₦airaland Forum

People have created borders for centuries to help organize the world, separate countries, and define continents. This is how we explain the globe and define geopolitical concepts. When it comes to travel, borders are pretty important. We must cross them to reach another country and often meet certain specifications to pass through a border.

Luckily, most borders are clear-cut, so they’re easy to navigate. However, some borders are complicated, tense, and downright bizarre. To learn more, we’ve compiled a list of 12 of the weirdest borders in the world. The borders we’ve selected are strange, unique, confusing, and even ridiculous. Let’s get started.


The first weird border on our list is the Vatican City border, or the lack of a border with Rome. For those who don’t know, Vatican City is the world’s smallest country. The entire country only spans approximately 121 acres (49 hectares). So, what makes this country’s border so strange?

Well, Vatican City is entirely encircled by Italy’s capital, Rome. Therefore, to get there, you must go through the city first. To make things even weirder, there are no clear indicators that you’ve left Rome and entered Vatican City. This is because Vatican City has an open border with Italy. It’s even treated as part of the Schengen Area.

Lesotho-South Africa
Lesotho is another country that is entirely landlocked by another. South Africa surrounds this beautiful country. There are over ten functional road borders between the two nations, all of which have border control. To reach the paradise of Lesotho by ground, all travelers must have their passports stamped by Lesotho border control.

Then, when you leave Lesotho, you must also have your passport stamped by South African border control. Upon entry, visitors are usually allowed to stay in Lesotho for at least 30 days. According to I Debate, Lesotho isn’t part of South Africa because it decided to remain separate after gaining independence from the British in 1966

Spain-Portugal
It’s fair to say that passing border control is tedious, tiring, and often super dull, but what would you say if we told you that crossing a border can be fun? You’d probably call us crazy, right? However, in Sanlúcar de Guadiana, Spain, at the border with Portugal, Limite Zero offers an exhilarating border crossing like no other.

Here, you’ll find the only cross-border zip line in the world. Along the 2,362-foot (720-meter) zip line, you’ll reach 50 mph (80 kph) speeds and cross the Guadiana River into Portugal. It only takes 30 seconds to cross the border between Spain and Portugal by zip line. Interestingly, you can’t take the zip line back from Portugal to Spain.

Haiti-Dominican Republic
The Haiti-Dominican Republic border is an international border on the island of Hispaniola. It separates the Dominican Republic and Haiti, spanning 242 miles (391 kilometers) from the Caribbean Sea in the south to the Atlantic Ocean in the North. What makes this border so unique is its fascinating landscape.

While the entire border length isn’t marked with a wall, the divide between the two countries is evident in both nations’ landscapes. On the Haitian side, much of the landscape has been cleared through deforestation, with large parts looking barren. Meanwhile, the Dominican Republic side is still covered in lush green forest. Therefore, the border is clear for everyone to see.

North Korea-South Korea
The North Korea-South Korea border, famously known as the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), is one of the world’s weirdest and most dangerous international borders. The DMZ is a 150-mile (240-kilometer) strip of land on the Korean Peninsula, serving as a buffer zone between North and South Korea.

Tensions at the border are extremely high, with armed security guarding the border at all times. To make matters worse, the land between the border is littered with barbed wire and land mines. The DMZ was created in 1953 as part of the Korean Armistice Agreement between North Korea, China, and the United Nations to end the Korean War.

China-Nepal
The next border on our list is the China-Nepal border. The international borders between Nepal and China are both weird and fascinating. They are also some of the highest border crossings in the world. This is because the China-Nepal border meets in the Himalayan Mountain Range, home to the world-famous Mount Everest.

The China-Nepal boundary extends approximately 670 miles (1,078 kilometers) along the crest of the Himalayan Mountains. As such, you can glimpse both countries from high in the Himalayas when you cross the border. Some sections of the China-Nepal border incredibly sit 16,000 feet (4,877 meters) above sea level. We don’t know about you, but this sounds like a border we don’t mind crossing.

Slovakia-Austria-Hungary
If you’re anything like us, you’ll have a slight obsession with anywhere that allows you to be in two places simultaneously. For example, you can technically touch North America and Europe simultaneously in Iceland. However, one of the world’s weirdest borders in mainland Europe allows you to be in three places simultaneously.

Szoborpark, or sculpture park in Hungary, is located at the border of Slovakia, Austria, and Hungary. A picnic table fabulously marks this unique tripoint, so you can sit at the picnic table and eat your lunch in three different countries. While border walls and checkpoints remind us of the division between nations, locations like this are a good reminder that people aren’t so different.

US-Mexico
In the last decade, the US-Mexico border has been the topic of conversation worldwide, mainly because President Donald Trump started to expand the US’s barrier along the Mexican border. As such, the border has been the subject of great debates ever since. The US-Mexico border spans 1,954 miles (3,145 kilometers), and walls line most of it.

Along the border, you’ll find many strange goings on. For example, an annual tradition in Naco, Arizona, and Naco, Sonora, Mexico, is to play wallyball, a unique version of volleyball, over the border wall. Other quirky games occur between San Diego, California, and Tijuana, Mexico.



Belgium-Netherlands
There are border towns worldwide where houses, streets, and entire areas move from one country to another when the border moves, but none of them are as weird as the situation in Baarle on the Belgium-Netherlands border. Home to the weirdest border situation in the world, Baarle has many enclaves and exclaves with borders crisscrossing everything.

As a result, people could have a bedroom in one country and a bathroom in another. This situation became an administrative nightmare, so it was decided that a house on the border belongs to whichever country its front door sits in. However, this solution isn’t ideal as one house is simultaneously at Loveren 19 in Baarle-Nassau and Loveren 2 in Baarle-Hertog because its front door sits at the border.

Switzerland-France
Another weird occurrence lies at the international border between Switzerland and France. Hotel Arbez, also called l’Arbézie or Hôtel Arbez Franco-Suisse, is a hotel in the small village of La Cure, which is divided by both countries. Until 1862, the village was located entirely in France. However, a border dispute over Vallee des Dappes saw part of La Cure transferred to the Swiss.

Therefore, various rooms, the dining room, and the kitchen of Hotel Arbez are bisected by the boundary. Quite brilliantly, the hotel has laid out the hotel so that the master bed in the honeymoon suite is perfectly divided between France and Switzerland. Another room has a bedroom in France and a bathroom in Switzerland.

United States-Canada
The penultimate weird border on our list is the international border between the United States and Canada. This border is famous for many reasons. Firstly, it’s the longest border in the world. It stretches 5,525 miles (8,891 kilometers) from Maine to Alaska, encompassing land, sea, and wilderness.

Secondly, the United States-Canada border has a unique feature called ‘the Slash.’ While you might assume most of this colossal border is hidden and simply marked on a map, large sections of it are deforested by humans to make the border visible. Approximately 20 feet (6 meters) wide and roughly 1,349 miles (2,171 kilometers) long, the Slash spans hillsides, forests, and even isolated islands.

Morocco-Spain
The final border on this list is the border between Morocco and Spain. Despite being on the African continent, Penon de Velez de la Gomera, a Spanish enclave and rocky tidal island in the Mediterranean Sea, belongs to Spain. It’s connected to Morocco by a slight stretch of sandy land.

On the Moroccan side, the international border is connected to the town of Badis. At just 279 feet (85 meters) long, this is the shortest international border. The island is currently under the protection of the Spanish military and is usually only accessed via helicopter. All things considered, Penon de Velez de la Gomera might be the world’s most unnecessary border.


© 2024 World Wild Schooling

The rising wave of insecurity in Anambra State has reached a critical point, with criminals now brazenly operating within Awka, the state’s capital.


Recent events within Awka and its environs suggest that hoodlums have brought their activities to the state governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo’s doorstep.

With multiple incidents in the past week alone, residents are now questioning the effectiveness of Governor Soludo’s security measures.


Violence has recently spiked in the state capital. Over four days, from Sunday to Thursday, no fewer than 25 lives have been lost.

In Awka, reports of robbers and kidnappers operating in the student-dominated Ifite-Awka area have become steady.

Recently, a communal clash between Enugwu-Ukwu and Nawfia communities left several people dead.


The latest incident was the brazen killing of about 16 people in Nibo, a town close to the governor’s residence in Amawbia.

The ugly developments have forced many to view the Soludo-led government as helpless in handling these killings, which have led to inaction.

DAILY POST observed that during an attack on Enugwu-Ukwu residents a month ago, at least three people were killed, allegedly by Nawfia community members over a land dispute in Njikoka Local Government Area.


Both communities have reportedly been in conflict over a parcel of land.

DAILY POST observed that unidentified persons from Nawfia allegedly lured some Enugwu-Ukwu residents to the disputed land via a phone call and attacked them, resulting in three deaths and several injuries.

Enugwu-Ukwu community leaders have since urged the state government to investigate.


Ambassador Elijah Onyeagba, Nigeria’s immediate past Ambassador to Burundi and a community leader, expressed shock and grief over the brutal violence.

“Enugwu-Ukwu is currently deliberating on this. Our President-General has informed the state government, and the police authorities at Zone 13, Ukpo, Dunukofia Local Government Area, have also been notified. Urgent action is needed to prevent escalation of the crisis,” he stated.

In Nawfia, the President-General, Chief Daniel Okoye, and HRH Igwe (Amb) Sir Daniel Obelle jointly condemned the killings and denied any association with the perpetrators.

They described accusations of Nawfia indigenes’ involvement as “inciteful, prejudicial, provocative, specious, and insensitive,” intended to heighten tensions. They called on the state government for a thorough investigation.

Police authorities pledged impartiality and committed to prosecuting those involved. However, over a month later, no action has been taken, leaving grieving families without government intervention.

On Thursday, a shooting spree occurred in Awka, claiming no fewer than seven lives, sources hinted DAILY POST.

One witness, a student, reported that the shooting took place in Ifite-Awka around 9:15 a.m., and several people were killed. Ifite-Awka, predominantly populated by Nnamdi Azikiwe University students, has seen rising crime rates, which may be related to cult activities.

DAILY POST learned that a white Toyota Venza SUV, driven by gunmen, pursued a Mercedes-Benz SUV in an apparent kidnapping attempt but was thwarted by local youths, leading to a deadly backlash.

“When they missed their target, they came back and killed the people in the area where they were obstructed,” a source said.

On Sunday, Nibo community witnessed a similar tragedy when unknown assailants killed about a dozen people.

A survivor, a staff member of the Anambra State Ministry of Information identified as Ichie Oku, recounted his escape: “They pointed a gun at me, but one of them said I was not their target. Still, he aimed at me, but his colleague pushed him, and the bullet struck the wall behind me. That’s how I survived.

“Three people with me were killed instantly. The attackers returned to shoot five others before heading to Eke Nibo, where they killed more people.”

The Nibo community’s security director and vigilante leader, Wadada, described the incident: “One of my vigilante men, Mr. Uchenna Obiekwe, an only son who is unmarried, was killed. The men came in two vehicles, a Lexus Jeep and a Sienna vehicle, both without number plates. They entered Nibo through Amawbia, passing through all the police checkpoints and the governor’s lodge, and opened fire on our people in a shop.

“Many people were injured, including the owner of the shop and his six-year-old daughter, who sustained bullet wounds to their legs. I cannot say for sure who the killers are. I cannot tell for now if they were cultists, unknown gunmen, or just armed robbers, but time will tell.”

While many suspect cultist involvement, the incident’s scale has left residents and security personnel concerned. Wadada questioned how the gunmen, in unmarked vehicles potentially with tinted windows, could have maneuvered past multiple security checkpoints carrying heavy arms without raising suspicion.

An analyst and indigene of the state, Mr Tony Okafor, while reacting to the incident, said: “The gruesome killing spree in Nibo, Anambra State, on Sunday sent shockwaves throughout the state, exposing glaring security inadequacies and raising concerns about Governor Soludo’s ability to recover in time to salvage his reelection bid. This heinous crime occurred near Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s lodge and the State Police and DSS headquarters, exposing Anambra’s porous security.

“While Governor Soludo’s security initiatives have not received a pass mark, Sunday’s incident has worsened the situation. Enhancing security measures and improving intelligence gathering through community engagement are essential.

“Addressing underlying root causes such as the scramble for keke revenue windows and land grabbing is equally crucial. We urge Governor Soludo to take personal responsibility for his people’s security and ensure justice for the perpetrators.”

Okafor presented very worrisome data about the state of security in Anambra, saying: “Data from the Nigeria Police Force reveals 127 reported cult-related violence cases in Anambra from January to September 2024, resulting in 73 deaths and 45 injuries. This alarming trend demands decisive action. The Nibo massacre requires more than explanations and condolences; it demands action.”

Another respondent, Mr Festus Eze, expressed skepticism over the government’s response to the mounting violence.

He cited cases in which authorities downplayed incidents, including the kidnapping and murder of journalists in Isseke, which went unaddressed.

Eze said: “We have completely lost hope in Soludo’s ability to take care of security in Anambra. When the news was about the kidnapping of Anambra people in the Igbariam area by Fulani herdsmen, his aides defended that there were no Fulani herdsmen in Anambra bushes. When kidnappers operated brazenly in broad daylight in Ifite, they also denied it.

“During the recent killing in Enugwu-Ukwu, the community that lost relatives called for an investigation and prosecution of those involved, but we saw nothing. When a team of journalists who were going to Uyo in Akwa Ibom State to cover the Super Eagles’ qualifying match with their Libyan counterparts lost their way and moved into Isseke, where they were kidnapped, we heard nothing from the state government.

“Three of those journalists later lost their lives, but no message of condolence was sent to that effect. Now this one has happened, and police are asking people to come forth with leads, but I think after some time, both police and government will abandon it and move on.”

A journalist, who did not want his name mentioned, told this reporter that due to criminal activities in the hinterlands of Anambra, he has stopped providing media coverage for any event happening in those areas.

Meanwhile, the police have stated that they are actively monitoring the situation.

In response to threatening videos and voice notes circulating on social media, police spokesperson SP Tochukwu Ikenga stated that the command is investigating and has increased patrols to maintain law and order.

He said: “Anambra State Police Command begins investigations on some intercepted videos and voice notes on social media threatening violence in the state.

“The Police Command is not taking those clips for granted and, saddled with the responsibility of maintaining law and order, shall live up to its mandate of ensuring that no person or group of persons is allowed to infringe on the fundamental human rights of others.

“Given the above, the police and other security forces have intensified patrols and improved security dominance and surveillance to enforce the law, maintain public order, public safety, and other support services in the state.”

Despite these assurances, criminal activities persist in Anambra, where residents feel increasingly trapped by escalating violence.

Many believe that if Governor Soludo could revive his early administration’s vigor in addressing security threats, Anambra might once again experience peace.

Soludo has, however, visited the Nibo indigenes to condole with them and assure them that those behind the act will not go unpunished.

His visit was a day after the attack, and he assured them he would come down hard on cultism in the state.



Copyright © Daily Post Media Ltd

Vice President Kashim Shettima will no longer represent Nigeria at the 2024 Commonwealth Heads of Government Summit in Samoa as planned.

The trip was cancelled after “a foreign object hit his plane during a stopover at JFK Airport in New York,” the Presidency revealed in a statement Thursday night.

Therefore, a delegation led by the Minister of the Environment, Balarabe Lawal, will now represent Nigeria at the biennial event.

The statement signed by the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Bayo Onanuga, is titled ‘Cockpit windscreen of VP Shettima’s plane damaged at JFK airport, ministerial delegation to represent Nigeria at Samoa Commonwealth summit.’


Shettima departed Abuja last Sunday for the gathering at the behest of President Bola Tinubu.

Onanuga said, “Vice President Kashim Shettima’s trip to Samoa to represent Nigeria at the 2024 Commonwealth Heads of Government Summit has been cancelled after a foreign object hit his plane during a stopover at JFK Airport in New York.

“The foreign object damaged the cockpit windscreen of the plane.

“President Tinubu, acting promptly, has approved a ministerial delegation to represent Nigeria at the summit in the Samoa capital of Apia while the plane’s repair has commenced.”

The delegation, which will now represent Nigeria at the 2024 Commonwealth Heads Of Government Meeting in Samoa, is being led by the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal.


The VP was scheduled to join King Charles of England and other world leaders from 56 member countries at the first CHOGM to be held on the Pacific island of Apia, Samoa, from October 21 to 26.

The theme will focus on how member countries can harness their strengths through resilience, unlock potential, leverage the ‘Commonwealth Advantage’, and foster a connected, digital Commonwealth.

At the meeting, Nigeria and other member countries will also elect and appoint the next Commonwealth Secretary-General.

The leaders will deliberate on the theme, ‘One Resilient Common Future: Transforming our Common Wealth.’


However, “Vice President Shettima and foreign minister Yusuf Tuggar have left New York for Nigeria,” Onanuga revealed.

This will be the second trip Shettima will cancel mid-way.

In May, he was scheduled to represent the President at the US-Africa Business Summit in Dallas, Texas, but returned midflight due to a technical fault with his aircraft.

The Presidency said Shettima heeded the advice of the Presidential Air Fleet to shelve the trip.


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Broken aircraft windscreen aborts Shettima’s Samoa trip
25th October 2024



Vice President Kashim Shettima will no longer represent Nigeria at the 2024 Commonwealth Heads of Government Summit in Samoa as planned.

The trip was cancelled after “a foreign object hit his plane during a stopover at JFK Airport in New York,” the Presidency revealed in a statement Thursday night.

Therefore, a delegation led by the Minister of the Environment, Balarabe Lawal, will now represent Nigeria at the biennial event.

The statement signed by the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Bayo Onanuga, is titled ‘Cockpit windscreen of VP Shettima’s plane damaged at JFK airport, ministerial delegation to represent Nigeria at Samoa Commonwealth summit.’


Shettima departed Abuja last Sunday for the gathering at the behest of President Bola Tinubu.

Onanuga said, “Vice President Kashim Shettima’s trip to Samoa to represent Nigeria at the 2024 Commonwealth Heads of Government Summit has been cancelled after a foreign object hit his plane during a stopover at JFK Airport in New York.

“The foreign object damaged the cockpit windscreen of the plane.

“President Tinubu, acting promptly, has approved a ministerial delegation to represent Nigeria at the summit in the Samoa capital of Apia while the plane’s repair has commenced.”

The delegation, which will now represent Nigeria at the 2024 Commonwealth Heads Of Government Meeting in Samoa, is being led by the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal.


The VP was scheduled to join King Charles of England and other world leaders from 56 member countries at the first CHOGM to be held on the Pacific island of Apia, Samoa, from October 21 to 26.

The theme will focus on how member countries can harness their strengths through resilience, unlock potential, leverage the ‘Commonwealth Advantage’, and foster a connected, digital Commonwealth.

At the meeting, Nigeria and other member countries will also elect and appoint the next Commonwealth Secretary-General.

The leaders will deliberate on the theme, ‘One Resilient Common Future: Transforming our Common Wealth.’


However, “Vice President Shettima and foreign minister Yusuf Tuggar have left New York for Nigeria,” Onanuga revealed.

This will be the second trip Shettima will cancel mid-way.

In May, he was scheduled to represent the President at the US-Africa Business Summit in Dallas, Texas, but returned midflight due to a technical fault with his aircraft.

The Presidency said Shettima heeded the advice of the Presidential Air Fleet to shelve the trip.


punchng.com © 1971- 2024 Punch Nigeria Limited

Entanglement:
leave that op with his dinosaur 🦕 knowledge!

ignorance is your major problem, you think you know but you know nothing and you don't want to open your mind to learning

They Are Helpless And Can Only Watch As Their People are Kị́lled and Injustice Prevail Against Their People - That's Exactly The Plight Of Ndị́ Igbo In Nigeria

Tinubu has not only refused to release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. He has also refused his lawyer's access to him for the past month.

These things are happening and no Igbo governor, Senator, traditional ruler, or religiou leaders is talking.

But how can they talk when their position is at risk? Should they talk tough about the injustice meted out to Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, their everything will be lost.

How can a Senator talk when their corruption is staring them in the face. Do you want the Nigerian government to deploy EFCC, DSS, and NAFDAC against them? They will always have something to blackmail them with.

Asking Traditional rulers and Church leaders in the East to talk is like forcing the deaf and dumb to talk. They get goodwill donations from the government and talking against the evils ravaging his people will not only mean poverty for them but also facing a jail term.

Should a top businessman dare comment on Mazi Nnamdi Kanu's unjust treatment by Nigerian government, his goods will be ceased, and his business destroyed. Do you remember Ibeto Cement? That's what Igbo people suffer in Nigeria.

Nigeria is a wị́cked country that hăte Igbo people.

Brothers your governors and Senators are all helpless. They are complete slaves to the one Nigeria Fulani-controlled government.

Do you think if Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is a Fulani man or Yoruba man he will still be in jail?

Kabiru Sokoto was the one that bombed Madula Catholic Church kị́lling more than 70 people. He was Fulani and a Northerner. He was taken in by a Northern Senator. He was later arrested and also freed. That's after kị́lling lots of people.

As I write this, no Fulani herdsmen terrorists are in jail or under trial for kị́lling many Nigerians in their villages. 300 hundred were murdered in Agatu Benue State in just one-night attack. More than 30 kị́lled in Uzouwani Enugu State. To this very day, no Fulani is standing trial anywhere in Nigeria.

Sunday Igbogho was quickly freed. He is Yoruba, claiming to be fighting for the Oduduwa Republic, but the Nigerian government doesn't find him a threat.

But Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, an Igbo, the leader of Indigenous people of Biafra asking for referendum, has been held for four years now by the Nigerian government. Even when the court freed him, the Nigerian government still refused to free him. They have kept him away in a DSS dungeon, and now they have refused his lawyers to see him.

It is a helpless situation for every Igbo out there in Nigeria. I watched a Video of Kanayo O Kanayo talking about how he travelled from another Yoruba state to Lagos without seeing a single police or military checkpoint. But from Enugu to Anambra and Onitsha to Owerri, you will see hundreds of military and police checkpoints. Igbo land is under military cage. They have imprisoned us. Igbo land is now a giant prison yard. And we all are prisoners.

Forget the affluence. Forget the security men following these Igbo governors and Senators. They are all puppets enjoying little from the oppressors in other to control all of us for the Fulani control government. Yes, I said Fulani controlled Nigerian government because even Tinubu is also under their control, while Fulani is directly loyal to the British government.

My dear friends,

We have to keep educating our people. We have slaves, puppets and petty thieves as political leaders in Igbo land.

Shameless people who can't even stand tall to demand justice for their brother, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. When Orji Ụzọ Kalu was under persecution by the Nigerian government, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu did not keep quiet. He spoke out loud and demanded he should be released. This outburst helped.

None of these people are Igbo leaders. None. Leaders should be courageous to defend their people. Not people who will celebrate someone who committed genocide against their people and ask his people to forget the kị́lling of 3.5 million of their people.

Ndi Igbo, you have only one leader, and his name is Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

Elochukwu Ohagi, Philosopher, Teacher and Activist, 2024.

gidgiddy:
Now you know why Nigeria will never be at peace, no enforced union ever is

unless the constitution have to be amended or provisions will be made for a referendum

gidgiddy:
You mean the constitution General Abdulsalam Abubakar wrote in his bedroom?

So the white man comes from Europe overruns and steal the lands of Indigenous People, merges them together to create a colony. In 1960, the white man goes back to Europe. But it becomes a crime for the Indigenous People to ask for the return of their stolen lands?

It doesn't work like that.

While many in Nigeria are of the opinion that ethnic nationalities have the ultimate legal right to break away from the country drawing on comparisons from other countries, this is not entirely accurate. In fact, the Nigerian Constitution does not back secession. Article 2 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is clear on this. It firmly states: Nigeria is one indivisible and indissoluble sovereign state to be known by the name of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

International law does not encourage separatist agitation either. It is trite in International Law that cases of self-determination are totally an internal matter of states and international legal instruments further recognise the creation of new states, only when it transpires through nonviolent means, most especially when the existing state approve of it. This presupposes that the internal constitution of a sovereign country is the guiding principle on the question of secession.

At the height of economic and political crises in the 1990s, Boris Yeltsin, the Soviet Union President, dissolved the Union into 15 states after the Soviet Union itself recognised that these countries were illegally annexed in opposition to the desires of their people. It immediately withdrew its occupation forces from the countries starting with the Baltic states after granting them independence. The point here is that these states gained independence not through secession but through peaceful agitation and negotiation and the parent state (Soviet Union) recognises it.

Arguments that referendums in other countries led to secession have also been a subject of debate in Nigeria, prompting separatist groups to demand a referendum be conducted not minding that the Nigerian constitution has no referendum clause.


A referendum was organised in Sudan in 2011 because the country’s constitution has a referendum clause that permits South Sudan to leave if they want to. Article 219 of Sudan’s constitution of 2005 states, “the people of Southern Sudan shall have the right to have self-determination through a referendum to determine their future status.” After the referendum was conducted, over 98% of South-Sudanese people voted in favour of independence, and they rightfully split from Sudan.

In the case of Canada which operate a confederacy government and tolerates the right to separation in its constitution after a referendum. The French-speaking Quebec side of the country has historically sought independence and referendums were conducted twice in 1980 and 1995. The attempt to break away failed with the majority opting to remain in the Union.


The rule is clear in the situation of secession, both in Nigerian law and international law including how separatist groups are successful in other countries.


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First Bank has announced plans to transition to a new cloud-based procurement and financial platform as part of its ongoing strategy to improve operational efficiency and service delivery.

The migration, scheduled to begin on Saturday, October 26, is expected to result in temporary service disruptions, the tier one lender with over 42 million customers said in a Wednesday notice.

This move comes amid a wave of recent disruptions in the Nigerian banking sector, as several financial institutions undergo upgrades to their core banking systems.

Since September, at least four major banks in the country have switched their core banking applications, including tier-1 lenders such as Zenith Bank and Guaranty Trust Bank.



Part of the notice read, “As part of the bank’s continuous investments to improve operational efficiencies and service experience, we will be transitioning from our current procurement and financial platforms to a new cloud-based platform that provides additional capabilities and benefits.

“During the cut-over period, certain activities and transactions will need to be suspended to aid housecleaning and safe migration of transactions with minimal disruption.

“The cut-over period will be from Saturday, October 26, 2024, to Sunday, November 3, 2024, while the new cloud-based solution will be live on Monday, November 4, 2024, and normal activities will resume,” the bank stated.

The lender also noted that during the transition period, vendors would be unable to submit invoices on its current Electronic Business Suite.
Payments will only be processed if invoices are submitted for received purchase orders by Friday, October 25, 2024, the lender noted.

Additionally, FirstBank stated that its current supplier portal will no longer be in use effective November 4.

The bank will provide further communication on the details of the new Supplier Portal, along with a job card, ahead of the system’s go-live date on Monday, November 4, 2024.

“Kindly note to take proactive steps as indicated above to avoid business disruption during this critical period. Further details regarding onboarding, training, and user guides will be communicated before the end of the week,” the bank explained.


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gidgiddy:
One thing every Nigerian can learn from this write-up is how much time we have wasted trying to be an unworkable country and a nation.

We should have gone our seperate ways a long time ago rather than staying with something that has proved to a colossal failure since 1960

you didn't learn anything from this write up or maybe you didn't understood it.

It is a crime for any tribe , ethnic group or entitiy to aspire to break out from Nigeria,it is enshrined in the Nigeria constitution

Gowon Is Not The Enemy: Nnamdi Azikiwe Is Why Biafra Has No Legal Right To Secede

The recent comments by Peter Obi labelling former Head of State, General Gowon, as an 'enemy' to be 'forgiven' has emboldened many of his closet IPOB supporters who now wear the tag Obidients (which in reality is the political arm of the Indigenous People of Biafra movement) to revise history and make fallacious and salacious claims.

One such claim was made by a certain Onyekwelu, who asserts that Biafra has a legal claim to secede and is being extrajudicially held back in Nigeria by domestic and international powers, especially the British government.

But the truth is that by virtue of succeeding Nigerian Constitutions, beginning from the Independence Constitution of 1960, no part of Nigerians had or has a right to secede from the country named the Federal Republic of Nigeria. For that, we have Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe to thank if you believe in a united Nigeria, or blame if you support Biafran secession.

The idea for a secession clause was mooted by Chief Obafemi Awolowo in 1954 during the Lagos Constitutional Conference, but Nnamdi Azikiwe rejected it and galvanised a majority of the conference attendees to kill the idea.

After this was rejected, Chief Awolowo again wrote to the then Governor General of Nigeria, who rejected the clause on the grounds that the majority, led by Nnamdi Azikiwe, was not in support of it.

It was because of Nnamdi Azikiwe that section 86 was inserted into our constitution with the proviso that if any region should secede, it would be an act of treason.

Nnamdi Azikiwe himself wrote about this in an essay that was published by the New Nigerian Newspapers in 1975. It has since been republished by other papers and by Mr Azikiwe himself.

The funniest thing is that those now accusing the North of forcefully keeping them in Nigeria are unaware that the North actually supported Chief Awolowo for the inclusion of a secession clause.

The essay was republished under the title 'Why I opposed Awolowo on secession'. For the benefit of those who have been misled by the likes of Peter Obi and their fellow fantasists, I will now republish Mr. Nnamdi Azikiwe's essay word for word, without adding or removing anything.

'My opposition to secession

By Nnamdi Azikiwe

When the 1954 constitution conference started, my good friend, Chief Obafemi Awolowo tabled a motion to the effect that in the new constitution, provision should be made that any state which feels like seceding should do so. I was opposed to it and said ‘no’ and said that once we have a federation, we are indivisible and perpetual.

That was when we began to use that expression – ‘The Indivisibility and perpetuity of the federation’ – and that to secede would amount to treason. And so, a debate ensued.

The Secretary of State then was Oliver Littleton, later Lord Chandos and he was very much interested and that was his first time in saying that the people of African descent were people actually debating at a high level.

So a full day was given to Chief Awolowo to make his points. He spoke brilliantly as a lawyer. He made his points why secession should be incorporated in the Constitution. He cited the case of the Soviet Union which is a federation, and that secession is written there so that any state in the Soviet Union can secede at will. He also cited the case of Western Australia and eventually he finished his case and was applauded.

Lord Chandos said that on the face of the arguments before him it would be suicidal to incorporate secession in our constitution and that is why we have section 86 in our constitution that if any region or state should secede, then it will be an act of treason.

We adjourned. The next day, I had to reply. I availed myself of the opportunity to, well, demolish the arguments of my friend and I cited the case of United States which based its constitution on that of the Swiss Confederation. That is Switzerland. I pointed out a case, I think, that of Texas versus White, where Mr. Salmon Chase, the Chief Justice laid down the principle – he was really an arbiter – that the union was intended to be perpetual and indivisible and that any attempt to divide the union by secession was treasonable.

The North (NPC) supported Action Group. The question was then: Should we have secession? The Colonial Office came to our rescue. You know, the usual principle of Britain – ‘divide and rule’ (laughs) but this time, it was in our favour. So, the colonial office backed us.

Lord Chandos said that on the face of the arguments before him it would be suicidal to incorporate secession in our constitution and that is why we have section 86 in our constitution that if any region or state should secede, then it will be an act of treason and that was what led to this war, because Col. Ojukwu seceded and so violated the constitution."

Here ends the essay by Mr. Nnamdi Azikiwe.

Biafra would have had the legal right to secede if it had not been for Azikiwe.

Moreover, even before that conference, Mr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, in a speech he gave at a caucus meeting of the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons on Monday, May 12, 1953, threatened the Northern Region of a blockade and denial of access to the sea if they should attempt to secede from Nigeria.

His exact words were as follows:

"It may lead to economic nationalism in the Eastern Region, which can pursue a policy of blockade of the North by refusing it access to the sea, over and under the River Niger, except upon payment of tolls. It may lead to economic warfare between the North on the one hand, and the Eastern or Western regions on the other."

Those who would like to read the full speech of Mr. Azikiwe threatening the Northern Region can do so here: https://www.blackpast.org/global-african-history/1953-nnamdi-azikiwe-speech-secession/

On February 23, 1966, Isaac Adaka Boro declared the secession of the Niger Delta Republic from Nigeria. After he did this, there was outrage in the Eastern Region, which almost resulted in riots. Please go and research it. The then Head of State, Major General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi, quashed what he called the Isaac Boro mutiny using primarily troops of Eastern Nigeria origin.

When his 'rebellion' was crushed twelve days later, there was celebration in the Eastern Region. The other regions were not so enthused.

My question to you, Onyekwelu, is this: If Isaac Boro's declaration of the Niger Delta Republic was seen as a crime by the then Head of State, Major General Ironsi, and the Government of the Eastern Region headed by then Lt. Colonel Ojukwu (Isaac Boro's part of the Niger-Delta was then under Eastern Nigeria), why should the declaration of the Republic of Biafra be seen as lawful?

Lt. Colonel Emeka Ojukwu himself was the military Governor of Eastern Nigeria who first moved against Isaac Boro with the assistance of the Ironsi central government. If both Ojukwu and Ironsi fought Isaac Boro for attempting to secede from Eastern Nigeria and Nigeria, why are some of Peter Obi's supporters blaming Gowon and Nigeria for fighting Colonel Ojukwu when he declared Biafra?

Reno Omokri

Gospeller. Deep Thinker. #TableShaker. Ruffler of the Feathers of Obidents. #1 Bestselling author of Facts Versus Fiction: The True Story of the Jonathan Years. Hodophile. Hollywood Magazine Humanitarian of the Year, 2019. Business Insider Influencer of the Year 2022.

A Nigerian court on Wednesday ordered the release of Binance executive Tigran Gambaryan after the government dropped money laundering charges against him to allow him to get medical treatment abroad.
Nigeria's Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) withdrew the case against Gambaryan, a U.S. citizen and head of financial crime compliance at Binance, in open court in the capital city, Abuja, a lawyer for the EFCC said on Wednesday.
The EFCC said it would continue the money laundering case against Binance without Gambaryan.
Gambaryan has been in detention in Nigeria since late February and held at Kuje prison. He was charged alongside Binance with laundering more than $35 million. Gambaryan and Binance deny the charges.
Separate tax evasion charges against Binance, the world's largest crypto exchange, remain in place. Binance has also denied those charges.
"We have withdrawn the money laundering charges against Tigran Gambaryan to allow him to get medical treatment outside the country," said EFCC lawyer Ekele Ihenacho.
Ihenacho added diplomatic arrangements had also helped in securing Gambaryan's release, without elaborating.
In August, Gambaryan's wife, Yuki, said her husband's health had deteriorated in prison to the point where "it might leave permanent damage and affect his ability to walk". She asked for him to be freed and vowed to fight for his release.
Last week, the court adjourned Gambaryan's trial to Friday because he could not appear in court due to illness. Lawyers said the case was brought forward to Wednesday to set him free and allow him get medical treatment outside Nigeria.


© 2024 Reuters. All rights reserved

Authorities are in the process of dismantling a Nigerian prostitution ring in Limassol, following the arrest of three women, in collaboration with the anti-trafficking unit, according to reports on Wednesday.

The case came to light last year when a woman filed a complaint, initially claiming she was a victim of theft.


However, during questioning, police grew suspicious that she was, in fact, a victim of sex trafficking. Further investigation confirmed this, and the woman was subsequently relocated to a safe house, police spokesman Christos Andreou stated.


The investigation was prolonged due to the victim’s limited information about her traffickers, Andreou explained.

Through coordinated police efforts, a 44-year-old woman was arrested on October 9, suspected of involvement in the trafficking operation.

Another woman was apprehended on October 18, followed by the arrest of a third woman, aged 33, on Tuesday.

Authorities are still searching for two men believed to be connected to the case.

Andreou added that police have gathered significant evidence and expect the case to be brought to court in the coming days.



© 2024 Vanguard Media Limited, Nigeria

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has pulled the Super Eagles out of Tuesday’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Libya, following a frustrating 12-hour ordeal at Al Abraq International Airport.


The Nigerian delegation, en route to Benghazi for the crucial match, encountered unexpected difficulties when their chartered aircraft was diverted mid-flight to Al Abraq, a small airport primarily used for hajj operations.

Upon arrival, the team was left stranded without assistance from the Libyan Football Federation, which failed to arrange any transportation.

In a statement released on Monday, the NFF explained that the Super Eagles were stuck in the airport for over 12 hours, unable to reach their hotel in Benghazi, located three hours away.

The federation expressed deep frustration over the mishandling of the team and highlighted the lack of support from their Libyan counterparts.

The NFF also stated that the players have now decided to withdraw from playing the match, and that arrangements are being made to fly the team back to Nigeria.


The statement reads, “The delegation of Nigeria to Tuesday’s 2025 AFCON qualifier against Libya still remained at the Al Abraq Airport 12 hours after landing in Libya.

“The chartered ValueJet aircraft was, strangely and in a dangerous manner, diverted to the small airport away from Benghazi just as the pilot was completing his approach to the Benghazi Airport.

“We understand the Al Abraq International Airport is only used for hajj operations. Fatigued players and officials have remained nonplussed as the host Libyan Football Federation failed to send any reception team or even vehicles to take the delegation members from the airport to their hotel, said to be 3 hours away in Benghazi.

“The NFF made arrangements for separate vehicles for the team, but the plan was unhinged by the diversion of the aircraft. Players have resolved not to play the match any longer as NFF officials are making plans to fly the team back home.”



© 2024 Vanguard Media Limited, Nigeria

PEACE2023:
I agree with you. You know the Simon Ekpa issue has reduced security across the south east so a lot of atrocities are being committed this days. God will surely punish Simon Ekpa and his supporters

Simon ekpa is only disrupting development in the south east and posterity will not forgive him

.

PEACE2023:
Please police should find all of them. Owerri is becoming scary day by day. They should get them all and kill them with their family members

not only Owerri,the whole South East

The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace , Allen Onyema, has been charged with superseding an indictment with obstruction of justice after it was found that he submitted false documents to the US government to end an investigation that resulted in previous charges of bank fraud and money laundering.

Ejiroghene Eghagha, the airline's chief of administration and finance, was also stung by participating in the obstruction scheme and other earlier bank fraud counts.

Frequent travel to Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta local affiliate WSB-TV reported the development on Friday. According to the US Attorney, Onyema, a Nigerian Citizen, frequently traveled to Atlanta between 2010 and 2018, where he opened several personal and business bank accounts and saw more than $44.9 million allegedly transferred into his Atlanta-based accounts from foreign sources.

In May, Onyema and Eghagha allegedly used several export letters of credit to ensure banks could transfer more than $20 million into the Atlanta-based accounts. These letters of credit were supposed to fund the purchase of five Boeing 737 aircraft for the Nigerian AIrline. They were supported by documents from Springfield Aviation, including purchase agreements, appraisals, and bulls of sale.


Documents were fake
Further investigation found that Springfield Aviation was owned by Onyema and managed on behalf of someone else who had no connection to the aviation business. The company that also drafted appraisals did not exist.

Eghagha participated in the scheme, directing the Springfield Aviation manager to sign and send false documents to the bank. After Onyema received the money in the US, he laundered over $16 million in fraud proceeds and transferred it into other accounts.

In 2019, Onyema discovered he was under investigation by the Northern District of Georgia for bank fraud; the two from Air Peace allegedly directed Springfield Aviation to sign a key business contract but did not date the document. Oneyema then caused his attorneys to present that same contract, which was falsely dated back to May 5, 2016, before the initial fake contract, to calm the fraud investigation.

Both Onyema and Eghagha of Lagos, Nigeria, were indicted on November 19, 2019, on the following counts:

One count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud,
Three counts of bank fraud,
One count of conspiracy to commit credit application fraud
Three counts of credit application fraud
Onyema was also charged with 27 counts of money laundering, and Eghagha was charged with one count of aggravated identity theft.

Officially charged this past week
This past week, on October 8th, they were both charged with superseding the indictment, two additional counts of obstruction of justice, and one count of conspiracy to obstruct justice.

These indictments only contain charges, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt at trial. The case is criminal action number 1:19-CR-464


Copyright © 2024 Valnet Inc.

Ali Ndume, the Senator representing Borno South in the National Assembly, has said the astronomical increase in the prices of fuel, food, essential goods and services was becoming unaffordable to an average Nigerians, who are dying in silence.

He also raised the alarm that certain fifth columnists were working hard to sabotage the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Ndume made the allegation in a statement he made available to journalists in Abuja over the weekend.


The former Senate Leader said the bad elements, he did not mention, were trying hard to pitch the people against the Tinubu’s administration.


He alleged that the bad advisers were pushing for harsh reforms and bad policies instead of controlling inflation and exchange rate that are making life unbearable for Nigerians.

The ranking senator said those who are bent on making the President look bad will stop at nothing to inflict pains on Nigerians through the “so-called reforms until things get out of hand and the blame will be on President Tinubu.”


He noted with regret that many families can barely meet up with daily demands in their houses as a result of the hyperinflation caused by incessant increase in the price of essential goods and services.

Ndume said, “I personally believe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu means well for Nigeria and Nigerians. I know this because I know what he stands for. But some of his advisers who don’t mean well for the people of this country give him wrong advise.


“I’m appealing to him to resist these bad people who want to pitch the people against his administration.


“The hardship these people are inflicting on Nigerians is becoming unbearable. I’m currently in Borno, and I know what I’m talking about. People are really suffering, hungry, frustrated and angry.


“In Borno State here, many families can’t even feed anymore.

“The untold hardship of these frequent increases in the prices is unimaginable. Farmers can not even move their farm products anymore because of the high cost of transportation.

“Those who can still do this add the cost of transportation to the prices of food items they sell, and that’s why many people can’t feed again.

“People can’t travel anymore. To travel by road from Abuja to Maiduguri, for instance, is a fortune. How many of our people can afford that?

“I know that President Tinubu means well for Nigerians, and therefore he should not stay back and allow a few bad advisers to destroy this country”.


© 2023 - Businessday NG. All Rights Reserved.

When people use the above statement on IVM, I can't help but wonder if they're really ignorant or just want to discredit the brand.

Well, to an extent I won't blame them. If only you've always read through posts like this and shared them, the ignorant would've been enlightened. I'll have to state some facts here and let you make out of them whatever you please.

There are clear differences between invention, assembling, and manufacturing. The problem is that we often mistake one for another.

In the Automotive and Electronic industry, it's impossible to do away with assembling as no company monopolizes all production processes.

Take for instance, some electronic devices like; Laptop, Tabs and Phones only take assembling to be produced. Tecno for instance relies on other companies to be able to assemble all components of their gadgets.

This is exactly what happens in 98 percent of Vehicle manufacturing Companies with IVM inclusive!

There are various independent companies that specialize in the production of cables, glasses, led lights, engines and so on.

TOYOTA as successful and famous as it is today, is not an island in this production racket. They also depend on other companies to be able to assemble their own Cars.

Only few companies such as Mercedes Benz, BMW, and others are able to produce up to 60 percent of their vehicle parts on their own.

IVM does produce many of its parts, especially such parts that have to do with plastics.

So, it's possible for IVM to depend on Lontor, Charizz, or Michelin for some of its parts (just an instance though).

It is entirely safe to claim that INNOSON manufactures Vehicles. Assembling as belittling as some people try to make it sound is however, part of manufacturing just as blueprinting is.

If this explanation is too wack to you, then pay the IVM plant a visit. Prove to us also, that you love INNOSON by liking and sharing this post. May God bless those who're following me on FB for the publicity strength! Please, bring your business/brand to my inbox for promotion. Let's give grace a chance!

Wike want to destroy PDP,He should be checkmated,he is a mole

The crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has led to the emergence of two national chairmen, following a split within the ranks of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).

The split within the party’s national leadership was caused by the ongoing tussle for control of the party’s soul in Rivers State, escalated by the recent local government elections approved by the party’s national leadership.

While one faction of the party is led by acting national chairman Ambassador Illiya Damagum, the other is led by the national treasurer of the party, Alhaji Yayari Ahmed Mohammed. This was preceded by the exchange of suspensions among some national executives, with Damagum’s camp suspending the national publicity secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, and the national legal adviser (NLA), Kamaldeen Adeyemi Ajibade, SAN, over alleged anti-party activities.
In turn, the Mohammed-led camp declared Damagum and the national secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, suspended.

Worried by the escalating situation, the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT) called for calm and urged the warring factions to revert to the status quo. However, the PDP governors stated that there is no faction in the party, adding that a general meeting of all its stakeholders would be held soon to bridge the gaps within the party.

Meanwhile, the Federal High Court in Abuja yesterday restrained the National Executive Committee (NEC) and BoT from removing Damagum as the party’s acting national chairman. Justice Peter Lifu, who issued the order, stated that no other person must be recognised as PDP acting national chairman other than Damagum until the party’s national convention, scheduled for December next year.

The court order comes ahead of the PDP NEC meeting scheduled for 24 October.
The drama in the party began less than 24 hours after the BoT met and called for a review of the recent state congresses. The BoT also insisted that the NEC meet as scheduled on 24 October to deliberate on the crisis rocking the party, including the Rivers State chapter and the recent congresses.


While Damagum and some party officials recently met with Governor Seyi Makinde, Ologunagba and Ajibade met with Governor Mohammed, chairman of the PDP Governors Forum. After the separate meetings, Makinde declared support for Damagum’s continued stay as acting chairman, but Mohammed insisted that the acting chairman must vacate the seat for the North Central zone as designated by the party.
PDP members from the North Central region have insisted that Damagum, who is from the North East region, should revert to his deputy chairmanship position to allow the North Central to occupy the position vacated by Senator Iyorchia Ayu. Although hints of a split in the NWC had emerged due to the unfolding crisis, it came to a head yesterday with the suspension of party officials for alleged anti-party activities regarding the battle in Rivers State.

Suspensions
The Damagum-led faction said it suspended Ologunagba and Ajibade over allegations of abuse of office, insubordination, and refusal to adhere to the directives of the NWC. It further announced that a committee, to be chaired by the deputy national chairman (South), Amb. Taofeek Arapaja, would investigate the issues raised against the officers in compliance with the provisions of the party’s Constitution.

Providing further details, the acting national spokesperson of the Damagum camp, Ibrahim Abdullahi Manga, Ologunagba’s deputy, stated that his embattled colleagues acted against a resolution of the NWC regarding the Rivers local government election.

Manga said the party leadership decided collectively not to get involved in the dispute over the conduct of the Rivers local government election.

The rift between Governor Fubara and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike over party control culminated in disputes regarding the conduct of the local government election.

Wike had opposed the conduct of the council poll, which Fubara insisted on holding even though the PDP refused to participate. However, on the eve of the exercise, a PDP statement signed by the national publicity secretary, Ologunagba, urged the people of Rivers to participate in the election, which was largely won by the Action Peoples Party (APP).

Manga said that at the NWC meeting where the decision to suspend the officers was made, eight of the 12 members present voted in favour of the suspension, while four voted against it.
“It was a collective decision,” he stated, adding that similar actions had occurred in Kebbi and Katsina States.

He remarked that the NWC has the power, at the request of members from a particular state, to decide either to suspend the election or refrain from participating in it.

“But an individual went and issued a contrary statement that we should participate in the election, which the party felt was not in the collective interest of the party,” he said.

Manga, however, dismissed the appointment of a new acting national chairman, claiming that the other group did not have the quorum to make that decision.
In a countermove, the PDP’s national publicity secretary, Ologunagba, declared Damagum and Anyanwu suspended for alleged anti-party activities.

In a press release, Ologunagba stated that the suspension was based on a decision made by the party’s NWC.

He said the PDP NWC had extensively considered the numerous complaints raised against Damagum and Anyanwu regarding a letter they addressed to the Court of Appeal in Appeal No: CA/PH/307/2024, concerning the party’s position in the case involving 27 former members of the Rivers State House of Assembly who vacated their seats upon defecting from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“The NWC condemned this anti-party activity by the acting national chairman and the national secretary, which is in gross violation of the provisions of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017) and their Oath of Office. Consequently, the NWC, pursuant to Sections 57, 58, and 59 of the PDP Constitution, has suspended Amb. Illiya Damagum and Sen. Samuel Anyanwu as acting national chairman and national secretary of the party respectively, and referred them to the National Disciplinary Committee for further action.

“In the meantime, the two officials are suspended from all meetings, activities, and programmes of the NWC pending the conclusion of investigations by the National Disciplinary Committee.”

In a subsequent statement, Ologunagba stated that following Damagum’s suspension, the NWC has approved the appointment of Alhaji Yayari Ahmed Mohammed as the acting national chairman, adding that it takes immediate effect according to the provisions of the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017).

He urged all party organs, leaders, critical stakeholders, and members to remain focused as arrangements commence towards holding the party’s NEC meeting, already scheduled for Thursday, October 24, 2024.

BoT Wades In
The Board of Trustees (BoT) of the embattled PDP has, however, pleaded with the warring camps to sheathe their swords and de-escalate the tension.

The chairman of the PDP BoT, Senator Adolphus Wabara, stated that the warring parties must revert to the status quo to preserve the party’s unity and stability.

While he assured that the advisory would meet with the factions soon, he noted that the party had a conflict resolution mechanism to address the conflict.

In a statement, Wabara said, “We understand that disagreements may arise, but as a party with a long-standing tradition of internal democracy, we must not let these challenges derail our collective vision. The Board of Trustees will meet with the members of the NWC to intervene, foster reconciliation, and ensure that normalcy is restored in the NWC of our great party.”

No Faction in PDP – Gov Mohammed
Meanwhile, the chairman of the PDP Governors Forum and Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed has dismissed talk of a faction within the party even as he underscored the need for unity among all stakeholders.

The governor, while addressing reporters in Bauchi shortly after an interactive session with Damagum and other Northeast stakeholders of the party, stated that efforts to keep PDP members united had gone far. He added that all stakeholders would be consulted to address all looming problems among party members.

“Henceforth, we will deepen collaboration and stakeholding to ensure that all these issues of suspension are resolved. We will not allow a gap,” he asserted.

Mohammed denied rumours that the PDP Governors Forum planned to remove Damagum as chairman, insisting that such insinuations were designed to cause chaos and division among forum members.

“We are not recognising any group as a faction. We are together as a party. Definitely, at the end of the day, we will all resolve this. There is no faction in the PDP,” he stated.

Speaking earlier at the meeting, Bala Mohammed said, “As a leader, I am highly privileged to receive this first-hand information, as it will determine our actions and our collaboration. The most important thing is that the North East is united; we are together and united with even those who were not here.”

He assured that all challenges would be resolved as stakeholders come together in a manner that is not about personal interests or problems. “We have discussed everything and will resolve it with the other organs, members of the PDP, the governors, senators, members of the House of Representatives, the Board of Trustees, including the National Working Committee,” he stated.

Court Bars PDP NEC, BoT from Sacking Damagum

The Federal High Court in Abuja has restrained the National Executive Committee (NEC) and Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from removing Ambassador Umar Ilya Damagum as the party’s acting national chairman.

The court ruled that no other person must be recognised as the PDP national chairman other than Damagum until the party’s national convention scheduled for December next year.

Justice Peter Lifu issued the restraining order against the PDP NEC, BoT, and others while delivering judgement in a suit instituted against them by Senator Umar El-Gash Maina. The judge held that, in line with Articles 42, 47, and 67 of the PDP Constitution, national officers can be elected only at the National Convention of the party.

In the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/579/2024, Justice Lifu stated that PDP members were bound by the Constitution of the party and must always act in accordance with its provisions.

The plaintiff, who claimed to be the chairman of the PDP in Yobe State, instituted the suit against the PDP and eight others, alleging that some stakeholders of the party had been holding clandestine meetings to forcefully remove Damagum from office, in gross violation of the party’s Constitution.

He claimed that the stakeholders were putting forward a former deputy governor of Kogi State, Dr. Phillip Omeiza Salawu, as a replacement for Damagum.

Maina alleged that upon becoming aware of the plan, two separate letters complaining about the clandestine meetings were delivered to the party’s national secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu. Despite acknowledging the two letters, the national secretary and BoT members have never deemed it fit to act on the letters and their claims.

In the suit instituted on his behalf by Joshua Musa, SAN, the plaintiff therefore prayed the court to invoke Articles 45, 47, and 67 of the PDP Constitution to halt the move to replace Damagum as the acting national chairman. The plaintiff specifically asked the court to declare that the national chairmanship of the PDP is rotated between the northern and southern regions and not through any other procedure not enshrined in the PDP’s Constitution.

In his judgment, after perusing the PDP’s Constitution and exhibits, Justice Lifu agreed with the plaintiff that Damagum could only be replaced at the national convention of the PDP or through a court order. Justice Lifu also held that any attempt to truncate the unexhausted four-year tenure of the northern region without the party’s national convention would amount to an affront to the Constitution of the PDP.

Earlier, the judge dismissed the defendant’s opposition to the suit on the grounds that the plaintiff had no locus standing to bring the case and that the court lacked jurisdiction.

Justice Lifu held that the plaintiff based his suit on the protection of the PDP Constitution from being violated and the northern region from being short-changed in the four-year tenure.

The judge, therefore, declared that the PDP NEC and BoT are bound by the party’s Constitution, and that Damagum, as national chairman, can only be replaced through the party’s national convention.

He also held that Damagum, having been appointed from the northern region where the former national chairman, Senator Iyorchia Ayu, hailed from, is entitled to serve out the remaining tenure of the national chairman.

Opposition Lawmakers Back New PDP Chairman

The spokesperson of the opposition lawmaker’ coalition, Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere, stated that his group supports Mohammed’s emergence as the party’s acting national chairman.

In a statement, Ugochinyere said there was jubilation in various quarters as PDP faithful, supporters, and stakeholders welcomed the turn of events. He noted that with Damagum’s removal, the PDP’s transformation will begin, as the party has faced many setbacks and challenges due to his alleged anti-party activities and association with the party’s enemies.

The member representing Ideato North/South federal constituency of Imo State in the House of Representatives urged PDP governors and stakeholders to convene to address the situation concerning Damagum, whom he described as an APC agent. Ugochinyere also stated that no federal or state court order prevented the PDP NWC from sacking Damagum as acting national chairman.

He critiqued the judgement, asserting that Justice Lifu’s order, which was “in favour of the pro-Wike APC-backed PDP faction,” came after Damagum had been suspended.

He insisted that Mohammed remain the acting chair while the party awaits the NEC meeting later this month, urging the courts to stay out of the party’s internal affairs.


© 2024 Leadership Media Group - All Rights Reserved.

Ten Wisdom Nuggets To Facilitate Good Success

1. Bear the financial yoke in your youth, or be the joke in your old age
2. Blessing your pastor while stressing your parents may result in messing your life up
3. Good manners open more doors than good looks
4. A loyal friend is better than a royal friend
5. A loving wife is better than a beautiful wife
6. A healthy life is preferable to a wealthy life
7. Never let your mood determine your manners
8. Mark people who call you stingy and stringently avoid them, even if they later apologise
9. Even in Scripture, not everything can be forgiven. Has God forgiven satan?
10. Know your plans and destination, but do not permit others to know them, except they are necessary to their success, or you won't get there

#RenosNuggets

Car owners in Nigeria can avoid fines, impounding, or legal trouble while driving if they have the right documents.

These documents are not only legal but also stop corrupt law enforcement agents from harassment.


Every document, from insurance certificates to driver’s licenses, has a specific function in keeping the road safe and orderly for the benefit of everyone.



Here are 8 essential documents you need as a car owner in Nigeria

Vehicle License
The Vehicle License is usually displayed on the windscreen to show that a car is officially registered and licensed for use on Nigerian roads. It is an annual permit that includes important information such as the car’s registration number, the owner’s details, the engine number, and the chassis number.

Certificate of Roadworthiness
This is the document that indicates that your car is fit and ready to play on the road for a while. Drivers with this document have successfully avoided being harassed by VIO and other road officials. You can obtain it from authorized vehicle inspection centers.


Driver’s License
This is the number one document that permits a car owner to drive a car. This document certifies that a driver is qualified to drive. A valid driver’s license can be obtained from the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC). Driving without it can result in penalties.

Insurance Certificate
The Insurance Certificate Proof that your vehicle is insured. The most common type in Nigeria is third-party insurance, which covers any injuries or property damage done to third parties if the insured vehicle is involved in an accident.

The certificate serves as proof that the car is insured and acts as evidence of that fact.

Proof of Ownership
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The United States government has advised American citizens to refrain Marburg virus from traveling to Rwanda due to the emergence of the Marburg virus.

The State Department issued a travel advisory urging U.S. citizens to “reconsider” any plans to visit the country in light of this virus outbreak. The travel warning has been elevated from Category 2 to Category 3 on a scale of 4, which signifies “do not travel.”

The Marburg virus is known to cause hemorrhagic fever similar to that caused by Ebola. Since the first infections were reported on September 28, there have been 12 fatalities, primarily among healthcare workers.

With a mortality rate that can reach as high as 88%, this hazardous virus results in severe fever often accompanied by bleeding affecting multiple organs.

According to the Rwandan Ministry of Health, approximately 41 cases of infection have been documented.

The Marburg virus is part of the filovirus family, which also includes the Ebola virus, known for causing several deadly outbreaks in Africa.




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CodeTemplarr:
^^^Ask them directly

do your research,is Delta state left behind

CodeTemplarr:
The FG has given states the needed freedom to generate power. Maybe thats not in the plan of the Oborevwori govt.

how many states are generating power now

The attacks and counter-attacks between Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State and the Senator representing Delta North Senatorial District, Ned Nwoko, have taken the front burner in the state, writes MATTHEW OCHEI

The current attacks and counter-attacks between the Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori and the lawmaker representing Delta North Senatorial District, Ned Nwoko, have continued to generate crisis in both the politics and social circle in the state.

Nwoko had, some weeks ago, called for state funding of the Okpai Independent Power Project, asking the governor to fund the project meant to supply 100MW of electricity to local communities.

The IPP project was designed to generate power for the national grid and the first phase of the IPP project in Okpai, in Ndokwa East, which started in 2002, was inaugurated by former President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2005, with the capacity to generate 480MW of electricity.

Reacting to Nwoko’s call, Oborevwori, through his Executive Assistant on Public Enlightenment (Projects and Policies), Mr Olisa Ifeajika, stressed the separation of powers among different government tiers.

He argued that Nwoko should focus on his legislative role and work with President Bola Tinubu and other National Assembly members to secure benefits for his district. The governor also described the attacks as unsavoury and an attempt to coerce, stampede and blackmail him before the public.

“If Senator Nwoko believes in the importance of the Okpai IPP, he should work through the Federal Government, not press the state government to fund it,” Ifeajika was quoted as stating at the press conference.

He pointed out that the senator’s constituency faces significant infrastructure issues, such as deteriorating roads, which also require attention.

“Senator Nwoko should focus on advocating for federal action to step down the power as agreed, rather than pressuring the governor to use state funds for federal projects,” he stated

The governor’s office called for a collaborative approach between the senator and the state government, suggesting that as the sole PDP senator from Delta State, Nwoko should work constructively with Oborevwori to address both local and federal issues.

Another governor’s aide, Fred Edoreh, asserted that Nwoko’s action is driven not by the interest of Anioma people or Delta North but by personal need to safeguard his ticket, under the suspicion and fear that Okowa might want to take it from him in the 2027 senatorial election.

“Thus, Ned is only fighting for his political survival and, in doing so, he decided to adopt the strategy of fomenting the Anioma sentiment, ostensibly projecting himself as fighting for their interest and inciting them against both Governor Oborevwori and ex-Governor Okowa in an early build-up to 2027,” Edoreh told The PUNCH.

“He started by claiming to be single-handedly pushing for the creation of Anioma State, which he said he wants excised from the South-South to be joined with the South-East, perhaps calculated to appeal to the Igbo in Delta State.

“Smarting from that, he now came with the issue of the Okpai step-down and tried to draw blood with the accusation of partiality against Delta North in the siting of projects, appointments and the maintenance of a Governor’s Lodge in Warri.


“The whole essence is to secure himself with the Anioma sentiment, discredit Okowa in the eyes of Deltans, dislodge his leadership influence in Delta North, and threaten Oborevwori with the possibility of denying him Anioma votes in 2027.”

He added, “The idea serves two purposes: to force a negotiation for the retention of the 2027 senatorial ticket and, in the advent of his loss of the ticket, use the sentiment to pull Anioma people to achieve his return through another political party.

“While he is entitled to his political strategy and calculations, it is however, worrisome, to see that he can pursue personal survival by creating divisive, tribal, regional and ethnic sentiments, brazenly destroying the historical and cultural heritage of oneness which all Delta nationalities share, and disregarding the unity, social cohesion and stability of the entire state, and with such half-truth and illogic reasoning.”

The governor’s aide said all the issues Nwoko raised are determinable, stating that the electricity step-down project is well known and that the Okpai Power Plant is an independent company under the control of the Federal Government through the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited and other venture partners.

Edoreh added that the project had been a matter of contention, for which the House of Representatives had to institute a probe on the allegations that there is ambiguity about the contract sum and the lack of accountability and transparency in the execution of the project.

He said, “The questions that arise are: If the minister has promised to allocate funds for its continuation, what is the basis of Nwoko’s haste, to the extent of disrupting the social and ethnic cohesion of the entire state?

“Seeing all that has been said about the ambiguity of the contract sum and the lack of accountability and transparency in the execution of the project, why is Senator Nwoko pressuring Oborevwori to blindly throw N35bn into it?

“Why was it so easy for Nwoko to accept the response of the Federal Government and failed to put further pressure on the NNPCL, as a senator of the Federal Republic, but decided to heap the burden of blame only and pointedly on Governor Oborevwori?

“How did he arrive at the project cost of N35bn? By what Bill of Quantity and Bill of Engineering Measurement and Evaluation? Why has he not brought the project owners and the contractors to formally engage the state on the continuation of the project, rather than singularly requesting the fund from the governor in such a middleman manner?

“Given the deregulation of the power sector by which states can now independently generate, transmit and distribute electricity to its citizenry, who says the only way to provide electricity in Delta North must only be for the governor to throw money into the NNPCL/NAOC project whose contract sum is ambiguous?”

The governor’s aide further said, “It is also disheartening, indeed, that Nwoko would raise bones about the Warri/Effurun flyover projects. All Deltans know that the Warri and Sapele axes are major business and commercial hubs and that they have suffered serious infrastructure deficits through successive administrations.


“In fact, at the end of Okowa’s tenure, he accepted that there was not much development in the Warri area, especially on roads, explaining that he wanted the stormwater drainage system to be done there before roads could be reasonably constructed so that they can last, as was done in Asaba.

“The stormwater system in the area, however, started towards the end of the Okowa administration, and he put the task of constructing the roads to the incoming administration. It was on this ground that Oborevwori assured the people on his inauguration that he would give Warri a facelift and proceeded on the promise.”

A supporter of Nwoko, Chief Rich Enuenwosu, described the attacks on the lawmaker as ignorance on the part of the governor and his aides. In a counter-attack, titled ‘Re: Ned Nwoko should apologise to Governor Oborevwori for his recent comments’, Enuenwosu said Oborevwori, not Nwoko, should apologise based on the unwarranted attacks by the governor’s aides against the lawmaker.


“Edijala is pretending not to know or hear that Senator Nwoko had met severally with the governor and didn’t grant any media interview over the issue. Nwoko was in a meeting with Ndokwa Ne Uku, where he explained the state of things without insulting the governor.

“Nwoko didn’t ask the governor to accept every proposal without thorough planning – is that what Sheriff told Edijala? The excuse of the governor is simple, ‘no money in the state because he’s paying debts incurred by past administrations.’

“If the governor really made it clear that he would prioritise development in Warri and environs as Edijala implies, does it not then mean the governor is sectional? Why prioritise one district over the others?

“Edijala confirms that the governor is sectional when he said that the commitment of the governor is to develop Warri and his environs as evident in the flyover and stadium projects.

“Edijala need not school anyone here about who owns the IPP project but should tell us if the state can’t do something there or not. He seems not to know much about the new electricity law and I wonder how he can be this ignorant.

“Our people should be more disturbed when an Executive Assistant to the Governor sees stepping down light as not an essential matter that directly affects the people of Delta State,” Enuenwosu said.

He stated further that Nwoko is collaborative in all his moves, otherwise he would not have come to the governor seeking the development of his people.

“The governor should know that there’s no time as good enough to raise the concern of the people than this time that the administration is fresh enough to correct any abnormality.

“Nwoko is not against the governor completing projects initiated by the previous administration. The governor need not tell Nwoko the significance of his position as a senator, because Nwoko is the first senator who knows his job and effectively does it.

All that Senator Nwoko said in the meeting is verified truth, a fact that cannot change.

“I know Edijala is writing to please his paymaster but I hope he knows the consequences of his continued sentimental position on this trending issue,” he added.

A political and social analyst, Mr Peter Legacy, said an active observer would find those brands of politicking and scheming as bad politics and a recipe for disharmony and discord.

He stated that the controversy and reactions within the political community are a welcome development because plurality in politics has always helped the community.

Legacy said in “paddy-paddy politics” and governance, a lot is hidden under the table and hugely serves the actors in the arena’s interests.


“That the battle line is drawn is not news and I do not think it is bad politics. Let the people and the electorate get valuable information that ordinarily wouldn’t have surfaced but for the political crossfires.

“Speaking of the battle line, it is evident that the battle line was drawn when, during the local government elections and the PDP congresses, the only PDP senator in the state appeared to have been sidelined.

“An active observer would describe those brands of politicking and scheming as bad politics and a recipe for disharmony and discord.

“Regardless, it will be safe to say that Senator Ned Nwoko didn’t draw the battle line but was responsive to the challenge thrown at him. His reactions have seen him tilt to the alternate equation – the electorate, who were the people he represents in large part.

“I may not entirely speak to the objects of their disagreement, but the said infrastructures are for the good and well-being of Deltans, which should be the fiduciary responsibilities for these elected officials – both the executive and the representative legislators.

“I would like to say that the people are paying close attention because what is being heard distinctly in all of these is: who is paying attention to the needs of the community? Who is attending to the needs of the community? And not who is smarter with politics.

“In the grand analysis, it is about who is playing politics and who is being responsive to the welfare of the community. Yes, the battle line is drawn and it is good for the community,” Legacy said.

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