News
A Message To Those Who Seek To Keep Africa Poor: We Won’t Be Fooled
I debated long and hard whether to do this publicly, but I think a message needs to be sent to a group of external interests working in tandem with the internal interests described in the quoted tweet to counteract the interests of half a billion West Africans. A message that at whatever level we exist, we take our destiny seriously and we are not to be trifled with.
Last week, I received an N800,000 offer from an international NGO called Dialogue Earth (formerly known as China Dialogue Trust) to write an article essentially saying that Dangote Refinery is terrible for the environment because something something “Environmental Concerns,” something something “Climate Change,” something something “Energy Transition Policy,” something something “COP 28.”
The (unstated but clearly implied) thrust of the brief was for a prominent local voice to put their name on an article that is an argument or a premise for the the Nigerian government to kill the refinery based on its “energy transition commitments” and “environmental policy.” This conclusion wasn’t immediately apparent when they reached out to me, but I suspected where it was heading, and I quickly accepted the offer so that I could see the brief and obtain hard evidence. I’ve attached screenshots from the brief below.
Basically, this London-based NGO is headed by Sam Geall, an Oxford professor and is funded by several American intelligence fronts such as Ford Foundation and ClimateWorks (which is blacklisted in India for funding organisations working against India’s national interest). For whatever reason, it is now quietly mobilising a resistance campaign against what it describes as “Nigeria’s first refinery.” Apparently, the status quo of Africa’s largest oil producer having no functioning oil refinery to beneficiate its own oil was not a problem for Dialogue Earth and the American CIA fronts who fund it.
The human poverty caused by exporting this raw material and importing refined fuel was not bad for the environment. Also, the fact of European refiners regularly blending West African fuel cargoes with toxic waste and sulphur content 200 times the European legal limit (leading to asthma, bronchitis and eye infections in West Africa) was also not bad for the environment. But Nigeria having a refinery that will wean West Africa off import dependency on those European refiners (and allow West Africa control the sulphur content of its own fuels) is where Dialogue Earth and its funders draw the line. That one is bad for the environment, and David Hundeyin should write an article calling for the refinery to be shut down or limited.
I’m putting this out there publicly so that nobody will henceforth use the term “conspiracy theory” when it is pointed out for the umpteenth time, that there are American and European state and private interests that are heavily invested in keeping Africa exactly as poor as it is, and that they regularly push levers most of us do not even know exist, to make sure that this status quo is protected. These people believe that Africans should not exist or have nice things in this world. Apparently, the sole purpose of our existence is to enhance their experience of the planet and all that it has to offer.
It is because of them that I have to make a public spectacle out of this, even though I know that doing this is probably going to cost someone their job. The message needs to be passed that as poor as we are, you cannot convince us to campaign for the elongation of our own poverty by commissioning $500 hack jobs in the hope that we will be greedy enough to only see the money and ignore the bigger picture of what we can clearly see you trying to do.
I will reiterate something I have said multiple times – I am not a believer in the religious faith called Climate Change/ Saving The Environment. I care exactly as much about the environment as do the rich white men who destroyed it to begin with. I firmly believe that if what it takes for Africa to industrialise is for it to burn so much fossil fuel that snow stops falling in Wisconsin and it starts raining concentrated sulphuric acid in Doncaster, it is not too big a price for Europe and North America to pay – it is certainly not bigger than the price Africa had to pay for Europe and North America to develop.
It is and will continue to be 100% OUR prerogative to determine what to do with our hydrocarbons. It is not the rich white men hiding behind these “Climate Advocacy NGOs” who will tell us what to do with our energy reserves, and by what means we are allowed to escape the poverty that they engineered for us.
I might not be a fan of Aliko Dangote or his monopolistic business practices – as is well known – but I’m also smart enough to know when rich white men in DC, Houston, Rotterdam and London and trying to use me as a marionette in their 400 year-old coloniser games. If you are reading this and you are one of the rich white men whose economic interests are threatened by Nigeria refining its own oil, you should come out and fight Aliko Dangote by yourself.
Or at least go find a much stupider African to do your dirty job – there’s plenty of those. It will never be me
Imo Ex-Lawmaker’s Son Irvin Ibejiako Called to Nigerian Bar
By Boniface Ihiasota
Irvin Ibejiako has been formally called to the Nigerian Bar, marking the successful completion of his legal training after years of academic and professional preparation.
Speaking after the ceremony in Abuja, the newly inducted lawyer described the occasion as the reward for years of hard work, discipline and perseverance.
“There were moments during this journey when the finish line felt very far away,” he said.
“The path from university lecture halls to the Nigerian Bar demanded sacrifices, long nights, discipline and resilience that often went unseen.”
He added that the achievement was not his alone but a reflection of the support he received from his family and well-wishers.
“Standing here today, I carry not only my own dreams but also the prayers, sacrifices and hopes of my parents, family and everyone who believed in me,” he said.
Ibejiako noted that being called to the Bar comes with a greater responsibility to uphold the rule of law and serve society.
“Being called to the Bar is a reminder that perseverance has a way of rewarding those who refuse to quit. I am grateful for the journey, humbled by the moment and excited for the responsibility that comes with wearing the wig and gown,” he added.
Irvin is the son of the Imo State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism and former member of the House of Representatives for Owerri Federal Constituency, Rt. Hon. Ernest Ibejiako.
Following the ceremony, family members, friends and associates held a reception in his honour at Icheku Gardens Villa in Owerri Municipal, where they celebrated his admission into the legal profession.
Guests at the event described the achievement as a source of pride for the Ibejiako family and the Owerri community, expressing confidence that the young lawyer would contribute meaningfully to the administration of justice in Nigeria.
Uddy, Kylie celebrate colourful Igbo-American traditional wedding in California
Uddy Osuagwu and Kylie Bechtold have celebrated their traditional wedding in Concord, California, in a colourful ceremony that showcased the rich cultural heritage of the Igbo people alongside American family traditions.
The event, held at the Concord Center, brought together family members, friends and guests from different parts of the United States and beyond to witness the union of the couple in a celebration marked by culture, fashion and entertainment.
The wedding united the families of Chief Magzy and Lolo Ada Osuagwu and Mr. Scott and Mrs. Jodi Bechtold, symbolising a blend of Nigerian and American cultures.
Guests were treated to a vibrant display of Igbo traditional rites, with the couple adorned in elegant traditional attire, coral beads and isi agu regalia, while the ceremony featured music, dance and cultural performances.
Among the dignitaries in attendance was the Chairman of ABC Transport Plc, Mr. Frank Nneji, alongside business leaders, community elders and members of the Nigerian diaspora from across the United States.
The celebration also attracted well-wishers from Nigeria and other parts of the world, showcasing the couple’s extensive personal and professional connections.
Speaking during the event, family members described the marriage as a pointer to the power of love to transcend cultural and geographical boundaries.
The ceremony was covered by the United States-based Excel Magazine International crew led by its Publisher, Boniface Ihiasota, who documented the event for audiences across Africa, Europe and North America.
The colourful wedding featured traditional Igbo marriage rites, cultural displays and a reception that extended into the evening, with guests celebrating the couple’s new journey together.
The event has been widely described by attendees as one of the memorable diaspora traditional weddings of the season, spotlighting the enduring bond between Nigerian cultural heritage and global multicultural communities.
MbaiseUSA DMV chapter hosts Ahiara bishop ahead of 2026 convention
By Boniface Ihiasota, Washington DC
The President of the Mbaise Progressive Union Washington DC Metro Area Inc., Hon. Sir Goddy Ugbor, has hosted the Catholic Bishop of Ahiara Diocese, Rt. Rev. Simeon Okezuo Nwobi, at a private dinner in Bowie, Maryland, ahead of the bishop’s maiden episcopal visit to the Washington DC metropolitan area.
The dinner, held on July 11, 2026, at the residence of Ugbor and his wife, Dr. Lady Madonna Ugbor, brought together members of the clergy and community leaders as part of activities preceding the bishop’s public Mass at St. Matthias Catholic Church.
Ugbor, who also serves as the Host President of the MbaiseUSA Convention 2026, said the gathering underscored the Washington DC Metro chapter’s commitment to promoting unity, faith and service among Mbaise indigenes in the diaspora.
He described the bishop’s visit as significant for the Mbaise community in North America, noting that preparations had reached an advanced stage for the MbaiseUSA Convention scheduled to hold from July 22 to July 25 at the Baltimore Convention Center.
“The Bishop’s presence in our home was a blessing to our family and to the entire DMV community. We are honoured to welcome our shepherd as we prepare to host Ndi Mbaise from across the world this July,” Ugbor said.
Community leaders at the event described the dinner as an opportunity to strengthen relationships within the Mbaise community while discussing the role of faith and leadership in advancing development among members in the diaspora.
The bishop was accompanied by Rev. Fr. John Ekeocha, Rev. Fr. Leo Ugbor, Rev. Fr. Chris Opara and Rev. Sr. Judith.
The Washington DC Metro chapter is the official host chapter for the 2026 MbaiseUSA Convention, which organisers expect will attract more than 2,000 delegates from different parts of the world.
The dinner formed part of activities marking Bishop Nwobi’s visit and the countdown to the annual convention, which aims to foster cultural ties, community development and engagement among Mbaise people in the diaspora.
Imo Ex-Lawmaker’s Son Irvin Ibejiako Called to Nigerian Bar
Let the Bishop’s Visit Heal Us — A Call for Peace Among Mbaise Sons and Daughters in the Diaspora
Uddy, Kylie celebrate colourful Igbo-American traditional wedding in California
Pastor Jerry Eze Defends Miracles At UK Conference Amidst Criticism And Controversy
Diaspora Watch 20th Edition (October 14-20, 2024): Your Trusted Source for Global News and Insights
Tanzanian Man Reportedly Dies And Returns To Life Six Times
-
News3 days agoFaith, Fellowship as Ojiegbe Hosts Ahiara Bishop in Maryland
-
News3 days agoMbaiseUSA DMV chapter hosts Ahiara bishop ahead of 2026 convention
-
Extra3 days agoUddy, Kylie celebrate colourful Igbo-American traditional wedding in California
-
Analysis3 days agoLet the Bishop’s Visit Heal Us — A Call for Peace Among Mbaise Sons and Daughters in the Diaspora
-
News3 days agoImo Ex-Lawmaker’s Son Irvin Ibejiako Called to Nigerian Bar
-
Analysis3 days agoUnderstanding Kwara’s New Security Landscape, by Alabidun Shuaib AbdulRahman