Syria: Déjà vu

by Kakaouskia

Greetings to the Saker community and readers.

Let us imagine that we are tasked with producing a sequel to the 1990s masterpiece “First Gulf war”, this time to be filmed in Syria.

We will definitely need a villain; lucky for us we have two: Vladimir Putin and Bashar Al Assad. Throw in a criminal organisation – let’s call them ISIS – for good measure and the cast is ready as the good guys are again the same. This is after all part of the franchise.

Now for the plot. Hmm, first we need drama. How it was done the first time? Ah yes, the Nayirah testimony at the UN. This time though Nayirah got a bit old to be a protagonist, so we should useNadia Murad to testify.

Also how about a hospital bombing? Perhaps two? How about five on a single day? I have a better idea – how about showing a video of babies in incubators suffering?

If all the above sound familiar, then you are not mistaken. The events of the last 48 hours in Syria leave a bitter case of Deja vu to anyone old enough to remember how support was rallied for the First Gulf war.

Blast Occurs Next to Military Convoy in Southeastern Turkey

An explosion occurred next to military convoy on the road to Diyarbakir, at least seven people are reported dead, Haberturk reports.

A homemade explosive device detonated near a military convoy in the country’s southeastern province of Diyarbakir with reports of injuries, Haberturk news portal reported Thursday citing military sources.

Husband of Nigerian s3x worker found dead had no idea she was a call girl, 'I thought she was making money from hair extensions'

Estranged husband of Nigerian-born Jessica McGraa revealed that she hid her double life as a £220-an-hour call girl from him.  Gareth McGraa, 56, believed that Jessica, 37, was making money to fund the high life she loved by selling hair extensions. Gareth told of his grief at her death – and his hurt that she had deceived him.
Continue..

EFCC re-arraigns Dokpesi over alleged N2.1bn fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC today re-arraigned former chairman of DAAR communications Plc, Raymond Dokpesi before Justice John Tsoho of the federal high court, Abuja, over a six-count charge of criminal breach of public procurement law to the tune of N2.1bn, the same charges filed against him in December. During the hearing, Dokpesi pleaded not guilty to all charges. His counsel, Wole Olanipekun, Dokpesi’s lawyer, asked the presiding judge to allow him maintain the bail he was granted by Justice Kolawole on December 14. He said his client had been of good behaviour since the bail was granted. After listening to the counsel, the judge ruled that the bail granted Dokpesi be maintained. He adjourned the case to March 2 and 3 for commencement of trial.

Photos from an auto accident on 3rd Mainland Bridge this afternoon

The accident which occurred today was reportedly caused by tyre bursts. No life was lost but the passengers sustained various degrees of injuries. According to Uche Nnaji, LASG Emergency Ambulance Service arrived at the scene shortly after the incident and the victims were conveyed to the hospital where they are currently receiving treatment. More photos after the jump...

Photos: Man left unattended to after he gets hit by motorcycle in Lagos

This unidentified man is lying unattended to after he was hit by a motorcycle at Ebutte Metta West Lagos this afternoon. According to @10taclesNG who shared the photos on twitter, the man is still alive.

Dieziani Alison-Madueke's husband arrested by EFCC

Husband of former Minister of Petroleum Resources Diezani Alison-Madueke has been arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, over allegations of laundering more than $600,000 through his personal accounts. According to Channels TV, he was quizzed for many hours and was released on administrative bail. He is expected to return to the anti-graft agency headquarters tomorrow.

New PDP Chairman, Ali Modu Sheriff, vows to unseat Buhari, APC by 2019

Newly appointed chairman of PDP, Ali Modu Sheriff, has vowed to unseat President Buhari and the APC from Aso Rock come 2019. He said this while addressing PDP members at the Abia state governor. Okezie Ikpeazu's thanksgiving service in Umuahia, Abia state today February 17th.

Who needs war with peace like this?

Comment by Larchmonter445

To all who predict the inevitable war, wherever your mind thinks it will transpire:
It is a requirement of that prediction to tell us what the Order of Battle shall be.
For instance, China attacked by the US.
Or, Turkey and US/NATO/Arabs with oil attacking Russia.
Or, Turkey and the nazis of Ukraine attacking Russia.
Or, some Israeli (Zio-whatever you want) false flag attack that results in attacking Russia.
Please tell us how the war gets going with planes? with missiles? with sub? with carriers and destroyers?

Diezani Approved $24bn Crude Swap Without Contract –ex-nnpc GMD

A former Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Mr. Austin Oniwon, confirmed on Tuesday that there was no formal contract between the NNPC and trading companies that lifted $24bn worth of crude oil from the country between 2011 and 2014.

Oniwon told the House of Representatives Ad Hoc Committee on Crude Oil Swap that a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, merely granted the “extension” of an earlier contract.

Dollar Scarcity Pushes Naira To 352

 The President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, on Monday said the government has a responsibility to ensure indigenous manufacturers thrive to rebuild the economy and put Nigerians to work.
Mr. Saraki said this when he received a delegation from Innoson Motor Manufacturing Company, Nnewi, led by Innocent Chukwuma, the Chairman and founder of the company, in his office.
He said government should use legislative actions and policy initiatives to protect the local industries as a deliberate way of reviving the economy.
Based in Nnewi, Anambra State, Innoson Motors is the only Nigerian company manufacturing automobile of different range.

Nasarawa LG With One Functional Vehicle Has 30 Drivers On Payroll

Testament to Nigeria's overbloated civil service. What do we call this, Timesharing or what?

Nasarawa local government council of Nasarawa state has 30 drivers on its payroll even as the only functional car in the council is the official car of the local government chairman.

The commissioner for local government and chieftaincy affairs, Alhaji Ahmed Tijjani, stated this in Lafia while reacting to the refusal of labour to make necessary concessions in spirited efforts to end the ongoing strike by workers in the state.

Lawyer Who Killed Her Husband In Ibadan In Court (Photo)

Yewande Oyediran, the Ibadan-based lawyer who allegedly killed her husband, Lowo Oyediran, at their Akobo residence in Ibadan on February 2nd, appeared before the Chief Magistrate’s Court in Iyaganku, Oyo state yesterday February 16th.


At the brief hearing of the case, Amos Adewale, the police officer investigating the case, informed the Chief Magistrate in charge of the case, Kehinde Durosaro-Tijani that based on legal advice from Department of Public Prosecution (DPP), the Magistrate’s court lacked the jurisdiction to hear the case and so the case should be transferred to the state High court.

Dates And Schedules For JAMB UTME 2016/2017

This year’s Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination will begin on February 29, the authorities of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board have announced.

Over one million candidates will sit for examination, which the board said, would last for seven days.
JAMB’s Head of Public Relations, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, who confirmed this in an interview with one of our correspondents on Tuesday, added the board would use about 500 Internet-complaint centres in the country for the Computer-based Test.

Impact Of Good Academic Grades And Personal Qualities On labour Market Success

GOOD ACADEMIC GRADES AND PERSONAL QUALITIES: key determinants of labor market success

It is so good that you have taken this audacious step! I mean, making the decision to take your education to tertiary level and even beyond. Getting this far was not easy, I know. No doubt, you have endured many rainy and sunny days. You have gone through the bustle and hassle of elementary education, basic education, secondary education; and you have even done various examinations that range from WASSCE, NECO, UTME and post UTME.

Actor Mike Odiachi passes on At The Hospital

The whole Nollywood , members from TAMPPAN and group of performer on-screen character Mike Odiachi, have been tossed in mourning as the capable on-screen character kicked the bucket the previous evening, Monday, February 15, 2016.
We gathered that Odiachi passed on at the General Hospital in Ikorodu.
The late Mike Odiachi was clearly one of the best in delivering his roles, which majors as King or elders in council.
In the act of the theater, he was honest to goodness, genuine, engaged, disciplined,respectful and respected. He was earnest to the calling, and consistent with himself.
He'll be most likely missed by all artists and screen performers that is got a chance to work with the late incredible on-screen character.
Sun re o
Ase

Okorocha Reconciles Ohanaeze Ndigbo Warring Factions (pic)

GOVERNOR OKOROCHA RECONCILES DR. RALPH OBIOHA AND CHIEF GRAY ENWO-IGARIWEY FACTIONS OF OHANEZE



Governor Rochas Okorocha has reconciled the two factional leaders of Ohaneze Ndi-Igbo, Chief Gray Enwo-Igariwey and Dr. Ralph Obioha with Dr. Obioha dropping his claim to the President-General OF Ohaneze and accepting Chief Enwo Igariwey as the only President-General of the Organization.  Dr. Obioha also pledged to give Chief Igariwey all the needed support and cooperation to enable him succeed.

APC Should Take Over INEC And Other Institutions - Oyegun

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday said heads of agencies and parastatals appointed by former President Goodluck Jonathan are sabotaging President Muhammadu Buhari.
The party’s national chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun said this in an interview with State House correspondents yesterday shortly after the leaders of the party met Buhari at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja.

President Buhari had Monday sacked heads of 26 agencies and parastatals appointed by his predecessor.

Troops destroys Boko Haram camps in Alagarno, Sambisa forests [PHOTOS]

The Nigerian Army has continued its relentless operations of destroying all Boko Haram terrorists remaining camps and enclaves around Alagarno and Sambisa forests.
On Tuesday, troops of 81 Battalion and 251 Task Force Battalion patrol team, cleared Boko Haram camps located at Komala, Dole, Kumshi and Moadori around the fringes of Alagarno forest.
The troops killed 2 Boko Haram terrorists and captured 2 notorious terrorists; Mustapha Busuru (50 years old) and Usman Abubakar (56 years) at Dole village and brought down all Boko Haram terrorist flags hoisted in the village and destroyed them.

Russia Means Bussiness, Deploys Its Most Advanced Spyplane to Syria

The Tu-214R

'The Turks and Saudis know they will face humiliating defeat if they invade unless they can somehow "force" the US/NATO to come to the rescue of aggressors who support terrorists in a proposition where the US knows that Syria and Russia have already beat ISIS. Even the stupid greedy neocons in Washington can see that this is a gambit to get the US to do the fighting for these incompetent, corrupt cowards. The US government may be incompetent, corrupt and cowardly, but the people in military intelligence must be feeding the generals some very bad news: The Russians hold all the cards and they keep playing them exceptionally well.'

9 of Top 10 Things That Would Happen If The Earth Stopped Spinning

9. We Would Go Flying

Earth’s current rotation shoots us through space at 1040 miles per hour. Gravity keeps us rooted on the planet itself, but if Earth were to stop rotating, we would all go flying in the opposite direction at 1040 miles an hour. We wouldn’t go flying into space, but it would probably be lethal anyways.

Nigeria Customs intercepts 1,000 rounds of ammunition imported from U.S.

 The Tin-Can Island Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted a 40 ft. container with 980 rounds of 9mm type live ammunition and a pistol imported into the country from the U.S.
The spokesman of the command, Chris Osunkwo, made the disclosure in a statement on Tuesday in Lagos.
According to the statement, the area controller of the command, Bashar Yusuf, said the seizure, including camouflage military face cap, camouflage belt, a pair of hand gloves and a pair of shoes, were concealed along with other personal effects in two vehicles.

If You Believe These 3 Lies About $ex, You’ll Struggle To Find Love

Is s3xual liberation working against us?
Are you looking for true love?
If the answer is yes, but you’re having casual s3x with one or more partners, you have a choice to make: carry on having casual s3x or focus on finding true love?
This isn’t about being a virgin bride, nor is it about any moral questions surrounding s3x outside of marriage, women’s rights or s3xual freedom. Rather, it’s an honest review of casual s3x for women in the 21st century and it’s impact on her search for true love.
Let’s assume you’re reading this because you’re looking for true love — GREAT!
But, what if you like s3x and don’t see why this should prevent you from finding true love?
The reality is that s3xual freedom has backfired for many women. A recent report suggests that 1 in 5 women born in 1969 are childless today compared to 1 in 9 born in 1942.

4 Year Old Conjoined Twins Undergo Successful Head Surgery In 10-Hour Operation. (Graphic Photos)

Conjoined twins joined at the head have been successfully separated in an operation involving 22 doctors and nurses that was carried out this weekend. The surgery on female twins, Tuqa and Yakeen Al Khadar, who were conjoined since birth was carried out at the Specialist Children's Hospital in the Saudi Arabian capital of Riyadh. According to a hospital spokesman, the surgery was actually the fourth and final stage to be performed on the Syrian twins.
See more pics after the break.

'Ottoman Project': Did Washington Give the Nod to Ankara to Shell Syria?

Turkey should not be treated as a nation capable of carrying out independent policies, Syrian defense expert Hassan al-Hassan told RIA Novosti.

Instead, "Ankara should be seen as America's Turkish project, which is aimed at creating controlled chaos in the region," the retired general noted, adding that Washington, for instance, gave the nod to Turkey to shell Syria.

The US, according to al-Hassan, is upholding instability in the Middle East by simultaneously helping the Kurds, the Turks and the Saudis. Washington first launched this campaign in Tunisia and is now focused on Syria, he added, apparently referring to the so-called Arab Spring uprisings.