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Elon Musk visits Isreal, backs war against Hamas
Popular Tech mogul, Elon Musk has visited Israel and declared support for the war against Hamas.
Musk said that “There’s no choice” in Israel’s resolve to destroy Hamas.
Musk made this known on Monday, during his meeting with Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and other stakeholders, in Kfar Aza, Israel.
Musk arrived in Israel on Monday to meet with Netanyahu, President Isaac Herzog, other officials, and victims of the October 7 Hamas attack, as well as the families of hostages, after being accused of promoting antisemitism with his social media platform, X.
The billionaire decided to visit Israel less than two weeks after he endorsed an antisemitic conspiracy theory on his X platform, which led to major companies pulling advertisements from the microblogging site.
Accompanied by Netanyahu, Musk began his visit by touring some towns in southern Israel that were among the worst affected by the Hamas’ October 7 onslaught.
During the tour of Kfar Aza, Musk was shown the horrors of the Hamas attack, which saw terrorists storm the community and 20 or so others.
According to Musk, the experience was “jarring”. He also noted that he was struck by what appeared to be “joy” on the part of the terrorists in the video.
“The rebuttal is often made that well, you know, Israel has killed civilians also in Gaza,” Musk said. “But there’s an important difference here, which is that Israel tries to avoid killing civilians, doing everything it can to avoid killing civilians. And, you know, there’s no sort of joy expressed.
He added that “there’s no choice” but for Israel to destroy Hamas, but that Israel then needs to “help those that remain,” likening a future postwar scenario to the post-World War II US occupation of Germany and Japan.
“If you want security, peace and a better life for Gazans, then you need to destroy Hamas. You first have to get rid of the poisonous regime, as was done in Germany and Japan,” said Netanyahu, to which Musk responded: “There’s no choice.”
He added, “You need to pair firmness and taking out the terrorists and those intent on murder, and at the same time help those that remain, which is what happened in Germany and Japan.”
“Usually the victor punishes the loser,” he continued, pointing to the rehabilitation of Germany and Japan by the allies after World War II as examples of how reconstruction efforts after a major war and a clear-cut victory helped secure peace for a long period.
In his remarks, Herzog noted that Musk’s X platform reeks of antisemitism, calling on the tech mogul to endeavour to nip it in the bud as soon as possible.
He said, “Unfortunately, we are inundated by antisemitism, which is Jew hate, and Jew hate impacts the entire notion of behaviour of human beings in so many places around the world. And you have a huge role to play, and I think we need to fight it together, because under the platforms you lead, unfortunately, there is a harbouring of a lot of old hate which is Jew hate, which is antisemitism.
“You’ve seen how evil can supersede everything, you’ve seen this morning what hate can bring about, you’ve seen how thought turns into evil turns into hate and bloodshed”, he added.
Responding, Musk said, “These people have been fed propaganda since they were children. It’s remarkable what humans are capable of if they are fed falsehood since they are children. They think that murdering innocent people is a good thing. That’s how much propaganda can affect people’s minds.”
Since he took over the company last year, Musk has been panned for what critics say is a proliferation of hate speech in general on the platform.
Joseph Aloba, father of late singer Mohbad, reveals his life improved significantly after his son’s passing, attributing it to divine help
Joseph Aloba, the father of late Nigerian singer Mohbad, has shared how his life has seen a remarkable improvement since the tragic passing of his son in September last year.
Speaking in an interview with media personality Akin Abolade, Aloba expressed gratitude for the unexpected blessings he has received, which he credits to the combined influence of Mohbad’s spirit and God.
In the emotional interview, Aloba revealed that Mohbad had made significant plans to support him, but these ambitions remained unfulfilled due to unforeseen circumstances before the singer’s untimely death.
However, he stated that since Mohbad’s passing, he has experienced an outpouring of support from well-wishers who have provided him with essential items, including a car.
“Let me just say yes, my life got better after Mohbad’s death because he is my friend. He had it in plan to do many things for me, but they didn’t allow him to do them,” Aloba explained.
“After his death, it was the spirit of Mohbad, and that of God combined together that began to send people to assist me. Even the car and everything I have now, it was people that gave them to me, and it is beyond ordinary.”
Reflecting further, Aloba noted that the assistance he now receives mirrors the intentions his son had for him. He added, “Those were the things he was meant to be doing for me, but they didn’t allow him to do them.”
The late Mohbad, born Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba, passed away under mysterious circumstances in September 2024, leaving fans and the Nigerian music industry in mourning. Investigations into the cause of his death remain ongoing, with many still seeking answers.
Kogi State Governor Usman Ododo ends the controversial tax clearance policy, ensuring students’ education rights remain protected
Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Usman Ododo, has ordered an immediate halt to the policy requiring parents to present Tax Clearance Certificates (TCC) for their children’s enrollment in state-owned tertiary institutions.
This decision follows public outcry and protests led by civil society groups, who argued that the policy infringed upon the right to education.
Announcing the directive during a media briefing in Lokoja, the Chairman of the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service (KGIRS), Alhaji Sule Enehe, stated that the move reflects the governor’s commitment to accessible education.
“The governor responded swiftly to public concerns, emphasizing that education must remain accessible to all Kogi State students,” said Enehe.
The policy, introduced to encourage tax compliance, drew criticism for potentially denying access to education for students whose parents were unable to provide TCCs.
With the directive now revoked, students can register and gain admission without the previously mandated requirement.
Enehe, however, reminded residents of their constitutional duty to pay taxes, noting that non-compliance could restrict access to benefits such as bursary allowances.
He added, “Parents must play their part by paying taxes to support state education and other social amenities.”
Highlighting further reforms, Enehe disclosed that KGIRS has ramped up efforts to eliminate illegal tax practices. Since the crackdown began, 43 illegal tax collectors have been prosecuted, while several corrupt staff members have been dismissed.
To streamline operations, the revenue service has digitised tax payment systems, allowing individuals and businesses to fulfil their obligations more efficiently.
KGIRS reported steady revenue growth in recent years, with collections rising from ₦17 billion in 2021 to ₦27.7 billion in 2024.
The service has set an ambitious target of ₦35.1 billion for 2025, aiming to sustain the state’s developmental initiatives.
Governor Ododo’s administration continues to prioritise education, as seen in the establishment of three state-owned universities.
The governor’s directive aligns with the broader goal of ensuring that financial barriers do not hinder educational access for Kogi State students.
This decisive action signals the government’s resolve to balance tax compliance with the constitutional right to education, fostering both development and inclusivity.
Nigeria’s headline inflation rate has risen to 34.80% in December 2024, driven by increased demand during the festive season. The report highlights ongoing economic challenges despite a slight month-on-month decrease
Nigeria’s headline inflation rate surged to 34.80% in December 2024, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
This marks a slight increase from 34.60% in November, driven by heightened demand for goods and services during the festive season.
The year-on-year comparison shows a significant 5.87 percentage point rise from 28.92% in December 2023, pointing to a persistent inflationary trend.
However, month-on-month inflation decreased marginally, falling to 2.44% in December from 2.64% in November 2024.
Urban areas experienced a more pronounced inflation rise of 37.29%, while rural areas saw an inflation rate of 32.47%.
Despite this, the month-on-month decrease offers a sign of easing inflationary pressure. Analysts emphasise the need for effective monetary and fiscal measures to stabilise prices and address the persistent economic challenges.
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