Academic Staff Union of University, ASUU, says it will petition the Nigerian Universities Comission, NUC, and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, ICPC, over conduct of examination by Kaduna State University, KASU, management amidst ongoing strike by the union.
This was contained in a statement on Monday in Kaduna by ASUU Kano Zonal Coordinator, Abdulkadir Muhammad.
KASU, on May 23, said it would disqualify students with less than 75 per cent attendance from writing its second semester examination.
The varsity’s management had also on April 26, announced resumption of academic activities on May 9 for the continuation of the Second Semester 2020/2021 academic session amidst the ASUU strike.
Muhammad said the examinations should be re-conducted after following the due process and suspension of the ongoing sirike, otherwise, the Union will be left with no option but to write a petition to the NUC and the ICPC against the Management of KASU.
He said in order to maintain and raspect the sacred system of evaluation in the university system, all written examinations in KASU amidst the strike should be discarded.
He added that the ASUU, Kano Zone, met on Aug. 7 and deliberated on alleged intimidation against their members by the government due to the ongoing nationwide strike directed by the ASUU national body.
Kizz Daniel has been released by Tanzanian Police a few hours after he was arrested for refusing to perform at a concert.
The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) which revealed this on Monday evening via its Twitter handle, said, “His legal team will however report back to the police tomorrow while he will subsequently return to Nigeria.”
As previously reported by SaharaReporters, Kizz Daniel was arrested in the East African country and held at the Oyster Bay Police Station, Civil Police in Dar es Salaam after failing to show up for a paid performance there.
Someone was heard saying in a viral video that the artist would be punished for cancelling the concert.
As part of his Afro Classic World Tour, the Buga crooner was slated to perform at the Warehouse, Old Nextdoor Arena in Tanzania on Sunday night.
Following his failure to show up, a video of angry fans trashing the show’s venue had trended earlier.
In fresh videos trending on Twitter, however, the singer wearing a hooded jacket was seen being led into a police vehicle.
An angry voice was saying, “You will go in for it. You’ve caused damage in this country. I warned you yesterday.”
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has dismissed another officer who was caught in a video beating a man with a cutlass in the Ekori community of Cross River State.
The disgraced officer identified as Mr Liyomo Okoi with NPF Number 524503 was dismissed after facing an Orderly Room Trial in which he was said to have been found guilty of the offence.
His dismissal according to police authorities takes effect from the 8th of August, 2022.
While addressing newsmen at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, the Force spox, Ademuyiwa Adejobi, said Okoi’s conduct falls short of the professional standard set by the Inspector General of Police, Mr Usman Alkali Baba.
He said the Police, under IGP Baba, frown at any act of misconduct, especially one that involved an officer maltreating innocent citizens.
The IGP warned that such conduct would not be tolerated by the Nigeria Police Force and that any officer caught engaging in any act of indiscipline would be shown the way out of the Force.
“The Inspector-General of Police has therefore reiterated his commitment to ethical regeneration, restoration of professional standard and enhancement of the anti-corruption drive with the dedication to entrenching human rights-driven policing within the country,” Adejobi said in a statement.
After addressing the press, the dismissed officer was de-kitted.
Recall that the video which went viral on the 31st of July, 2022, Okoi was seen assaulting a man by hitting him repeatedly with a machete.
However, Okoi who was attached to the Ekori Divisional Headquarters, Cross Rivers Police Command, will be the second police officer to be dismissed in less than two weeks by the Nigeria Police Force after Inspector, Richard Gele, who was caught on camera “dignifying and justifying extortion” in Kogi State was also dismissed by the Police in July.
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) on Monday released the results of school candidates, who sat the 2022 West African Senior School Certificate Examinations(WASSCE).
Speaking at a briefing on Monday, WAEC’s Head of National Office, Patrick Areghan, noted that the results were released 45 days after the last paper.
The examination held for six weeks from May 16 to June 23, 2022.
The Air Task Force (ATF) of Operation Hadin Kai killed scores of Boko Haram/Islamic State of West African (ISWAP) terrorists in an air raid in the Bama Local Government Area of Borno State.
It was gathered that members of the two terrorist factions were neutralized in the middle of their infighting in Gazuwa, a notorious headquarters of Boko Haram, located 8 kilometres to Bama Local Government Area on Aug 5, 2022.
According to a source who is a counter-terrorism expert and security analyst in Lake Chad, the damaging air interdiction mission was launched after a series of surveillance missions which indicated the heavy presence of terrorists in the area.
“They were in a middle of a fight when the Super Tucano attacked them, scoring a devastating hit on them, killing scores of the Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists, in the process,” Dailytrust quoted the intelligence source as saying.
The source explained also that in continuation of its employment of the air-power to decimate the capability of the insurgents, the air strikes successfully took off another group of the terrorists around the axis of Gargash.
According to the source, unspecified numbers of terrorists were neutralized in the process.
It was gathered that life has been turned upside-down in the camps of the Jamā’at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da’wah wa’l-Jihād, Boko Haram within the past weeks following massive air and ground attacks coordinated by the troops of Operations Hadin Kai.
However, it was learnt that not fewer than 20 terrorists and their families from Njimiya camp had surrendered to the troops of 21 Armoured Brigade Bama, due to the fear of being attacked by air strikes.
Another source said that the continued attacks have triggered massive displacement and hunger in most of the terrorists’ camps, leaving them with no option but to surrender, continue hiding in one place without food or run out of the forest and die.
It would be recalled that troops neutralized another notorious commander of Boko Haram Alhaji Modu also known as “Bem Bem”, and 27 other fighters in Borno State.
There was chaos along the Airport Road in Abuja on Monday, on Monday as some irate youths laid siege on the express road.
It was caused by commercial motorcyclists, mostly of Northern extraction, who attacked Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIOs) for seizing their bikes.
The mob threw sticks and stones at commuters and vehicles passing the expressway in Lugbe, which links several communities and is used to connect the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.
They also burnt tyres.
A number of vehicles made u-turns and drove against traffic to avoid the chaos.
Terrorists on Monday abducted three women and set fuel tankers on fire in Saminaka community in the Lapai Local Government Area of Niger State.
The incident occurred on Sunday night when the terrorists came into the community and started shooting sporadically.
A resident of the community Musa Rabiu, who spoke to our correspondent, said the terrorists, while shooting, headed to one of the popular restaurants in the community and abducted the three women.
Rabiu said that while the terrorists shot sporadically into the air, some of their bullets hit two diesel tankers that were conveying fuel leading to an explosion of the tankers.
“When they came in and started shooting, some of their bullets hit some tankers carrying fuel, and they exploded, and people were running for their lives”.
“When we heard the gunshots, we started running in search of safety. The bandits were just shooting up and down. Saminaka is not a big village. The entire community has been thrown into panic with this recent kidnapping”, he said.
He also said that the three abducted women were the restaurant owner, Zainab Usman, and two of her staff.
When contacted, the Public Relations Officer of the Niger State Police Command, Abiodun Wasiu, confirmed the attack and abduction of three women.
Wasiu said police tactical teams and vigilante members had been drafted to the area.
“Efforts are ongoing to rescue the abducted victims,” he stated.
Nigerian Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Kelvin Ugwu has said that those opposing the presidency of Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi are not being logical.
The clergy man in a statement posted on his official Facebook page also said that the Obidient movement is not ordinary.
While citing Obi’s defection from the Peoples Democratic Party and his wide acceptance across the country after moving to the Labour Party, the Catholic priest insisted that the former governor’s ambition and move is a divine arrangement.
The priest stated further that those who have tried to pull down Peter Obi so far had “ended up killing and making a mess of their reputations”.
He wrote, “Whatever is following Mr. Peter Obi is not ordinary. If you sincerely reflect over every step he had taken so far, from leaving PDP to finding his running mate,cthe timing of his moves, accuracy of plans and thoughts. They are nothing but divine arrangements.
“Some of those fighting him actually never had sense before, but we never knew, we were even ‘gbaming’ them then. . .but with Peter Obi, every doubt about them has been totally removed
Apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has carpeted President Muhammadu Buhari, over his comments on the alleged killing of eight Nigeriens and security agents in Owerri.
Special Assistant to the President on Media, Mallam Garba Shehu, had after condemning the incident, tasked the community to unmask the perpetrators.
But Ohanaeze in a swift reaction said that while the killing was condemnable, the President should not talk as if such Killings were peculiar to South East.
Ohanaeze in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Dr Chiedozie Alex Ogbonnia, said that there are more senseless killings and terrors attacks in Buhari’s North than in the South East.
The apex Igbo body further argued that Buhari as the Commander in Chief should take blame for insecurity in any part of the country.
The statement read in part:”Ohaneaeze Ndigbo however frowns at the statement by the Presidency which is nuanced against the South East as a haven for terrorists that attack non indigenes and law enforcement officials; implying that the insecurity persists because the leaders have not forcefully spoken.
“This is very unfair to the Igbo, especially when the presidency knows the root cause and the nature of the insecurity in the South East.
“It needs be added that the solution to the insecurity in the South East lies in the enormous powers of the presidency.
“The above remarks by the presidency appear to have ignored the prolonged open war with the Boko Haram in the North East; the Banditry in the North West, especially in Katsina State; the Fulani Herdsmen invasion of several communities in the Middle Belt region; the Church massacre at Owo; the daily kidnappings on our highways; the Kaduna-Abuja train abduction, etc.
“It is very uncharitable, if not mischievous, to poison undiscerning minds by insinuating that non indigenes and security officials are killed by the terrorists in the South East.
On the other hand, to appropriate national problem to the South East of Nigeria is an ethnic prejudice taken too far. Invariably, banditry in the North Central persists because their leaders have not forcefully spoken or rather they are publicly celebrated and turbaned or still, offered the Sheik Gumi option.
“Both history and current events in the country must have shown that unjust policy against the just shall ultimately vindicate the just.”
Ohanaeze which cited several instances of killings by bandits in different parts of the country wondered why the Presidency would single out the Owerri incident as if the locals were responsible for the act.
“Two months ago, suspected armed herdsman in the early hours of Sunday, June 21, allegedly killed about thirty persons in two communities of Okpokwu Local Government Area of Benue State in what has been described as unprovoked attacks on civilians.
“On Monday July 22, 2022, gunmen attacked some officials of the 7 Guards Battalion of the Nigerian Army Presidential Guards Brigade. The incident, which took place around the Bwari Area Council of Abuja, left three soldiers wounded and eight personnel killed.
“On Friday, August 5, 2022, Advocacy News reports that “Gunmen have abducted 14 Indian nationals working with a ceramics company in Ajaokuta Local Government Area of Kogi state. According to the report, “two Indians, two police officers and two drivers were killed when the gunmen struck”. It added that “they were on their way home from work (West African Ceramics) when the gunmen attacked their Coaster bus”.
Former executive governor of Plateau state, Senator Joshua Dariye, and a former Taraba state governor, Jolly Nyame have finally stepped out of prison yard after they were released this evening.
Their release comes after the Council of State, led by President Muhammadu Buhari had on April 14 approved the pardon of the convicts.
President Buhari signs 16 constitutional amendments into law - March 17, 2023
President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the acquisition of the entire share capital of Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited by Seplat Energy Offshore Limited.
This is according to a tweet by the Presidency on Monday afternoon titled ‘President Buhari consents to the acquisition of Exxon Mobil shares by Seplat Energy Offshore Ltd.’
According to the Presidency, Buhari authorized the move as Minister of Petroleum to attract foreign direct investment to the country.
He also directed that Exxon Mobil and Seplat mitigate all environmental and abandonment liabilities.
The statement read in part, “In his capacity as Minister of Petroleum Resources, and in consonance with the country’s drive for Foreign Direct Investment in the energy sector, President @MBuhari has consented to the acquisition of the entire share capital of Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited by Seplat Energy Offshore Limited.
“Exxon Mobil had entered into a landmark Sale & Purchase Agreement with Seplat Energy to acquire the entire share capital of Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited from Exxon Mobil Corporation, Mobil Development Nigeria Inc, & Mobil Exploration Nigeria Inc, registered in Delaware, USA.
“Considering the extensive benefits of the transaction to the Nigerian Energy sector and the larger economy, President @MBuhari has given Ministerial Consent to the deal.
“The President, in commitment to investment drive in light of the Petroleum Industry Act, granted consent to the Share Sales Agreement, as requested by the parties to the transaction, and directed that the approval be conveyed to all the parties involved.”
Consequently, Exxon Mobil/Seplat are expected to carry out operatorship of all the oil mining licenses in the related shallow water assets towards production optimization to support Nigeria’s OPEC quota in the short term as well as ensure accelerated development and monetisation of the gas resources in the assets for the Nigerian economy.
President Buhari signs 16 constitutional amendments into law - March 17, 2023
President Muhammadu Buhari has consented to the acquisition of Exxon Mobil shares in the United States of America by Seplat Energy Offshore Limited.
The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, in a statement issued on Monday, said his principal consented in his capacity as Minister of Petroleum Resources, and in consonance with the country’s drive for Foreign Direct Investment in the energy sector.
He said Exxon Mobil had entered into a landmark Sale and Purchase Agreement with Seplat Energy to acquire the entire share capital of Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited from Exxon Mobil Corporation, Mobil Development Nigeria Inc, and Mobil Exploration Nigeria Inc, both registered in Delaware, USA.
Adesina added that President Buhari had given Ministerial Consent to the deal, considering the extensive benefits of the transaction to the Nigerian Energy sector and the larger economy.
He said the President, in commitment to investment drive in light of the Petroleum Industry Act, granted consent to the Share Sales Agreement, as requested by the parties to the transaction, and directed that the approval be conveyed to all the parties involved.
The presidential spokesman said Exxon Mobil/Seplat are expected to carry out operatorship of all the oil mining licenses in the related shallow water assets towards production optimization to support Nigeria’s OPEC quota in the short term as well as ensure accelerated development and monetization of the gas resources in the assets for the Nigerian economy.
Adesina added that President Buhari also directed that all environmental and abandonment liabilities be adequately mitigated by Exxon Mobil and Seplat.
The deal worth about $1.3bn will take a 40% stake in four OMLs, including over 90 shallow-water and onshore platforms and 300 producing wells.
There had been opposition from NNPC Ltd, and the Akwa Ibom state government which hosts most of the assets earlier on the transaction but the ministerial approval puts this to rest.
Former executive governor of Plateau state, Senator Joshua Dariye, and a former Taraba state governor, Jolly Nyame, and two others have been reportedly released from prison custody.
Recall that the Council of State, led by President Muhammadu Buhari had on April 14 approved the pardon of the convicts, a decision which generated condemnations from Nigerians.
Meanwhile, when contacted, the FCT spox for the Nigerian Correctional Service, Chukwuedo Humphrey, confirmed their release in a telephone interview.
Nigerian singer, songwriter, and performer, Oluwatobiloba Daniel Anidugbe, popularly known as Kizz Daniel, has been arrested by the Tanzanian police after he allegedly failed to show up for a performance.
The Flyboy, Inc. superstar, who is currently on a world tour, gave a sizzling performance in Uganda but, surprisingly, is in the news for negative reasons after a sizeable number of people on social media complained about the fact that he failed to show up for his concert in Tanzania.
According to a video circulating online, fans were seen throwing objects on stage after they had waited for the singer in vain.
In another video that just surfaced online, the singer was seen being ushered into the back of a truck by the Tanzanaian police, on the basis of what is said by many to be his failure to show up for the concert.
So far, there have been no official reports by the police or Kizz Daniel’s management, but we are keeping tabs on further developments.
Anambra State Governor, Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, CFR has felicitated with his immediate predecessor, Chief Willie Obiano (Akpokuodike) who clocks 67 years old today, August 8, 2022.
Governor Soludo in his message by his press secretary, Christian Aburime commended the former Obiano’s passionate service to the State and the good people of Anambra State.
Soludo contended that “attaining the age of Sixty-seven (67) years is a milestone achievement deserving of celebration, having served and become an accomplished politician, banker and technocrat within these years.”
He said, “As the fourth democratically elected Governor of Anambra State, from 17 March 2015 to 17 March 2022, you have contributed your best and history will be kind to you.”
“Indeed, generations of Ndi Anambra and Nigerians will look back in history to appreciate your exemplary leadership and contributions in the area of infrastructural development and community service .”
“On behalf of my family, the government and people of Anambra State, I wish you long life, sound health and many more years of service to your fatherland and humanity.”
One of the founders of Soludo TV, Mr. Chinedu Akorah, has sneered at Anambra State residents over the choice of Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo as Governor.
In a post in his social media handle, Mr. Akorah qualified the fortunes of Anambra residents under Governor Soludo as akin to entering “one chance”
To “enter one chance” is an euphemism for boarding a transport vehicle teeming with armed robbers and/or pick pockets.
In the post, Akorah expressed disappointment that the governor does not keep to promises.
He wrote: “I am not a regular politician. What I say is what I will do. Otu awu n’ezi. Na one chance we enter.”
Chinedu Akorah is one of the founders of Soludo TV, an online platform that provided all the visuals during the APGA governorship campaigns.
During the campaigns, several promises were made to them but they were dumped and forgotten despite their contributions to the election.
Akorah, who quoted Soludo’s statement during the campaigns that he was not a regular politician and that whatever he says, is what he would do, concluded: “Otu awu n’ezi.”
“Otu awu n’ezi” in Igbo language stands for false and unkept promises.
Akorah‘s is one of the many cases of frustrations by members of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) over the governor they elected less than one year ago.
See a screenshot of the post below:
Soludo, a.k.a.Solution, it could be recalled, was elected as the executive governor of Anambra State on the platform of APGA on November 16, 2021, and was inaugurated on March 17, 2022. —
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FULL VIDEO: The former Emir of Kanu, Lamido Sanusi in this video slams Nigeria’s Federal Government On Economic Policies, slams incompetent politicians, urges Youths To Save Nigeria
The deposed Emir of Kano also said that he warned officials in President Buhari’s government that the economic policies his government was pursuing will destroy Nigeria’s economy.
Sanusi yesterday at Lagos also said nobody can force him to keep quiet.
The News Agency of Nigeria reported that Sanusi, who is also the current Khalifah, Tijaniyat Movement of Nigeria, said this in Lagos on Sunday at a stage play titled “Emir Sanusi: Truth in Time”.
The play was written by a professor of Drama at the Redeemer University, Ahmed Yerima, and produced by the Executive Chairman, Duke of Somolu Productions, Mr Joseph Edgar.
Sanusi said, “As a citizen of this country, the future is in our hands, if care is not taken, there will be no country for them the way this country is headed.
“If the ministers, the commissioners, the governors and the local government chairmen did their jobs as they should, Nigeria will be better for it. “Ask questions clarify issues; don’t sweep issues under the carpet.
“Often times, I am criticised for publicly speaking against government policies, but what most people don’t know is the fact that I speak with these government officials privately sometimes for months or years before I go public.”
Sanusi applauded the cast and crew of the play, saying it was well detailed. Sanusi, who said he was overwhelmed with emotions when he saw the play in Abuja on Saturday, however, noted that the play in Lagos was well interpreted and detailed, which made it interesting.
He added, “When my family and friends heard that Joseph Edgar was telling the story about my life, they told me to go through the script, but I resisted the urge to peep. “But I am glad that they told my story in the most captivating way with the basic facts.
“When I watched the play in Abuja, I cried because I saw myself through the eyes of other people, when I spoke to a close associate, she said, what I witnessed was a blessing because people don’t live to witness such.”
He urged the audience not to be slaves to either wealth, money or power because it could be taken away from them.
Sanusi, who said he was overwhelmed with emotions when he saw the play in Abuja on Saturday, however, noted that the play in Lagos was well interpreted and detailed, which made it interesting.
He added, “When my family and friends heard that Joseph Edgar was telling the story about my life, they told me to go through the script, but I resisted the urge to peep. “But I am glad that they told my story in the most captivating way with the basic facts.
“When I watched the play in Abuja, I cried because I saw myself through the eyes of other people, when I spoke to a close associate, she said, what I witnessed was a blessing because people don’t live to witness such.”
He urged the audience not to be slaves to either wealth, money or power because it could be taken away from them. In his remarks, Edgar, said the decision to do a play about Sanusi, a 1976 Kings College alumni, was because of his doggedness, courage and his love for the girl-child and equality among men and women.
“Some people from both the ruling party and the popular opposition will call us and give us money so we can have a stage production in their honour but we refused. “We believe in what the Emir stands for, his principles, Emir is fearless, he speaks for the voiceless,” he said.
NAN reports that the two-day stage play held on Saturday and Sunday in Lagos and Abuja.
Jaiz Bank Plc has announced its unaudited results for the six months ended June 30, 2022 with a Profit After Tax, PAT, of N2.54 billion.
The company said this in a statement on Sunday in Lagos.
The PAT represented an increase of 27.6 per cent when compared with N1.99 billion recorded in the preceding period of 2021.
The bank’s total income also increased by 17.8 per cent during the review period, from N8.86 billion to N10.44 billion.
The bank’s earnings per share also increased by 8.25 per cent during the period under review to 7.34k from 6.78k for the second quarter of 2021.
Commenting on the result, Hassan Usman, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the bank, said that it remained committed to providing value creating ethical banking services to its growing customer base.
Mr Usman said that the bank would always be positioned to continue its remarkable earnings streak for the remainder of the year, by leveraging on technology and extending its touch points across the country.
“Jaiz positive earnings result is undoubtedly reassuring to all stakeholders and the public.
“It underscores the role of Jaiz as the pioneer non-interest bank in Nigeria, as well as the industry leader,” he said.
FirstBank has debunked the news reports online that one of its branches, as well as its head office, have been sealed.
In a statement made available to News Band, FirstBank informed that the referenced story is a misrepresentation of the facts and misleading.
“Neither our branch nor head office was sealed.
”On the 4th of August, 2022, there was an unlawful enforcement at the Bank’s Coomassie House Branch of a garnishee order issued by a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja which order the Bank is still challenging in court.
“While the Bank has taken appropriate legal steps to deal with the situation, we wish to reassure our customers of unhindered banking services and unique customer experience in all our branches and through our numerous alternative channels,” the bank clarified.
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Honorable Fatuhu Muhammed, a nephew to President Muhammadu Buhari, says he dumped the All Progressives Congress (APC) because his opponent abused his father.
Newsband had reported how Muhammed, son of Buhari’s elder brother, exited the ruling party after his failed re-election bid.
The lawmaker, who represents Daura/Mai’Adua/Sandamu Federal Constituency of Katsina State in the National Assembly, failed to secure his re-election ticket after polling 30 votes, while Aminu Jamo, his rival secured 117 votes.
Since the primaries, there have been clashes between the camps of Fatuhu and Jamo.
Speaking with one of our correspondents last night, Muhammed said he left APC because his opponent abused his father.
“I received an audio recording where their candidate (Jamo) called my father, Alhaji Mamman Dan Baffalo, by name and abused him. Alhaji Mamman Dan Baffallo and President Buhari are of the same father and mother.”
“Out of the 26 children born by their father, they are the only males that are from the same father and mother. So, abusing my father is abusing the president.
“So, I said since the issue has gone beyond politics to denigrating the dignity of my parents, I cannot take it any longer, and it is not binding on me to stay in the party, so I decided to leave,” he said.
Prominent businessman and Politician, Chief Nnanna Kalu has urged the national leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to caution a factional governoship candidate of the party, Ikechi Emenike.
Kalu described Emenike as a divisive politician that has polarized the party in the state
Kalu stated this in a chat with newsmen at the national headquarters of the party on Monday morning, stressing that Emenike lacks the capacity to win the 2023 governoship election in the state.
He accused Emenike of working with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to cause confusion in the APC through promotion of hate, lies and acrimony.
“Today APC is in trouble with characters like Ikechi Emenike. Emenike is the biggest problem in APC today. With support from two Ministers in Abuja he hijacked the party for his selfish interest. People are leaving the party everyday because of him.
“I am appealing to the national chairman of our great party, Alhaji Abdullahi Adamu and other leaders of the party to call Ikechi Emenike to order. Emenike is now abusing party leaders like Senator Orji Uzor Kalu and Uche Ogah. Is that the person that wants to win election in Abia ?
“I knew opportunities were given to him to reconcile with other party leaders in Abia and he and his cohorts refused to be part of it, one of those opportunities headed by Hope Uzodinma of Imo State and another headed by the present National Chairman of APC. In all, Emenike constituted himself as a sole proprietor of APC which led to the defection of many members including Dr. Alex Otti, Mascot Uzor Kalu, Chief Amobi Ogah, Etigwe Uwa (SAN), Hon. Acho Obioma and others.
“Emenike has no electoral value in Abia State and should not pretend about it. He is the reason why people are leaving the party. A man who can’t win his polling unit is parading himself as governorship candidate. All politics are local and Emenike lacks what it takes to win a councilorship position. “
Apex Igbo Socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has accused the president, Muhammadu Buhari of blaming the victims of insecurity in Southeast rather than going after the perpetrators of the carnage in the region.
Recall that Buhari while reacting to the killings in Imo State, called on community and religious leaders to speak out forcefully against the killings and to stand up and defend the ethos of the nation’s cultural and religious heritage.
The Igbo group said that the Buhari’s position which is nuanced against the Southeast as a hideout for terrorists that attack non indigenes and law enforcement officials; implying that the insecurity persists because the leaders have not forcefully spoken out is very unfair to the Igbo, especially when the presidency knows the root cause and the nature of the insecurity in the region.
Ohanaeze in a statement by its spox, Alex Ogbonnia said the remarks by the presidency appears to have ignored the prolonged open war with the Boko Haram in the North East; the banditry in the North West, especially in Katsina State; the Fulani Herdsmen invasion of several communities in the Middle Belt region; the Church massacre at Owo; the daily kidnappings on the highways; the Kaduna-Abuja train abduction, etc.
The statement reads, “The attention of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide led by Ambassador Professor George Obiozor has been drawn to the statement that made various headlines where “President Muhammadu Buhari Flays Killings in the South East”. According to Mallam Garba Shehu, the Special Assistant to the President on Media, “President Muhammadu Buhari condemned in strong terms the recent attacks against non-indigenes and law enforcement officials by terrorists in the South East, calling on the “community and religious leaders to speak more forcefully against the killings and to stand up and defend the ethos of the nation’s cultural and religious heritage”. This Day August 7, 2022 reports that “President Buhari’s reaction came amid reports of the slaying of six Nigerien citizens and the brutal killing of a number of policemen at their duty posts”.
“Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide joins the Presidency and indeed the good people of Nigeria in condemning this dastardly act that occurred at Imo State, South East of Nigeria. Ohanaeze has repeatedly explained that amongst the Igbo, human life is very sacred. The sanctity of life is so elevated that killing of a human being in whatever circumstance is considered an abomination. In fact it is not in the character of the Igbo to kill in whatever disguise. These recent developments are indeed very much alien to the reflexes, culture and norms of the South East. And we have often called on the Nigerian security operatives to ensure that the perpetrators of such acts are brought to book as a deterrent to others. Surely, the failure of the Nigerian security agents to fish out the criminals cannot be blamed on the Igbo.
“Ohaneaeze Ndigbo however frowns at the statement by the Presidency which is nuanced against the South East as a haven for terrorists that attack non indigenes and law enforcement officials; implying that the insecurity persists because the leaders have not forcefully spoken.This is very unfair to the Igbo, especially when the presidency knows the root cause and the nature of the insecurity in the South East. It needs be added that the solution to the insecurity in the South East lies in the enormous powers of the presidency.
“The above remarks by the presidency appear to have ignored the prolonged open war with the Boko Haram in the North East; the Banditry in the North West, especially in Katsina State; the Fulani Herdsmen invasion of several communities in the Middle Belt region; the Church massacre at Owo; the daily kidnappings on our highways; the Kaduna-Abuja train abduction, etc,. A few instances highlights the current state of insecurity in Nigeria:
“Two months ago, suspected armed herdsman in the early hours of Sunday, June 21, allegedly killed about thirty persons in two communities of Okpokwu Local Government Area of Benue State in what has been described as unprovoked attacks on civilians. Channels Television informed that the Police Public Relations Officer for the Benue State Command, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Sewuese Anene, confirmed the attack to journalist in a brief statement. And several others I Benue State….
“On Monday July 22, 2022, gunmen attacked some officials of the 7 Guards Battalion of the Nigerian Army Presidential Guards Brigade. The incident, which took place around the Bwari Area Council of Abuja, left three soldiers wounded and eight personnel killed. According to the report, “two of the slain personnel were officers, including a captain and a lieutenant, while the remaining were other ranks”.
“On Friday, August 5, 2022, Advocacy News reports that “Gunmen have abducted 14 Indian nationals working with a ceramics company in Ajaokuta Local Government Area of Kogi state. According to the report, “two Indians, two police officers and two drivers were killed when the gunmen struck”. It added that “they were on their way home from work (West African Ceramics) when the gunmen attacked their Coaster bus”.
“A Wisconsin-based Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED), one of the world’s most reliable conflict data aggregators, stated that “there were 18 abduction events targeting students across northern Nigeria between January 2018 and April 2021. The ACLED data also shows that the bandits killed more than 2,600 civilians in 2021, an increase of over 250% from 2020. This number dwarfs that of civilian deaths credited to Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province in the same year”.
“It added that in the “period between December 2020 and August 2021, more than 1,000 students and school staff were abducted. Within six months, as many as 343 people were killed, while 830 others were abducted by bandits between July and September 2021 in Kaduna state alone, according to figures from the state government”. As at now, all schools in the Federal Capital Territory have been closed down on account of insecurity and no person contemplates a reopening.
“Paradoxically, when the district head of Daura, the hometown of Mr President, was kidnapped and was freed after two months, Mallam Garba Shehu was quoted as saying that the “incident was evidence that Duara was not receiving preferential treatment and that insecurity was a national problem.
“In other words, when insecurity manifests in the North West, it is a national problem; but when on the other hand, it occurs in the South East, it is blamed on the inability of the “community and religious leaders to speak more forcefully against the killings and to stand up and defend the ethos of the nation’s cultural and religious heritage”.
“I can state without any fear of contradiction that the Igbo possess the greatest wanderlust as well as the most hospitable dispositions amongst the various ethnics in the world. The non-indigenes in the South East enjoy untrammeled friendliness, inter-ethnic assimilation and conducive business environment; what happened to the non-indigenes in the South East is most regrettable as part of the current national calamity.
“One would think that the inevitable consequences of the orchestrated mendacious propaganda, dubiety, subterfuge, sabotage and serial alienation against the South East of Nigeria are already staring us in the face. According to the Governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Aminu Waziri Tambuwal: “the marginalisation of the South-East geopolitical zone by the Federal Government of Nigeria under President Muhammadu Buhari is crazy and unprecedented”. Tambuwal adds: “I feel sad and disturbed each time I see the Igbo crying of marginalization.
“The Federal Government of Nigeria has been unfair to the Igbo. In all socio-economic activities is like the Igbo are not part of the nation”. Tambuwal wondered how Buhari could hope to achieve good governance and prosperity in Nigeria by sidelining the Igbo resilience, creativity, ingenuity and capacity to stimulate, promote and incentivize the abundant but dormant human resources in Nigeria. How do we fight insecurity by appointment of service chiefs based on ethnocentric and religious considerations as against the best global practices of military competence? Put differently, how can the South East be excluded among the over 16 service chiefs in the Nigerian armed and paramilitary forces and expect insecurity not to fester? And how; and how; and how…..?
“And when the chickens have come home to roost, we resort to blaming the victim. The famous psychologist, William Ryan, espoused that blaming the victim is an atrocious ideology that tries to justify social injustice against a group. The oppressor deliberately creates an unjust chaotic environment for the oppressed; and blames the victims for the inevitable crises that flows therefrom.
“In conclusion, it is very uncharitable, if not mischievous, to poison undiscerning minds by insinuating that non indigenes and security officials are killed by the terrorists in the South East. On the other hand, to appropriate national problem to the South East of Nigeria is an ethnic prejudice taken too far. Invariably, banditry in the North Central persists because their leaders have not forcefully spoken or rather they are publicly celebrated and turbaned or still, offered the Sheik Gumi option.
Both history and current events in the country must have shown that unjust policy against the just shall ultimately vindicate the just.”
Buhari blaming victims of Southeast insecurity — Ohanaeze
Apex Igbo Socio-cultural organisation, has accused the president, Muhammadu Buhari of blaming the victims of insecurity in Southeast rather than going after the perpetrators of the carnage in the region.
Reacting to the killings in Imo State, Buhari called on “community and religious leaders to speak out forcefully against the killings and to stand up and defend the ethos of the nation’s cultural and religious heritage.”
The Igbo group said that the president’s position “which is nuanced against the South East as a haven for terrorists that attack non indigenes and law enforcement officials; implying that the insecurity persists because the leaders have not forcefully spoken,” adding that: “This is very unfair to the Igbo, especially when the presidency knows the root cause and the nature of the insecurity in the South East.
Ohanaeze in a statement by its spox, Alex Ogbonnia said the “remarks by the presidency appears to have ignored the prolonged open war with the Boko Haram in the North East; the Banditry in the North West, especially in Katsina State; the Fulani Herdsmen invasion of several communities in the Middle Belt region; the Church massacre at Owo; the daily kidnappings on our highways; the Kaduna-Abuja train abduction, etc.”
Harvard trained attorney and founder of Due Process Advocates International (DPA), Emeka Ugwuonye has described the recent call by the former governor of Enugu State, Senator Chimaroke Nnamani urging his supporters to dump the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi as “double barrel delusion”
Recall that the federal lawmaker who is representing Enugu East Senatorial District on Saturday had urged his Ebeano supporters to dump the “Obidient Movement”, noting that his constituents cannot afford to lose the governorship and State Assembly because of Peter Obi.
Nnamani who is the founder of Ebeano political movement, stressed that the Peoples Democratic Party has laid foundation in the State that cannot be ceded to another party.
Referring to the movement for Peter Obi’s presidency as bandwagon, the lawmaker said such would not be allowed to take place in Enugu.
Meanwhile, Ugwuonye in a statement he sent to Newsband, said that it is a delusion for Nnamani to think he still controls the command post of politics in Enugu State.
The human rights lawyer also said that, it is yet another level of delusion for the lawmaker to believe that anyone considers him important enough to follow him away from the new movement (Obidient movement) that is sweeping every length and breathe of the country.
He howeve, noted that Chimaroke Nnamani is being scared of the Obidient movement which is about to challenge the present status quo in the state that has made the people of Enugu very docile.
He said, “Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani, Governor of Enugu State between 1999 and 2007, ended his tenure as Governor in variety of controversies. Most obvious among them was the fact that he was tried by the EFCC and his companies convicted and many of choice assets he was accused of obtaining through corruption were confiscated or forfeited to the Federal Government. It was a shame indeed because the assets were the assets of the people of Enugu State. For them to end up in the hands of the federal government, or possibly in the hands of individual non-citizens of the State, is something that would have raised alarm if it had happened elsewhere. But Enugu people are known for their docility. They are laid-back and nothing really seems to bother them.
“With complete absence of a sense of outrage, Enugu State is a perfect place for a politician like Chimaroke Nnamani to want to dominate. And he seems to be doing so through his pseudo cult known as Ebeano. Despite his failure as a leader of Enugu State, he tries to claim that he is in control of the politics of the state. It has been easy for him to do so because all the Governors that came after him have been a lineage of the same type of men, who exploited the docility of the people to get away with all manner of incompetence.
“This claim of dominance by Chimaroke and Ebeano, whatever that means, really, is now being challenge by the steady rise of the new political movement inspired by Peter Obi. It is no wonder therefore that Nnamani would like to attack the supporters of Obi. In his recent address to his presumed supporters, Nnamani was quoted to have told his followers to dump Peter Obi and his Labour Party.
“This call from Nnamani would not have been necessary were it not that it has become obvious that for the first time, PDP dominance of Enugu politics is being questioned. But it appears to be a double barrel delusion for Nnamdi to think he could slow the rise of the Obidients. First, it is a delusion to think he still controls the command post of politics in the State. It is yet another level of delusion to believe that anyone considers Nnamani relevant enough to follow him away from the new movement.”
A video of National Association of Seadogs, popularly known as the Pyrates Confraternity, mocking the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2023 election, Bola Tinubu, has emerged online.
In the viral video which was obtained by Newsband, members of the confraternity during a procession gyrated to an anti-Tinubu song, taunting the former Lagos State governor for his speech in June in Abeokuta, Ogun State, where he said in Yoruba language that President Muhammadu Buhari should hand over power to him, adding that it is his turn to be the president.
The men who appeared in white and red apparel made mockery of the 72-year-old, suggesting he is suffering from Parkinson’s disease.
They were heard singing “Hand de shake, leg de shake, Baba wey no well, e de shout Emilokan.
“Emi lokan(2X), Baba wey no well, him dey shout Emi lokan.”
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has said local production of cassava-based Sorbitol would strengthen the Naira.
It noted that production of Sorbitol would also help to reduce unemployment and over reliance on importation of the product, which is a natural sweetener extracted from glucose that drives agricultural revolution.
Speaking on behalf of CBN during the inauguration of the first cassava-based Sorbitol factory in Africa, Psaltry International Company Ltd, located at Ado-Awaye in Oke-Ogun area of Oyo State, the Director, Development and Finance department, Mr. Yusuf Yila, represented by Mr. Edwin Nzelu a deputy director in the department, said the apex bank funded the project.
Yila said the project was part of the bank’s developmental function, adding that Psaltry was one of the beneficiaries of CBN commodity development initiative, which he recalled was started in 2019 with 12 focal commodities, including cassava.
The Chief Executive Officer of Psaltry, Mrs. Oluyemisi Iranloye, said the company would create job for 10,000 youths in the community, adding that it would also indirectly impact on 100,000 people within 200km radius to the factory, covering more than 50 communities.
