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Explosive Facts About Oppenheimer, ‘Father Of Nuclear Bombs’

Published

3 years ago

July 22, 2023

Julius Robert Oppenheimer, a foremost scientist in the Manhattan Project, which eventually brought an end to the second World War, has been celebrated as the father of the “nuclear bombs.”

A brilliant scientist, Oppenheimer’s work remains a reference point as the first atomic bomb was detonate in New Mexico during the famous Trinity test of 1945.

Christopher Nolan, the director of Oppenheimer’s much-anticipated biopic, named him “the most important person who ever lived.”

In an interview with New York Times, Nolan noted that if the fears of a nuclear war come to pass, “Oppenheimer will be the man who destroyed the world. Who’s more important than that?”

Starring, Cillian Murphy, “Oppenheimer” hit the theatres on Friday, 21st of July. The Universal film is based on the Pulitzer-winning book, “American Prometheus”, written by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin.

Here are some explosive and notable facts about Oppenheimer, a legendary scientist and the ‘father of atomic bombs.’

Oppenheimer was born on the 22nd of April, 1904, to German Jewish immigrant parents. His mother, Ella Friedman, was a painter, and his father, Julius S. Oppenheimer was a wealthy German textile merchant, who migrated to the United States in 1888.

He graduated summa cum laude from Harvard University in 1925 with a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry. He obtained a Ph.D. in physics from the University of Göttingen, Germany in 1927. He also lectured at the University of California, Berkley, and became a full professor at the age of 32.

Oppenheimer is noted for his contribution to the theory of neutron stars, quantum fields, black holes, and the interactions of cosmic rays.

He is also known for his remarkable work with Born Oppenheimer approximation in molecular dynamics, the Oppenheimer–Phillips process in nuclear fusion, and the first prediction of quantum tunneling. His 1966 article, titled, “On Albert Einstein”, revealed his close friendship with Einstein, one of the greatest scientists of all time.

The project arose from fears of Germany building a nuclear bomb before the Western Allies could do the same. Three years after the German Nuclear Weapons Program was established, the United States Commenced the Manhattan Project and Oppenheimer was made head of the research and development team in 1942.

Oppenheimer was able to work with both scientists and the military to create the first nuclear bomb. He code-named the first atomic bomb test “Trinity”, which was conducted in the Jornada del Muerto desert in New Mexico.

American biologist Katherine “Kitty” Oppenheimer, married Oppenheimer in November 1940, shortly after divorcing her third husband.

Their first son, Peter, was born in May 1941, and their second child, Katherine, was born in December 7, 1944. During his marriage, Oppenheimer was involved in an affair with Jean Tatlock, an American psychiatrist whom he dated before his marriage to Kitty.

The legendary scientist was a surprising pick for the Manhattan Project because of his German heritage as well as communist leanings. He had several communist affiliations including his wife, and mistress, Tatlock. He was therefore kept under close surveillance by the Federal Bureau of Investigation for most of his career.

Oppenheimer, shortly after the bombing of two Japanese cities, Hiroshima and Nagasaki, wrote a letter to the U.S. Secretary of War, Henry Stimson in which he expressed, in strong terms, his opposition to the action. He proposed to Stimson that further research on nuclear weapons should be banned. In 1949, he also strongly opposed the creation of hydrogens bombs which were more powerful than their atomic predecessors.

Due to his Communist affiliation, and suspected loyalty to the Soviet Union, the Oppenheimer security hearing was held in 1953. He was afterwards stripped of his security clearance which gave him access to top secret restricted data in the U.S. This decision was recently revoked in December 2022, by the United States Secretary of Energy, Jennifer Granholm, who stated that the judgement was the result of a “flawed process”.

Oppenheimer had a smoking habit and was diagnosed with throat cancer in late 1965. Despite undergoing an array of treatments including surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy in 1966, he fell into a coma on February 15, 1967, and died three days later at the age of 62.

Christopher Nolan’s reputation for blockbusters such as “Interstellar”, makes “Oppenheimer” a highly anticipated film. Nolan is known for his aversion to Computer-Generated imagery and has assured viewers an unparalleled cinematic experience through his use of cutting-edge technology for analogue effects.

Asides Murphy, other Hollywood stars in the movie include Emily Blunt, Robert Downey Jr., Florence Pugh, and Matt Damon.

The movie comes in the wake of Russian aggression in Ukraine, which has seen the resuscitation of nuclear threats.
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News

Migration Agency Warns Migrants Against Irregular Travel Routes

Published

1 hour ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

The International Organisation for Migration (IOM), in collaboration with Giving is Healing Foundation, has sensitised residents of Ayobo in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State on the dangers of irregular migration and the need to embrace legal travel procedures.

Speaking during a sensitisation programme held at Megida Ifelodu Community Development Association in Ayobo, the founder of Giving is Healing Foundation, Mr. Gbolahan Ayediran, warned intending migrants against using illegal travel routes.

Ayediran said many Nigerians desire to migrate abroad in search of better opportunities but often ignore proper procedures, thereby exposing themselves to several dangers.

“Lots of people want to migrate and most of them do it in the wrong direction. The reason for the programme is for us to advise people on how they can migrate in the right way. As much as migration is their right, they should do it correctly,” he said.

He advised intending travellers to obtain the necessary travel documents before embarking on any journey, noting that such documents include international passports, visas, flight tickets and yellow cards, depending on the destination country.

According to him, migrants should also gather adequate information about their destination countries to enable them make informed decisions before travelling.

Ayediran further highlighted some of the dangers associated with irregular migration, including abuse, exploitation, discrimination and forced labour.

Also speaking, the Chairman of Megida Ifelodu Community Development Association, Elder Mathews Amusan, commended the organisers for enlightening members of the community on safe migration practices.

He urged residents planning to travel abroad to always follow legal migration procedures to avoid falling victim to human trafficking and other migration-related challenges.

One of the participants, Mr. Kolawole Adenoko, said the programme enlightened him on the dangers of irregular migration and the importance of travelling through the proper channels.

He added that he would also educate his relatives and friends on the risks associated with illegal migration.

News

Shatta Wale Bailed Burna Boy From Ghana Prison After Arrest For Smoking Weed – Captan

Published

4 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

Ghanian singer, Captan, has claimed that his former record label boss, Shatta Wale, once bailed Nigerian singer Burna Boy out of prison in Ghana after he was allegedly arrested for smoking weed.

Speaking in a recent podcast interview, Captan claimed that Shatta Wale sent him and others to free Burna Boy from police custody.

He also claimed that Shatta Wale and his group once accommodated Burna Boy when he was being hunted by some dangerous men.

Captan said, “I once bailed Burna Boy out of prison in Ghana when he was arrested for smoking weed. Shatta Wale sent me and some guys to go and free him from police custody.

“There was a time we also accommodated him when some people were after his life. We helped him settle the case.”

He added that he and Burna Boy are no longer in good terms after the Nigerian artist’s fallout with his mentor, Shatta Wale.

He, however, said he and Shatta Wale are open to reconciling with Burna Boy if he asks for it.

Watch the video here

News

Children’s Day: Chaos At Ogbe Stadium As Dozens Faint

Published

20 hours ago

May 27, 2026

Editor

Chaos erupted on Wednesday during the Children’s Day celebration as dozens of students reportedly collapsed following a stampede triggered by the use of pepper spray.

The event,
organised by the Edo State Ministry of Education at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium was disrupted after some male students of Ihogbe College allegedly made uncompromising advances towards female students at the venue.
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‎ A parent who identified himself as Oboh Emmanuel said, “the behaviour of those uncultured students attracted the attention of bouncers stationed at the stadium as they rebuked the male students.”
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‎Oboh said the affected students later regrouped and attacked the bouncers, leading to a confrontation within the crowded arena.

READ ALSO:Children’s Day: Edo Commits To Child Protection
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It was gathered that in the ensuing confusion, the bouncers were reported to have deployed pepper spray in an area occupied by a large number of students.
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‎Several students, particularly female students, reportedly fainted after inhaling the substance, while others sustained injuries after being stepped on during the ensuing melee.
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‎The panic was said to have spread across the stadium as students, teachers and parents scampered for safety.
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‎Many of the affected students were reportedly rushed to the Edo Specialist Hospital for medical attention.

Reacting to the incident, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Dr Patrick Ebojele, said the security personnel that fired the tear gas had been detained.

He said all the students, except two, that were rushed to the hospital have been discharged.

Ebojele stated that doctors wanted to observe the students till tomorrow before allowing them to go home.

“The two students are not seriously injured. Doctors want to observe them overnight. Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education is still at the hospital. The man who used pepper spray has been detained.

“The incident did not happen the way it is being exaggerated. All modalities were put in place to ensure the children enjoyed their day.”
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