₦airaland Forum

The police in Anambra state has reacted to the killing of officers by suspected members of the Indigenous People Of Biafra (IPOB) led by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

Some officers attached to the police division in Oraifite Community were set ablaze Monday morning, with their patrol van equally set on fire in the process.

Igbere TV gathered that the ugly incident, which occurred at about 11:30 am, left some officers with various degrees of injuries, with others currently at the hospital.

Reacting in a statement sent to Igbere TV Monday night, the Anambra police command blamed the attack on members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

The statement signed by SP Haruna Mohammed, Police Spokesman, said the attack ensued after the officers attempted to arrest one Barr Ifeanyi Ejiofor, an accused person in the area.

The police, however, said some arrests have been made in connection to the incident, even as it vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Full Statement,

“On the 2/12/2019 at about 11:30 am,there was a formal complaint against One Barrister Ifeanyi Ejiofor 'm' (a member of the proscribed IPOB) in Oraifite on alleged case of abduction, assault occasioning harm and malicious damage to property.

“Following the report, Police Patrol teams led by the Area Commander, Oraifite ACP Oliver Abbey mobilised and rushed to the scene in order to arrest the suspect who declined Police invitation.

“However, as soon as Police arrived the house, armed men suspected to be IPOB members descended on the Police, set ablaze one Patrol vehicle and attacked them with rifles and machetes. As a result of the attack, two Police officers whose identities are being withheld were killed by the suspected IPOB members while others were inflicted with machete cuts. The injured personnels were rushed to the Hospital for medical attention and are presently receiving treatment.

“Consequently, the Command deployed reinforcements from the State Headquarters comprising of PMF, SARS and Special Anti Cult Units in conjunction with the Army/other Sister agencies who cordoned off the area in order to fish out the culprits,while Joint patrol are still ongoing in the town to prevent further breakdown of law and order.

“Meanwhile,some arrests were made and the Commissioner of Police CP John B.Abang,fdc who is on his way to the scene has vowed to bring perpetrators of this dastardly act to justice.”

Police blames IPOB for the attack

Some policemen were reportedly set ablaze on Monday morning at Oraifite community in Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra state.

A van belonging to the officers from Oraifite police division was also said to have been set ablaze in the process.

Though Igbere TV could not independently verify the reason behind the attack, nor the identifies of the perpetrators of the evil act.

A statement sent to Igbere TV by the Anambra state police command, however, blamed the attack on members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

The statement signed by SP Haruna Mohammed, Police Spokesman, said the attack ensued after the officers attempted to arrest one Barr Ifeanyi Ejiofor, an accused person in the area.

Igbere TV gathered that the attack which occurred at about 11:30 am Monday morning, left many officers battling for life at the hospital.

The police said some arrests have been made in connection to the incident, even as it vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Spokesman for the IPOB could not be immediately reached for comments and reactions.

Full Statement,

“On the 2/12/2019 at about 11:30 am,there was a formal complaint against One Barrister Ifeanyi Ejiofor 'm' (a member of the proscribed IPOB) in Oraifite on alleged case of abduction, assault occasioning harm and malicious damage to property.

“Following the report, Police Patrol teams led by the Area Commander, Oraifite ACP Oliver Abbey mobilised and rushed to the scene in order to arrest the suspect who declined Police invitation.

“However, as soon as Police arrived the house, armed men suspected to be IPOB members descended on the Police, set ablaze one Patrol vehicle and attacked them with rifles and machetes.As a result of the attack, two Police officers whose identities are being withheld were killed by the suspected IPOB members while others were inflicted with machete cuts. The injured personnels were rushed to the Hospital for medical attention and are presently receiving treatment.

“Consequently, the Command deployed reinforcements from the State Headquarters comprising of PMF, SARS and Special Anti Cult Units in conjunction with the Army/other Sister agencies who cordoned off the area in order to fish out the culprits,while Joint patrol are still ongoing in the town to prevent further breakdown of law and order.

“Meanwhile,some arrests were made and the Commissioner of Police CP John B.Abang,fdc who is on his way to the scene has vowed to bring perpetrators of this dastardly act to justice.”

Senator Dino Melaye has alleged that plans were on ground to arrest him next week in Abuja, and frustrate his case at the Election Petitions Tribunal.

The senator who represented Kogi West until his sack by the court, made the allegations in a tweet sighted by Igbere TV on his Twitter handle Monday.

“A meeting in Abuja just concluded that i should be arrested next week for frivolous reasons to frustrate my Tribunal case in the just concluded Helicopter election. Waiting for them. Nigeria belong to all of us,” he wrote.

https://twitter.com/dino_melaye/status/1201503557339537410?s=19

The allegations of the 'dramatic senator' comes barely 48 hours after he lost his reelection bid to Senator Smart Adeyemi of the APC.

Melaye, a PDP Senator, lost in a supplementary rerun on Saturday following his sack by the appeal court the week before.

He has since vowed to challenge the outcome, even as he insisted that the processes was marred with widespread violence and massive rigging.

...makes case for the Youths

Ogochukwu Isioma

ABUJA — Las Vegas-based Nigerian medical doctor, Dr. Godwin Maduka has called on Nigerian leaders to join hands in building the “country of our dreams” for the youths.

Maduka made the call on Thursday shortly after receiving “Man of the Year” Award at the 2019 Leadership Excellence Awards organized by Igbere TV, an online medium in Abuja.

He urged Nigerian leaders, especially the political class, to place high premium on national interest in all their undertakings.

“Let’s put Nigeria first; let’s put the youths before everything”, he said. “I’m calling on all well-meaning Nigerians to join hands and pull resources together to build the country we desire.”

On how he feel about being honoured, the Anambra born philanthropist and Medical Director of the Las Vegas Pain Institute and Medical Centre, said he was simply delighted.

He thanked the organisers for the recognition accorded him, assuring to keep doing what he was doing that earned him the award.

Maduka, who dedicated the award to the memory of his late parents and Nigerian youths, called on the youths not to lose hope on their dreams.

“Of course, you can see that I’m so excited, but my excitement is for those children in the hinterland of Nigeria, those ones that are struggling, those ones selling on the streets trying to get money to go to school.

“This is the hope, those youths that have gone to school and are trying to come back and help their parents this is for you; I am talking about all the youths of Nigeria, I want you to have hope.

“If I can go from the little village where I grew up and end up being a triple professor, end up being a double doctorate holder and end up on Harvard campus and one of the pioneer businesses in medical sciences in the US, and to come home and do this; this is for you.

“We’re also telling all well-meaning Nigerians, wherever you come home put your resources together, let’s build this nation; we can’t leave everything for the government to do,’’ he said.

On his part, the Executive Director of Igbere TV, Mr Emeh James Anyalekwa, said the essence of the Award is to give reward to good leaders in different spheres of human endeavour.

“Leadership Excellence Awards organised by Igbere TV is an event that we want to use to promote good leadership, contribute to the development of the country.

“We believe, if we celebrate those who have done well others will want to follow the same path of excellence.

“The national interest should always rise above personal interest in whatever we do and that way the country will move faster, develop faster than we are today,” he said.

Other recipients of the Igbere TV Award include Senate President Ahmed Lawan, former President Goodluck Jonathan, former Speaker of House of Representatives Yakubu Dogara; Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Sen. Godswill Akpabio.

Others were: Minister of Transportation, Mr Rotimi Amaechi; former Imo governor Sen. Rochas Okorocha; Acting EFCC Chairman, Mr Ibrahim Magu and Rep Nkeiruka Onyejeocha among others.

President Muhammadu Buhari was on Thursday conferred with the 2019 "Man Of Integrity In Government" Award by Igbere TV News Agency.

The Nigerian leader bagged the prestigious award at an event held at Sheraton Hotel, Abuja, tagged "Leadership Excellence Awards 2019".

The President was represented by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, who received the award on his behalf.

In his acceptance speech, Buhari thanked Nigerians for finding him worthy of being nominated and voted for the prestigious award.

He assured that he would not let the people down, while calling on Nigerians not to lose hope in the country.

Igbere TV reports that President Buhari beat four other prominent Nigerians to clinch on to the prestigious Award.

They include former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.

Earlier, the President’s spokesman, Mr Femi Adesina bagged the Media Personality Of The Year (2019) Award.

Billionaire oil magnate and Anambra state gubernatorial hopeful, Johnbosco Onunkwo and Nollywood Legend, Kenneth Okonkwo presented the Awards to Mr. Adesina.

Other awardees include Rotimi Amaechi (best performing minister), Yakubu Dogara (best performing Rep member), Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Governor of the year) and Las Vegas-based medical doctor, Dr. Godwin Maduka (Man of the Year), among others.

Senate Chief Whip, Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu has been appointed as the Head, African Parliamentary Union (APU), one of the international lawmaking unions at the National Assembly.

Igbere TV reports that the former Governor of Abia is to lead APU for the next four years, an appointment already ratified by the Senate.

The Abia North Senator is to lead a delegation of the National Assembly comprising of the Senate and House of Representatives from 24-30 November, 2019.

Our National Assembly correspondent reports that Senate President, Ahmed Lawan is also heading the International Parliamentary Union (IPU) for the next four years.

A source at the National Assembly told our correspondent that two other international lawmaking unions are domiciled at the House of Representatives.

Efforts to obtain comment from the federal lawmaker proved abortive. But a source in the Office of the Clerk of the National Assembly, who craved anonymity, confirmed the development.

“Yes, it's confirmed. Distinguished Senator Orji Uzor Kalu (APC, Abia North) is to head APU for the next four years”, the source said.

“The appointment, which has been ratified by the Senate arm of the National Assembly, is with immediate effect.”

A Federal High Court sitting in Benin City, on Wednesday, refused to hear the Motion Ex Parte filed by the suspended Chairman of APC in Edo State, Barr Aslem Ojezua and two others.

Igbere TV reports that Ojezua is asking the Court to grant an order restraining Col. David Imuse and Lawrence Okah from acting as Chairman and Secretary of the Party in Edo state.

This comes following the suspension of Ojezua for anti-party activities by eleven of sixteen members of the Edo APC State Working Committee (SWC), last week.

He was accused of bringing the party into disrepute with serial acts of corruption, divisiveness, and colluding with allies of Governor Godwin Obaseki, announcing the purported suspension of the National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole.

Igbere TV had reported that Col. Imuse was subsequently elected as Acting Chairman, pending the findings of the Committee set up to investigate the allegations against Ojezua.

Delivering judgement on Wednesday, the Court presided over by Justice A. A. Demi Ajayi said the Court lacked the jurisdiction to hear the Preliminary Objection Notice on the Matter brought before it.

The Court, therefore, adjourned the Matter to December 10th, 2019, for hearing of all the pending applications in full.

Reacting to the development in a statement, a chieftain of the APC in Edo, Chief John Mayaki, expressed satisfaction in the court's ruling.

“With this latest development, Ojezua is not expected to be at the APC NEC that will hold in Abuja on Friday, otherwise, he risks being arrested by the Police for impersonation”, he said.

Senate Chief Whip, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has proffered solutions on how to end the lingering power crisis in Nigeria, even as he exposed some dealings by past administrations.

Contributing to a motion at plenary on the protracted epileptic power supply that has enveloped the country over the decades, the former Governor of Abia said Nigeria can achieve an enhanced power supply to boost the country’s economy.

He said if Nigeria is indeed ready to have an improved power supply, it is important to create eight zones that will generate and transmit power across the nation in partnership with competent foreign companies.

The federal lawmaker expressed regret that a similar suggestion he made in 1999 was not paid due attention.

“If eight companies are created across the country for the purpose of generating, transmitting and distributing power supply, each of them will be merged with foreign companies who will have a larger percentage of the shares”, he said.

The Abia North senator said indigenous companies should have at least 15 per cent shares, federal government 25, while the foreign companies interested in partnering with Nigeria should hold about 51 per cent.

Speaking further, Kalu said the privatization of the power sector by previous administration was not properly done, hinting that it was given out to family and friends who could not manage them very well.

He expressed regret that despite the privatization processes, the federal government still spends huge sums of money in the sector, calling on the government to immediately revisit the privatization of the power sector.

According to him, “doing friendship will national asset is inimical to the growth of the country”, insisting that the companies have not posted any guarantee bill.

He, therefore, called on the federal government to take decisive steps to ensure that the sector is repositioned for optimum performance.

He also called for a quarterly update of the National Assembly by all the Nigeria companies involved in power generation, transmission and distribution to know the level of progress recorded.

The House of Representatives on Tuesday said it will carry out a comprehensive investigation into the financial activities of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) from 2017 till date.

Igbere TV reports that the resolution followed the unanimous adoption of a motion of “Urgent Matter of Public Importance” by Reps Spokesman, Hon. Benjamin Kalu at plenary.

The House mandated the Committee on NDDC to invite the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Sen. Godswill Akpabio to explain why the Commission had been spending monies which were not appropriated for, by the National Assembly.

Speaking on the floor of the House, Kalu said that spending monies not appropriated for, was in violation of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The Abia born lawmaker said such actions also contravened the Niger Delta Development Commission Act of 2000 (As Amended).

He explained that the NDDC was established with a clear mandate of developing the oil-rich Niger Delta region.

According to him, the NDDC is charged with the responsibility, among others, to conceive and formulate policies, guidelines and comprehensive master plan.

Kalu said that the NDDC had lived up to its responsibility in developing a plan covering key sectors ranging from Agriculture, Health and Environment to Energy, Telecommunications and Transport, among others.

This, he said, has resulted into substantial expenditures including the awards of huge contracts.

Quoting Section 80(3) and (4) of the Constitution, the lawmaker said “no money shall be withdrawn from any public fund of the Federation, other than the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation, unless the issue of those money have been authorised by an Act of the National Assembly.”

“Money shall be withdrawn from the Consolidated Revenue Fund or any other public fund of the Federation, except in the manner prescribed by the National Assembly,” added Kalu.

He said it was mandatory for the National Assembly to authorise any and all manner of expenditures from all public funds of the Federation, including the funds of the NDDC.

The lawmaker said that the Board of the Commission was mandated to submit to the National Assembly, an estimate of the expenditure and income of the Commission during the next succeeding year for approval not later than Sept. 30, each year,

He said that Section 82 of the Constitution empowers the President to authorise withdrawal of moneys from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation for a period not exceeding six months.

Kalu explained that the amount should not exceed the amount authorised by the National Assembly for the same corresponding period in the previous year.

“As at today, more than 13 months after the time required by law, the commission is yet to submit an estimate of its expenditure and income for the year 2019.

“Thereby grossly failing to comply with the aforementioned statutory provision by which the budget estimates should have been presented to the House before Sept. 30, 2018.

“In spite of their failure to submit the 2019 budget estimates to the House, the commission has for a whole year, been operating, making expenses and awarding contracts further to its master plan, with certain awarded contracts worth up to N10 billion without an approved budget as required by law,” he said.

He said that incurring expenditure far beyond six months as required; the NDDC had spent monies in excess of half the amount approved by the National Assembly in its 2018 budget.

He recalled that an ad hoc Committee on the NDDC had earlier uncovered a total of 250 contracts awarded to phony companies in May, 2019 without appropriation or due process.

The lawmaker said in spite of series of invitation by National Assembly upon the expiration of the 2018 budget of the commission, NDDC refused to honour the invitations regarding its 2019 budget estimates.

“The failure and refusal of NDDC to submit its budget estimates for 2019 has created opaqueness in the operations of the commission which has encouraged corruption, mismanagement and embezzlement of funds.

“The delay in the submission and passage of the NDDC budget as well as the continued expenditure of the commission beyond the constitutional threshold amounts to fiscal indiscipline, engenders corruption and provides the platform for arbitrariness.”

In his ruling, Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila mandated the House Committee on NDDC to conduct a comprehensive investigation and report to the House in four weeks.

By Ogochukwu Isioma

ABUJA — Management of Air Peace has accused a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos, Mr. Joe Igbokwe of cheap blackmail.

This was in reaction to a post made by Igbokwe on his Facebook page, Tuesday, where he accused the Airline of barring him from travelling with their flight to Abuja.

Igbokwe, a Special Assistant to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos, had linked the development to a disagreement he had with the Airline last year over alleged poor customer service.

According to Igbokwe, he was blocked and subsequently turned back upon arrival with a directive that he would not be allowed to fly Air Peace for criticizing the Airline on social media.

But reacting in a statement made available to Igbere TV on Wednesday, in Abuja, Air Peace denied the allegations, saying Igbokwe was only turned back for arriving late.

Describing Igbokwe’s post as malicious and unacceptable, the Airline urged the public to disregard it, while expressing commitment towards excellent customer service.

Full Statement,

“Our attention has been drawn to a Facebook post by one Mr Joe Igbokwe who is alleging that Air Peace deprived him of his 6:30am flight (P47120) from Lagos to to Abuja on November 19, 2019. His post says Air Peace 'blocked' him from traveling. We are stating categorically here that this allegation is untrue. We could not have "blocked" an individual that flies with us, even last week.

“It is true that Mr Igbokwe was at Air Peace counter to get his boarding pass but he arrived late. For a 6:30am flight, Mr Igbokwe got to our counter at 6:15am whereas check-in had closed at 6am.

“When we could not check him in, he requested to be on the next flight (8am) to Abuja but it was already full. This was clearly explained to him. This was exactly what played out.

“How could we have blocked him for criticizing us for an event that happened a year ago? How could Air Peace have blocked him all of sudden when, in fact, he has never ceased flying Air Peace since the said event of last year? We are still at loss as to the reason and motive behind the avalanche of attacks on this airline by this same man at every given turn.

“As a government official, we expected that Mr. Igbokwe should have known better than he did by using the social media to defame an airline, especially in an era that the government is trying to sanitise the social media space. Mr Igbokwe’s post is malicious and unacceptable.

“The Toyoso Akerele Ogunsiji whom he cited in the post has denied saying or doing what Mr Igbokwe attributed to her. Passengers confirmed that he came late. We make bold to say that even the Chairman/CEO of Air Peace, has been missing his flights and never called for procedures to be shortchanged for him even though he owns the airline.

“Air Peace is strongly committed to giving its passengers an excellent service and will never treat any passenger unfairly. Mr Igbokwe's perspective is a misrepresentation of the reality and should be disregarded. We still regard him as our customer and will never block him from patronizing us.”

The Nigerian Senate has sworn in a new senator of the Peoples Democratic Party, Mr. Ibrahim Danbaba, into its fold.

Igbere TV reports that Danbaba was on Tuesday sworn-in to represent Sokoto South by the Clerk, Nelson Ayewoh.

He replaces Senator Shehu Abubakar Tambuwal of the All Progressives Congress, whose election was recently voided by the Court of Appeal.

With the latest development, the APC now has 62 Senators, PDP 45, and YPP 1.

Seven people have been confirmed dead in an accident involving the convoy of Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki.

According to report, the accident involving the advance team of the Governor, occurred today along Benin-Auchi expressway.

They were said to be on their way to Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, ahead of Obaseki’s visit for the 22nd convocation ceremony of the school.

Several other persons including one of the Governor’s driver and Government House protocol, were also injured in the accident.

Punch reports that the accident occurred when a Toyota Hilux van on the Governor’s team had a head-on collision with a passenger Audi car.

Three other survivors were said to have been rushed to the Central Hospital in Benin City for urgent medical attention.

The State Commissioner of Police, Danmallam Mohammed, who confirmed the incident, described it as “very unfortunate.”

On his part, the Edo state commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Anthony Oko, said two children died on their way to the hospital.

Oko said all occupants of the Audi car died while driver of the Hilux van had injuries.

He attributed the cause of the accident to lost of control by the driver of the Audi car.

The FRSC boss said the driver entered a pothole and rammed into the hilux van.

Africa’s richest man, Alhaji Aliko Dangote has just announced the donation of two hostels (1 male, 1 female) to the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma.

CAMPUS GIST reports that Dangote, Chairman of Dangote Group, made the donation at the 22nd convocation ceremony of the university, on Saturday, October 19.

Niger State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, also announced the donation of a whooping sum of ten million naira to the university.

Both donations came during the formal launching of AAU Endowment Funds, which the Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki oversaw.

Governor Obaseki, on his part, promised two megawatt Turbine for 24 hours power supply, and the construction of 2km road inside AAU campus.

The Governor also announced the donation of free WiFi connection for everyone, which he said will launch all those within the school environment on the internet.

CAMPUS GIST reports that today’s event, which is the 4th day since the ceremony started, saw the award of higher degrees and honorary degrees to recipients.

Other dignitaries at the ceremony include the Etsu Nupe, Yahaya Abubakar; Edo State Assembly Speaker, Mr. Frank Okiye, among others.

Gambia’s Minister of Trade represented his boss and the country’s president, Adama Barrow, who is billed to receive a honorary degree.

As at the time of filing this report, the ceremony which began at 10.a.m is still underway at the AAU Cordelia Agbebaku main auditorium, in Edo state.

Africa’s richest man, Alhaji Aliko Dangote; Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, on Saturday graced the 22nd convocation ceremony of the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma.

CAMPUS GIST reports that today’s event, which is the 4th day since the ceremony started, saw the award of higher degrees and honorary degrees to recipients.

Other dignitaries at the ceremony include Niger State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello; the Etsu Nupe, Yahaya Abubakar, among others.

Gambia’s Minister of Trade represented his boss and the country’s president, Adama Barrow, who is billed to receive a honorary degree.

As at the time of filing this report, the ceremony which began at 10.a.m is still underway at the AAU Cordelia Agbebaku main auditorium, in Edo state.