Business

Like World Trade Centre, like Synagogue building collapse

Published

7 years ago

July 28, 2017

By happenstance, I came across a report online detailing the confession of a dying retired former Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) operative, 79-year old Malcom Howard. It has always been said that when an individual is dying and he has the rare opportunity of knowing the end is imminent, as it is the case with Howard, who has few weeks left to live, according to his doctors, such individual would strive to make peace with his maker. This probably informed Howard’s confession as he detailed how he and three others planned and executed the demolition of the World Trade Centre7 (WTC7) through controlled explosives, contrary to what the public had been led to believe, that the building came down as a result of damage caused by flying debris from the two other towers destroyed during the 9/11 Osama Bin Laden-led Al Qaeda’s attack on the US.

The government’s official report in the aftermath of the collapse was that the WTC7 came down due to “uncontrolled fires” that were caused by debris that came from WTC 1 and 2, which had been hit by passenger planes that had been hijacked by the terrorists, a few hours earlier.

His confession simply reveals that the American public was deceived by its government.

Apart from the fact that the two incidents happened in September, though several years apart, Howard’s confession brings the Synagogue church building collapse of September 12, 2014 and the controversies surrounding it, vividly to mind. Footage of the two incidents shows uncanny similarities, which in retrospect give substance to the claims of the church on what led to the collapse.

CCTV footage that captured moments before the church’s guest house collapsed revealed that a strange aircraft had flown on three occasions over the building. This, the church said was not a coincidence. A witness in the ongoing trial of engineers in charge of the structure, said an “infrasonic weapon”, was fired on the church. Infrasonic weapon has been described as a low sound radiation used to cause structural damage and destruction to objects.

Indeed, former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode gave credence to the claim that the collapse was a product of high level conspiracy. In an article he wrote early last month, he said the incident was not an accident but the work of some fifth columnists in government who employed the drone technology to blow up the building. “The attack involved the use of certain members of our intelligence agencies who used a large remote-controlled drone to fly over the building and who then activated an explosive device which had been planted in the building days earlier. His thesis sounds similar to Howard’s confession about the WTC7.

Indeed, the footage of the WTC7 collapse and the synagogue’s shows an uncanny similarity in the way the two buildings collapsed on themselves.

With Howard’s revelation, one can now begin to understand the possibilities in the arguments and claims from the church and all those who blamed the church’s collapse on fifth columnists. The CIA ex-operative said “It was a classic controlled demolition with explosives. We used super-fine military grade nanothermite composite materials as explosives. The hard part was getting thousands of pounds of explosives, fuses and ignition mechanisms into the building without causing too much concern. But almost every single office in the building was rented by the CIA, the Secret Service, or the military, which made it easier.” The explosives were then loaded in strategic places, thus while the WTC 1and 2 were still burning in the aftermath of the terrorists attack, fuses were lit in WTC7. The explosives were said to have hollowed out the building, destroyed the steel structures, and removed the reinforcements, which allowed fire to “tear through the rest of the building.” The building then came down on itself in what was described as a freefall as it did not encounter any resistance. In Howard’s words, “when the building came down, it was such a rush. Everything went exactly to plan. It was so smooth. Everybody was evacuated. Nobody was hurt in WTC 7. We were celebrating. We kept watching replays of the demolition; we had the whiskey and cigars out”, to celebrate a perfect job. Maybe some people celebrated a job well done too, when the Synagogue building came to the same end. The only difference is that while WTC7 had no casualty, the Synagogue had some casualties, though such would not have bothered those who planned the “job”.

It is almost three years now, the issue is still largely unresolved because the government did not give credence to the church’s claim, rather, it has relied on report from its officials.

This is what sets the two countries –America and Nigeria, apart. Many people may not agree, but America is a country that still has people with conscience. It is why the societal focus is how to make life comfortable for all rather than for a few people. How to bring closure to families of victims of tragic incidence. It is a country where law enforcement agencies conduct forensic investigation on crime leading to the culprits being caught, who subsequently confess to their crime. Howard has shown that. His confession is voluntary, though made on the death bed. One can bet that his confession would not be the end of that matter. It would not be surprising if the American government decides to launch further investigation into what Howard confessed, if the fall out of further investigations would not affect national security, though America has its hands full now since Donald Trump happened on them.

Back home in Nigeria, one wonders whether the inner voice of good or conscience still speaks to us. We profess conscience, but we turn deaf to the little voice of conscience. How would there be closure and justice for families who lost loved ones especially when government choose to ignore the church’s side of what happened. The confession from Howard has opened up further possibilities about what took place on September 12, 2014. It is an area that government should look into. Late Gen Sani Abacha’s years of state-sponsored bombing and killings have shown havocs that security agents and by extension fifth columnists in government, as Fani-Kayode described them, can get up to.

Maybe, just maybe, we should also wait for some confessions from this end too.

Culled From The Sun

Business

NIHOTOUR Calls on Hospitality, Tourism, Travel, Allied Sector Professionals for Mandated Registration

Published

1 day ago

December 24, 2024

Sahara Weekly

NIHOTOUR Calls on Hospitality, Tourism, Travel, Allied Sector Professionals for Mandated Registration

The National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), the regulatory and standardization authority in the sector, has invited professionals in the hospitality, tourism,travel and allied sectors to register as mandated by the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (Establishment) Act 2022.

A statement signed by Aare (Dr.) Abisoye Fagade, FIMC, Director-General/CEO
The National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism reads:

“Enjoy FREE registration from December 1, 2024, to January 15, 2025! This is your chance to register as a professional or practitioner at no cost.

“Don’t miss this opportunity to solidify your presence in Nigeria’s thriving tourism industry. Visit www.nihotour.gov.ng now!

“Hurry—free registration closes on January 15, 2025. Take the first step toward advancing your career in tourism today!”

Business

EGC Homes Unveils Goodness and Mercy Estate, Brand Ambassador

Published

1 day ago

December 24, 2024

Sahara Weekly

EGC Homes Unveils Goodness and Mercy Estate, Brand Ambassador

EGC Homes, a notable player in the real estate and property development sector, has made waves in the Nigerian market with its recent announcement of the launch of Goodness and Mercy Estate in Ogun, alongside other strategic initiatives.

The company emphasized its commitment to collaborating with the government to alleviate the housing deficit in Nigeria while prioritizing the well-being of residents.

In an interview with THECONSCIENCE NG, Oladapo Jimoh, the Managing Director of EGC Homes and Properties, expressed the brand’s long-term vision to bridge the housing gap and simplify the journey to homeownership.

He stated, “Current data estimates Nigeria’s housing deficit to be around 28 million units by 2024. This figure is among the largest globally and poses significant challenges, contributing to homelessness and various social issues.”

“National statistics indicate that our country faces a pressing need for approximately 700,000 new homes each year to address this deficit. As urbanization continues, these challenges are particularly evident in major cities, where affordable housing becomes increasingly scarce, forcing many into slums and informal settlements.”

The World Bank projects that Nigeria’s urban population could exceed 200 million by 2050, highlighting a potential social crisis as the lack of affordable housing leads to the rise of slums, especially in urban areas.

“As a forward-thinking and solutions-oriented company, we are dedicated to addressing these critical housing issues in partnership with the government.”

Following its successful launch in Lagos, EGC Homes has rapidly expanded its operations, acquiring a significant land bank across the southwestern region of Nigeria and enhancing its marketing strategies to effectively connect with customers.

The firm is committed to providing Nigerians with exceptional value, peace of mind, and simplifying the processes of land acquisition and homeownership.

“Our mission is to make life easier for Nigerians while assisting the government in tackling the housing deficit.”

Recently, the company introduced its premier property, the Goodness and Mercy Estate, located in Arepo and Sagamu Interchange in Ogun State, with more projects on the horizon. Its flexible payment plans and affordable property prices aim to cater to a wide audience.

Additionally, EGC Homes has appointed Titilayo Adebayo-Omotosho as its social media brand ambassador to promote the unique offerings of EGC Homes and Properties Limited to Nigerians both at home and abroad.

In her remarks, she highlighted her commitment to the vision of EGC Homes, stating, “I believe every Nigerian deserves a decent roof over their head. This aligns perfectly with the mission of EGC Homes and Properties, which is why I chose to represent the brand, promoting its exceptional estates and home packages to Nigerians and those aspiring to own homes here.”

Business

Optiva Capital Partners and Loft & Keys LCC Forge Strategic Partnership to Drive $500m Investments in Nigeria

Published

1 day ago

December 24, 2024

Sahara Weekly

L-R Dr. Jane Kimemia, CEO, Optiva Capital Partners and Chief Austin Ugochukwu Albert, Chairman, Loft & Keys LLC during the partnership agreement signing between Optiva Capital partners and Loft & keys LLC at Optiva's headquarters in Lagos

Optiva Capital Partners and Loft & Keys LCC Forge Strategic Partnership to Drive $500m Investments in Nigeria

Optiva Capital Partners, Africa’s leading wealth management and retention company, has announced a groundbreaking partnership with Loft & Keys LLC, a renowned real estate and investment company with dominant presence in Nigeria and the Middle East.

The ceremony which took place over the weekend at Optiva Capital’s Corporate Headquarters, aims to boost investment in Nigeria’s hospitality and healthcare sectors on the one hand, as well as provide Nigerian investors with opportunities to invest in real estate in the UAE, particularly in Dubai.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Dr. Jane Kimemia, CEO, Optiva Capital Partners, emphasized the transformative potential of this partnership, “With Loft & Keys’ deep understanding of the Nigerian market and established networks in the Middle East, we are poised to bring $500 million in investments into Nigeria’s hospitality and healthcare industries. These funds will be strategically spread across Lagos, Abuja (FCT), Delta, and Enugu.”

The investment in hospitality will serve as a catalyst for economic growth in Nigeria. Beyond creating employment opportunities, it will spur infrastructure development, enhance regional tourism appeal, and foster business ecosystems in Lagos, the Federal Capital Territory, Enugu, and Delta. Similarly, the healthcare focus will address critical gaps in medical infrastructure, improve access to quality care, and promote health innovation—key pillars for national development.

The partnership According to Dr Kimemia also extends to Nigerian investors seeking opportunities in the UAE. With Loft & Keys’ expertise and extensive networks in Dubai and other Middle Eastern hubs, the collaboration will unlock access to one of the world’s most dynamic real estate markets.
Speaking about the partnership, Chief Austin Ugochukwu Albert, Chairman, Loft & Keys LLC, said “Optiva Capital Partners stands as Africa’s leading wealth retention company, a position that is firmly established and without question. This partnership with Loft & Keys will further solidify their dominance and create even greater opportunities for growth. As Dr. Jane Kimemia has rightly emphasized, Loft & Keys, with our extensive expertise in the Middle East, is a trusted and experienced partner”. We have a strong presence in the UAE and are actively expanding into Saudi Arabia and Qatar in the near future. Together with Optiva Capital Partners, we are committed to capturing significant market opportunities in these regions. I am confident that this partnership will foster substantial growth that will be mutually rewarding for both parties.

Dubai, a city widely known for its opulence and rapid development, is reportedly operating at only 30% of its projected capacity, presenting a significant growth opportunity for investors. According to industry experts, this untapped potential creates a unique window for investors to capitalize on the city’s future expansion and development.
The partnership aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 17 as two formidable brands, Optiva Capital Partners and Loft & Keys are committed to leveraging their collective strengths to drive impactful investments that benefit clients and communities alike.

About Optiva Capital Partners
Optiva Capital Partners is a premier wealth management and retention firm offering bespoke solutions in four areas of specialization – investment immigration, investment advisory, insurance, and international real estate.
About Loft & Keys LLC
Loft & Keys is an internationally recognized real estate and investment company with a robust presence in Nigeria and the UAE. The firm is dedicated to connecting investors with high-value opportunities in dynamic markets.