The federal government says there is a need to put in more efforts to redeem Nigeria’s image which has been “hurt” by corruption.

Boss Mustapha, secretary to the government of the federation, said this on Thursday while inaugurating the 23-member board of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The board is the first of its kind since 2015 when the present administration came into power.

Addressing the board members, Mustapha encouraged them to put in their best to support the federal government’s fight against corruption.

“The unfortunate thing is that what we have battled with this internally and in-country, we have successfully exported it out of this country. So, your job and your role would extend beyond the borders of this nation, because it does hurt our image as a country. It has deprived us of even direct foreign investment,” he said.

“It has created a doubt as to the sincerity of people doing business with us, outside the shores of our country.

“So, we must do everything and you are the ones that are assigned the responsibility of creating a new image for Nigeria, and your actions and activities will in no small measure help Nigeria redeem its image.”

In his remarks, AbdulRasheed Bawa, EFCC chairman, expressed optimism that the new board will achieve significant impact in tackling corruption.

“The EFCC has been without a board for six years sequel to a series of events that had happened which warranted the non-existence of the board of the EFCC in the last six years,” he said.

“So, it is something that gladdens the heart, with me, of course, being a former staff of the EFCC and now the chairman of the EFCC, that today, the EFCC has a board spearheading the policy direction of this problem that we have — the economic and financial crimes in this country.

“As you have said, your excellency, we have a saying at the EFCC that we have one of the most cosmopolitan boards, looking at public service in this country, looking at the composition of the fact that all law enforcement agencies and security organisations in this country are represented on the board as well as other regulatory agencies like NICOMSAT as well as Central Bank of Nigeria.

“So, we’re happy for this day. And I want to assure your excellency and the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that we’re not unfamiliar with the daunting task before us.

“We have been doing well. Last year had been a difficult year with COVID-19. But the EFCC has managed to set a new record in terms of recoveries and convictions.

“With the inauguration of this board, I believe with the wealth of experience that all of us are bringing to the board, we will be able to do better.”

David Umahi, governor of Ebonyi, says the state “can never” be part of the proposed nation of Biafra.

The governor spoke on Thursday at an event organised for him in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi capital.

Umahi said the state will not secede from the country and join Biafra, adding that “we are better in a fair and equitable Nigeria”.

“Let nobody be afraid of the presidency of an Igbo man. The Igbo man is a builder and not a destroyer. There is no Igbo man that will be the president of this country and would like to divide or destroy it because we have investments everywhere,” he said.

“First and foremost, I have been saying it. If anybody tells you about Biafra, Ebonyi state will never be part of Biafra. We are not Biafra.

“We have been so oppressed and now we are finding our feet and you want us to go back. We will not. We will not.

“We are better in a fair and equitable Nigeria. And we are not going anywhere. We are not going anywhere. We won’t. We will continue to appeal and dialogue to be treated fairly and equitably like other regions of Nigeria.

“Some enemies of the south-east say if we become president we will divide the country. How will we divide the country? We have investments everywhere.”

In recent years, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has stepped up its campaign for the secession of Nigeria’s south-east.

The separatist group has, however, been proscribed as a terrorist organisation, while Nnamdi Kanu, its leader, is currently in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) on felony charges.

Lucky Irabor, chief of defence staff, says the official declaration of bandits as terrorists will enable the armed forces to take necessary action against them.

The defence chief said the gazette proscribing bandits as terrorists was long desired by the armed forces.

Irabor spoke on Monday when he featured on ‘Good Morning Nigeria’, a Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) programme.

The federal government had on January 5 released a gazette proscribing bandits as terrorists — over one month after a federal high court in Abuja had declared the activities of all bandit groups in the country as acts of terrorism.

The defence chief said the military will amend its tactics, given the latest development, adding that the criminals would be given “the bloody nose they so desire”.

“The issue of gazetting the bandits as terrorists is a news that is quite gladdening. That has always been what we had desired,” he said.

“What it means is that our tactics, techniques and procedures that we use in handling them certainly would have to change and that is why, I believe going forward, I am sure you will be reading what the outcome of those engagements are.


“Gazetting them as terrorists give it a global disposition that will enable other key global actors to now take certain action against them. For me, it will only get better and we will give them the bloody nose that they so desire.”

Ekweremadu Visits Nnamdi Kanu, Says Political Solution Over IPOB Leader's Release Still Possible

Former Deputy President of the Nigerian Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, has said that he visited leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, in the custody of the Department of State Services. 

Though he did not specify the date and time of his visit to Kanu, he said his visit was in line of seeking political solution for the release of the IPOB leader.

Ekweremadu said he went in company with some Igbo leaders like Deputy Minority Leader of the Senate, Enyinnaya Abaribe; Secretary-General, Okey Emuchay; and Archbishop of Methodist Church of Nigeria and Co-Chair Interfaith Dialogue Forum for Peace, Bishop Sunday Onuoha.

He also reacted to President Muhammadu Buhari’s remarks on Channels Television interview on Wednesday where he said Kanu should defend himself in court. 

Speaking via his verified Facebook page on Saturday, Ekweremadu said, "Political solution in the Nnamdi Kanu's matter is still very feasible. I also watched the Channels Television interview and I don't think Mr President ruled out a political solution.

"In fact, I would have been surprised if he said he would just release Nnamdi Kanu because there is independence of every arm of government, including the judiciary. There are procedures.

"I recall that it was exactly Mr President's response when I led a delegation of the South-East Caucus of the Senate to see him on the Nnamdi Kanu issue in November 2016. 

"But ultimately we kept reaching out and dialoguing until we had a political solution, which resulted in the judiciary granting Mazi Nnamdi Kanu a bail because ultimately, everything will come to the judiciary because every arm of government is independent.

"So, we will keep working on a political solution, nevertheless. We will keep engaging the government, just as we will continue to appeal to our youth and people to ensure the stability and prosperity of our region.

"I did lead a delegation to interface with the Kanu and the authorities. We had useful conversations. We have equally made some requests and we are waiting for a feedback from the government to make progress.

"As usual, I deliberately didn't want to make it public because it is a quiet service we are rendering to Ndigbo and the nation. But the DSS eventually made it public in one of their statements."

The Senator representing Abia South constituency, Mr Enyinnaya Abaribe, has declared that it is either Abians remain in darkness or move forward, come 2023.

Recall that Vanguard had reported that Abaribe had announced his intention to run for the highest office in Abia in 2023.

Addressing a crowd of loyalists who had thronged at Apugo’s house, Abaribe said he was in the race to rescue and re-invent Abia.

” It’s either we go forward or we continue in darkness.

” We need to rescue Igbo land, and Abia must be at the forefront of Igbo emancipation.”

A member representing Umuahia East State constituency at the Abia House of Assembly, Hon. Chukwudi Apugo has declared that he does not believe in zoning but competence.

The lawmaker made the declaration while fielding questions from newsmen after receiving the Senate Minority Leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe who came to visit him in his Ibeku country home.

According to him, Abia should focus on competence and not zoning in determining Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu’s successor in 2023.

His words: ” I don’t believe in zoning. I believe in competence.

” We should jettison zoning and focus on competence. Competence and capacity to deliver should be paramount.

” We want anybody that will take over from Okezie Ikpeazu in 2023 to have the competence to take Abia to the next level.”

Asked whether he had endorsed the candidature of his guest who penultimate week declared his ambition to succeed Ikpeazu in 2023, Apugo said it was too early to endorse any aspirant.

” If Abaribe is the best candidate I will support him irrespective of his zone but if there is a better candidate I will support the person.

” As a stakeholder in Abia politics, my house is open to other aspirants for consultations. I will support the most competent person”.

GOVERNOR Nyesom Wike on Thursday presented N30million to the families of three police officers killed in the line of duty under the State Police Command last year.

The deceased officers, Police Inspectors Isaac Isodje, Saviour Udeh and Ebenezer Edward who served under Diobu Division were murdered by armed men while on a stop and search duty in November 2021.

Presenting the cheques on behalf of the Governor to the deceased officers’ families, Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Pastor Paulinus Nsirim, said the gesture demonstrates Wike’s commitment to ensure that the families of policemen who lost their lives in the cause of serving the State were not left in misery.

“This is a token of love from Governor Wike to the families. Though money cannot replace a life, it is a way of showing love to all officers and men who serve in Rivers that the State Government will always be behind them no matter the situation they find themselves in.

“So, the amount here is a token of love from the Governor as a man who has the milk of human kindness and compassion to cushion the impact of this great loss,” he said. 

Nsirim said Wike recognises the value of service the police render to the State and conveyed the condolences of Governor to the State Police Command and the bereaved families, praying God to grant the bereaved the fortitude to bear the loss.

The Commissioner of Police, Rivers Command, Eboka Friday described Governor Wike’s intervention as an uncommon gesture of encouragement in the country.

He recalled that two of the officers were killed while carrying out a stop and search operation in the Diobu area of the State capital on November 2, last year while the third officer was killed on November 9, last year, while on an operation to apprehend the killers of the two officers. 

Responding on behalf of the recipients, Mr Isaac Okeoghene, son of one of the deceased, thanked Governor Wike for the gesture and prayed that God will reward him in due time. 

The pan-Northern socio-political organisation, Arewa Consultative Forum, on Thursday said that Indigenous People of Biafra’s  banning the singing of the National Anthem and the transportation of livestock to the South-East was a declaration of war.

The National Publicity Secretary of the ACF, Emmanuel Yawe, stated  this in an interview with one of our correspondents while commenting on the plan by   Amalgamated Union of Foodstuff  and Cattle Dealers of Nigeria to ban movement of foodstuffs from the North to the South-East.

But the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, appealed to the northern traders to shelve the plan.

There were reports on Monday that the secessionist group, IPOB had banned the slaughtering of Fulani cows and the recitation of the Nigerian national anthem in Biafraland -South-East.

According to the reports,  IPOB, in the New Year message by its  Director of State, Chika Edoziem, said only the Biafran anthem should be taught in schools.

The group also said only “native cows” would be permitted for consumption in Biafraland.

On Wednesday,  the  Amalgamated Union of Foodstuff and Cattle Dealers of Nigeria  expressed its readiness to stop the transportation of livestock and foodstuffs to the South -East.

The  Chairman of Northern Traders, Muhammad Tahir, said members of the association would stop sales of cattle, grains, onions and other foodstuffs in the Southeast.

In a statement he signed, Tahir said, “For us, we would always support the indivisibility of Nigeria; but if IPOB wants to secede, then so be it.

“Bilateral trade between us and them is all about wealth creation for the two regions; the cattle we take to them is food and not poison.”

But on Thursday, the ACF said  the order by the IPOB was unnecessary as the Nigeria was not at war, urging well meaning Nigerians to call the Biafra agitators to order.

 Yawe  also said in an interview with The PUNCH in Kaduna that it would be difficult for the forum to appeal to the Union this time around.

The ACF noted that the fear and concerns of the Amalgamated Union of Foodstuff & Cattle Dealers of Nigeria were justified following the threat by the IPOB

The ACF’s spokesman said, “We have appealed to this union in the past when their members were attacked and some killed and their property destroyed due to no fault of theirs.

“At that time, they mounted a blockade and stopped the supply of foodstuffs to the East. Prices skyrocketed and there was an outcry. Due to appeals by the ACF, they lifted the blockade.

“The recent actions  by IPOB amount to a declaration of war. It is difficult for the ACF to appeal to the union to resume supplies to the East with the pronouncements of the IPOB.

“The concerns of the union and their fears are justified. Somebody should call IPOB to order. We are still one country and not at war. Their pronouncements amount to an open declaration of war.”

We'll soon showcase our achievements, says IPOB
But Ohanaeze Ndigbo regretted that Amalgamated Union of Foodstuff and Cattle Dealers of Nigeria would issue a threat to stop transportation of livestock and foodstuffs to the South -East without getting its (Ohanaeze) position on IPOB’s directive.

Ohanaeze spokesman Chief Alex Ogbonnia, in an interview with The PUNCH said, “The Igbo are the most out-reaching and adventurous ethnic group in Nigeria. We are welcome in every state in Nigeria by all the ethnic groups and to that extent, we welcome other ethnic groups in Igboland. It is exchange of values; mutual reciprocity. The issue of banning goods for which an ethnic group is known is not acceptable. For example, we have goods for which the Igbo are known and are marketed in other zones in Nigeria, the same way we welcome goods for which other ethnic groups are known and marketed in Igboland.

“So, Ohanaeze Ndigbo philosophy is peace onto all. Is only when we identify any source of conflict we try to manage it but for Ohanaeze Ndigbo, in fact Igbo in general we welcome  goods anybody will sell in Igboland.

“Importantly, the people who are acting on what IPOB said, they should know that we have many aspirations in Igboland, but Ohanaeze Ndigbo is the umbrella associations of all the Igbo groups. So efforts should be made to listen to Ohanaeze Ndigbo before some final decisions will be taken on issues affecting entire Igbo.”

CNG bans Igbo goods in North

On its part, the Coalition of Northern Groups called for a total boycott of all businesses operated by the Igbo all over the North.

The CNG’s Spokesperson, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, noted that IPOB’s order issued in a statement on Monday  amounted to a grave provocation and serious threat to northern commercial interests in the South- East and by extension to the physical well-being of northerners living as minorities among Igbo communities.

The CNG called for the total boycott of all businesses, goods and services operated by Igbo in the North effective from the same April 2022.

The CNG also called on northerners everywhere to decline support for any political party or formation or movement that had the active participation of South-East politicians.

Suleiman said, “For the avoidance of doubt, the North while maintaining its tradition of tolerance and accommodation, shall however no longer be disposed to condoning further acts of irresponsibility in the form of deliberate threats of intimidation or harassment targeted at Northerners living and doing legitimate businesses elsewhere in the country.

“Since such targeted utterances have in the past being preludes to physical attacks on northerners and destruction of their properties in particularly the South -East, we urge northern transporters and suppliers of goods to consider alternative trade routes to avoid the imminent risks that come with this IPOB threat.

“We warm that the North has had enough of the antagonism from the South- East and its attack dog, the IPOB and will no longer remain passive under such deliberate and sustained attacks and will henceforth be forced to react to every provocation and unwarranted abuse and violations.

“All those who have no other useful vocation other than attacking northerners under the slightest of pretexts, should know that our patience has reached its nadir.

“The North’s reticence in speaking out or taking action is not born of fear or ignorance of how to respond in kind.”

Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue state has asked the federal government to declare the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association (MACBAN) as a terrorist organisation”.

In a statement released hours after the federal government gazetted an order designating bandits as terrorists, Ortom alleged that the organisation had vowed to “cause havoc” in Benue because of the anti-grazing laws.

The statement read; 

“Though the federal government’s measures on bandits now seems strong, the security challenges will only be adequately addressed if similar hard position is taken on Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, MACBAN, and the Fulani Nationality Movement (FUNAM) who have vowed and continued to cause mayhem in Benue State and other parts of the country because of the anti-grazing laws.

“For us in Benue State, the law has come to stay. It is irrevocable. In fact, we have maintained our position that Benue State has no grazing routes, reserves or areas so whatever.

“It was enacted in good faith for peace and order in the state. It was done among other things to end the incessant farmers/herdsmen clashes in the state.

“Nigerians have absorbed enough hunger and misery in the hands of the All Progressives Congress (APC) misrule. Or is it possible that Mr. President is not aware that Nigerians are dying from his misrule?”

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From Sahara deserted.
Believe this at your own peril

The Senate Minority Leader and Senator representing Abia South, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, has said that he is viewed in many quarters as a Senator for the entire state and, indeed, Ndigbo.

Senator Abaribe stated this on Tuesday during inspection tour of some of the projects he attracted to his constituency.

He said that some of his projects were sited outside his district.

“Although I represent Abia South, some of my projects are in Abia North and Abia Central,” he said.

READ ALSO: Abaribe declares interest for 2023 guber election in Abia
The former Deputy Governor who enumerated the qualities of a good leader to include “character, competence and courage”, regretted that these virtues were lacking in most of those in leadership positions.

Senator Abaribe, who said he had donated over 200 transformers to different communites in his constituency, promised not to relent in his intervention projects.

He explained that it is not part of lawmakers’ mandate to execute projects but to make laws and speak up for their constituents.

The Senate Minority Leader however said he had attracted a number of intervention projects to better the lots of his constituents.

The projects
Some of the projects at different levels of completion inspected by Abaribe include Umugo Road in Ugwunagbo, Chief Ubani Road in Aba, Akalana Road in Aba, and Unity Road to Ogwo Road all in Aba South, which lead to tailoring hub in Aba.

Others include Eugene Road, Umuokahia to Umuola Road in Obingwa/Aba North LGAs,  Abayi to Ohuru Road in Obingwa LGA, and rural electrification from Ovum in Obingwa to Ukwa East that has been in darkness for years now.

He also inuagurated solar-powered grid and 20KVA generating sets at General Hospital Onicha Ngwa in Obingwa, and SDA Hospital Aba.

Senator Abaribe also inspected the ongoing construction of Mini Sports Stadium at Ahiaba High School; and the renovation of Ohuru Primary School in Obingwa.

He expressed satisfaction at the level of work at the project sites and promised to be “on the neck of the contractors until they deliver”.

Governor Nasir El-Rufai has shared what he thinks should be done in the fight against banditry in the country. 

The Kaduna state Governor said security operatives should carpet-bomb forests where bandits are, as the trees can be replanted later.  

El-Rufai who spoke in an interview on  Arise TV on Monday January 3, blamed the prolonged inability of security operatives to curb banditry in the northwest region to a “lack of enough boots on the ground”.

He stated that investment in security personnel, technology and military equipment will see bandits wiped out “once and for all”.

The Governor said; 

“These bandits operate in the periphery because their hiding place is in the forest. It’s a major problem. The security agencies are doing their best but they are overstretched.

“The reality is we don’t have enough boots on the ground to address the myriad of security challenges that we face, and these security challenges are asymmetric, widespread, and there’s no part of Nigeria that doesn’t have one security problem or the other.

“Ramp up the number of boots and more technology and more investment in armament and wipe these guys once and for all.

“I’ve always believed that, you know, we should carpet-bomb the forests; we can replant the trees after. Let’s carpet-bomb the forests and bomb all of them. There will be collateral damage, but it’s better to wipe them out and get people back to our communities so that agriculture and rural economics can pick up.”

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has said that God will not forgive the Peoples Democratic Party if it fails to heed the yearnings of Nigerians to return to power.

Wike, who stated this while answering questions from journalists during a day visit to Bauchi State on Saturday, lamented that Nigeria is in serious crisis at the moment, with insecurity taking a toll on the citizens, pointing out that it was time for the PDP to return to power and save the country.

He said, “One of my resolutions for the year 2022, is to make sure that Nigeria is better than what it was last year. It is also to make sure that the PDP is united because, if the PDP makes the mistake of not listening to Nigerians, it will be very difficult for God to forgive the PDP.

“This an opportunity to save Nigeria. We, Christians, know that when the Israelites were in problems, God had to bring Moses to lead them. Nigeria is in serious problems now and it is PDP that will lead Nigeria out of these problems. So, we must take that responsibility. I’ll prefer that if God makes it that the ticket falls on him (Bala Mohammed), it means our chances are very, very brighter.

“This insecurity, this is not the kind of Nigeria we want, it is not the Nigeria where every day you wake up in the morning, the newspaper says, ’40 people have been killed…’ There is no day in Nigeria that people are not being killed.

“If you’re going to the market, you die, you’re going to the office, you die, so these deaths are not caused by those dying, they are caused by the inability of the so-called government to protect us.

“The whole responsibility of government is to protect lives and properties and once that is not there, there is no governance. People must be allowed to use the roads, they must be allowed to use the health facilities, they must be allowed to go to school, they must be allowed to go to the farm.”

The Kano State Police Command said it arrested a total of 362 suspected robbers and kidnappers in 2021.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abdullahi Haruna, in a statement on Sunday, said out of the number, 237 were suspected robbers, while 125 were suspected kidnappers.

Haruna said the police also arrested 158 suspected drug dealers, 89 fraudsters, 75 vehicle thieves, 49 tricycle thieves, 10 motorcycle thieves and 35 cattle rustlers.

He noted that the command also arrested 1,576 thugs popularly known as Yan Daba during the period under review.

The PPRO explained that the police rescued 39 kidnap victims and eight victims of human trafficking during the period.

“The police recorded 29 cases of culpable homicide, with 31 victims killed.

“Similarly, the command recorded 71 reported cases of rape, 84 cases of unnatural offence and arrested two suspected Boko Haram members,” he added.

According to him, the police recovered 75 rifles, 54 locally-made guns and a large quantity of ammunition from the suspected criminals.

Haruna said they were able to recover 125 vehicles, 94 tricycles and 54 motorcycles during the period under review.

He noted that other items recovered were 1,718 SIM cards, 52 cattle, nine sheep and cannabis sativa, among others.

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Dovegrey:
Nigerian military eliminates bandit leaders, Kachalla, Auta in ZamfaraPublished on January 1, 2022By Wale Odunsi

The Nigerian military neutralized bandit leaders, Kachalla Ruga and Alhaji Auta in a New Year eve operation.

They were targeted Friday night by a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft after intelligence identified them.

Kachalla, Auta and their footsoldiers died at Gusami Forest and Tsamre village in Birnin Magaji Local Government Area.

Several bandits who converged at Auta’s residence for his burial were also struck by subsequent bombardment of the location.

An officer told PRNigeria that follow-up airstrikes hit fleeing gang members and those hiding under trees.

“The whereabouts of other notorious bandits like Alhaji Nashama, Shingi and Halilu, either incapacitated or on the run, remain unknown.”

He added that the operation confirmed the resolve of the Armed Forces and other security agencies to crush the threats posed by banditry and terrorism.

https://dailypost.ng/2022/01/01/nigerian-military-eliminates-bandit-leaders-kachalla-auta-in-zamfara/

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has said that the Peoples Democratic Party stands a chance of winning the 2023 presidential election if his counterpart in Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, emerged the candidate of the party.

Wike lamented that Nigeria was in a serious crisis as a result of insecurity, stating that it was time for the Peoples Democratic Party to return to power and save the country.

The governor, who stated this while answering questions from journalists during a visit to Bauchi State on Saturday, said God would not forgive the PDP, if it failed to heed the yearnings of Nigerians to return to power.

He said, “One of my resolutions for the year 2022 is to make sure that Nigeria is better than what it was last year. It is also to make sure that the PDP is united because if the PDP makes the mistake of not listening to Nigerians, it will be very difficult for God to forgive the PDP.

“This is an opportunity to save Nigeria. We Christians know that when the Israelites were in problems, God had to bring Moses to lead them. Nigeria is in serious problems now and it is the PDP that will lead Nigeria out of these problems. So, we must take that responsibility. I’ll prefer that if God makes it that the ticket falls on him (Bala Mohammed), it means our chances are very, very bright.

“This insecurity, this is not the kind of Nigeria we want, it is not the Nigeria where every day you wake up in the morning, the newspaper says, ‘40 people have been killed…’ These deaths are caused by the inability of the so-called government to protect us.”

Wike described Mohammed as being more than qualified to become the next President of Nigeria. He noted that the antecedents and achievements of the Bauchi State governor in over two years in office showed that he could rule the country effectively.

He said, “My brother, Bala, has gathered a lot of experiences. He was a director in the ministry; he became a Senator, then a minister and now a governor. And with these alone, he is qualified to be president. Then, you’ll also look at what he is doing in Bauchi; look at his pedigree, as a first time governor. I was here to flag off projects, many of my colleagues were also here to do the same, how many first time governors do you see doing that?

“So, the call for him to become President is not misplaced at all. Bala is someone who is qualified to run for President of this country. He is overqualified. In any ramification you want to look at it from, his relationship with people is second to none, so people calling on him to run for President have seen the qualities in him.”

Mohammed described Wike as tough and the face of the PDP whom he looked up to as a leader.

He said, “Wike is always full of pleasant surprises and today’s visit has exhilarated a feeling in me that I have more than a brother in the Rivers State governor. I have always looked up to him. He is a leader not because he is a governor or because he has money, but the stuff he’s made up of.”