Controversial Enugu-based Catholic Priest, Rev Father Ejike Mbaka has predicted that there will be permanent confusion and chaos in the proposed Republic of Biafra if ever it becomes a reality.
He made it clear that with Biafra, the fault lines that have hidden all the years between different Igbo communities would come into the open to further divide the people along primordial lines.
The priest, who made this prediction while addressing a cross section of Igbos in East London, yesterday, Tuesday said: “if you think we have trouble in Nigeria now, we will see trouble in Biafra.
“No Anambra man would let an Enugu man be president, no Imo man would let an Abakaliki man be president”.
Mbaka also faulted claims that the South East is being marginalized, citing the immediate past administration of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, as example of none marginalization of Igbo.
He recalled that an Igbo was Finance Minister, Central Bank governor, and so on even as he said that those whom the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu have been able to influence into agitating for Biafra are “the children of the poor,” who are not thinking properly about the implications of secession.
He insisted Biafra agitators were being deceived by Kanu, and advised Igbos wherever they are to work for the unity of Nigeria and forget about Biafra. [myad]
The Buhari Media Support Group (BMSG) has called on the striking members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) to immediately call of the strike and go back to work and embrace dialogue in resolving their grievances.
The group, which described the actions of the two unions as acts of sabotage to the government of President Muhammadu Buhari, wondered whether they are ignorant of the current economic realities in the country.
In a statement the group also wondered why the two unions would go on a strike without considering the economic situation in the country at present.
“The economic realities of the country today do not support the frivolous manner with which some workers’ unions in the country embark on industrial actions.”
The statement, which was signed by the Group’s Chairman Austin Braimoh and Chief Cassidy Madueke said: “we view the strike actions by the two unions as unpatriotic and capable of worsening the plight of Nigerian students and needy patients who are yearning for their services.”
The BMSG said that the two unions should have weighed the impact of their actions on the citizens at all times, bearing in mind the wider implications they can have on the polity.
“We, therefore, urge ASUU and NARD to immediately call off the strike and exhaust the dialogue options with the federal government.”
It said that so far the federal government has shown good faith in the approach it has adopted in handling the issues, and asked the unions to reciprocate the gesture in the interest of all Nigerians. [myad]
Former Nigerian Vice President, Atiku Abubakar has expressed joy on the news that Nigeria is out of economic recession, saying it is a boost for the economy.
“It tells investors, local and foreign, that our economy is worth investing in.”
Atiku, who is a chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), in a series of tweets today, Wednesday, however, said that recession will end when all “Nigerians can eat three square meals.”
According to him a a lot of work still needs to be done, adding: “as a Nigerian, investor and employer of labour, the news of Nigeria’s official emergence from the recession is most welcome.
“While we rejoice, it’s also important to recognize that economic weakness at the bottom of the pyramid remains. Inflation is still high.
“We must continue working hard to expand economic opportunity for all Nigerians.
“When all Nigerians can eat three square meals, that’s when the real recession ends. We have work to do.” [myad]
The Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) has lamented that information leakage is hampering its investigative activities.
The anti-corruption agency said: “indeed, much damage has been done to the Commission’s investigation activities by this leak, especially as some of the cases mentioned are still at preliminary stages of investigation.”
In a statement today, Wednesday, by its spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, EFCC said that the report that is making the round that Chief Judge of Nigeria, Ex minister of finance, Okonjo-Iweala; current solid mineral minister, John Fayemi; Ekiti state governor, Ayo Fayose, Others, did not emanate from the Commission.
The news, the statement said, appeared in The Punch Newspaper of today, Wednesday September 6, 2017 and it had to do with “a list of high profile persons, including the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, former Finance Minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Kayode Fayemi and Justice Abdu Kafarati of the Federal High Court, who are said to be currently under investigation by the Commission.”
According to the newspaper, “The list, sighted by one of our correspondents via an EFCC source on Monday, was recently sent by the anti-graft agency to the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN), based on request.
The Commission said that the allusion to “an EFCC source” is diversionary and mischievous, adding: “for the avoidance of doubt, cases under investigation communicated to the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation by the Commission are classified information and it is troubling how such would be leaked to the media.
“The mastermind of this leak is out to create disaffection between the Commission and, particularly, the Judiciary. The Commission wishes to state categorically that it is currently not investigating Justices Onnoghen and Kafarati.
“While Onnoghen was being considered for his present position, the Commission received some petitions which were investigated and found to be without merit and discarded.” [myad]
The 6 Division Nigerian Army Port Harcourt has engaged in fierce battle with oil thieves and other criminals in the creeks, leading to various degrees of injuries sustained by several criminals and two soldiers.
The gun battle, according to a statement by the Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Aminu Iliyasu, arose out the operations carried out by the soldiers aimed at detering various criminal acts being perpetrated within its Area of Responsibility (AOR).
In a statement today, Colonel Aminu said that on Monday, September 4 September, troops of 6 Division Garrison, Port Harcourt on routine Anti-Bunkering patrol to Elechi and Abonnema Wharf, discovered and destroyed several quantities of suspected illegally refined Automated Gas Oil.
He said that in a similar operation conducted by troops of 29 Battalion Tactical Headquarters, Bille, Rivers State troops encountered armed illegal bunkerers, short of Feropkakama, a notorious bunkering site, who on sighting troops opened fire.
“However, the gallant troops repelled the attack and pursued the scampering criminals deep into the creeks with many of them sustaining gun shot wounds.
“Unfortunately, 2 brave soldiers were wounded in action, one of them critically but both are responding positively to treatment at a military facility in Port Harcourt.”
The Army Spokesman said that the constitutional operations carried out with the soldiers were: anti-Illegal oil bunkering, anti-kidnapping, anti robbery, anti-cultism, anti- piracy as well as Stop and Search Operations against other sundry crimes being committed against law-abiding and peace loving citizens of the Niger Delta.
He said that the troops of 3 Battalion (Rear), Warri. Jad continue to dominate their AOR with the conduct of Stop and Search Operations with a view to maintaining the fragile peace that exists in the area and to identify, detect and intercept criminals, arms and ammunition within the area.
Colonel Aminu stressed that the measure has significantly reduced attacks on innocent communities, particularly along Ogbe-Ijoh and Aladja boundary, Isaba community, Mofor, Okwuokwuoko, Warri/Sapele and other notable hot spots around Warri metropolis.
He said that in a follow-up operation conducted yesterday, Tuesday, September 5, the troops of 29 Battalion Tactical Headquarters, Bille, Rivers State attacked the notorious illegal bunkering site at Feropkakama Camp after gun battle.
According to him, more success was recorded as troops discovered 14 pump action catridges, 4 empty AK 47 magazines, 8 pumping machines and several other illegal bunkering tools, adding that a massive manhunt, in conjunction with other sister security agencies, is under way to track down and arrest the fleeing criminals in order to bring them to justice.
He said that the troops of 130 Battalion in Harris Town, Rivers State had arrested one of the notorious kidnap kingpins known as Mr David Owhor AKA Chile who along with his gang members (at large) have been terrorising innocent people along East-West Road between Port Harcourt and Choba general area.
“The suspect is currently in military custody making useful confessions and assisting security agencies in making tremendous progress in the investigation that will lead to the eventual arrest of other gang members.
“The Division wishes to thank all peace loving citizens of the region particularly those that are voluntarily assisting the Command with vital and timely information that is aiding us to achieve positive results in our efforts to protect lives and properties of all citizens and create a conducive atmosphere for peaceful co-existence. The Command also wishes to restate it’s commitment to crushing all forms of crime against the Niger Delta people by criminal elements within the region.” [myad]
A former Nigeria federal commissioner and currently leader of the Ijaw nation in the Sout South, Chief Edwin Clark has asked the leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu to drop the agitation for Biafra even as he condemned the Arewa coalition for the quit notice they issued to Igbos to leave the North.
Edwin Clark who spoke when the Chairman, Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debt, Senator Shehu Sani, paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja said: “when Kanu talks about Biafra, he is talking nonsense. We do not want a second war. America fought their civil war for a long time and they are not thinking of a second one. Kanu should drop the agitation.
“At the same time, it is arrogant and foolish on the part of some Northern youths to issue quit notice. You do not own the North. It is part of Nigeria and anybody can live there.
“The Igbos have been living in the North for over 100 years. I condemn all of them.
“We have been living together since 1914 and from time to time, we have been changing the way of our lives.
“In 1947, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe said the Richard Constitution was obnoxious; that it was anti-people. In 1950, we had the Macpherson Constitution which created the three regions and in 1963, we had another constitution.
“During all these constitutions, the issue of fiscal federation was very prominent. So, we have been restructuring this country and nobody talked about breaking up the country.
“The war between 1967 and 1970 was an unfortunate one.”
On clamour for regionalism, Clark said: “you cannot abolish the states now and say you want six regions. It is not going to be easy or possible now.
“I feel we should use the same states as federating units and the local governments should remain with the states.”
In his remarks, Sani said that theproblem Nigeria has with devolution of power is how to tackle some of the problems that come with it.
“For example, the present crop of governors might not be able to handle state police in a manner that people who disagree with them can be safe.
“Secondly, the manner in which elections are conducted by state independent electoral commissions where the ruling party in state wins all positions is worrisome.
“So, if we devolve the police, we have to allay the fears of people on the implications. Those who are championing some of these issues need to make clarifications.” [myad]
Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has incurred the anger of Ibadan traditional institution for allegedly referring to the wife of Olubadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji, as his emissary before she got married to the monarch.
The family Heads (Mogajis) of Ibadan land, led by Chief Olawale Oladoja (Mogaji Akinsola compound), reacting to the statement by the governor on a radio programme, said the governor had disrespected the Olubadan throne and the Ibadan people.
Oladoja said: “we wish to respond to the governor’s broadcast over the Olubadan issue and coronation of some chiefs. We are a law-abiding people and we have gone to court over the issue. We are sure that they have the Ministry of Justice in the state government who interprets the law for the executive.
“The governor said in the broadcast that he used to send the present Olubadan’s wife to his (governor) girlfriend. That is an insult on the Olubadan throne and Ibadan people even when the event dated back many years. The woman in question is now an Olori. We are giving him (governor) a seven-day ultimatum to withdraw the statement.
“He has about 19 months more to spend as governor of the state after which he will become a former governor. He should realise that whatever we do today will become history tomorrow. If during your tenure you destablise the Ibadan custom despite being our brother, you will come back to meet it that way.
“We expect the state governor to know more on this issue and we also want the people to be aware that what we are fighting for concerns the traditional institution and progress of Ibadan land. We cannot be intimidated by anyone on this issue.
“We have nothing against the personality of Ajimobi as an Ibadan son, but we will never fold our arms and allow an individual or government to rubbish the custom of Ibadan land.” [myad]
President Muhammadu Buhari and President of Niger, Alhaji Mahamadou Issoufou
President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed happiness over the declaration of Nigeria being out of economic recession even as he said that the ultimate goal of his government is to make life easy for ordinary citizens. Reacting to the news of Nigeria being out of the recession, from his Daura country home in Katsina State, the President stressed that his government is determined to make real impact of coming out recession to be felt with ordinary Nigerians experiencing a change in their living conditions. Buhari, who also received the President of Niger, Alhaji Mahamadou Issoufou, in audience said: “I am very happy to hear the country is finally out of recession. Certainly I should be happy for what it is worth. I am looking forward to ensuring that the ordinary Nigerian feels the impact.’’ President Buhari commended all the managers of the economy for their hard work and commitment, stressing that more work needed to be done to improve the growth rate. “Until coming out of recession translates into meaningful improvement in peoples’ lives, our work cannot be said to be done.” In his remarks, the Nigerien President said that he was most delighted to see President Buhari in good health, praying that the almighty God would continue to strengthen him. President Issoufou said he used the opportunity of the visit to discuss some bilateral and regional issues with President Buhari, which included the fight against Boko Haram, the economic challenges in the Lake Chad Basin and other developmental concerns that directly affect the livelihood of the citizens of both countries. The Nigerien President was accompanied on the visit by a former Prime Minister, Dr.Hamid Algabid and the President of the Economic, Social and Cultural Council of Niger, Moussa Moumouni Djermakoye.[myad]
Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on media and publicity, Femi Adesina has advised those who are “beating the drums of separation” to keep their peace as the President is ready to sacrifice himself for the unity of the country. He emphasised that the government of President Buhari is resolute to preserve the unity, cohesion and togetherness of Nigeria. Femi Adesina, who addressed a solidarity rally at the precincts of the Presidential Villa, for the Federal Government, organised in Abuja, by the Centre for Civil Society and Justice said: “the President has sworn to keep the unity of the country and whatever it takes, he will keep to that pledge.” He stressed that President Buhari will also continue to uphold the contents of the constitution which he swore to uphold, adding that principal among the contents of the constitution is the recognition of Nigeria as one indissoluble entity. The Presidential spokesman is happy that Nigeria has finally exited from economic recession, which he said, is a clear testimony that President Buhari’s administration is working for the progress and prosperity of all Nigerians. He said that the exit of Nigeria from such dangerous economic indicator shows that Nigeria now has a government that is working for them. “It shows that we have a government that is interested in our welfare. We have a government that is interested in our well-being. “Recession came due to some mistakes of the past and in just about a year, the government battled it and today we are officially out of recession and we give all glory to God.” Adesina assured the rally that he would relay their message of support and solidarity on the unity of Nigeria to the President. Earlier, the convener of the rally, Comrade Goodluck Obi said the group wholeheartedly supports President Buhari’s uncommon resolve to fix a nation ‘plundered and pillaged by irresponsible leadership in the past at various levels of government.” Goodluck called on the National Assembly and the Judiciary to support the executive arm of government in the war against corruption, insurgency and economic recovery programmes. “We want to sound a note of warning to both organs of government, that we the Nigerian people would no longer allow our collective destiny to be toyed with like a game. “We are more than ever ready to mobilise the people to do the needful within the ambit of the law. Enough is Enough.” [myad]
A player of the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon, displaying a fit of anger at a Nigerian Super Eagles player…after loosing to Nigeria on 5-1 aggregate in Yaonde, in the World Cup elimination contest, Sunday. [myad]
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A former Nigeria federal commissioner and currently leader of the Ijaw nation in the Sout South, Chief Edwin Clark has asked the leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu to drop the agitation for Biafra even as he condemned the Arewa coalition for the quit notice they issued to Igbos to leave the North.
