Interviews
Insecurity: There is a conspiracy to wipe out Ndigbo ~ ASETU
The National President of the Association of South East Town Unions, ASETU, Chief Emeka Diwe, has faulted the shoot-at-sight order given to security operatives in the region, and accused some elements within the North of a well-orchestrated plan to bring another war to Igboland and slaughter the defenceless people.
In this exclusive interview, the town union leader also bared his mind on a number of issues besetting Ndigbo and Nigeria at large.
Excerpts:
Q: Recently, Governors of Southern Nigeria met in Asaba and took some resolutions which they believe would address the challenges facing the country. What do you make of this?
A: It is interesting they have learnt to come together. That meeting, from all indications, was the first of its kind since Nigeria was amalgamated in 1914. The peoples of the South have been willfully blackmailed and so unnecessarily divided amongst themselves, and it has led us nowhere. So, I think their meeting was a good development.
However, some of the things they resolved to do are either belated or wrongly conceived. For instance, the issue of open grazing of cattle, which they only verbally proscribed. For over three years, we at the grassroots have been crying out over the activities of armed Fulani herdsmen and their cows, who are all over our streets, who overrun our farmlands, wreak havoc on our means of livelihood, rape our women and slaughter our people in the most brutal and reprehensible ways. Our poor, defenceless and vulnerable people at the grassroots cannot freely farm anymore in the face of this nightmare. Their crops are destroyed, and food insecurity has got to an unprecedented height. This is unbearable!
Throughout those years, we have persistently pushed for the proscription of open grazing by means of a legislation, not just by word of mouth, and we have articulated and forwarded to all the Governors and respective Houses of Assembly in the South East the proposals for the enactment of anti-open grazing laws. We have done so thrice in three years, held an all-inclusive security summit of the nearly three thousands town unions in the South East in Enugu, organized two other retreats in Abakaliki and Enugu respectively, over this matter. These very informed, well-spirited and expedient demands of ours were never granted.
Rather, in response, just recently, the Governors of South East began pronouncing that they have placed a ban on open grazing. This is not what our people want. Since the Governors began to make the pronouncements, has open grazing stopped in the South East? The answer is NO! Even as we speak, you still see herdsmen and their cows in their thousands roaming and grazing openly, ravaging everywhere! Open grazing, even in the most brazen, unbridled and audacious forms, is going on in our land right now.
So, the resolution by Southern Governors to ban open grazing can only be effective through anti-open grazing laws. We stand strongly on this. We need these laws, which will be enforceable, and on which strength defaulters can be arrested, prosecuted and appropriately punished. Anything short of anti-open grazing laws will not have any effect.
Q: For some months, the South East has come under attacks by unknown gunmen, and this has warranted the Army to order its operatives to shoot at sight anyone suspected to be involved in the mayhem. What is your view on this?
A: If they would not arrest me or shoot me at sight, I would have said it simply means an official declaration of genocide against Ndigbo. This fuels the suspicion that there is a conspiracy to wipe out Ndigbo. No nation should make such declaration against its citizens. That is not the solution to the problem we are facing. To begin with, who are these unknown gunmen? The security agencies have not come out openly to tell us who they are and the factors that propel their activities. In some states of the South East, we hear the Governors alleging that these unknown gunmen are political thugs and hoodlums recruited to create instability by those opposed to their governments. Other authorities have different views about the unknown gunmen. How then could the order to shoot at sight precede the unmasking of the criminal elements? Will it also be out of place to think that these unknown gunmen might be infiltrators from outside of land who may wish to create a condition that will ignite military action against us? Haven’t you heard about agent provocateur? Many things are possible in these very unacceptable happenings in our land. But no great question in history has ever been resolved by blood and fire.
The three things that are mostly needed now are intelligence, stakeholding and soft security. We must begin by identifying what the issues are and the actors involved, and have comprehensive action plan to permanently address the situation. Rolling out military tanks and administering street justice on suspects will not help. When innocents are arbitrarily killed in the process, it will further fan the embers of anger, apprehension and possible escalation of hostilities.
Q: The Inspector-General of Police has ordered the withdrawal of police personnel from VIPs in the South East in view of insecurity. How do you think this will address the problem?
A: One thing has become glaring through this directive of the IGP, which is that nobody in the South East is spared in this catastrophe. For some time, the elite in the region had tended stay aloof over this issue. They had always thought it would not get to them, and that by being protected by dozens of security operatives, the masses alone would suffer insecurity. But today they have become the most vulnerable. This is the reason leaders must always work and address societal ills whenever and wherever they take root.
When these atrocities of the herdsmen began, we wept to the high heavens but nobody could listen to us. Their failure to prioritize the matter and act on it was primarily because they felt they were not directly exposed to it, and their families also were well guarded. It is time for the elite, political and nonpolitical, to wake up and realize that any problem which has a social character will one day affect everyone within the society, no matter how highly placed.
Q: A security outfit, Ebube-Agu, has been birthed by the South East Governors to tackle insecurity. Do you think this will bring an end to the security challenges in the region?
A: Let me be clear, the easiest thing to achieve in Igboland is security. The reason is very simple: from inception, our people have always had a well-organized, effective and homespun framework for securing themselves. As you may have known, the republican character of the Igbo took expression in the organization of village assemblies which were democratic in nature and which had structures that performed various functions. The age grades were primarily charged with enforcement of adjudications and security. These structures have in modern times evolved and become even stronger. Those village assemblies of old are the town unions of today, and the role of ensuring security in the various communities is vested with the capable and trusted youths organized as vigilante groups.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with the name, Ebube-Agu, and most importantly, the idea of a pan-Igbo regional security architecture is one of the earliest demands which we as ASETU made on the South East Governors. However, the way to go about Ebube-Agu should be to rejig and upskill the existing community security initiatives and create a system where they are structured across various layers and federate at the top under one command.
If Ebube-Agu is done in this way, it will retain the trust and confidence of the people. But divorcing Ebube-Agu from the authentic communal security efforts will further sustain, if not escalate, the mistrust between the key political actors in the region and the youths who are increasingly restive and urgently in search of solutions.
Q: The Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, was recently quouted as saying the Igbo cannot get the Presidency come 2023 by insulting other people. What does this say about the feasibility of a President of Igbo extraction come 2023?
A: It will be inappropriate to speak of the politics of 2023 and the self-serving interests that underlie every rhetoric when our land is on fire. Security is the first purpose of political governance. How well has El-Rufai secured Kaduna people? I think that should be his first concern. It suggests total lack of regard for the lives being brutally taken away by bandits and terrorists to talk politics and speak about a faraway election now. Let us secure lives first.
But if records were to be set aright, which insult to a people can be greater than when the leadership of some cattle herders would sit somewhere in the North and declare that Igbo ancestral lands are theirs for the taking? Or when in a federation a part of the country would monopolize everything, including all security agencies? Or when Igbo businessmen who deal in alcohol are targeted in the North, and their businesses destroyed because of religion, yet in the distribution of the Value Added Tax from alcoholic products, Kano State alone gets higher VAT shares than all the States in Igboland put together? Is that not an insult?
This is not to suggest that Igbo people relish disparaging other ethnic formations. No, we don’t. We are accommodating. There is hardly any wealthy Igbo person who does not have domestic staff of other ethnicities right within his household. Do other tribes bring us that close to themselves? It is the love and respect we have for everyone that makes us build and develop anywhere in Nigeria that we reside. The Igbos are the binders and unifiers of this country, the adhesive that holds Nigeria together. You find more Igbo men and women of means living in other parts of the country than within Igboland. They make matchless efforts to develop all corners of this country.
However, I have said it time without number in my previous interviews, that the only reason for the Biafra agitations you see today is the immoral, unjustifiable and criminal injustices and absolute marginalization meted out to the Igbos especially under the current political dispensation. An Igbo man identifies with the neo-Biafran cause, and perhaps sees himself as a Biafran, to the extent that he feels oppressed and marginalized in Nigeria. Psychologists describe it as frustration-aggression. Reverse these injustices and watch all agitations disappear within 48 hours. This is our collective challenge to Nigeria as Ndigbo. What our people undergo are agonizing! I can tell you this without equivocation, because I head the Town Unions in Igboland, which are the direct managers of Igbo affairs, especially at the grassroots, and which are the functional and closest administrative units to Ndigbo in all the communities.
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Interviews
“Football under siege: How Insecurity, poor investment threaten the beautiful game in Kwara North”
In this short interview, Dr. Ndanusa, a director at Aidu Football Academy (AFA), Lafiagi, speaks with our correspondent on the struggles of running a private football academy in a region ravaged by banditry, and the broader challenges of managing football without government support. AFA players wore black armbands during their friendly against NPFL side, Kwara United, in Ilorin, as a show of solidarity for communities in Kwara North under siege.
AFA only launched formally in February. How has the journey been so far?
What we did in February was an unveiling. The academy had actually started long before that. After the launch, we set up a boot camp where we picked some of the best talents to expose them to the wider world of football. Over the last six months, our boys have had several encounters — some are currently in Ethiopia trying out with clubs, while others are preparing to move to Doha, Qatar. Those at home continue to engage local teams, and coming to Ilorin feels like homecoming since Lafiagi is part of Kwara. But beyond football, our presence here is symbolic — our home base in Kwara North is bleeding due to insecurity. That’s why our boys wore black armbands: a cry for solidarity. Government is doing its best, but security is everyone’s problem.
What does it mean to run a football academy from an insecure region like Lafiagi?
Dr. Ndanusa: It is both emotional and challenging. Every day, we battle the reality that while we try to raise young men through football, our community is under siege by armed bandits. Players come to training after hearing gunshots the previous night. Families are displaced, and yet we must carry on. It shows that football is more than sport — it is a beacon of hope. Our boys are saying through football that Lafiagi deserves peace.
How tough is it for the private sector to invest in football in Nigeria?
Dr. Ndanusa: Very tough. It requires money, time, and enormous resources — things one man alone cannot shoulder. Unfortunately, unlike government-backed clubs such as Kwara United, private academies struggle without institutional support. People understand football’s value but they have not directly benefited from it, so they shy away from investing. Until more investors come in, academies like ours will remain at the mercy of passion and sacrifice.
What lessons do you think government and stakeholders can take from AFA’s effort?
That football can be a force for good. Beyond winning trophies, it can rebuild broken communities, unite people, and take young people off the streets. Our academy is proof — even in a conflict zone, young men can choose football over crime if given the chance. What we need is more investment, collaboration, and deliberate policies that support private football academies. With security guaranteed and stakeholders involved, Nigeria can produce not just players but true ambassadors of peace and development.
Former Nigerian President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has emphasized that the fight against corruption must begin with accountability among top government officials.
Speaking during an interactive Zoom session titled “Boiling Point Arena,” Obasanjo highlighted the importance of leadership in combating corruption. The session was hosted by a private radio station in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Obasanjo stated, “The best way to fight corruption begins at the top; therefore, that is where we must focus our efforts.”
He stressed that leaders must lead by example. This sets a critical precedent for the entire nation, demonstrating a genuine commitment to transparency and integrity.
The interactive session focused on Obasanjo’s achievements in government and his assessment of Nigeria’s current state. He described corruption as “hydra-headed,” noting its deep roots in Nigerian society. This pervasive issue requires relentless effort to combat effectively.
Using an analogy from a former Sultan of Sokoto, Obasanjo compared corruption to a “babariga,” a flowing traditional attire. He explained, “If you are folding it on one side, it’s falling apart on the other side.” This illustrates how corruption can worsen if not addressed comprehensively.
He added, “When you carry it on both sides, you cannot hold your hands up, and as soon as you put your hands down, it’s falling apart. That’s corruption.”
Obasanjo emphasized that fighting corruption is not a one-time effort. It is a continuous endeavor requiring sustained commitment across successive administrations. “Corruption is not a one-day affair.
“It’s not a one-regime affair. It must be consistent, continual, and a daily affair,” he said. He warned that a single regime’s inaction may allow corruption to spread uncontrollably.
The former president urged officials to reform the recruitment and appointment of leaders to public office. He advocated for merit-based political appointments, not those based on political affiliations or tribal considerations.
As reported, Obasanjo argued that leaders must possess competence and integrity to effectively serve the nation.
Discussing the source of leadership, Obasanjo asserted that not all leaders receive divine appointment; some arise from personal ambition or malevolent forces.
Addressing Corruption
He stated, “God prepares most leaders and places them in their roles,” suggesting that this divine selection boosts a nation’s chances of success.
However, he recognized that evil influences can also infiltrate leadership. “Satan is real and has power. Satan can create a leader,” highlighting the potential for evil forces to influence those in positions of power.
He referenced Job from the Bible, explaining how Satan challenged God’s righteousness. He emphasized that while Satan has no salvation, his influence should not be underestimated.
Obasanjo’s remarks highlight Nigeria’s need for a comprehensive approach to combat corruption, starting at the highest leadership levels.
He urged leaders to prioritize accountability and meritocracy, ensuring that governance serves the public good.
Concluding his address, the former president stressed that sustainable development comes from transparency, consistent action, and leadership grounded in accountability and divine purpose.
His call to action emphasizes the urgent need for reform in Nigeria’s political landscape.
The Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace, Chief Allen Onyema, has lambasted the former Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, over what he referred to as tissues of lies from the former Minister.
It could be recalled that Mr. Sirika, during an interview on Arise TV, tried to defend the allegations of fraud levelled against him in particular, and the federal government led by the former president, Alhaji Muhammadu Buhari, in general, over the national carrier, Nigeria Air.
Speaking Arise TV on Sunday, June 11, 2023, Sirika made spurious claims about Air Peace, which is today regarded as Nigeria’s foremost airline.
In his bid to denigrate Air Peace while praising Ethiopian Airline, Sirika stated that the airline leased ‘two’ Boeing 777 aircraft on a monthly lease fee of $250,000, parked the aircraft for several months and incurred losses of $19 million while all the aircraft engines and landing gears became due for replacement.
He then asked: “Who does that?” then added that Ethiopian Airlines would never do that.
Secondly, Sirika said the airline stopped flying to Dubai because ‘we lack capacity’. This is another stark lie.
Read Air Peace’s press release debunking Sirika’s “lies”, signed by the Chief Operating Officer of Air Peace, Mrs. Toyin Olajide, here.
Not satisfied with the press release, Chief Onyema appeared in person to further debunk Sirika’s lies, asking President Bola Ahmed ‘Tinubu to dissolve the charade called ‘Nigeria Air’.’
According to him, the current Nigerian government should dissolve Nigeria Air and work with Air Peace to be the Flag Carrier as his airline deserves it.
Speaking on Arise News on Wednesday, CEO of Air Peace averred that the former Aviation Minister, Sirika, ought to be in jail and not granting interviews.
Onyema recalled that he has done so much for this country, hence has to come on air and defend his credibility and reputation of his company.
He even demanded for more time as he has a lot to say about the corruption and criminality going on in this country.
As an ordinary citizen, he reminded Sirika that he has done more for Nigeria and Nigerians than the so-called politicians, only for the Nigerian government to deny Air Peace when it applied to be given slots to ply the UK route.
He noted that what the government should do is to support the local airlines in Nigeria, offer the airlines grants, and possibly deregulate the aviation industry as it will create more jobs and uplift the economy.
Watch the Arise News interview below:
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Aareonakakanfo of Yoruba land, Iba Gani Adams on Monday, urged President Bola Tinubu to fulfill the dreams of a prosperous Nigeria, saying the late MKO Abiola’s mandate stands for justice, freedom, equity, liberty, and sustainability of democratic tenets.
Adams said this at the 30th anniversary of the June 12 1993 in Ogba, Lagos.
He stated that the death of the late MKO was not in vain because democracy has come to stay.
According to him, though there are challenges that have threatened the foundation of this democracy, things could be better with proper approach.
He said: “We cannot achieve much if our democracy is tied to the 1999 constitution that we are using presently in Nigeria.
The 1979 and 1999 constitutions are tools that the military imposed on us to preserve their atrocities.
“And the constitutions have always remained the bane of Nigeria.That is why we are where we are at the moment.
“Unless we embrace regionalism, and let the federating unit develop at their own pace, Nigeria may find it very difficult to realize its lofty dreams.
“With a new administration in power, there is need for President Bola Tinubu to come up with policy direction that has human face.’
Ace journalist, Mr. David Hundeyin, was on News Central TV, Thursday morning to break down the Nigeria Air fraud, allegedly perpetrated by the former Minister of Aviation, Mr. Hadi Sirika.
Ace journalist David Hundeyin
Speaking, Mr. Hundeyin recounted how he broke the story of the fraudulent aircraft display on May 26.
Watch the video of the interview below:
In the meantime, the Nigerian legislature has stated that departing President Muhammadu Buhari created a fake airline as his final act in office.
President Buhari managed to arrange the flight of a lone aircraft bearing the livery of the nonexistent Nigeria Air before taking his final bow.
In an earlier development, the newly unveiled national carrier has revealed that it would soon make formal announcement for job opportunities as it continues to make preparations for commencement of commercial flights, which is projected to take place in the third quarter of this year.
Nigeria Air was unveiled on Friday, May 26, 2023, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, with a dual promise of quality service delivery and job creation, among others.
The job creation drive disclosure was contained in a document, entitled “Nigeria Air: The Journey So Far”, made available to newsmen in Abuja on Monday, by the airline’s media office.
According to the document, announcement for job opportunities would be made in key national newspapers for pilots, engineers, cabin crew and other positions.
The vacancy advertisements would also be posted on Nigeria Air website and social media platforms, as revealed by the document. Read more.
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©Copyright 2023 News Band
(If you would like to receive CURRENT NEWS updates from News Band on WhatsApp, or Telegram, or wish to send eyewitness accounts/ reports/ articles, write to elstimmy@gmail.com and we will respond instantly. Follow us on twitter @News Band; like our Facebook page: News Band.)
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