NEWS

US Hosts Party For Countries That Backed the Move to Recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital

Published

7 years ago

January 5, 2018

US Hosts Party For Countries That Backed Jerusalem Move

US ambassador to the UN held an exclusive reception for the countries that voted against or abstained from a resolution that condemned Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
US envoy to the UN Nikki Haley hosted a party on Wednesday for countries that backed President Donald Trump’s decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.

Haley invited representatives from the nations that voted against or abstained from an anti-Israel resolution at the UN General Assembly which condemned Trump’s December 6 announcement that included a plan to move the US embassy from Tel Aviv to the contested city.

US Hosts Party For Countries That Backed Jerusalem Move

The “Friends of the US” reception was praised by Israeli ambassador to the UN Danny Danon.

He said on his way to the gathering, reported by CNN: “First, it was a courageous decision by President Trump and Ambassador Haley, and we thank the United States for this courageous decision, and tonight the US is continuing to show leadership in the Middle East, real leadership in the UN.

“There’s a lot hypocrisy in the UN. I think tonight the countries who stood with the US will come and hear that the US is thanking them for standing for the truth and not joining the show of the Palestinians inside the UN.” The vote in December saw 128 countries vote for the resolution, nine voted “no” and 35 nations abstained, including Canada, Mexico and Australia – yet not all the invited countries attended Haley’s reception. Ahead of the vote, Trump threatened to cut funding to countries who defied his Jerusalem stance. But Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called on the world not to be swayed by Trump’s threat to cut off financial funding if they defy his Jerusalem stance.

Haley said the outcome “will make a difference on how Americans look at the UN and on how we look at countries who disrespect us in the UN, and this vote will be remembered”.

Most, if not all, nations are generally invited to UN receptions, but smaller gatherings can be held.

However receptions held by a powerful UN member, such as the US, that publicly highlight the absence of other member countries are rare.

Photos posted by Haley and the US mission to the UN in New York on Twitter show drinks flowing and live music.

“It’s easy for friends to be with you in the good times, but it’s the friends who are with you during the challenging times that will never be forgotten,” Haley said.

NEWS

President Tinubu Took A Wicked Decision – Seun Kuti On Fuel Subsidy Removal

Published

14 hours ago

September 18, 2024

Reporter

Seun Kuti On Fuel Subsidy Removal | fab.ng

Seun Kuti, the acclaimed musician and prominent activist, has forcefully criticized President Bola Tinubu’s recent policy change. Kuti specifically targeted Tinubu’s removal of the fuel subsidy. He characterises it as a callous move that harms ordinary Nigerians. The singer, known for his outspoken nature, didn’t mince words when he called it a “wicked decision” during a recent live broadcast on his Instagram account.

Kuti argued passionately that the Nigerian administration has already demonstrated its ability to function without relying on citizens’ contributions.

He began, “Don’t let anybody tell you that there is something in Nigeria that the government cannot afford or that they need some private person to invest. If someone tells you that, tell the person to shut up!”

Seun Kuti forcefully contrasted the government’s lavish spending on personal luxuries with its neglect of crucial public sectors. He pointed out how officials eagerly purchase high-end items for their own use while education and infrastructure languish without adequate funding. To illustrate this stark disparity, Kuti zeroed in on a specific example.

He highlighted the eye-watering sum of $150 million that the government allocated for a presidential private jet. This extravagant expense, Kuti argued, throws the administration’s skewed priorities into sharp relief. He used this striking contrast to challenge the government’s claim that it lacks funds for essential public services and to question its commitment to the welfare of ordinary Nigerians.

He asked, “Who donated for the $150 million jet for Tinubu? Who did they ask for donations?”

“That $150 million do you know how many schools it will build? Or how long it will run a primary school? 10 good primary schools would be run on that money for at least 20 years. 10 good primary schools would be built and run, that will educate ten generations of African people,” he added.

Kuti intensified his critique by targeting the government’s approach to providing essential services. He lambasted the administration for its heavy reliance on public-private partnerships. The activist pointedly argued that the government only seems to favour these collaborative arrangements when they involve community investment.

Kuti insinuated this strategy unfairly shifts the burden onto citizens, requiring them to contribute financially to services they should rightfully expect from their government. He portrayed this approach as a convenient way for officials to abdicate their responsibilities, stepping in only when they can leverage community resources rather than fully funding vital services themselves.

“When it comes to their enjoyment and building houses of billions of naira, they don’t say that they need the public to donate money. But when it is time to build for the people, that’s when they need a public-private partnership. Nonsense talk!” he said, outraged.

Kuti slammed the government, saying, “The president cannot tell us that this petrol matter is not in his control. He is the president and minister of petrol. They say they take tough decisions but there is no tough decision taken here. President Tinubu took a wicked decision, this whole subsidy and floating the dollar there is nothing tough about it.”

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MUSIC

Has Seyi Vibez Parted Ways With Record Label Boss Dapper? Here Is What We Know

Published

2 days ago

September 17, 2024

Reporter

Seyi Vibez and Dapper: Have they parted ways? | fab.ng

Nigerian star Seyi Vibez recently sparked reactions on social media by declaring himself an “Individual artist” and also unfollowing his label boss, Dapper. This bold move led many fans to speculate that the two-year partnership between the artist and Dapper Music & Entertainment may have come to a contentious end.

Both Seyi Vibez and Dapperdamm unfollowed each other on their social media accounts. Further, this fueled rumours of a split. Additionally, Seyi Vibez wiped his Instagram of all posts related to his music under the label.

The timing of this development coincided with a controversy that had already placed Seyi Vibez under public scrutiny. Just days before the social media drama unfolded, the artist faced massive backlash. This was from Nigerians in Toronto, Canada, for abruptly cancelling a scheduled show without prior notice. The incident drew widespread criticism, adding to the mounting tension surrounding the artist.

As of now, neither Seyi Vibez nor Dapperdamm has officially addressed the alleged separation. Indeed this has left fans in suspense about the future of their partnership. However, a source from Dapper Music disclosed to PM News that the label is awaiting Seyi Vibez’s return to Nigeria to resolve the ongoing issues. The source added that the next steps would be determined following his arrival.

Seyi Vibez signed with Dapper Music in 2022 and has since risen to fame. This is largely due to the success of his breakout single, “Chance (Na Ham),” from his second studio album, “Billion Dollar Baby”. His time with the label has been marked by collaborations with several notable artists.

Check out more music updates here.

ENTERTAINMENT

“I Was Trading My Scripts For Film Roles” – Omoni Oboli

Published

5 days ago

September 13, 2024

Reporter

Omoni Oboli used to trade her scripts for film roles | fab.ng

Nollywood filmmaker Omoni Oboli disclosed that she exchanged her scripts for acting roles early in her career, which motivated her to pursue directing.

In an interview with Radionow 95.3 FM, Oboli recounted the challenges she faced at the start of her filmmaking journey, including giving away her screenplays for free and trying to direct her own films.

“I was trading my scripts, I’d say you know what, just take it, don’t pay me. Just give me a role in the film. So, I started to do that. But then I’ll watch the film and I realised, Okay it’s not quite what I had in my head when I was writing cos I see what I’m writing, I write in pictures. I see what I’m writing, so when I’m watching the movie it’s so different. Not to say that it wasn’t good because no two directors will direct the same script in the same way. So I said to myself, if my stories are going to have my DNA, then I’m going to have to direct them myself,” she said.

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Omoni Oboli emphasized that she felt hesitant at the beginning of her directing journey. She lacked confidence but mustered up the courage to pursue her dreams.

“And it was a scary thought, really who do you think you are to come and direct a film? Like who are you again? You know it was so scary, but then I said to myself, Warri no dey carry lass na. Wwetin dem get wey I no get? I was like, I’ll do this thing. So I started understudying directors, like I’m acting on set but I’m watching the director closely. And I said you know what? Maybe I need some formal education on this. So I went to the New York Film Academy for a short course,” she added.

Omoni Oboli has directed several films, including “Moms at War,” “Last Year Single” (currently streaming on Netflix), and “The Uprising: Wives on Strike 3,” the third installment of the “Wives on Strike” franchise, which is set to premiere in cinemas this October.

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