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EKONGKING's Posts

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PoliticsRe: Bolaji Abdullahi: APC Has Ruined Nigeria by EKONGKING: 5:57am On Aug 12, 2022
APC has ruined Nigeria no doubt about it , what about yahoo yahoo criminals and drug smugglers destroying nigeria reputation abroad.

unless nigerian people self introspect and start cleansing from within . A party far worse than APC will be ruling the nation.
PoliticsRe: Fuel Subsidy: Nigeria Facing Existential Threat, World Bank Warns by EKONGKING: 5:42am On Aug 11, 2022
Buhari has totally destroyed the zoo.
What we are awaiting is the burial.
Any southern people becoming president will be blamed for all the problems ,just like good luck.

The zoo is built on faulty foundations,know this and know the truth.

Constantly shouting Obi or tinubu online does not change anything.
PoliticsRe: Tinubu Doesn't Sleep Till 4am - APC Youth Leader, Dayo Israel by EKONGKING: 9:20pm On Aug 10, 2022
yes oo.

he is busy counting alphabeta money
CrimeRe: Ayobiyi Cook – Nigerian Woman Shot And Killed By Her 12-year-old Son In America by EKONGKING: 11:33am On Aug 10, 2022
29 year old with 12 year son.
later they will blame village people for their misfortune.
SportsRe: Medal Table As Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games Ends by EKONGKING: 11:39am On Aug 08, 2022
Nigerian performance is good
CrimeRe: Dubai Visa Will Be Impossible For Nigerian Males Below 30 – Abike by EKONGKING: 9:44am On Aug 07, 2022
It's just a matter of time ,when other countries in world start visa bans.
The way Nigerians are disgracing the nation in India is worrisome.
You can blame buhari for worsening opportunities in the country ,but is he responsible for Nigerian cult wars in Dubai , Malaysia etc ?.
CelebritiesRe: Ali Baba Lambasts Some Nollywood Actresses Over Their Sources Of Income by EKONGKING: 2:21pm On Aug 05, 2022
They are hardworking hoe aka motivational speakers .
PoliticsRe: Ahmed Lawan: Level Of Insecurity Frightening by EKONGKING: 1:03pm On Aug 04, 2022
Your life is worthless and may ur children and family be slaughtered by bandits aka herdsman .

U are a waste of space , even rubber stamp has more usefulness then slowpoke like u
PoliticsRe: Majority Of Nigerians Feel Less Safe Than They Did 5 Years Ago – World Risk Poll by EKONGKING: 8:50am On Aug 03, 2022
The Zoo is not even fit for animals to stay talk less of humans.
Let the drug lord be the president of the zoo and Yoruba and fulani should continue their love affair and rule the zoo .
Foreign AffairsRe: Rare Phenomenon Ship In The UK Floats In The Sky(photos) by EKONGKING: 6:26am On Aug 03, 2022
According to Nigerian people ,either its end times or Jesus is coming soon.

Pastors will cash big time oo
Foreign AffairsRe: Al-Zawahiri Is Dead. Bin Laden's Deputy Killed In US Drone Strike,Biden confirms by EKONGKING:
Go and fu@ck pigs in ur imaginary heaven
PoliticsRe: Nigerian Couple Arrested With Drugs In India by EKONGKING: 6:11am On Aug 01, 2022
Ha ha ,
Igbos
their drug and ego driven stupidity.
Foreign AffairsPutin -the Slayer Of Western Countries by EKONGKING(op): 9:31pm On Jul 31, 2022
He slowly started another problem for NATO in old Yugoslavia.
The way western powers aka NATO divided Serbia in 1990s is beginning to haunt them again .
Serbia is preparing for war against kosovo ,which have been taken illegally from Serbia by Nato .
Russia is opening multiple fronts against western pigs .
slowly, western pigs should prepare for eastern front against japan and south korea .
PoliticsRe: Kenyans Are Far Behind Nigerians In Every Aspect – Fani-Kayode by EKONGKING: 11:13pm On Jul 27, 2022
Eko atlantic ,what these people are boasting about is not even finished 5 percent , after 10 years .

electricity = maximum number of grid collapses every year ,out of all countries in the world .

Insecurity = Ha Ha
PoliticsRe: Kenyans Are Far Behind Nigerians In Every Aspect – Fani-Kayode by EKONGKING: 11:05pm On Jul 27, 2022
SUFFERInSMILIIN:
Is scavenger is better than suffering and suffering. Nigerian naira collapses to all-time hi against US dollar 700 naira to a dollar
Do you mind nigerian posters aka patriots .
How the country has been destroyed ,in short time of 8 years ,is the stuff of legends .
Nigeria aka Zoo is dead
A ghost has a better chance to resurrect, than Nigeria .
PoliticsRe: ISWAP Mobilising RPGs, AA Guns, GPMGS, Fighters To Attack Katsina, Lagos - NSCDC by EKONGKING: 10:07pm On Jul 26, 2022
longetivity:
You are no longer OBIDIENT huh
Where have i mentioned ,iam supporting Obi .
PoliticsRe: ISWAP Mobilising RPGs, AA Guns, GPMGS, Fighters To Attack Katsina, Lagos - NSCDC by EKONGKING: 9:34pm On Jul 26, 2022
It's just a matter of time before zoo burns itself .
No need for South south and south east to fight for independence
CelebritiesRe: I Will Never Flaunt My Bae Online Again — Dancer Korra Obidi Vows (Video) by EKONGKING: 3:31pm On Jul 25, 2022
Stop fu@king around after getting married ,u won't listen,but instead u blame it online fans or whatever
Nairaland GeneralRe: I Ruined My Life Now I Have No Desire To See Tomorrow by EKONGKING: 11:12pm On Jul 22, 2022
I laugh about stupidity and prayers
Foreign AffairsRe: Mass Shooting At Indiana Mall. 3 Dead, 'Good Samaritan' Kills Suspect by EKONGKING: 6:42am On Jul 18, 2022
The country has gone to dogs , crazy people with crazy ideas are roaming the streets
Foreign AffairsRe: Gov. by EKONGKING: 9:27pm On Jul 16, 2022
Uprightness100:
Lia Thomas nominated for "Woman of the Year" award.

(disclose Tv)
Cant you post graphic pictures warning .

i literally vomited .
PoliticsRe: Fuel Scarcity Worsens, Abuja Black Marketers Sell For ₦350/Litre by EKONGKING: 5:45am On Jul 12, 2022
Enjoy .

God will deliver Nigeria , just produce like pigs and blame whites.
problem solved
Foreign AffairsRe: Fact Check: Remember "Exclusive" Story In The Daily Star About "General Pavel" by EKONGKING: 3:44pm On Jul 09, 2022
ha ha
just like WMD in iraq,western propaganda bursted again .
when putin says ,we barely started. better believe him


what will western ass lickers now say ?
Foreign AffairsRe: The Telegraph UK Says A Goat Triggers Grenades And Kills Russian Soldiers by EKONGKING: 8:11pm On Jul 07, 2022
bro save the caption and picture, it will be useful when western ass lickers start the propaganda
Foreign AffairsGermany Begging Canada For Help ,to Get Gas From Russia . by EKONGKING(op): 7:52pm On Jul 07, 2022
Power prices in Europe smashed through records as Russia’s tightening of energy supplies prompts government action to avoid shortages.

German plea | Germany’s vice chancellor is urging Canada to send back a Nord Stream turbine caught up in Russian sanctions before critical maintenance work on the pipeline begins next week. Robert Halbeck said in an interview that doing so would remove an excuse for Putin to keep the conduit closed, crippling Europe’s ability to stockpile gas ahead of winter.

How the mighty has crumbled AGAINST RUSSIA grin grin grin grin grin grin.

From western asslickers most trusted source

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2022-07-07/johnson-s-uk-meltdown-is-a-good-day-for-putin
Foreign AffairsRe: Inside Ukraine’s Lobbying Blitz In Washington And Why Media, Politicans Support by EKONGKING(op): 9:38pm On Jul 05, 2022
Some body powerful ,like soros , is making USA bend towards ukraine by lobbying.

If congressmen are under the trap of lobbyists ,then media will be lapdog of the lobbyists .
Foreign AffairsInside Ukraine’s Lobbying Blitz In Washington And Why Media, Politicans Support by EKONGKING(op): 9:38pm On Jul 05, 2022
Meet the Ukrainian fighter jet pilots hobnobbing with Washington influencers.

At a white-tablecloth dinner on the second floor of an Italian bistro in Dupont Circle, two Ukrainian fighter pilots took a break from the battlefield to describe facing off with Russian jets above Kyiv to a rapt group of reporters.

The four journalists chimed in with questions. Do the Ukrainians really want MIGs, the outdated Soviet-designed fighter jets? What was their message for an American audience more concerned with high oil prices than Russian threats, one that might even blame gas prices on US support for Ukraine?

“Um, this is a tricky one,” an American PR executive interjected, “but answer carefully.”

“You tell me if it’s off the record,” one of the pilots said, to laughs.

“It’s just that Russia is a really big threat,” he continued. “If it’s not stopped right now, right here in Ukraine, on the ground, and with the sanction pressure, the rest of this democratic world could find themselves in a much, much worse situation.”

“Well said, bravo,” the PR executive said.

Ukraine has unleashed an incredible influence campaign in Washington. There’s a lag to the filing of lobbying disclosures. But even in the lead-up to the war last year, Ukraine’s lobbyists made more than 10,000 contacts with Congress, think tanks, and journalists. That’s higher than the well-funded lobbyists of Saudi Arabia, and experts on foreign lobbying told Vox they expect that this year’s number will grow much higher.

This spring, I’ve been invited to an elegant dinner with a parliamentary delegation and morning briefings (no breakfast, just coffee) at think tanks with Ukraine’s chief negotiator with Russia. Foreign policy reporters in DC have been inundated with requests. A journalist from another outlet, who asked for anonymity to be blunt, concurred: It’s been “a nonstop cycle” of Ukrainian visitors in Washington, they told me, “And think tanks that have basically become lobbyists but with a nonprofit status.”

Ukraine’s ambassador to Washington and other parliamentarians pop up at foreign policy events. Their express purpose has been amplifying support for bigger weapons packages for Ukraine. The requests are very specific and have evolved as the war goes on: Right now, Kyiv wants F-16s and drones, more artillery and armored vehicles. The messages conveyed by Ukrainian politicians and members of the armed forces are remarkably disciplined.

Visiting officials and meals with journalists are part of how Washington works, and there’s an ecosystem of experienced power brokers operating largely within — but sometimes in the gray zone — of US laws regulating foreign influence. And Ukraine, of course, is under siege and has mobilized its most eloquent advocates to speak with Washington influencers. But the sheer intensity and coordination of the effort reveal how Ukraine views the US as an active participant in the war, and at times pushes the legal boundaries around foreign lobbying.

In the case of the Italian dinner, a public affairs firm called Ridgely Walsh hosted and paid for the event and assembled the journalist guest list. The fighter pilots, who go by their call signs, Juice and Moonfish, to protect themselves and their families, had also met with members of the House and the Senate, the Department of Defense, and the Department of State. The two pilots were quoted widely in news media, and appeared on CNN alongside actor Sean Penn, before returning to their units the following Monday.

According to the Foreign Agent Registration Act (FARA), anyone working for a foreign entity must register, whether or not they’re being paid. Indeed, there’s been a major trend of PR and lobbying firms doing pro bono work for Ukrainians. In part because it is good PR.

Ridgely Walsh, according to Department of Justice filings, had not registered, and in response to Vox’s inquiry, the firm said it would change its status. “As a prudential matter, we’re gonna go ahead and register immediately to represent the Government of Ukraine on a pro bono basis,” Juleanna Glover, the founder and CEO of the firm, told me.

FARA is a peculiar law that requires voluntary disclosure, and it wasn’t all that well understood or enforced until the Trump era when some of then-President Donald Trump’s inner circle got caught without registering — Michael Flynn working for Turkey, Paul Manafort and Rick Gates lobbying for pro-Russia interests in Ukraine, and Tom Barrack allegedly acting as an unregistered agent of the United Arab Emirates.

“The very small group of FARA lawyers who have been doing this for a long time were shouting from the rooftops to everyone: beware,” Joshua Rosenstein, a lawyer at Sandler Reiff Lamb Rosenstein & Birkenstock, told me, “because FARA is more broad than you think.”

To understand the scale of Ukraine’s lobbying, it’s useful to review the history of a law that was meant to bring transparency to international activities at a time when, according to some metrics, there are more foreign agents registered than ever.

FARA: From obscurity to the front page
FARA was enacted in 1938 to combat Nazi propaganda and Soviet influence. It doesn’t regulate or censor speech as such, whether an individual represents the best of regimes or the worst of them.

It’s just registering and disclosing those interests, but any “informational materials” disseminated — like articles — must include a conspicuous statement of that work. The scholar Daniel Rice, who has registered to advise the Ukrainian president on a pro bono basis, is legally bound to add something like this to his articles: “This material is distributed by Daniel Rice on behalf of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Additional information is available at the US Department of Justice, Washington, DC.”

The 50 years before 2016 saw only seven criminal prosecutions for FARA violations. But during the Trump years, the once-obscure area of law became a front-page story. “Before that, you know, we were probably a little naive,” says Virginia Canter, the chief ethics counsel of the nonprofit Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington. “You start seeing how foreign government interests and other foreign entities are trying to influence US policy.”

David Laufman is a partner at Wiggin and Dana who oversaw FARA enforcement at the Department of Justice from 2014 to 2018. “It quickly became apparent to me, by as early as early 2015, that we were not fully meeting our enforcement responsibilities under FARA,” he told me. “So I set about energizing enforcement of FARA, and it has built upon itself steadily since then.”

The Justice Department now is likely paying more attention to unfriendly governments and potentially unregistered lobbying, according to Rosenstein. “I would imagine that doing lobbying work, for example, on behalf of, say, a Chinese entity is given more scrutiny than lobbying work on behalf of a Canadian company,” he said.

The FARA unit has grown to five attorneys, five analysts, two support staffers, an intern, and an FBI agent detailed to it, but it still has “finite resources,” a Department of Justice official familiar with its workings, speaking on the condition of anonymity, told me. “Certainly, the scope of the potential national security threat is always going to drive our choices.”

It’s not yet clear what renewed enforcement of FARA will mean for the army of Ukrainian lobbyists in Washington, especially since the DOJ likely doesn’t see Ukraine as a “potential national security threat.” But the US government does have the power to make sure readers and viewers have clarity about foreign interests. “One of the beautiful things about FARA and how we run things is everything goes online. So you’re seeing what we’re seeing,” another DOJ official said.

How Ukraine lobbies
The number of firms registered to lobby on behalf of Ukrainian clients has exploded this summer. Six new firms registered in June alone, bringing the total to 24 firms or individuals now registered to lobby on behalf of Ukrainian clients, up from 11 registered to work for Ukraine last year.

Ben Freeman, a researcher at the nonpartisan Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, says that current Ukrainian efforts rank among the most active foreign government lobby he has ever analyzed.


He is particularly surprised that major lobbying and comms shops in DC are giving their services away. “That’s just unheard of in the foreign lobbying space,” says Freeman, who authored the book The Foreign Policy Auction. “There’s no such thing as a free lobbyist in DC.”

That’s because there may be a business motive behind gratis lobbying.

Take, for example, Mercury Public Affairs, a prominent consulting and PR group based in Washington. It’s now doing pro bono work for GloBee International Agency for Regional Development for Ukraine. Prior to that, Mercury worked for Russian firms. In January of this year, Sovcombank, one of Russia’s largest banks, hired Mercury for $90,000 monthly in the hope of preventing new sanctions against it. On February 25, a day after Russia’s invasion, Mercury dropped Sovcombank as a client.

Qorvis, another powerhouse communications firm, is now working for Ukrainian aid relief groups after years representing Russian interests in Washington. “In a matter of months, they’re sort of switching sides on who they’re representing in this lobbying fight,” Freeman said.

Shai Franklin is a lobbyist at Your Global Strategy who worked closely with Ukrainian groups before the Russian invasion in February. He registered as a pro bono lobbyist for Ukraine and has been connecting Ukrainian mayors with American mayors, and has also been working for GloBee. “The first week I was doing the work, I realized I better file,” he told me. “And that brought its own publicity, which was great, because it shows that Washington people are standing up for Ukraine.”

The negative association with registering as a foreign agent has perhaps made some less interested in registering. The American Bar Association recently recommended changes to the law, including replacing the phrase “‘agent of a foreign principal’ with a term that elicits less stigma.” As Franklin put it, “I tell foreign clients that there’s no shame in filing under FARA, but some of them are still pretty spooked by it, because of what happened over the last few years, because FARA has been associated with a crime.”

Even working for those who seem like heroes requires registration. “When it comes to foreign governments lobbying or lobbying on behalf of foreign interests, people have to realize that whether it’s a foreign interest we see as a good guy or a bad guy or an ugly guy, that’s not the US interest,” said Freeman. There is a narrow humanitarian carveout that exempts some from registering, and those lobbying on behalf of foreign companies register under the Lobbying Disclosure Act.

The Ukrainians were savvy to send fighter pilots to a country that made the film Top Gun twice. Over risotto drizzled with asparagus puree and saffron fondue, they talked about flying low over the country on risky missions last month, making eye contact with Ukrainian farmers on tractors in the fields of grain and waving to agricultural producers who they see as also fighting on the front lines. But the purpose of their trip was not merely to raise awareness about the plight of Ukrainian farmers amid an emerging global food crisis.

“Our main goal is self-explanatory,” Moonfish said. “We’re meeting media and lawmakers in order to push the weapon flow to Ukraine.”

https://www.vox.com/23188403/inside-ukraine-foreign-lobbying-blitz-washington-fara-justice
EducationRe: Lagos Shuts Redeemers Nursery And Primary School, Ogba by EKONGKING: 1:26pm On Jul 05, 2022
Guilty should be punished, that all
PoliticsRe: More Nigerians, Africans Will Fall Into Extreme Poverty, World Bank Predicts by EKONGKING: 7:44am On Jun 12, 2022
Ok
PoliticsRe: Bandits Kidnap Over 80 Villagers In Katsina by EKONGKING: 12:23pm On Jun 09, 2022
Contact bubu and stop disturbing us.
PoliticsRe: 2023: We Must Banish PDP, Tinubu Says He Floors Osinbajo, Amaechi, Lawan, Bello by EKONGKING: 5:08pm On Jun 08, 2022
If tinubu thinks that Nigerians love APC and hate PDP after 8 years of demonic rule ,then he is deluded big time.
PoliticsRe: An Owo Massacre Survivor Celebrates Birthday Today, Gives Testimony. by EKONGKING:
But God is sleeping when people are getting killed in his compound.
You survived and u attributed to God . Those killed ,are they killed by God through negligence or by design .since God knows best

God is good indeed.
Dumbest set of people are Nigerian Christians .

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