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Missing Charity Aiyedogbon: One Year After

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Destiny Ugorji

It is exactly one year that an Abuja-based business woman, Charity Aiyedgbon was declared missing by her Facebook friends. Charity, popularly known as ‘Chacha’, is said to have gone missing since the 9th of May, 2016 and family, friends and Security Agencies said to be working to unravel the mystery behind her sudden disappearance.

Speculations on the possible whereabouts of the 44-year-old mother of four, also known as Deepdeal Chacha Dehammer were rife.

First, a Lagos-based lawyer, Emeka Ugwuonye said he had overwhelming evidence that the missing Charity was dead, accusing her erstwhile husband, David Aiyedogbon of having a hand in her disappearance; an allegation he posted on his Facebook group, The Due Process Advocates.

Reacting to Ugwuonye’s allegation, former husband of the missing woman, Mr. David Aiyedogbon washed his hands over the disappearance of the lady and wrote his accuser, through his lawyers, demanding an apology, failure which he would seek legal redress.

The letter titled: “Defamation of the character of David Aiyedogbon; demand for apology,” signed by his lawyer, Obiora Illo esq (Ogbulafor Chambers) and made available to newsmen, expressly states: “It is our instruction to demand an unqualified apology from you to our client through our chambers for the defamatory publications you have made of and concerning our client.”

Also, addressing newsmen in Abuja, Mr. Aiyedogbon urged the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris to investigate the allegation against him, describing it as “cruel, criminal and untrue”, stressing that his estranged wife Charity left their matrimonial home on the 28th of May, 2014, noting that since then, he had neither heard from her, nor had any dealings with her.

While the controversy lasted, a Civil Society Organisation, Coalition against Crime (CAC) called on Nigeria’s Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris to arrest Lagos-based lawyer, Ugwuonye to explain his role in the disappearance of Charity Aiyedogbon.

National Coordinator of the group, Harrison Pepple, made the call while addressing newsmen in Abuja, arguing that Mr. Ugwuonye had some questions to answer.

In a Petition to the Inspector General of Police, the group quoted Mr. Ugwuonye as saying: “…Charity Aiyedogbon is said to have been missing since the 11th of May, 2016 and one Emeka Ugwuonye claims he has evidence that the woman is dead and was murdered. He also posted a photograph of a dead person, part of whose body was dismembered. How can Police be looking for a missing person and someone says he has a clue and he has not been invited or arrested.”?

Following the intervention by the Civil Society Organisation, the Police eventually arrested Mr. Ugwuonye and later released him on bail, after questioning, while investigations continued.

Several developments aided Police investigations. First, those believed to be close to Chacha are quoted as saying that she went missing on the 9th of May, 2016, but her lawyer, Barrister Nsikak Udoh, handling a suit filed at the Federal High Court, Lokoja on 29th April, 2016 against 29 respondents, including her biological children and former husband, claimed she (Chacha) came to his house on the 18th of May, 2016 (eight days after her purported disappearance) and one of his staff accompanied her to Federal High Court, to sign and depose to an affidavit in support of the ex-parte motion filed along with the case. How could someone who was declared missing on the 9th of May reappear on the 18th and then disappear again?

Today, it has been established that Chacha’s signature was forged; as the lawyer, Barrister Nsikak Udo has recanted. He says he did not see Chacha, as earlier claimed. He confessed to the Police that he forged Charity’s signature in an affidavit he filed in court. Apparently, Charity was not behind the filing of the suit, but her lawyer, Barrister Nsikak Udoh. He therefore lied on oath. Both himself and the Commissioner for oaths in the Federal High Court Abuja jurisdiction risk being prosecuted by the Police for forgery and perjury.

Another puzzle is that a corpse, said to have been dismembered beyond identification was allegedly seen in Abuja on the 12th of May and Mr. Ugwuonye claimed it was Chacha’s body. Till date, who has identified the corpse as that of Chacha? Impeccable sources say a DNA test conducted on the body revealed otherwise. Children of the missing woman have also chorused on several platforms that their mother was NOT dead. They have also stated that the displayed corpse is not that of their mother. The missing woman also has siblings and parents who have been going about their normal businesses and have neither said their sister was missing, dead, nor joined in the search for her.

The missing Chacha has a case of forgery that is yet to be concluded. A suit instituted in a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT High Court 8) on the 14th of March, 2016, with suit number CV/1231/16, between Messrs Chibuzor Ogugua and Chigozie Eme (plaintiffs) and Mrs. Charity Aiyedogbon (defendant), made eight prayers to the Court. The last prayer reads: “an order of the Honourable Court directing the defendant to pay the plaintiffs the sum of 200,000,000.00 (Two Hundred Million Naira) as damages for the losses suffered on the ground of the unauthorized and fabricated Valuation Report by the defendant.”Could she have disappeared to frustrate the Suit or evade justice?

In the last one year, a lot has happened. The law enforcement agencies and private investigators have worked very hard to unravel the mystery behind the disappearance of Mrs. Charity Aiyedogbon, aka Chacha Dehammer. Cases have been instituted and some already decided.

Some friends of Chacha, believed to have earlier raised the alarm recanted. They are said to be at war with Emeka Ugwuonye, who said he was briefed by same Chacha’s friends on the matter. They engaged in war of words on Facebook. One of them, Pamela Nwansoh allegedly confronted Mr. Ugwuonye in a Police premises in Abuja over an obvious sense of disenchantment with his activities, alleging extortion of members of the public (in the name of looking for Chacha) using his Facebook Group, the Due Process Advocates (DPA). Ugwuonye had, via a post on the group, solicited financial contributions for his trip to Abuja to respond to Police invitation to explain himself over the case of the missing Chacha.

One of the ladies said to be involved in the search for Chacha, Viola Ifeyinwa Okolie, on the 14th of July, 2016, also made a worrisome post on her Facebook wall, expressing disenchantment with Mr. Ugwuonye’s antics.

Also in a post on The Due Process Advocates on the 17th of July, 2016, Ugwuonye attacked Viola Okolie, making spurious allegations. The post was titled: “How the search for Chacha took strange turns and her friends turn out not to be friends after all.” The drama continued.

But, how did Emeka Ugwuonye get involved in this matter? Was he really in America when the incident happened, as he claimed? Available records suggest otherwise.

Barrister Ugwuonye claimed to have been in the United States of America as at the time of Chacha’s disappearance and only came into Nigeria in June, 2016, after being briefed to handle the matter, but his call log betrayed him, showing that he was in Abuja on the 10th, 11th and 12th of May, 2016; same time Chacha is said to have got missing. Information from private investigators and telecommunication service providers revealed that he made calls around Jabi area of Abuja, up till midnight same 10th and 11th and departed Abuja on the 12th of May, 2016. When confronted by the Police in Abuja with evidence of his movement, he owned up.

Three key suspects earlier arrested by the Police in connection with Chacha’s disappearance were said to have been released at his instance. He claimed at the FCT Police Hqrs that they were his clients; but when brought face to face with Mr. Ugwuonye, they denied all his claims, saying they neither briefed him nor identified any corpse to him as that of Chacha.

As at today, Police sources reveal that Mr. Ugwuonye has not provided any evidence to substantiate his claims. The only person he claims showed and identified the corpse as that of missing Chacha (Jo) denied him.

Today, Chacha’s car has been recovered. Two of her handsets have also been recovered. Is it a coincidence that he (Ugwuonye) has been questioned more than thrice by the Police in Chacha’s case?

The first puzzle is solved, with the admission by one of Chacha’s lawyers, Barrister Nsikak Udo that Chacha’s signature was forged. He admitted that he lied on oath and his fate shall be determined by the laws of the land soon.

Second, Chacha’s last Facebook post before she ‘went missing’ shows that she sat on the passenger’s seat of her car. That was the last she posted on Facebook, using that particular User ID- Deepdealdehammer. The question of who drove the car may have also been addressed.

Her car has been recovered, following a tip-off by one of the suspects that were in Police custody, IK Ezeugo. IK never opened up until Police arrested one of Jekwu’s friends, who now gave the lead, indicating that he (IK) personally drove the vehicle to the place where it was parked. His (Ik’s) younger brother, identified as Paul Chukwujekwu Ezeugo (still at large) is believed to have been in custody of the vehicle. He (Chukwujekwu) is also believed to have driven the missing woman on that last trip. The car was found in Enugu State by the Police, in the residence of one Uche, with its Plate Number and particulars already changed.

Again, Chacha’s two handsets have been recovered. One of them, a Nokia handset, is said to have been found with Chukwujekwu’s biological mother, Mrs. Ezeugo. The second handset (a Samsung phone) was recovered from one Augustine, who claimed that one Odinaka, Chukwujekwu’s friend and phone repairer sold it to him for Twenty Five Thousand Naira. The proceeds, according to Odinaka, were handed over to Chukwujekwu. Just like the vehicle, the both handsets were found in Enugu. Chukwujekwu is still at large.

Why is it that almost all the persons arrested/suspected so far in connection with Chacha’s case are from Enugu State? Precisely, six suspects so far arrested in the case are from Enugu State. Emeka Ugwuonye is from Enugu and Chacha’s car and handsets were found in Enugu. Chacha’s maternal home is Enugu. In fact, Paul Chukwujekwu Ezeugo and the missing Chacha’s mother are both from Oba-Nsukka, in Enugu State.

Mr Ugwuonye’s relationship with one of the prime suspects, Chukwujekwu Ezeugo is suspicious and his call log points in the same direction. He is also suspected to have aided his escape, as, according to Police sources, the day he (Jekwu) was to be arrested, Ugwuonye personally called the Police, promising to produce him, only to revert 24hours later, telling the Police that he had escaped.

Understanding how bad the matter was getting, Ugwuonye at a point, announced his withdrawal from Chacha’s case, a move Police sources described as diversionary, since he is already a suspect in the case.

David Aiyedogbon fights back

Following his refusal to apologize, ex-husband of the missing woman, Mr. David Aiyedogbon dragged Lagos- based Lawyer, Emeka Ugwuonye to the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) over what he described as unprofessional publications against his person.

A letter dated 22nd August, 2016, captioned: “Petition against Emeka Ugwuonye for Unprofessional Publications and False Allegations”, addressed to the General Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), urged the professional body to investigate the matter and invoke appropriate disciplinary actions against the lawyer. Till date, Mr. Ugwuonye has not responded to a query issued him by the NBA, following Aiyedogbon’s petition.

Also, for falsely accusing him of, having a hand in the sudden disappearance of his estranged wife, Charity Aiyedogbon, Mr. Aiyedogbon instituted a defamation of character suit of Ten Billion Naira (N10b) against Lagos Lawyer, Emeka Ephraim Ugwuonye.

The Suit, with number CV/2750/16, between David Aiyedogbon (Plaintiff) and Emeka Ugwuonye (Defendant) on defamation of character, before Justice Peter Kekemeke of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court 14, Apo Abuja; also prays that the defendant be ordered to pay the cost of the suit.

The Plaintiff is also seeking an order of perpetual injunction “restraining the Defendant, his Agents, Privies, Associates or whosoever called” from making further defamatory publications against him and his family members. The matter is adjourned to Thursday, 18th May, 2017.

Sources also reveal that Mr. Aiyedogbon’s lawyer, Tony Ogbulafor may have also filed a personal suit against Mr. Ugwuonye for wrongly accusing him of giving a bribe (in an envelope) to a Police man to detain him.

Police sources also reveal that, while some persons have already been charged to Court (awaiting trial) for their roles in the disappearance of Charity Aiyedogbon, others that have questions to answer will also be charged soon, to explain their roles in the controversy.

Meanwhile, the suit purportedly filed by Chacha at the Federal High Court, Lokoja, wherein Barrister Nsikak Udoh represented her has been decided in favour of David Aiyedogbon.

One year after, Chacha’s case is getting more interesting. We await the explanation of those in possession of Chacha’s car and handsets on their roles, accomplices and her whereabouts.

While we wait patiently for the unfolding drama, the Police must realise that Nigerians and indeed the world are watching. They must address Nigerians now on the extent of their investigation.

Again, Police must expedite actions in charging suspects to court. Waiting endlessly on the matter does not help the course of justice.

One is still at a loss as to why the prime suspect in the matter, Jekwu is yet to be declared wanted; and why Charity Aiyedogbon has not been declared missing. The Police must clear the air now.

As the whereabouts of Charity Aiyedogbon remain unknown, I join millions of Nigerians to demand that Emeka Ugwuonye provides his “overwhelming evidence” regarding what happened to Chacha or get prosecuted for false information and criminal conspiracy.

Dipo Olowookere is a journalist based in Nigeria that has passion for reporting business news stories. At his leisure time, he watches football and supports 3SC of Ibadan. Mr Olowookere can be reached via dipo.olowookere@businesspost.ng

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How Stablecoin Can Help in Easing Africa’s Cross-border Remittance Challenges

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stablecoins cross-border challenge

The African stablecoins market is growing. In a region that suffers trade deficits and struggles with efficient foreign exchange remittance channels, the stablecoin boom is a welcome development.

Stablecoins are cryptocurrencies pegged to another variable. For the most part, they are pegged to the US dollar, commodities, and sometimes algorithms, giving the coin a 1:1 value. Most stablecoins are pegged to the US dollar. If stablecoins are pegged to the value of the dollar, which has almost zero volatility, why do people hold them? To have access to critical foreign exchange.

The world thrives on trade. Economic systems are based on the intricate balance between local production and trade with other nations. Since everyone has different comparative advantages, there will always be a need for trade, as each country focuses on its strengths. However, trading often faces limitations. For a region like Africa, foreign exchange is one of the greatest risk factors for efficient trading.

How Do Stablecoins Work?

Stablecoins maintain their pegs via four popular methods: Fiat collateralization, crypto collateralization, algorithmic collateralization, and hybrid collateralization.

Fiat-Collateralized Stablecoins are achieved by maintaining a reserve of fiat currency (like USD or EUR).

Each stablecoin issued is backed by an equivalent amount of the fiat currency held in reserve. Many times, stablecoin companies maintain over-collateralization to ensure maximum stability in case of increased volatility. Tether (USDT) is a good example of a fiat-collateralized stablecoin.

Crypto-Collateralized Stablecoins are stablecoins whose value is pegged to another cryptocurrency. The collateral usually exceeds the value of the stablecoins in circulation to account for crypto volatility.

The peg is maintained by automated systems. If the collateral’s value drops, the system automatically liquidates or requires more collateral to maintain the peg. If the price of the stablecoin rises above the peg, users might borrow against their collateral to buy and burn the stablecoin, reducing supply. Dai (DAI) is an example of a crypto-backed stablecoin that maintains its peg through a system of smart contracts within the MakerDAO protocol.

Algorithmic Stablecoins do not have “tangible” collateral but use algorithms to control supply. They maintain the peg by constantly adjusting the total supply of the stablecoin. When the stablecoin’s price is above the peg, new tokens are minted and sold, increasing supply. When below, tokens are bought back and burned, reducing supply. They are the riskiest type of stablecoin because their effectiveness relies on an algorithm, which could fail or be exploited. Terra Luna is an example of an algorithmic stablecoin. It, however, crashed in 2023, sending the crypto market into a free fall.

Commodity-Pegged Stablecoins are backed by the price of commodities. A good example is PAX Gold (PAXG), a stablecoin issued by Paxos and backed by physical gold.

Hybrid Stablecoins use a combination of the above to maintain the peg. These stablecoins are well-collateralized and also use algorithms to maintain the peg. TrueUSD is an example of a hybrid stablecoin.

How Stablecoins Can Help Ease Africa’s Cross-Border Challenges

If anything is critical in cross-border transactions, it’s speed. Speed is important when sourcing liquidity to meet user needs. A businessman might need to move money urgently to pay his suppliers in China, but delays associated with existing transfer methods might be a stumbling block. This is often a challenge with traditional foreign exchange methods, with many users having to wait hours, if not days, for money to reach their counterparties, sometimes missing deadlines.

Stablecoins, on the other hand, enable faster cross-border payments by eliminating intermediaries and facilitating instant value transfers across countries. For instance, remittance done via the Lightning Network takes seconds to reach the counterparty, while most other networks provide value within a few minutes.

Foreign exchange in Africa does not come cheap. The number of intermediaries required to facilitate a conventional money transfer from country A to B means higher charges. Stablecoins provide a low-cost alternative for remittances and trade by bypassing high transaction fees and costly currency conversions.

Stablecoin transfers mostly cost a few cents to $1 for any amount. This is because middlemen are eliminated, and the only payment made is the network fee. Stablecoins also reduce costs by storing transaction records on a single platform, which is replicated across multiple nodes, thereby streamlining processes. For example, sending $5,000 to a Nigerian account on Wise costs $33.56 in fees. Sending this same money from a Binance USDT wallet only costs $1. The disparity in stablecoin-enabled transfers is enormous.

Although financial inclusion in Africa has improved in countries like Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, and Senegal in recent years, many African countries still have low financial inclusion levels. For these countries, stablecoins have proven to be an excellent tool for bridging the gap between the banked and the unbanked. Their popularity means people can access foreign exchange even in remote areas with little to no financial infrastructure.

No lengthy processes are needed to transfer money from one jurisdiction to another. This opens up financial integration and fosters economic growth. Businesses in these regions can now sell via exports, import needed raw materials and expertise to add value to goods and services, creating a positive spiral effect on economic development. Businesses like Ledig makes access to liquidity possible for companies with foreign exchange exposure to Africa.

Finally, one of the salient uses of foreign exchange, which is the tool used for cross-border remittances, is its use as an inflationary hedge. Many times, people open domiciliary accounts, not because they want to pay business partners abroad, receive money for imports, or carry out foreign exchange tasks, but because they want to protect their local currencies from inflation.

According to data, the Nigerian Naira was N899 against one dollar on 1st January 2024, but closed the year at N1,538, losing 71% of its value during the year. People often convert their local currencies to avoid these kinds of situations. Businesses, large organizations, and even individuals often convert local currencies to stable ones like the dollar to mitigate value erosion.

With stablecoins, this is not just accessible to those able to undergo the stringent rules for opening domiciliary accounts, but also accessible to everyone with basic means of ID and adulthood. Stablecoins have democratized foreign exchange access in Africa.

With Stablecoins businesses can now tap into the vast global market by curating services and offering them to businesses around the world, without challenges in processing payments. It simplifies cross-border trade for SMEs, freelancers, and businesses by enabling seamless trade settlements and access to global markets without traditional banking barriers.

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Bridging Theory and Practice: Integrating Measurement Education in Tertiary Curriculums

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Integrating Measurement Education

By Philip Odiakose

As a public relations measurement and evaluation expert with more than a decade of experience advocating the integration of measurement and evaluation into communications and PR engagements, I have witnessed firsthand the knowledge gaps that exist in the field.

These gaps are particularly evident in how PR professionals and agencies approach measurement and evaluation. The reality is that the acceptance and best practices of PR measurement and evaluation must start from the classroom.

This is why I strongly believe that measurement and evaluation education must be integrated into the curriculum of Mass Communications, Public Relations, and Media departments in tertiary institutions. It is only through this structured education that we can begin to produce PR professionals who are future-ready, and equipped with the technical know-how to design, measure, and evaluate campaigns effectively.

The absence of measurement and evaluation in the traditional curriculum of many institutions has created a disconnect between the theoretical knowledge taught in schools and the practical realities of the PR profession. Most PR graduates enter the field with a strong understanding of communication strategies but little to no knowledge of how to measure the success of those strategies or how to leverage data for impactful decision-making.

Measurement and evaluation are not just add-ons; they are integral to ensuring accountability, transparency, and effectiveness in PR and communication efforts. Without a foundational understanding of how to measure impact, PR practitioners are left to rely on outdated metrics or superficial indicators that do not reflect true campaign performance.

In this regard, I must commend institutions that have made deliberate efforts to bring real-life and practical measurement experiences into the classroom. One standout example is Covenant University in Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria. Over the years, I have had the privilege of working with the Communications and Media Studies Department, thanks to Dr. Kehinde Oyesomi, who has consistently provided opportunities for her students to learn the basics of measurement and evaluation. This hands-on approach equips students with the analytical mindset required to thrive in the PR and communications industry. By exposing students to real-world applications of measurement, institutions like Covenant University are raising a generation of practitioners who will be better prepared to navigate the complexities of the industry.

Another commendable example is the initiative by the NIGERIAN INSTITUTE OF PUBLIC RELATIONS, LAGOS (Lagos NIPR), which integrated measurement and evaluation education into its curriculum in 2017. This forward-thinking move was driven by a partnership between P+ Measurement Services and the NIPR Lagos leadership at the time, under the chairmanship of Segun Mcmedal.

It is encouraging to see that this initiative has been sustained by the current chairperson, Madam Comfort Obot Nwankwo, reflecting a commitment to continuous learning and professional development. However, this effort must go beyond the Lagos chapter; it is my hope that the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, under the leadership of Dr. Ike Neliaku, will recognize the importance of adopting measurement and evaluation as an integral part of the institute’s curriculum nationwide.

Education is the foundation of knowledge and practice. In the same vein, it is the starting point for the usage, integration, and acceptance of PR measurement and evaluation as a core function within the industry. Without education, we risk perpetuating the cycle of ignorance, where PR professionals fail to understand the value of data-driven insights and fall back on outdated or ineffective practices. To address this, the measurement community must actively champion education as a means to bridge the gap between theory and practice. This is why global initiatives like AMEC Measurement and Evaluation Education Hub under the leadership of Johna Burke are so vital.

As a founding member of #AMECLabInitiative, I am proud to be part of a mission that focuses on skill development, career progression, and knowledge sharing within the global measurement community. AMEC’s efforts to promote education in measurement and evaluation for public relations and communications are critical to ensuring that best practices are not only adopted but also sustained across the industry.

The value of measurement cannot be overstated. It is both the science and the art of public relations, providing a framework for accountability and a pathway to continuous improvement. However, to achieve this, we must first address the root of the problem: the lack of formal education in measurement and evaluation.

By integrating it into the curriculum of universities and professional bodies, we are not only equipping students with the skills they need to succeed but also ensuring that the industry as a whole evolves to meet the demands of a data-driven world. As I often say, “Education is the beginning, the middle, and the end of the acceptance and best practices of measurement.”

In conclusion, I call on tertiary institutions across Nigeria to embrace the integration of measurement and evaluation into their Mass Communications, PR, and Media curriculums. This is not just about equipping students with technical knowledge; it is about shaping the future of the PR profession. Measurement and evaluation are not static; they are dynamic, evolving with trends, tools, and technologies.

By embedding this education into the classroom, we are creating a pipeline of professionals who are not only skilled but also adaptable, innovative, and ready to lead. The future of PR measurement and evaluation lies in education, and it is up to us as practitioners, educators, and industry leaders to ensure that this foundation is built strong and sustained for generations to come.

Philip Odiakose is a leader and advocate of PR measurement, evaluation and media monitoring in Nigeria. He is also the Chief Media Analyst at P+ Measurement Services, a member of AMEC, NIPR and AMCRON

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How to Awaken the Conscience of the World?

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Immigration Quota World Map

By Kingsley Omose

Sharp conflicts have always indicated transformation points to the consciousness of the world and provided pivots. Pivot is a point of articulation, a point at which things balance.

Sharp conflicts, whether it is a world war or (war in) Iraq, has always indicated transformation points to the consciousness of the world and provided pivots to a new design of human actions.

Things change after the world is traumatised or the world has sharp military conflict or collision of the human will in the earth has always provided pivot points or transformation points to the world’s consciousness.

We look at these events, look at the terrible things that are taking place, but behind that we recognise the fact that things are shifting to new positions.” Dr. Noel Woodroffe on Core Imperatives for Successful Nation Development

Gandhi used the principle of embracing personal suffering from your oppressor without retaliation to wake the conscience of your oppressor and make him stop the oppression to free India from British colonial rule.

In doing this, Gandhi had pointed to Jesus Christ as showing the way to embracing the principle of embracing unjust personal suffering visited on him by those he came to save to awaken the conscience of humanity to the path of reconciliation with its Creator, God.

Gandhi set up unarmed Indian protesters to defy unjust British laws and policies and then for these Indians to resort with non-violence when the British Army made up principally of Indians visited them with violence in return.

While Gandhi used the principle from a majority population perspective, Martin Luther King Jr. took the same principle and applied it from a Black minority population perspective to awake the conscience of the dominant white population in the US to the evils of segregation.

He simply organised Black protesters to defy the segregation policy and not to respond with violence when the police in the South came to enforce segregation with brutality and unwarranted violence before the American media who were on hand to record it.

This was what gave birth to the Civil Rights Act in the US ending segregation and legal racial discrimination, amongst others. Hamas deviated substantially from Gandhi and Martin Lutther King Jr. in that its application of the principle was triggered through violence and killing of over 1,200 Israelis during its border invasion on October 7, 2023.

The issue before Hamas was how a minority population brings the attention of the world to Israel’s biggest open air fenced prison in the world with over 2.5 million Palestinians, and by extension, the issue of a Palestinian state.

First, without the knowledge of the 2.5 million Palestinians in Gaza, Hamas dug tens of thousands of kilometres of tunnels deep underneath Gaza.

Then, on October 7, 2023, Hamas and its allies broke through reinforced concrete walls separating Gaza from Israel, invaded some neighbouring communities, killed over 1,200 people, and forcefully took over 200 Israeli captive back with them into the tunnels underneath Gaza.

An enraged Israel with its Western allies reacting to what they regarded as a massacre swallowed the bait, and what the world has witnessed live on all media platforms in the last 13 months has been a morden defining of what constitutes genocide as the full military might of Israel and its Western allies was visited on an unarmed nonviolent Palestinian population in Gaza.

Make no mistake, implementing this strategy came at great cost to Hamas and its leaders, but what has shaken a watching world to its core has been the resulting violence and suffering visited on over 2.5 million unarmed Palestinians, mostly women and children, by the Israeli government and military with the support of its Western allies.

A peace deal has now been brokered between Israel and Hamas facilitated by Donald Trump using a 3-stage peace plan earlier put forward by the Biden administration, starting with the exchange of prisoners between both sides.

But be assured that just as happened in India gaining independence from the British with the help of Gandhi, and with the civil rights movement in the US spearheaded by Martin Luther King Jr., the Palestinian cause is now a global issue thanks to the actions of Israel and its Western allies in the last 13 months.

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