#Lagos Beggars

[cuprohastes]

The Devil went down to Georgia.

And I interviewed him about it.

The Devil takes a long drag on his cigarette. When he exhales, a long sigh, there’s no smoke. he looks at it thoughtfully and puts it out.

"The thing about the fiddle…” he says “The thing that people don’t get, is that I was never going to win.”

He looks at the stump of his ciggy and grinds it out.

“That wasn’t the plan. The plan was to lose. I mean… a golden fiddle? I wish you could have heard it, it sounded like…” he waves a hand. He’s oddly reticent to swear.

“It was awful. Flat, screechy. And I mean, I made it sound good as it could get, y’know? But it was never going to be as good as a real fiddle.”

He laughs. It’s a warm, indulgent laugh, plummy and full of amusement. “No the plan was to lose it. You know how much a golden fiddle you won from the devil is worth? It’s worth… well more than gold.”

He pauses. “The smart thing would have been to take a hammer to it and melt it down, but who’s going to do that? That’s uh… just under 17 kilograms of gold. More than half a million these days.”

He takes another cigarette out and taps it, put it between his lips, takes a long suck that reduces a third of it to ash. I almost don’t notice that he never lit it, because I’m making a note that the prince of lies apparently favours Metric. Or thinks I do.

“It’s worth more with provenance, though. It’s rarer than a Strad - if you could get people to believe it was my actual fiddle, you could sell it for around twenty… thirty million, easily. But that’s the thing.”

And this is where the ol’ devil grins. It’s a brilliant happy smile, the smile of someone who pulled a caper off.

“… Some dumb farmboy goes out, comes back with a solid gold fiddle and a crazy story? Everyone wants the damn thing, for the gold, even if they don’t believe anything else. Family, friends, then the landlord and the Mayor, pretty soon everyone from the governor down was trying to levy taxes on this thing, or confiscate it - That kid killed two guys who broke in before one of them got him. The family started a vendetta against the people they thought they’d taken it. Both of them got beggared by taxes for something they never had…” he chuckles.

“The girl who stole it tried to pawn it, and the guy running the place took her in the back and garotted her with a handful of bootlaces. Bootlaces!” he stops to chuckle. “And then - He got robbed and there’s been at least four heists and ten lawsuits over it. Even I’m not sure where it is.”

He pauses again and stares into the distance, eyes unfocussed.

“Oh the Mar-a-Lago” he states. “Huh. Actually, I think I need to make a call about a certain hidden vault…”

[jokin-izar]

BALANCE OTOÑO 2023

 - - - LIBROS - - -

   “El chico de fuego”, Michael King.    "El extraño caso de los Degis”,Hilario García.

   “El hombre de niebla”, K. Phylaso .

   “Infierno”, Carmen Mola.    “En un confín del mundo”, Antti Tuomainen.

   “La bestia”, Carmen Mola.

   “La expedición”, Stephen King.

   “La nena”, Carmen Mola.    “Las indignas”, Agustina Bazterrica.

   “Los hijos de Dios”, Glen Cooper.    “Los Radley”, Matt Haig.    “Mi esposa y yo compramos un rancho”, Matt y Harrison Query.   “Moisés en la llanura”, Shuang Xuetao.   “Subcampeón”, Ander Izagirre y Zuhaitz Gurrutxaga.

- - - SERIES - - -

   “30 monedas”     "Ahsoka"     “Blue Lights”

   “Cadáveres” 

   “Daril Dixon” 

   “El otro lado”    "Gen V"    "Hacia el lago"    “Invasión”  T2

   "La caída de la casa Usher"    “La Mesías"

   “La Rueda del Tiempo"  T2    “La Red Púrpura"    “Loki" T2

   “Memento mori"    "Mrs. Davis"

   “Pesadillas"    “Rain Dogs"

   “Romancero"    "South of Hell"

- - - PELÍCULAS - - -

   “20.000 especies de abejas"    "Alita���    "Awareness"

   “Blue Beetle” 

   “Cementerio de animales: El origen ”

   “Cuando acecha la maldad”    "Dejar el mundo atrás"   "El hombre del saco"   "Guardianes de la Galaxia Vol. 3"   "La guerra del mañana"   "La quinta ola"   "Megalodón 2. La fosa"   "Misterio en Venecia"   "Monsters"   "Rebel Moon"   "Silver"   "The Creator"   "Umma"   "Viejos"

  - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - MÚSICA - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  - - 

Octubre 2023

SALIVA - "Revelation"  (2023) NURCRY - "Destino Yo Te Busco"  (2023) ASKING ALEXANDRIA -"Where Do We Go From Here"  (2023) NEVER OBEY AGAIN - "The End Of An Era" (2023) STAHLMANN - "Addendum"  [EP]  (2023) SUPERTROLL - "Supertroll world"  (2023) NITRATE - "Feel The Heat"  (2023) IRON SAVIOR - "Firestar"  (2023) ARTEFUCKT - "Ethik"  (2023) THEOCRAZY - "Mosaic"  (2023) MARTIN SIMSON'S DESTROYER OF DEATH - "Eternal Reign"  (2023) SLOWBURN - "Fire Started"  (2023) NITROVERTS - "Endogenous"  (2023) THE ROLLING STONES - "Hackney Diamonds"  (2023) LALU - "The Fish Who Wanted To Be King" (2023)

Noviembre 2023

DORO - "Conqueress - Forever Strong and Proud"  (2023) IN THIS MOMENT - "Godmode"  (2023) ANGELUS APATRIDA - "Aftermath"  (2023) LAZY BONEZ - "Eye of the Sky" (2023) TILL LINDEMANN - "Zunge"  (2023) DOKKEN - "Heaven Comes Down" (2023) MASS HYSTERIA - "Tenace, Pt. 2"  [EP] (2023) SOPHIE LLOYD - "Imposter Syndrome"  (2023) SIX BURNING KNIVES - "The Øath"  (2023) BAD WOLVES - "Die About It"  (2023) BEGGARS BLADE - "Condenado a la eternidad"  (2023) PETER GABRIEL - " i/o "  (2023) IGNESCENT - "Fight In Me"  (2023) REVEAL - "Still Alive"  (2023) WET CACTUS - "Magma Tres"  (2023)

Diciembre 2023

MONOLITH - "Circulus Novem"  (2023) LACEY STURM - "Kenotic Metanoia"  (2023) ARMORED DAWN - "Brand New Way"  (2023) DHALIAX - "Doomed"  (2023) CHEROKEE - " III "  (2023) GHOST - "13 Commandments"  (2023) EX-PLIZIT - "Eure Angst"  (2023) HANABIE. - "Reborn Superstar! "  (2023) COBRA SPEEL - "666"  (2023) PINBALL WIZARD - "Dirty Ways"  (2023) KALAMITY KILLS - "Kalamity Kills"  (2023) RASH PANZER - "Liberation"  (2023) ASHLEY TYLER - "Doubts + Certainties" (2023)

[news-locus]

Area boys reopened my wound with belt, stole my N3,200 —Lagos homeless beggar

[rainsmediaradio]

Hard Facts About PBAT Administration by Dr. kenny Odugbemi

Foreign Direct Investment

Hard Facts About PBAT Administration by Dr. kenny Odugbemi We are chasing shadows abroad in the name of FDI whilst our cash cows are looted with litany of insanity by unpatriotic political robbers in shades of civilians and armed forces. Our oil theft recovered over 200 times under period of consideration on small level 65000litres on daily basis and programmed vessel comes in regular to still thousands of little in the creeks for us to be chasing at 12 nautical miles, international water what happens with 6 nautical miles with safe jurisdiction for Tantikker oil services contractors very political and myriad of air raids, land raids and water raid by security architecture spending trillion yet stealing avails, as they only capture meagre private owner private owners well televised; whilst bid tickets were freely escorted by Naval ship Commander on Water raids. Till date, mineral resource exploitation on rampages across different states especially NW, NE, SW goes in unnoticed unchecked protected by helicopters of who is who, cabals of high and mighty. Who is fooling who? With over N3.2trn Fy 2024 and over N8trn it is same old story even changing Service Chiefs, NSA make meaningful, we still have terrorist actions killing and many local government under deep captivity NE, Zamfara, Niger, Gombe, Sokoto etc. Farmers and herders clash, Communal killing in the Middle Only South West is safe; thanks to Amotekun and Vigilante, not armed but armed Hizbah are only toothless bull dogs with helicopter fire acquire with Millions of tax payers money we still have political killing galore. Our sorjourn to Saudi Emirates will never yield any capital injection into capital market talkless of refurbishing our refineries. Despite the humiliation of lesser Hajj Nigerian whilst PBAT is there, the outcome is mere propaganda. Naira is devalued by 40%, Inflation 27.3% going to 30% by end of December. Where most people purchasing power is absymally low, where will be the local market, where is power, how about looter in Public sector and toxicity in Private sector. At home Nigeria. With N2 billion injection and cash transfer as sunk cost poverty deepens.We are in a highly depressed economy where frivolous expenditure at executive level is now our tolerated impunity as people suffers deeply. We service our debt with 98% of revenue less than N10 trillion We can see wonders of remaining 2% spending this appropriation of N2.1 trillion supplementary Fy2023:budget How do we explain Fy2024 Critical sectors N8.3 trillion Total budget N27.5trn Non debt recurrent expenditure N10.25trn Debt services N18.5trn Critical sectors This is hallucinations, consumption driven mainly for three tiers of government. Let us ask critical question Where is the Siemen Germany electricity to upgrade to 250000MGW 2025? Where is the celebrated Indian loan of $13bn? Where is $3bn NNPC contract loan by AFRIEXIM bank? Has UAE lifted ban on Visa for Nigeria? Overview Every Summit visit with no meaningful direct investment are only Media propaganda Germany and Dubai inclusive. From available record we spend average of $500m as report. How many trips till date? My hard fact, Nigeria is blessed with the following: Oil resource of depth, Abundant gas, Vibrant and intelligent human capital, Arable land of infinite hectare in million. We chose to engage Mediocre as Ministers for sakes of political settlement. Fragmented all sectors giving rooms for all sorts Ministerial job position. We are an international beggars globally just Like PMB with no result Must our gullibility continues? 52% of best brains are Japa, 48% are frustrated with low pay going toward corruption, yahoo and yahoo+. What is the future of the brilliant Youths in a depressed state of mind, whilst leaders lives in opulence and citizenship wallow in deep poverty? As of today only 4 states are viable (GDP(PPP) billions Lagos 266.55 Rivers 51.52 Akwaibom 50.3 Imo 49.69 Other states are grossely insolvent and not viable governed by ignorant Governor's who can not thinks outside the box no drive to shore up internally generated revenue. Most oil rich States with some exception are so poorly managed, eg poverty stricken Bayelsa, Delta, Cross river etc. Northwest, Northeast, Northcentral are carcases of states unimaginably devastated by terrorists State of Finance By my independent research N43trn were looted by PMB, and CBN declared N33trn Obazi has retrieved N12trn where is the balance? Conservatively over 65% of stolen wealth are in Sudan and Egypt Islamic bank by unpatriotic looters in Last PMB government PBAT by my assessment We have issues of transparent, we have borrowed so much against consumption with no meaningful revenue generation How can we generate N18trn FY2024? With declare vitals and public spending of supplementary budget Fy 2023. How do we turn around revenue with new tax policy? Blocking of leakages opening of new stream of experimental blue. Economy, tourism, creative,digital innovation, power all are mirage. Which investors will invest in our all round decayed infrastructure, when we specialized in having CKD and refurbished OEM across all sectors they are not blind; check aviation, blue rail, train coaches, overhaul of refineries We should stop deceiving ourselves and look inward surely we can do a lot better across all sectors My deep worry If PBAT can not provide jobs for youths If, PAT can meet revenue target If PAT can not recover. N31trn We will be on free fall to oblivion. This government should be very careful, we need to be more people centric. We are overfeeding the rich starving the poor to extinction. Advice to Nigeria Citizenship Dignity of labour, strong work ethic, readjusted lifestyle, health and wellness - feed on natural herbs, stop ethnicity/religious bigotry, adopt merit, be pragmatic, be honest and be accountable. Conclusion Three tiers of government must be highly prudent, replacing non-performing Head of Institutions, enhance transparency, accountability, promote equity fairness justice, resource control, restructuring, recalibrating and repositioning. Read the full article

[crimechannels]

By • Olalekan Fagbade I disguised as beggar to teach Christians kindness     Catholic Priest reveals what he was trying to do when he disguise as a beggar               A Catholic priest and Spiritual Director of Jesus and Mary Adoration Ministry, Nnewi, Anambra State, Rev Fr Thadeaus Ilechukwu, has explained why he often disguise as a beggar to test his congregation. According to The PUNCH, a video resurfaced on social media recently showing the Catholic priest who disguised as a beggar at the gate of a church. Explaining the reason behind the move, the cleric said: "I am the Parish Priest of St Monica’s Catholic Church, Nnewi. I am popularly known as ‘Father Egwu Mmonso’ which means ‘terror to demons’. People call me this name because of a particular kind of deliverance we carried out in 2015 when the ministry was still in Amichi. "The video first went viral precisely on July 7, 2018, but it was shot on July 5, 2018, at Jesus and Mary Adoration Ground when I was at St James’ Catholic Church, Amichi, before I was transferred to St Monica’s Catholic Church in Nnewi. The person that captured the video posted it online on July 7, 2018, and then within 24 hours, it made over one million views. It started trending again in 2022 during the Lenten period and it has started trending now. Many people have been calling me to tell me that this video is trending again. It keeps trending as if it is new because of the teaching and the message it carries. "I got that inspiration when I went for an assignment in Lome, Togo. It was impromptu. I did not see it in a movie. The thought just came and I decided to try it in Nigeria. In June 2018, I preached about charity and giving. Every month, we have a monthly declaration and assignment and I told the congregation that in July, every adoration member must be charitable and do works of charity by giving to the poor and the needy. I told them that everyone must have something to give and that they must not be very rich before they give because there are people poorer than them. So, on the first Thursday of the month (July 5, 2018), I wanted to have a unique way of disseminating this gospel of charity. What came to my mind was to disguise as a beggar and sit among the adoration members and beg or to disguise as an ordinary person and sit among the members and beg. I knew that if I disguised myself as an ordinary person, people would easily recognise me. He further explained: "As the thoughts of the method to adopt were running through my mind, I came across a lady who is a makeup artist in Lagos. I saw her on Facebook, so I contacted her and eventually, she agreed to come down to Anambra State and do the makeup for me. So, that day, she applied makeup on me, wore me a wig, attached beards that made me look like Abraham, and gave me tattered clothes," he added. #beggar #Catholicpriest #disguises

[acorn-squash-writes]

[Image 1: A photo in an old newspaper of a person holding a sign that says “U.K. Feed the Starving Now.”]

[Image 2: An old newspaper in a cardboard box. Transcription:

Peace News

This Week: 2 special features on war-economy & war-psychology pages 2 & 6

Friday 14 March 1969

One Shilling

Headline: Squatters family given rent-book

Subtitle: GLC climb-down

Kevin McGrath writes: The first solid—and vital—victory of the growing squatter movement in London came last week, with the decision of the Greater London Council to give a rent-book to Maggie O’Shannon.

Maggie, who is a widow with two children, became the first actual squatter of the current wave when, with the backing of the Notting Hill Squatters, she moved on January 18 into a GLC-owned house in Camelford Road, Notting Hill.

She had been living in a squalid, leaking basement flat a few doors away. This has now been condemned as unfit for human habitation. She was joined a few days later by the Matthews family, escaping from similar conditions.

At first the Council blustered. But faced with a street united behind the squatters, and with the certainty of appalling publicity—at best—if they attempted an eviction, the accepted the inevitable and issued the rent-books.

Section header: More Concessions

More concessions have been wrung from Kensington and Chelsea Council, following the action of the squatters. The leader of the majority Tory group has announced that the Council will be introducing rate changes on empty property.

Moreover, five families on the Council waiting list have been moved into Council-owned properties that have stood vacant for up to two years.

But if the GLC has been forced to back-pedal in the name of suffering humanity and public relations in Notting Hill, it can be expected to hit back all the harder where this is politically possible. And the occupation last week of a derelict hope in Drury Lane, by the Arts Lab-oriented “Human Rights Group”, looks the obvious target.

Headline: ‘No one wants the war to end’

The text below is part of a letter sent to a Peace News reader by a nurse working for one of the aid agencies in Lagos, Federal Nigeria. We’d like to thank both reader and nurse for permission to use it.

The longer I stay here, the more frustrated I become. There is a large British expatriate community who discuss the price of fish, and when they’re next going to have their hair done.

The men (middle-aged husbands) are no better, and are only able to talk about the wickedness and corruption of the Nigerians.

Nigeria is certainly more racialist than South Africa, though not as blatantly so, the difference being that 50% of the African population is unemployed.

There are five servants in the house I’m staying in. They get £6 each a month, which is pitifully low.

Section header: Poverty

When I try to discuss the war, no one is interested, except to moan that all imported goods have gone up in price. But as far as I can gather, no one wants the war to end, since it partly solves the unemployment problem.

The soldiers are paid £18 per month, and given a pair of boots. However, when the order comes for them to go into the bush to fight, there is mass desertion.

The poverty in Lagos is horrible to see. Corrugated iron shacks, no water or light, housing 15 people at a time, face the Hosues of Parliament which have been empty for 2 and a half years.

Matches are split in half and sold singly, and children are deformed by their parents to make them beggars.

Oh, how I want to leave Lagos! Do write and tell me about life in London. It seems so far away.

Headline: Saigon: More Repression

A relief worker who was in Saigon till just after the recent Tet New Year holiday—i.e. before the new NLF offensive began—has had the following report forwarded to us by Susan Miles.

The markets were crowded with shoppers. The streets were filled with crowds of people, visiting and being visited, giving and receiving presents and good wishes for the New Year.

There were many Viet Cong in Saigon and the suburbs, distributing leaflets with Ho Chi Minh’s New Year Greetings and caring on the people to support the Viet Cong.

I was told that the distributors were surrounded by sympathizers, not necessarily Communist, so that the police could not arrest them.

Section heading: ‘Normality’

Behind the apparently gay normality is a different story, though many of the people themselves may not be aware of what is happening.

The Government—insecure—becomes more and more repressive. All but one of the committee of the Students Union at Saigon University were arrested at the end of December and the beginning of January.

The one who escaped is, of course, in hiding, but she has written a report which was given to me to bring out, though it has still to be translated.

The only crime of the students is that they discuss peace. A report of one of their meetings, attended by non-students as well, said:

“In a country where it is illegal to discuss peace, much of the discussion was about how to put our ideas frankly and still be lawful.”

A young Catholic priest and a layman, who have taken part in such activities, were called for questioning by the police many times during January.

Section heading: Dictatorship

In one instance, the layman was questioned for 24 hours without a break. The questions are about meetings. “Why did you go?” “Who are the organisers?" The assumption is always that if peace is discussed, then Communists are behind it.

I talked with a Buddhist monk, concerned with how to keep contact with the outside world in what he considered was going to be a very critical period for those who do not support the Government and the war.

He told me that on the radio, during Tea, President Thieu had said he was prepared for a military dictatorship and would destroy the “minority” who were in opposition.

All these people I talked to looked very tired and strained, but by no means discouraged.

Headline: ‘I want the war to end’

Black and white photo: A person is holding a sign that reads:

U.K.

Feed the Starving

Now

In Nigeria

And Biafra

The person with the sign is light-skinned, with dark hair and bangs, and is wearing knee-length leather boots. End photo description.

America—One of about two dozen members of the Philadelphia Emergency Committee on Nigeria/Biafra who picketed the British Consulate on South 12th Street last month.

The Committee is just one of about 150 action groups in America concerned to stop the suffering and end the war. Photo by Peter Johnson.]

[Image 3: Section heading: ‘Normality’

Behind the apparently gay normality is a different story, though many of the people themselves may not be aware of what is happening.]

I randomly saw this old newspaper at work yesterday, and it sent me on a slight depressive spiral. It's some young person protesting the war, wanting peace and for all the hungry to be fed. It's just like the protesters on the campuses right now! And this newspaper is so old it cost ONE SHILLING. The UK hadn't even decimalized their currency yet!

We've really been protesting "the war" for a barely interrupted half century? Just every decade or so they switch up which war it is we have to protest.

[musicafricawake]

MUAFA NEWS!!!

COURT JAILS WOMAN IN LAGOS STATE FOR USING BABIES TO BEG FOR ALMS. The Lagos State Magistrate Court 5 sitting in Yaba has convicted and sentenced a female beggar to two months imprisonment for using babies to beg within the state metropolis. Olusegun Dawodu, the Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, announced this in Lagos while reiterating the ban on street begging and the use of…

[apwmagazine]

Victim Laments Traffic Robbers’ Attacks On Gbagada-Oworoshonki Bridge

Incessant attacks by a group of boys who pretended to be beggars and street hawkers to rob and harm unsuspecting victims, especially drivers, of their valuables along the Oworonshoki/Gbagada bridge, Lagos State, has increased panic and concerns among the users of the  road. A victim, Dr Dayo Adediran, who raised the alarm on Friday, informed City Round that she had had three encounters with a…

[brn1029]

On this date in music…end of the year…but not in music!

December 5th

2016 - David Bowie

A statue of David Bowie was set to go up in the town where he first performed as Ziggy Stardust following the success of a crowdfunding campaign. More than 650 people pledged sums totalling more than the £100,000 goal, 19 hours before the deadline. The statue would be put up in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, where Bowie unveiled his Ziggy character.

2013 - Spotify

Spotify responded to critics by revealing how much acts can expect to earn from the music streaming site. The company said it paid an average of $0.007 per play, according to figures on its new website Spotify Artists, aimed specifically at musicians. Explaining its business model, Spotify said it had paid more than $1bn (£612m) in royalties since its 2008 launch. Earlier this year Radiohead singer Thom Yorke pulled material from the site in protest at how much it pays artists.

2006 - Paul McCartney

Beatles lyrics handwritten by Sir Paul McCartney to an early version of Maxwell's Silver Hammer sold for $192,000 (£97,000) at an auction in New York. A guitar owned by Jimi Hendrix fetched $168,000 (£85,000), a notebook containing lyrics written by Bob Marley sold for $72,000 (£36,445) and a poem penned by Doors frontman Jim Morrison made $49,000 (£25,500) at the Christie's sale.

2004 - Band Aid 20

Band Aid 20 started a four week at No.1 on the UK singles chart with a new version of Do They Know It’s Christmas? The third time the song had reached No.1. The new version featured, Joss Stone, Busted, Chris Martin, Bono, Justin Hawkins, Dizzee Rascal, Tom Chaplin, Ms Dynamite, Beverly Knight, Will Young, Jamelia, Fran Healy, Sugababes, Dido and Robbie Williams.

1973 - Paul McCartney

Paul McCartney and Wings released Band On The Run, his fifth album since his departure from The Beatles. Two hit singles from the album – 'Jet' and 'Band on the Run' made it McCartney's most successful album. The majority of Band on the Run was recorded at EMI's studio in Lagos, Nigeria, as McCartney wanted to make an album in an exotic location. McCartney went into the studio with just his wife Linda and Denny Laine, doubling on drums, percussion and most of the lead guitar parts himself as well as bass.

1970 - Judy Collins

'Amazing Grace' by Judy Collins entered the UK singles chart for the first of eight times, it spent a total of 67 weeks on the chart never making the No.1 position. 'Amazing Grace' is a Christian hymn with lyrics written by the English poet and clergyman John Newton which was first published in 1779.

1968 - The Rolling Stones

The release of The Rolling Stones' new album Beggars Banquet was celebrated at a party in London. A food fight with custard pies was the highlight of the event that went on without an ill Keith Richards. The original cover for the LP was in the form of a plain white invitation, but was later changed.

1967 - Jimi Hendrix

This was the final night of a 16-date UK package tour with Jimi Hendrix, Pink Floyd, The Move, The Nice, The Outer Limits, The Erie Apparent and Amen Corner at Green's Playhouse, Glasgow. All performances had two shows per night, in this case at 6.15pm, with the second at 8.45pm. Jimi Hendrix had the curtains closed on him halfway through his set, after the management at the venue regarded his movements with his guitar as having sexual overtones.

1964 - The Beach Boys

Beach Boys started a four week run at No.1 on the US album chart with 'Beach Boys Concert', the group's first US No.1. The album was recorded live at the Memorial Auditorium in Sacramento, California and is one of the few live documents of the original line up of the Beach Boys in officially released LP form.

1964 - Lorne Greene

Lorne Greene star of the NBC TV show 'Bonanza' was at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Ringo', making him the second Canadian (after Paul Anka) to have a US No.1 single. The song was a No.22 hit in the UK.

1960 - The Beatles

Paul McCartney and Pete Best were arrested for pinning a condom to a brick wall and then igniting it. The two were told to leave Germany and The Beatles returned home, discouraged.

[smokeyrobotic]

Lagos govt, police order street beggars, traders to leave state

Lagos govt, police order street beggars, traders to leave state

The Lagos government has ordered street beggars and traders to leave the state. A Special Task Force has been established. The authorities say criminals hide under such acts to attack motorists and residents. Commissioners for Youth and Social Development, Olusegun Dawodu; Information, Gbenga Omotoso; Police, Hakeem Odumosu addressed a joint briefing at Alausa. Dawodu explained that the task…

[nigerianeye]

Lagos evacuates 728 beggars, destitute from roads, streets https://nigerianeyez.blogspot.com/2021/08/lagos-evacuates-728-beggars-destitute.html

[rainsmediaradio]

Hard Facts About PBAT Administration by Dr. kenny Odugbemi

Foreign Direct Investment

Hard Facts About PBAT Administration by Dr. kenny Odugbemi We are chasing shadows abroad in the name of FDI whilst our cash cows are looted with litany of insanity by unpatriotic political robbers in shades of civilians and armed forces. Our oil theft recovered over 200 times under period of consideration on small level 65000litres on daily basis and programmed vessel comes in regular to still thousands of little in the creeks for us to be chasing at 12 nautical miles, international water what happens with 6 nautical miles with safe jurisdiction for Tantikker oil services contractors very political and myriad of air raids, land raids and water raid by security architecture spending trillion yet stealing avails, as they only capture meagre private owner private owners well televised; whilst bid tickets were freely escorted by Naval ship Commander on Water raids. Till date, mineral resource exploitation on rampages across different states especially NW, NE, SW goes in unnoticed unchecked protected by helicopters of who is who, cabals of high and mighty. Who is fooling who? With over N3.2trn Fy 2024 and over N8trn it is same old story even changing Service Chiefs, NSA make meaningful, we still have terrorist actions killing and many local government under deep captivity NE, Zamfara, Niger, Gombe, Sokoto etc. Farmers and herders clash, Communal killing in the Middle Only South West is safe; thanks to Amotekun and Vigilante, not armed but armed Hizbah are only toothless bull dogs with helicopter fire acquire with Millions of tax payers money we still have political killing galore. Our sorjourn to Saudi Emirates will never yield any capital injection into capital market talkless of refurbishing our refineries. Despite the humiliation of lesser Hajj Nigerian whilst PBAT is there, the outcome is mere propaganda. Naira is devalued by 40%, Inflation 27.3% going to 30% by end of December. Where most people purchasing power is absymally low, where will be the local market, where is power, how about looter in Public sector and toxicity in Private sector. At home Nigeria. With N2 billion injection and cash transfer as sunk cost poverty deepens.We are in a highly depressed economy where frivolous expenditure at executive level is now our tolerated impunity as people suffers deeply. We service our debt with 98% of revenue less than N10 trillion We can see wonders of remaining 2% spending this appropriation of N2.1 trillion supplementary Fy2023:budget How do we explain Fy2024 Critical sectors N8.3 trillion Total budget N27.5trn Non debt recurrent expenditure N10.25trn Debt services N18.5trn Critical sectors This is hallucinations, consumption driven mainly for three tiers of government. Let us ask critical question Where is the Siemen Germany electricity to upgrade to 250000MGW 2025? Where is the celebrated Indian loan of $13bn? Where is $3bn NNPC contract loan by AFRIEXIM bank? Has UAE lifted ban on Visa for Nigeria? Overview Every Summit visit with no meaningful direct investment are only Media propaganda Germany and Dubai inclusive. From available record we spend average of $500m as report. How many trips till date? My hard fact, Nigeria is blessed with the following: Oil resource of depth, Abundant gas, Vibrant and intelligent human capital, Arable land of infinite hectare in million. We chose to engage Mediocre as Ministers for sakes of political settlement. Fragmented all sectors giving rooms for all sorts Ministerial job position. We are an international beggars globally just Like PMB with no result Must our gullibility continues? 52% of best brains are Japa, 48% are frustrated with low pay going toward corruption, yahoo and yahoo+. What is the future of the brilliant Youths in a depressed state of mind, whilst leaders lives in opulence and citizenship wallow in deep poverty? As of today only 4 states are viable (GDP(PPP) billions Lagos 266.55 Rivers 51.52 Akwaibom 50.3 Imo 49.69 Other states are grossely insolvent and not viable governed by ignorant Governor's who can not thinks outside the box no drive to shore up internally generated revenue. Most oil rich States with some exception are so poorly managed, eg poverty stricken Bayelsa, Delta, Cross river etc. Northwest, Northeast, Northcentral are carcases of states unimaginably devastated by terrorists State of Finance By my independent research N43trn were looted by PMB, and CBN declared N33trn Obazi has retrieved N12trn where is the balance? Conservatively over 65% of stolen wealth are in Sudan and Egypt Islamic bank by unpatriotic looters in Last PMB government PBAT by my assessment We have issues of transparent, we have borrowed so much against consumption with no meaningful revenue generation How can we generate N18trn FY2024? With declare vitals and public spending of supplementary budget Fy 2023. How do we turn around revenue with new tax policy? Blocking of leakages opening of new stream of experimental blue. Economy, tourism, creative,digital innovation, power all are mirage. Which investors will invest in our all round decayed infrastructure, when we specialized in having CKD and refurbished OEM across all sectors they are not blind; check aviation, blue rail, train coaches, overhaul of refineries We should stop deceiving ourselves and look inward surely we can do a lot better across all sectors My deep worry If PBAT can not provide jobs for youths If, PAT can meet revenue target If PAT can not recover. N31trn We will be on free fall to oblivion. This government should be very careful, we need to be more people centric. We are overfeeding the rich starving the poor to extinction. Advice to Nigeria Citizenship Dignity of labour, strong work ethic, readjusted lifestyle, health and wellness - feed on natural herbs, stop ethnicity/religious bigotry, adopt merit, be pragmatic, be honest and be accountable. Conclusion Three tiers of government must be highly prudent, replacing non-performing Head of Institutions, enhance transparency, accountability, promote equity fairness justice, resource control, restructuring, recalibrating and repositioning. Read the full article

[schraubd]

Imagine What They Can Do To You

 The GOP response to the FBI's raid on Mar-a-Lago has been very straightforward:

If they can do it to a former President, imagine what they can do to you.

— House Judiciary GOP (@JudiciaryGOP) August 8, 2022

The immediate response to this was that I never doubted that the FBI was capable of getting a warrant to search my house if they established probable cause that I had committed a crime. Not only was that well within the realm of imagination, it'd be very bad if I couldn't imagine it!

But it when it comes down to "imagine what they can do to you", this isn't the story that is haunting. It was this Atlantic deep dive into how Trump's "family separation" policy was implemented.

Obviously, the basic fact patterns found in that story are terrifying. Imagining your small children ripped away from you, shipped to God knows where, with no guarantee you'll ever see them again -- it beggars belief. But there's a more fundamental horror at work here -- the impunity of power. In contrast to the formal legal process that resulted in the Mar-a-Lago raid, processes which will be challengeable in a courtroom and held to significant judicial scrutiny, the parents and children victimized by Trump's family separation policy were thrust into a chaotic state of legal limbo defined by the fact that nobody would, or could, help them. Can you imagine that? Can you imagine your child gone missing, and your frantic pleas for help just ... ignored? Not even that people try to help and fail -- they won't help at all. You're in the most dire crisis imaginable, and the men and women in uniform who seem like they should be tasked with helping you, who seem like they have the power to end the nightmare, just leave you to twist?

The argument against allowing the Mar-a-Lago raid is little more complex than the belief that if you become powerful enough, the law should no longer apply to you. That form of entitled impunity is not at all unrelated to the administrative lawlessness and abandonment that characterized how the family separation victims were traumatized. In either case, the message is that one's ability to claim the protections of the law is wholly a function of whether you possess the requisite amount of social power. If you're part of the favored in-class -- the Trumps of the world -- then law will bend over backwards to ensure you have your hearing. If you're on the outside looking in, then law will ignore you no matter how loud you scream.

Imagine what that could mean for you.

via The Debate Link https://ift.tt/u83rzCV

[nigeriangossip]

Passenger Train Crushes Beggar To Death In Lagos https://nigeriagossipz.blogspot.com/2019/04/passenger-train-crushes-beggar-to-death.html

[mythicvoice]

Someone Else's Problem

There's mental calculus that we all engage in when we first meet our rideshare driver: "Do I strike up a conversation with this person, or not?" Usually, in the hustle and bustle of Lagos, Nigeria, the answer is "not." The cacophony of street hawkers, beggars, motorcycles, pedestrians, and other cars trying to bob and weave their way through traffic makes it hard to focus on anyone but yourself. For the life of me, I still don't know why I started talking to Jacob, but I'm glad I did.

I was immediately struck by his intellect. He talked about physics so much that I thought he might have been an engineering student. I was stunned to find out that he had actually been in law school until was struck by a speeding vehicle. This ultimately left him with a limb length deformity (a condition in which one arm or leg is significantly longer the other). He couldn't keep up with school and health expenses, which forced him to drop out. Now, he drives for Taxify (Nigeria's biggest Uber competitor) to make ends meet.

In listening to his story, I couldn't help but think about the hardships he'd faced and how lucky he was to still better off than most other Nigerians with disabilities. According to the Borgen Project, there are approximately 27 million Nigerians living with disabilities. Most of them (about 70%) have visual impairments or functional mobility limitations. Lack of medical, social, and financial support often leaves them feeling like pariahs - a sentiment Jacob shared, saying "Everyone treated me like I was someone else's problem."

It's hard to shake the truth of that statement. In Nigeria, people with disabilities are often met with a practiced indifference or even open hostility in some cases. His words reminded me of all the people I'd seen on makeshift skateboards and wheelchairs by roadsides that I'd learned to ignore.

Part of this attitude towards people with disabilities stems from the idea that having a disability is a consequence of some sort of spiritual affliction. It does not matter whether it was God or the devil that cursed this person. Whatever forces are believed to be at work in the life of a person with disabilities are best avoided and left unbothered. As a result, many people with disabilities are left reliant on tacit acts of charity.

In a world that almost reflexively relegates people with disabilities to begging on the streets, Jacob forging his own path against all the odds. He speaks often of creating a home for people with disabilities similar to the Catholic Mission House where he lived as a child. There he was able to receive care for orthopedic issues related to his left leg. Ironically, it's the same leg that's now permanently damaged because of the car accident he suffered as an adult. In the meantime, he works hard chauffeuring people through the boisterous streets of Lagos, in hopes of fulfilling his dreams.