A Nigerian newspaper and Online version of the Vanguard, a daily publication in Nigeria covering Niger delta, general national news, politics, business, energy, sports, entertainment, fashion,lifestyle human interest stories, etc
By Emeka Mamah Enugu – Leader of the Independent People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu has said that it was the people of Biafra who said that they did not want the November 2017 elections and not himself.
Overall Leader of Biafra, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu
Spokesman of IPOB, Emma Powerful, who made this known on a statement Sunday, alleged that operatives of the Department of State Services, DSS, had perfected plans to disparage its leader, Mazi Nnaamdi Kanu, by accusing him of allegedly playing God, in a bid to cause misunderstanding and confusion between the IPOB leader and Christians in Biafra land.
According to Emma Powerful, "the enemies of Biafra were allegedly portraying the members of IPOB, under the leadership of Kanu, of also, challenging the authority of God," pointing out that "Mazi Kanu in his life time, had never challenged the authority of God Almighty who created Heaven and Earth or Jesus Christ, the son of God or the Holy Spirit."
In a statement signed by the IPOB Director of Publicity, Emma Powerful, IPOB stated further, "We have observed with great dismay, the purported plan by the DSS, and some politicians to cause misunderstanding and confusion between the IPOB leader and Christians in Biafra land.
"Mazi Kanu in his life time, had never challenged the authority of God Almighty who created Heaven and Earth or Jesus Christ the son of God or the Holy Spirit.
"It is very pathetic that the enemies of Biafra, IPOB and Kanu will use his name on Facebook handles as well as other social media platforms to cause disunity among the people of God and the Christian faithful.
"Nnamdi Kanu is a Christian and cannot blaspheme God and his son Jesus Christ. Those using his name as saviour, messiah and Jesus are misinformed and uneducated because he never asked them to do so.
"Since the announcement for the election boycott in Anambra State, the Federal Government and their agents, including the DSS, have mapped out strategies and huge amount of money to destroy and tarnish Kanu's image and IPOB in general.
"Those with this stupid story on social media platforms should retrace their steps because they will fail.
The boycott of election in Anambra State come November this year was not the making of Maxi Nnamdi Kanu but rather the wishes of the people of the Eastern Nigeria and IPOB members who visited him in his home town, Umuahia, where the people told him that they did not need elections again in Biafra land and were ready to boycott such elections because since the creation of Nigeria they had benefited nothing from Nigeria's elections except killing, riots and humiliation from politicians.
"Nnamdi Kanu had warned everybody to stop using his name or comparing him with God Almighty. Nobody can prove that he had ever wanted people to compare himself with Jesus Christ either through the video or voice call. Anybody who has such video or film should show it.
"It is dangerous to compare him with God Almighty or Jesus Christ. It is the work of enemies planted within us by DSS and some politicians.
"Those involved in this ridiculous scandal and defamation of character will fail without further delay and God Almighty, or Chukwu Okike Abiama must deal with them.
"Therefore, we call on Biafrans, clergymen and women, church leaders and Christians to disregard the allegations as they amount to the works of evil people who do not want to see good things coming to our people.
"More so, we hereby warn those using Nnamdi Kanu on social media to desist from doing so, forthwith."IPOB denies Kanu
Germany has won the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup by defeating Chile 1-0 . The goal was scored by Lars Stindl in the 20th minute.
Germany’s midfielder Lars Stindl (C) celebrates with team mates after scoring the first goal during the 2017 Confederations Cup final football match between Chile and Germany at the Saint Petersburg Stadium in Saint Petersburg on July 2, 2017. / AFP PHOTO
Ex-Head of State and National Convener, Nigeria Prays, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, has prayed that Nigerians will never raise their hands in violence against one another again, urging that everyone should eschew all acts that threaten the unity of the country.
General Gowon gave the call on Sunday in Sokoto at a one-day National Prayer Rally organised by Nigeria Prays.
He also urged Nigerians to pray for the quick recovery of President Muhammadu Buhari and for divine enlightenment for the Acting President Professor Yemi Osinbajo and other national leaders to lead the country in the right path.
"We should value the lives of our fellow human beings that God has created for a purpose. May we never take lives with impunity.
"We are offering fervent prayers that Nigerians will never raise their hands against one another.
General Yakubu Gowon (Rtd)
"They should love one another irrespective of religious, ideological, political and ethnic affinities," he said.
"Prayer can solve problems better and faster than soldiers, as well as physical weapons of war.
"I have no doubt in my heart that God will honour our collective prayer and intercession for our dear nation, as well as heal our nation of insecurity.
"May we experience abundance of God's mercy and showers of blessings over our lives and our nation as we raise our voices in heartfelt prayers today in Sokoto,'' he said.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Sunday, stated that its continuous intervention in the supply of Automotive Gasoline Oil, AGO, also known as Diesel, as led to a further drop in the price of the commodity to as low as N150 per litre in some parts of the country over the last two weeks. Petrol
The NNPC, in a statement in Abuja, by its Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Mr. Ndu Ughamadu, stated that while in Port Harcourt, diesel was being sold at an average price of N150 per litre, in other parts of the country, the price was N160, with the exception of a few places.
According to Ughamadu, a national survey by one of its enlightenment programme indicated that in the last few weeks, the price of diesel has fallen steadily from between N175 and N200 per litre as at June 18, 2017, to as low as between N155 and N160 per litre in some stations across the country as at last week.
“The study showed that NNPC Mega Stations and its affiliates across the country sold the product for N160 per litre while many major and independent marketers in Abuja, Lagos, Kaduna, Onitsha, Enugu, Makurdi and most major cities were selling between N160 and N165 per litre. In Port Harcourt the average price is as low as N150 per litre,” he noted.
He quoted the Manager of a fuel retail station in Abuja, Mr. Ibrahim Isah, as saying that the station had to reduce the selling price to N165 per litre in line with the prevailing market situation in order to sustain the turnover of the business, while an independent marketer in Makurdi, Innocent Abbah, said the going ex-depot price of diesel from tarmac or local private depots is N155 per litre.
Ughamadu, however, noted that the situation was slightly different in Asaba and Warri in Delta State and Uyo in Akwa Ibom state where most independent fuel stations as well as major marketers sold the product for N180 per litre. He said NNPC's interventions included sustained improvement in the supply of the product and remodeling of the product distribution channels to address sufficiency issues across the country.
Another area of intervention that has enhanced supply and distribution of diesel, he noted, was the NNPC's robust engagement with critical downstream stakeholders such as Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN), Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) as well as Independent Petroleum Marketers, leading to the resolution of salient issues.
He said, “The corporation has also taken huge steps to resuscitate some of its critical pipelines and depots such as the Atlas Cove – Mosimi Depot Pipeline, Port-Harcourt Refinery – Aba Depot Pipeline, Kaduna – Kano Pipeline and the Kano Depot which have enhanced efficiency in the distribution of AGO. Efforts are also ongoing to revamp and re-commission other critical pipelines and depots across the country.
“Furthermore, as a result of consistent positive engagement with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the corporation has equally achieved the expansion of the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) Foreign Exchange Intervention Scheme to accommodate diesel and aviation fuel.” Ughamadu explained that the price of AGO crashed by about 42 per cent nationwide, a huge downslide over the last six months, following key strategic interventions by the NNPC. He stated that in the first quarter of 2017, retail prices of AGO, which is one of the deregulated products, shot up to an all-time high of N300 per litre in major demand centres across the country. The unpleasant situation, he added, placed a huge burden on truck drivers who use the product as fuel for their vehicles and the nation's manufacturing sector which requires it to run its operations, as well as on the masses who need it for household power generation.
Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, who, on Saturday, celebrated his birthday, has corrected public belief on his age, revealing that he was not 58 years old as earlier believed, but 60 years old.Governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki
This was revealed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr John Mayaki, who explained that the governor was born on July 1st, 1957, and was therefore 60 years of age.
According to Mayaki, "The governor found that many people believed him to be 58 years old and while he is appreciative of the good wishes and sincere felicitations that have been accorded to him, he also wants to ensure that people do not quote him at that age and thereby distorting history."
It would be recalled that Governor Obaseki had earlier advised against publication of birthday advertisements, urging friends and well-wishers to donate to WeCare Trust, a charity organisation.
Anew study published by the Guttmacher Institute weekend revealed that contraceptive services and maternal and newborn health (MNH) services fall far short of needs in developing regions like Nigeria.
The study entitled: “Adding It Up: Investing in Contraception and Maternal and Newborn Health” 2017, found that 214 million women in developing countries want to avoid pregnancy but for a variety of reason are not using a modern method of contraception.
Also it discovered that tens of millions of women do not receive the basic pregnancy and delivery care they need to protect their health and that of their newborns.
According to the study, an estimated 50 million women giving birth this year will receive fewer than four antenatal care visits, and 35 million women giving birth will not deliver in a health facility.
It further noted that though progress has been slow, there has been a steady increase in the use of modern contraceptive methods in developing countries, even as the number of women of reproductive age has grown.
As a result, the number of women with an unmet need for contraception has declined over the past three years, from 225 million in 2014.
The study called for upward review of ongoing investments in family planning in order to sustain maintain these gains and make further progress.
“Ensuring that women with an unmet need for modern contraception overcome barriers to effective contraceptive use is crucial, since they account for 84 percent of all unintended pregnancies in developing regions,” the study noted.
In the views of President and CEO of the Guttmacher Institute, Ann Starrs, “Meeting the need for family planning and pregnancy-related health care in developing regions will have a dramatic impact on the lives of millions of women and their families.”
The study also finds that among women giving birth in developing regions in 2017, only 61 percent receive four or more antenatal care visits and 73 percent deliver in a health facility.
Fully meeting contraceptive and MNH care needs in developing regions can be achieved by spending $52.5 billion annually, or just $8.39 per person per year (in 2017 U.S. dollars).
The new research shows that meeting the needs for modern contraception and pregnancy-related care together is a cost-saving investment. Investments in contraceptive services substantially lower the cost of MNH care by decreasing the incidence of unintended pregnancies. As a result, for each additional dollar spent on contraceptive services above the current level, the cost of pregnancy-related care is reduced by $2.30.
Reacting, senior fellow at the Guttmacher Institute and lead author of the study, Dr. Jacqueline E. Darroch, said: “Investing in both contraceptive care and essential maternal and newborn care has the greatest impact on preventing needless deaths of women and newborns. “Maternal deaths would drop to a quarter of current levels and newborn deaths would drop to less than one-fifth of current levels with an investment of just $8.39 per person per year.”
The media trending, suspect and arrested kidnap kingpin , Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike , in Sobriquet ‘Evans’ in an interview with the channels Tv on Sunday dissociates self from filling a suit against the police force and other security agencies in the country. He said it is another attempt by some people to put him in more trouble.
According to him, “"I have no hand in any case filed against the police and I did not speak with any lawyer or my father to fill a case on my behalf. All I will say is that they should temper justice with mercy," he said.
EVANS
Recall that Evans was reported on the 28 of June 2017, dragged the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris and three others before the Federal High Court in Lagos over alleged illegal detention.
However, in the rights enforcement suit filed on his behalf by a Lagos-based lawyer, Olukoya Ogungbeje, Evans is praying for the order of court to direct the respondents to immediately charge him to court if there is any case against him in accordance with Sections 35 (1) (c) (3) (4) (5) (a) (b) and 36 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
In the alternative, he is praying the court to compel the respondents to immediately release him unconditionally in the absence of any offence that will warrant his being charged to court. Evans is further contending in the suit that his continued detention by the respondents since June 10, 2017, without being charged to court or released on bail is an infringement on his fundamental human rights.
Evans equally disclosed that even if the police release him, he is not free to go as his victims could not wait to get ride of him. The Federal High Court in Lagos had on Friday dismissed the suit filed by the said lawyer Olukoya Ogungbeje.
Etisalat has announced a call for entries for the 2018 Etisalat Prize for Literature. The opening date for the submissions is 3rd July 2017 and the closing deadline is 18th September 2017.
The Etisalat Prize for Literature is the first pan-African literary prize that celebrates African writers of a debut published book of fiction.
The Chief Executive Officer of Etisalat Nigeria, Matthew Willsher, said the company was delighted to flag off the fifth year of the Etisalat Prize for Literature, which has become a leading platform for the discovery and promotion of African literary talent. He disclosed that the new panel of judges will comprise: Harry Garuba (chair), Doreen Baingana and Siphiwo Mahala.
Willsher added, "Over the years, we have seen the Etisalat Prize for Literature impact on the African literary space by encouraging creative writers and publishers to help tell compelling stories about the African continent, and it is our conviction that the judging panel – made up of very experienced writers, academics, literary critics and editors – will be devoted to upholding the legacy and reputation of the Prize."
The judging panel will initially select a longlist of nine titles, and following a second round of screening will announce a shortlist of three finalists, ahead of the 2018 grand finale/award ceremony.
Outlining the criteria for entry, Willsher said that books submitted must have been published in the previous 24 months from the date of the call for entries. Such books should contain no fewer than 30,000 words and must be the author's first published fiction book. The author must be an African citizen, but may reside anywhere in the world.
Furthermore, all entries must be submitted by incorporated publishing houses that have existed for six years or more, with registered ISBN or the equivalent, and the publishers must have published a minimum of three authors. A publisher may enter a maximum of three titles. Seven copies of each title entered must accompany the application form, along with an acceptance of the publicity terms of the Etisalat Prize http://prize.etisalat.com.ng/terms.php .
The winner receives £15,000, an engraved Montblanc Meisterstück pen, and an Etisalat-sponsored fellowship at the University of East Anglia, where he or she will be mentored by Professor Giles Foden, author of The Last King of Scotland'. The winner and the two runners-up also participate in a multi-city book tour sponsored by Etisalat. Etisalat purchases 1,000 copies of each of the shortlisted titles for distribution to schools, libraries and book clubs across the African continent.
Alongside the Prize for Literature is the Flash Fiction Award, an online-based competition open to all African writers of unpublished short stories of no more than 300 words. The winner of the Flash Fiction Award receives £1,000 and a high-end device, while the two runners-up for the Flash Fiction Award receive £500 each in addition to high-end devices.
Gov. Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara has identified community policing as an effective and efficient means of tackling various security challenges in the country.
The governor said this on Sunday while receiving the new Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Lawan Ado at Government House, Ilorin.
According to him, community policing was a feasible option in the existing battle against insurgence, kidnaping and other forms of security threats to the country's corporate existence.
Ahmed, therefore, charged the police to strengthen existing police public relationship with communities in order to resolve issues militating against peaceful coexistence between various groups.
The governor commended the former Commissioner of Police in the State, Mr Olusola Amore (rtd), for the introduction of community policing.
He advised the new Commissioner of Police to adopt the style in order to strengthen existing peace and harmony across the state.
He promised logistics support for the new commissioner in order to make the state safer for its citizens and investors.
"No development can be recorded in an unsafe environment. So, as a responsible and responsive government, we are committed to making the state a haven for investors," Ahmed added.
Earlier in his remark, the new Commissioner of Police, Lawan Ado promised to do his best to maintain peace, law and order in the state.
"Kwara State is a state of harmony. I intend to work hard towards sustaining the harmonious environment," Ado promised.
When news hit the stands earlier today that a Nigerian Student from Osun emerged the overall best student in the Ukraine, many did not know that the University where the feat was achieved is a world-renowned learning institution.
One of the new medical doctors, Miss Oyeleye Lateefah Abiola, was named by the Vice-President for Research and Education of the University, Prof Mykola O. Azarenkov as the overall Best graduating student.
Miss Abiola came out with a percent score of 95.6% in the KROK 2 Exams which was the final examination for graduating students.
The convocation arena erupted in cheers as the best graduating student mounted the stage to deliver her speech.
The Karazin Kharkiv National University is 213 years old having been founded in November 1804. It is one of the oldest and leading universities in the Eastern Europe. It is second oldest university in the Ukraine, second only to the University of Lviv, Ukraine.
The university has produced at least three Nobel Prize laureates. They include Ilie Mechnikov (Nobel Prize in Physiology/Medicine); Simon Kuznet (1971 Nobel Prize in Economics); and Lev Landau (Physics).
Lateefat Oyeleye Abiola speaks during the convocation ceremony. Behind her is UNIOSUN VC, Professor Labo Popoola, Vice President for Research and Education of the University, Prof Mykola O. Azarenkov, left also listens,
The V.N. Karazin Kharkiv National University where 50 medical students from the State of Osun graduated is a prestigious and international centre of learning and research by all standards.
It was founded in November 1804 as the Kharkiv University and one of the oldest higher educational institutions in Eastern Europe and the second oldest in Ukraine after the University of Lviv.
The history of Kharkiv National University is part and parcel of the intellectual, cultural and spiritual history of Ukraine. The names of many world famous researchers, scholars and educators are associated with Kharkiv University, among them are P. Hulak-Artemovskyi, O. Lyapunov, M. Kostomarov, M. Barabashov, M. Beketov, D. Bahaliy, A. Krasnov, M. Ostrohradskyi, V. Steklov, O. Potebnya, O. Pohorelov and many others.
Kharkiv University is associated with the first Ukrainian newspapers and journals and the first scientific societies.
Since its foundation, the University has graduated over 130,000 students. The names of the University graduates are commemorated in geographical names, names of space objects, plants and minerals, laws and formulae. Almost 60 University graduates have become academicians and corresponding members of the Ukrainian National Academy of Sciences (UNAS).
The activities of the University have developed Kharkiv into a major industrial, scientific and cultural centre. Many Kharkiv streets are named after professors, researches and alumni of the University.
University has 21 Schools: the School of Biology, the School of Physics and Technology, the School of Radio Physics, the School of Physics, the School of Computer Sciences, the School of Philosophy, the School of Mechanical Engineering, the School of Geology and Geography, the School of Economics, the School of Foreign Languages, the School of History, the School of Philology, the School of Fundamental Medicine, the School of Chemistry, the School of Sociology, the School of Psychology, the School of Law, the School of International Economic Relations and Tourism, the School of Further Education and Retraining, and the School of Physics and Energy. The latter was organized together with the UNAS Institute of Mechanical Engineering.
The University employs up to 1,500 faculty and research staff, including more than 200 doctors of sciences, full professors, almost 800 PhDs and associate professors.
Kharkiv National University offers 115 majors and minors, covering the whole scope of modern classical university education.
About 30 per cent of the University’s annual enrolment are school medal winners, another 10 per cent are winners of the third and fourth rounds of Ukrainian school students' academic competitions.
The University is one of the largest research centres in Ukraine. It covers virtually all spheres of modern fundamental research and incorporates the Research Institutes of Chemistry, Biology, and Astronomy, the Institute of Physics and Engineering, and the Institute of High Technologies.
The University’s faculty include 21 academicians and corresponding members of the Ukrainian Academy of Sciences and specialized academies of Ukraine, and 50 winners of the State Award. The University has about 20 world famous scientific schools committed to intensive research, 5 Expert Examining Boards and 11 Senior Doctorate Expert Examining Board. The University’s researchers annually publish 60 to 65 monographs, collections of research papers, over 2,000 articles and abstracts, and hold 20 to 25 international conferences.
The University is the leading research organization of international several space programs. Within the framework of international programs its researchers co-operate with scientists from the USA, Canada, Russia, Germany, Turkey, China, Japan, Switzerland, Bulgaria, Great Britain and other countries.
Since 1808 the University has had its own Astronomical Observatory which is one of the leading astronomical centres of Ukraine involved in fundamental and applied research in the Physics of the Sun, the planets, asteroids, comets and satellites.
It is the only university in Ukraine that has trained and employed three Nobel Prize winners. Elie Mechnikov was awarded the Nobel Prize for Medicine in 1908 and during his time at V.N. Karazin Kharkiv National University, he completed his four-year degree in just two years. Lev Landau was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1962 and lectured at the university between 1932 and 1937. The final Nobel Prize winner who studied at the university was Simon Kuznets, who was awarded the 1971 Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences.
In October 1999, according to the decree of the President of Ukraine, Kharkiv State University gained the status of a national university and was named in honour of its founder, V.N. Karazin.
In 2003, following the decree of the President of Ukraine, V.N. Karazin Kharkiv National University obtained the highest status of a self-governing (autonomous) state university.
V.N. Karazin Kharkiv National University is involved in extensive international cooperation and is an active member of the international community of the leading European and world universities. It cooperates with 61 partners in 25 countries of the world.
Together with other major European universities, in 1988 Kharkiv National University signed the Great University Charter that initiated the Bologna Process.
University Press Plc, organizers of the yearly Authors Forum successfully held the ninth edition of the event last week.
From left: Prof Ayo Banjo, Eze Prof Chukwuemeka Ike, Dr Laleka Are, UP Plc Chairman and Samuel Kolawole at the event.
The forum is a yearly opportunity for authors to celebrate themselves and reflect on their roles as nation builders. Present at this year's event were prominent writers and educationists including Emeritus Professors Ayo Banjo and Ayo Bamgbose; Professors Niyi Osundare, Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo, Eze Chukwuemeka Ike and Femi Osofisan, among others.
In the past editions, the forum had deliberated on books, publishing, languages, and on how to revive the reading culture. But this year, the organizers came to the realisation that one cannot read or learn well with an empty stomach. Hence the theme: Agricultural Policies, Programmes and Small-Holder Farming Systems vis-a-vis Food Security in Nigeria, a theme carefully chosen to reflect the immediate and potential challenge that could confront the nation as a result of the current food insecurity.
The forum also remembered and eulogised the late Osita Ike, son of Prof. Chukwuemeka Ike, who died last December, consoling his 86 years old father, a writer and traditional ruler of Ndikelionwu in Anambra State.
In his lecture, the professor of Soil Science from University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Charles Livinus Asadu, who spoke on 'Agricultural Policies, Programmes and Small-Holder Farmers Systems vis-a-vis Food Security in Nigeria,' said that Nigeria has all it takes to surmount food insecurity. Asadu blamed frequent policy changes and poor budgetary allocations since the advent of oil boom in the 1970s, as reasons for Nigeria's poor performance in the agricultural sector.
He called on government to first of all map the country's soil structure so that would-be farmers will be aware of what to plant and where. Asadu also advised government to mechanise agriculture to take away the drudgery so as to attract young people into farming.
On his part, the veteran writer, Eze Ike, who did not mention the death of his son, spoke about the new agricultural initiative of Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State – a new farming policy thrust for a profitable agricultural drive for Anambra people.
By Emeka Mamah and Dennis Agbo Enugu – Igbo Leaders of Thought including governors, members of the National Assembly, NASS, the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, traditional rulers and church leaders met at Enugu Sunday night and pledged their support for a restructured but united Nigeria where there would be justice, equity and fairness. . President Yemi Osinbajo exchanging pleasantries with Former Finance Minister, Kalu Idika Kalu (l) during the meeting between the Presidency at South east Leaders of Thought at the State House, Abuja. Photo by Abayomi Adeshida The Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, has however, rejected the opposition of the Igbo leaders to the splitting of the country, saying that the leaders were helping the Nigerian government to delay the imminent disintegration of the country.
The leader of MASSOB, Comrade Uchenna Madu, made this known in a statement in Enugu, Sunday, stressing that the leaders had always avoided the issues that that had fuelled the Biafra agitation, whenever they had the opportunity to sit with the presidency officials.
Madu said "we are not interested in restructuring of Nigeria because the foundation and intention of establishing Nigeria as a state does not favour restructuring."
However, those who attended the Igbo leaders' meeting included the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo, all the five governors of South East geopolitical zone led by Chief Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State, Hon Ifeanyi Ugwanyi (Enugu), Chief Willie Obiano (Anambra); Owelle Rochas Okorocha (Imo), Dr Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), members of the National Assembly as well as the former Chief of General Staff, CGS, during the General Ibrahim Babangida's administration, Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe, retd.
They also included the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, former Senate President, Ken Nnamani, Chairman of South East Caucus in the National Assembly, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, former Governor of the Central Bank, CBN, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, Senator Sam Egwu, the Catholic Bishop of Nsukka, Prof Godfrey Onah, the Archbishop of Enugu Diocese of the Anglican Communion, Dr Emmanuel Chukwuma, the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, the National Chairman of the United People's Party, UPP, Chief Chekwas Okorie, Prof Barth Nnaji, Mrs. Josephine Aneni, and Senator Gill Nnaji among others.
In a communique read by the Chairman of the South East Governors' Forum, Chief Dave Umahi, after the meeting which lasted till the early hours of Sunday, the Igbo leaders declared their full support for a united Nigeria, where peace, justice, love and fairness reigned supreme.
The seven-point communique read, "This a communique arising from a meeting of South East governors, members of National Assembly, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, our traditional fathers, spiritual fathers and some selected Igbo leaders of Thought on the state of the Nation. It was held today, the 1st day of July, 2017 at Nike Lake Resort Hotel, Enugu.
"We deliberated on a number of issues and we arrived at the followings: That Ndigbo are in full support of a united Nigeria, where peace, love, fairness, justice, equity and equality of opportunities are paramount, regardless of creed, ethnicity, gender or political affiliation.
"We condemn all hate speeches and misconducts from any segments of the country. That Igbo leaders lend their full support to the restructuring of the federal republic of Nigeria on the platform of fairness and equity. We therefore call on the federal government and all Nigerian leaders to commence a process of dialogue among Nigerians on the modalities of achieving this pressing question within a reasonable time frame.
"That Ndigbo support the report of the National Conference of 2014 and we urge the federal government to set up structures that will enable the implementation of the same within a reasonable time.
"That the South East Governors, members of the National Assembly, leadership from the south east and the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo shall henceforth constitute the official organs that shall speak on behalf of Ndigbo. "That south east leaders in consultation with other parts of the country, will set up a committee to engage the Federal Government on all issues that concern Ndigbo.
"The south east leaders are taking steps to ensure the safety of lives and property of our people in all parts of Nigeria, just as we guarantee the safety of lives and property of all other Nigerians living within our domain, that is south east. Thank you very much and God Bless you."
The statement by MASSOB signed by its Leader, Comrade Madu, and entitled “MASSOB blasts Igbo Religious, Traditional, Political & Opinion leaders for their nonchalant and insensitive attitude towards the current consciousness and realities of Biafra,” read, “Why is it that whenever these self-acclaimed Igbo leaders meet among themselves or with the Nigeria presidency, they always side-lined the primary and principal reasons and cause of Biafra agitation?
“Yesterday’s meeting of Igbo leaders in Enugu is tactically helping Nigeria government in postponing the explosion of the inevitable and unstoppable ticking time bomb which Nigeria comfortably sat on.
“Their decisions are not the true minds and positions of the people of Biafra. We want Biafra and nothing but Biafra. Nigeria must disintegrate, her faulty foundation has broken beyond repair.
“The non-violence struggle for Biafra actualisation and restoration is a reactionary revolution against the continued neglect, political injustices / imbalance of federal structures against Ndigbo by successive governments of Nigeria since 1970. We are in this self-determination struggle because of political, economic, academic, religious slavery which the government of Nigeria had subjected Ndigbo into in Nigeria.
“MASSOB and other genuine pro Biafra groups are in the Biafra struggle because of the grand plan to Islamize the people of Biafra with subtle and harsh economic policies against Biafrans.
“We are in the struggle to counter and correct the evil plot to enslave our children and their future,. We are in the struggle re -establish and revive the tenacity, economic independence and industrial nature of Ndigbo which astonished the world in 1950–70’s.
“Truly, we are in the struggle to restore the dignity, culture and integrity of Ndigbo. In this struggle, numerous sacrifices have been made. Supreme prices are being paid; we have been tortured, mesmerised, killed, incarcerated for the sake of Biafra and glory of Ndigbo yet we are neglected, abused and abandoned by people who benefit from our exploits.
“MASSOB and other agitators are the political masquerades and glory of Ndigbo as Book Haram is to Hausa Fulani; OPC to Oduduwa and Niger Delta militants to South -South. MASSOB still has high respect to few Igbo leaders who unflinchingly and boldly defend the interests and course of Biafra agitators.
“Majority of Igbo leaders have brazenly betrayed the Igbo cause and interest in Nigeria. We wish to inform Ndigbo that the reawakening of the spirit and consciousness of Biafra among the people of Biafra can never be demoralised again; the Biafra revolutionary struggle can no longer be betrayed by personal or group interest.”
The Lagos State Government has arrested 100 suspected members of the dreaded cult group, Badoo who have been terrorizing residents of the State especially in the Ikorodu axis.
This is just as the State Government has cautioned residents to desist from carrying out jungle justice on suspected members of the gang, as government would leave no stone unturned to bring the perpetrators of any dastardly act to justice.
For some time now, the members of the Badoo cult group have been fingered in violent killings in Ikorodu axis, a development which had prompted some suspected members of the group to be lynched through mob action.
The 100 suspects were arrested in a joint operation carried out by men of the Lagos State Police Command, Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Odua People's Congress (OPC), as well as local vigilantes including Onyabo in Ikorodu on Saturday.
As at Sunday morning, the number of arrested suspects had risen to 100.
The team, in the operation which started early in morning of Saturday, moved around Ikorodu and combed the suspected hideouts of the members of the gang from streets to streets.
The combined security team led by Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, Lagos Police Command, Mr. Imohimi Edgal and the RRS Commander, ACP Olatunji Disu, specifically combed black spots and suspected areas like Ikorodu, Ibeshe, Ita Maja, Ijede, Ipakodo and other areas, arresting about 100 suspects for questioning.
The exercise was a follow up to a meeting which the National Coordinator of Odua Peoples' Congress, Chief Gani Adams and Onyabo leaders held with security chiefs in the State last Friday.
Confirming the operation, Public Relation Officer of Lagos State Police Command, ASP Olarinde Famous–Cole said about 40 police and RRS vehicles were used for the operation, adding that the exercise was part of the ongoing efforts to rid the State of the activities of the dreaded cult group.
He said: "We can confirm the arrest of 100 suspected members of the dreaded cult group, Badoo and they are helping with ongoing investigation into the activities of the gang.
"Government is on top of the situation and we like to use this medium to caution the people to desist from jungle justice.
"We also like to assure residents that they are free to go about their normal activities without let or hindrance, as the police and other security agencies in the State are poised to make the State uncomfortable and hot for criminal elements to perpetrate their nefarious activities," Famous–Cole said.
Oyo State Government, has urged residents of the state to expose suspected criminals around them to complement and sustain government's efforts at protecting lives and properties.
Mr Femi Oyedipe, Executive Secretary, Oyo State Security Trust Fund (OYSTFF), made the plea while addressing newsmen in Ibadan on Sunday.
Oyedipe said that the government in conjunction with the security agencies in the state are synergising to arrest pockets of armed robbery incidents in some areas.
"The government and security agencies cannot do the task of protecting our community alone. We need the support of the people of the state.
"We cannot be in all the nooks and crannies of Oyo State at the same time; this is why we need the support of our people.
"We want them to collaborate with us to expose criminals in their domains and we guarantee the protection of their identities as we have been doing," he said
Oyedipe called on the residents to take advantage of the control and emergency numbers regularly released by the police for feedback.
He said that the security trust fund would soon release to the public details of the communication room being set up to complement the control room of the police.
The OYSSTF scribe assured that the identity of informants would be protected.
He warned that the government and security agencies would not treat with kid gloves misinformation that would hinder dispensation of justice.
He disclosed that the repositioned state's crime-fighting outfit 'Operation Burst,' would soon be launched.
He said that the collaborative efforts of the security agencies and stakeholders had given the state orderly and peaceful environment in the last 6 years.
"Governor Abiola Ajimobi's name is synonymous with peace and he has been able to bar brigandage and thuggery from the state.
"We still have pockets of crimes which we are working round the clock to curtail. That is why we must involve communities in security and policing efforts.
"We know it looks unachievable to have 100 per cent crime free society, but we are doing everything humanly possible to achieve this goal.
"We will not relent in our security measures which have positioned the state as a safe haven for investors and at the same time support the industrial revolution going on in the state," Oyedipe said.
He assured that OYSSTF would continue to support security agencies in the state to ensure peace and tranquillity through the provision of patrol vehicles, Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) and other security equipment.
By Omeiza Ajayi ABUJA – There appears a split in the National Working Committee NWC of the ruling All Progressives Congress APC over the party’s stance on the vexed issue of restructuring as its South-south zonal National Vice Chairman, Hilliard Eta, said the APC promised to restructure the country and it must not wait till the country disintegrates before fulfilling the pledge.
National Chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun had last week denied claims that the APC promised restructuring, saying the party only pledged to institute true fiscal federalism and that fulfilling the pledge was not its immediate priority, but growing the economy.
However, speaking with journalists at the weekend, Eta asked his party to urgently start the processes leading to proper restructuring of the country to avoid the “unnecessary duty of having to force ourselves to the table.”
“If you have restructuring in the manifesto of the party, it is settled that the APC is for restructuring. Not only is the APC for restructuring, the governors elected on the platform of our party have come out to tell the nation that they are also for restructuring.
“I prefer that the restructuring that Nigeria must have, the process should start immediately. The reason is that our economic backwardness, our political backwardness, our social backwardness can be traced largely to the awkward and unsustainable super structure of the country and not the sub-structure of the country.
“So, it is important that we restructure now so that we will not have the unnecessary duty of having to force ourselves to the table.”
‘We need to Revisit the Confab Report’
According to Eta, documents that could help the representatives of the people in the National Assembly in the process of constitutional amendment should be brought together, “whether it is in 2014 or in 2010 conferences”.
“I think it is a good place to start; all of these documents from the 2014 conference, the one that was conducted by Babangida or Abacha wherever it was conducted should be brought together.
“Nigeria has never been short of ideas. These ideas are found at the shores of government and that is a good place to start and Nigerians who may not have had an opportunity to contribute to those that we have in the shores of government should also be given an opportunity to do so.”
While appealing to Nigerians to be patient with the APC led government, the party chieftain flayed the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for not considering restructuring within the 16 years of being in power.
“The PDP, unfortunately, because whenever these things are done, I think that they are just amplifying or reciting the propaganda of the PDP but I beg to tell you that the PDP was in power for 16 years and they never cared about restructuring; today PDP is all over the place talking about restructuring.
“I don't know if it is essentially about the APC but some Nigerians are very quick to judge with regards to APC. APC has been in power for two years and in the two years you are aware of what has attended our presidency. It is disingenuous for people to now look at the APC and say those types of things that they say”, he added.
In an interview granted Channels Television recently, El Rufai in his usual manner sounded rash, brash, saucy, arrogant, insolent and illogical while answering questions on the groundswell of agitations for a restructured Nigeria that has gained currency in our polity recently.
He went on to arrogate to himself possession of the alpha-knowledge of the true meaning of restructuring while talking down on all others calling for the country to be restructured in a bid to correct most of the flaws of the current arrangement that have stifled development and caused stunted growth.
He also described agitations for restructuring as political opportunism and irresponsibility, saying those agitating for it are doing so because it has become a popular thing to do and they hope to exploit it to achieve their presidential ambitions.
This, as it is usual with the governor of Kaduna State, is far from the truth and absolutely untenable. A man who former president Olusegun Obasanjo described as a malicious liar, a pathological purveyor of half truths and with little or no integrity.
Years after, El Rufai's continued peddling of falsehood has assumed even more diabolical dimension.
On October 1, 2015, the Emperor of Kaduna posted on his Twitter handle that the administration of former president Goodluck Jonathan spent a humongous sum of N64bn for Nigeria's independence celebrations between 2011 and 2014 while official figures show that only the austere sum of N332.6m was spent between 2012 and 2014, an amount nowhere near even half a billion naira not to talk of 64.
Also most recently, El Rufai had also accused the Jonathan administration of mismanaging the Ecological Fund, saying Jonathan favoured only PDP states in the disbursement of the Fund. However, a factual analysis of the disbursement showed that El Rufai lied again.
One begins to wonder why El Rufai would not stop peddling falsehood just to score cheap political points. This is the same man who admitted to paying killers of our fellow citizens in cold blood instead of arresting and prosecuting them!
It is therefore not surprising to hear claims that those who are supporting the call for restructuring are using it to ride to their presidential ambition when we all know that the call for restructuring has always been a burning issue in the country even long before El Rufai's APC was formed, and even longer before he dreamt of ever being a governor.
The only difference now is that the loud and unrelenting secessionist agitation of IPOB, MASSOB and such other bodies including calls for restructuring by foremost socio-cultural organizations from the south and middle belt areas of the country, helped by Buhari's abysmal performance as president have given bite to the call.
The fact is that among the largest sections of the country calling for restructuring, only a very few and negligible number of them are even politicians not to talk of having presidential ambitions. From religious leaders to students, activists, journalists, socio-cultural organizations, professionals, etc, almost every Nigerian talks, understands and want restructuring as the best option for a more just and more equitable society where everyone/region would achieve their greatest potentials without being inhibited by the frameworks of the current system.
If El Rufai's false assertion were to be considered, we can confidently remind him that John Nnia Nwodo has no presidential ambition, Yinka Odumakin has no presidential ambition, Annkio Briggs has no presidential ambition, Onyeka Onwenu has no presidential ambition, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida has no presidential ambition, Ohanaeze, Afenifere, PANDEF, Middle Belt Forum etc, all have no presidential ambitions, yet, they cry restructuring.
Even the APC Governors Forum of which El Rufai is a member has also supported the restructuring campaign.
Restructuring is an agenda whose time has come. Nigeria can never last for too long if we do not restructure. It is either we restructure or Nigeria perishes. We can no longer continue to pretend as if everything is alright when indeed the current system has been retrogressive, lopsided, unjust and unfair to the largest sections of the country.
It is the looming danger that attends attempts to rebuff the shrill and urgent cries for restructuring that make men like Femi Fani-Kayode and others in the mould of those mentioned above to drum the need to heed the people's cry in the ears of the authorities.
Rather than denigrate such people, the nation owes them immense gratitude for standing up to be counted when the need arose. Such cries are the cries of battle to save our nation and people rather than be led by the folly of sycophancy and parochialism towards a collective perdition.
The desperate attempt by enemies of progress like El Rufai to reduce the 2014 national conference to mere politics and child's play shows that the few forces still fighting desperately to hold on to the status quo will not let go easily since they seem to benefit immensely from it at the expense of the people.
In doing this, El Rufai had said "We all know the circumstances in which the so-called CONFAB was put together, we all know the composition, how lopsided it was how important stakeholders were not taken into account, how even the composition and numbers do not reflect the demographics and diversity of this country and we took a position as a party not to participate but to encourage our state governors to be there at the table".
This is nothing but part of the tissue of lies manufactured by a repressive and regressive bunch parading themselves as progressives and who wish to keep lording it over the nation despite the growing outcry for restructuring.
How come El Rufai said the composition of the 2014 CONFAB was lopsided when in the same statement he admitted that his party decided on their own not to participate in it? The fact is that the conference was peopled by Nigerians from all walks of life and its resolutions were painstakingly reached to the large satisfaction of a majority of Nigerians despite the diversities inherent in the composition of the CONFAB delegates.
Another fact is, no matter how desperate figures like El Rufai try to peddle falsehood and half-truths to attack the urgent need for restructuring in this country, the "restructuralists" will have their way in the end because a system that thrives temporarily on deceit, injustice and oppression owing to its structure of government, politics and resource management would soon fail, unavoidably!
It is either we restructure now or we end up in pieces. Those calling for restructuring are patriots. They are the ones who love Nigeria, and not those with political power that would do everything to guard their hold to insatiable lust for power at the detriment of the people and the nation.
President Muhammadu Buhari's Personal Assistant on Social Media, Mrs. Lauretta Onochie educating all those calling for the the break up of Nigeria has said that all Nigerians will vote in a referendum to decide if the country should break or not.
Lauretta Onochie
Lauretta Onochie on Sunday said: ‘It’s the break up of our country you want. So all of us will vote.
‘We will all decide if we want to break up or not. We all know the result.’
The Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) in Osun, says it has endorsed the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Dr Ademola Adeleke, for the July 8 senatorial bye-election in Osun-West.
Secretary of the conference in the state, Mr Gbade Adelakun, made this known at a news briefing on Sunday in Ede in Osun.
Adelakun said that the group endorsed the PDP candidate because it believed that he would deliver the dividends of democracy to people in the constituency.
He said that nine political parties had supported Adeleke's candidature for the bye-election, and listed them as All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), Action Alliance (AA), Social Democratic Party (SDP) and Green Party of Nigeria (GPN).
Others, according to him, are Alliance for Democracy (AD), Democratic People's Party (DPP), Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), People's Party of Nigeria (PPN) and People's Democratic Movement (PDM).
Adelakun urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to postpone the election as being rumoured, and warned that the group would resist such action.
He alleged that INEC had been under pressure from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to shift the election date.
"Postponement of the election will amount to unnecessary tension among the political parties. The moral burden is on INEC not to shift the date of election," he said.
The conference's scribe also alleged that APC was planning to rig the bye-election with the help of "State Boys".
"We call on security agents and law-abiding citizens of Osun and Osun-West Senatorial District in particular, to call on the APC to allow wise counsel to prevail in this matter, a stitch in time saves nine," he said.
The APC Director of Publicity and Stategy in the state, Mr Kunle Oyatomi, dismissed the allegations as baseless.
Oyatomi said that APC would win the election, adding that the party had no plan to rig any election.
Director of Publicity and Voter Education at INEC, Mr Oluwole Osaze-Uzzi, had on Thursday, said that the commission was not planning to shift the election as being alleged.
The bye-election was prompted by the death of Sen. Isiaka Adeleke, the representative of the district in the Senate, on April 23. (NAN)
His younger brother, Demola, was subsequently given the mandate by the PDP to be its candidate in the election. His closest opponent is Mr Mudashiru Hussain of the APC.
A Civil Society Organisation, Conscience Nigeria, has advised youths in the northern Nigeria to use their time and resources to promote peace and unity in the country.
Executive Director of the organization, Mr Tosin Adeyanju, gave the advice in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.
Adeyanju urged the youths to desist from "fanning the ember of disunity" in the country, and cautioned them against efforts to "blackmail Acting President Yemi Osinbajo from performing his functions in that capacity.
He recalled that recently, Coalition of Northern Youths issued a statement, alleging that South-West leaders were planning to install Osinbajo as Nigeria's president.
"We condemned this kind of statement in strong terms.
"We believe that such statement will further heat up the polity and divide the nation. There are so much hate speeches flying around the country at this time," he said.
Adeyanju called on the acting president to consider a session with the youths in the country, and commended him for dialoguing with all interest groups.
He also urged Osinbajo to inaugurate ministerial nominees recently confirmed by the Senate, saying that some states had been without representation in the Federal Executive Council.
He advised the acting president not to succumb to pressure from any group pursuing selfish interest, but should remain focused and only take actions that would promote peace, unity and development of the country.
"We also appeal to the acting President to remain focus in steering the ship of the nation.
"He should be assertive in carrying out his constitutional roles in his capacity as acting president as stipulated by the 1999 Constitution (as amended)," Adeyanju said.
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