Category: Northern Reports

The Kogi Assembly Majority Leader, Alhaji Murktar Bajeh (APC-Okehi) has resigned his position in protest of the terrorist tag thrown at him and eight other colleagues.

Governor Yahaya Bello of the state had on March 23 branded nine of the 25 assembly members as terrorists for their alleged roles during the March 18 House of Assembly elections held in the state.

Bello had requested the legislature in a letter to the Speaker, Mr Matthew Kolawale, to suspend the group of nine, including the Majority Leader, and investigate their roles during the assembly election.

But Bajeh, in a letter to the house, informed them of his resolve to step down from the majority leader’s position following his disposition with the actions of the governor and the House.

“I hereby wish to inform this House that I am no more interested in being your leader,  but have resigned forthwith,” the letter read.

The speaker, who read Bajeh’s letter at the plenary, asked for comments on the matter.

It was at that point that a motion was moved by the Deputy Speaker, Mr Alfa Momoh-Rabiu, for the nomination of a substitute in the person of the Chief Whip, Mr Ahmed Dahiru, to replace Bajeh as the Majority Leader.

The speaker quickly put a question to members, on the nomination of the chief whip to fill in the vacant position, and the members unanimously accepted Dahiru as their new Majority Leader owing to his capacity and ability to do the job.

The speaker, however, said “the house having accepted the choice of Ahmed Dahiru, member representing Okene II, to fill in the gap left by Bajeh.”

Civil society groups under the aegis of Citizen Development and Education (CDE) and Center for Peace and Environmental Justice have expressed worry over the continuous promotion of incitement and uncomplimentary statements from aggrieved politicians who lost in the 2023 general election.

The civil societies said some enemies of the country have systematically taken cover under the guise of the conduct of the just concluded general election to cause chaos and disharmony amongst citizens.

The groups urged all aggrieved politicians to stick to the legal process for redress as provided by the legal system, saying they should desist from threatening, intimidating and discrediting the same system they are seeking to serve.

Speaking on behalf of the groups yesterday at a briefing in Abuja, the Convener and Executive Director of CDE, Ibrahim Waiya, therefore condemned all utterances and unguarded statements promoted directly or through proxy by any politician or religious leader along ethnic, regional or religious sentiment capable of inciting violence in Nigeria.

The group condemned those advocating for the enthronement of an interim government.

According to the group, it was natural for people to have their own expectations in a particular election, however, that should not be a reason to take away the sense of maturity, reasoning and judgment to think of what was right or wrong, especially at larger perspectives where the lives of many innocent citizens may be at stake.

Waiya stated: “We are worried with the unfolding political happenings in the country, through the actions and inactions of some politicians. It is our belief that, these unhealthy developments if allowed to continue would surely affect the sustainability of our democracy, and peaceful co-existence and therefore resolved to rise up to the occasion by countering these scripted campaigns to destabilise the country, through the constructive engagement of Nigerians to rescue our dear country, before it is ditched into a crisis that may consume us.

“Similarly, our increased concerns center on the continuous promotion of incitement and uncomplimentary statements from the quarters of the aggrieved politicians, and other enemies of our country who have also systematically taken cover under the pretext of the conduct of elections to cause chaos and disharmony amongst the Nigerian citizens.

Amid fanfare, the Nigerian Navy community in Lagos on Wednesday bade farewell to Rear Admiral Yakubu Wambai, immediate past Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Western Naval Command (WNC), who has been transferred to the Defence Headquarters as Director of Transformation (D-Trans).

Wambai held sway as FOC of the premiere command between February 2022 and yesterday, a period that witnesses landmark successes in the anals of the navy including the use of helicopter to effect arrest of a vessel of interest 88 nautical miles from shore.

The colourful parade which was held at the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT parade ground in Apapa, had in attendance guests from all works of life who were seated as early as 8am.

Delivering his valedictory speech after reviewing the parade, Wambai said the command under his watch recorded many milestone achievements, noting that the helicopter insertion topped the chart.

According to him, the helicopter was deployed because the suspect vessel was already leaving the country’s waters and it would have taken about seven to eight hours for any warship to get to the location where the ship sighted.

He said: “It is the first time a helicopter was deployed from land to effect an arrest at 88 nautical miles in the high seas. The helicopter flew the arrest party, they were then inserted to effect the arrest. After they arrested the ship, a warship was then deployed to evacaute them and the arrested vessel.

“This has opened a new vista of operation for us because subsequently, we can use helicopter to effect arrest and then the ships go in to move the vessels.

“During my time, we were also able to recover about 650kilograms of cannabis with street value of about a billion naira. We have been able to also maintain the flow of petroleum products from System 2B product.

“Our waters have remained piracy free which is very critical and important to us. Since I was here in the last 14 months there had been no piracy attack in our waters,” he said.

Wambai said the major challenge faced during his tour of duty was that of logistics, urging his successor, Rear Admiral Joseph Akpan, to be methodical and ensure that maximum results were gotten from small imputs.

“Funding is becoming less and the expectations keep going higher. You cannot say I do not have this to achieve a task you have been given. You must definitely look back on what you have to ensure that you achieve desired results,” he said.

In his remarks, the FOC, Rear Admiral Joseph Akpan, said it was time for officers and men to roll their sleeves and work.

He reminded them that theirs was a field command and that tangible results were needed to show they were working.

Akpan reiterated that the command would leverage existing collaborations with other security agencies in the zone to ensure adequate security of backwaters in order to prevent incursions by kidnappers.

He told his men that their work would kick off immediately with the planning for the Presidential fleet review slated for May in honour of the Commander-in-Chief, Muhammadu Buhari, whose support to the navy has been unparalleled.

He said: “Talking about the presidential fleet review, it is done to globally in honour of the President and Commander-in-Chief. The last time we had one was under President Goodluck Jonathan.

“So, we felt it was only right to do so for the President because he has been very supportive of the Nigerian Navy. I dare say that in the history of the navy, the acquisitions we have had in terms of equipment, ships have never been this good.

“It has really helped us to do our work with more ease. You heard the outgone FOC mention how we have been able to tackle the perennial problem of piracy to the extent that Nigerian waters had been delisted from the piracy watch list.

“This has been attributed to the efforts of the President despite the scarce resources, he recognised that the Navy has big role to play in sustaining the economic base of this country.

“This is one of the reasons this fleet review is being organised in honour of the President. So, people will be coming from outside the country, our friends from West Africa, extra-African Navies that have been here patrolling the waters. It is a very huge ceremony

“It is a tradition round the world and we felt that President Buhari should not leave office without the navy giving him this honour,” said Akpan.

The Nation reports that there was also a change of baton at the Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), as the former FOC, Rear Admiral Monday Unurhiere, handed over headship of the command to Rear Admiral Patrick Nwatu on Tuesday in Lagos.

The Obidients are (with apologies to Governor Charles Soludo) “a headless mob” similar to the demonised and emotionally unhinged rabble that insisted on the crucifixion of our Lord Jesus Christ.

They are filled with the same violent, angry, divisive, rebellious, treacherous, mutinous, treasonous, deceitful, mendacious, deceptive, ungrateful, covetous, vain, insatiable and murderous spirit that possessed Lucifer, Son of the Dawn.

Like Medusa the Gorgon, they are a hydra-headed monster comprising of confused, ignorant and frustrated souls with very low self-esteem, a maniacal sense of entitlement, insufferable arrogance and a desperate and psychotic lust for power.

Give them that power and you will see Adolf Hitler, Josef Stalin, Mao Tse Tung, Pol Pot, Idi Amin, Ian Smith, Hendrik Verwoerd, Joseph Kony, Val the Impaler, Genghis Khan, Atilla the Hun and Jean Bedie Bokassa all rolled into one rise from the dead.

Give them power and you will see Caligula, Nero, Al Capone, Lucky Luciano, Jack the Ripper, Augusto Pinochet, Pharaoh, King Herod, Jezebel, Sennacherub, Nebuchadnezzar, the Boston Strangler, Mobutu Sese Seko and King Leopold 11 of Belgium all rolled into one come alive again to torment the world.

They remind me of Major Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu, one of the leaders of the January 15th 1966 mutiny in which many leaders from the old Northern and Western Region were murdered in cold blood.

Give them power and their leader, Peter Gregory Obi, will continue what Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu started.

He will implement the Nzeogwu agenda to the letter and with ruthless and relentless brutality and clinical precision.

No matter how well masked, fascists will always be fascists and a leopard cannot change its spots.

Despite all their seeming humility, false piety, fake righteousness and nauseous, grovelling “yes daddy” expressions of insincere love they are filled with unadulterated hatred for all those that do not share their views and that refuse to tow their obnoxious, venomous and poisonous line.

As the Bible says, “their speech is as smooth as butter but war is in their hearts”.

Vile words, hate speech, propaganda, falsehod, lies, threats, insults, turmoil, intrigue, betrayal, subterranean plots, violence, evil conspiracies and the inability to brook opposing views or tolerate dissenting voices are their hallmark and forte.

They are not just a political party or movement: they are a dark, sinister, insidious, destructive, malignant, malevolent, cancerous, divisive, fanatical and dangerous force of vicious and sociopathic subversives and religious and ethnic bigots who are heavily invested in the kingdom of darkness, who have strong connections in the international criminal underworld, who are under the power and influence of western intelligence agencies, who have poisoned the souls and fouled up the minds of millions of young Nigerians and who are hell bent on destroying the Nigerian state and dismembering our country.

They speak Nigeria but Biafra and the total and complete enslavement and subjugation of our people is in their hearts.

They are not democrats in ANY sense of the word and they do not believe in democracy.

They would be better described as a vicious, blood-lusting and bloodthirsty cult who feed on the souls, kindle the barbarity and fuel the depravity of misguided and lesser men and miserable and frustrated women.

They believe in nothing but deceit, lies, propaganda, threats, violence and intimidation.

They do not believe in or serve the Living God and they have no regard for the God of heaven.

They are the quintessential “unbelievers” who use God’s name to commit atrocities and to justify their monstrous behaviour, their psychopathic aggression and their wild delusions.

They worship and serve a strange entity and occultic deity known as ‘Obidati’ at whose alter they offer praises, make sacrifices and serve blood in the bewitching hour of every morning.

They are evil. They are vicious. They are uncouth. They are uncharitable. They are unkind.

They are unforgiving. They are merciless. They are destructive. They are relentless. They are ruthless. They are unjust.

They are divisive. They are vengeful and they must be stopped at ALL costs.

They must NEVER be allowed to come into the circles of power because they will divide, destroy and dismember our great country, bring her to her knees and cause her to perish.

Benue Deputy Governor-Elect Dr. Sam Ode, who is in Benue South for the Easter celebrations, on Monday paid a condolence visit to the Och’Idoma, His Royal Majesty Agaba-Idu Elaigwu Obagaji John, at his Royal Palace in Otukpo.

This was in connection to the recent gruesome killing of some Idoma natives in Apa and Umogidi in Entekpa-Adoka, Otukpo, by suspected terrorist elements.

Speaking during the visit, Ode condemned the recurrent spate of dastardly killings in several parts of Benue State.

He reassured Benue citizens the incoming administration of Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia would accord top priority to the protection of lives and properties in the state.

Ode noted that the incoming government in Benue State is hoping to partner with several local and foreign investors towards fast-tracking the development of the State.

He said that can only be achieved in a peaceful and congenial atmosphere, adding that no meaningful development is attainable amid persistent crises and the wanton killing of citizens by armed invaders.

The Deputy Governor-Elect affirmed that the administration of Alia would be fully committed to engendering peace, unity and socio-economic stability in Benue State, in order to guarantee the prosperity of its teeming citizens.

Ode further stated that the leadership o Alia would work in synergy with the entire citizens and the security architecture to ensure that the recurring dastardly invasion of Benue communities becomes a thing of the past.

He assured the Och’Idoma that Benue citizens cannot continue to live perpetually in fear in their own land; hence the incoming administration would hit the ground running to restore lasting peace across the state.

While expressing his sympathy to all the victims of the recent gruesome killings across the State, Ode urged the security operatives to leave no stone unturned in their quest to identify and prosecute the perpetrators; adding that the incoming administration of Father Alia would need the full support of the Benue State Traditional Council in order to resolve some of the issues that usually degenerate into violent attacks and conflicts in the state.

Ode also visited Okpokwu Local Government, where he was hosted by Hon. Emmanuel Akpakwu, the Honourary Consul of the Republic of the Philippines.

He inspected some key infrastructural developments and landmark investments credited to Hon. Akpakwu in Okpokwu Local Government, including an ultramodern hospital and an agro-allied factory site, to mention but a few.

The Deputy Governor-Elect was accompanied on the visit by Com. Daniel Onjeh, the. APC 2023 Senatorial Candidate for Benue South; Chief Peter Sani Ochejele, former Commissioner of Water Resources and Environment and Barr. Musa Suleiman Ujor, Former General Manager of the Benue State Urban Development Board, amongst other eminent personalities.

Governor Babagana Umara Zulum on Saturday flagged-off the construction of Borno’s second flyover meant to further decongest traffic and increase infrastructural development in the state capital.

Zulum had constructed Borno’s first flyover with upper and lower layers. The project is located around the Customs Roundabout, with roads to three parts of the town. It started in January 2020 and was commissioned by President Buhari in December 2021.

The second flyover is to be sited around the Borno Express, which has a T-junction, with roads connecting the three key parts of Maiduguri towards the International Airport, township Stadium and Tashan Kano, as well as the city centre (Secretariat, Post Office, Monday Market etc).

The flyover will cover about 600m of a concrete bridge with additional road networks.

Zulum at the launch tasked contractors. He said: “Insha Allah, we (Borno State Government) shall ensure the release of funds as at when due. I task you (the contractors) to ensure that good quality of work is done. Insha’Allah, in the next phase of our dispensation, we will provide more dividends of democracy to the people of Borno.”

Not less than 43 civil society organisations have outlined a 10-point agenda for effective implementation of the Mental Health Act.

The groups, under the network, Nigerian Mental Health, outlined steps that should be taken on the new law post 2023 general election.

Founder of Nigerian Mental Health, Chime Asonye, during a press conference co-hosted with the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities and the Nigerian Human Rights Commission, said there was a need for the domestication of the Mental Health Act.

He noted that the legislation should be adopted at the sub-national level, as state governments are critical actors in the dispensation of healthcare for citizens.

He lamented that “currently, only two states Ekiti and Lagos have mental health legislation in the entire nation.”

Other issues on the 10-point agenda include: increasing mental health budgeting; defining clear metrics for the Mental Health Act’s implementation, and the inclusion of diverse actors in the mental health field to help advance the legislation.

Explaining that Nigerian Mental Health and its network partners have been leading coordination and advocacy for the passage of the Mental Health Act, he said: “To consolidate gains made by the Mental Health Act in advancing human rights, other critical efforts must be initiated as we embark on a new political dispensation post-Nigeria’s 2023 recent presidential, national & state assembly, and gubernatorial elections.”

Asonye tasked the National Assembly and the Federal Ministry of Health to ensure published copies of the Mental Health Act are available to citizens, stressing that, “This legislation ushers in new legal protections for those with mental health conditions and should be readily available on trusted government portals to inform citizens of their new rights.

“In the interim, a gazetted copy of the legislation will be available on Nigerian Mental Health’s website, along with the legislative history of the regulation and memoranda submitted during the public hearing to help guide implementation of the Act in the future,” he said.

A psychologist and founder, ‘The Sunshine Series’, a mental health non-governmental organisation, Aisha Bubah, noted that “other critical regulatory reforms for those with mental health conditions should be enacted, such as decriminalising attempted suicide, which according to Nigeria’s Criminal and Penal Codes attracts a one-year jail term.

She added: “The World Health Organisation notes that criminalising suicide discourages people from seeking help for their mental health, which would be counterproductive to the effective dispensation of the Mental Health Act.”

Nigeria ranks 15th in global suicide rates, according to the World Health Organisation, with an estimated age-standardised suicide rate of 17.3 persons per 100,000 people.

This statistics makes the country one with the seventh-highest suicide rate in Africa.

The network has launched the campaign #SuicideNotCrimeNG to decriminalise attempted suicide in Nigeria, a part of their 10-point agenda, to help improve this situation.

“The public is encouraged to join thousands of others in adding their voices to repeal these laws by signing our #SuicideNotCrimeNG petition on Nigerian Mental Health website,” added Ms. Bubah.

The Northern Christian Youth Professionals has urged Christians to distance themselves from any anti-May 29 handover activity.

The Christian body also advised Christians to reflect on the virtues of Jesus Christ’s death on the cross and emulate them in their daily lives.

The youths pleaded with Christians to also use this opportunity to reflect on the state of the nation and the challenges.

According to a statement issued on Saturday by the Chairman, Northern Christian Youth Professionals, Isaac Abrak, the body urged those who did not vote for the president-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to put aside their differences and support him in his efforts to improve the lives of all Nigerians.

The statement reads in part: “The Northern Christian Youth Professionals extend warm wishes to all Nigerians on the occasion of the Easter celebration. As we celebrate this season of love, renewal, and hope, we call on all citizens.

“In light of the Presidential election, we congratulate His Excellency, Sen. Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his victory. We believe that under his leadership, Nigeria can make significant progress in improving our economy and security.

“We are aware that not all Nigerians voted for President Elect HE Sen. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, but we urge those who did not vote for him to put aside their differences and support him in his efforts to improve the lives of all Nigerians….

“However, we note with concern the recent calls by some individuals and groups to shelve the handover of power to President Elect HE Sen. Bola Ahmed Tinubu. We strongly condemn such calls as they are enemies of democracy, peaceful coexistence, and a united Nigeria. Nigerians have spoken through the ballot, and it is important that we respect the will of the people.”