₦airaland Forum

If perhaps a lot of people have not allowed partisan and tribal politics to blind them, the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine could have been avoided.

Watching some in the media trying to blame the last US administration for it is even more dishonest. Some even claimed the only reason Putin didn't attack Ukraine during Trump's tenure is that Trump was helping Putin destroy NATO and weaken the Western alliance. They claimed Trump is Putin's puppet pursuing the Russian agenda and biddings while in the WH. They also claimed Trump believed Putin over his own intelligence agencies and was also friendly with Putin so that means he must be Putin's puppet.

Well, here are some truths and facts ignored or misreported by the media in the last 5 years.

During his first campaign, Trump initially questioned why the US needs NATO considering the fact that the US is bearing the largest part of NATO funding yet European members who are closest to Russia and directly exposed to Russian aggression are not meeting their own obligation of a minimum of 2% of their GDP for defense. Then, only 5 (i.e. UK, Greece, Latvia, Estonia, and the USA) of the 29 nations have met that target. The US was paying up to 3.5%,

When he was eventually elected, Trump admitted that his goal is not to leave NATO but to get the members to contribute their fair share. He also criticized Germany for striking oil deals with Russia that would make up to 70% of the country reliant on Russia for its energy need. Worse still, Germany despite being a rich nation was not meeting the benchmark. Most of the media reported this as Trump attacking allies and weakening NATO in furtherance of their existing narrative that Putin helped elect Trump and Trump was doing Putin's bidding. Here is a video of his first meeting with NATO where this was discussed -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vpwkdmwui3k

Result: Many NATO nations increased their spending under pressure from Trump. By 2020, 11 members have met the 2% guideline from the previous 5 in 2018 when Trump was elected. Bloomberg Source: [url]https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-03-16/nato-members-ramp-up-defense-spending-after-pressure-from-trump#:~:text=The%20military%20budgets%20of%20NATO's,annual%20report%20released%20on%20Tuesday[/url]. The question is how does NATO having more money to spend favored Putin?
You may fault Trump for his confrontational approach. But everyone loves a Santa Claus and will call you nice until you start asking them to put up or shape out. Apparently, European leaders were not happy with Trump for forcing them to pay more for their own defense.

On the German Nordstream Pipeline deal with Russia, Trump refused to sanction it. In 2019, he approved sanctions targeting the companies involved in its construction. Both Russia and the EU strongly condemned the US sanctions. BBC source - https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-50875935.
When Biden became President, one of his early moves was to lift the sanction. He claimed this as a step to mend ties with Europe. Reuters Source: https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/us-waive-sanctions-firm-ceo-behind-russias-nord-stream-2-pipeline-source-2021-05-19/.
The question is how does Trump preventing Putin from gaining more control and influence over Germany and other European countries through gas supply help Putin? By the way, 41% of the energy needed by the EU is being provided by Russia. Just that some European countries are more dependent on Russia than others.

Against the wish of the Climate/Green activist groups in the US, Trump removed obstacles to gas exploration in the US, and the US surpassed Saudi Arabia in 2018 to become the world's largest producer of petroleum. This reduced America's dependence on oil imports from Russia and other countries as well as impact negatively on Russia's gas earnings. EIA Source:
https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=40973 Trump believed it is good for the US national security if she does not depend on oil from other nations. This policy clearly does not favor Putin.

Biden has restarted all these regulations and the US is back to being dependent on other countries for gas supply. While shutting down new pipeline production in his own country, he was facilitating pipeline production for Russia by lifting Trump's sanctions. Now that the invasion has happened, he has backtracked. Sometimes, some policies are just good policies regardless of who initiated them. Ending a working policy because it is tied to Trump is not wisdom, it is political gamesmanship and theatre.

There are other actions taken by Trump and his administration that were totally against Russia's interest like increased sanctions and supplying Ukraine with lethal weapons that were originally requested and denied under President Obama. Source ABC News - https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-admin-approves-sale-anti-tank-weapons-ukraine/story?id=65989898. Although this was not without controversy leading to Trump's first impeachment, that's a story for another time. The bottom line is that Ukraine got these weapons because Trump approved them. This too was not in the interest of Putin.

Bottom line is that dirty politics and hatred for Trump obscured several of the positive moves he made. The world was safer with him as President of the USA.
Putin first invaded Georgia under Bush, then annexed Crimea from Ukraine under Obama, made no moves under Trump, and now invaded Ukraine under Biden, yet some still try to push that Putin did not make a move during Trump's tenure because Trump was doing his bidding which is demonstrably false. I think Putin could not predict Trump and also knew that he was not afraid of using military force if necessary. People fear what they do not understand.

ISIS emerged and became powerful under Obama as a result of the US military adventures in Syria, Libya, etc. It got so bad that we were watching people regularly beheaded live on the air by these groups and radicals were traveling from all over the world to join their caliphate. Trump got rid of ISIS within his first year as President and now they have become a distant memory. He also found a way to stop North Korean Kim from his missiles testing aggression and got Isreal and some Islamic nations to formally sign peace deals with the Abraham Accord. Obama was given the Nobel Peace prize merely for being the first black American to be the US president not for any notable global peace achievement. I doubt Trump will ever be recognized for his Abraham Accord.

But the Media and the powers that control them hate Trump virulently so they underreport any of his achievements and focus majorly on his negatives. They also massively misrepresented and misreported him on so many occasions I have lost count of and many believe them without thinking for themselves - including some on Nairaland.

Trump is an unorthodox politician. What you see is what you get. You always know where you stand with Trump. Most politicians are not like that. They are the opposite of Trump. What you see is NOT what you get. They are masters at doublespeak and hiding their true intention. And they make a career out of creating and perpetuating problems, not solving them.

Trump is also a loudmouth who cannot control his tongue most of the time and is very capable of self-destructing his own agenda with his lack of filter and crude diplomacy. But he was not the evil man he was made out to be by the media and his political opponents. He is the most attacked and unfairly treated President I have seen in my life but he did more good than bad for the US and the world as a whole.

20pounds:
Atiku and Alamieyeseigha as President and Vice? This country would have gone to the dogs.

I know that God loves this country and has a purpose for us. Any time a dictator or anyone that will lead us astray rises or tries to rise; God has a way of checkmating him. At a time, it was IBB, Abacha, Obj,Yar;adua and the cabal and GEJ. They all put this country on the precicpe but God rescued us. If PMB tries anything untoward, God will rescue us from in him in any means possible. He should take note of this warning!


Pheeew! I just sounded like mum by inviting God in every situation.

Your mum is a very wise woman. A thousand likes for her!

It's all about believe, but sometimes your belief needs some push/boost. Just like introducing what is called placebo.
Reminds me of a story about an old grandma who rejected a dish of pounded yam prepared by her daughter-in-law just because she learnt it was pounded using a machine. She said they are never as good as the ones pounded the local way - mortar and pestle
The husband/her son didn't even argue being fully aware that the wife doesn't know how to do it the local way. He merely tells the wife to take away the meal while he goes ahead and do what mama wants.
After an hour and several fake running around and pounding, another meal of pounded yam was brought done with the same machine. Grandma takes an handful, swallows and exclaims in excitement, "this is what is called pounded yam!"
Bottomline, it really doesn't matter where you pray, and we should not be held in bondage to that, but for those who feels it matters, let them go to the highest mountain top - as long as it helps to get their prayers answered.

True, infidelity is a personal decision but could be facilitated by some conditions. If you are not strong-willed enough and the conditions are right, some would capitulate.
There are those who indulge in this without qualms but there are equally many who did not want to, but because they were presumptuous, thinking they were strong enough, set up the right conditions and get burnt.
Sometimes we get to flee from even an appearance of evil, not confront it

I think the fact that your brother is trying to keep this a secret shows he cares about hurting his wife and others feeling and trust.
Some men commit adultery but deep down they wish wish they can stop. Some men are weak, keep a wrong company and any gold-digging daughter of Eve out there could easily play them like a fiddle.
Some are however downright wicked, uncaring and habitually adulterous. Which one is your bro?
Anyway, its fine you want to help and shows you are not a selfish person. A selfish person will only be worried about how this will affect him only and not care about others.
My own Dad had a child out of wedlock and it really got is mad with him and the scar still lingers till today. He got so careless or bold to the extent that while staying with him during holidays (he worked away from home then), he would bring in ladies to sleep over occasionally. Maybe he thought we were too young to figure it out but we did and reported him to our very close Aunt (mum's sister) who took it up from there.
Like some people said, if your bro persists, a lot of evil can be down the road and he is a danger to himself, the wife or the children. Some women are so wicked and would do anything to get the man completely including murdering the wife, children and even the man if he continues to stick with his family. I know of a case where a woman got herself intentionally and then called the man's pastor and wife when he refused to accept it, blackmailing him everywhere and destroying his reputation.
Do you wish the same for your brother? Maybe you know what you know and is there for such a time like this.
Remember Esther in the bible? She had to intervene even at the risk of her own life. God told her if she doesn't help, deliverance will come from somewhere else, but she and her family will not be spared.
I will not advise telling the wife directly. Talk to your bro. Why fear a man than God? Warn him you will take other steps if he doesn't change and be ready to even move out of his place if necessary.
Pray for wisdom and be sure you are not imagining things.

@honesty007

God's thought are higher than ours and His ways are so too.
He loves all men and He never violate their wills even though He has the power to do so. So many times in our lives, we end up on the side of God's permissive will but Hr still shows mercy.
The important thing is that He can use anybody to achieve His purpose if we as His people humble ourselves, turn from our wicked ways and pray.
His eyes are always roaming the earth searching for those whose heart are perfect towards Him - whether or not they are Christians or Jews is not really critical.
Buhari is not the enemy but the force of evil bent on destroying this nation. These ones we are called and equipped to fight and if we fight well, we will subdue kings and nations.

kay1one2:
If a "Christian" presents facts, I don't think the person should be classified as a bigot.
Insensitivity should be criticised be it from a muslim or christian.
You might end up being classified as the bigot here if you think every analysis of buhari's govt from a Christian is rife with bias.

I am not saying any criticism of Buhari is not justified especially when the fact is there and it is also true. The bible frowns at untrue accusation and bearing of false witness and the easiest way to fall for this is to become too emotional or sentimental in our attitude towards the government. So many times you read something online only to find out it is not true. That's what I meant.
If we have our true facts however, then we can criticize in a constructive manner, with goodwill towards the target of our criticism

Yes. Criticism should be based on facts. But we know how hard it is to come by a fact nowadays, hence the need to be slow to speak.

Also like someone said, FACTS are dynamic - they can change. Only TRUTH is enduring and stands forever.
For example, its a fact that I saw Mr. Y having dinner in a posh restaurant with Mrs. X. But that fact does not validate a claim that they are having an affair.

I also believe motive is important in criticism whether we have facts or not - at least for a Christian.

The last election is perhaps the most divisive, close and intense election the country has ever witnessed. Sadly at the end, there can be only one winner.

And since the emergence of President Buhari, I have been struck by the kind of criticisms and attack his government is being exposed to. Dont get me wrong - as I am not saying there should not be criticism of his government, its only that like everything in life - maintaining a balance is critical.

I'm very much aware that even the Church of God got extremely polarized during the election so I am focusing on how I believe we Christians should approach this new administration.

By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted,
but by the mouth of the wicked it is destroyed - Prov. 11:11

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all men, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life, godly and respectful in every way. (1 Timothy 2:1-2)

The bible instructs us to spend less time looking and secretly wishing the government to fail. Less time condemning, cursing and predicting . It is a disservice to ourselves, our children and their children for generations to come for YOU will have what YOU say. Rather, we are to pray for them, subduing them to do good on our knees, for we wrestle not against flesh and blood.

Cynicism and pessimism is not the way of Christ and should not be for us His followers.

Remember the story in the bible - 2 King Chapter 7:

1. Elisha replied, “Hear the word of the Lord. This is what the Lord says: About this time tomorrow, a seaha of the finest flour will sell for a shekelb and two seahsc of barley for a shekel at the gate of Samaria.”

2. The officer on whose arm the king was leaning said to the man of God, “Look, even if the Lord should open the floodgates of the heavens, could this happen?”

3. “You will see it with your own eyes,” answered Elisha, “but you will not eat any of it!”

The lesson here is to guard our heart and watch what we say. If the government fails, Nigerians suffer - and that includes the people we love and cherish. If we would rather exercise our heart and mouth in hate and unbelief, then we should be afraid of God contending against us when He moves.

It doesn't matter who you support, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God - Rom 13:1.

Should criticism not be allowed? Definitely NO. We should criticize when things are not been done properly. Buy it is not IF we criticize but HOW we criticize. My final advice is in James 1:19 & 20 - Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath. For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.

By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted,
but by the mouth of the wicked it is destroyed - Prov. 11:11

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all men, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life, godly and respectful in every way. (1 Timothy 2:1-2)

Spend less time looking and secretly wishing the government to fail. Less time condemning, cursing and predicting . It is a disservice to ourselves, our children and their children for generations to come for YOU will have what YOU say.

Remember the story in the bible - 2 King Chapter 7:

1. Elisha replied, “Hear the word of the Lord. This is what the Lord says: About this time tomorrow, a seaha of the finest flour will sell for a shekelb and two seahsc of barley for a shekel at the gate of Samaria.”

2. The officer on whose arm the king was leaning said to the man of God, “Look, even if the Lord should open the floodgates of the heavens, could this happen?”

3. “You will see it with your own eyes,” answered Elisha, “but you will not eat any of it!”

The lesson here is to guard our heart and watch what we say. If the government fails, Nigerians suffer - and that includes the people we love and cherish. If we would rather exercise our heart and mouth in hate and unbelief, then we should be afraid of God contending against God when He moves.

It doesn't matter who you support, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God - Rom 13:1.

Should criticism not be allowed? Definitely NO. We should criticize when things are not been done properly. Buy it is not IF we criticize but HOW we criticize. My final advice is in James 1:19 & 20 - Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath. For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.

Chronicles 7:14 - If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Nigeria will only fulfill her destiny as the church in Nigeria grows into hers. Our hope is not in politicians even though God works through them. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood...

It is God's perogative to set up kings or dethrone them. Our own God-given responsibility is to pray for whoever He sets up.

If you have a business and you are not paying tax or meeting with your statutory obligations or even indulging in all sort of underhand business dealings, you may want to start watching your back...
Its not just about politicians and civil servants...
Nigeria is the Lord's

It is good he spoke out, it will make it easy to remind him if he joins them and does otherwise later.
The bible talked of what the Lord Jesus began to DO and TEACH in Acts 1. He never preached what he didn't practiced, and that's how it should be. It easier said than done. We will ultimately be judged by what we do and not just what we say.

I remembered those days. That gory night as I struggled with my roommate for the little space under our bed in Awo as heavy shots rang out in the air outside.
Dawn brought no comfort except the gory sight of splattered blood and brain particles on beds, floors and even sand outside.
The heavy weight of terror and mourning that pervaded the air for days after. So much so a church group had to come to Awo to pray and cast out every "castable" evil spirit.
I remembered the sobering, heart-wrenching yet glorious and memorable candlelight possessions and funeral held for the victims. The fightback of students led by some brave souls, the drama at the judicial commission meetings, the humbling of the once revered Prof. Wale Omole....
So much happened but it is sad that after all these years, no one was punished for this crime. Well. God reigns and He says vengeance is mine, I will recompense. Some so called good men or their children die today and one wonders why, not knowing the evil they committed in the past.
The mills of the gods grind slowly, but how well and exceedingly it grinds!
I hope the memory of Africa and others will continued to be preserved...

People should rather be asking how having a particular tribe in particular position will benefit them or the masses personally.
Rather, some would readily turned this into an intertribal war or contest while their hardship continues.
Let them put a man who will be a friend of all Nigerians and who sticks closer than a brother according to the scripture.
Ajumobi o kan taanu, eni Olorun ran si ni lo' nseni loore (kinship or blood ties does not guarantee mercy, only who God sends can truly be of blessing).

Proverbs 11:11
Through the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, but by the mouth of the wicked it is destroyed.

1 Tim 2: 1-3
I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty
For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;

If you are disciple of Christ, this is what we are commanded to do. Let us watch what we say for life and death is in the power of the tongue. Rather let us pray and speak life into our nation.

NIGERIA IS THE LORD'S, AND THE FULLNESS THEREOF

Nigeria just threw the world a curveball.

For months, there were doubts that Nigeria would survive 2015. Headlines fixated on the winds of Boko Haram’s terrorism combining with the ethnic and religious tensions that divide the north and the south to create a storm of rampant violence that would tear the country apart. There was the expectation that Nigeria would burst into flames as a result of bullets being used to force political change instead of ballots, especially considering the massive election violence that erupted four years ago.

But over the weekend, Nigeria, a country of 170 million, gave the world a largely peaceful and credible election, with its most transparent vote to date. Retired Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) defeated incumbent Goodluck Jonathan of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for the presidency. To Jonathan’s credit, he called the 72-year-old Buhari on Tuesday to concede. No doubt it is the mark of a functioning democracy when a losing candidate respects the results of a democratic election. Buhari’s victory was decisive: He won 54 percent of the vote to Jonathan’s 45 percent.
Nigerians took to social media to congratulate Buhari and express relief at holding a vote without violence. Some took the opportunity to take Western reporters to task for their skepticism:

Congratulations to #Nigeria for sending the Western media away with no news! Oya go back home with your bullet proof vests. #NigeriaDecides”

— Elliot E. Odia (@elliotodia) March 31, 2015
This election represents the first time since 1999, when Nigeria returned to civilian democracy, that an opposition party has defeated a sitting government party. Jonathan, whose party had never lost an election under civilian democracy, has seen his national popularity and international image plummet over his administration’s struggles to contain Boko Haram as well as his failures on tackling corruption and the economy. There were expectations that Jonathan and his party would not give up power so easily, especially considering that it spent staggering amounts of money for this election, touted as the most expensive in African history.

This is is also the first time that Nigeria used biometric card-reading technology, to help cut back on vote fraud and rigging. Though there were hiccups and malfunctions — even Jonathan couldn’t get accredited electronically at first, and there were reports that polling agents didn’t remove the protective film from touch screens — these instances did not dramatically alter the outcome of the vote. Also, Nigeria’s Transition Monitoring Group used “Quick Count” statistical verification methodology and confirmed that the results were accurate.

This election challenges the notion of Nigeria’s ills as based on north vs. south, Christian vs. Muslim divides. Buhari, a Muslim northerner, made inroads into states that went for Jonathan, who is Christian and from the south. Tolu Ogunlesi explains brilliantly how Nigeria’s political geography is much more complicated and adds:

Across Nigeria, issues ranging from electricity shortages to armed robbery are much higher on the list of everyday concerns than religious differences. It’s not unheard of for Christians in northern Nigeria to pursue complaints against Muslims in Shariah courts, knowing that justice will often be swifter than in conventional tribunals.

Of course, this is not to say that religion and ethnic identities don’t factor into political outcomes. But perhaps this time, the issues prevailed over identity as the national desire for change, for solutions to Boko Haram’s terrorism, deeply entrenched corruption, economic woes and youth unemployment, was made clear.  Nigerians lined up for hours to await registration and then to cast their votes. Images of Nigerians made homeless by Boko Haram waiting patiently to register and vote is inspiring to many of us who take our own democracy for granted.

Too often the the expectation is that Africa elections go hand in hand with chaos and violence. Yes, the elections were far from perfect, and yes, violence did occur. The country must still manage a peaceful transition of power from Jonathan’s party to Buhari’s. But the big story for the world today is that Nigeria proved that conducting elections takes practice, and the country’s election this past weekend now stands as a positive example for democracy for the rest of the African continent.

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-partisan/wp/2015/03/31/nigerias-historic-election-just-proved-the-world-wrong/