The Nation Newspaper

Category: SouthEast

  • Insecurity: Army drills officers

    Against the backdrop of insecurity in the land, the Army toughens its personnel in a competition for warrant officers and senior non-commissioned officers. SUNNY NWANKWO, who covered the event at 14 Brigade Headquarters, Ohafia, Abia State, reports

    One of the major challenges facing Nigeria across the six geo-political zones is insecurity. From militancy to insurgency, herdsmen attacks to banditry and agitation for secession by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), the Army has been battling to ensure peace in the land while performing their statutory role of warding off external aggression.

    This was why the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai directed heads of military formations across the country to ensure that their officers participated in the 2019 Inter-Brigade Warrant Officers and Senior Non-Commissioned Officers Competition.

    In compliance with the directive, the leadership of the 82 Division of the Army with its headquarters in Enugu, Enugu State, has held the military competition at Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Barracks, 14 Brigade Headquarters, Ohafia, Abia State.

    The participating personnel were drawn from various 82 Division’s Areas of Responsibility (AOR) participating in the exercise even though some of them just returned from the Northeast where they have been over the years, engaging the outlawed members of Boko Haram sect in severe gun battle.

    The event provided the leadership of the 82 Division the opportunity to select the exceptional personnel among the participants that will represent the command at a similar event later in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

    The Inter-Brigade Warrant Officers and Senior Non-Commissioned Officers Competition for 82 Division held at Goodluck Ebele Jonathan’s Barracks, 14 Brigade Headquarters, Ohafia, Abia State saw the personnel participating in Drill Competition, swimming competition which took place at Hotel Damgrete in Umuahia, shooting range competition which took place at the command headquarters of 34 Artillery Brigade, Obinze in Imo State, Obstacle Crossing at the 14Brigade Headquarters, Ohafia, among other competitions.

    The General Officer Commanding 82 Division, Major-General Abubakar Maikobi represented by his Chief of Staff Brigadier General Clement A. Atere at the closing ceremony of the exercise, extolled the Brigade for engaging in the training which he said would help enhance and improve their physical fitness, leadership qualities, discipline, efficiency, effectiveness, cooperation and esprit-de-corps that will prepare the warrant officers and senior non commission officers for more challenging tasks and responsibilities especially now that the country is bedeviled with series of security challenges.

    According to Atere, Maikobi used the opportunity to congratulate the winning team and further commended the efforts of the officers and men of the Division for their professionalism.

    The GOC also appreciated the support of the Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen Tukur Y. Buratai for his contributions to the success of the competition.

    He also appreciated commanders of various formations that participated in the competition for the timely preparation of their teams and equally commended other security agencies for the synergies and cooperation in ensuring that Abia State remains safe and peaceful.

    The Special Guest of Honour, Abia State Governor Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu ably represented by his Deputy, Rt. Hon. Sir Ude Oko Chukwu extolled the Division for organising the competition especially by choosing 14 Brigade in Abia State as the host. He used the opportunity to congratulate the winning team and further commend the efforts of the officers and men of the Brigade for their professionalism in ensuring peace and safety of Abians especially at the just concluded 2019 General Elections in Abia State.

    He said, “I want to conclude by commending the Commander 14 Brigade and his team of officers and men for organising this worthwhile competition.

    “I want to also appreciate the General Officer Commanding 82 Division, other Services, the Nigeria Police and Para-Military Security Agencies for the synergy and cooperation in order to ensure Abia State remains safe and peaceful”. The Governor asserts.

    At the end of the keenly contested competition, 34 Artillery Brigade came 4th with 240 points, 13 Brigade Akim Barracks, Calabar scored 340 points to emerge 3rd, the host Brigade came 2nd with 400 points while the 82 Division Garrison was the overall best with 420 points.

    The highlight of the event includes an Award of Excellence to the Governor of Abia State by the General Officer Commanding 82 Division Enugu.

  • Anambra gets cancer detection machine for women

    The Eldorado Multi-Specialist Hospital premises were filled with men, women, young and old, who came to witness firsthand the magic of cancer detection in Anambra State.

    It also attracted the presence of the governor of the state Willie Obiano, because it is the first of its kind.

    There was the launch of the first digital mammography machine used for early detection of breast cancer in the state by the hospital.

    The hospital came with a call on Nigerians that cancer is readily preventable and curable when detected early.

    The manager and matron of the hospital, Mrs. Isuh Chinelo Francisca, said that after four years of operation, the management decided to acquire a mammography machine to address cases of breast cancer among women in the Southeast zone.

    Isuh said the intention of the management was not exploitative in nature, hence the provision of accessible and affordable health care services.

    With the facility, she said, there would be no reason for people to suffer breast cancer any more if they embarked on routine test of their breasts.

    For an oncologist, Dr Brenda Nwamuo, the World Health Organization (WHO), ranked Nigeria as the fourth highest nation devastated by the scourge of breast cancer and other cancer related deaths.

    Dr. Nwamuo said: ‘WHO records, also reveal that one million new cases are recorded yearly and 4.4 million women are currently living with the disease across the world.

    ‘The record also shows that an estimated 1.7 million women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in the year 2020, mostly from the developing world, representing a 26 per cent increase from the current level,’ she said.

    Nwamuo, of the Radiology Department, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH), Nnewi, noted that though cancer remained the commonest disease among women in the black race and Africa, it did not become a death sentence.

    ‘Breast cancer is a disease, but it does not pose as a death sentence if detected early enough with mammography manned by a competent radiographer and treated appropriately.”

    The late symptoms, according to her, include double vision, muscle weakness, headache, nausea, cough, and shortness of breath, jaundice, loss of appetite, weight loss, and bone pain.

    Governor Obiano said it was the reason his administration started the state Health insurance scheme.

    Obiano was represented by Dr Simeon Onyemaechi, the Executive Secretary, Anambra State Health Insurance Agency (ASHIA).

    The governor commended the hospital for such innovation, while pledging to partner with it to ensure quality healthcare delivery as envisioned by his government.

    He said the government was desirous of turning the state into a medical tourism of some sort.

    Obiano called for pooling of resources and collaboration among health specialists to set up multi-specialist hospitals, rather than mushroom clinics.

    He argued that it was the only way to improve health care services.

    The practical demonstration of breast cancer detection was carried out by the President of Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria, Dr. Ifeoma Ajuba.

    She pointed out that once breast cancer was detected early enough, it could be prevented.

  • Ex-lawmaker kits Anambra poly

    Immediate past member representing Awka North and South Federal Constituency in the Federal House of Representative, Hon. (Chief) Anayo Nnebe has made a donation of sports materials to Anambra State Polytechnic, Mgbakwu in Awka North local government area of the state.

    The kits included a pair of FIFA standard football goal post, a set of football jersey, 12 pairs of football booths, a leather football, a hand pump, a pair of goal keeper jersey, 2 pairs of track suits and 2 pairs of canvas shoes.

    Handing over the items to the management of the institution, Nnebe, who was the Deputy, House Committee on Sports, said the donation was part of his contribution to the infrastructural and human development of the staff and students of the school.

    The lawmaker assuranced of his continuous support to the institution in her quest to get the best out of her staff and students.

    “This is part of my contribution to the development of infrastructure and wellbeing of the staff and students of ANSPOLY and it is in line with the mission and vision of the state government in establishing the Polytechnic,” he said.

    Receiving the sports kits, Rector of the Polytechnic, Dr. Mrs Nneka Mefoh, expressed joy for the gesture and thanked the lawmaker for the initiative.

    Mefor, represented by the Public Relations Officer, who is also the institution’s Director, Sports Unit, Mr Chukwuanu Okagbue, assured that the items would be put into good use for the purposes they were donated.

    She prayed for God’s blessings on the benefactor as he continued to give back to the society.

    She said, “This generosity will not go unnoticed by the Polytechnic community as the donor’s name will be forever in the institution’s book of records.

    “We call on other well-meaning and good-spirited individuals to join hands with the state governor and the visitor to the polytechnic, Willie Obiano and his government to lift the polytechnic to an enviable height.”

  • Businessman Okonkwo institutes research on Onitsha market

    Business mogul and founder of The Dome Entertainment Centre, Dr. Obiora Okonkwo has instituted an entrepreneurial research chair into the Onitsha main market as a central hub of Igbo enterprise development.

    The research will document the beginning, the growth and development of entrepreneurship at the Onitsha main market, which at a time, was the largest market in West Africa.

    Announcing this at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, Anambra State, after he was conferred with an award as Business Philanthropist of the Year by the UNIZIK Business School, at the ongoing 2nd Edition of its International Conference in Awka, Dr. Okonkwo said that the coming generation of Nigerians have a lot to learn from the entrepreneurial spirit of the Igbo man which, according to him, were developed from the Main Market at Onitsha.

    He stated that before the emergence of large markets in Lagos, the main market held sway as the hub of Igbo enterprise adding that “at that time, every Igbo billionaire took off from the main market in Onitsha”.

    Relating that to his humble beginnings in business, Dr. Okonkwo recalled that “I had my first lessons in trading at the Onitsha main market, rising from there to become who I am today”.

    He noted that most Igbo businessmen and women of the time, had their offices at Onitsha and only traveled to Lagos on holidays.

    He said that though the trend has changed, a proper study of the market and the growth of the apprenticeship system in Igbo land, will add value to new business innovations that will sustain growth and ensure enterprise survival.

    Noting that the upcoming generation of Igbo businesses must learn from mistakes of their forebears, Dr. Okonkwo regretted that the exploits of Sir Louis Odumegwu-Ojukwu, who at a time was the biggest name in business in Nigeria, ended with his passage.

    He said Sir Odumegwu-Ojukwu’s contemporaries in Europe, America and Asia, have their names as super brands wondering why same failed in Nigeria.

    Dr. Okonkwo challenged the UNIZIK Business School to use the research to help create innovations that would turn Nigerian businesses into super brands appreciated world over.

    “In my life thus far, I have received several awards. But this is the first from a business school. So, I deeply appreciate it. Not only is it the first from a business school, but it is also one from a business school in my home state. It means a lot to me because it is said that a prophet is often without honour among his own. But here I am being honoured by my own, in my home state capital, Awka, a town that is just a few kilometers from Onitsha where my father taught me my first lessons in the rudiments of trading at the Fancy Line.

    “I went through Onitsha Main Market as a youngster, helping my father of blessed memory manage his shop. Through him, I had my tutelage in business growing up to combine school and shop management as well as managing his apprentices. The lessons I learnt at the Main Market are immortal. They could not have been learnt at any university at the time. And that is why I always look at Onitsha with nostalgia. The city, and the market, laid the foundation for who I have become. I won’t ever forget.

    “I am therefore happy that the management of Nnamdi Azikiwe University accepted the challenge to start a business school that will transform lives and help bring innovation to our traditional trading practice. I was at the maiden convocation dinner organized in honour of graduands of the executive MBA programme of the business school last May. I was highly elated to see a crop of young Nigerians graduate from your programme. Seeing them tells me that there are no limits to what Unizik Business School can achieve in the lives of our people.

    “It is for this reason that I accepted to be part of you today. It is also for this reason that I have decided to commit myself to funding a research into what makes Onitsha Main Market such a giant hub in the creation of great businessmen and women with deep insights and guts even when they have no university education.

    We must know what makes main market, once the largest in West Africa, what it is today. We must remember that before Alaba International, ASPAMDA, Balogun, Ladipo (all in Lagos), there was Main Market. Then, the big businessmen and women go to Lagos for weekends only.

    Their businesses were domiciled at Onitsha. So, I believe a research into the main market that will document its beginnings and growth, for our children will be a great intellectual contribution to the vaunted entrepreneurial spirit of the Igboman.

    “This is more so as American journalist, Robert Neuwirth, had in a study, declared that the apprenticeship system in Igbo land, is the largest venture capitalist platform in the world. His study was based on the Alaba International Market in Lagos. However, I do not think we need a foreigner to tell us our story. This is a story that Unizik Business School must document and tell the world. Unizik Business School must strive to bring the world to Awka to learn something about the Igbo entrepreneurial spirit whch created the main market.

    “Many of the great businessmen and women that we have come to know in Igboland, passed through the main market. They started little and grew to become big. It tells me that there must be something that is spectacular about the Main Market and the people that pass through it.

    “In committing myself to funding such research, I am guided by the need to find out vital lessons that will guide our businesses into growing to become world super brands. Like I recalled at my lecture during your MBA graduation, the exploits of Sir Louis Odumegwu-Ojukwu and the likes, challenge us towards understanding why their businesses ended with their generation irrespective of how large they were.

    “I believe that such understanding will help students who pass through UNIZIK Business School to prepare better for the future because the challenges of tomorrow will be greater than what we experience today”, he stated.

    Declaring the conference open, Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Charles Esemone said Nigeria must look inwards to maximize its abundant raw materials by adding value through processing.

    “To my mind, attempts to re-engineer Africa’s economies/business development should be anchored on exploiting the value chains of our primary resources, agricultural and minerals, expanding the portfolio investment and productive base of the economy, particularly with a view to exports,” he said.

  • Enugu Disco inaugurates 100 change ambassadors

    The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) has inaugurated 100 Change Ambassadors within its workforce with a view to driving the company’s Transformational Culture Change Initiative.

    The Change Ambassadors, who have undergone week-long training on human relations and integrity, were selected from 18 district areas of the company in the five Southeast states.

    Inaugurating the Change Ambassadors in Enugu, Dr Steve Dike, a member of EEDC Board of Directors, said that after a survey in the company it was clear that there was a great need to change attitudes and culture of work.

    Dike, who congratulated the Change Ambassadors for being chosen to lead the transformational initiative, charge them to live above board and ensure that negative deeds that questions the integrity of the company are stopped.

    “The Change Ambassadors, who I will refer to as Your Excellences in this company, now carries the corporate image of the company personified with them and must lead by example and correct others.

    “You people have the full support of the Board as you carry out your monitoring and correction especially with focus on treating our esteemed customers as king with due courtesy they supposed to get from us.

    “You have the power to warn and correct any erring staff as well as sending those that dress like touts back home as many times they are not properly dressed.

    “There must be discipline, courtesy and integrity in our business especially as it relates to our esteemed customers,” he added.

    The Managing Director of EEDC, Mr Okey Nwosu, said that the journey to have a change of orientation in attitude started in January when the Board deployed consultants to look on how to improve service delivery to its customers.

    “With extensive interview with staff and customers, they came out with the fact that most of the problem the company face with its esteemed customers was that of negative attitude to work on the part of our staff.

    “So, we have a mandate from the Board to change our attitude and ensure we uphold integrity in all we do; which will make the customers empathy with any challenge we might be going through as a company.

    “From today, we must communicate to our customers that we are a rebranded and changed both in words and deeds,” he said.

    Mr Emeka Ezeh, Head, Communications of EEDC and one of the Change Ambassadors, assured the management and Board that the ambassadors would live up to expectation.

    “We are committed to ensure that Transformational Culture Change Initiative trickles down to our district and area offices scattered in the entire South-East,” Ezeh said.

    Among the Change Ambassadors are district and area managers, some field staff with exemplary conduct, human resources staff and some heads of units and departments.

    The highlights of the event included launch of EEDC Culture Handbook and the unveiling of the Core Value of EEDC, which are Integrity, Customers Focus, Professionalism and Innovation.

  • Ihedioha to prioritise science, technology in schools

    Imo State Governor Emeka Ihedioha has promised to give top priority to Science and Technology Education. He stated this at the NNPC National Science quiz competition, Southeast Zone.

    In a statement, the Ministry of Science, Technology and Vocational Education Public Relations Officer (PRO), Sunday Orisakwe, quoted the governor, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Science, Technology and Vocational Education, Mrs. Magret Obi,  saying that he would ensure that the teaching and learning of science and technical subjects were emphasised in the state curriculum.

    To achieve this, he said his administration would revamp four technical colleges in the state to bring them up to international standard. The governor explained that his administration was doing this because he believed that science and technology is a catalyst to the socio-economic development of the state.

    Mrs. Obi expressed her gratitude to Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) for encouraging the teaching and learning of science and technical subjects.

    NNPC Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Mr. Ndu Ughamadu congratulated the winners for their doggedness.

    Ughamadu, represented by Nnochiri Iheanyi, NNPC’s Deputy Manager, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) said the NNPC’s CSR’s activities cover health, infrastructure, power generation, agriculture, sports and the arts. He explained that NNPC understands the value of education in the growth and development of any society.

    Furthermore, Science, he Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Education (STEM Education), which is what the NNPC National Science Quiz Competition encourages, plays a key role in sustaining the economy by providing us with tools to understand the world around us and innovations to solve  problems.

    At the contest, where Imo, Abia, Ebonyi, Anambra and Enugu states took part, Miss Ozuzu Adaeze of Logos International Secondary School, Awo-mama Imo State; Mbazu Justice Chinonso of CSMT Staff Secondary School, Ebonyi came first with the same points. Abia State came third. The winners will represent the Southeast in the final that will hold in Abuja.

  • ‘Don’t let contractors mess up road projects in your community’

    A member of the House of Representatives representing Ogbaru Federal Constituency in Anambra State, Hon. Prince Chukwuka Onyema has charged people of his constituency to take ownership of the various projects in Ogbaru Local Government Area of the state.

    He called for vigilance especially from residents of the communities where road projects were being carried out.

    Speaking while inspecting ongoing road projects at the Amiyi-Umuzu and school, Iyiowa Odekpe, the lawmaker advised them not to allow contractors do shoddy jobs.

    He cited cases where contractors absconded after collecting their money.

    He said, “It is one thing to award a contract and another to make sure the work is done properly.

    “We cannot be everywhere. I urge you all to follow the projects we do in your towns and inform us when anything is going wrong.”

    Onyema said he chose to inspect the roads himself in order to take notes of the work progress, saying he was impressed with the pace especially with the drainage well-constructed at Iyiowa.

    He said the inspection was necessary to ensure high standard quality of work delivery at the various construction sites.

    Describing the project as a precautionary measure against rainy season, the lawmaker assures that the pace of work on the project could be improved to avoid trapping people in their homes.

    Onyema who hinted that the project was an intervention from the Nigeria Building Research Institute (NIBRI), said it was in fulfillment of his election promises to the people of the area.

    “The project is in fulfillment of my election promises to people of Ogbaru. We promised to give them solar street light which we have done and also construct the road because people of the area are suffering due to bad roads and poor drainage system.

    “We believe when these social amenities are provided, it will help alleviate their sufferings,” he added.

    The lawmaker regretted that the Amiyi-Umuzu Road project was temporarily stopped after the contractor failed to adhere to the principles of the contract.

    He insisted that the contractor must present the project specification for review before work would continue again.

  • Former CP, Tsav sues for calm between Police and Army

    Elder statesman and former Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Abubakar Tsav, has called for calm in the ongoing face-off between the  Nigerian Army and the  Nigeria Police Force.

     

    The two security agencies have been at loggerheads over the killings of some cops in Taraba State earlier in the week.

     

     

    Tsav, a former Public Complaints Commissioner, called on both parties to cease media fireworks while the committee of inquiry investigates the root cause of the incident.

     

    The former CP in a statement on Friday, appealed to the  Nigeria Police Force to cease fuether media  attacks on the Army which is a sister agency and partner in progress  while focusing on apprehending the escaped kidnap suspect, Alhaji Hamisu Bala Wadume.

     

    He further stated that the Police must enforce identifiable uniforms by men and officers embarking on special operations in order to avoid such misfortune in the future.

     

    His statement reads.

     

    I am saddened by the avoidable death of three members of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) of the Nigeria Police Force another civilian under circumstances that are now the subject of an investigation ordered by President Muhammadu Buhari.

     

    From my experience as a retired police officer, the death of colleagues in the line of duty is saddening and depressing with the emotional toll becoming heavier when the loss of life is as result of friendly fire. The deceased members of the IRT, Insp. Mark Edaile,  Sgt. Usman Danzumi, and Sgt. Dahiru Musa died in an encounter with soldiers of the Nigerian Army. It is a situation that provokes a long string of regrets as survivors and authorities contemplate what could have been done differently.

     

    We must however grieve responsibly.  I have observed a worrisome trend since the incident in which the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigerian Army are engaged in fireworks of blame trading, which in my view amounts to desecrating the memory of the deceased officers. The accusations and counter accusations between both sister agencies, if anything, is encouraging kidnappers, terrorists and bandits – giving them the impression that those tasked with getting rid of them are at loggerheads and in disarray.

     

    The energy being channelled into recriminations is better directed at continuing with tackling the security breaches confronting the country even as the nation seeks answers to what transpired. Our focus should be on getting full closure by leveraging the investigation ordered by Mr President to get to the bottom of what happed. This should be with a view of using lessons from this exercise to prevent a repeat of the tragic Taraba incident.

     

    Without prejudice to what the investigation will find, based on information provided so far, and as an immediate measure, I advise the Nigeria Police Force to immediately enforce the requirements for identifiable uniforms and properly marked cars for the kind of operation that resulted in this tragedy. The imperative for this is underscored by a few other instances where members of the IRT team came under attack from members of the public that mistook them for criminals because of the way they dress in mufti and the kind of vehicles they use for their operation.  Although this is not to dismiss the need for operationally suitable apparels for undercover operations.

     

    There should also be a review of information sharing and collaboration among the relevant security agencies in the country to prevent further loss of life to friendly fire. Security agencies should routinely keep each other informed when and where their geographical areas of operation overlap, besides helping to prevent blue on blue incidents it will also increase the likelihood of criminals being apprehended.

     

    Meanwhile, I appeal to President Buhari to direct the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigerian Army to cease their ongoing media war while focusing on apprehending the escaped kidnap suspect, Alhaji Hamisu Bala Wadume and other criminals as their way of expressing their displeasure with what transpired, if they must.

     

  • AI: Protesters vow to commence 40 days civil disobedience over NGOs refusal to leave Nigeria

    The Coalition for Civil Rights and Good Governance has threatened to embark on “40 days civil disobedience” over the refusal_of Amnesty International to leave the shores of Nigeria.

     

    The group stated this on the 7th day of its occupy Amnesty International office, Abuja over its alleged connivance with some agents of destabilization to cause unrest in Nigeria.

     

    CCRGG vowed not to give up until the NGO leaves Nigeria.

     

    Addressing newsmen on Wednesday in Abuja, Princes Ajibola, President of the group, averred that “If we are pushed to begin the 40 days occupation, our member will make a daily advance of one metre upon the premises of Amnesty International until we enter its reception, workstations, conference room and offices to bodily throw out its staffers and escort them to the airport.”

     

    He statement below.

     

    Seven days ago, we took the bold step of standing up for our country by openly confronting the monster that threatens its future in the form of an international non-governmental organization called Amnesty International. We consistently occupied the Amnesty International for the seven-day period irrespective of the intense blackmail and propaganda directed at us by the NGO.

     

    In the course of the seven days, over two million protestors took part in the anti-Amnesty International protests in Lagos and more than one million participated in Abuja under rain, sun and unwarranted brutality from Amnesty International.

     

    The occupation has been illuminating for us because it surfaced a lot of facts and useful information that were hitherto in the realm of conjecture.

     

    For one, we have been able to establish that the conspiracy against the existence of Nigeria is more extensive and elaborate than previously thought. While Amnesty International is the arrowhead of the foreign component of this evil agenda, it has a large network of other NGOs, CSOs and even quasi-business entities that are running errands for it – these are the groups that jointly issued statements to condemn the occupation of Amnesty International’s office. Individuals that are on its payroll equally exposed themselves as such by condemning our action.

     

    The extent of Amnesty International’s infiltration of Nigeria is alarming to a point where it even has the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on a leash like a dog. It launched NHRC like an attack dog against this protest in an act of desperation forgetting that it has exposed the lapses at the Commission in terms of playing its own role of monitoring issues of human rights in Nigeria. We now understand that NHRC deliberately abandoned its duties to create a vacuum for Amnesty International to exploit. Our protest exposed this unholy alliance, which forced NHRC to tediously attempt to disparage our efforts.

     

    Not to be left out are members of the opposition. The people that contracted Amnesty International to run local side shows for them in the course of implementing its internationally hatched destabilization agenda. They owned and tele-guide the proscribed organizations like IMN and IPOB as well as anarchist movements like RevolutionNow and DaysofRage, which have been deployed to cause widespread violence. Even as we occupied its offices, the NGO continued to defend the rights of these groups to destroy Nigeria without being challenged or prevented from doing so. It defended their incitement and call to violence as “freedom of speech”.

     

    For those that ever doubted that Amnesty International is interested in plunging into war, its sponsorship of the fake revolution by the proscribed and anarchist movements against the democratically elected Federal Government led by President Muhammadu Buhari is a final proof that should jolt all patriotic citizens into action. We should be alarmed that upon being found out as a subversive organization, instead of giving up its destabilization agenda, Amnesty International has rather intensified its attack on the Nigerian state while urging that inciting and hate speech should be allowed as “freedom of expression”.

     

    This strategy had served the NGO in other countries that are today in disarray and it is to our collective peril to allow it replicate same successfully in Nigeria.

    It is instructive that Amnesty International and its allies have condemned our occupation of its offices while decrying our call for more Nigerians to join the protests against its subversive activities while defending the rights of anarchist movements to do exactly the same thing and even worse against the Nigerian state and its government.

     

    The implication is that the NGO is not willing to accept the treatment it is encouraging its clients to give the federal government. It is clear that this organization knows that the people it is supporting are doing the wrong thing but it is defending them simply because it wants to get at the government and weaken it.

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    It was discovered that the protests being backed by Amnesty International are a fallback position after its support for Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) did not translate into an ability to penetrate metropolitan cities and carry out attacks against places of interests. An option to use violent protests by IMN and IPOB similarly failed.

     

    But we have also learnt that this NGO has no desire of giving up on its destabilization agenda as it will always plot new schemes to achieve its goals whenever its strategy is defeated.

    This is why we have resolved that Amnesty International must leave Nigeria now. We stood up, as a coalition of several groups, to challenge its subversive activities in the last seven days. We expect that this organization will use the benefit of the end of the seven days occupation to slink away at night because criminals are accustomed to making their getaway under the cover of darkness.

     

    But where we discover that the NGO continues to violate the space of Nigeria by remaining in the country after these seven days of occupation, we want to categorically warn that the various groups may be forced to return on Monday, this time for a round 40 of days of occupation.

     

    If we are pushed to begin the 40 days occupation, our member will make a daily advance of one metre upon the premises of Amnesty International until we enter its reception, workstations, conference room and offices to bodily throw out its staffers and escort them to the airport. The 40 days will witness impassioned Nigerians overrunning this Office with their properties to permanently occupy the place until the needful is done.

     

    It is reassuring that more Nigerians have indicate interest to join the occupation that will expel the monster that is threatening Nigeria from the jurisdiction of the country. We salute the patriotism of these people that have indicated commitment to act even before they are called upon just as we salute all Nigerians that have come out in solidarity with this protest. We shall keep everyone up to date on the status of the protest and when the 40 days of occupation will begin.

     

    Finally, we want to put Amnesty International, its allies and supporters on notice that there will be no giving up until it shuts down its operations and leave Nigeria. The worst that can happen is for it to unleash law enforcement agents of thugs on us and we are prepared.

     

     

  • Monarchs vow to stop vandalism

    The Obi of Onitsha, Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe, and his colleagues in Anambra State, have vowed to stop vandals from destroying government facilities.

    Achebe, who is the Chairman of Southeast Traditional Rulers’ Council, spoke yesterday in Awka, when a government delegation, led by the Commissioner for Public Utilities, Emeka Ezenwanne, visited the monarchs in their chambers.

    Achebe promised that the traditional institution would partner the government to reduce the likelihood of vandalism occurring in their domains.

    He urged the government to always notify the traditional rulers anytime they had government installation in their communities, lamenting that the activities of the miscreants must be stopped.

    The monarchs said they would work with security operatives to arrest the hoodlums, their sons and daughters and anybody patronising them.

    They also promised to educate their subjects on continued protection of government utilities, as well as increased security, public awareness and police involvement to track the miscreants.

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    Ezenwanne, who was worried at the rate hoodlums vandalised government utilities, warned the vandals to relocate or risk arrest and prosecution.

    He, however, assured the monarchs of stronger partnership to safeguard government facilities such as streetlights, transformers, water projects, among others.

    On water projects, Ezenwanne, appealed to the traditional rulers to help get credible experts from their communities to take over the management and operation of big water schemes.

    He called for public private participation to ensure sustainability of such water facilities in rural areas.