₦airaland Forum

Lawyer to the Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemi, fondly called Sunday Igboho, Yomi Alliyu, SAN, yesterday, dismissed a social media report of an alleged plan to eliminate the activist in Benin Republic prison, saying the Federal Government of Nigeria led by President Muhammadu Buhari is keeping Igboho in prison and not the Benin Republic Government.

He, however, warned those “flying the kite” to desist from spreading such speculations, assuring that Igboho would regain freedom soon.

Alliyu, in a chat with Vanguard, said: “I don’t have knowledge of a threat to his life. I speak with his wife regularly but I don’t have such knowledge of plans to eliminate him.

“We have persuaded his boys and Yoruba youths not to take laws into their hands. We told them that if they start killing and burning, they will be killing their kith and kin. We urged them to keep their cool. However, if anybody is flying such a kite to know the feelings of what will happen if Sunday Igboho is murdered in prison, I advise that such a person should have a rethink.



“I don’t think anyone is planning that except the enemies of this government. The only way this Government can wash its hands off this evil intention is to release Sunday Igboho now because they (FG) are the ones keeping him in prison and not the Benin Republic Government.

“If anything should happen to Sunday Igboho, we will hold the Federal Government responsible. That is why we have been appealing to Yoruba youths not to take laws into their hands because we are optimistic that Sunday Igboho will be freed and that the alleged plan to kill him is a mere rumour. I don’t see any threat to his life.”

Sunday Igboho had reportedly alleged that there was a plot by the Federal government of Nigeria to eliminate him in the Benin Republic.

Olayomi Koiki, spokesman for Igboho, in a podcast on Tuesday evening, alleged that the Benin Republic President, Patrice Talon, was working with the Federal Government to extradite Igboho to Nigeria.

I was quoted out of context —Spokesman

However, Koiki has explained that he was quoted out of context on the alleged plot to eliminate his principal in Cotonou prison.

Koiki, while speaking with Vanguard via WhatsApp call on Wednesday, on reports of the alleged elimination of his principal, which was credited to him, stated that there was no time he said they wanted to eliminate Igboho.

He said: “I was quoted out of context. I was referring to Prof. Banjo Akintoye in my statement.”

“I said, if they are planning evil against Prof. Banji Akintoye and others, they are only trying but God’s power is superior.”

“I further said enemies are trying to eliminate Prof. Akintoye (not Igboho) to silence the Yoruba nation agenda.”

“But on the issue of Igboho, the Government of Nigeria is indirectly instigating his continued detention in Cotonou.”

“The Benin Republic judicial system is no longer working again and we are going to fight for our right to the end.

“Igboho cannot be silenced like the way they killed MKO Abiola, Funsho Williams, unjustly.”

“The Benin Republic President Patrice Talon is working continuously with the Federal Government to extradite Igboho to Nigeria.”

“All Yoruba leaders must continue to fight. Igboho must get justice.”

Igboho, 49, was arrested by operatives of Brigade Criminelle (Criminal Brigade) on July 19 in Cotonou. Despite efforts to get him released, he has spent over 161 days in detention.

Lalasticlala, Mynd44

The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Rev Father Matthew Hassan Kukah, has said he is not against the government of President Muhammadu Buhari but speaks against the way the president is handling the deplorable security situation and economic woes in the country.

He said this while fielding questions from newsmen at St Barkitha Catholic Secretariat Sokoto.

“Ours has become a house of horror with fear stalking our homes, highways, cities, hamlets and communities as bandits and insurgents maim lives at will,” he lamented.

The cleric also accused the president of lopsided appointments stressing that such has caused divisions and agitations in the country.

He maintained that he was not bothered about which region or religion produces the president, saying he is only interested in good governance .

He noted that he had a cordial relationship with President Buhari, maintained that it was sycophants that were trying to sow seed of discord between him and the administration.

“If I pick my phone and call Mr. President now he will pick. The other time he missed my calls he called me back and we greeted. But you know some people cry more than the bereaved”, he stated.

Noting that he will be clocking 70 years next year, he said if he could not be cowed when he was young, would he now be afraid of speaking the truth.

“In a developed country, when you speak the truth you will be celebrated. Look at how people are celebrating late Arch Bishop Desmond Tutu, but here people tag you as an enemy of government”.

He agreed with the President for refusing to assent to the Electoral Act Amendment Bill. He said Buhari was right, noting that the issue of direct and indirect primaries should be left for political parties to decide.

“For instance, if Manchester United are playing against Arsenal it is less for them to choose who makes up their team. What they are interested in is winning, you can’t tell them the mode of selection”, he said.

He advised the National Assembly to espounge that section of direct or indirect primaries for the president give assent to the bill.

When asked how he intends to lift 50,000 Nigerians out of poverty, the cleric explained that he had mapped out empowerment program that will soon commence.

“I intended to buy tricycles to give to the transporters who cannot afford it, when l give you I will tell you to pay back the money so that we will give another person. It would be in a circular form.

He said aside the empowerment program, there was also scholarship scheme ongoing by him.

He added that as a reverend father, he only has sisters and brothers as immediate family, stressing that he is being fed, sheltered and clothed by the church. He added that any money he got from friends and individuals were meant for charity and empowerment.

Okezie Ikpeazu, governor of Abia, says people from the south-east understand Nigeria better than those in other regions.

Addressing reporters after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja on Thursday, the governor said an aspirant of Igbo extraction should be voted as president in 2023.

“I think that the south-easterners have a right to take a shot at the presidency of Nigeria and I dare say that our qualification starts from the fact that we understand and know Nigeria better than the other states of Nigeria,” he said.

“I dare say, this is my opinion. We go everywhere, we are everywhere, we invest everywhere, we are pan-Nigerian people. Today, a lot of people, on a lighter note are afraid of Sambisa. But for an Igbo man, Sambisa is a business opportunity. So, it will be preposterous of me not to add my voice to that one.

“However, the question of a Nigerian president of south-east extraction is a national question that requires negotiation, discussion and conversation with all parts of this country and I am least qualified to determine what happened in 2023.

“I also want to spend my time supporting the incumbent president to do his time and do his best while we wait for what will happen to begin to unfold. So, these are my views about the presidency.”

Ikpeazu said Nigeria’s next president should be someone who understands the country’s diversity and be able to accommodate varying interests.

“In the first place, anybody who wants to aspire to the highest post of the presidency, it doesn’t matter where you come from, must have what I regard as pan-Nigerian mentality,” he said.

“He must be somebody who has an understanding of all the contending interests and influences in this country. He must understand that we are a country of diversity with different persuasions, traditions, cultures, religions and all of these must be put in a place where you can understand and respect them.

“That individual must also be somebody who is ready to accommodate the youths of this country because turning it into a slogan the fact that youths are our leaders of the future has not served us correctly because we are drifting into an age that youths understand which many people may not understand.

“So, the person must be willing to accommodate the youth without necessarily throwing away very experienced ones. He must be able to find a labyrinth of all the interests. He must also reflect an extreme women agenda.

“Such a person must also be investor-friendly, he must be an individual who understands the nuances of economics and what is the relationship between international politics and the economy and the person must be strong enough to face up to the issue on the front burner, which is security.

“He must be able to create jobs, he must be able to deploy the kinetic device all the time, he must able to also listen and negotiate peace.”

The Federal Government’s bond offer and allotment rose by N1.99tn in the first six months of this year to N13.66tn, from the N11.67tn recorded in the corresponding period of last year.

The Financial Markets Department of the Central Bank of Nigeria disclosed this in its half-year activity report for 2021.

It attributed the rise to government’s drive to fund fiscal deficit from the domestic market.

The report stated that, “In the review period, FGN bonds worth N900bn was offered, while public subscription and sale stood at N1.73tn and N1.42tn, respectively. The amount offered comprised new issues and re-openings of FGN bonds.

“In the corresponding period of 2020, FGN bonds issue, subscription and allotment were N615bn, N2.45tn and N1.31tn, respectively. The increase in offer and allotment in the first half of 2021 was attributable to the government’s drive to fund fiscal deficit from the domestic market. Consequently, the total value of FGN bonds outstanding at end-June 2021 stood at N13.66tn, compared with N11.67tn at end-June 2020, indicating an increase of N1.99tn or 17.01 per cent.”

The report stated that in the first half of 2021, there was no new issue of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Treasury Bonds.

Consequently, it added, the outstanding stock stood at N100.99bn, same as at end-June 2020.

A breakdown of the outstanding showed that the CBN held N18.01bn, while N82.98bn was held in the sinking fund.

In the corresponding period of 2020, it added, the CBN held N27.99bn, while N73bn was held in the sinking fund.

The report stated that during the first six months of 2020, “the total NTBs issued and allotted was N1.6tn apiece, indicating an increase of N149.94bn or 9.89 per cent above N1.52tn issued and allotted apiece, in the corresponding period of 2020.

“Total public subscriptions stood at N3.1tn, compared with N2.9tn in the corresponding period of 2020.

“The increase in public subscription was attributed to the increased yield on NTBs, which was market driven amidst investors’ demand for higher yields.”

It added that the holding structure of the instrument indicated that Deposit Money Banks took up N1.25tn or 75.31 per cent, while mandate and internal funds customers, including CBN branches accounted for the balance of N411.22bn or 24.69 per cent.

Kyase:

International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law says the Nigerian Army lied over its claim that the commander of Eastern Security Network was arrested.

The group made this known in a press statement on Wednesday titled, ‘How Nigerian Army disrupted Christmas Eve church services and movements at Egudene-Nkanu, killed two and arrested a 40-year-old mason and labelled him ‘ESN Commander’”.

The Nigerian Army had on December 26 said its troops arrested one Godwin Nnamdi, a suspected leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra and Eastern Security Network.

Army spokesperson, Onyema Nwachukwu, who confirmed the arrest in a statement, said the “notorious leader” was nabbed in Nkanu East LGA of Enugu during a clearance operation in the area.

But the rights group said the army “cooked up the statement to cover backlash and outcries arising from its murderous operation of the night of December 24-25, 2021 at the Egudene-Ekpofu; a third murderous operation and invasion in the row since the start of 2021”.

The group said, “By a detailed investigation carried out by the International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law and contrary to the Nigerian Army claims, the so-called “ESN Commander”, identified by the Army as “Godwin Nnamdi”, is a 40-year-old mason and struggling father of two children. His true name is Citizen Godwin Nnaji (not Godwin Nnamdi). His other identities are: He is a 40-year-old born in 1981 and hails from Umuode Ega Kindred of Egudene in Ajame Amaeze Autonomous Community, Ekpofu in Nkanu East, Enugu State.

“He is unarmed and never used offensive violence. He is a mason by occupation who struggles to feed himself, his wife, and two children. Abducted and falsely labelled Citizen Godwin Nnaji is married to Mrs. Blessing Nnaji (nee Nnaji) from Ogonogo-Eji Ndiagu Akpugo Autonomous Community in Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State.

“He was abducted from his rest and sleep following his sick-rest arising from work-related stress and pains. He had taken some pain relief tablets and was sleeping when soldiers stormed his family house at about 12:21 am on Christmas Eve/early morning of 25th December 2021 and abducted him. Present in the family’s dwelling house during his abduction was his mother, Madam Theresa Nnaji and two of his siblings, including his blind younger brother, Onyema Nnaji, who was also rough-handled and assaulted.

“Citizen Godwin Nnaji was fallaciously labelled “ESN Commander” because a bangle with ‘rising sun’ insignia was found on him. The soldiers later took him alongside other abductees to the 82 Division Headquarters in Enugu through Inyaba River into Oruku town and drove to their 82 Division Headquarters through Emene.

“After his abduction, Citizen Godwin Nnaji was bundled alongside others to Onokolo Market Square in the Community where he was mercilessly beaten and stripped half-naked. He has been located to be detained at the ‘Galaxy Detention Camp’ of the 82 Division in Enugu and one of his younger brothers who went to see him was denied access by the lady Army officer in charge who said she was under superior instructions not to allow him to be visited or seen by anybody.

“Therefore, the claims by the Nigerian Army highlighted above are circumstantially fallacious and a trademark of the Nigerian security forces particularly, the Nigerian Army with which they have framed, abducted, and killed hundreds of defenceless and unarmed citizens of the South-East and South-South Nigeria especially between October 2020 and December 2021.”

Kyase:
make buhari catch you
ehen una never finish meeting with am?

Kyase:
make e fluctuate again ooo
wetin happen for king power yesterday

Kyase:
Now you understand english abi

Kyase:
no yewa

we go see during afcon

Kyase:

no worry you go understand better later

lilvicky68:
Just pretend to die after eating her food ..

Kyase:
lol
ehen
wetin happen yesterday for king power

Kyase:
I think say promising someone daughter Onitsha bridge worse I no know say somebody worst pass us
chai

Kyase:
I don learn one bad thing i go carry enter 2022
beebeeóoh come see our master

Figger:
ok by the time u realize she can't conceive due to damaged womb caused by abortions, you'll know what we're talking about.

In line with the extant protocols rolled out by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has resolved that no staff and visitors alike would be allowed into its offices nationwide without evidence of full vaccination.

In line with this entry protocol, staff and visitors or clients are to present acceptable evidence which is: COVID-19 Vaccination Card, any identification card connecting the holder to the vaccination card, preferably the National Identity Card; Driver’s Licence or International Passport.

JAMB in its bulletin said from available statistics from relevant agencies, the virus is spreading like wildfire, hence the clarion call for all to be vigilant, observe all protocols, and for institutions, be it public or private, to adopt relevant protocols to nip the spread of the virus in the bud.

“As a proactive agency, the Board is adopting this protocol in the light of its heightened preparations for the commencement of the 2022 UTME/DE Registration exercise.

“We implore all not to be lulled into a false sense of security as pertains to the COVID-19 pandemic as the increasingly dangerous dimension the virus is assuming should be a source of concern to all, especially with the emergence of a more-virulent Omicron variant.”

BigSarah:
Has the presidency ever done what's good for nigeria

The Presidency has justified President Muhammadu Buhari’s refusal to assent to the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2021.

The issue has generated wide reactions in the polity, especially as the 2023 elections draw close.

In a statement on Tuesday, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, said the components of the Bill were not good for Nigeria at this time.

The Presidential aide stated that it is not true that the amended Electoral Bill was meant to enhance and build upon on democratic processes.

“The President’s decision to withhold assent from the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2021 has come under scrutiny from media and political circles. This is quite correct because it is a decision that will impact all Nigerians. The President’s Office has decided therefore to issue an official statement to make its position clear.

“Nigeria’s strength as a nation and its status as one of the wealthiest economies in Africa with one of its highest standards of living owes above all to its proud democratic processes, which are enshrined in the Electoral Act of 2010.

“It is this act which the new bill seeks to amend. These amendments have been presented as a means to enhance and build upon our democratic processes. After careful review, the President’s Office has found that the opposite is true.

“Rather, the proposed amendments entail significant legal, financial, economic and security consequences for all Nigerians, principal among which would be a severe spike in the cost of holding primary elections by parties – integral to democracies the world over.

“And who would shoulder these costs? The Nigerian taxpayers of course. And who would benefit? Only the richest of political parties. At a time when the nation is seeking to extricate itself from the economic mire of the worst global health crisis in living memory, whatever other merits the new bill may have, now is not the time for such frivolous spending of public money.

“Inevitably, the usual voices are making themselves heard, with cynical claims of election rigging and so on. This is nothing new. We heard their self-serving cries of fraud in 2015, when we saw the first peaceful transfer of power in independent Nigeria’s history. Then again in 2019, when President Buhari was re-elected with a lead of over three million. We will hear them again in 2023.

“Until then, the President will do whatever he can to protect this country’s democracy, and that includes withholding assent from this Bill. It is worth noting that, as one of Nigeria’s largest political parties, the ruling APC is one of those that stand to benefit from a bill that favours wealthier parties. But it is not the job of this government to protect the APC. It is the job of this government to protect Nigeria, her people and her democracy.

“To those that would rather that limited public funds be spent on politicking during this time of global crisis, we say: cease these cynical games. Tell the Nigerian people openly what you want. Put your – or rather their – money where your mouth is.”

vanbonattel:
You guys have no rights whatsoever to take over the job of the police.

Be warned.

In a bid to strengthen the security architecture of Yorubaland, leader of the apex Yoruba self-determination groups, Ilana Omo Oodua (IOO), Prof Banji Akintoye, has unveiled a mobile application and alert system, designed to track kidnapped victims and expose danger anywhere in Yorubaland.

The mobile application named Pajawiri (emergency) launched in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, according to Akintoye, can also expose criminal elements wherever they are once the victims have the application installed in their phones, irrespective of whether the phone is switched on or off.

He explained that provision has also been made for Yoruba people that do not have android phones to enjoy the services, saying the security system also has another system called Afinihan, which can be used by those without android phones to link up with those with the full application.

Akintoye, who joined the event via virtual platform, said the emergence of Pajawiri is an evidence that the Yoruba people are too intellectually sophisticated to be subdued.

“We have now proven to the world that we cannot be captured nor be subdued. We are too intellectually sophisticated to be subdued. These nnovations and intellectual powers are what we will deploy to get ourselves out of the quagmires of Nigeria.”

On the benefits of the application, Akintoye, in a statement by his Communications Manager, Mr. Maxwell Adeleye, said: “Every person in possession of the Pajawiri App on their telephone will be able to activate it instantly, whenever they find themselves in danger. By activating the App, they will be able to alert their families, their friends and their neighbours that they are in danger and that they need help.

“In that way, no Yoruba person needs to be alone anywhere on their farms, schools, market places, shops and anywhere else. Any person who finds himself threatened by danger and who is in possession of Pajawiri will be able to alert other persons for help.

“In short, Yoruba people today, are able now to enjoy security individually and collectively through the use of the App known as Pajawiri. The Ilana Omo Oodua Worldwide owes our engineers who have put this together an enormous debt of gratitude. The Yoruba people also owe a lot of gratitude to the umbrella body of Yoruba self-determination groups, Ilana Omo Oduduwa, for all the encouragement and support that they have given to these engineers.

“The creators of this App, Pajawiri, have magnanimously offered to put this App Pajawiri freely at the disposal of every Yoruba person for the next 30 days. That is from now till the 21st of January, 2022. This means that all Yoruba people can have the protection of Pajawiri without paying any fees for the next 30 days.

“After that, those who chose to continue to enjoy the protection of Pajawiri will be able to do so with an affordable monthly subscription. That is for those of us who have Smart phones(android, iOS or IPhone). For those of us who do not have smart phones, a hand-held alert device named ‘Afinihan’, has been designed to work equally as effectively as the Pajawiri on the IPhone.

“Afinihan, a tiny hand-held device that is able to perform wonders. This tiny device has been efficiently tested and will be available for purchase at a small affordable price. The purpose of all these technological provisions, is that the Yoruba nation must carry all its people along in this provision of security.”

On the ideal features and benefits of the App, coordinator of the Pajawiri Project, Ayobami Abolaji, a United States-based IT expert, explained that the App is a system for warning and protection through an alarm and alert system that will generate protective action for the community and each individual user.

“The Pàjáwìrì App is designed to provide a technological solution or a system that allows people to warn others of impending dangers and arouse established response teams in the communities to stop and prevent various vices such as: kidnapping, raping, armed robbery, arson, theft, accidents, murders and banditry against app users and their community members.

“The Pàjáwìrì App is a technologically savvy information and communication application that alerts and locates the source and flashpoints of dangerous security breaches, where unchallenged massacre of valuable human lives and property are perpetrated. The Pàjáwìrì App proffers a modern day means of curbing or permanently alleviating the fear that has gripped the inhabitants of any geographical location and settlements once and for all.

“The Pàjáwìrì App was designed to be activated through a referral process only, in order to be able to know the identities of the app users and detect suspicious and criminal elements disguising as real users. It will be free to download by any users and will be operational after the referral activated for the new user to have the referral identification.

“Afinihan is an Android and I-Phone (iOS) compatible application device that sends alert signals to the connected phone systems. It is a mobile alarm system that allows those without hand held phones to connect to and alert those with the smart phones and computer devices set up at data command and control centers established at various perimeters in the geographical entities that the app is operating from.

Present at the unveiling of the app were pioneer Commissioner for Education in Osun State and immediate past chairman of Ilana Omo Oodua, Prof. Wale Adeniran; immediate past general secretary of Ilana Omo Oodua Worldwide, George Akinola; Kayode Akinwande and Akinsola Adejuwon, among others.

fourboys:
The day hisba go finally meet this Mohamed ehnn