International

By Najeeb Maigatari

The recent Zionist Israeli regime’s serial attacks on defenceless Palestinians in Rafah, a city in the Southern Gaza Strip, is an issue of serious concern that should never be swept under the carpet. The gory pictures making the rounds on social media platforms are horrifyingly disturbing, to say the least.

What was once a shelter for homeless Palestinians- courtesy of the Israeli regime’s act of terror on the former- is now turned into a slaughterhouse. According to the Director of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), all the 36 shelters established for Palestinian refugees in Rafah are now empty. People have either been killed or fled.

Since the beginning of this heinous act, the hashtag #AllEyesOnRafah has been trending and has been shared by millions of people across social media platforms to highlight the imperative of putting an end to the continued suffering of the Palestinian people.

The attack on Rafah is a continuation of a decades-long act of usurper terrorism and settler-colonialism aimed at pushing for the heinous agenda of Zionist Imperialist expansionism right at the heart of Palestinian land, a holy place for Muslims, Christians and Orthodox Jews alike. Since July of the previous year, the illegitimate state of Israel has ruthlessly intensified its attacks on the defenceless Palestinians, this time in particular targeting hospitals, schools, worship centres, and refugee camps.

The United Nations Office on Palestinian Affairs has put the death toll from this heinous crime to around 34,000 people. However, according to a report from the Gazan Ministry of Health (MOH), no fewer than 36,756 have been killed since the beginning of the operation. Nevertheless, the figures underscore the true extent of the ongoing Israeli genocide in various Palestinian territories.

According to another report from UNICEF, children account for over 40% of the mass casualties. This is to say for every 100 people killed, over 40 of them are children. Indeed, Palestine is a grave for women and children. Nowadays, few children live to witness their first birthdays, courtesy of the murderous Israeli regime.

It is worth noting that the deafening silence of the international community on this issue of magnanimous human rights violations is a shame on us all. Under our watch, the Illegitimate state of Israel is waging an all-out war against innocent Palestinians – on their own land – in a bid to expand their settler-colonialist agenda.

We all have a responsibility toward the oppressed people of Palestine. Now that the Israeli regime has shown that it has no regard for international laws, as it continued its terrorist operations in complete disregard for all known such laws and provisions, here are some ways we can help the people of Palestine:

We can engage in demonstrations/rallies/sit-ins in our workplaces, worship centres, schools, streets, etc., to show our solidarity with the oppressed people of Palestine. This should also send a clear message to the Israeli regime and its allies that the teeming world of humanity is watching them and will no longer sit idly as innocent Palestinians are massacred in cold blood.

In addition, we can demand and mount pressure on our governments to cut all diplomatic ties and stop all economic dealings with the murderous, illegitimate Israeli regime; and to officially recognize the regime as the terrorist state that they truly are! Our countries should borrow a leaf from such countries as Spain, Norway and Ireland, who have recently followed the footsteps of other dozen countries that cut off all ties with Israel and officially recognize the Palestinian state.

We can also demand that the International Community impose sanctions against Israeli officials for their unspeakable war crimes against innocent Palestinian civilians. In the same vein, an economic blockade should be enforced on the very organizations that fund the activities of the terrorist Israeli Defense Forces (IDF).

Furthermore, we can boycott all products produced by Israel and the companies that support or fund their act of terrorism. This will cause a huge economic blow to the murderous regime and will hamper their ability to locally produce or buy arms which they use to kill innocent and defenceless Palestinian civilians.

At the individual level, we can contribute to the Palestinian struggle for freedom and the right to self-determination by sending relief aid either directly (through reliable #GoFundMe projects) or through their representatives in various countries. We can also help raise awareness by joining campaigns on social and print media regarding the flight of the Palestinian people.

What is happening in Palestine is arguably the worst humanitarian crisis of our time. Our silence is giving way to more Israeli genocide. We are enablers of this very crime against humanity until we wake up and do the needful. As the South African anti-apartheid movement leader Nelson Mandela rightly puts it during his Presidential inaugural speech in 1994: “We know too well that our Freedom is incomplete without the freedom of the Palestinian people”.

Najeeb Maigatari wrote via maigatari313@gmail.com.

By Uzair Adam Imam

In a stark reminder of the omnipotent power of God, a collection of tales compiled by Ghanaian system engineer, Kuame Oliver, have revealed the devastating consequences faced by individuals who arrogantly mocked the Almighty.

These accounts, shared by The Daily Reality, serve as a warning to those who would dare challenge God’s authority.

The list of tragic figures includes renowned physicist Stephen Hawking, legendary musician John Lennon, former Brazilian President Tancredo Neves, and iconic actress Marilyn Monroe.

Other include: Cazuza, a bi-sexual Brazilian composer, singer, and poet, earned the title “The Poet Who Defied God” for his brazen stance against the Almighty. Bon Scott, the lead singer of AC/DC, became known as “The Rockstar Who Challenged God” for his defiant lyrics and lifestyle. Christine Hewitt, a Jamaican journalist and entertainer, was dubbed “The Journalist Who Mocked God” for her outspoken disdain towards religion.

The list went on to include: a group of friends in Campinas, Brazil, tragically learned the consequences of defiance, earning the somber title “The Fatal Car Ride: A Tale of Defiance”.

Lastly, the people of Brazil, who mocked God during the Rio Carnival Parade, suffered a devastating flood, a calamity that became known as “The Devastating Flood: A Consequence of Mock

Each story recounts how these individuals openly disparaged God, only to meet with calamitous ends shortly thereafter.

While skeptics may dismiss these incidents as mere coincidences, Oliver’s compilation serves as a testament to the enduring power of faith and the importance of humility in the face of the divine.

These tales urge us to recognize God’s sovereignty and seek His guidance, lest we suffer a similar fate.

As the debate surrounding these accounts intensifies, one message resonates clearly: acknowledge and honor God, and live a life filled with purpose, blessings, and divine protection.

By Sabiu Abdullahi 

A high-level delegation from the Federal Government of Nigeria met with counterparts from the Benin Republic on May 21, 2024, to discuss the reopening of the Segbana-Tsamiya border post in Kebbi State.

The meeting aimed to fast-track the operationalisation of the border post, which is expected to enhance regional integration and boost economic activities. 

The Nigerian delegation included the Honorable Minister of Foreign Affairs, Alhaji Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, Executive Governor of Kebbi State, Dr. Nasir Idris, Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Adewale Adeniyi, and other dignitaries.

The Benin Republic delegation was led by the Director General of the Benin Customs Administration, Adidjatou Hassan. During the meeting, the delegations discussed comprehensive issues surrounding the border post’s opening, including logistics, security measures, and economic impact.

Feasibility studies were presented, outlining expected benefits such as increased trade and potential challenges that might arise.

The deliberation also included setting timelines and identifying necessary infrastructure to ensure a smooth operation. 

The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, indicated the importance of engagement between the two countries to enhance the economy.

“To ensure closer working and economic relations between Nigeria and the Benin Republic, we have been working with our colleagues from the Beninese Customs Administration to ensure that we bring the economy together through easy border crossing with goods,” he said. 

The Director General of the Benin Customs Administration, Adidjatou Hassan, appreciated the move to reopen the border, which will strengthen trade activities and bilateral ties between the two nations.

“This development is expected to increase economic cooperation and strengthen bilateral ties between the two nations. We are committed to sustaining our seamless collaboration with the Nigeria Customs Service while enhancing security at our borders and trade activities,” she said. 

The meeting concluded with a summary of the key points discussed and a formal statement of commitment from both sides.

An agreement was reached to schedule a follow-up meeting in June 2024 to monitor progress and address any outstanding issues.

A bi-national committee meeting was also agreed upon, with a defined commitment for subcommittees to submit their reports within two weeks to streamline seamless efforts towards border reopening.

By Uzair Adam Imam

Thousands of Iranians gathered in the streets on Tuesday to bid a final farewell to President Ebrahim Raisi and seven members of his entourage who lost their lives in a tragic helicopter crash.

The mournful procession began at a central square in the northwestern city of Tabriz, the destination Raisi was headed to when the helicopter went down on Sunday.

With somber faces and waving Iranian flags, the crowd paid their respects to the late president and his companions, carrying portraits of Raisi as they marched through the streets.

The funeral procession was a poignant display of national grief and solidarity, as Iranians came together to honor the memory of their leader and the lives lost in the devastating crash.

By Imam-Malik Abdullahi Kaga (ACIHRM, CPM, PGD-HRM)

Today, Monday, May 20, 2024, marks International Human Resource Day, a celebration of the vital role HR professionals play in shaping the future of work. As a Certified Personnel Manager, I write to celebrate this special day in line with the theme: Shaping the New Future.

International HR Day was founded by the European Association for People Management (EAPM) and was first observed in 2019. Its aim is to recognise the momentous contributions of HR professionals globally. Prior to this day, the then-Jamaican Governor-General, Sir Patrick Allen, proposed the celebration in 2013 but was not successful in bringing the day to life. In 2018, the Jamaican government declared the day.

Since then, it has become an avenue for HR practitioners to come together, share best practices, and discuss the latest trends and challenges by organising webinars, workshops, et al in the industry.

This year’s HR Day is tagged with the theme: Shaping the New Future, and sub-themes of Championing Ethical Tech and AI Integration, Excellence in People Management, Continuous Investment in Skills and Education, Redefining the Future Workplace.

Championing Ethical Tech and AI Integration

The integration of technology and AI has revolutionised the way our department works. However, it also raises important ethical considerations. Despite the increasing reliance on technology and AIs, it’s very important that HR professionals champion ethical practices to ensure these technologies are used responsibly and for the betterment of organisations, companies, and society at large.

This includes implementing AI systems that are transparent, unbiased, and protect employee data privacy.

Excellence in People Management

MSF has this adage: “MSF is People.” HR professionals play a crucial role in attracting, retaining, and developing top talent. At the heart of any successful organisation is its people. This requires a deep understanding of the changing needs and expectations of employees.

By nurturing a culture of excellence in people management, HR can improve employee engagement and create a positive work environment. This involves adopting a holistic approach to talent management, spotting the diverse needs of global labourers, and providing opportunities for growth and development.

Continuous Investment in Skills and Education

The stride of technological change demands that employees continually update their skills to remain relevant. HR invest in education and training programs that arm workers with the skills needed to succeed in their roles. 

This includes providing access to online learning platforms, workshops, and mentorship opportunities. For example, organisations like the MSF have a department called learning and development, where the staff’s KSA are developed. MSF also has a platform called Tembo for its staff to learn and develop. By prioritising continuous learning, HR can future-proof the workforce, initiate innovation, and stay ahead of the competitive world.

As we celebrate International HR Day, we urge all departments in every organisation, whether humanitarian, government, or profit-based, to adapt the culture of continuous learning for professional growth and excellent work outcomes.

Happy International HR Day to the “retention strategists”

Imam-Malik Abdullahi Kaga is a member of the Chartered Institute of Human Resources Management and a Certified Personnel Manager. He writes from Maiduguri and can be reached via imammalikabdullahikaga@gmail.com.

By Uzair Adam Imam

A US teenager died of cardiac arrest after participating in a social media challenge daring people to eat a single extremely hot tortilla chip, an autopsy revealed Thursday.

Harris Wolobah, a 14-year-old from Massachusetts, died in September after participating in the so-called “One Chip Challenge.” The challenge involved a single chip produced by Paqui dusted with Carolina Reaper and Naga Viper peppers.

The dare has evolved over the years, with different peppers used each time.

The local chief medical examiner determined that Harris died of cardiac arrest after ingesting food with a large amount of a chilli pepper extract called capsaicin, according to the autopsy report seen by AFP. 

The autopsy also concluded that the teen had an enlarged heart, which could have contributed to his death.

Days after his death, Paqui removed the product—packaged in a coffin-shaped box with a red skull and marked ‘extreme heat’—from store shelves.

In California, three youths were hospitalized after taking part in the dare, and seven got sick in Minnesota for the same reason, according to media reports.

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico was injured in a shooting after a government meeting, the news agency TASR reported on Wednesday.

TASR cited parliament’s vice-chairman Ľuboš Blaha as saying Fico was shot and injured.

A Reuters witness said he heard several shots and that he saw a man being detained by police.

The Reuters witness said he saw security officials pushing someone into a car and driving away.

The government office could not immediately be reached for comment.

Source: Reuters.

By Uzair Adam Imam

Vietnamese authorities have apprehended 20 individuals accused of orchestrating a widespread scheme to steal and commandeer tens of thousands of Facebook accounts, both domestically and internationally, reports state media. 

The operation yielded a staggering profit of nearly $4 million.

The group stands accused of creating and disseminating malware to seize control of over 25,000 high-value business accounts, as detailed by VNExpress. 

Cybersecurity police conducted raids across key locations, including Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Nam Dinh province, throughout April, resulting in the arrests.

The alleged mastermind, 31-year-old Dang Dinh Son, purportedly procured a malware source worth $1,200 to pilfer Facebook user credentials. 

According to state media, Son, who hails from Nam Dinh province, reportedly utilized this malicious software to hijack two popular Facebook fan pages associated with photo editing platforms: “Art Bay AI” and “Evoto Studio.”

Their modus operandi involved enticing Facebook users to download an application embedded with malware, subsequently compromising their devices. 

The stolen data was then funnelled to a server controlled by Son, who distributed it to five Telegram groups, facilitating the hijacking of user accounts by his accomplices.

The cybercrime syndicate profited by selling high-value Facebook accounts, while lower-value accounts were exploited for advertising purposes on e-commerce platforms, generating significant revenue. 

It’s reported that the accused collectively amassed $3.8 million from their illicit activities.

According to Statista, Vietnam ranked seventh globally in terms of Facebook users as of April, boasting a user base of 75.3 million.

By Dr. Muhammad Sulaiman Abdullahi

I have recently seen the proliferation of the use of some letters which are clearly not part of the mainstream Hausa writing system. These letters are now getting ground and are even trying to push away the real and bonafide owners of the place. These are no other than the new Ƙ and Ƴ and some of their other dependants.

You see, in the field of Hausa orthography, we are already battling with various challenges that defy simple logic and reasoning and lack uniformity amongst the Hausa scholars. However, I find this recent one very shocking and disturbing. This is simply because, when you have a controversy about how to write a Hausa word, that may not be a big problem as perhaps each variant of the spellings may have some scholars backing it, and they may have a cogent and academic reason for that. But for these new entrants – Ƙ, Ƴ, ƴ – I don’t know who backs them. I don’t know who sent them. I don’t know who among the scholars promotes and propagates them. I feel like they are sent by some hidden forces of technology.

I can guess from where these recalcitrant intruders are coming. They are from our (newly) electronic gadgets and some Hausa keyboard applications, which are just sent into the market without any regard to the experts and knowledgeable professors in the field. Someone who has a company of smartphones will just employ those who think they know Hausa or, those who speak Hausa, or those who don’t even care about Hausa to do the Hausa technical dealings for him. This is where the problem probably came from. If you check our smartphones and some computer symbols, you find these deviant Ƙ and ƴ hanging around without any reason and without knowing who brought them. They are just like gatecrashers who are trying to feast more than the invited VIPs.

The affected legitimate Hausa consonants, which are the victims of this I-don’t-care mischief, are primarily the К and ‘Y. These are the correct ways in which these two are written: /К/- /ƙ/ and /’Y/- /’y/ respectively, and not as /Ƙ/ and /ƴ/. The main point of contention is the hook and where the hook should be. For the sake of knowledge, these are the only primary hooked and twin letters we have in Hausa, both small and capital, respectively /ɓ/,/ɗ/, /ƙ/,/’y/ and their capital Ɓ, Ɗ, К, ‘Y. The hooks you see on them have their specific and fixed position. It is not hooked anyhow and anywhere.

Phonologically speaking, /К/ is the capital letter of that Hausa voiceless velar ejective sound, while the /ƙ/ is the small letter. Equally, /’Y/ is that Hausa palatalized-glottal stop sound, and /’y/ is the small letter, but we don’t know of the newly emerged – /Ƙ/, /Ƴ/ and /ƴ/, from where are they and how are they phonologically represented? All we know is, that they are the illegitimate trying to push away the legitimate sons of the Hausa alphabet. And they are gradually gaining ground and getting momentum even among those who ought to have cared a lot and dismissed them for long.

Hausa orthography is one of the essential forms of knowledge, yet many people don’t bother to learn. Many writers don’t know how to write Hausa correctly or even know they don’t (know that). So sad! But very few are trying to learn. Good!

Generally, in the Hausa language, the hooked letters suffer a lot of trouble and total neglect by those who don’t care. But we are there for them as we surely care. I recently bought a smartphone and decided to return it when I realized it doesn’t contain Hausa in its language entry setting. I took it to someone who did something to it and the Hausa is back. Later, I formatted the phone and lost the Hausa again. I feel like throwing the phone away because I always feel embarrassed when I have to type something or respond to someone while the hooks are not properly represented. This is something serious to us that many others see as nothing.

I don’t have any problem with them if they are accepted, authorized, and certified by respected members and our professors in the field, but I have problems when they keep popping up and occupying the legal orthographical space of others.

Whatever someone says about them, one thing is certain: They are not in the books or from the books. Who can clarify this for us? Please help and save me or save them. If we accept them, fine; they are welcome. If not, please jail them. They are real intruders and disrupters of peaceful and correct writing.

Muhammad Sulaiman Abdullahi is a Hausa Language lecturer with the Department of Nigerian Languages at Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria. He can be reached via muhammadunfagge@gmail.com.

By Haitham Al Ghais 

The energy transition as a concept is itself in need of a transition. 

We must move beyond the blinkered view that this is about substituting energy sources, that hydrocarbons should be consigned to the past and that recent real concerns expressed by energy consumers around the world on current transition strategies are temporary blips.

In recent years, there has been much discussion among policymakers of the International Energy Agency’s prescriptive “Net Zero by 2050” scenario. Many ambitious proposals for net-zero policies have leveraged this scenario, but there is evidence that some of these policies are now being pulled back and reconsidered.

There is a refocusing on the daily energy realities lived by billions of people. Yes, we all want energy with lower emissions—that is a given. But we also want to ensure reliable and affordable energy, enable economic growth, and enhance energy accessibility.

Ongoing Re-Evaluations

There are a number of reasons for these ongoing re-evaluations.

Firstly, technologies like solar, wind and electric vehicles (EVs) are not replacing hydrocarbons at any real scale. While these alternatives will play a role moving forward, the share of hydrocarbons in today’s global energy mix is over 80%, similar to the level 30 years ago. Wind and solar combined make up under 4% of the world’s energy, and global EV penetration is between 2%-3%. This is despite the fact that $9.5 trillion has been invested in “transitioning” over the past two decades.

The course of history has shown that energy transitions take centuries to evolve and have been about energy additions, not energy subtractions. Previous transitions were technology-driven, with policy following suit. This current transition has, to date, been policy-driven, with the hope that technology will catch up.

Cost and Competitiveness Challenges

Secondly, the costs and competitiveness of many of these alternatives remain a challenge. Renewable costs have been reduced, but when considering intermittency issues, the levelized cost of “total” electricity from solar is more than seven times higher, and from wind 15 times higher when compared with conventional power plants. Additionally, reports of the profitability struggles of many renewable developers are a testament to their economic challenges.

For EVs, the volume-weighted average retail price of EVs in the United States and Europe is higher than gasoline and diesel models, and EVs are heavily subsidized. Such subsidization cannot go on forever. Many automakers are also scaling back or delaying their EV plans, and some have declared bankruptcy. Clearly, the hype around EVs is wearing off, as consumers are showing a preference for continuing to have a choice of vehicles and as the huge challenges around electricity grids, battery manufacturing capacity and critical minerals increase.

For critical minerals in particular, imbalances between processing capacity and reserve concentration present significant challenges, such as supply chain bottlenecks, price gyrations, and geopolitical tensions. Moreover, mining is an energy-intensive activity that runs today on hydrocarbons. In fact, studies show that final energy consumption in mining activities could increase more than fivefold by midcentury.

Developing Country Needs

Thirdly, billions of people are playing energy catchup. Oil consumption in developing countries currently ranges from less than one to just below two barrels per person per year, compared with nine in the EU and 22 in the US. These countries will require more energy, not less, in the future. They cannot wait on costly alternatives when reliable, secure and affordable hydrocarbon options are already available at scale, ones that continue to provide prosperity to the developed world.

Fourthly, renewables and EVs do not own clean energy technologies or efficiency improvements solely. The oil industry is also advancing efficiencies and investing in technologies to reduce emissions, such as carbon capture, utilization, and storage, direct air capture, carbon dioxide removal, and clean hydrogen, alongside investing in renewables.

Rethinking Perceived Wisdom

It may make for some awkward conversations, but the perceived wisdom on the energy transition needs a serious rethink.

We need to move away from categorizing energy sources as good or bad.

We need to reflect the realities on the ground and park the misguided narrative of there being no need for new oil and natural gas fields. With oil and gas demand continuing to rise to historically high levels, it is not a prudent or stable way forward for global energy security.

We need to invest in all energies and technologies and recognize the needs of people around the world, delivering on both our energy security and climate objectives. All the dots require connecting, not just a few. Our energy and climate ambitions necessitate realistic policies that ensure that emissions are reduced while populations have access to affordable energy products and services they require to live a comfortable life.

Haitham Al Ghais is the Secretary General of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).