the record of the notes and recollections of the officers and National Security Council policy staff “assigned to listen and memorialize the conversation in written form.”

The full memorandum released by the White House is below:

According to the document, the president said on the call that he would like to find out what happened with “this whole situation with Ukraine” and he said his personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani would be traveling to Ukraine. Zelensky said he would meet with Giuliani when he visited.

Zelensky pledged that his new prosecutor would look into the case, and he asked for additional information.

Mr. Trump told Zelensky in the July 25 call that he would have Giuliani give him a call, and also have Attorney General William Barr call to get “to the bottom of it.”

“I will have Mr. Giuliani give you a call and I am also going to have Attorney General Barr call and we will get to the bottom of it. I’m sure you will figure it out,” Mr. Trump said.

Mr. Trump asked Zelensky to “do us a favor” and “find out what happened with this whole situation with Ukraine” with regards to Crowdstrike, a cybersecurity company which helped investigate Russian interference in the 2016 election.

Mr. Trump also asked Zelensky about the Bidens. The president has claimed without offering evidence that Biden, as vice president, had worked to remove a Ukrainian prosecutor specifically because he was investigating a company where Hunter Biden sat on the board of directors. That prosecutor was seen by the U.S. and by many European allies as corrupt.

“There’s a lot of talk about Biden’s son, that Biden stopped the prosecution, and a lot of people want to find out about that so whatever you can do with the Attorney General would be great. Biden went around bragging that he stopped the prosecution so if you can look into it … It sounds horrible to me,” Mr. Trump told Zelensky, in reference to Joe Biden.

At the United Nations, Wednesday, Mr. Trump remarked, “I will say that we do a lot for Ukraine. We spend a lot of effort and a lot of time.” Until earlier this month, Mr. Trump had temporarily frozen $391 million in aid to Ukraine. Ultimately, the White House released the funds to Ukraine in September, after withholding the aid for about two months.

Mr. Trump, under pressure to release the transcript, had already confirmed he had discussed Biden with Zelensky and confirmed he slow-walked aid to Ukraine, although he claimed the two acts were unrelated. That call and a whistleblower complaint involving Mr. Trump have pushed growing numbers of Democrats to call for impeachment proceedings, which are now formally beginning, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced Tuesday afternoon.

Responding to the release of the memorandum, Mr. Trump told reporters Wednesday that he was subject to “the single greatest witch hunt in American history, probably in history.” Mr. Trump said “there was no pressure whatsoever” put on Zelensky, adding that “it turned out to be a nothing call.” He slammed “fake news” and “corrupt reporting” about the phone call.

In a statement, Justice Department spokesperson Kerri Kupec said that the Justice Department had determined that “there was no campaign finance violation and that no further action was warranted.”

“In August, the Department of Justice was referred a matter relating to a letter the director national intelligence had received from the inspector general for the intelligence community regarding a purported whistleblower complaint. The inspector general’s letter cited a conversation between the president and Ukrainian President Zelensky as a potential violation of federal campaign finance law, while acknowledging that neither the inspector general nor the complainant had firsthand knowledge of the conversation,” Kupec said.

“Relying on established procedures set forth in the justice manual, the department’s criminal division reviewed the official record of the call and determined based on the facts and applicable law that there was no campaign finance violence and that no further action was warranted. All relevant components of the department agreed with this legal conclusion, and the department has concluded this matter,” Kupec concluded.

In another statement, Kupec said that Barr had not spoken with Mr. Trump about Ukraine investigating Biden, and that the president had not asked Barr to contact Ukraine or Giuliani.

The Justice Department’s Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) determined that the complaint needed to have a “connection with the operation of any U.S. Government intelligence activity, and the alleged misconduct does not involve any member of the intelligence community” in order to qualify as an “urgent concern.” The OLC found that since the president is not a member of the intelligence community and that the activity in question did not pertain to any ongoing intelligence matters, that the complaint did not meet the standard of an “urgent concern.”

Mr. Trump said Tuesday the memorandum would reveal it was a “very friendly and totally appropriate call.”

“No pressure and, unlike Joe Biden and his son, NO quid pro quo! This is nothing more than a continuation of the Greatest and most Destructive Witch Hunt of all time!” the president tweeted Tuesday afternoon. He suggested the next day that Democrats should apologize after seeing what was said on the call.

“They should, a perfect call – got them by surprise!” he tweeted Wednesday before its release.

Mr. Trump had previously said he hoped the public would see the transcript, but he feared the precedent it might set for other world leaders who want to keep their conversations with him private.

Biden, who called for the release of the transcript, insisted Tuesday Mr. Trump should be impeached if he continues to stonewall Congress.

“If the president doesn’t comply with such a request from the Congress, he continues to obstruct Congress and flout the law, Donald Trump will leave Congress in my view no choice but to initiate impeachment,” Biden said in a brief statement Tuesday afternoon. “That would be a tragedy but a tragedy of his own making.”

But Democrats still aren’t satisfied. That phone call is just one part of a whistleblower complaint Democrats want to see. House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff tweeted Tuesday that the whistleblower wants to testify before his committee.

Houston City Hall, Highway bridges to be illuminated in green to celebrate Nigeria’s Independence

The City Hall in Downtown. The eve of the Nigerian Cultural Parade, the City of Houston will be honoring Nigeria’s Independence Day by illuminating both the City Hall and major Highway bridges green-white-green.

This will be the first time such an honor would be accorded to Nigeria by Houston–the fourth largest city in the United States

By Anthony Obi Ogbo (International Guardian News – Houston, TX)

One of the facilitators of the Nigerian Cultural Parade, Linda Anukwuem walked out from the Houston City Hall two days ago with some good news. On Friday, September 27, 2019, the eve of the most awaited Nigerian Cultural Parade, the City of Houston will be honoring Nigeria’s Independence Day by illuminating both the City Hall and major Highway bridges “green-white-green”. This will be the first time such an honor would be accorded to Nigeria by Houston–the fourth largest city in the United States.

This might not be a surprise if the social, political, and economic significance of these people in the City of Houston is placed in the right context. For instance, information from the U.S. Department of State indicates that Greater Houston has the largest Nigerian expatriate population in the United States, bragging an estimated 150,000 residents scattered in all facets of the economy.

The next day, September 28th, Houston will join Nigerians all over downtown to mark this country’s national day and showcase a rich people and culture, International Guardian gathered. October is officially Nigeria’s Independence month because this country, the most populous in Africa, gained independence from Great Britain on October 1, 1960.

Thus, celebrating Nigeria’s 59th Independence in a city–one of the most diverse in the United States, stands to promote and advance the cultural, civic and social welfare of this community. Studies show that Nigerians are the single largest contemporary African immigrant group in the United States. In addition, the city of Houston is home to the highest population of Nigerians outside of the country.

The Bridge across Highway 59. On Friday, September 27, 2019, the eve of the most awaited Nigerian Cultural Parade, the City of Houston will be honoring Nigeria’s Independence Day by illuminating both the City Hall and major Highway bridges green.

In an interview last month about the Nigerian Parade, Ms. Anukwuem told International Guardian that “Nigerians are known for their extravagant flair and this event should be no different. So, along the parade route, there will be various cultural groups, associations, and schools marching to showcase their group and display their culture through song, dance, and fashion. Also, attendees will be entertained with special dance presentations from specific groups.”

Currently, a preview of the Nigeria Masquerade Exhibition is in progress at City Hall leading up to the annual parade. According to Ms. Anukwuem “this Exhibition be held all through celebration from September 30 – October 2 at the A.D. Players Theater in the Galleria area.”

The amazing all green-white-green illuminations will appear at dusk, reflecting all the highway bridges. Noted Anukwuem, “We want Houstonians to share with us, our colors, our passion, and our rich culture.”

After an amazing 2018 colorful parade showcasing the Nigerian Culture, Houstonians are desperately looking forward to a 2019 replication at the same location–the Root Memorial Square Park near the Toyota Center. Ms. Anukwuem said that the “Green-White” illumination vigil on the sunset of September 27 will signal the beginning of this great celebration.

Celebrating Nigeria’s 59th Independence in a city–one of the most diverse in the United States, stands to promote and advance the cultural, civic and social welfare of this community. See MORE ON PARADE >>>

Downtown Houston endorsed the parade platform as a city event–thus allowing the Nigerian community to showcase, share, as well as educate the population on the greatness of her art and culture. Ms. Anukwuem said “First-timers would see a street-wide celebration highlighting this West African country in a unique way. Vendor booths representing various businesses displaying artifact, costume jewelry, fashion, cookery, and even books will be on site.”

The last parade was a blast. Downtown wore a distinctive look as a procession of cultural groups decorated in different traditional attires and costumes strolled the streets in utter astonishment, sending onlookers bananas with stunning displays.

■ The parade will start promptly at 10 AM but the Festival ground is open at 9:00 AM. Guests are encouraged to come wearing traditional attires. Information for group registrations can be found at nigeriaculturalparade.com. or call 832-452-7784.

South Africa’s President caught on campaign video encouraging xenophobia

Was South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa shedding crocodile tears when he swiftly condemned deadly attacks on foreign-owned businesses? Campaign video may have contradicted his much-admired incorruptibility.

Was South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa shedding crocodile tears when he swiftly condemned deadly attacks on foreign-owned businesses? In this recent campaign video, President Cyril Ramaphosa could be heard addressing thousands of supporters vowing to end foreign businesses in South Africa. See below video.

South Africa’s president swiftly took to the media to condemned days of widespread looting and arson attacks on foreign-owned businesses across Johannesburg and the capital Pretoria, calling the violence “totally unacceptable”, but his previous rhetoric, just like most local politicians may have invoked a deadly culture of xenophobic attacks on foreigners and foreign-own businesses.

In a recent campaign video, President Cyril Ramaphosa could be heard addressing thousands of supporters vowing to end foreign businesses in South Africa. Though Mr. Ramaphosa in most cases made reference to “illegal businesses” his comments yet were seen to have encouraged and sustained a practice that has now become a routine in that country. For instance, over the last decade and a half, there have been several rounds of violent xenophobic attacks on foreigners, some fatal, especially on those from Somalia, Zimbabwe, Nigeria and Malawi, with numerous homes and businesses torched.

But the attacks last week were a horrific sight. In Alexandra, for instance, a township in Johannesburg which was in lockdown for days after the attacks, some foreigners returned to their shops to witness a pile of ruins and looted empty shelves of merchandizes.

“We are a country that is completely committed against xenophobia. We do not allow and cannot tolerate attacks on people from other African countries,” President Cyril Ramaphosa said in a video statement published on Twitter Tuesday. “

But African leaders are not buying watery excuses any more. The government of Ghana for instance, through its Minister of Foreign Affairs, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey requested the government of South African to ensure a total safety of its citizens over xenophobic attacks.

Consequently, Nigeria has unequivocally confronted attacks on its citizens. President Muhammadu Buhari is expected to pay a state visit to South Africa in October to seek a permanent solution through a collaboration between both countries on fair trade and security. But Nigerians are demanding more drastic options.

Other African governments have followed suit, warning their citizens living in South Africa to take safety precautions. The Ethiopian Embassy in South Africa for example, instructed their citizens to close their shops “until peace is restored”, whereas Zambia’s Ministry of Transport and Communications warned Zambian truck drivers not to travel in to the country.

As a matter of personal values–I do not mourn dictators

My job is to comfort their victims, share their horrific deeds, and document their interminable exit

The metaphysical model of death is a three-way process–social withdrawal, biological (organ) shutdown, and psychological departure (mental exit). Former Zimbabwean leader Robert Mugabe has finally fulfilled these conditions at 95–two years after he was forced to relinquish power to end a disgusting 37-year rule.

By Anthony Obi Ogbo

Mugabe’s final moments were a contrast to his years as a dictator. His physical changes were vivid as he emaciated hourly. Grounded on his ailing bed in a treatment facility in faraway Singapore, this dictator watched his external world gradually diminished into a hopeless state that eventually lured him into his current perpetual sleep.

Do not get me wrong: from that Austrian-born leader of the Nazi Party, Adolf Hitler, and the Killer-leader of the Soviet Union, Joseph Stalin, through Benito Mussolini of the Kingdom of Italy, every dictator, including Mugabe has a success story. He was an icon of freedom in Africa’s political fraternity. Undeniably, he is a pan-Africanist who once championed the liberation movement of his people. In fact, his influence on the history of Zimbabwe remains ineffaceable.

Today, two years after his ejection from office, Mugabe is finally dead. He may not be allowed into Heaven because he would question God on why he created the White Race. Equally, he would be denied entry into hell because he might go there to seize their lands. So where would the almighty Mugabe go?

But why would a dictator who once claimed the ownership of a country he ruled and abused for 37 years die in a treatment facility in another country? That is the characteristic of the African dictator who would deny their constituent healthcare but send their families abroad for treatment; who consequently would run down their education system and send their families to the most expensive schools in the west. Mugabe is no exception.

His leadership of the former British colony was red marked with bloodshed, persecution of political opponents and a pattern of large-scale election roguery. Mugabe watched his people perish under senseless political, social, and economic policies that triggered uncontrolled inflation, leaving his country the worst economy in the continent. He shut down the opposition and tortured his critics as a hobby. He usually would invoke a pretentious “Blame-the-west” tactics to sidetrack his leadership woes.

His forced- resignation on November 21, 2017, made good news nationwide as Zimbabweans took to the street to celebrate an end to Mugabe’s dictatorship. He was 93 at the time and could not stand on his own for 20 seconds. Today, two years after his ejection from office, Mugabe is finally dead. He may not be allowed into Heaven because he would question God on why he created the White Race. Equally, he would be denied entry into hell because he might go there to seize their lands. So where would the almighty Mugabe go?

I have nothing to do with their ailing moments. Thus, I have nothing to do with the death of Mugabe. As a matter of personal values–I do not mourn dictators. As a compassionate soul, my job is to comfort their victims. As a journalist, I have a duty to share their horrific deeds and document their interminable exit. I document and share spectacular images of their funerals and compile those deceiving eulogies by hypocrites that grace their funerals. Notwithstanding these values, I would say, Rest in Perfect Peace Mugabe.

Nevertheless such is life–a weird stage where distasteful clowns make appearances, perform and eventually leave. Mugabe played his role on this stage as a repentant self-made demigod, who annoyed peace until eventually, the blows of his wicked powers were subdued by death.

Please do not accuse me of mischievously being insensitive because that is not the intent. I have nothing to do with their ailing moments. Thus, I have nothing to do with the death of Mugabe. As a matter of personal values–I do not mourn dictators. As a compassionate soul, my job is to comfort their victims. As a journalist, I have a duty to share their horrific deeds and document their interminable exit. I document and share spectacular images of their funerals and compile those deceiving eulogies by hypocrites that grace their funerals. Notwithstanding these values, I would say, Rest in Perfect Peace Mugabe.

♦ Anthony Ogbo, PhD, Adjunct Professor at the Texas Southern University is the author of the Influence of Leadership (2015) and the Maxims of Political Leadership (2019). Contact: anthony@guardiannews.us

Death of a Tyrant –Brutal former president of Zimbabwe, Robert Mugabe dies aged 95

Robert Mugabe, the dictator who has ruled Zimbabwe since its independence in 1980, has died in Singapore, aged 95. It is believed he had been receiving treatment for cancer there since April.

Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa confirmed his death on Twitter.“It is with the utmost sadness that I announce the passing on of Zimbabwe’s founding father and former President, Cde Robert Mugabe,” he tweeted.

“Cde Mugabe was an icon of liberation, a pan-Africanist who dedicated his life to the emancipation and empowerment of his people. His contribution to the history of our nation and continent will never be forgotten. May his soul rest in eternal peace.”s

First as Prime Minister and then as President, Mugabe’s rule was a reign of discord and terror for the fledgling African republic.

He presided over periods of hyperinflation and famine, persecuted opposition politicians and homosexuals and was widely regarded as having rigged multiple elections in an effort to hang on to power.

Former Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe addresses the media during a surprise press conference at his residence "Blue Roof " in Harare, on the eve of the country's first election since he was ousted from office. Picture: AFP — Former Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe addresses the media during a surprise press conference at his residence “Blue Roof ” in Harare, on the eve of the country’s first election since he was ousted from office. Picture: AFP

Although Mugabe was given multiple honours by Western nations during the 1980s and early 1990s — including an honorary Knighthood by the Queen — by the turn of the century his reputation was that of a despotic dictator, responsible for massive human rights abuses, including the seizure of lands owned by white farmers.

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II attends the opening of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Durban, South Africa, with Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe seated behind her in 1999. Picture: AP — Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II attends the opening of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Durban, South Africa, with Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe seated behind her in 1999. Picture: AP

He was stripped of most of the honours he had previously earned, and in 2005, the White House listed Zimbabwe as one of six “outposts of tyranny”.

His wife Grace Mugabe attends the Zimbabwe ruling party Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (Zanu PF) youth interface Rally in Bulawayo. Picture: AFP

Mugabe was finally forced out of office by his own party in 2017 but secured immunity from all prosecution as part of his resignation.

Rumours of ill health have dogged Mugabe for several years.

In 2010 there were reports that he had prostate cancer, and in January 2014, further reports surfaced stating he had collapsed at the State House in Zimbabwe’s capital, Harare.

Robert Mugabeand his wife Grace pictured in 2009. Picture: AFP/Desmond Kwande

ROBERT MUGABE TIMELINE

1924 Born 21 February. Later educated at Marist and Jesuit schools.

1962-1959 Works as a teacher

1964-1974 Imprisoned for 10 years for his political activities

1974-1979 Released from prison; goes into exile in Mozambique, where he heads up the Zimbabwe African National Union — Patriotic Front (ZANU — PF)

1980 Elected first Prime Minister of the Republic of Zimbabwe, representing the Zimbabwe African National Union — Patriotic Front (ZANU — PF)

1987 Abolishes position of Prime Minister; assumes title of President, previously a largely ceremonial role

1996 Marries his former secretary, Grace Marufu, 41 years his junior. It was Mugabe’s second marriage; his first wife died in 1992.

2000 Commences land acquisition program in Zimbabwe, driving white farmers off their lands.

2002 Wins another term in power thanks to another election widely discredited by foreign observers. Defeats opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai.

2003 Withdraws Zimbabwe from the Commonwealth

In 2008, Zimbabwean then President Robert Mugabe shakes hands with Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai in Harare. Picture: AFP

2005 As Zimbabwe grapples with rising inflation and food shortages, the White House lists the African nation as one of six “outposts of tyranny”.

2008 Mugabe wins another disputed election, but this time with much greater backlash both within Zimbabwe and internationally. Brokers a power-sharing deal with opposition leader Morgan Tsarivangi which enables him to hang on to the presidency

Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe greets his supporters alongside his wife Grace after his address at a rally in Harare on July 28, 2013. Picture: AFP — Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe greets his supporters alongside his wife Grace after his address at a rally in Harare on July 28, 2013. Picture: AFP

2013 Mugabe wins an extension to his 33-year rule in general elections, slammed as “a farce” by his rival. Local observers said the elections were fraught with irregularities but the constitutional court declared the elections “free, fair and credible”.

2014 In January, reports surface that Mugabe suffered a collapse in Harare.

2017 Mugabe forced from office after he moved to sack his Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

2019 Dies in Singapore

■ Culled from the Evening Times

Nigerian insecurity requires urgent attention, U.N. rapporteur warns

Agnes Callamard, the U.N. special rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, said Nigeria was a “pressure cooker of internal conflict.”

ABUJA, Sept 2 (Reuters) – Nigeria’s multiple security problems have created a crisis that requires urgent attention and could lead to instability in other African countries if it is not addressed, a United Nations rapporteur said on Monday.

Security forces in Africa’s most populous country are trying to tackle a decade-long Islamist insurgency in the northeast, banditry in the northwest and bloody clashes between nomadic herdsmen and farming communities over dwindling arable land in central states.

Agnes Callamard, the U.N. special rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, said Nigeria was a “pressure cooker of internal conflict”.

“The overall situation I have found is one of extreme concern,” she told a news conference in the capital, Abuja, where she presented her preliminary findings following a 12-day visit to the country.

Citizens, civil society leaders and other stakeholders have raised serious concerns about the escalating series of kidnappings, killings and insecurity across the country, which are clearly fueled by years of grand corruption and impunity of perpetrators.

Callamard said the police and military had shown an excessive use of lethal force across the West African country which, combined with a a lack of effective investigations and meaningful prosecution, caused a lack of accountability.

She said the country required changes in the judiciary, police and military to stop people resorting to violence in the absence of justice.

“The lack of accountability is on such a scale that pretending this is nothing short of a crisis will be a major mistake. If ignored, its ripple effect will spread in the sub-region given the country’s important role in the continent,” she said.

Spokesman for the ministries of justice, military and police did not respond to a Reuters request for comment on Callamard’s findings.

The Islamist insurgency waged by Boko Haram began in northeast Nigeria in 2009 but has spread to parts of neighbouring Cameroon, Chad and Niger where members of the group and militants allied to Islamic State carry out attacks.

The rapporteur also condemned what she said was the “arbitrary deprivation of life” and the excessive use of lethal force in the case of processions held by banned Shi’ite Muslim group the Islamic Movement in Nigeria.

Callamard said the move to ban the group appeared be based on what the authorities thought IMN could become rather than its actions. She said she had not been presented with any evidence to suggest the group was weaponised and posed a threat to the country.

Houston City Hall, Highway bridges to be illuminated in green to celebrate Nigeria’s Independence

Houston and outskirts gear up for Annual Nigeria Cultural Parade

This will be the first time such an honor would be accorded to Nigeria by Houston–the fourth largest city in the United States

By Anthony Obi Ogbo (International Guardian News – Houston, TX)

Was South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa shedding crocodile tears when he swiftly condemned deadly attacks on foreign-owned businesses? Campaign video may have contradicted his much-admired incorruptibility.

My job is to comfort their victims, share their horrific deeds, and document their interminable exit

Like Us On Facebook