Featured

October 7: Israel’s Raw Footage Not Seen by the Public and Cannot Be Unseen by Those Who Have Viewed It

Published

1 year ago

December 1, 2023

Eric

By Dolapo Aina

Wednesday, 8th of November 2023 was the 33rd day of the war between Israel and the terrorist organisation called Hamas. The Israeli Government released a raw footage which was not made for public viewing and as at Thursday, 30th of November 2023, still has not been viewed by the general public.
For the 43-minute raw footage of the Hamas Massacre, the Government of Israel had to vet which groups of individuals and countries could view the images which had the personal lives of people displayed. Their lives were exposed in the 43-minute video which the whole world has only seen 10 minutes of several clips which are online (as at the 8th of November 2023). It was revealed that special approval had to be specifically granted by the Government of Israel for the raw footage to be shown in countries.

Before the viewing of the raw footage in Kigali, the capital of Rwanda, by invited media personalities in attendance, an interesting conversation cum discussion with Israel’s top diplomats in Rwanda, Ambassador Einat Weiss and Deputy Ambassador Yossi Gadamo ensued and several questions were posed at them.
One of such questions had a spiritual cum moral angle/dimension to it. Why is Israel not making noise about the dead citizens?
Ambassador Einat Weiss responded by stating that: “Family members of lost ones have come out to state that they would not want to see the images of loved ones in public. In Israel, we know the value of lives but Hamas seem not to have value for lives. The first challenge as a country: How do you come out publicly in terms of public diplomacy against a group that does not have value for lives? Hamas took photos and images of their brutality and 33 days later, the world still needs Israel to justify their actions. Israel cannot just go and release images as we need to inform their families and get their consent. Israel is an organised country and we are dealing with a terrorist organisation. The war cannot be symmetric.”

The Ambassador went further to state that: “Propaganda is one of the tools terror organisations use and Israel is not into propaganda. Propaganda has been an age-long tool of terror organisations and propaganda is still being utilised by Hamas 33 days after the war commenced.”

Another poignant question was on Christianity versus Islam which Israel’s Ambassador to Rwanda responded to and quoting her verbatim: “It isn’t a religious conflict. But there are public displays of anti-Israeli stance. The irony is that in private a lot of these countries know what is going on. In private conversations, a lot of representatives of other countries present in Rwanda, openly inform me that Israel has the right to defend herself. And everyone knows that Iran is behind almost all terror organisations’ activities. If the world doesn’t speak up about the activities of Iran, other terror organisations would be very confident and would replicate the same attacks on other lands and continents. Those who criticise us on our current war with Hamas don’t understand international law. Countries are allowed to exercise their rights to defend themselves but when it comes to Israel, Israel should not? Israel like other countries is bound by the international law but terrorist organisations don’t abide by international laws. How many countries go to war and still provide water and electricity to citizens? Journalists have to hold the torch to disseminate the right information on the current Israeli-Hamas war.”

A question bordering on the implication on Israel and the region had this response from Ambassador Weiss; “There is much more pressure on Israel to finish operations and humanitarian breaks. But something is different this time: The realisation that Israel has to finish what she commenced. How does the Army conclude the operations when citizens have not been released? The humanitarian angle of the war is not rosy as people are getting affected. Why? Because we are at war. Why are we at war? Because we were attacked.”

On the question of why the public condemnation of Hamas is important, Ambassador Einat Weiss stated that: “This is the moral majority we are looking for. It is very important because when countries designate Hamas as a terror organisation, the open statements give leeway for Governments to make legislations and vote against Hamas thereby making it difficult for leaders of Hamas to travel, move funds etc.”

After the brief interaction with those present, the 43-minute raw footage commenced.

At this juncture, it is noteworthy to state that a day earlier (7th of November 2023), the video titled: October 7th 2023 Hamas Massacre: Collected Raw Footage; was shown to the US Congress and Hollywood directors and viewed by them. The video is not in the public domain and only a select few have seen the 43-minute video. As at Wednesday November 29th, only a select few in 80 countries have seen the footage.
We commenced watching the raw footage cum videos at 14: 30pm.

The raw videos from Hamas terrorists’ body cameras should not be seen by the public. Live footage from bodycams of terrorists and live footage from home CCTVs of people who were attacked in their homes.

One footage with a time stamp of circa 6am showed a father running with his two sons (all three in their shorts with no shirts) into their bunker/shelter and shortly afterwards a grenade was thrown inside by two/three Hamas terrorists who climbed out of another window. After the explosion and shouts from the terrorists, his sons came out trembling but their father didn’t come out. Another CCTV footage of their living room showed the elder son asking his younger brother if he could see. The younger one could not see what his elder brother was showing him. Later on, they both realised the younger one could only see with one eye. There were a couple of times when they cried Mama Mama. The CCTV at their backyard later showed the terrorists had found the boys’ mother and they took her to the entrance of the shelter, where she saw her husband’s lifeless body. And she broke down in tears.

Footage of actually beheading of a man from Thailand who wore a jersey that looked like it was a Brazil national football team’s jersey. The footage was from a terrorist’s mobile phone and one could hear the terrorists speak; saying (God Is Great in Arabic) as one of them was using a hoe to decapitate the head of the man from Thailand. I couldn’t watch the full clip of the barbarity. I turned away from the screen, turned back my seat and faced the window whose view was of the peaceful Kigali landscape.

There was one Hamas terrorist who called his family from an Israeli woman’s phone who he had killed. He was euphoric and gladly stated in Arabic which was translated that he had killed 10 people with his bare hands. His father rejoiced and urged him on. His mother came on the same call and she cried for joy and urged him on.
Another audio which was an intercepted phone conversation between one Hamas terrorist on the ground in Israel on October 7th and his superior was chilling and revealing. The superior authorised the operative to ensure he brings an Israeli soldier, so that the body can be hung (in the superior’s own word: crucified) in the market square.

There was a footage of public toilets at the venue of the music festival. The public toilets were shot at one by one.

Watching the footage, I realised that delicate attention was made to aggregate a lot of the videos. For instance, some particular videos were from different angles: dashcams from cars, whilst another angle was from a street CCTV and another angle was from a deceased Hamas terrorist’ bodycam. This meant that for some footages, you actually viewed the same scene but from different angles.

One of such footages stood out. A mobile phone video recording from a deceased Israeli citizen who was holed up in a shelter. He recorded himself as he was talking. Behind him, you could see other people who were in the same shelter, some talking whilst some were silent. Some of them had blood stains. The next footage was from a bodycam. The footage was the entrance door of the same shelter. The people in that shelter with the same clothes were on top of each other; not sleeping; they were gunned down.

Several other videos left me confused as I was not quite sure if the heavily thick red crimson, I saw on the floor was actually the human blood. I had to ask and I was informed it was.

There were several videos captured on bodycams of Hamas terrorists who walked into several kibbutz and shot at anything at sight including tyres of ambulances, so that no one could make use of ambulances to rescue or treat wounded people. There was a particular video of one Hamas terrorist’s bodycam, who shot thrice at a dog before the dog succumbed to the bullets. Watching this, I uttered the word barbarity and Rwandan media practitioner who witnessed the 1994 Genocide Against The Tutsi said; “what kind of a human being would shot a dog? Genocide is the appropriate terminology to use.”

It is noteworthy to state that not all those invited who commenced the viewing of the footage concluded it. After seeing the raw footage (and it is widely known that there are more gruesome videos which have not been released by the Government of Israel), there is no country which would not take action.

This piece took 22 days to compose as I had to grasp the enormity of what had been viewed which cannot all be described. There are several videos that cannot be described in this piece. The eyes have seen what cannot be unseen. And it best that the eyes of the readers not read what the eyes of others have seen and cannot be unseen.

Featured

Ahead Christmas, It’s Glo’s Feliz Navidad All the Way on TVCs

Published

4 hours ago

December 22, 2024

Eric

Celebratory seasons, such as Christmas and New Year, are times when corporate organisations churn out new television commercials (TVCs) to connect with their customers and share the fun, euphoria and uncommon conviviality of such seasons.

One such organization which has over the years used this strategy to great effect is Nigeria’s top telecommunications brand, Globacom.

The exciting commercials that the technology company keeps rolling out fan the delight and elation of the season of goodwill. The brand employs the occasion not only to promote brand awareness but to felicitate its customers and the nation at large.

It is a tradition Glo has established. Since it started operations in 2003, it has always used television commercials as veritable tools of ensuring brand presence, marketing products and services and spreading joy among its various targets.

The 2024 Yuletide adverts it rolled out recently are not different. The two unique yet powerful commercials serve dual purposes. They felicitate the Nigerian people and spread mirth, which the season typifies, around existing and prospective customers.

Expectedly, the two new commercials have dominated the airwaves, and kept viewers talking and relishing the joy that Christmas brings.

The first commercial features juju music maestro, King Sunday Adegeye, popularly called King Sunny Ade, who parades a full ensemble of dancers and a rich, talented band in the TVC tagged “Merry Christmas”. The percussions, rhythm and dance merge to foster affability and enchanting memories of the season of glad tidings.

Before the party celebration where King Sunny and his band entertain guests, the TVC takes viewers back to the 1970s and 1980s when Christmas was celebrated with so much fanfare. It paints a vivid picture of rural Nigeria during Christmas where the warmth of tradition and community fills the air. The village with lush green vegetation is buzzing with excitement, with children playing, women cooking delicious meals in open-air kitchens, the aroma of local dishes (you can literally perceive it) mixing with the sounds of Afro Juju music. Families and friends gather around, dancing joyfully to the rhythmic beats, their faces beaming with happiness as they celebrate the festive season. A woman bearing the Aso ebi for the party is shown coming down from a Peugeot 504 car which also reinforces the advert as being set in the 1980s.

The television commercial by the telecom company captures the essence of togetherness, blending the cultural richness of rural life with the spirit of Christmas, all while subtly underscoring the telecom brand’s role in connecting loved ones, no matter how far apart they may be. It ends with “Better don come. Merry Christmas, Nigeria” further underscoring the reason for the commercial.

The second commercial tagged “Feliz Navidad” uses a galaxy of known artistes including Nollywood star, Timini Egbuson, as well as Uche Nwaefuna (Uchemontana), Chigozie Stephanie Alichi (Chizzy Alichi), Tomi Ojo, Eronini Osinachim, Kiki Bakare and Tope Adenibuyan (Teddy A) to pass across the message of Christmas.

At the heart of the Christmas party, the energy is electric as tap dancers take center stage, their feet tapping out intricate rhythms that blend seamlessly with the upbeat melody of Feliz Navidad. The sound of their shoes striking the floor creates a lively pulse, complementing the lively tunes of the music band performers who bring the festive song to life with vibrant instruments and harmonious vocals. Laughter and cheer fill the air as all come together to toast the season, sharing in the joy of music, movement, and the warmth of the Christmas spirit. The scene is a vibrant celebration of culture, unity, and festive joy, all set to the timeless sounds of Feliz Navidad.

These commercials have further endeared the Glo brand to its subscribers and the general Nigerian public as they enjoy the geniality of the season of love, hope, gifts and celebrations.

Talking about the Yuletide commercials, Ademide Gafar, an industry watcher opined that churning out great TVCs is one of the selling points of the Glo brand while John Michael, a marketing communications expert, noted that Globacom is not just a leader in the telecommunications sector but a prominent creator of unforgettable commercials. From the nation’s pride in telecommunications, it’s Feliz Navidad-Merry Christmas!

Featured

Court Sends Woman to Prison for Abusing Tinubu’s Son, IGP on Social Media

Published

1 day ago

December 21, 2024

Eric

Olamide Thomas, who reportedly threatened Seyi Tinubu on social media, was on Friday, arraigned before a Federal High Court in Abuja.

Olamide was arraigned by the office of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, before Justice Emeka Nwite on a three-count charge.

Olamide was alleged to have, sometime in 2024, knowingly and intentionally transmitted communication in the form of video recording through a computer system or network on her social media platforms wherein she made remarks in Yoruba language.

In the video, she was alleged to have stated: “Mr. Seyi Tinubu would die this year, and misfortune and calamity had befallen the Tinubu family, with intent to bully, threaten, harass the person of Mr Seyi Tinubu.”

The communication was said to have placed Seyi in fear of death, violence or bodily harm.

The offence is contrary to and punishable under Section 24 (2) (a) of Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024.

In count two, the defendant was alleged to have intentionally transmitted communication in the form of video recording wherein she made remarks in Yoruba Language to bully, threaten, and harass the person of Egbetokun.

The communication was said to have placed Egbetokun in fear of death, violence or bodily harm.

The offence is contrary to and punishable under Section 24 (2) (a) of Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024.

She, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Olamide was arrested on allegations bordering on harassing and threatening Seyi Tinubu, Egbetokun, and the Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, in a viral social media post.

In the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/636/2024 dated and filed on December 18 by the police team of lawyers led by A.A. Egwu, Olamide was sued as sole defendant.

Upon resumed hearing, Victor Okoye, who appeared for the police, informed the court that the matter was slated for arraignment and that he was ready to proceed.

After the counts were read to the defendant, she pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The defence lawyer, T J. Aondo (SAN), sought to move an oral application on his client’s behalf but the request was turned down.

Justice Nwite directed Aondo to file a formal bail application and adjourned the matter until December 30 for the commencement of trial.

The judge, however, assured the defence counsel that as soon as a bail application is filed in form of a motion on notice, the court would not hesitate to hear it.

Justice Nwite, thereafter, ordered Olamide to be remanded in Suleja Correctional Centre pending the hearing of her bail application.

Featured

Buhari Denies Ownership of Abuja Land Revoked by Wike

Published

2 days ago

December 20, 2024

Eric

Former President Muhammadu Buhari, on Thursday, denied ownership of a piece of land purportedly allocated to him by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCDA) in Abuja.

Media reports indicate that Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has revoked the ownership of 762 plots of land in the Maitama 1 District of Abuja, citing non-payment of statutory fees.

According to the trending reports, high-profile figures, including former President Muhammadu Buhari and former Chief Justice Walter Onnoghen, are among those affected.

The FCTA had also issued a two-week ultimatum to 614 other individuals and organisations, demanding they settle outstanding Rights of Occupancy (R-of-O) fees or risk losing their plots.
However, debunking the reports, the former President stated he is “not the owner of the said plot of land which is allocated in the name of a ‘Muhammadu Buhari Foundation.’”

In a statement issued by his media aide, Garba Shehu, in Abuja, the former President explained that he turned down the offer by the administration when it was presented to him.

The media aide further clarified: “When he and his cabinet members were invited to fill the forms and obtain land during his tenure in office, he returned the form without filling it, saying that he already had a plot of land in the FCT and that those who did not have should be given. He, therefore, turned down the offer.

“All those jumping up and down in the digital space talking about the rightfulness or the lack of it on the reported seizure of Buhari’s land in Abuja to get their facts right and stop dragging down the name of the former president.

“As with anything Buhari—and there is no surprise in this at all—there is a lot of buzz in the media on the reported seizure of a piece of land by the authorities of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, FCTA, allegedly belonging to the former President Muhammadu Buhari.

“Former President Buhari is personally not the owner of the said plot of land, which is allocated in the name of a ‘Muhammadu Buhari Foundation.

“The Foundation was itself floated by some utilitarian individuals around him who, it must be said, went about it in a lawful manner with the support of a number of well-meaning persons.

“But they ran into a roadblock in the land department of the FCDA, which handed them an outrageous bill for the issuance of the certificate of occupancy, very high in cost that did not at all compare with the bills given to similar organisations.

“It may have been that this was not erroneous, but a deliberate mistake, making the revocation of the land no surprise to anyone.

“As a person, the former President has a plot of land to his name in Abuja,” he added