Author: The Nation

  • Gusau extols Pele’s unmatchable achievements

    Gusau extols Pele’s unmatchable achievements

    Ahead of  today day’s burial of football’s indisputable King, Edson Arantes dos Nascimento, popularly known as Pele, President of Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau has described the potentate’s contributions to football as ineffable.

    Pele, who won three FIFA World Cup titles and scored a total of 1,279 goals in 1,363 games, died on Thursday in a hospital in São Paulo, Brazil and his remains will be interred on Tuesday.

     “I have read so many condolence messages and tributes to the man since he left us, but the truth is that Pele’s contributions to the game of football are ineffable,”  Gusau said.

    “He did so many things to raise the profile and scale of the game and each and every one of us can only say a little of what he did.

     “I remember that he came to Nigeria five times and identified strongly with black people all over the world.

    “He was a universal figure yet he remained humble, likeable and approachable. With his skill and talent, he took the game of football to a totally different level, captivated global audiences and gave joy to billions. May his soul rest in peace.”

    Pele’s first visit to Nigeria was in January 1969, during which his Brazilian club Santos FC played a friendly with a Nigeria XI that ended 2-2, and then returned in February 1969 for a Santos FC Vs Midwestern XI friendly courtesy of then Military Administrator of Midwestern State, Colonel Samuel Osaigbovo Ogbemudia, who sponsored the return of the club from a tour of East Africa to the tune of £6,000. The match at then Ogbe Stadium ended in a 2-1 win for Santos.

    Read Also: Every country to name a stadium after  Pele, says Infantino

    ‘The Greatest’ made another stop in Nigeria in 1976 on a tour sponsored by Pepsi Cola, and again in 1978 on another sponsored tour that included another Brazilian club, Fluminense. His last trip to Nigeria was in October 2000, when he met with then Nigeria Minister of Sports, Damishi Tonson Sango.

    Gusau admonished that Pele’s life, his humility and humanity should serve as lessons to football players and football leaders worldwide. “Pele was a universal billboard for magnificence, yet that did not make him arrogant. One can be a stellar talent without looking down on others, and one can accomplish so much without any of these getting into your head.”

  • Every country to name a stadium after  Pele, says Infantino

    Every country to name a stadium after  Pele, says Infantino

    FIFA will ask every country in the world to name a stadium in honour of Pele, its president Gianni Infantino said yesterday.

    The Brazil great, who won the World Cup three times and scored over 1,000 goals in his career, died on December 29 aged 82 after a battle with cancer.

    Infantino, who was in Brazil for Pele’s funeral in Sao Paulo, told local reporters: “We’re going to ask every country in the world to name one of their football stadiums with the name of Pele.”

    In April 2021 Rio de Janeiro abandoned plans to name the famous Maracana Stadium after Pele after it was vetoed by the state governor.

    Pele’s coffin was placed inside the Vila Belmiro stadium in Santos yesterday, the home ground of the club where he spent virtually his entire career.

    Read Also: Thousands pay final respects as funeral for legend Pele holds in Santos

    Infantino released a statement on the day of Pele’s death which began: “For everyone who loves the beautiful game, this is the day we never wanted to come. The day we lost Pele.”

    He described Pele as an “exemplary sportsman” and added: “Pele had a magnetic presence and, when you were with him, the rest of the world stopped.

    “His life is about more than football. He changed perceptions for the better in Brazil, in South America and across the world. His legacy is impossible to summarise in words.”

  • Lawyers to pay N1m to apply for SAN rank

    Lawyers to pay N1m to apply for SAN rank

    The Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) has opened applications for the 2023 award of the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) with a N1million fee.

    The LPPC, in a notice by its Secretary/Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, Hajo Sarki Bello, said the application began on January 1, and closes on March 31, 2023.

    The notice, seen by The Nation on Tuesday, stated that the invitation was in accordance with Section 5(2) of the Legal Practitioners Act, 2004 and Regulation 10 (1) (4) of the Guidelines for the Conferment of the Rank of SAN 2022.

    It reads in part: “The Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (the LPPC” or “the Committee”) hereby makes a formal call for applications preparatory to the award of the rank for the year 2023.

    “Commencing with this year’s exercise, applications shall only be made online and prospective applicants are directed to visit www.lppconline.com to make their applications.”

    Read Also: Ex-ICC chief to lawyers: be abreast of developments

    It notified prospective applicants that each person “must pay a non-refundable processing fee of N1million only to any of the following accounts held in the name of the “Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee (SAN)”: Account Number:1014103141, at Zenith Bank PLC and Account No. 0213662834 at GTBank PLC.

    “Upon conclusion of payment, an applicant should upload a copy of the evidence of payment on the application portal. The applicant will receive an email notification from the LPPC Secretariat confirming the applicant’s payment and clearing the applicant to proceed with the application process online.”

    The LPPC warned further that Any submission made after the deadlines “shall be treated as a non-submission.”

  • What have they done to our baba?

    What have they done to our baba?

    Something has clearly gone wrong.

    Is it a spell, is it disinformation or is it delusion?

    How our reverred and much-loved Baba Olusegun Obasanjo can speak in glowing terms about Peter the Pooh and Dati the Daft amazes me.

    The former persecuted non-Catholics, Muslims and non-indigenes of Anambra state, including Northerners and Yorubas, when he was governor, invested state funds into his family business and ended up having secret bank accounts in Panama.

    The latter, who is essentially nothing but a well-packaged and well-prepped Mauritanian refugee, is a man whose homicidal tendencies and insatiable blood lust have taken him to such a high level of insensitivity, cruelty, megalomania, blood-lust and depravity that he once openly and boastfully proclaimed on the Senate floor, before he was deprived of his fake and fraudulent mandate by the courts and unceremoniously asked to leave, that he wants to “kill all homosexuals”.

    These are the clinically insane, criminally-inclined and psychologically disturbed pair of social deviants and reprobates that OBJ wants to foist on Nigerians?

    Worse still they control an army of trolls on social media whose only mandate and worth is to insult, denigrate, threaten, intimidate and attack anyone who disagrees with their principal.

    This fascistic mob, led by an equally fascistic, narcissistic, vain, gutter snipe of a leader who attempts to hide his demagoguery and bullying ways in a cloak of humility, a semi-female high octane voice, a strange black “where me over and over again” outfit, a life time single watch and a fake benign smile is capable of shedding blood at the drop of a hat and no doubt would literally kill and wipe out all opposing voices if, God forbid, their master ever came to power.

    Like Peter, Adolf Hitler started in a similarly charming, humble and alluring manner, hiding his true colours long before he wormed his way into power and by the end of it all Germany, and indeed the entire world, paid a heavy price for their folly.

    No matter what anyone says about Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu or Waziri Atiku Abubakar neither have ever publicly expressed the desire to kill their fellow Nigerians purely on the grounds of their sexual preferences or issue identity cards to non indigenes of their respective states when they were Governors.

    Neither persecuted Muslims and non-Catholic Christians in their states or denied Pentecostal Churches the right to buy land and build Churches when they were Governors.

    As Governor of his state Asiwaju protected and prevented Churches from being demolished even when they were built on disputed land and he has been doing so both when he was Governor and for the last 20 years.

    After he left power in Lagos state many were marked for demolition but he used his good offices with his numerous successor Governers to stop it in the name of public interest and state security.

    I can cite many examples of this and I know the Churches he saved.

    He did the same for many mosques as well.

    He also granted more land to Churches than any other Governor in the history of Nigeria when he held power in Lagos which puts a lie to the suggestion that he wishes to Islamise our nation and he supported NASFAT the strong and pacifist Islamic revival movement in the South West.

    On his part as Governor of Adamawa state Waziri ensured that a Christian took over from him even even though there was opposition to it from some Muslims in his state.

    Unlike Obi neither Asiwaju nor Waziri have been going from mosque to mosque or Church to Church dangerously stirring up and inciting the passions of believers, preaching religious politics and hate from the pulpit and attempting to set us on the path of a cataclysmic and blood curdling sectarian war which will bring Nigeria to her knees and eventually an abrupt and bloody end.

    Neither have links with IPOB and neither have used the symbol of IPOB on any of their businesses or business products like Obi has done.

    A vote for Obi takes us one step closer to the break-up of Nigeria and a second civil war because that is precisely and simply what he really wants.

    Whether it is an ethnic war, a religious war or both I do not know but his secret desire is to push us to the brink of that war.

    And guess what? So far he is doing pretty well in that respect by creating clearer and deeper fault lines of division and potential conflict.

    A clear example is his refusal to condemn the brutal killing and killers in the South East known as unknown gunmen who kidnap and murder anyone and everyone including our security personnel.

    Peter says he refuses to condemn these barbaric creatures and cruel beasts because he does not know who they are.

    Does this really make sense?

    This foul and irresponsible inverted logic can only come from the likes of him.

    Evil is evil but Peter refuses to condemn this particular brand of it for reasons best known to himself.

    Having fought so desperately and worked so hard for the unity of this country in the past and having been rightly described as one of the greatest heroes of our civil war, I am utterly baffled and flabbergasted at OBJ’s endorsement of such a divisive, deceptive, insensitive, callous, irresponsible and totally unreliable character other than to say perhaps he just believes that the Presidency ought to go to the S.E. .

    Read Also: Letter: Obasanjo is jealous, frustrated, says Presidency

    If that is the case fair enough and he is certainly entitled to his views and opinion but surely the SE have better men to offer for the Presidency like Ugwuanyi, Umahi and others than a closet IPOB supporter and a man under whose tenure hundreds of dead bodies, who were apparantly victims of state-sponsored terrorism and murder under his watch, were found floating in Oji River when he was Governor.

    I respect and love Baba OBJ, I always will and unlike others I believe that his record in public office was extraordinary, unassailable and spectacular.

    In my view no-one can take that from him and it is a matter of public record.

    Love him or hate him that is the truth.

    He was not infallible and he was not an angel but he was a great and inspiring leader who brought Nigeria back from the brink as a civilian President.

    That is my opinion and I will never shy away from saying so.

    However, I think his rabid opposition to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu particularly is misplaced, sad and unfortunate.

    I also believe it is rooted in something personal which is deeper, darker and more sinister than mere politics and this saddens me deeply.

    When it comes to Waziri Atiku I think he still harbours a deep- set hatred and animosity for him for the undoubted atrocities he committed against him when he was President and when the latter was his Vice.

    Yet surely in life and particularly as a Christian there is a place for mercy and forgiveness.

    Yet, whatever the real reasons that he dislikes these two men intensely and believes neither are fit to lead Nigeria, whether political or emotional, the endorsement of a featherweight, fairweather friend and mediocre, pretentious and imbecilic candidate like Peter Obi who lacks any real experience of politics at the national level, who is far better suited to be a seller of snake oil or fake motor parts and who simply cannot grasp the history or complexities of Nigerian politics coupled with his asinine and remarkably dull and intellectually stunted running mate, Dati the Daft, has, in my humble opinion, greatly diminished our father Baba OBJ and left him wide open to the kind of bashing and unprecedented criticism and insults he is receiving from all fronts.

    Honestly it pains me when I read what people are saying and writing about him since his latest letter because I remain one of his most loyal and loving sons and I am very fond of him.

    Yet a loyal and loving son owes his father, if nothing else, one thing and one thing alone: the bitter truth.

    And that bitter truth is that his endorsement of Peter Obi is the biggest mistake that he has made ever since he came into politics in 1999 and it is nothing but an exercise in futility.

    Obi will not only lose woefully and may well be driven into fourth place but he may also lose his deposit and much more.

  • BREAKING: Buhari signs N21.83trn 2023 budget

    BREAKING: Buhari signs N21.83trn 2023 budget

    President Muhammadu Buhari has signed the N20.83 trillion 2023 Appropriation Bill into law.

    The President, during a brief signing ceremony inside the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, had senior government officials present.

    President Buhari received the Bill, which was passed by both the Senate and House Representative last week, from his Senior Special Assistants on National Assembly Matters, Senator Jide Omoworare (Senate), and Nasiru Ila (House of Representatives).

    President Buhari said the implementation of the 2023 budget would commence without delay.

    He charged the National Assembly to consider the re-visiting the changes made to the proposal by the lawmakers.

    He, however, directed the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning to engage with the Legislature to revisit some of the changes made to the Executive budget proposal.

    The President said: “It is my hope that we will receive cooperation in this regard from the National Assembly.

    “The 2023 Budget that I have the honour of signing into law today provides for aggregate expenditures of N21.83 trillion, an increase of N1.32 trillion over the initial Executive Proposal for a total expenditure of N20.51 trillion. 

    “As is customary, the Honourable Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning will subsequently provide more details of the approved budget and the supporting 2022 Finance Act.

    “We have examined the changes made by the National Assembly to the 2023 Executive Budget proposal. The amended fiscal framework for 2023 as approved by the National Assembly shows additional revenues of N765.79 billion, and an unfunded deficit of N553.46 billion. 

    “It is clear that that National Assembly and the executive need to capture some of the proposed additional revenue sources in the fiscal framework. This must be rectified. 

    “I have also noted that the National Assembly introduced new projects into the 2023 budget proposal for which it has appropriated N770.72 billion. 

    “The National Assembly also increased the provisions made by Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) by N58.55 billion.

    “Nevertheless, considering the imminent transition process to another democratically elected government, I decided to sign the 2023 Appropriation Bill into law as passed by the National Assembly to enable its implementation to commence without delay. 

    “I have however directed the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning to engage with the Legislature to revisit some of the changes made to the Executive budget proposal, and it is my hope that we will receive cooperation in this regard from the National Assembly.

    “I also urge the National Assembly to reconsider its position on my proposal to securitize the Federal Government’s outstanding Ways and Means balance at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). 

    “As I stated, the balance has accumulated over several years and represents funding provided by the CBN as lender of last resort to the government to enable it to meet obligations to lenders, as well as cover budgetary shortfalls in projected revenues and/or borrowings. 

    “I have no intention to fetter the right of the National Assembly to interrogate the composition of this balance, which can still be done even after granting the requested approval. 

    “Failure to grant the securitization approval will however cost the government about N1.8 trillion in additional interest in 2023 given the differential between the applicable interest rates which is currently MPR plus 3% and the negotiated interest rate of 9% and a 40year repayment period on the securitised debt of the Ways and Means”, he said.

    On 7 October 2022, President Buhari had presented the 2023 fiscal budget to the joint session of the National Assembly, where he proposed an annual budget of N20.51 trillion for the year 2023, a 19.8% increase when compared to the N17.13 trillion approved for 2022 including the supplementary budget.  

    President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, had last week explained the delay of the the passage of the appropriation was due to some anomalous figures presented by the executive to the legislature for consideration.

    Senior members of government who joined him at the signing were the Senate President Ahmad Lawan, Speaker House of Representative, Femi Gbajabiamila, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, Chief of Staff, Ibrahim Gambari, Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar, Minister of Finance, Budget and National Assembly, Zainab Ahmed, Minister of state Budget and National Assembly, Clem Agba, Director-General, Budget Office of the Federation, Ben Akabueze and staff of the budget office.

  • Candidates Rivers voters must shun, by Wike

    Candidates Rivers voters must shun, by Wike

    Governor Nyesom Wike has urged voters to shun candidates and parties that do not mean well for Rivers State

    He said Rivers people should vote wisely. 

    The governor spoke in his 2023 new year broadcast in Port Harcourt on Saturday.

    The governor said it was not in the character of his administration to interfere with or limit the constitutional rights of politicians and their parties to hold electioneering campaigns and canvass for votes across the length and breadth of the state.

    Read Also : Atiku’s campaign chief Udom holds talks with Wike, Ortom

    He said: “But we must be reminded that the laws and regulations restricting open political activities in public schools and residential areas are being implemented to prevent the destructive tendencies and public nuisance usually associated with such events when things go wrong.

    “Ours is a state governed by laws, and no person, group, party, or association has the right to disobey the laws of the state managing campaign activities in public schools and expect us to keep quiet.

    “Any political party or candidate that wishes to hold campaigns in public schools must comply with the law by simply securing the government’s approval after paying the required security deposit before the rally.”

    Wike said anyone or party with strong feelings against the legitimacy of the extant laws was free to approach the Courts for appropriate redress.

    He said: “Let it be known that no amount of threat of violence will dissuade us from enforcing these and other laws to keep Rivers State safe, peaceful and secure before, during and after the 2023 general elections.

    “Consequently, any person, group, political party or association that dares the resolve of the government on this issue can only have their fingers badly burnt by the legal consequences of their ill-advised actions.”

    Wike acknowledged that 2022 was another challenging year for Nigeria due to the dire economic situations that had prevailed for too long.

    He, however, noted that Rivers  people and residents had every reason to thank God for the prevailing peace, the successes recorded by his administration, and the opportunity to look forward confidently to the promise of a new beginning with the New Year.

    He declared that  governing Rivers had been a mixed bag of challenges, excitement and fulfilment since 2015. 

    According to him, at the onset, his administration inherited challenges that looked frightening and overwhelming. 

    He said: “Every sector was virtually destroyed and required a radical surgical operation to repair, restore and regenerate. 

    “We quickly rose to meet every challenge with courage and determination to advance and serve the peoples’ best interests in line with our vision and as demanded by our mandate. 

    “Last year, we delivered as many projects and progress as possible with the resources at our disposal, including trunk A roads, dual carriageways, flyovers, bridges, internal community roads, schools, hospitals and judicial infrastructure across the length and breadth of Rivers State.”

    He said with the expected seamless succession in the governance of the State in 2023, people of the state could be more hopeful for the continuity that needed to consolidate the progress on the concrete foundations already laid that would take Rivers State to the next level of sustainable peace, security, development and prosperity.

    Wike said his administration had worked hard with the security agencies to keep Rivers State peaceful, safe and secure throughout 2022. 

    According to the governor, the state government spared no effort, resources or commitment to achieve the peace and sense of security everyone now enjoys. 

    He said: “Going around the state, we can see several private and public investment projects in Port Harcourt and other places, indicative of the healthy state of our economy, investors’ increasing confidence and the economic benefits derived from the modern infrastructures we have provided, which has no equal across the country.

    “It is barely five months for us to exit the stage for our successor, but our commitment to more project delivery and better the lots of our people is still strong.

    “I assure you, therefore, that we shall endeavour to complete almost all ongoing projects, including the ones now being flagged-off, before the end of our tenure.”

    The governor thanked God and the good people of Rivers State for their immeasurable support of his government from the beginning to now.

    “There is no way we could have achieved all we have done for Rivers State without your support, cooperation and ceaseless prayers, for which we shall remain eternally grateful”, he said 

    Wike also extended profound gratitude to all the security agencies for working with the State government, and working round the clock under challenging conditions to fight crime and keep Rivers State safe and secure.

    He said: “Today, no one can deny that Rivers State is one of the safest with much lower crime rates in our country, which is the direct result of your firm and practical commitment to your security responsibilities to the State and its people.”

    “Let me assure you that we shall continue to provide the motivational and logistical support you need to effectively secure lives and property throughout Rivers State at all times.”

  • Nigeria needs change of name in 2023, says Moghalu

    Nigeria needs change of name in 2023, says Moghalu

    Former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Deputy Governor, Kingsley Moghalu, has said the country needs a change of name in 2023. 

    He argued that the country’s name conjures too many bad memories. 

    His proposal, however, elicited a flurry of reactions especially from social media users.

    Some argued that the country does not need a change of name but good leaders. 

    Others supported Moghalu’s proposal, and added that constitutional review and restructuring should also be overwhelming pushed forward.

    Moghalu on his verified Twitter handle said: “I agree with those who argue that that Nigeria needs a change of name. 

    Read Also : Elections not fought, won on Twitter, Moghalu tells youth

    “If a serious leadership emerges in 2023 and we can agree on a name that has deep meaning that can unite the country, it would be a powerful symbolism. Backed with good governance,it can give Nigeria new life

    “The name Nigeria conjures too many bad memories. ‘Wazobia’? ‘Songhai’?”

  • No meeting with G-5  in London, says Tinubu

    No meeting with G-5  in London, says Tinubu

    The presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, on Saturday dismissed reports (not by The Nation) that he secretly met with the G5 governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    He said the reports were in bad faith and with evil intention.

    The APC standard bearer, who is currently performing Umrah (Lesser Hajj) in Saudi Arabia, believes the reports were published to advance the political interests of the writers and their sponsors.

    In a statement by his media aide, Tunde Rahman in Abuja, Tinubu said he was focused on his campaign.

    The statement reads: ” While in the United Kingdom, Asiwaju Tinubu noted some articles in some national newspapers in Nigeria, alleging a secret meeting was held in London between him and the G-5 governors who are members of Peoples Democratic Party.

    “These reports, to say the least, are not only in bad faith but also evil intentioned.

    “They were published to advance the political interests of the writers and their sponsors.

    “The presidential standard-bearer of the All Progressives Congress, His Excellency Asiwaju Tinubu, is neither bothered by these articles nor by their sponsors who are well known. 

    “He is resolutely focused on his  campaign objectives which are geared towards achieving victory in the upcoming presidential election to deliver the APC’s Action Plan aimed at giving a Renewed Hope to our people in all facets of their lives.”

    Read Also: Suswam: I have no problem with Ortom over his G-5 membership

    Tinubu, however, said he was entitled to meet with any political actor or stakeholder that is important to his campaign and plans for the country or who desires to engage with him. 

    He advised the sponsors and writers of unsubstantiated articles and those peddling rumours about him to stop.

    The former Lagos State governor said he usually takes time off his busy schedule as the year comes to an end to rest before proceeding to Saudi Arabia to observe Umrah (Lesser Hajj).

    “Tinubu came to London on Boxing Day Monday, December 26, 2022, to spend a few days preparatory to his trip to Saudi Arabia.

    “After spending some time in London, he has now proceeded to Mecca where he is at present observing Umrah.

    “He is scheduled to return to the country within the next two days to continue with the campaign,” the statement added.

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  • Parents of Chibok girls to Buhari: bring back our daughters

    Parents of Chibok girls to Buhari: bring back our daughters

    Fathers and mothers of the remaining abducted Chibok school girls have called on President Muhammadu Buhari to bring back their daughters before leaving office in May 2023.

    On the night of 14–15 April 2014, 276 female students aged from 16 to 18 were kidnapped by Boko Haram from the Government Girls Secondary School at the town of Chibok in Borno State, Nigeria.

    At least scores of the girls are still in captivity and have not been found eight years after.

    However, the parents in a letter written to the President and obtained by newsmen dated 30 December, 2022, lamented that many of the captured girls by Boko Haram have not still been released till now.

    The letter was signed by Yana Galang and Zanna Lawan on behalf of the parents of the abducted Chibok girls.

    According to the letter titled: “Bring back our daughters before you leave office,” the parents said Buhari had promised to rescue all the girls as he took over power in 2015.

    While wishing the president compliment of the season, and a more fulfilling New Year, the parents said as the New Year marked hope and redemption, it was their sincere hope and prayer that Nigeria be lifted out of its current challenges.

    Read Also: Minister weeps for Leah Sharibu, Chibok schoolgirls

    “Mr. President, we would like to remind you of the promises you made to us on the remaining rescue of our kidnapped daughters, as we acknowledge your efforts and express our sincere gratitude to your administration on your past effort. However, we request that you fulfill your promise and return our daughters back to us, even if this is going to be the last act of your presidency.

    “During your inaugural speech on May 29, 2015, you said and quote: “but we cannot claim to have defeated Boko Haram without rescuing the Chibok girls and all other innocent persons held hostage by insurgents, this government will do all it can to rescue them alive.”

    “Recalling your words on April 14th, 2019, 5 years after the abduction of our daughters, you further promised and we quote: “We will not rest until all the remaining girls are back and reunited with their families. I made this promise when I became president, and I will keep it.”

    “Mr. President, you reassured us that our daughters will be reunited with us. On April 14th, 2021, a statement titled “Chibok Girls Still on Our Minds” was released and you further reminded us of your promise and reassured us that all our girls will be rescued and reintegrated back into their communities,” they said.

    The parents said of the 276 girls that were abducted in 2014, they were disheartened that eight years later and a few months before the end of his administration, 96 of them remained in Boko Haram captivity, subjected to unimaginable ordeal and abuse at the hands of their captors.

    “Mr. President, you promised to be the light that would illuminate our darkness, end our writhing pains, dry our tears, and free us from the shackles of sadness, sorrow, and anguish this trajectory has brought into our existence. When we marked the eighth year’s remembrance of the abduction this year, we didn’t think we would hold any more commemoration, and the truth is that we don’t want to.

    “Collectively, we say eight years is too long for a child to be denied the love and care of her family. We, therefore, demand that you make true your promise and bring joy back to our lives, as you hand over to another President to head back to Daura for a deserving rest. We wait patiently for this succour,” they said.

  • Mysterious fire burns two minors to death in Akwa Ibom

    Mysterious fire burns two minors to death in Akwa Ibom

    A mysterious fire has burnt two siblings, aged three and six, to death in Udo Imuk, Eket Local Lovernment Area of Akwa Ibom State.

    The incident occurred at about 7pm on Friday.

    The parents, who went out, were said to have locked the kids in their one-room apartment.

    The father went to a nearby health centre for an injection while the mother went out earlier for shopping.

    Neighbours said they had no idea that the kids were inside the room when the fire broke out. 

    The cause of the fire was a mystery because there were no electrical connections, candle or gas cylinder in the room.

    Read Also:Ganduje fires commissioner over disloyalty, wishes him well

    The father Prince Ekpo, said: “I left the phone torch on in the room for the children, hoping to return soon after an injection. 

    “My wife earlier went out to buy something.

    “I came back and saw people crowded and discovered my two children were burnt to death and we don’t know the source of the fire.”