Amachukwu Innocent's Blog

BEIJING –   A look at recent developments in the South China Sea, where China is pitted against smaller neighbors in multiple disputes over islands, coral reefs and lagoons in waters crucial for global commerce and rich in fish and potential oil and gas reserves: EDITOR'S NOTE: This is a weekly look at the latest developments in the South China Sea, the location of several territorial conflicts that have raised tensions in the region. CHINA SLAMS UK PLAN TO SEND CARRIERS TO SOUTH CHINA SEA China's foreign ministry criticized plans by Britain to send its new aircraft carriers on freedom of navigation missions in the South China Sea to challenge Beijing's expansive territorial claims in the strategic waterway. Ministry spokesman Lu Kang told reporters Friday in response to a question on statements by British officials that "some countries" from outside the region "insist on stirring up trouble while the situation is trending toward calm in the South...

By Chiemelie Ezeobi There was uproar on the social media sphere after some Nigerians launched a campaign to clamour for the release of notorious kidnap kingpin, Chukwudubem Onwuamadike, alias Evans. Creating a hashtag #FreeEvans, the movement has since gathered momentum as many people are calling on the police to release the suspect they arrested on Saturday, June 10, 2017. Championed by Evans' wife, Uche, the campaign for his release was based on the premise that if he is released, he will help the police in cracking other high profile cases. According to their reasoning, Evans should not be jailed while some corrupt politicians who have been accused of embezzling funds are still walking around free. As at Saturday, the hashtag had garnered over 51,000 tweets and retweets, while the figure skyrocketed to about 70,000 Tuesday and however shocking it might be, has since clinched the third position on the trends list in Nigeria. From the absurd tweets t...

The speech made by the adjudged winner of the June 12 1993 Presidential election, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola (M.K.O.) before he was arrested and allegedly killed in detention has been further distributed as Nigerians, mostly South Western States honuor the late business mogul today. M.K.O. Abiola was adjudged to have won the June 12, 1993 election which has been described as Nigeria’s “freest and fairest” election ever, but died on July 7, 1998, on the day he was to be released. He was denied his mandate by the then military ruler, Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida who called for another election after annulling the one that produced Abiola. However, another military dictator, Sani Abacha took over from Babaginda and declared himself military ruler. Abacha then arrested Abiola for declaring himself “President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal republic of Nigeria” and proclaimed “a new Government of National Unity.” The mi...

D’banj has announced that he will be releasing a new album titled “King Don Come.” The singer has been clouded by speculation that he is set to drop a new project, and now he has confirmed it. In a post on Instagram, the singer uploaded a photo of the handwritten tracklist, signed at the bottom. “King Don Come” album will contain 10 tracks with collaborations from Harrysong, Wande Coal, and a few unnamed acts. play D'banj "King Don Come" album Tracklist It contains single ‘ Emergency’ , and a reworked version of ‘ Focus’ named as ‘Turn down for what’. Interestingly, his 2012 single ‘Oliver Twist’ makes the list. So also does the 2013 highly successful ‘Top of the world’ , which was performed at the closing ceremony of the 2013 African Cup Of Nations (AFCON). The new project will be D’banj’s 4 solo studio album. It follows an impressive and highly successfully discography, which include “No Long Thing” (2005), “RunDo...

The unveiling of the new political party, Advanced Peoples Democratic Alliance, APDA , to the public last Monday came with much apprehension from members of the new party and some other interested political stakeholders. By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor APDA has for some weeks been rumoured to be the alternative platform canvassed by some members of the former ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP who would not contemplate having Senator Ali Modu Sheriff as their national chairman. •Members of the Advanced Peoples Democratic Alliance Party (APDA) It is remarkable that the PDP had in the past also distanced itself from the new political party. However, believing that was difficult especially for those who had followed the PDP’s recent dance of death. However, the deep connection of PDP chieftains in the new party could not be hidden despite the overt effort to portray the party as a convergence of political stakeholders from different persuasions but sharing the same political ph...