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  • Wike pledges improved security for Ogoni communities

    RIVERS State Governor Nyesom Wike has assured residents of Ogoni communities that more security assistance would be extended to them to stem the rising insecurity in the communities.

    Ogoni communities of Khana and Gokana Local Government Areas of the state have been enmeshed in incessant violent attacks by hoodlums suspected to be cultists in the last one month.

    The hoodlums appearing to be taking on the communities in twos, penultimate week, were Taaba and Okwali of Khana LGA, where nine persons were reportedly killed and several other injured, as tens of houses were either touched or razed, including the house of a second class traditional ruler in the area.

    Earlier, two communities including Khana and Gokana were attacked with some casualties recorded. Sources said the attacks were cult-related, the latest reportedly took place last Thursday and Friday. Two communities of Kono-Boue and Kereken-Boue Towns in Khana LGA, with about five persons feared dead, and several houses destroyed and burnt by fire.

    Wike visited the communities yesterday in the company of service commanders for on-the-spot assessment of the level of damage and to condole with the families whose loved ones were killed in the attacks.

    Read Also: Wike felicitates with Muslims

    He assured the people of the communities that more security officials would be deployed to help curb the attacks and restore peace and sanity to the area.

    Wike said that security agencies have been mobilised  to go after the criminal cultists operating in Ogoni communities, and assured that they would be punished for the crime they committed when apprehended, and appealed for the cooperation of members of the communities in fishing out the culprits.

    He said that the State Security Council has adopted new strategies to build the security framework in communities troubled by cultists.

    He charged parents to monitor their children. He said communities must take measures to discourage youths from becoming cultists.

    Chairman of Khana Local Government Area, Mr Lahteh Loolo, explained that cultists displaced some communities in the area. He commended the Rivers State governor for his sustained response which reduced the level of casualties suffered by the communities.  He said that with the new strategies introduced by the Rivers State governor, the security challenge facing the area would be resolved.

    The traditional ruler of Kono Boue, Chief Ezekiel Manson, expressed happiness with the intervention of the Rivers State governor. He said when the cultists attacked the community, the divisional police officer and his personnel responded positively.

  • IPOB, Ohanaeze in war of words over Biafra, Ekweremadu

    A WEEK after former Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, was assaulted by some members of Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) in Nuremberg at an event organised by the “Ndigbo Germany in Nuremberg, Germany, IPOB and Ohanaeze Ndigbo are still in war of words, even as other leaders and ordinary citizens continue to react to the development.

    Shortly after the attack in Germany, Ohanaeze leaders, Southeast governors and other Igbo elders publicly condemned the action of IPOB, describing it as shocking and misplaced.

    The President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Nnia Nwodo, for example, wrote a letter alleging that IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, had also issued an order to his followers to kill him. Explaining why IPOB singled him out as a target, the Ohanaeze leader said: “The IPOB leader first of all accuses me of being an accomplice to the invasion of his homestead in Umuahia by the Nigerian Army in Operation Python Dance.

    “Secondly, he accuses me persistently of being a Fulani stooge who would always do the beckoning of the ruling Fulani elite in Nigeria.  He also accuses my late father of being a Fulani stooge.

    “He holds me and our Southeast governors and legislators responsible for the marginalisation of the Southeast.  He accuses me of being against the realisation of Biafra and a saboteur to the Igbo cause.

    “First of all, I am neither the Commander-in Chief of The Nigerian Armed Forces nor a member of the Nigerian Armed Forces.  Secondly, I never participated in any meeting where operation Python dance was ever recommended or ordered.  Truth is that when the second operation Python dance was ordered, I wrote against it and advised against it in the media.  I saw no need for it.”

    Reacting to the allegations during the week, IPOB accused Ohanaeze Ndigbo leaders of sabotaging Igbo course. The spokesman of IPOB, Comrade Emma Powerful, in a statement issued to newsmen yesterday, said the statement released by Nwodo, where he denied agreeing to cede any part of the Southeast for the purpose of RUGA was “cowardly, anti-Biafra utterance with the utmost contempt that it deserves.”

    Read Also: Why we attacked Ekweremadu, by IPOB

    Also, counsel to the leader of IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu; Aloy Ejimakor, has debunked news making rounds that his client ordered violence or physical attack on Southeast governors overseas.

    In a statement signed personally by Ejimakor, he stated that what the IPOB leader told his supporters is elected leaders from Nigeria and Southeast in particular who prefer junketing and gallivanting abroad instead of working for the electorate should be ready to answer tough questions from Nigerians and the people of Southeast in general who are in Diaspora.

    “What Kanu had said, and it’s verifiable, is that Nigerian elected officials, especially those from the Southeast, (including governors), who derelict and still derelict their duties to the people and prefer to junket and gallivant abroad should be ‘prepared to answer tough questions from the Nigerian/Southeast Diaspora.

    “In plain terms, the so-called threat is not of violence or battery but of gutsy demonstrations or protests, of tough questions or heckling, of getting really close to the target. Therefore, Kanu never threatened or sanctioned any threat of actual physical violence, assault or battery, or anything that is illegal or criminal. And he had also stated that you don’t have to be afraid if you have done nothing wrong,” he said.

    He also said, “I think Nigerians, particularly Igbos need to see the Ekweremadu incident in Germany from the prism of German law, which, as we now know, is unarguably permissive of it.”

    On reconciliation of IPOB and the elite of Ndigbo and Nigeria, the statement said: “As regards reconciliation with Igbo elected political leaders, the IPOB had, in the recent past, made public their basic conditions for reconciliation.

    “They include particularly the following: (a) Immediate and unconditional de-proscription of IPOB and delisting it as a terrorist organisation. (b) A truth and reconciliation commission on the Python Dance lethal military operations of September 2017. (c) A public apology for the extrajudicial killings of IPOB members and desecration of the palace of an Igbo traditional ruler at Afaraukwu, Abia State. (d) A genuine dialogue with IPOB on its demands for a referendum on the restoration of Biafra. (e) Discontinuance of the ongoing prosecution of IPOB members and forbearance of any future arrests and prosecutions. Is this asking for too much?”

    Meanwhile, ordinary Nigerians and other Igbo leaders have reacted to the development. Kinsmen of Senator Ike Ekweremadu, for example, have called for thorough investigation, arrest and prosecution of the people that planned the attack on the senator at Nuremberg, Germany.

    Speaking under the aegis of Enugu West Peoples Parliament, they also asked for an explanation by the organisers of the New Yam Festival at Nuremberg on why they failed to provide security for Ekweremadu who in his usual act of patriotism honoured their invitation.

    They also urged the Federal Ministry of Justice, the Nigerian Embassy in Germany and the Nigerian Diaspora Commission to rise to the occasion to ensure that the culprits were brought to book.

    The chairman of the group, Jonathan Ivoke, who spoke on their behalf, urged other Igbo diaspora organisations to take note of the threats of IPOB and wondered “how IPOB could have attacked Senator Ekweremadu who on September 18, 2017 wrote to President Mohammadu Buhari and asked for dialogue instead of Operation Phyton Dance in the Southeast?

    “As a member of the National Assembly, I am also privy to numerous efforts Senator Ekweremadu has made to redeem the pride of Igboman in Nigeria, through legislations and oversight functions.

    “This is Senator Ekweremadu who has never hidden his colour as a true patriot of the Igbo in Nigeria. He galvanized the Southeast caucus in the National Assembly when establishing an international airport in Igboland became an utmost priority and made members of the National Assembly forgo other budgetary proposals to ensure that the Akanu Ibiam International Airport was actualised,” Amadi stated.

    He however asked any aggrieved Igbo in Diaspora to come back home and resolve their differences with their brothers instead of fighting in faraway lands.

    Founder of Igbo Youth Movement (IYM), Evang. Elliot Ugochukwu-Uko, in his reaction told The Nation yesterday that the attack on Ekweremadu was not personal. According to Uko, who is also the Secretary General of Eastern Consultative Assembly (ECA) and the Deputy Secretary of Igbo Leaders of Thought (ILT), “the attack is not about an individual or organisation. It is beyond all that. It is about the anger of millions of Igbo youths against the Nigerian state and the Nigerian structure; it is about the anger of Igbo youths against the humiliation of the Igbo people since the 1970s while their leaders continue to dance around the truth. It is not personal to Ekweremadu but it shows how far Igbo leaders have failed to engage Igbo youths; how they have failed to build the necessary synergy with the Igbo youths. It is sad and regrettable.”

    The deputy spokesman of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chuks Ibegbu, in his reaction however debunked the insinuation by some fifth columnists that the attack on Senator Ike Ekweremadu in Germany by some militants will affect the Igbo presidency project after the turn of the North. Ibegbu spoke on his personal capacity.

    He noted that the attack on ex-President Goodluck Jonathan by some Ijaw militants in the past did not stop him from being president; neither did the rejection of ex-President Obasanjo by the Yoruba in 1999 stop him from becoming president.

    “Even the murderous activities of Boko Haram and other seperatists in the North did not stop Yar’adua and Buhari from becoming Nigeria presidents. Why should IPOB and MASSOB activities, which are even done peacefully, be a threat to Igbo presidency project. No, I think it will even enhance it. In any case, it’s not Igbo Presidency but Nigeria Presidency of Igbo extraction,” he said.

  • Concern over Supreme Court’s continued silence on Justice Ngwuta’s fate

    Concern is mounting over the continued silence of decision makers at the Supreme Court and the National Judicial Council (NJC) on the fate of a senior member of the apex court’s bench, Justice Sylvester Ngwuta.

    Justice Ngwuta’s current status has become a topic discussion in the nation’s judicial circle, particularly senior lawyers, who are worried by alleged delay in sorting out the matter.

    Justice Ngwuta, currently listed as the fourth most senior Justice of the Supreme Court (on the court’s website), has not sat in open court since November 4, 2016 following a directive by the NJC that judicial officers  being investigated for  corruption related allegations should cease to perform judicial functions until the conclusion of investigation.

    He was one of the two Justices of the Supreme Court , whose houses were raided, among other judges, by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) between 7 and 8, October, 2016. While his   colleague, Justice John Okoro resumed duties shortly after the raid, Ngwuta was charged to court.

    He was first arraigned before the Federal High Court in Abuja on corruption related charges and later, arraigned before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), over his alleged failure to declare some of his assets. Both charges were filed by the office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF).

    On March 23, 2018, the Federal High Court upheld his challenge of the competence of the charge and discharged him.

    Justice John Tsoho, in a ruling, relied on the Court of Appeal decision in the appeal by Justice Hyeladzira Nganjiwa (of the Federal High Court) and held that it was wrong to subject Justice Ngwuta trial before his court, without first, subjecting him to the disciplinary procedure of the NJC.

    Read Also: BREAKING: Supreme Court strikes out Atiku, PDP’s appeal

    On May 15, 2018 the CCT also held in similar manner and struck out the charges against Justice Ngwuta.

    A member of the tribunal, Atedze William Agwaza said, in the ruling: “in resolving issues raised by parties in this application, it is hereby held that the defendant/applicant, though a public officer, is also a judicial officer, and subject first to the discipline and management of the NJC.

    “This is in line with Section 158(1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended). Paragraph 21 (b) of Part 1 of the 3rd Schedule of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and the decision of the Court of Appeal in the case of Nganjiwa V. FRN (supra), which forms a precedent binding on this tribunal.

    “Our hands are, therefore, tied in the light of the aforesaid decision. Based on the above, the application of the defendant/applicant is found merited, and hereby granted. The defendant is hereby discharged accordingly,” Agwaza said.

    Since the last decision by the CCT, Justice Ngwuta has not resumed normal judicial functions. He has not been sighted sitting as a member of any panel of the court.

    Enquiry at the Supreme Court revealed that although Justice Ngwuta goes  to work every day, he limits his activities to his office.

    He added: “You know the EFCC (economic and Financial Crimes Commission) wrote petitions against those judges it initially charged to court before the Court of Appeal judgement in the case of Justice Nganjiwa came.  Some of such petitions have been treated, the latest being that of Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia.

    “But, unlike the EFCC, the office of the AGF did not write petition against the judges it had charged to court. We do not know why. One of them is Justice Ngwuta. So, at the moment, and to my knowledge, there is no petition pending against him before the NJC.”

    The Nation learnt, at the office of the AGF, that the office decided against writing any petition against any of the judges it was prosecuting and has seen no reason to do that.

    Meanwhile, it was gathered on Friday that some  senior lawyers, who felt concerned that Justice Ngwuta’s issue has been left hanging, have decided to bring it to the attention of the new CJN, Justice Ibrahim Muhammad and to demand that the NJC put the issue to rest.

    A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, who is part of the plan, told The Nation that “We hope to meet before the Supreme Court’s long vacation ends, to take a position on this and communicate our decision to the new CJN.

    “This issue has to be resolved. It is casting a wrong shadow on the Judiciary. His fate cannot be left to dangle. He should not be subjected to perpetual uncertainty. That is the point we hope to stress,” he said.

  • Nigeria, Germany to partner on mechanised farming

    Nigerian Incentive Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL) and German Agribusiness Alliance (GAA), have agreed to work together to revamp agribusiness and help Nigerian farmers engage in mechanised farming.

    Speaking at the weekend at the end of the investment workshop between NIRSAL and German Agribusiness Alliance (GAA) for local farmers in Abuja, NIRSAL Managing Director, Mr Aliyu Abdulhameed, said “the relationship between NIRSAL and GAA is to bring equipment, technology and standard for Nigerian farmers.”

    Read Also: ‘Banditry killing farming, cattle breeding’

    Abdulhameed said Nigerian farmers need to be empowered in all ramifications, noting that “what NIRSAL is doing today is to ensure that all the risks in crop production have been eliminated or reduced to their minimum to ensure that farmers get good returns.” We need equipment capital, technology capital and the brain capital to be able to design and deliver projects and all these must be supported by government.”

    After the workshop, NIRSAL and GAA will sign a framework of understanding that will facilitate the broader agreement to be signed later. According to Abdulhameed, the partnership will see German equipment manufacturers bring samples to showcase for Nigerian farmers and demonstrate how to use them on their farms.

    The leader of German delegations, Frank Nordman, said the whole idea of the partnership is to assist Nigerian farmers to be able to produce enough food to feed the about 200 million local population as well as meeting European standard for food item export to Europe and other countries.

  • Wase felicitates with Sultan at 63

    DEPUTY Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Ahmed Idris Wase, has congratulated his eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji. Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar lll, as he celebrates his 63 birthday anniversary.

    In a congratulatory message he personally signed, the Deputy Speaker, described Sultan Sa’ad as an icon of peace who through his spiritual counsel brought peace, tolerance not only to Sokoto State but the entire nation.

    “His Eminence has over the years demonstrated both in words and in deeds that he is a true man of peace by always preaching unity, mutual understanding and peaceful coexistence among the diverse ethnic and religious groups in Nigeria,” he said.

  • Reappointment of Sirika, good for continuity

    HON. Nnolim Nnaji has commended the reappointment of Senator Hadi Sirika as Minister of Aviation by President Muhammadu Buhari saying it was good for continuity

    Nnaji, who is the Chairman House Committee on Aviation, noted that he would expect the minister to hit the ground running because he was already familiar with the terrains.

    Read Also: Why Enugu airport should be shut, by Hadi Sirika

    “There are so much to be done within a short time to prepare the industry for the challenges posed by the emerging African Continental Free Trade Area (AFCFTA), so we don’t need a new person that will require a lot of time to learn the ropes,” he said.

    The lawmaker representing Nkanu East and West Federal Constituency, Enugu State, also stated that he is happy the minister is coming at the time the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, (FAAN) is commencing the reconstruction of the Enugu Airport Runway.

     

  • Yoruba group decries marginalization in FCT

    THE Yoruba were pivotal to the founding and development of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and must strive to remain relevant to the social-economic and political developments in the territory, the President of the foremost Yoruba association in Abuja, Club Twelve 88 Abuja, Emmanuel Odebode  has said.

    Speaking at the inauguration of club’s new executive council and the launch of a N10 million appeal fund, he said Yoruba contributed to the development of the city.

    Odebode, who spoke to reporters at the event recalled that the late Justice Akinola Aguda was the chairman of the committee that recommended the movement of the nation’s capital to Abuja from Lagos while the late Mr. Mobolaji Ajose-Adeogun, another Yoruba man was the pioneer FCT Minister from 1976-79.

    Also, the renowned geographer, Professor Akin Mabogunje, he added, was on the frontline of the experts who did the spadework for the setting out of the city.

    Other prominent Yoruba men such as Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Lt Gen Oladipo Diya (rtd) and many others including the sitting Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo hold or have held prime political offices in the city.

    Founded in 1988 by 12 friends, the club is to foster genuine friendship among members, promote the political advancement of the Yoruba in the territory as well as embark on humanitarian and community development projects.

    Over the past 31 years, the club has made donations to some hospitals in Abuja, presented cash and materials to orphanages, reactivated boreholes in the Durumi Internally Displace Persons Camp as well as funded the surgical facial reconstruction of three cleft palate children patients in November 2017.

     

     

     

  • Sokoto agog as Sultan’s daughter, ex-gov’s son wed

    IT was a roll call of who is who in the traditional institution, the political class  and the business community on Saturday in Sokoto when a daughter of the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad  Sa’ad Abubakar and a son of a former governor of Bauchi State, Isah Yuguda, were united in marriage.

    A Federal Government delegation was led by the Chief of Staff to the president, Abba Kyari and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha to honour Fatima and the groom, Mahmoud.

    Also in attendance at the wedding fatiha held at famous Sultan Bello mosque, opposite the Sultan’s palace were Governors Aminu Waziri Tambuwal (Sokoto), Bello Matawalle (Zamfara), Emeka Ihedioha (Imo), Gboyega Oyetola (Osun), Ahmadu Umar Fintiri (Adamawa), Bala Muhammed (Bauchi) and  Ifeanyi Okowa (Delta).

    The Emir  of Kano, Muhammadu Lamido Sanusi, the Emir of  Gwandu, Muhammadu Iliyasu Bashar, the Emir of  Bauchi, Alhaji Suleiman Adamu,  the Emir of Argungu, Samaila Mera were also there as were frontline businessman  Alhaji Aliko Dangote, prominent Islamic clerics and other well-wishers.

    The programme was conducted by the Sarkin Malaman Sokoto, Shiekh Buhari Siriddawa after the payment of N50,000 as dowry .

    The wedding Fatiha was followed by special prayers to commemorate the 63rd birthday of the Sultan.

    The prayers were  led by the Chief Imam of Ghana, Sheikh Usman Sharubutu.

    President Muhammadu Buhari also felicitated with the Emir on his birthday and the wedding.

  • Abians express mixed feelings over ministerial positions

    Residents of Umuahia, the Abia State capital, and Aba, the commercial nerve of the state, have expressed mixed feelings over the ministerial positions assigned to the zone by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    While some of the residents who spoke to our reporter in Aba and Umuahia noted that it was the prerogative right of Buhari to choose his ministers, others lamented the portfolios assigned ministers from the southeast zone.

    Former Governor of Abia State and Chief Whip of the Nigerian Senate, Dr Orji Kalu in an interview commended President Muhammadu Buhari for appointing people with intellectual capacity and political dexterity to drive the next level agenda.  Speaking with a cross-section of supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia North Senatorial District, the former governor urged Nigerians to sustain their support for President Muhammadu Buhari in his efforts to reposition the country.

    Read Also: Be relentless, Buhari tells ministers

    He called on the newly inaugurated Federal Executive Council (FEC) members, to emulate the President in discharging their national duties.

    Kalu said “the appointments made thus far by President Muhammadu Buhari are impressive.”

    But some residents of Umuahia, who gave their names as Wilfred Ojah, Ugwu Clement and Gregory Onwuka told The Nation that they were dissatisfied with the positions assigned to ministers from the Southeast.

    According to Onwuka, “all of us were all aware of the performance of the ministers while they were being screened. Why on earth would they ask the likes of Uche Ogah questions that borders on Agric, Petroleum, Investment etc., and later he was sent to Mines and Steel? How can they send Hon. Emeka Nwajiuba to Ministry of Education as Minister of State? How is he going to fare at the present ministry? I am sure that their appointments were not done in good fate.”

    According to Dr Charles Chinekezi, Chairman, Civil Liberties Organisation, Aba Unit “What the President has given the Southeasterners is not just. The President wasn’t fair enough to the Southeast,” he alleged.

  • Southwest/Southeast unite or lose 2023 – Shehu Sani

    HUMAN rights activist and former lawmaker in the 8th Senate, Senator Shehu Sani, has warned that unless the Southwest and Southeast unite, getting power to shift south in 2023 may be impossible.

    Speaking on Saturday with FCT Council journalists, Sani said as much as he supports the rotation of power, certain conditions must be met to achieve a power shift in 2023.

    “On the issue of power shift, my position is that in a nation like ours, that has gone through the experiences of civil war, coup, ethnic and religious crisis, it will be unfair for one part of the country to use their demographic or topographic advantage to hold on to power, knowing that it was not the topography or demography that delivered them power from the beginning.

    Read Also: Shehu Sani loses at tribunal

    “So rotation of power is what I prescribed and I stood for. Whether that power should go to the East or West is dependent on people from the South.

    “And what I will say is that there is a possibility of producing a Northern president in 2023 if the East and the West remain divided in their resolve. It is the division that will be exploited, by those who are proposing the issue of competence,” he said.

    According to him, his advocacy is in respect for the principle of rotation of power.

    “But we should understand that the warning is that: my recommendation would come to nothing if we have a divided South.

    “If you continue to maintain your historical rivalry of Azikiwe and Awolowo, then it will continue where it is,” he said.