₦airaland Forum

The case of 78 Nigerian - born men who were indicted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation mid last week has led to angry debates and taking sides among Nigerians on the social media.
It may be recalled that Igbo names featured prominently on the FBI charge sheet relating the criminal activities of some 80 persons indicted in one of the massive Internet scams in American history .



Since the documents were declassified in the US and published globally, including in Nigeria , there have been all sorts of reactions to the issue.
The table turned on Sunday morning as an April 2019 list of convicted drug dealers resurfaced in the media.
The four - month - old report had revealed that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was set to execute 23 Nigerians who were arrested for drug offences as far back as 2017 .
While the names on the FBI list were mostly Igbo , those on the Saudi list were mostly Yoruba, with a sprinkle of wholly Muslim names which some suspected to be Hausa.




Consequently , as the hashtag # IgboYahooBoys trended last week , # YorubaDrugDealers took the centre stage on Sunday.

https://punchng.com/igboyahooboys-yorubadrugdealers-trend-as-nigerians-fight-dirty-over-fbi-list/?fbclid=IwAR1ZXR0oJEHoZmg2EfYQJg5_B02SvhQOEsskYMC5_yrPzzSNNEaxlkekCnA

The Iyase Chieftancy is one of the oldest and most important titles in Asaba and it is next in rank to the Asagba of Asaba. The holder of the title can be described as a ‘warlord’ or compared to the general in a traditional army. The Iyase in the past led the Asaba people to war. The current Iyase of Asaba, who is a former Secretary to the Defunct Bendel State Government, Chief Isioma Onyeobi, tells OCHEI MATTHEW about his career and how he was shot during the civil war


You celebrated your 86 th birthday recently, how are sure of the date as you were born at a time when Nigerians didn’ t keep records?



My father went to school so he kept our records and he worked in the Public Works Department in those days , during the colonial administration . He used to tell us our age and buy us gifts on our birthdays . I was born in Asaba on August 7 , 1933 . I’ ve always known my birthday . When I went to register at the Government School , Asaba , my father took me there, around 1939 . In those days , your hand had to go over the head and touch your ear before you would be allowed to start school. My hand couldn ’ t touch my ear so they refused to admit me . So , my father took me home and the following year when I was seven , I went back and got admitted. So , I’ ve been celebrating my birthdays for years.


What kind of experience did you have while growing up ?



I attended Government School , Asaba from 1940 to 1946 and left when I was in Standard 5 for the Government College Ibadan in 1947 where I obtained the Cambridge Certificate in 1951 . I was the Head of Swanston House and college prefect at the Government College , Ibadan . And we were taught to be disciplined . If the school opened at 7 am , you were expected to be there whether it rained or not or you would be flogged .
It was when I grew older that I got to appreciate what we were taught . At that time , we thought our teachers were just being difficult . I never got involved in any illegal activities . So , I learnt a lot . My parents wanted me to go to St . Patrick ’ s College , Asaba ; they didn’ t even know where Ibadan was , and they felt they would not be able to see me regularly but my class teacher at the time encouraged them to make the sacrifice .
It took us two days to get to Ibadan from Asaba using Ojukwu Transport Service . It was worthwhile; I got to know people , make friends and I was taught to be independent in life . At GCI , we didn’ t have pockets on our school uniforms because the colonial administrators felt that putting hands in our pockets would make you arrogant . So our knickers didn ’ t have pockets and we didn ’ t wear shoes . We started wearing shoes when we got to Class 3 .
We were taught the value of knowledge because knowledge is power. We were taught the value of humility . So , it was a good experience . I was made a prefect .


Did your parents inspire you to become what you are today?


Yes , no doubt about it . If I didn’ t have discipline at home and respect for my parents and constituted authority , I would not have been able to get as far as I have got in life . Without discipline , you cannot achieve much in life . They taught me the value of peace . There is no price too high to pay for peace . So , I never engaged in violence no matter the provocation . I think that has guided me in my life . My exposure at GCI and subsequently , the University College Ibadan (now University of Ibadan ) , where I read modern history, had a significant influence on my life .


What career did you have in mind at that time?


I didn’ t have much choice in the matter because the government used to award scholarships (to students ) in those days ; it was before Nigeria’ s independence . I got the Western Region ’ s scholarship and I was bound to serve the government of the Western Region after my education at the University College Ibadan . It was like a bond, you had to serve the government .
They posted me immediately to the office of the civil secretary where I started my civil service career . Some of my colleagues said that after serving for about two to three years, they would look for another job , but God was kind to me . I joined the civil service as a senior civil servant in 1959 and before I spent five years, Mid - Western Region was created; that was in August 9 , 1963. So we had to leave Ibadan for Benin as foundation members of the state civil service and along the way, I got promoted . I found the job interesting , so I didn ’ t think of looking for another job because I didn’ t want to stress myself looking for another job . I was a member and secretary of a committee headed by Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark , the then Commissioner of Finance.
We were taught the value of integrity and honesty and I got promoted along the way until the Nigerian Civil War came. We had to run home , especially those of us who were western Igbo or presently called people of Anioma nation . The war came with a lot of devastation. I was shot here in Asaba , in my father ’ s house .


What are some of your fondest childhood memories ?


I grew up in a traditional society ; there was no electricity at that time , so we used to have moonlight plays. After playing by moonlight , in those days when I was small, we used to walk down to the River Niger. In the night , we would swim at the bank of the river. We also had traditional dances; we learnt how to sing . Those things have not left me till today and it has helped me in my position as the Iyase , the traditional prime minister of Asaba .


What would you describe as your happiest moment?


During the civil war , I was one of the victims . I was shot here in Asaba , in my father ’ s house . When I was on the verge of recovery , many us from western Igbo were required to appear before a tribunal in Benin where we were accused of being involved in irregular activities . There was a ridiculous allegation that we opened Niger Bridge for Biafran troops to come into western Igbo area and before that was completed, we were put in detention . Some others and I were there for 10 months . Then a judge ruled in our favour and said our detention was illegal so they released us . We were not soldiers, we were civilians . But a day after the judgment, they took us from where we were to Kaduna Prison without a warrant.
We were in Kaduna Prison for 10 weeks , then we were separated and I was one of those sent back to prison. And at that time , we didn’ t know our fate because sending us to the North was like sending us to the heart of war . By God ’ s grace, the war ended in January 1970 but we were not released until March 1970 , almost three months after . We were away for about 27 months so travelling from the North to Asaba became an issue. I didn’ t know what I would meet on the way. It was a traumatic experience ; I wasn ’ t sure I would get home . Eventually, I got to Onitsha and discovered that Niger Bridge had been broken, so I took a canoe to the Asaba side of the river .
From there, I got a vehicle that took me to my village . When people saw the vehicle in front of our house and then saw me , they gathered there and started shouting ‘ Isioma is back ’ . My father and mother said which Isioma because they didn’ t know where I was throughout the 27 months . I can describe the day I returned home as the happiest day of my life because I didn’ t know I would ever see my home again and meet my parents alive . They were very happy because they thought I had died .


Asaba was said to have been badly hit by the civil war , can you share your experience ?


We don’ t like talking about it . You must have had about Asaba massacre when the federal troops came in. But before the federal troops came, Biafra (soldiers ) had started moving to the other side of the River Niger. Our people are very friendly people by nature and we don’ t like war , particularly modern war , so they thought they should go and welcome the federal troops who had come to liberate them . They took drums and other musical instruments to Ogbe-Osowe , dancing. Luckily for me , I didn’ t go there. Even some with drums passed through the front of our house but most of us from my village stayed in our ancestral hall and watched as other people went there.
Later we heard the tragedy that took place; we heard that they were surrounded by the troops, who shot hundreds of them dead . It’ s an experience that we have not recovered from till date . Many homes have not recovered from it till date . It is something we do not want to talk about . It is a lesson for the whole country. As somebody who read history, I know war has never solved any problem . So sometimes when some people beat war drums , I just laugh at them and say they have not learnt anything and I pray that history will not repeat itself.


You have witnessed many facets of Nigeria history, from the colonial era to the military era and now the democratic era , as a historian , how has it been ?


The road to the future is always under construction . Colonial administration was better at maintaining law and order . Colonel masters are not always interested in the wealth of society. Under a democratic system of government , when you are a prime minister or governor, you must strive to come back . So there is no way you can compare democratic government with the colonial administration. But over the years, we have made some progress; there are difficulties just because of lack of planning. Education is integral to human development but sometimes we have problems of leadership but despite that, I believe we are making progress . We ’ ve experienced the stress of the society, we have experienced war but I believe that the future is still bright . We are producing a lot of educated people now who are asking those in government questions because you cannot govern people without their consent . Otherwise , when they have the opportunity , they will rise against you . It ’ s not by bearing arms but they can vote you out.


What advice do you have for those who desire to live long ?


Life is in the hands of God , but I will advise them to avoid excesses . I don’ t go to places I should not go . They should live a simple life . The central theme of the philosophy of St. Teresa of Avila says : “Let nothing perturb you , nothing frighten you . All things pass. God does not change . Patience achieves everything . ”


How did you feel when you became the Iyase of Asaba ?


I didn’ t anticipate it because I already had a chieftaincy title I was given after I retired from the service. So , in 1991 the position of Iyase was vacant and it was the turn of my quarters – Umuezie – where I come from . A lot of people were interested then, I applied as well. The heads , in their wisdom , chose me as the Iyase of Asaba . It a position I hold with responsibility and to promote peace and unity in Asaba .


What is your favourite food?


Pounded yam with Egusi soup. I am an Igbo man .


How did you meet your wife ?


I was married to two women . My first wife died two years ago . We got to know each other when we were in university . When I finished there, we got married . Then I met my second wife who was a popular TV presenter then in Benin and
we got married . All of us were living happily until I lost my first wife two years ago .


What attracted you to her?


It was love. My wives are wonderful people .


How do you relax?

I watch television , especially the news . I’ m a news addict and I take part in traditional meetings where I see people . I’ m a principal actor during our traditional festivals .



https://punchng.com/i-spent-27-months-in-detention-over-false-allegations-onyeobi-iyase-of-asaba/?fbclid=IwAR3MWEC0xK843gu01rFqm3SBgo0MrOb0DLcHPrFbINxW11MnibeFCDuTohg



Lalasticlala

Continued


Buhari’s refusal to restructure

It is this Constitution that is causing conflict, we need to go back to federalism so that all areas will be sorted. The refusal of Buhari, in particular, to go back to federalism and restructure the country is evident in the fact that he has a hidden agenda. I have challenged him that if he does not have, let him restructure.
So, it is left to him. My view is that all those calling for peace, including Abdulsalami Abubakar, are all living in denial. Everybody knows what is to be done to get peace, they are only afraid to do it. Restructure the country and see what will happen.

How true is it that the coup plotters of January 15, 1966 executed the Prime Minister to release Awolowo from prison and hand over power to him?

I was not among the coup plotters; we only saw the result of the coup. All we know is that some people were killed and at the time they were executing the coup, we were all in prison. We were in Ghana; Awolowo was in Calabar prison, so how can we be part of the coup. It is so illogical, it is cheap blackmail.

Do you support the agitation by some people that power should shift to the South-West in 2023?

You see, that is part of the deceit of some people in this country. Whoever is saying it is deceiving himself and the people. How do you want to keep the country and say a section of the country should not be President? The West has done, the South has done, the North has done several times, then you want it to go back to the West again, and you want the country to be together, and you don’t want IPOB to talk, why are we deceiving ourselves? There is no honesty in it; there is no principle in it. Anybody who is saying power should come back to the South-West (2023) is an enemy of Nigeria’s unity. If we are sincere about keeping the country together under a federal system, it is illegal and immoral for that Constitution to exclude an important unit of the federation. It is not a question of whether you like it or not.
I will add that those who are saying power should come to the West are just deceiving themselves. The North does not want to give up power; they just want to push that to the South so that we can be quarrelling over it. The North is deceiving the South-West.

When Chief Awolowo was alive, he became a rallying point for all Yoruba, but presently, there seems to be a division among the Yoruba…

(Cuts in)There is no division, there are only rebels. All those who are not in Afenifere today broke away from Afenifere; they were Afenifere before but are no longer there because of selfish interests. We know them. Who is opposing Afenifere? Is Chief Fasanmi not there? These are people who used Afenifere to make a name and I often repeat that, for Fasanmi, I won’t comment, I will only say the two of us will soon see Awolowo and face Awolowo. By the time Fasanmi and I see Awolowo, I don’t know whether he (Fasanmi) will be able to face Awolowo and say he continued the fight the way Awolowo left it. I won’t say more, he knows it. All others are products of Awolowo who are bashing Awolowo, I want them to challenge me.

Warns: North will not give power back to South in 2023
By Dapo Akinrefon, Deputy Regional Editor, South-West
CHIEF Ayo Adebanjo is a staunch Awoist, loyal to the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo. In this interview, Adebanjo narrates the origin of the crisis in the Western Region, the rift between Awolowo and the late Samuel Ladoke Akintola and how Awolowo prevailed on former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (ret.), to fight civil war. Excerpts:




You were among those tried alongside the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, for treasonable felony in 1963.. .
I did not face trial but I was one of the accused persons. I was one of those who escaped to Ghana and not available for trial until they (Awolowo and others) were convicted; but we were on the list, I, Enahoro and Ikokwu. It was after that they (military) got Enahoro in London to be tried but Kwame Nkrumah (then Ghanaian President) gave us asylum until after the (Ghana) coup when Lieutenant General Joseph Arthur Ankrah sent us back to Nigeria and Aguiyi Ironsi sent us to Kaduna prison. We were in Kaduna prison when the second coup took place.


But did Awolowo receive any preferential treatment while in prison?



He (Awolowo) was in prison in Calabar.


Why I asked that question is because one of the surviving nationalists, Mabazuluike Amaechi, alleged in a recent interview that then Eastern Government under Michael Okpara took care of Awolowo in prison.

(Cuts in) That is true.
He also said that Okpara paid Awolowo’s wife salaries.
I don’t know about that. I know he (Awolowo) was given fair treatment there. I know that. You said he was paid salaries?


Amaechi said Awolowo’s wife was paid salaries.


I don’t know. I can’t vouch for that. We were in Ghana and we didn’t’ know about that. All I know is that he was given fair treatment while in prison. It was from that prison that Gowon, when he became Head of State after the July 29, 1966 coup, released him.

For the sake of the present generations who have no sense of history, what was it that led to you, Awolowo and others being implicated in that saga?

It was a betrayal by Ladoke Akintola who alleged that some of us, who were dynamic in the party (Action Group) and had a relationship with Nkrumah who had a dynamic political party in Ghana, were planning to topple Balewa government. Before then, Chief Awolowo had sent some of us down there, especially some of us who were organizing secretaries, to go and study the tactics of the Convention Peoples Party.

In Ghana?

Yes in Ghana, which was a force at that time; it was that one that brought crisis between Awolowo and Akintola. It was the crisis that Akintola used to malign Awolowo.
Not only that, when you talk about the NIPC then, it was said that you can never catch the Action Group because we had money. We established a straight trade company. We got loan from the marketing board.

From which company?

Western Nigerian Marketing Board and this was done on commercial basis. If that loan from the Marketing Board was six percent interest, Awolowo would say they should give us at 12 percent (Action Group) because he did not want grumblings from outside. It was on that commercial basis that Akintola said that Awolowo took the marketing board money. Awolowo never believed in collecting contracts from anyone. The Action Group sourced money through that business which it got from one of the top leaders of AG, Shonibare. Shonibare took a loan from Barclays Bank to establish Shonibare Estate and he was making money. Having discovered that, Awolowo called Shonibare to know how he was able to do it and that he should do it for the party so that the party won’t rely on anybody. So, instead of going to Barclays Bank, we got our loan from our own marketing board and paid interest.
That is what caused the quarrel in Western Region before the crisis.
It is like anybody going to the bank, get a loan and, because there is a crisis, you now went to the bank and said ‘don’t give anybody any loan again’. It was a purely financial system. That was what led to Coker Enquiry.


Was that what led to you, Awolowo and others being implicated?

No, Coker Enquiry was a development of the crisis in the Western Region where they wanted to cripple the activities of Action Group. But the question of treasonable felony was through the misinformation of Akintola that we wanted to topple the Balewa government because the secretaries of the Action Group went to Ghana to learn the tactics of the Convention Peoples Party.

1954 conference

The unfortunate thing in the country is that when Awolowo, Enahoro and politicians of the First Republic were fighting on principle, we are presently using a unitary power under a federal system. We had already established federalism before independence but it was as a result of the agreement at the 1954 constitutional conference, which stemmed from the crisis in the Federal House after Enahoro’s motion. They summoned all the leaders at that time and they agreed on the 1954 Constitution whereby they made the Constitution of each region separate from the federal Constitution. It was under that Constitution that you had premiership being established. Before then, you had the McPherson Constitution that came into effect in 1952. So, when the crisis came, McPherson said ministers of the cabinet, who were normally chosen from each region that had the majority, will not take part in the self-government motion. McPherson also threatened to sack anyone who participated in it. The ministers of the Western Region said that was why they were elected by the people. We told him that we were ready to go but then-Ooni of Ife, Oba Adesoji Aderemi, told McPherson than rather than sack a Knight of the British Empire (KBE), he (Aderemi) would resign. So, the whole team from the Western Region resigned from the cabinet and that was the beginning of the crisis because there was no representation from the Western Region. It was there that then-Colonial Secretary, Santos, sent for the leaders of the various parties-Azikiwe, Sardauna, Awolowo and others. That was the origin of the Constitutional Conference.
It was at that conference that things were broken down, and then they all agreed on those terms which created premiership and autonomy. The autonomy was such that the Western Region established a foreign office in London and Chief E.M.R. Okorodudu from Warri was the first Secretary-General

It was in that embassy, 15A Kessington Palace Garden in London, that I got married in 1960. When Awolowo exercised that pride, other regions were ridiculing him.
Then they followed suit, the Eastern Region created its embassy. We were completely autonomous, it was that system we had until the military came in 1966 and gave us this rotten Constitution that is confusing.
The question of derivation was settled, we (West) had more money through cocoa, the North had the groundnut pyramid and the East had palm oil. It was on the return of that conference that Zik said at the airport that federalism was imperative but before he left for the conference, he was unitarist.

Many believed that you people were just victims of brinkmanship of that time. Did Papa Awolowo forgive those behind that incident before he passed on in 1987?

He did. When Yakubu Gowon came into power, Chief Awolowo made a tour. Gowon wanted to tell the country that the whole country was united, so he told Chief Awolowo to tour the country for peace to show that there was no crisis in the country again.
So, Chief Awolowo had to tour across country for peace, declaring that peace had returned and, after that, Gowon wanted us to tour the world to show that the whole country was okay. So, our passports that were seized, government gave them back to us and had to include us in the delegation of the opposition then to show that the country was united.

There is this impression that Chief Awolowo was used by the military government during the civil war to conquer the Igbo. How true is this?

No. Some Igbo spread that falsehood. What led to it? Before Ojukwu declared the war, Awolowo offered to go and speak to him. Gowon, who is alive, did not want to go to war. That was the time Chief Awolowo made the statement that if by an act of commission or omission, the East was allowed to secede, the West will go. That is what led Awolowo to prevail on Ojukwu not to secede but that they should fight for federalism. It was the insistence of Chief Awolowo to keep the Eastern Region in the federation that made Gowon fight the war because Gowon was not prepared to allow the East to go. That is what made Chief Awolowo to participate in the war. Remember that Chief Awolowo was Minister of Finance and all the allocations and allowances meant for the Eastern Region, Chief Awolowo kept them during the war and handed over to them after the war. He made Ikokwu the Minister of Economic Planning for the East after we were released from prison and he handed over all the money for the development of the East. It is on record.
That is why some westerners said we should not do anything with the East because they are not reliable. The Igbo have not been fair to us at all. For instance, when Chief Awolowo met Ojukwu, he (Ojukwu) agreed that they were not going to wage a war. He (Awolowo) convinced him (Ojukwu) to go back to the round table and resolve the question of federalism. But no sooner than he (Ojukwu) returned to the East than he (Ojuwu) reneged on the agreement. So, the statement Awolowo made to compel Gowon to fight the war to retain Ojukwu was misconstrued by Easterners. And after the war, they retrieved the interview Awolowo had with Ojukwu because, when Awolowo came back from his visit to Ojukwu at his own risk, some detractors, including northerners, told Gowon that Awolowo had gone to make a pact with Ojukwu but Gowon did not believe them. But when the war was won and they played the tape (Gowon is still alive), they saw the discussions Chief Awolowo had there with Ojukwu. Unfortunately, there had been some misconceptions around this. The West has always played the role that the country should be united. That is why we (West) are insisting on restructuring, we don’t want the country to break. The current Constitution was indeed made without our consent but we have since realized that there are value and advantage in being a big country but on the terms that everybody will agree to live together, and not on the terms that a section will dominate the other. That is why I asked: what is the problem of Buhari in restructuring? Let us go back to where we were at independence.
I often make a statement which he (Buhari) has not refuted yet that: Can Buhari claim to be northerner than the Sarduana (Sir Ahmadu Bello, first republic premier of Northern Region)? That is the Constitution that Sarduana, Azikiwe and Awolowo agreed to; let us go back to it. Should that be a problem if he (Buhari) has no hidden agenda? Which is what he (Buhari) is doing now; and I have been saying it that he (Buhari) will not restructure because once he restructures, the question of Islamisation will not be possible, the question of domination will not be possible, the question of excluding the East will not be possible because all these things are settled.
What you call resource control now is what Awolowo fought for under derivation. Even after the discovery of oil in 1957, oil was still distributed based on derivation.


https://www.vanguardngr.com/2019/08/echoes-of-1966-some-igbo-are-lying-over-awolowo-civil-war-role-adebanjo/?fbclid=IwAR3h0uubPTZoln1CkjKHz8Tu62xHbkaWkD1IAPal8AKAtEShPwvLWFeh3Og


Lalasticlala

ABUJA- Twenty three (23 ) Nigerians would be executed at anytime in Saudi Arabia, for drug-related offences. They were convicted for contravening the narcotic and psychotropic substances that are punishable by death.


They were arrested between 2016 and 2017 at King Abdul-Aziz International Airport, Jeddah and Prince Muhammad bin Abdu- Aziz International Airport, Madinah having concealed the banned substances in their rectums, the Saudi document revealed.


Adeniyi Adebayo Zikri
Tunde Ibrahim
Jimoh Idhola Lawal
Lolo Babatunde
Sulaiman Tunde
Idris Adewuumi Adepoju
Abdul Raimi Awela Ajibola
Yusuf Makeen Ajiboye
Adam Idris Abubakar
Saka Zakaria
Biola Lawal
Isa Abubakar Adam
Ibrahim Chiroma
Hafis Amosu
Aliu Muhammad
Funmilayo Omoyemi Bishi
Mistura Yekini
Amina Ajoke Alobi
Kuburat Ibrahim
Alaja Olufunke Alalaoe Abdulqadir
Fawsat Balagun Alabi
Aisha Muhammad Amira
Adebayo Zakariya.

This is coming few weeks after the Saudi authorities executed Kudirat Afolabi for drug trafficking and Saheed Sobade, another Nigerian, reportedly nabbed with 1,183 grams of cocaine powder in Jeddah.



https://www.vanguardngr.com/2019/08/breaking-23-nigerians-to-be-executed-in-saudi-arabia/?fbclid=IwAR1GGsiJt9XtR-wFEwrjhJ_H6lj8i0rDUV4gP3I3cqhgeT9BSke-denxXfY

Senator Ike Ekweremadu arrives Enugu, gets rousing welcome from his constituents



Watch

https://m.facebook.com/watch/?v=872629243115699&_rdr

Dagrace01:
Yorubas believe so much in unity and it has been our value from inception, and is why its vividly clear in number of of dialects that resides in Lagos, Ibadan, Abeokuta, Akure and other parts of the western region. World most powerful economy USA have thousands of people from different races to form a formidable county like America. You'll hear British American, Indian American, Irish American, African American, Swedish American, Black American, Scottish American, Jewish American, Chinese American, this list is endless. Yorubas have strong believe in unity in diversity, they detest war and violence and that is why other tribes tag them 'weakling' or 'coward' so to say. We've found ourselves in this situation already, it's nobody's fault that the British amalgamated us, we've gotta develop together to be a strong nation. This is exactly what they predicted and wanted, they don't want our unity, so as to still be the ones calling shot for us.. China has different ethnic groups, but as one China they're now giving America a run for their money when it comes to the biggest economy in the world. That's my own view about ur question anyways, even if u don't buy it. #Peace

Very okay and Nice to hear, but if only that unity will be promoted.

PureFace1:
Yoruba just have hope for a better Nigeria

We know that disintegration will not really solve most of the problems

That's nice.

So, what's the solution to a more strog Nigeria with one voice?

The way forward?

stefanbanach:
Because the yorubas cannot peacefully rule themselves. Their history is filled with internal conflicts that lasted for a century. Today it's egba vs ibadan, Tomorrow it's modakeke vs ife etc. Next week, awori will try to pull out of the yoruba nation. It was why they wrote to the British and asked the British to come and rule them.

Hmmmm

This is really deep.

Am not interested on who actually won or lose. In an election someone must lose and another must win.

Though Tinubu may have lost because it wasn't conducted by Inec.

But my issue here is why he keeping harping on disintegration( why the country should not be divided) and unity . Why must this unity and non-disintegration of Nigeria be so dear to Yoruba people.


I need an answer, maybe it will change my perception..of all issues.

Thank you

Alright

Bubu: Pinally I have affointed all my ministers. Change has come.

Osubande: We are on Next Level now sir.

Bubu: Next Level?

Osubande: Yes sir

Bubu: What is Next Level?

Osubande: The slogan for our second term sir?

Bubu: What was the pormer Level?

Osubande: Change sir, we promised the people change.

Bubu: Shege! I remember now. The AFICEE manispecto! But that was what I said.

Osubande: Yes sir.

Bubu: Did you say awa second term?

Osubande: Yes sir.

Bubu: who are the awa?

Osubande : Me and you sir.

Bubu: Are you my wife?

Osubande: No sir. I am your vice president. We share the ticket. We are together.

Bubu: Ayam for nobody and for everybody.

Osubande: Yes sir.

Bubu: I don't want you having any punny ideas.

Osubande: I agree sir.

Bubu: Madalla! Ayam the fresident. Kwantitutionally, you can only act when ayam not around. If you were a lawyer, you would know this.

Osubande: I am a lawyer sir.

Bubu: Are you shua? I thought you are a fastor like Bakare?

Osubande: I am also a lawyer.

Bubu: You are a lawyer and a fastor?

Osubande: Exactly sir.

Bubu: Walahii! Osunbade, you are very conpused. It's a good thing you are not the Fresident.

Guestlander:
Junaid Mohammed is neither an eleder nor a statesman. He is an ethnic supremacist and a rabble rouser.

That being said, ipob is a disgrace to all decent ibos everywhere.

Alright, let both the decent and non decent Igbos decide what they want instead of all these repetition every year.

Democratic resolution by referendum can end this lack of trust.

Igbos this....Igbo that.

Igbo do this, Igbo do that.

As a committed Democrat I believe in democratic resolution of all crisis and mistrust.

Let referendum be conducted and allow the untrusted Igbos to decide how to chat a new course.

Recycling same message breeds nothing..

At this point and as far as you uncomfortable with them, subject to referendum and allow them stay or leave with their un-trusted attitude.


Simple democratic referendum will solve all these squabbles.

This man shut up for once.

Still on the incident in Germany involving Sen Ike Ekweremadu and IPOB members, a Pro-Umahi group in the United Kingdom (UK), Divine Mandate International (DMI), says it won’t tolerate any act of intimidation on Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State or any other Igbo leaders by the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in the UK.


The warning came on the heels of the last weekend attack on Senator Ike Ekweremmadu in Nuremberg, Germany by members of IPOB and further threats by the same group to attack South-East Governors and other Igbo leaders anywhere they are seen abroad.

This was contained in a letter to Governor David Umahi by the group jointly signed by the Chairman, Dr Nick Nwokporo Chairman, the Secretary, Dr Francis Kalu, and the Public Relations Officer, Dr Bartholomew Aleke; a copy of which was made available to Vanguard.


The group strongly condemned IPOB for attacking Ekweremadu, describing their action as shameful, barbaric and disgraceful. While reiterating their unalloyed supposed and faith in Governor Umahi and other Igbo leaders, they challenged IPOB to dare make real their threats.





DMI promised to cooperate with UK authorities, Ohanaeze UK and other affiliate organizations to ensure that the miscreants and their supporters anywhere, face the full weight of the law. The letter read: “We the entire members of DMI, UK totally condemn and repudiate in its entirety the shameful attack on Senator Ike Ekweremadu by IPOB group in Germany. “We also challenge the threat to our Igbo Leaders as posted by the group and their sponsors. “We, therefore, wish to reiterate our unalloyed support and faith in you and other Igbo leaders. The actions of IPOB are barbaric, disgraceful and uninformed. “We will cooperate with relevant authorities to ensure that the miscreants and their supporters anywhere, face the full weight of the law. “Additionally, we are working with our UK authorities and Ohaneze UK and it’s affiliate organisations to weed out such actions. The UK can never be Germany. “Your Excellency, Sir, we will not tolerate any intimidation on you or any other IGBO leaders when visiting the UK or wherever. Neither will we ignore any threats to your safety when visiting the UK. “Please continue your good works and be rest assured of our continued support. May your good heart not be poisoned by threats from people of no standing,” it reads.



https://www.vanguardngr.com/2019/08/attack-on-ekweremadu-we-wont-tolerate-intimidation-of-igbo-leaders-%e2%80%95-uk-group/

dirtydiva:
You know what your problem is? You lack sense of apprehension, don't let stupidity rule over your dead brain. Amateur

You that have sense of comprehension really needs to go back to school..

Next time use yourself as an example....If don't have to money to buy car, others do..

Scram.

MetaPhysical:
Your mindset paints an image I alluded to above, "illiterate". The States follow what they see done at national level in a monkey-see-monkey-do style.

No one says the CoS should not coordinate President's schedule....you missed the fine writings between the notes. Do you not recall that two years ago in his second medical trip the letter signed by the President for Senate recognition of VP as Head of Government was modified and would almost have striped the VP of his statutory role? This was done at a time Buhari had not designated Kyari as a buffer. What do you imagine could happen now if Buhari travels for medical trip or dies in office?

Answer this simple question first before I present even more complex intrigues.....buried and hidden from the perception of "illiterates" like you.


Are you even aware that the Chief of Staff is not vetted by Senate? He can assist President but the line must be drawn where Ministers vetted by Senate must go and get their request and appointments approved first by Chief of Staff. It's an insult on the Legislative body, and like you, I'm not sure they know or care. Government is process....Buhari tainted the process with this indiscretion.

That's their plan all these while that buhari should die in office so that Osibanjo will take over....lol


Same reason Tinubu contact Zakaria of CNN to pop out an unknown quiz sometime ago..


If awolowo didn't change before he died, his line won't change either.


The write up is not about Abba kyari but about Osibanjo and death sentence for buhari...

dirtydiva:
First, we Igbo's seem so highly of ourselves that we cant keep pride and be realistic for once
Secondly, most of innoson vehicle are bn coupled with fake engines that can't last for 4yrs atimes it do comes from the handler or maybe criminal tendency running fake products for massive profits as people do comment that his products are not strong and easily broke down especially his hiace bus
Finally, tribalism will set in knowing fully well he is an Igbo man while some will say how can one person supply govt with Van's when we hv other company and remember govt officials use that very corridor to siphon money from federal and state coffers

Don't generalise your personal problems wilth others.

Simply say I Igbo.....not we...you and who..

How many cars have u even bought from Innoson...

Just to rant up and down on any topic without recourse to check details.

dometome:
So buying a car of your own choice is now hate. Very soon he will say that what IPOB did to ekweremadu is hate. Na wa for some people

No car was bought but all are recovered Hilux from okorocha and his allies.

The op is not far from the newly recruited okorocha media dogs scattered online.


Why didn't okorocha buy from Innoson when he was a governor but chose to spread lies like a sodomite up and down.

contigiency:
[s]The president signed executive order number five which mandates government ministries, parastatals and agencies to patronize made in Nigeria products. The order stipulates that, as government agencies, you can only patronize foreign products and services if and only if such products and services are not produced locally.

Mr president went ahead and instructed the Nigerian army, police, road safety and others to buy their vehicles from Innosson motors. This is why in recent times you see those listed security forces buying their vehicles from Innosson motors.

But here we are, Emeka Ihedioha the governor of IMO state an Igbo man, left Innosson motors owned by a fellow Igbo man, traveled abroad and purchased 100 pieces of ford vehicles whose ecstatics is not even close to that of Innosson made ford vehicle. And I will not be in doubt if I am also told that Innosson ford vehicle is stronger than these his foreign ones.

You can imagine better than I do, what will happen to any business man in the entire North, if president buhari should advertise what you do as a business man. The whole North will scramble and fall over themselves just to buy your products. And ethnic champions would have disturbed our ear drums to an unbearable state, reminding us how nepotistic buhari is. That is why as the president of all Nigerians, he singled out one man and asked everyone to buy from him because he is a fellow Northerner.

That was why I said that those who are on revolution movement are not carrying out their revolution movement to the right section. Otherwise, if their movement is born out of selfless desire to grow the country, that executive order number five signed by the president is one of the best policy proposition of Nigerian government since this republic, because it possesses the catalyst to move the country like the way China grew. And such policy and other good ones are the right sections of the country we should be carrying our revolution movement to. I mean to the door steps of those who are supposed to implement them. Because my observations have revealed that our major problems in this country are policy implementors and not policy formulators.

Doing as explained above is the best way we can assist the government and the president to actualize those good visions we want in the country. Because no matter who we elect as president, he surely can't be everywhere every time. And we must not make the mistake of focusing only on the president, governors and the local government who takes up to 47% of the total country's revenue generation must have equal backlash for misgovernance.

By now, the revolution movement should have taken over all the entrance gates of IMO state government house and summon the governor to explain why he had to export our jobs abroad and also our hard earned money. Or to the door step of obasanjo to demand why he of all person who is still earning pensions from other tax payers money should be listed among common Nigerians as tax defaulters. By so doing, we would have helped the government to perform better without necessarily being in government.
[/s]

Seriously the election Okorocha and his son in law has really put many out of business.

If a youth will seat down to write this nonsense, many will think he is sincere but it all ends in selfish reasons.

To set the record straight, Ihedioha didn't buy any car but the cars are those recently recovered by his administration. These are the cars owelle and his cronies stole as they were leaving office.

So the op writer should go and rest because no purchase was made rather it was a stolen car by his God father recovered from them.


One thing with all these ingrates, criminals with animalistic behavior is that when the political phase doesn't favour them to continue sucking the coffers dry, it will turn to Igbo doesn't like themselves.


Imo voted Ihedioha and that's what they want. The earlier all of you realise that nwosu is done and dusted in Imo politics the better for all of una.....ndi uchu.

A state governed by a thief like Rochas, look at it after 8 years nothing to write home about.


And someone wants to whip up sentiments with it by trying to drive a friction between Imo and anambra.

Ihedioha didn't buy any car, it was a recovered stolen cars from Okorocha, nwosu and their allies.

An APC with a SW candidate will mean that the South-East (SE) and most likely South-South (SS) may likely support whole-heartedly another Northerner in PDP. This will likely pits a SW candidate in APC against a Northern candidate in PDP. Any of Atiku, Tambulwa or Kwankwaso can easily defeat the APC (SW) candidate and have PDP back in power. The Buhari we all know will detest handing over power to PDP. He knows that if he does, all the "sins" he accused PDP of and for which the leadership have been haunted about awaits him and possibly his family. Hence Buhari may make effort to ensure an APC president takes over from him.

#fact


In my humble opinion, the SE may produce the next president if APC wants to retain power. Though the decision will deal a terrible blow to the APC as Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu may be denied the 2023 ticket, over time the wound will heal and that is the only salvation that APC may have. However, if APc feilds Tinubu, the equation may become more complex for APC that it is bound to lose to PDP. There are many odds against a Tinubu candidacy. As a Southerner, he would be bound to pick a Northerner as running mate. The chances of him picking a Northern Christian is very remote. The backlash of picking a Northern Muslim running mate is likely to be worse. It sold in 1993 when Nigeria was better united, not in 2023 with the Muslim-Christian dichotomy we have today. Any attempt to tow that line means APC is finished. The Osinbajo option is still not plausible. PDP can easily take him out with a Northern candidate, hence a gamble Buhari and APC cannot toy with.



Still fact also



In the South East, there seems to be a scarcity of quality leadership, but not yet. The comedians like Orji Uzor Kanu, Okorocha, Ngige, etc are going nowhere. They have reached their final bus Stops - Senate. The same applies to the current crops of governors and the past set.

Fully disagree, If People like kanu can return to Senate, then anything is possible in space.


[s]So the question remains, who is likely to succeed Buhari if APC clinches power in 2023. My thoughts are that the current Minister of Sciece and technology foots the bills. I will explain. The north are looking for a Southerner with the political mien that would be manageable by them. A rascal can easily rock the both. secondly, if you do not know before,kindly know now, Buhari and Onu have been together since 2010. He was the National Party Chairman of the All Nigerian People's Party (ANPP) as far back as 2010. Buhari contested as a candidate of ANPP under the Charmanship of Ogbonnaya Onu. Dr Onu was instrumental to pulling ANPP into the alliance with CPC, ACN, nPDP and splinter APGA to for APC.
Onu and Buhari seem to understand and trust themselves more than they trust the new romance partners in ACN, nPDP and repentant PDP looters. My hunches are that with Onu as a presidential candidate of APC, the stronghold PDP has on the SE and SS will be broken,no matter who PDP fields. In fact, with a SE candidate of APC, the PDP will rethink their strategy of fielding a Northerner as it may backfire.[/s]

Trash, you damaged the whole story here. Seems you paid to promote non-sellable candidates.

This paragraph is an unrealistic trash.


To me above informed Umar Ganduje's theory of Idealism Versus Realism. Idealism - field a SW candidate. The realism is to field a SE candidate. If you took the pain to read this far, please, painstakingly present your opinion sensibly also.


Everyone has right to contest be it North east or north Central ( that is not on the cardinal point).

So again trash because , this can't be realistic when the paragraph before it is a damaging one.

In the recently released video, he commended Ipob and also advised the leaders to alleviate the sufferings of the people.

He said, if you as out leaders can't guarantee our safety here in Nigeria, we will not also guarantee yours outside Nigeria.

Video below, follow the link and watch

https://www.facebook.com/167999833295485/posts/2378845368877576/

The Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC) has told Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State to concentrate on governance for the good of his people and the entire Southeast rather than engaging in unhealthy fight with pro-Biafra groups, especially IPOB.
Igboayaka O. Igboayaka, the National President of OYC, gave the charge while addressing newsman in Owerri after the OYC national stakeholders congress which included members from Abia, Imo, Enugu, Anambra, Ebonyi, Rivers, Cross Rivers, Akwaibom, Beyelsa, Delta, Edo, Benue and Kogi
The Ohanaeze youth leader made the call against the backdrop of the recent pronouncement by the Ebonyi State Government, banning the activities of IPOB, whose members recently protested against the proposed Ruga settlement in the state.
Igboayaka noted that rather than continue to add voice to some mischievous elements in the north calling for extreme measures against the pro-Biafra group, Governor Umahi should be advocating for the delisting and de-proscription of IPOB as a terrorist organisation.
The youth leader further regretted that none of the northern elites, leaders and governors had come out publicly to condemn the rampaging Fulani herdsmen marauding and maiming innocent citizens in some parts of the country neither have they spoken out in condemnation of the nefarious activities of bandits and other terrorist groups maiming innocent citizens, asking Umahi to be cautious not to throw away the baby with the bath water.

https://www.independent.ng/ohanaeze-youths-tell-umahi-to-focus-on-devt-not-ipob/?utm_source=&utm_medium=facebook

“The woman I love... she’s bigger than me, I don’t want to talk about it. Her name is, her name is... Linda Ikeji. I always see her in my dream,” explained Abdullahi Olatoyan, a university dropout who cleans windscreens for a living.
He also revealed how he is planning to return to schooling at the National Open University (NOUN) in the coming months.

Watch.
https://m.facebook.com/watch/?v=2374123449519016&_rdr

The House of Representatives is contemplating a legislation that would ensure the security of Nigerian politicians while abroad
- This is coming on the heels of the attack on the immediate deputy Senate president, Ike Ekweremadu, by members of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB)
- The motion was moved by Yusuf Buba Yakub, the chairman, House committee on foreign affairs on Sunday, August 17
Following the attack on the immediate deputy Senate president, Ike Ekweremadu, the House of Representatives is considering a legislation that would ensure the safety of Nigerian politicians while they are outside the shores of the country.
The motion for the legislation was moved by Yusuf Buba Yakub, the chairman, House committee on foreign affairs in a statement he released on Sunday, August 18, Vanguard reports.
Stressing that there are better ways to express and deal with grievances in a democratic setting, Yakub called on the Nigerian ambassador to Germany, Yusuf Maitama Tugger, to investigate the sad development and bring the criminals to book.


Yakubu outrightly decried the conduct and activities of those who assaulted Ekweremadu, stating that they went beyond the limits of peaceful protest to actual physical attack.
He said: “On my part, I promise to lead the House Committee on Foreign Affairs...to move a motion on the floor of the House and to call for broader investigations on the matter with a view to decisively dealing with all those involved and seeking protection for the politically-exposed persons on foreign trips and assignments in foreign jurisdictions.
“While conceding that it is the right of any group or individual to protest against a perceived wrong done to them in every democratic set-up, like ours, but it goes without saying that there is a limit to the extent any protest can go.


"It ceases to be a protest, for instance, when those involved in such a protest begin to make attempts on life or endanger the rights of others to peaceful and lawful assembly as we saw in the case at Nuremberg, Germany."


https://www.legit.ng/1254971-ekweremadu-house-reps-seek-security-nigerian-politicians-abroad.html?fbclid=IwAR3SDIO91zHJKD8M2z2cI_4kWLdXzzOH421_QefRuZqrWHBe_324p_VoWY0

"Bubu: Osunbade, I heard some lazy yoots beat Epheremadu in West Germany. Are you awear?

Star boy : It was IPOB sir.

Bubu: HIFOB? ..dat yeye ijaw boy wey wan do revolution.

Star boy: That is Sowore sir. Nnamdi Kanu heads IPOB. He jumped bail and fled to Israel.

Bubu: Shege Banza! How did he reach Israel? Did we not send him to India?

Star boy: That's El Zak Zakky sir. He has returned.

Bubu: This is very conpusing. Who be the one wey go trubunal say I no get sabificate?

Star boy: That's Atiku sir.

Bubu: is he in custody?

Star boy: No sir. We can't move against him.

Bubu: Who is in custody?

Star boy: Only Sowore sir.

Bubu: Madalla! That Sowore is very kwarapt. Imagine the billions of naìra he embezzled. Money meant for arms.

Star boy: That's Dazuki sir.

Bubu: Danzuki?

Star boy: Yes sir.

Bubu: Is he in custody?

Star boy: Yes sir.

Bubu: I thought you said only Sowore is in custody.

Star boy: Danzuki is also in jail sir.

Bubu: Are you shua?

Star boy: Yes sir.

Bubu: Or should I send you to jail so you can count for me.


Signed
Ahmed Ahmed

The South- East Governors Forum on Saturday said the IPOB order directing its members to attack them anywhere abroad would not solve the problem of their agitation for Biafra .
The chairman of the forum and Governor of Ebonyi State , David Umahi, who spoke through his Chief Press Secretary , Mr Emma Uzo, said that the governors had no problem with the members of the outlawed group to warrant such an order , adding that the insecurity in the South - East was a nationwide challenge which was squarely under the Federal Government’ s command and control.
Condemning the attack on Ekweremadu , Umahi said , “ If there is any issue IPOB holds against the governors , they should come home to settle it in Igboland instead of a foreign land .
“ What happened was a security issue which was within the purview of the Federal Government. Attacking governors in a foreign land is a wild goose chase. We love them because they are our children.
“ IPOB cannot achieve Biafra alone , except with the collaboration of all stakeholders including the governors . They don ’ t need to attack the governors to achieve Biafra . ”
The governors ’ forum warned the members of the proscribed body not to allow political opportunists to use them to destroy the South - East .
“ They should come together and work with the governors and the Ohanaeze Ndigbo to achieve the Igbo Presidency come 2023 instead of fighting the governors . We want them to be close to us instead of taking the struggle to the international arena , ” it said .


Furthermore, Umahi’ s aide described the IPOB ’ s threats as empty, saying the group lacked the powers to track down any South- East governor anywhere in the world .
“ They have no such spread and powers to track down South- East governors for attack anywhere in the world . They are too small . I don ’ t want to say they sound so cowardly , but they can ’ t see the governors to attack , ” he added .


https://punchng.com/assaulting-us-abroad-not-solution-to-agitation-south-east-govs-tell-ipob/?fbclid=IwAR3qNSzTq92MZRz1k_wu-0vHLX9Bg-JACkoqtz5qU1ArDu2nTKL-rGPHgnM

What happened to our red cap Ekweremmadu wore to go and eat yam in Germany.

We need answers please.

Ji agwugo na igboland, So he went to rie ji na Germany

There is pain. There is anger. And there is collective rage in the land. Nigerians are empty of options and are seeking avenues for a purge; for catharsis. The season of retribution may be upon us sooner than we imagine.
The physical abuse of former deputy senate president Ike Ekweremadu at an Igbo forum by some young men in Germany, though condemnable, betokens the onset of nemesis. In a video recording in circulation, while the lawmaker was being assaulted, his abusers could be heard saying: “What have you done? People are dying.’’ This is the question most Nigerians have been asking their leaders helplessly.
Ekweremadu may be a victim of constrained anger – if one is to go by the confessions of his assaulters in the video. He may not be the worst of his ilk. But situating his antecedents and the expectations of most people from the southeast, he, perhaps, set himself up for criticisms. He has been a senator since 2003. And he has been deputy-senate president for eight years. But the question is, in what way has his exalted position being of benefit to the area or the region he represents? What development has he influenced to the section?
Inland ports are an essential transportation need of the southeast, a bill to establish them has often been ignored at the senate, where Ekweremadu was the second most powerful man. Even in the 16 years of the PDP, a party the southeast bent obsequiously for, bills to have these facilities and other projects sited in the region were not considered.
I have often wondered aloud, ‘’what exactly did the PDP do for the southeast in 16 years besides empowering a few people in the neighbourhood of power?’’
However, a statement by the media office of Ekweremadu says the attack was orchestrated by members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). This is plausible, but does it obviate the kindler of the outburst? Though, the lawmaker had run the gauntlet in certain cases, there is an assumption that he did not and has not taken up the responsibility providence surrendered into his hands.
Nigerians are peeved. And the parlous state of things is breeding more children of anger. Some months ago, a seething mob hauled stones at some (APC) lawmakers who visited their constituencies in Katsina. They escaped, but not unscathed.
The citizens’ rage is not spared for any party. Some lawmakers in the APC cannot go to their constituencies without heavy security escort. The situation is progressively-degenerative; citizens are angrier now than before, seeking outlets for quick release.
But I must concede that Nigerians are still too tranquilised for a mass action against the factors of their suffering. That ‘’uprising’’ happened in Germany because the country is a ‘’liberte’’ society; not where ‘’uprisers’’ will be neutralised with live bullets. Ekweremadu went to a country where Nigerians live untamed.
Nevertheless, violence is not an instrument of change, but of destruction; it should not be found in the quarters of civilised people. Violence is not only physical. Corruption is violence. Stealing is violence. Nepotism is violence. Incompetence is a form of violence.



https://www.herald.ng/beating-of-ekweremadu-and-the-stones-awaiting-others-by-fredrick-nwabufo/?fbclid=IwAR3rbqMTYYYYnK7iaf6KUf3RjoQEQoi-X46NoKsDD-8rbSmCrNLeia7sqiE

nevertheless do not hold this to heart against them, for they know not what they do.

Case closed

Next igbo politician to be be beaten

Ekweremmadu is not angry against our actions, he know we are right.