Précis
Every week, I share a run-through of events that shaped politics and society, here and elsewhere. Enjoy!
The United States makes public a damning report on the October 2018 murder of Saudi journalist, Jamal Khashoggi. Will it strain the decades-long relationship between the global powerhouse and Saudi Arabia? Nigeria’s apex bank governor embarrasses the financial sector with “justifications” for enforcing a ban on prestigious Crypto. The country’s Vice President steps in with regulatory insights. Another kidnap incident plays out in a week senators and governors take to invectives. How the country selects and makes leaders comes into question.
Here is the serving for the week:
JUSTICE FOR JAMAL
Calls for justice into the relatively unresolved murder of Washington Post columnist, Jamal Khashoggi heightened on Friday with the release of a four-page report by the United States National Intelligence Office. The declassified report established that Saudi prince Mohammed Bin Salman “approved an operation in Istanbul, Turkey to capture or kill Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.” Khashoggi, through his Post columns, constructively criticised the Crown Prince’s decisions and penned thoughts for a free Arab world. 21 Saudi officials were named in the damning report, including Salman’s close aide, Saud al-Qahtani. In rejecting the intel report, the Saudi Arabia Ministry of Foreign Affairs referred to a September 2020 ruling which handed prison terms to persons involved in the dissident journalist’s killing. Sadly, the international relations gbas gbos and sanctions issued by the US are like scratches on the truths around Khashoggi’s death. Deeper.
MADE OF AIR
How did you receive Godwin Emefiele’s most recent justification of the Crypto trading ban? E shock you too, the thin air and black not white remarks? I have replayed the footage of the CBN governor speaking on the blockchain-driven trading at a Senate plenary on Tuesday, over and over, to understand how some of our leaders brew thoughts — and make decisions. It is okay to be worried about the cons of cryptocurrency investments, but there’s a bigger picture. The e-currency is creating economic opportunities and influencing beneficial disruptions here and elsewhere. As a top market in Crypto trading, shutting the doors can only harm Nigeria further. CBN and sister regulatory agencies should take the advice of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on regulating Crypto from a point of knowledge. Rethink.
DRUNKARDS AND IDIOTS
Our schools have a new name — unsafe spaces. We are yet to receive the first batch of our COVID vaccines. But federal lawmakers and state governors, from the North to the South, chose ego games above these critical issues this week. Sen. Smart Adeyemi (APC-Kogi West) is one of the culprits. At a Senate plenary on Tuesday, Adeyemi veered off an important debate to make an announcement: Abia governor, Okezie Ikpeazu is a “champagne drinking man”. The Abia state government paid him back with a vitriolic response. Please tell me you didn’t miss how the Bauchi state governor and his Benue counterpart went after each other’s jugulars on ranching. You’re right if you also think our leadership selection process deserves a rethink. It is in a messy state. Shameful.
