2023: Ex SGF, Anyim Pius Encourages Fellow Igbos To Join Him In Race For Presidency

January 6, 2022

Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Chief Anyim Pius Anyim

Former Nigeria’s Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Anyim Pius Anyim has called on fellow Igbo leaders to join in the contest for the Presidency of Nigeria in the 2023 election.

“Let me also at this point state clearly that I am aware that I am not the only aspirant from the South East seeking to run for the office of president. I encourage my brothers who so desire to please step out in their respective parties and after the primaries, the nation shall choose among us according to their good judgement, after all it is God who gives power.

“I therefore encourage you to give any other of our brothers and sisters opportunities as you have given me today.”

Anyim Pius, also a former Senate President, addressed South East leaders on his wide consultations across the country regarding his ambition, saying: “from all my consultations, I can reassure this assembly that our basis for hope remains sound.

“Our optimism about Nigeria is a shared one because what we desire for Nigeria is exactly what the leaders of other sections want.

“We all want a more united Nigeria. We all want a safe country. We all want a fair country that gives every citizen a fair shot at every available opportunity.

“The net result of my consultations is that I have found common ground with fellow compatriots on the need for a better Nigeria for ourselves and our children.”

Senator Anyim said that after he had consulted leaders across the country, he thought it wise to brief the people of the zone on the progress made so far.

“I am convinced with due modesty, that I am willing and available, ready and equipped, by experience and exposure, temperament and humility, capacity and competence to serve Nigeria at this point in time as her President.

“From my consultations so far, I am glad to report that the responses have been overwhelmingly encouraging and inspiring.

“Above all, I am also happy to report that the mood of the nation favours the rotation of the Presidency to Southern Nigeria. It is also to my knowledge that the South East stakeholders have repeatedly made the case for zoning the Presidency to the South East, for equity and fairness.

“Nevertheless, you may recall that when I declared my interest to contest for the presidency, I was emphatic that I will contest whether the presidency is zoned to the South or not. This is because If the presidency is zoned to South East, it will satisfy the just demand of equity and fairness. If it is not zoned to the South East, it will remain a burden on the conscience of the nation.

“Let me therefore at this point, join all well meaning Nigerians to appeal to all the political parties to take the fair, just and equitable decision to zone their presidential slots to the South particularly the South East.”

In a resolution signed by Senator T.A Orji and Chief Duru Ihe-oma (SAN), the Chairman and Secretary respectively,

leaders of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the South-East zone, endorsed the aspiration of Anyim Pius Anyim, to contest the position of the President of Nigeria in 2022.

The PDP leaders, including Zonal and State Executives of the Party as well as select political leaders and elders from across Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo States, met at Best Western Hotel,Enugu, at the instance of Anyim.

They appealed to the PDP to zone the presidential ticket to the South East zone, in the interest of equity, justice and harmonious national cohesion.

“The people of the South East geo political zone have earned the right to occupy the office of President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 2023 on account of their eminent qualifications and overwhelming contributions to the development of all parts of the federation through the years.”

The leaders commended Senator Anyim for making himself available to contest the office of the president of the country.

“On account of the foregoing, we congratulate Senator Anyim Pius Anyim for the patriotism of his decision to offer himself for national service by aspiring to contest in the 2023 Presidential race. We take due cognizance of his precious record of distinguished and unblemished service as President of the Senate and Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

“In these positions, he distinguished himself as a detribalized statesman, consensus builder and true nationalist. We, therefore, unanimously endorse his aspiration with all conviction and enthusiasm and eagerly recommend him to the rest of the nation as a worthy leader who will pilot the affairs of the nation towards greater security, unity and prosperity for all citizens.

“In furtherance of the foregoing, we hereby oblige Senator Anyim his request that we all join him to persuade and reassure every part of the country to do justice to the South East and thereby promote equity and justice as core values of our nation.

“In assuring Senator Anyim of our support for his aspiration, we wish to also extend the same hand of support and solidarity to all qualified and deserving sons and daughters of our zone with similar aspiration and who reach out to us as Senator Anyim has done, the PDP leaders noted.

They expressed profound gratitude to Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State and Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State for what they described as their outstanding leadership of the PDP in the South East Zone and their clear articulation of the interests of the zone at all platforms and organs of the party.

We Don’t Like To Be Dragged Into Any Form Of Politics, Army Warns Politicians

Editorial staff

January 6, 2022

“It is necessary to restate that the Armed Forces of Nigeria, as a professional institution, remains apolitical and, as such, would not want to be dragged into any form of political bias.

“Accordingly, it is important to advise politicians and others to desist from the use of military uniforms and accoutrements for political events and other engagements henceforth.”

These were contained in a statement today, January 6, by the Acting Director, Defence Information, Air Commodore W. A. P Maigida.

He said that the Defence Headquarters noticed with dismay that some politicians have formed the habit of wearing military uniforms and accoutrements for electioneering campaign posters.

“The campaign posters of some Governors, dressed in military camouflage uniforms, are displayed in noticeable areas in their respective states.

“This is manifestly illegal and an abuse of the privilege of allowing civilians wear military uniforms during military training exercises.

“Please note, anyone found culpable in this regard would be liable to prosecution.”

CBN Deputy Gov, Aisha Ahmad Now Heads Nigerian Commodity Exchange Board

Greenbarge Reporters

January 6, 2022

The Nigerian Commodity Exchange (NCE) has appointed the Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mrs. Aisha N. Ahmad as chairman of its Board of Directors.

A statement by the Acting Head, Corporate Communication, Abiodun Sanusi said that Mrs. Ahmad’s appointment came at an extraordinary meeting held on January 4, 2022, in line with the provisions of the Company & Allied Matters Act (CAMA) 2020.

The statement said that after the said meeting retired former Directors, it re-constituted new Board with Mrs. Aisha N. Ahmad, Dr. Angela Sere-Ejembi and Mr. Phillip Yila Yusuf as new core directors.

It said that additional board appointments would be made in due course, even as it said that the newly constituted Board, along with a Transition Management Team, “headed by Mr. Elenwor Ihua as Acting interim Coordinator, will temporarily oversee the operations of the Exchange, supervise an independent and transparent process to appoint a new Executive Management Team.

“The core shareholders of the NCE thank the outgoing Board and the Executive Management for their patriotic service to the company and wish them all the best in their future endeavors.”

The statement said that this development marked a critical milestone in the journey to transform NCE into a world class commodity Trading Company within the African and global commodity markets.

Fulani To IPOB: We’ll Stop Taking Cows To Your Southeast

Editorial staff

January 5, 2022

Fulani herdsmen, under the canopy of amalgamated union of foodstuff and cattle dealers of Nigeria (AUFCDN) have resolved to stop transporting cows and foodstuffs to the Southeast in compliance with the directive of the members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

The IPOB head of directorate, Chika Edoziem had said in a statement on Monday that the ban would take effect from April 22, 2022.

Responding, the AUFCDN President, Muhammad Tahir said that the union is ready to stop all food transport from the north to the southern part of the country.

“We want Nigeria to be one country and one people so that every part of the country would enjoy what the other produces but since this is what they (IPOB) have decided so be it.”

Muhammad Tahir told BBC Pidgin that food is what is being carried to the south, not poison.

“So, how do you take food to someone who says he does not want your food yet the person is killing you? It is not possible.”

Muhammad Tahir said that he does not know why IPOB uses food as a propaganda tool when it knows that the south cannot endure for a day without food from the north.

AUFCDN had embarked on nationwide strike in March 2021, complaining that some of their members died from the violence that followed the #EndSARS protests.

At the time, Tahir said they decided to call off the strike after the government promised to pay N4.75 billion which they demanded as compensation, ensure protection of their members and stop all forms of multiple taxation on the highways.

Nigerian Govt Declares Bandits As Terrorists, In Official Gazette

Editorial staff

January 5, 2022

The Nigerian Federal Government has finally proscribed banditry in the country, declaring those who are involved in it as terrorists.

In an Official Gazette released today, January 5 , the government stressed that banditry will be dealt with more ruthlessly henceforth.

The gazette is titled: “Terrorism (Prevention) Proscription Order Notice, 2021” on Page A507 -510. It is dated November 29th, 2021 with No. 212 Vol.108.

The Federal Government said that security reports have confirmed that the bandit groups have been responsible for the killings, abductions, rapes, kidnappings and related acts of criminality in the North-East, North-Central and other parts of the country.

The Government said that the group is also responsible for the growing cases of “banditry, incessant kidnappings for ransom, kidnapping for marriage, mass abductions of school children and other citizens, cattle rustling and enslavement.”

The government said that the group is responsible for imprisonment, severe deprivation of physical liberty, torture, rape, sexual slavery, enforced prostitution, forced pregnancy, other forms of sexual violence, attacks and killings in communities and commuters and wanton destruction of lives and properties in Nigeria, particularly in the North-West and North-Central states in Nigeria.

“The activities of Yan Bindiga and Yan Ta’adda groups and other similar groups constitute acts of terrorism that can lead to a breakdown of public order and safety and is a threat to national security and the corporate existence of Nigeria.”

The government’s Gazette followed the order of the Federal High Court in Abuja which, on November 25, 2021, declared the activities of bandits as acts of terrorism.

Justice Taiwo Taiwo had held that the activities of Yan Bindiga and Yan Ta’adda bandit groups constitute acts of terrorism and illegality.

The Judge also proscribed the activities of the bandits’ groups in any part of Nigeria, “either in groups or as individuals by whatever names they are called.”

Delivering ruling, the court specifically declared the activities of the “Yan Bindiga group” and the “Yan Ta’adda group” and other similar groups in any part of the country, especially in the North-West and the North-Central as “acts of terrorism and illegality.”

The court proscribed the activities of the group as well as other similar groups in any part of Nigeria, “either in groups or as individuals by whatever names they are called.”

The judge also made an order restraining “any person or group of persons from participating in any manner whatsoever, in any form of activities involving or concerning the prosecution of the collective intention or otherwise of the Yan Bindiga group and the Yan Ta’adda group under any other name or platform however called or described”.

Justice Taiwo then directed the Federal Government to publish the proscription order in the official gazette and two national dailies

Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) of the Federation, Mohammed Abubakar, had filed an ex-parte application seeking to proscribe the activities of bandits waging war against Nigerians.

Source: The Star.

Ex Lagos Assembly Deputy Speaker “Resurrects From Death “

Greenbarge Reporters

January 5, 2022

Former first female Deputy Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Adetoun Adediran narrowly escaped being buried today, January 5, after being declared dead.
Earlier in the day, the 51-year old former deputy speaker was declared dead by the family, who were preparing for burial amidst wailing.
According to the burial arrangements announced by the family, Hon. Adediran was to be buried by 2 pm at Ebony Vaults on James George Street, off Alagbon Close, Ikoyi.
Information had it that shortly before 2 pm, as undertakers commenced work on her body, they reportedly noticed that she was moving her limbs.
She was said to have been quickly rushed to a hospital, where treatment was commenced on her.
As at the time of filing this report, the condition of Hon. Adediran, who had also served the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in as the State, including as Lagos Central Women Leader, could not be confirmed.

I Planned To Sell The Baby I Stole In Lagos Church, 14-Year Housemaid Confesses

Greenbarge Reporters

January 5, 2022

A 14-year-old girl, Favour Iwuozor, who allegedly stole her mistress two-year-old- child during Church service in Lagos has confessed to police that she was taking the boy to Imo State to sell.
Favour Iwuozor, who allegedly stole the child in Lagos, but was arrested in Ogun State while trying to traffic the victim to Imo State said that she planned to sell the child.
Accordung to the Ogun state police Command: “during interrogation, the suspect confessed that she was a maid to the mother of the little boy, and that she left with the boy since on the 19th of December 2021, with the intention of taking the boy to Amraku Umorsu in Isiala/Mberna local government area of Imo state.
“She stated further that, she took the baby from the Church during Sunday school period, and since the Sunday school teacher knew her with the baby’s mother, she had no problem releasing the baby to her. She explained further that she decided to beg for alms in order to raise transport fare to Imo state.”
The State Police Public Relations Officer(PPRO), DSP Abimbola Oyeyemi said: ”the suspect was arrested following a complaint lodged at Sagamu Divisional Headquarters, by one Victoria Nwafor, who reported that she saw a 14-years-old girl on the 22nd of December 2021, with a very sick two- year -old boy in Yaba Lagos.
“She stated further that the little girl was begging for alms under the pretence that the small boy was her younger brother and that their parents died in a ghastly motor accident in December 2020. Out of compassion, the woman took both of them to her house in Sagamu, in order to take care of the little boy deteriorating health condition.
“But immediately the boy fully recovered, the suspect wanted to single-handedly take the boy to Imo State. This aroused the woman’s suspicion, hence her report to the Police Station.
“Upon the report, DPO Sagamu division, CSP Okiki Agunbiade, detailed his detectives to go and bring the girl and the little boy.”
Meanwhile, the State commissioner of Police, CP Lanre Bankole, has ordered that the baby’s parents be contacted urgently, while the case should be forwarded to Lagos State command in which jurisdiction the crime was committed.
Source: Cornerstone News

Senator Lekan Balogun, Otun Of Ibadan, Emerges Olubadan

Greenbarge Reporters

January 5, 2022

The Otun of Ibadanland, Senator Lekan Balogun, has been picked by members of the Olubadan-in-Council as the next Olubadan of Ibadanland.
The Osi Balogun of Ibadanland, Tajudeen Ajibola, at a news briefing by the kingmakers today, January 5, said that 10 out of the 11 members of Olubadan-in-Council endorsed the Balogun’s nomination.
Senator Lekan Balogun, as Otun, is the most senior chief from the two ruling chieftaincy lines, Egbe Agba (civil) and Balogun (military) that produce successors to the throne in the state.
Balogun, who represented the state at the red chamber, senate, and celebrated his 79th birthday last October, is statutorily the next person to occupy the Olubadan stool.
He reconciled with the late Oba Adetunji, less than three years ago following his installation by former Oyo State governor, late Abiola Ajimobi, as king in Oyo.
Balogun, a renowned technocrat, politician, and author, started his primary education at CAC Modern School, Anlugbua, and lived with one of his brothers, late Hamzat Balogun, who was a civil servant but was studying privately for the General Certificate of Education, Ordinary Level ( GCE O’L).
While he was also subscribing to Rapid Result College in the UK to enhance his performance in the examination, Lekan was secretly reading his brother’s correspondence tutorials which became very helpful to him when he wrote his qualifying tests which was like ‘G4’ at the time.
While in the second year of the three-year modern school programme, Lekan sat for the qualifying examination and passed. Therefore, he left school without completing the programme.
Armed with this certificate, he travelled to the United Kingdom where he studied for his O and A levels certificates while doing a part-time job to sustain himself- all under 18 years of age.
He left the university in 1973 with a Masters degree in Administration and Economics and had a brief stint with the Lamberth Local Government Social Services Department where he worked for one and a half years after which his academic inclination took the better of him and he enrolled for his PhD.
In 1973, he resumed as a research fellow at ABU Centre for Social and Economic Research and also had the option of working as a lecturer at the University of Ife now Obafemi Awolowo University but he chose ABU instead because of the desire to relate with other people away from his birthplace and to know their cultures and traditions.
It was during his sojourn in the UK that Lekan developed the white-black consciousness which crystallised into activism and the struggle for human rights. To give vent to his passion, he joined the leftist Marxist movement.
He plunged into the murky waters of politics in 1978 when he joined the PRP of Late Aminu Kano. His charisma, honesty and gallantry soon saw him climbing the political ladder with ease and grace that eventually accorded him the respect and recognition of the political overlords of Oyo State.
Within a short period of time, he had made his mark as an astute politician, activist and champion of downtrodden masses. He later became the gubernatorial candidate of one of the major political parties in the country, the Nigerian People’s Party (NPP) of Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe.
The military coup of December 1983 kept him and other political giants in the cooler for 16 years.
He later re-emerged on the political scene with his election as a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 1999.
Source of the profile: Vanguard.

Margaret Chuba Okadigbo Heads Newly Constituted NNPC Board

Greenbarge Reporters

January 5, 2022

Senator Margret Chuba Okadigbo (South East) has been made the Chairman of the Board of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited just put together by President Muhammadu Buhari in accordance with the power vested in him under Section 59(2) of the Petroleum Industry Act 2021.

According to a statement today, January 5 by the Special Adviser to the President on media and publicity, Femi Adesina,

Mele Kolo Kyari is the Chief Executive Officer while Umar I. Ajiya is Chief Financial Officer.

Other Board Members are Dr. Tajudeen Umar (North East), Mrs. Lami O. Ahmed (North Central), Mallam Mohammed Lawal (North West), Engr. Henry Obih (South East), Barrister Constance Harry Marshal (South South) and Chief Pius Akinyelure(South West).

The statement said that the appointments of the Board members take effect from the date of the incorporation of the NNPC Limited.

The statement said that also appointed are Executive Commissioners of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission.

They are Dr. Nuhu Habib (Kano), Executive Commissioner, Development and Production; Dr. Kelechi Onyekachi Ofoegbu (Imo), Executive Commissioner, Economic Regulations and Strategic Planning; Captain Tonlagha Roland John (Delta), Executive Commissioner, Health, Safety, Environment and Community and Jide Adeola (Kogi), Executive Commissioner, Corporate Services and Administration.

“Earlier appointed are the Board Chairman, CEO, Executive Commissioner, Exploration and Acreage Management, and Executive Commissioner, Finance and Accounts.

“New appointees at the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority are Francis Alabo Ogaree (Rivers), Executive Director, Hydrocarbon Processing, Mustapha Lamorde (Adamawa), Executive Director, Health, Safety, Environment and Community, Mansur Kuliya (Kano), Executive Director, Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund, Bashir Sadiq (Sokoto), Executive Director, Corporate Services and Administration, and Dr Zainab Gobir (Kwara), Executive Director, Economic Regulations and Strategic Planning.

“They join the Board Chairman, Executive Director, Downstream Systems, Storage and Retailing Infrastructure, the CEO, and Executive Director, Finance and Accounts, who had earlier been appointed.

“For Midstream and Downstream Infrastructure Fund, new Council Members are; Mr Effiong Abia (Akwa Ibom), Bobboi Ahmed (Adamawa), and Engr. Abdullahi Bukar (Katsina).

“It will be recalled that President Buhari had last September written the Senate on the administrative structure amendments to the Petroleum Industry Act, which included appointment of Non-Executive Board Members, removal of the Ministries of Petroleum and Finance from the Board of the two new institutions, and appointment of Executive Directors.”

Group Honours GOCOP President, Maureen, Others January 8

Greenbarge Reporters

January 5, 2022

A group known as Okaa Omee Youth Club of Nigeria from Anambra State has planned an award of merit to the President of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP), Maureen Chigbo, who publishes Realnews Magazine Online and others, including Ike Oligbo, a lawyer and politician.

A statement from the organisers today, January 5, said that the award ceremony will be held on January 8 at the Okaa Omee Youth Center in Umuoji in Anambra state.

Others who will be conferred with the honour include Nonye Osakwe, Adeze Moghalu, Victor Ide-Okoye, Okey Osefo, and V. O. Anyaegbuna.

Okaa Omee, the first social club in Umuoji, has continued to promote social activities and fostering of spirit of co-operation amongst her members.

The club is also critical in protecting the image, culture and social welfare of Umuoji.

The statement said that the conferment of award of excellence on well deserving Umuoji citizens for their contributions to the development of the town and service to humanity is in keeping with Okaa Omee Youth Club’s role of promoting the image, culture and social welfare of Umuoji.

It said that the club will also induct some of her members as patrons while Juderingo Okeke will be inducted as a member of the Board of Trustee of the club.

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