₦airaland Forum

Despite the outcry trailing the activities of the
Niger Delta Avengers (NDA), pro-Biafra group, the
Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign
State of Biafra (MASSOB) yesterday declared
“total and unflinching support” to the avengers
and other self-determination groups within the
Niger Delta region.
MASSOB in a statement by its leader, Uchenna
Madu, expressed delight at the consistent
blowing up of pipelines by the avengers, noting
that though they (MASSOB) had adopted a non-
violent approach, any approach adopted by other
groups to achieve the same objective would be
supported.
Madu expressed satisfaction with the courage,
selflessness and consistency with which the
Avengers and other “Biafran warriors” were
pursuing their mission. But the MASSOB leader
said blowing up of oil pipelines by NDA, “shows
and proves the positiveness and acceptability of
Biafra by our brethren across the Niger. It also
rubbished the earlier diversionary, cowardice,
stupid and negative comments/statements and
position of some leaders of ethnic nationalities of
the South-south who were brainwashed by Hausa
Fulani Yoruba oligarchies against Biafra.”
“The activities of the current Niger Delta Warriors
are a natural confirmation that Biafra stretches
towards the gulf of Guinea. The natural
inhabitants and indigenous people of these lands
are Biafrans by birth but Nigeria by citizens.
MASSOB has made it open that we want Biafra
though we chose non-violence approach; we shall
also support every genuine and legitimate
methodology and approach chosen by any group
towards Biafran self-determination,” he noted.
According to the statement, it is because of the
non-violence approach of MASSOB that the
Nigerian security forces have killed thousands of
MASSOB members and other groups’ members
since 1999 when the current struggle started.
“These extra judicial killings of non-violence and
unarmed Biafra agitators have gone unchecked
by Nigerian Government and international
watchdogs against human rights abuses,
brutalities, genocides and pogroms including the
United Nations.”
The MASSOB leader said Nigeria and her likes
understand only the language of violence.
Meanwhile, the MASSOB leader has said even
though he instructed MASSOB members to mark
the anniversary of Biafra in churches and their
homes quietly, the Nigeria security forces still
attacked and arrested some of them in their
churches.
He said some of those arrested and arraigned
have been released after meeting the bail
conditions, while others are still struggling to
meet the bail conditions.
Though he did not give a breakdown of the figure
of those released and those yet to be released,
Madu stressed that they were not perturbed by
the incarceration since they were ready to pay
even the ultimate price in order to achieve the
freedom of Biafrans from Nigeria.

Switzerland and the International Crisis Group
(ICG) yesterday asked the Federal Government to
reassess its current handling of the renewed
violence in the Niger-Delta, the Boko Haram crisis
and similar social conflicts and adopt a new
approach.
The Swiss Ambassador in Nigeria, Eric Mayoraz,
and the Director, Africa Programme, International
Crisis Group (ICG), Dr. Comfort Ero, urged the
promotion of peace and human security in place
of political exclusion and social marginalization.
They both spoke at the launch of a report titled:
“Exploiting disorder: al-Qaeda and the Islamic
State,” by ICG in Abuja.
“We are convinced of the necessity to engage in
peace promotion and human security activities in
most inclusive way possible. Solutions to conflicts
must be rooted in inclusive political processes,
based on the rule of law and respect for universal
human rights,” Mayoraz said.
His country, according to him, is currently
working in about 40 conflict zones globally,
including Nigeria where it is supporting peace
building efforts and promoting constructive
engagement through dialogue, mediation and
other systematic preventive measures aimed at
directly addressing grievances and root cause of
violent extremism.
Dr. Ero, while presenting the report, said it
formed part of ICG’s new project on “violent
extremism and modern conflict,” which focuses
on understanding the diverse movements
involved in conflicts extremism, and developing
smarter policy options.
The ICG Africa Programme Director, who observed
that cases of violent conflicts were on the
increase in some West African countries and
South Asia, said the report revealed that standard
counter-terrorism toolkits like financial sanctions,
travel bans, targeted killings and special forces
operations have proved to be inadequate against
groups like Boko Haram and al-Shabaab in Africa.
The report recommended that countries and
governments battling extremist groups should
develop responses to such groups on a case-by-
case basis, after an accurate diagnosis of the
affected group’s strength, goals and relationship
to communities, rather than applying the same
approach to different groups and cases.
It suggested some approaches to curbing violent
extremism to include applying force more
judiciously, opening lines of communications
(even with hardliners) and investing more in
conflict prevention. It further recommended that
governments should, in applying force, be more
strategic in order not to alienate local
communities or even drive them to support the
extremists.
While stressing the importance of communication
in conflict resolution, the report noted that the
Nigerian government’s initial refusal to dialogue
with Boko Haram shortly after the 2009 Miaduguri
crackdown, “was a lost opportunity that may
have de-escalated the conflict.”

Heavily armed gunmen on
Friday evening invaded the
residence of Christianah
Ambode, the mother of Lagos
State governor, Akinwunmi
Ambode, disarming the
octogenarian’s police detail
in an apparent attempt to
abduct her, PREMIUM TIMES
sources said.
The incident occurred at 24
Oguntona Crescent, Gbagada
Estate I, Lagos at
approximately 7:30 p.m.,
neighbours said.
The police officers manning
Mrs. Ambode’s home were
“overpowered and
dispossessed of their
rifles,” sources said.
Mrs. Ambode was, however,
fortunate, as a swift
reinforcement by the state’s
police command thwarted the
ploy of the assailants, who
fled the scene. The back-up
team arrived at 8:10 p.m., the
sources said.
Lagos State Police Command
spokesperson, Dolapo
Badmus, told PREMIUM TIMES
she could not immediately
confirm the attack.
A senior Lagos State
Government official close to
Mr. Ambode told PREMIUM
TIMES a commotion occurred
near Mrs. Ambode’s home.
He, however, denied that it
was a case of attempted
kidnap.
The source said a man went
to invite military personnel
attached to Operation Mesa
to beat Mrs. Ambode’s police
detail after he was ordered
not to park his vehicle
outside the building.
“We heard from the
governor’s security that the
matter was not about
kidnapping,” the source said.
“What happened was that a
man parked his vehicle
outside the home of the
governor’s mother and the
policemen there asked him to
take his vehicle away.”

The senator representing
Kaduna South senatorial
district, Shehu Sani has
faulted the notion in some
quarters that President
Muhammad Buhari aborted
his trip to Ogoniland due to
the threats by the Niger
Delta Avengers.
Sani was apparently
referring to a statement by
governor Ayo Fayose, who
described Buhari as a
coward for aborting his trip
to the Niger Delta region.
Fayose had said that the
withdrawal of Buhari from the
journey showed that he was
not as brave as he prided
himself.
Reacting via his Facebook
wall, Sani said the decision
had nothing to do with the
alleged threats.
According to him, “Threats of
assassination by deranged
Avengers couldn’t have
been the reason for PMB’s
cancelled visit.
“When he cancelled the trip
to Lagos there was no
threats and no such
mischievous conjectures. I’m
not disputing that every
human being has fears, but
not for a man who risked his
life and fought a civil war to
unite his country and made a
carrier in the defence of his
nation. For a man who has
experienced darkness, have
no fear of a shadow.”
However, latest reports
showed that Buhari pulled
out of the trip after advise
from the Department of
Security Services.

President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday said the Federal Government will not fall for antics of fraudsters who have been asking for money to negotiate release of the abducted Chibok girls.Speaking on Friday in Abuja while receiving thePrimate and Archbishops of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), the President said his administration will continue to insist on a thorough authentication of the identities and bona fides of any persons or groups claiming to have custody of the girls before entering into negotiations with them.Buhari, however, assured the Anglican Bishopsof his steadfast commitment to the rescue of the girls, saying their safe return will be one of his greatest fulfillments in office as President.
He however promised not to fall for the antics of the fraudsters despite the fact that the rescue and safe return of the remaining Chibok girls remains a top priority of his administration.According to a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, the President spoke while receiving the Primate and Archbishops of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.Buhari reportedly told his guests that his administration would continue to insist on a thorough authentication of the identities of any persons or groups claiming to have custody of the girls before entering into negotiations with them.“President Muhammadu Buhari said Friday inAbuja that while the rescue and safe return ofthe remaining Chibok girls remains a top priority of his administration, he will not fall for the antics of fraudsters who have been asking the Federal Government for money to negotiate the release of the girls,” the statement read.The President, however, assured the Anglican Bishops of his steadfast commitment to the rescue of the Chibok Girls, saying that their safe return will be one of his greatest fulfillments in office as President.Buhari also assured the clerics that the Federal Government will give maximum attention to the clean-up of Ogoniland which was inaugurated on Thursday.‘‘We inherited the United Nations Environmental Project report from the previous administration. We decided it needed urgent attention in spite of the economic crunch, because of our concern forthe welfare and environmental comfort of thepeople of Ogoniland,” he said.

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Audu Ogbeh on Thursday said 11 states had provided 55,000 hectares to establish ranches to curb farmers and pastoralists clashes in their states.Mr. Ogbeh made this known at a news conference in Abuja.The minister said the states were Plateau, Kaduna, Kano, Gombe, Katsina, Taraba, Niger, Adamawa, Jigawa, Sokoto and the FCT.He said of all the enterprise in the livestock sector, only the poultry industry had achieved an appreciable level of commercialisation.Mr. Ogbeh said other industries in the livestock sector were predominantly in the hands of subsistence farmers with pastoralist system of production contributing over 90 per cent of cattle production in the country.He said the 2011 National Agricultural Sample Survey indicated that Nigeria was endowed with an estimated 19.5 million cattle, 72.5 million goats, 41.3 million sheep, 7.1 million pigs and 28,000 camels.Accordingly, the minister said the country had 145 million chickens, 11. 6 million ducks, 1.2 million turkeys and 974, 499 donkeys.Mr. Ogbeh said this impressive statistics which had made Nigeria number one in livestock in Africa had not met the national demand of animal protein or contributed to the GDP over the years.He decried the low milk production in Nigeria as a cow produced one litre of milk a day while a cow in Saudi Arabia or Brazil produced 30 to 40 litres.“Saudi Arabia produces 4.7 million litres of milk daily while Nigeria imports about 1.3 billion dollar worth of milk annually to make up deficit.“The way forward in improving our livestockand dairy industry is to intensify efforts on adding value to the industry along the respective livestock value chains.“In line with our goal of attaining self sufficiency in animal protein, this administration has set out to establish ranches to be planted with high quality improved tropical grass and legume species.“We shall provide irrigation for all year commercial fodder production to enhance settlement of pastoralist and ensure cattle, sheep and goat improvement through an expanded breeding programme through artificial insemination.“We shall group dairy farmers in clusters, build their capacity and equip them with milk collection facilities and facilitate singledigit loan for them,’’ he said.The minister said there was a new disease outbreak affecting maize production in some parts of Edo and in the South West of the country.He gave the name of the disease as “army worm’’, adding that relevant research institutes were working on it and the ministry was monitoring the level of threat itposed.Mr. Ogbeh urged farmers not to panic, adding that the ministry would take further action if the disease is not controlled withina short time.(NAN)

The Legal Adviser, International Secretariat of Amnesty International, London, Kolawole Olaniyan, has described attack on Justice Mohammed Idris of the Federal High Court Lagos by former president, Olusegun Obasanjo as “inappropriate criticism,” stressing that “there’s nothing stupid in Justice Idris insisting on transparency and accountability of leaders who once held positions of trust and control overthe public treasury.”Obasanjo was quoted to have described the judge as “ignorant and stupid” for entering a judgment directing all past civilian Presidents from 1999 to account for the loot recovered fromthe late military dictator, Gen. Sani Abacha.The judge had made the pronouncement while delivering judgment in a Freedom of Information suit filed by Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, demanding the disclosureor details of the recovery and spending of the Abacha loot.The judge had issued an order of mandamus directing the Federal Government, through the Attorney-General of the Federation, to compel theregimes of Obasanjo, that of late former President, Musa Yar’ Adua and that of former President, Goodluck Jonathan to publish the details of the recovery and spending of the Abacha loot.But in reaction, Obasanjo had reportedly dismissed the judge, saying, “They said the money recovered from Abacha, I should account for it. What stupidity! The man who asked for it, the man who gave the judgment or who answered them are all stupid, with due respect.“I don’t keep account; all Abacha loots were sent to the Central Bank of Nigeria and every bit of it was reported to the Minister of Finance… But again, it shows ignorance, total ignorance, which is lacking and you wonder, are these people educated?”Olaniyan, in a statement on Thursday, said Obasanjo’s criticism of the judge was not only anattack on the judiciary and the rule of law but also on the Freedom of Information Act.
The lawyer said it was not surprising that the former President would attack Justice Idris for giving a judgment upholding the provisions of the FoI Act since Obasanjo had “ignored wise counsel to sign the bill into law during his time ingovernment.”He further noted that though judges are not infallible, they do not give judgments based on their “whims or fancies” but based on the facts presented before them and on laws and established judicial principles or legal precedents.Olaniyan said, “If judges have to decide cases on the basis of what politicians or someone else wanted the law or the result to be, the very principle of the independence of the judiciary would be forfeited.“While it’s within Obasanjo’s right to disagree with the judgment or even criticise it, calling Justice Idris “stupid and ignorant” simply for doing his job amounts to inappropriate political criticism as it threatens the judge’s independence and integrity.”While describing Justice Idris’ judgment as “a great victory for transparency and accountability in the country,” he said President Muhammadu Buhari would only do well to instruct the AGF, Abubakar Malami, to ensure that the judgment was enforced to the latter.He added, “Nigerians do not demand infallibility from their leaders and institutions, but it’s difficult to accept the proposition that a judge granting Nigerians the right to know what their leaders and government are doing is “stupid and ignorant.”“Nigerians indeed have a right to compel their public officials, particularly the high-ranking among them like Obasanjo, to keep the avenues of information open, so the public can know and evaluate their work, accomplishments and dereliction, regardless of whether they are in or out of office.”

A former Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mohammed Barkindo, is the new Secretary-General of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).He replaces Libya’s Abdalla El-Badri, who had completed full terms.OPEC has been looking for a replacement for El-Badri, who was elected as acting Secretary-General in December until the end of July after serving full terms.Oil ministers from the 13-member group of powerful oil producing countries met in Vienna, Austria on Thursday, July 2.The consensus of all members, which in the past had sometimes been elusive, is required for the appointment of a new secretary-general.Barkindo was the NNPC GMD from 2009 to 2010. He has also been an acting Secretary-Genmeral of OPEC in 2006.The Federal Government nominated Mr Barkindo for the position citing his qualification and experience.

The Rivers State Chapter of the All Progressives
Congress (APC) has warmly welcomed President
Muahhamadu Buhari to Ogoniland, where he
would today flag-off the implementation of the
UNEP Report on the cleaning of the land.
Rivers APC Chairman, Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, in
a statement issued early Thursday morning in the
state capital Port Harcourt, said: “It is with utmost
pride and joy that we heartily welcome His
Excellency, President Muahhamadu Buhari, to our
dear State to flag-off the clean-up of Ogoniland in
keeping with the UNEP Report. The date 2nd
June, 2016 will ever remain historical, epochal
and remarkable in the life of every Ogoni son and
daughter as well as every Rivers son and
daughter as it was the day on which President
Buhari once more proved himself as a man of
principle, credibility and integrity.
“This struggle started by our brother, Kenule
Beeson Saro-Wiwa, Africa’s greatest human and
environmental rights activist of international
repute, and for which he gave his life, is today
fulfilled before our eyes through the efforts of
another great son of Ogoni, Senator Magnus
Abe.”
Going down memory lane, Rivers APC said about
the clean-up exercise: “In 2011, sixteen years
after Ken Saro Wiwa was murdered, the United
Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) released
a damning report stating that vast areas of
Ogoniland are unsafe for human habitation due to
oil pollution. The report found that, in over 40
locations tested, the soil is polluted to a depth of
5 metres. Ogoniland’s water bodies are all
polluted. The level of benzene in approximately
90 of the locations is more than 900 times above
accepted World Health Organisation standards.
This dangerously contaminated water is the
source of drinking water for local communities.
The UNEP Report recommended that US$1 billion
should be allocated to set up an environmental
restoration fund and begin the clean-up. In the
four years since the report was published, the
Nigerian Government simply looked the other way
even as Ogoni people buried their dead in
worrying numbers every weekend as a result of
illness mostly from oil pollution.
“Ironically, a Niger Deltan who should have better
understood the lugubrious reality of oil pollution
on the environment, health and lives of the
people was the President of Nigeria at the time
the UNEP Report on Ogoniland was published.
Sadly, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, for reasons best
known to him, simply looked the other way in
spite of repeated pleas from Ogoni leaders as
hydrocarbon pollution continued to wreck lives
and livelihood in Ogoniland. Today, June 2, 2016
President Muhammadu Buhari, a Fulani from
Daura in Katsina State in Northern Nigeria, will be
the one to fulfill the dream of the Ogoni people."
The statement noted that Dr Jonathan was the
only Nigerian President or Head of State that
never visited the Ogoniland. It regretted that “not
minding the wicked plots by the Dr Jonathan
Administration supported by Chief Nyesome Wike
to deny the Ogoni people this right to have a
decent environment, Chief Wike is still playing
politics with this epochal step by President Buhari
to restore the Ogoni land and environment.”
Rivers APC hailed Senator Magnus Abe and former
Governor Chibuike Amaechi for their roles in
making the clean-up of Ogoniland a reality. The
party said: “It is on record that Senator Magnus
Abe was the Secretary to the Rivers Government
under administration of former Governor Chibuike
Amaechi whose office rendered required logistics
to UNEP officials and was the part of the
delegation to visit former President Goodluck
Jonathan in August 2011 to plead for the lives of
is people to no avail. Senator Abe did not relent
but went to every village in Ogoniland to talk
about the UNEP Report and with the help of Rt
Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, General Buhari
visited the Ogoniland during his campaign, where
he promised to implement the UNEP Report.”
The party commended “Senator Abe, our leader,
Rotimi Amaechi and, of course, the Presidential
Committee led by the Most Rev. Hassan Matthew
Kukah, that midwifed the work of UNEP and the
present Minister of Environment. Amina J
Mohammed for their efforts in making this report
implementable, and to APC for creating the
platform for this great impact in the lives of our
people.”
Finally, we urge Ogoni and Rivers State people to
be respectful and peaceful during Mr. President's
historical visit and don't for any reason allow
Wike's pranks and plots to frustrate the event to
succeed.

Ecobank Nigeria Limited has sacked some of its staff just as the it announced the conversion of over 200 outsourced personnel to permanent employees. The bank in a statement issued in Lagos said it was part of “its renewed drive for optimal performance”. Mr Charles Kie, the bank’s Managing Director, was quoted by the statement as saying that the bank realigned certain roles to ensure improved efficiency. This he said necessitated the exit of some staff who were adequately compensated. He maintained that this was also in furtherance of a market repositioning exercise designed to strengthen the bank’s business across all markets where it operates. He emphasised that the Ecobank Group was on a trajectory to achieve leadership and “Ecobank Nigeria remains one of ETI’s major affiliates as well as one of Nigeria’s systemically important financial institutions.” A staff of the corporate affairs of the bank, who pleaded anonymity, disclosed that the number of staff sacked could not be confirmed but sources at the bank said up to 1,000 staff might have been affected. The statement also announced the conversion of 200 out-sourced staff into a permanent positions in line with its commitment “to develop and grow talent by nurturing its people”. It said the conversion was also part of its drive to attract and reward talent and reposition the bank for improved efficiency. The statement stated that the bank also implemented a merit pay increase for the top performers across all cadres in recognition of excellence. The managing director said the bank was resolute in recognising and rewarding excellence that would drive its goal of achieving exceptional performance in the industry. “This is in furtherance of a market repositioning exercise designed to strengthen the bank’s business across all markets where it operates. “Our focus is to improve the quality of service to our customers as well as our operational efficiency. “We understand that people are our key asset, so we have emphasised the need to reward our best performers to re-invigorate our people while also opening up new opportunities for talented, committed people to join us as permanent employees. “At the same time, based on our repositioning plan, we had to disengage some staff while ensuring that, in line with industry standards, they are treated fairly”, he stated. The bank in February sacked about 50 senior managers as part of its cost-cutting measures amid a challenging business environment. The top officials laid off by the bank were general managers, deputy general managers and assistant general managers, among others.

The Independent National Electoral Commission
(INEC) says it will conclude the suspended
elections in Rivers, Imo, Kogi and Kano states not
later than July, 31, 2016.
This is contained in a statement issued on
Tuesday in Abuja by Mr Oluwole Osaze-Uzzi, the
INEC Director, Voter Education and Publicity.
“INEC hereby issues this statement drawing a
road-map to the resolution of the crises and
violence which led to the postponement of the
elections in the affected areas.
“The Commission has received several
submissions from political parties, candidates and
interest groups, and has had preliminary
consultations with security agencies on the way
forward.
“Having considered all these, and after its own
preliminary investigations, the Commission has
identified the need for more structured
stakeholders’ engagement by it and the security
agencies, especially with key players in the
affected states.
“The commission also identified the need for the
active involvement of organisations and groups
with expertise in peace building and conflict
management and resolution.
“The commission also hopes that conditions will
be conducive enough for the conduct of the
elections, not later than the end of July, 2016.’’
The Commissioner issued a road map and timeline
for the process leading to the conduct of the
elections and sought the cooperation of all
stakeholders. (NAN)

The crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party
(PDP) in Ekiti State has claimed another casualty,
as the Special Assistant to the Governor on
Parliamentary Affairs, Samuel Ajibola, has
resigned his appointment.
Ajibola in his letter of resignation said he quit the
Ayo Fayose-led administration “on basic
developmental issues and the economic situation
in the state which he can no longer pretend
over.”
He was the only PDP member of the House of
Assembly before Fayose came to power on
October 16, 2014.
Ajibola later joined six All Progressives Congress
(APC) lawmakers who joined Fayose’s camp.
In his letter dated May 28,2016, Ajibola said, “I
humbly write this to formally notify you that I am
resigning from my position as your S.A on
Parliamentary Affairs.
“Sir, within my personal conviction, I am satisfied
that I have in honesty and utmost loyalty served
the PDP, the people of EKiti and government in
general.
“Therefore, I am premising my resignation on
some basic developmental issues and the
economic situation in the state which I cannot
continuing to pretend over.
“My resignation takes off immediately.”
When pressed to speak further on why he quit
the party, the former lawmaker said he got into
trouble with Fayose for going to the house of
former Governor Segun Oni to celebrate
Christmas with the latter last December.
Ajibola also disclosed that his meeting with a
party elder, Chief Clement Awoyelu, with the
intent to broker peace with a faction led by the
former senator did not go down well with the
governor who allegedly accused him of holding
meeting with his political opponents.
He added: “My brother, as SAPA, the Governor
pay me N220,000 and I am a grassroot politician,
which the Governor himself knows what it means.
“Also I have one of children, currently serving and
two others in the university, how do I cope and
my constituency are also of high hope that they
have a son in the Fayose cabinet.”