₦airaland Forum

Fahdiga1:
I can bet my left sided buttock that Buhari doesn't know what is going on here. His handlers told him to meet one man dressed in military uniform, use elbow to greet him and then take pictures with the said man and he just did as he was told. Case closed and we say we have a president

All these rubbish you rushed to comment is just for nonsense likes and shares. Someone who has attained this level. I wonder where your own wisdom and intelligence has taken you except being awake and chasing thread to comment and be gifted with likes and shares.

The Federal Government has summoned the envoys of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and the European Union in Nigeria over their recent comments on the suspension of microblogging site Twitter in the West African Country.

This was contained in an invitation to pressmen issued on Monday morning by Kimiebi Ebienfa of the Crisis Monitoring and Public Communications Division of the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“I am directed to inform that following the recent ban on Twitter by the Federal Government and Press Statement issued by some Heads of Diplomatic Missions Accredited to Nigeria on the subject matter, the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, His Excellency, Geoffrey Onyeama has invited the affected Ambassadors to a meeting today at 12 noon.

“The venue is Minister’s Conference Room, 8th Floor. “You are hereby invited to cover the meeting. Thanks for your usual cooperation,” the invite read.

The PUNCH had earlier reported that in a joint statement on Saturday, Canada, EU, UK, US, and the Republic of Ireland said banning systems of expression is not the way forward.

The statement was titled, ‘Joint Statement From The Diplomatic Missions Of Canada, The European Union (Delegation To Nigeria), The Republic Of Ireland, The United Kingdom And The United States Of America’.

It read, “The diplomatic missions of Canada, the European Union (Delegation to Nigeria), the Republic of Ireland, the United Kingdom and the United States of America convey our disappointment over the Government of Nigeria’s announcement suspending #Twitter and proposing registration requirements for other social media.

“We strongly support the fundamental human right of free expression and access to information as a pillar of democracy in Nigeria as around the world and these rights apply online as well as offline.

“Banning systems of expression is not the answer. These measures inhibit access to information and commerce at precisely the moment when Nigeria needs to foster inclusive dialogue and expression of opinions, as well as share vital information in this time of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The path to a more secure Nigeria lies in more, not less, communication to accompany the concerted efforts of Nigeria’s citizens in fulsome dialogue toward unity, peace and prosperity. “As Nigeria’s partners, we stand ready to assist in achieving these goals.”

Twitter had deleted a controversial civil war post by the Nigerian President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.). Consequently, the Nigerian Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, announced the suspension of Twitter, citing the “persistent use of the platform for activities that are capable of undermining Nigeria’s corporate existence”.

Though mobile operators have blocked their customers in the country from using Twitter, many Nigerians have switched to the use of Virtual Private Networks to bypass the blockage. Nigeria’s Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, had also ordered the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation to prosecute offenders contravening the government’s Twitter ban.

Nigeria, with over 200 million people, had about 33 million active social media users as of January 2021. WhatsApp is the most popular platform used in the country, with over 90 million users according to Statista. Also according to Statista, about 61.4 per cent of Nigerian social media users use Twitter, 86.2 per cent use Facebook, 81.6 per cent use YouTube, 73.1 per cent use Instagram, and 67.2 per cent use Facebook Messenger.

Not only N2b, but N100 trillion. Thunder fire all of you and the stupid twitter.

The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu says President Mohammadu Buhari administration is taking a positive cue from the visionary leadership qualities of the late Dr Michael Okpara by building sustainable infrastructure to lay the foundation for a prosperous economy for the nation. He said that Nigeria needs more people of impeccable characteristic, to be role models for Nigerian youths, so as to inspire them to greatness.

Dr. Onu gave the admonishment at the centenary celebration of Dr. Michael Okpara leadership awards book presentation and lecture, during the week.

Dr. Onu who was the chairman of the occasion, said that the leadership qualities of the late Dr. Michael Okpara, was visionary and a “gift of God” to the people of the South-East and by extension Nigeria as a whole.

He said that Nigeria could grow to be one of the fastest growing economies in the world, adding that the application of human capital resources will add value to Nigeria’s socio-economic growth.

Dr. Onu went down memory lane to honour the late M.I Okpara, for his selfless service to the then South-East, which was described as one of the fastest growing economies in the world in the 1960’s according to World Bank index.

The scion of the Okpara family Chief Uzodinma Okpara, who gave the welcome address at the event, said that the late sage built one of the fastest growing economies in the world, while at the helm of affairs at the then Eastern region of Nigeria.

He further said that his father was determined to end unemployment in the Eastern part of Nigeria and by extension Nigeria as a whole, adding that farm settlements were built across the region modelled on the Israeli Kibbutz farming system.

The centenary lecture which was delivered by Chief Obiora Okonkwo, chairman of United Nigeria Airlines, said that the late M.I Okpara made the benchmark for good governance in the country, adding that enormous plans in agriculture were proposed.

Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) Chief pathologist, Dr John Obafunwa, on Saturday told the Lagos State Judicial Panel probing police brutality that it received three corpses said to be from the Lekki Tollgate incident of October 20, 2020. Obafunwa told the panel that the trio was part of the 99 corpses that the hospital received from different parts of Lagos and on which it did autopsies during and after the #EndSARS protest.

The Professor of Medicine, anatomic and forensic pathologist as well as Head of Department, Morbid Anatomy at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital College of Medicine (LASUTHCOM), said the 99 corpses were recorded between October 19 and 24, 2020.

Obafunwa’s testimony followed his invitation by the panel chairman, Justice Doris Okuwobi (rtd) to assist the panel in its investigation of the Lekki Tollgate incident. No fewer than 14 petitioners have accused the Nigerian Army and Policemen of shooting several protesters dead and injuring several others during the #EndSARS protests against police brutality.

The army, which entered a defence denying the allegation, failed to honour subsequent summons requiring it to respond to further questions by petitioners.

Obafunwa spoke while being cross-examined by some of the #EndSARS protesters’ counsel, Mr Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, SAN. He presented the autopsy reports and pictures of three bodies from Lekki to the panel, showing different degrees of injuries.

“Those are the three bodies I was told were from Lekki as recorded by the people who brought them in,” he said. But Fusika disputed the testimony, arguing that the number of dead protesters from Lekki was higher.

He said: “I want to prove to this panel that the claim that only three dead bodies were brought in from Lekki is not true.” Fusika requested that the Chief Coroner be ordered to produce records of the 99 cases to the panel, including autopsy reports.

“Since he was told that only those three are from Lekki, he might have been told the wrong thing,” Fusika added. But Obafunwa explained that the bodies were deposited by the Lagos State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit (SEHMU), an agency in charge of recovering dead bodies.

“I don’t go about scavenging for dead bodies. It is when they are brought in that we are told and it is recorded where they were taken from,” he added.

The Chief Pathologist said according to their records, the bodies were recovered from different parts of Lagos including Ikorodu, Lagos Mainland, Yaba, Mushin and others.

Granting his request, Justice Okuwobi ruled that the chief pathologist should produce the records at the next adjourned date. However, she said autopsy reports would not be required as that would expand the work of the panel beyond the terms of reference.

The matter was adjourned till June 19.

ken6488:
Yes genocide threat is allowed

Please post that genocide statement here let's analyse it with other statements the same twitter ignored.

Stupid people. Saying that President Biden said this and said that as if he is the president of the whole world. Yes, the constitution provided for freedom of speech, but not freedom of madness and freedom to promote terrorism in Nigeria.

Nonsense write up from a nonsense blogger.

Maxymilliano:
Unfortunately for him, he will have to forfeit the governorship position once he decamped to anther party.

The Supreme court position that declared PDP the winner is very clear on this, all elective positions contested by the APC in 2019 was nullified, meaning, APC does not have ANY candidate in the election, and the PARTY with the second highest valid electoral votes be declared winner (irrespective of who the party present)

Grammatical father. Na you go come push am comot for office na abi?

4ckyou:
No arsenal player?

Oga, they said Champions League players of the season. Not midiocre players of the season.

WHY NIGER DELTANS DO NOT WANT TO BE PART OF BIAFRA
_- H.E Goodluck Jonathan

Former President of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan delivered a lecture at Texas US on why remaining indivisible with Nigeria than joining forces with Biafrans in splitting the country will pay Niger Deltans more.

I begin this write-up by saying that I mean no ill-thought towards the Biafran struggle or Igbos in general. What I’ve written here are mainly my personal reflections concerning the Niger Delta, especially with regards to non-Igbo groups and their stake in the Biafran movement which has been rebirthed for some time now. I am not a mouthpiece for the Niger Delta but I believe I’ve been in the Niger Delta long enough to know our problems and our stand. I’ve also interacted with many Niger Deltans to know their stand in the Biafran struggle.

When I use the term Niger Delta, I am referring to the region covering Delta, Edo, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River states. However, I understand that the region also covers Ondo, Imo, and Abia states. I’m not concerned with the latter because they are either Igbos or Yorubas and have their own struggles. The ethnic groups within my coverage include Urhobo-Isoko, Bini, Esan, Itsekiri, Ijaw-Epie-Ogbia, Ogoni, Afemai, Efik-Annang-Eket-Oron-Ibibio, Ogoja, Ejagham, and other groups in Cross River North. Ikwerre, Ukwuani, Ika, Aniocha, Ogba, and other Igboid groups, are not included. Historically, Biafra covered all the Niger Delta states EXCEPT Delta and Ondo states. This fact must be emphasised.

Pro-Biafrans are welcome to debate and address my issues in a civil manner. I understand that most pro-Biafrans resort to insults when salient issues are addressed.

Please let’s set a good precedence from hereon.

1. Biafra may not be better for Niger Deltans because Niger Deltans may end up living one form of subjugation for another. The argument Igbos have made for their freedom is the desire to be free from Hausa-Yoruba domination. That argument also applies to the average Niger Deltan. Igbo, no doubt, will be the major ethnic group if Biafra is actualised. Ijaws may have a stake due to their numbers. What about the Ogonis, Urhobo-Isokos, Itsekiris, Efiks, etc? Where will they fit in at the national level? The sad reality is that another Nigeria will just be made manifest and resentments will build up. What will really be the fate of minorities? Will they fare better in Biafra or alone? In Nigeria, big groups such as Hausa, Yoruba and Igbo checkmate each other’s excesses very well. Who will checkmate that of Igbos in the new nation?

2. Where will the capital be located? If we are to follow the notion of central location, the capital of Biafra won’t be Enugu but around Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene axis. Will Igbos allow their capital to be sited in a non-Igbo location? This is a very salient issue because you don’t expect the riverine Niger Deltan in Twon-Brass, for instance, to journey all the way to Enugu to see their President. It has to be a location where ALL BIAFRANS can access easily. Enugu won’t go.

3. The issue of annexation comes to play. For so long, e-Biafrans have annexed Niger Delta as part of the proposed nation. The map below shows us what Biafrans have drawn to constitute the new nation:

If we judge from this map, it means all groups in the Niger Delta have been annexed. My question is whether the leaders of these groups have been consulted before the annexation was done. I, for one, know that Urhobo-Isoko and Efik-Ibibio leaders have not approved of Biafra neither have anybody in these regions declared Biafra. So how and why were they included in the proposed map? Little things like this bring distrust and I understand that many of these non-Igbo regions have disowned the map and pledged allegiance to Nigeria. The declaration by the Delta State government is a case in point. I see this as forceful annexation. The so-called e-Biafrans have also not done much in calming the nerves of the people of the annexed regions. I’ve seen comments such as “if you don’t like it, go and stay in Sokoto”, “all land in the South is Biafraland”, etc. Is it not ironic that a group of people who want freedom want to annexe others?

4. What languages will be made the official languages of the new nation? I have seen several posts by e-Biafrans where Igbo was proposed as the official language of the new republic. What then will happen to other languages such as Urhobo, Isoko, Okpe, Efik, Ibibio, Oron, Ogoni, Eleme, Okrika, Kalabari, Bini, Esan, etc? Will they die off because of Igbo? Certainly NOT! If English is made the official language, the Igbo majority factor will kick in. If your name isn’t Chukwuemeka or Oliseh, Amarachi or Nneka, etc, you won’t get any appointment nor shall you be recognised. These are things we can’t deny. We are very ethnocentric in Africa.

5. What and what have Igbo nation done for Niger Deltans to gain their trust? Every day I see Igbo youths making enemies where there were none. They constantly use the agency of the internet to sprout controversy, hurl insults at dissenters and make unfounded claims. There is this general air of mistrust for Igbos by some Niger Deltans, particularly by Urhobo-Isoko and Bini people. What have Igbos done to checkmate this? Has any Igbo leader or group extended the hand of friendship to the Niger Deltans. Mistrust cannot be wished away. Most Niger Deltans would rather follow Hausas as slaves than follow Igbos as kings. This is the real reality and truthfully, Igbos caused this.

6. Who will lead the new nation? Obviously, Nnamdi Kanu, their hero, has fought tooth and nails for Biafra and he is currently cooling off in jail. If Biafra comes today, who will be the interim leader and what modalities are in place for subsequent leaders to be elected? Igbos have been the only ones fighting for Biafra since time immemorial with a handful of other groups here and there. Will Igbos allow other groups to rule over them? Will they allow an Urhobo man to be President, for instance? This is not a case of mere wishing. We have to understand that Niger Delta groups MAY NEVER BE ALLOWED TO RULE BIAFRA IF IT IS ACTUALISED.

7. Still on the issue of leaders, are the new leaders going to fall from the skies or they are simply going to change addresses from Abuja to Enugu. If so, what will change in the new nation? It is not arguable that Igbo national leaders are the most corrupt persons in Nigeria. If these same people are the ones to rule the new nation then there is no hope because corruption will be so rife that the economy of the new nation will shut down like a knocked engine. If we argue that new and younger leaders will arise, we still have the issue of who fought for Biafra to contend with. Most pro-Biafrans will not allow someone who sat at the periphery of the struggle to just come and waltz power away from the “heroes” of Biafra. If this is true then we will not have a proper democracy in Biafra.

8. Will Biafra be a utopia? The impression that e-Biafrans give is that Biafra will be perfect and we all know for a fact that this is not true. Apart from the issue of corruption and sentimentalism that have been addressed, we still have the issue of development. Where will money be generated from to develop the nation? In the whole of the proposed Biafra, only Port Harcourt and Onitsha are economically viable cities. Where will the investors come from? Why should they invest in a volatile country? Only in Warri, we have Ijaw, Itsekiri and Urhobo at loggerheads, imagine what would happen to the whole nation. Secondly, I am sure that no Niger Deltan will allow his “oil” to be used to develop Enugu like what happened with Abuja, and is still happening today. Niger Deltans are getting wiser and by the time the new nation is formed, matters that border on oil, wealth distribution and infrastructural development will be raised.

9. The current structure of the proposed nation, as shown in the map earlier embedded, favour Igbos with more states. Urhobo has one, Efik-Ibibio has two, Itsekiri has none, etc. How will this be addressed? Certainly, every ethnic nationality will want adequate representation and so the structure on that map will never work.

10. Last, but not the least, is the issue of referendum. Some Biafrans are already calling for a referendum which will involve all parts of the proposed nation. I am pretty sure how this referendum will turn out. However, for the sake of being hypothetical, let us imagine that some ethnic groups/states vote against Biafra by the majority, what will be their fate at the end of the day? Secondly, will the result of such a referendum be true and honest? I understand that electoral malpractice forms a part of our identity. How are we going to get a true reflection of people’s thoughts? Thirdly, if states and ethnic groups do decide to vote for Biafra, what mechanisms are in place to contain Igbophobia, Igbomania, Igbocentrism, Igbo hegemony, Landgrabbing, and all issues that minorities have raised?

Above are the reasons why I feel that Niger Deltans will NOT subscribe to the Biafran movement. I have been very practical, philosophical and hypothetical in my approach. I do not speak for any group or persons but I present these issues for the pro-Biafrans to address. Niger Deltans can raise more issues that I have not raised. Finally, it should be noted that I expect insults directed at my person by e-warriors and keyboard mercenaries, as usual, but I won’t pleasure such persons with answers or altercations. If you raise good points, we can discuss like intellectuals.

H.E. Goodluck Jonathan.

Northernblood3:
innocent passerbys has been clubbed to death by the police.

You neutralized them but they burnt the facility.

How can they sneak into the facility back door when they where already surrounded by police? It shall never be well with Policemen.

you are the worst stupid idiot ever lived. you call these terrorists innocent passersby? Thunder will continue to fire you until you die like those people that these criminals killed.

shyvicky:
The man is not thinking straight, shops and life which is costlier? Then if everyone sit at home, you will lock every bodies shop and send them out of the state abi? Just imagine umahi locking all the shops in Ebonyi for 1 month.

He will do it, and you can't do anything.

FreedomArmy:
was he going about it the right way when they were carrying flag and singing songs and the army came to kill them?

Yes. The moment he started using his group to block roads, markets and other strategic places, and preventing others from going about their lawful duties, he should have known that he was trespassing against other people's rights.

Kingspin:
If he said that that is really childish unwise and amateur thing to say.

Does Umahi fight arm robbers physically? No

Even Buhari that lied he will lead the war front, where is he today?
Somethings should be allow for children to discuss.

Except that he should have said what? Are you also looking for buhari? Or has your brainwasher told you that buhari is afraid of him and his red tag thugs?

Northernblood3:
This is clear political assassination sponsored by DSS, UGM don't shoot at a perceived enemy neatly like this. They destroy and riddicule the car and it's occupants with bullets.

Not that I condemn DSS sha but, both them and their fellow terrorists in government should steer clear innocent citizens when showcasing their madness. Innocent citizens are our major concern

You don't rush to talk rubbish on a delicate issue such as security matter. Look at the nonsense you posted there as if those that did it consulted you before they killed him.

Jiroville300:
you tried so sound intelligent until u mentioned osibanjo and tinubu getting 90% of the votes from SW then i knew u were a unintelligent apologist and probably a paid stooge ... the agitations in the SW and SE is a dynamics that's currently unfolding and would definitely not involve any of these people u have called .. even in the core north the APC is a divided house .. its too early to call the outcomes of the 2023 elections .. we have to be alive first before we think of elections .. the economy is going into shit and the nation into flames and yet foolish ignorant people like you are here praising the "smartness" of your persecutors .. we need to hold our leaders more accountable for the economy and insecurity issues rather than all this foolish narratives and selfish interest .. yall are the reason why they dont take the average nigerian seriously .. talking nonsense because of a morsel of bread!!!

All these nonsense is because he said Osibanjo or Tinubu. Or is it because he didn't say your party PDP will win? Why are you trying to strangle him because he stated his opinion?

CodeTemplar:
What happened to all the strides recorded under Adesina Akinwunmi?
APC is like 10 steps back in some area. They wanted to channel that energy towards rice by all means just to score some cheap points politically. See where it has gotten us today. We are still not self sufficient in rice, whereas we were self sufficient in cassava under PDP and even started using it for bread production.

you should have at least point at the projects and achievements of Adesina in your village or it's surroundings. So you don't just type nonsense simply because the crowd is talking.

This was the same person that was furious as in why senator smart Adeyemi should call Ikpeazu a drunk.

I have always said that buhari is a saint to compare to those that abuse him daily.

Just wish the states and other component units of government are doing anything meaningful in poverty alleviation to complement the efforts of the Federal government, maybe we may not have the level of problem in our hand as a nation.

I hope my people will not say buhari gave order to the coach to drop her because she is Igbo?

Some Nigerians and governance are like parrell lines that shouldn't meet at all.

moriss33:
Do the theives wipe away peoples money with dia phone IMEI ?
Are you daft ??
Is ur brain paining you ?

Do I need to tell you that when they snatch your phone they will have access to your bank details? Or do you think they will pity you and give you your SIM card linked to your account? The IMEI they are talking about is to use it and trace stolen phone. Do I also need to tell you that once anyone with stolen phone is apprehended, it will lead to recovering other things he stole from his victims?

moriss33:
NCC no get work at all...instead make dem pressure Ntwrk Providers to make data & calls cheaper 4 Nigerians....na this rubbish dem wam begin worry over ?
Omo Nigeria is on a long thing with this cursed administration aswear...wetin concern Nigerian Government with Phone IMEI ?
Is that a priority now ?

Before I used to think that stupidity is worse than ignorance, but you have proved me wrong. In your big head with small brain, what is priority is to give you cheap data while criminals are allowed to have a field day snatching people's phones and wiping all the money they have toiled for?

ugodson:
My simple question is "Why are people still moving to this Wicked political party"

Never will they see my vote again

You must be very naive to think the behavior of any politician in this country has anything to do with the party he or she belongs.

Eyaa PDP guys are pained. They have started writing. Unfortunately, it's too late. I wonder why this epistle was not written all the while he was in PDP.

Xscape1993:
Keep your explanations to yourself. We don't need it.

See painment.

The only thing he asked the PDP but they turned him down.

Mayor21:
As a Cross Riverian all I can say is good ridance....

We have waited for this for long.
And Cross River can never be APC state even Ayade knows.

Just look at ordinary Nairalander like you.

Okay. Let them continue. Tomorrow they will start crying and blaming buhari, Tinubu, Hausa, Fulani etc for the inability of INEC to have full preparation for subsequent elections in the region. My people keep making empty noise that they are intelligent, whereas, they know nothing.

Hmmm. Reno Omokiri and his urchins will die of heart attack.