₦airaland Forum

By AFP

India’s military accidentally fired a missile into neighbouring Pakistan, New Delhi’s defence ministry said on Friday, calling it “deeply regrettable”.

Hindu-majority India and Muslim Pakistan have fought three wars since independence from British colonial rule in 1947, two of them over the disputed territory of Kashmir.

Their shared border has a heavy military presence on both sides, and there have been numerous flare-ups between them, with tensions sometimes raising fears of an atomic exchange.

“In the course of a routine maintenance, a technical malfunction led to the accidental firing of a missile” on Wednesday, India’s defence ministry said.

It did not specify the type of missile, but said it landed “in an area of Pakistan”.

The incident was “deeply regrettable”, it said, adding that it was “a matter of relief that there has been no loss of life due to the accident”.

The defence ministry declined to provide further information to AFP.

The statement came hours after Islamabad’s foreign ministry condemned what it called an “unprovoked violation of its airspace by an Indian origin ‘super-sonic flying object'”.

India’s charge d’affaires in Islamabad had been summoned to the foreign office for a “strong protest”, it added.

The “imprudent launch” had damaged property on the ground and put at risk both civilian lives and aircraft in Pakistani airspace, it said, accusing India of “callousness towards regional peace and stability”.

New Delhi has more than 500,000 troops stationed in Indian-administered Kashmir, where rebel groups have battled for decades for the region’s independence or its merger with Pakistan.

New Delhi accuses Islamabad of backing the insurgents, which it denies.

Indian aircraft bombed what New Delhi called a terrorist training camp deep inside Pakistan in 2019 after a suicide bombing claimed by a Pakistan-based militant group killed 40 Indian troops.

In aerial skirmishes over Kashmir the next day, at least one Indian jet was shot down and its pilot captured by Pakistan, but Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan had him released in a “peace gesture”.

By Ike Uchechukwu, Calabar

A middle-aged man, Reje Agbor Ojong has openly denounced his membership of secret cult in Ikom Local Government Area (LGA) of Cross River State.

Vanguard learned that Ojong a native of Adijinkpor in Ikom and a member of Aro Bagar Confraternity made the denouncement in a letter which he made public and addressed to the Divisional Police Headquarters, Ikom, Tuesday, March 8, 2022.
In a letter titled “Denouncing Myself From Secret Cult Activities” which he personally signed and addressed to the Divisional Police Headquarters, Ikom, on Tuesday, Ojong said he has given his life to Christ and will have nothing to do with the said cult group anymore.

" I Reje Agbor Ojong (Aro Island Checkmate) a native of Adijinkpor No II in Ikom LGA of Cross River State. Do hereby denounce myself from the membership of Aro Bagar Confraternity secret cult activities which I joined ignorantly.

"I m state categorically that I will no longer have anything to do with the cult group, all members of the group should henceforth leave me alone as I have given my life to Christ.

“Law enforcement agencies have been accordingly notified, please”

By Victoria Ojeme and Bernard ozuanu

Three first Ladies on Tuesday advise Nigerian women to boycott 2023 general elections if their demands are not accepted.

The first ladies made this known while addressing the protesters at the gate of the National Assembly in Abuja during the celebration of 2022 International Women Day along with other countries.

In her remarks, the First lady of Ekiti State Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi, said, ” We are here to stand in solidarity with all Nigeria women, politics belong to all of us, this country belongs to all of us, 50% of citizens in this country are women we therefore demand that our rights be recognized, our rights to live as full citizens, our right not to die at child birth, our right to take leadership positions, our right not to leave in poverty,
"Our right not to suffer from gender base violence, we want our leaders who are in this building who we voted for, people like us campaigned in the rain the sun to vote them in we demand that they should recognize that Nigeria women matter anything less than that is unacceptable anything less than that is totally unacceptable, we are here on behalf of our forum to stand with you and tell you we are together on this journey.

Also, First lady of Edo State Betsy Obaseki , supported the women for their courage by standing out to fight for what belongs to them.

According her, “In Edo we say ‘No woman no Nation’, we also day that if you neglect a woman you lose election, the message the women are sending to you men especially those in the national assembly you neglect a woman and you lose election, because we women did not just carry you for nine months,.

We took care of you and bringing you into this world, strengthen you and give you all the basic human needs, we now support you through your election, the women are the ones who vote more for the men, their biggest support is from the women, we are the ones who do campaign for them and when it is time for election we still go to vote for them, if you keep proper records you will notice that women are the ones who vote the most and when we vote we stay there and protect our vote.

Two years ago in Edo State, it was the youth and women that stood by the Governor despite what was happening , others were coming with money to buy votes but by the grace of God and with these women and the youth, we won the election but one thing we should also know again is that not all men are bias We are here to speak for our women with the support of our husband.

"It is time we send out all the political leaders who vote against us out of power, we will make sure the men don’t come back.

In her address the FIRST LADY OF AKWA IBOM STATE Martha Udom Emmanuel

Said, “With my colleagues and all the women in Nigeria, we join our voice to say No Bad Governance .all we are asking for, is to give us 35% of party leadership. We are not asking much.

“We are asking the men that are meant to sign the bill to do it. We are not second class citizens; we are first class citizens as the men are.

” We have waited for them under rain and sun for them to recommit the bill and together as women we must get what we are here for.

Malory:
Says a supporter of tyranny

You deserve cane...

By Wale Odunsi

Russia has given Ukraine two conditions to stop the ongoing war which entered Day 12 on Monday.

The country asked its neighbour to give up three regions and scrap its Army, Mirror reports.

The Kremlin wants Ukraine “demilitarised” and demanded that Donetsk and Lugansk become independent states.

The regions have witnessed battles between Russian backed separatists and Ukrainian forces for eight years.

The Federation has also demanded that Ukraine recognise Crimea as part of Russia.

A spokesperson for the Russian government listed the conditions ahead of today’s peace talks.

By Joe Chukindi

An Anglican cleric, Rev Canon LumenCristi Eboh, has resigned from his office as a priest of the Anglican Communion.

The priest who disclosed his resignation at a press conference in Awka, the Anambra State capital on Monday alleged that some forces in the church had caused his wife to leave him, and quartered her at an undisclosed place.

He accused his diocesan bishop (name withheld) of witch-hunt and land grabbing, and an attempt to arm-twist him into making him a member of the board of a ministry he founded privately.

Eboh who owns a charismatic congregation and prayer ministry known as God in Action Adoration Ministry cited harassment, instigation and conspiracy by the diocesan authorities of the Anglican Diocese as reasons for his resignation.

He said: “As I speak, my wife is living differently in an apartment paid for by someone who knows that she is someone’s wife.

I am only a priest permitted by my communion to enter the sacred institution of marriage. As a married man, I had very private moments with my wife and we shared endearing words just like every young couple. With the crash of my marriage, I have sought to reorder my life, but those fighting me have even sent young women here in an attempt to use prospects of marriage to malign my character and reputation.”

Eboh noted that his involvement in charismatic activities was at the centre of his conflict with the Bishop, who he accused of high handedness, intimidation and conspiratorial manipulations, leading to his decision to resign.

The priest who is a radio and televangelist also accused the bishop of insisting that the registered trustees of the adoration ministry be altered to include the bishop and his wife, a condition he resisted on the basis that God did not reveal the bishop to him as a vessel in the ministry.

Okon Bassey in Uyo

Pressure has continued to mount on the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to declare interest to contest for president in the 2023 general elections.

The latest came from Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital yesterday at a one-day declaration by Osinbajo Support Groups/Professional Bodies across the country under the umbrella of The New Tribe.

The group said it decided to engage more prominent Nigerians, the academia, civil society groups and national delegates of the party, professional bodies, religious leaders, youths and women organisations on the need to elect Osinbajo as competent and reliable Nigerian with proven track record, integrity, transparency and honesty as the president of Nigeria in order to realise the vision of the new tribe and a new Nigeria.

A communique issued at the end of the forum tagged “Uyo Declaration”, called on Osinbajo to run by the sheer strength of his character saying, he would win by the strength of the people’s power saying the call was in line with Kano declaration.The communique was read by a Chieftain of Akwa Ibom State All Progressive Congress (APC), Architect Otu Ita Toyo.

“We call on Mr. President to stand solidly behind this tested, loyal and true apostle of him and ensure that a man of conscience like him who truly abhors corruption succeeds him to continue where he stops.

With the love Nigerians have for him and Mr. President, he is the man who can ensure that APC carries the day in the forthcoming presidential elections.” the communique stated.

The body also called on APC to nominate Osinbajo as the party’s presidential flag bearer for the 2023 general elections.

The group tasked the party to mobilise funds to purchase the APC expression of interest and nomination forms for Prof. Osinbajo in furtherance of total commitment to the noble course of compelling the vice president to contest for the office of the president.

The conference strongly calls on Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to bow to the clarion call of Nigerians and declare to run for the office of President of Nigeria without further delay.

“While we await his decision we shall intensify our drive across the country to raise partners and supporters for him. We shall equally continue the process of building structures in all the wards to bring to reality our dream of Osinbajo presidency.

“We call on all our members from across the length and breadth of Nigeria to storm Abuja on March 26 to demonstrate to the party their love and support for this patriot and nationalist.

The conference enjoins Nigerians from all walks of life to embrace the vision and the new tribe and put their words behind the clamour for Prof. Osinbajo to run and be elected as President of Nigeria in 2023.”, the communique stressed.

By Chijindu Emeruwa

Chuks Ibegbu, the immediate past spokesman of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has warned of the dangers of denying Igbo nation Nigeria’s presidential seat in the upcoming 2023 general elections in the country.

Ibegbu gave the warning during an enlarged meeting with Nigerian socio-cultural and political youth groups’ leaders held in Umuahia, on Friday.

The Ohanaeze chieftain noted that Igbos will feel they are not part of Nigeria if denied the opportunity, calling on the citizens and political actors to rally round the Igbo nation for the interest of justice, equity and fairness.

“The youths, in particular, may be more restive and no amount of force can check their anger this time, and I advise political parties to zone respective presidential tickets to the southeast of the Igbo extraction”, he also added.

On purported endorsement of ex-Nigerian Vice President, Atiku Abubakar for 2023 Presidency by Senate Minority Leader, Enyinnaya Abaribe, and other notable Igbo leaders, Mazi Ibegbu, noted that Abaribe did not endorse the Peoples Democratic Party chieftain as was rumoured.

According to the Igbo chieftain, “Atiku visited the Senate caucus and there was no time they endorsed him”.

Ibegbu also called on Nigerian electorates to be prepared to use their voting power to effect a positive change in their lives.

He equally admonished Nigerians to be conscious of their electoral power and use it to bring in good leaders and chase away bad ones.

“This is the first revolutionary move to conscientise the Nigeria electorates”, he submitted.

By John Owen Nwachukwu

As the war between Russia and Ukraine intensifies, the United States has flown its B-52 Stratofortress bomber over NATO’s eastern flank.

The US on Friday conducted the exercise alongside German and Romanian militaries as a sign of unity in the second weekend of the war in Ukraine.

The B-52 Stratofortress, which is the US Air Force’s largest strategic bomber, took off from RAF Fairford, a Royal Air Force station in England.

A statement from the US Air Forces in Europe said the bomber carried out close air support and integrated mission training in the NATO territories including Romania where they conducted more close air support training as part of the bomber task force (BTF) missions.

CNN reports that the exercise in Romanian airspace put the bombers right on the edge of NATO countries, adjacent to Ukrainian air space.

The Russian Air Force is trying to establish air supremacy in the Ukrainian Air Space as the war rages on between the two neighbours.

“BTF rotations give us a critical opportunity to integrate and train with our allies and partners, especially during this difficult time,” said Gen. Jeff Harrigian, commander of United States Air Forces in Europe, Air Forces Africa, and NATO’s Allied Air Command.

“Training together ensures the defensive power of NATO remains unmatched,” he said.

Meanwhile, US intelligence said over 200 Russian mercenaries have been killed in Ukraine.

The US and its allies also believe that Russia may deploy more lethal weapons to break down Ukrainian resistance as quickly as possible.

They warned that there will be more civilians suffering in Ukraine in days to come and also more bombardment from Russia as President Vladimir Putin and his troops look to subdue their next-door neighbours.

MadamVanessa:



Make your asshole, bladder and urinary tract to be great again so as not to defecate or urinate unconsciously. Forget about Nigeria. Focus more in making your dilapidated body system work and great again.

Easy bro

Igbodicool:
You can tell that to Yoruba who doesn't know Buhari is a failure, not business minded Igbo who identifies bad market even while sleeping.

When trouble dey sleep, Why Igbo people like to go wake am up?
Why blaming only Yoruba people for Buhari's failure?

By Oluwaseun Akingboye, Akure

The National Leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has stated that he is the most qualified to become the next president of Nigeria, declaring that the country would compete favourably with a country like Russia in the exploration of oil and gas under his watch if elected.

According to him, the country is blessed with abundant natural resources that are yet to be explored to enable it to be ranked among best economies in the world.

Tinubu stated this yesterday in Okitipupa, the headquarters of Okitipupa Local Council of Ondo State, where he consulted traditional rulers in the southern district on his presidential ambition. He was received by prominent traditional rulers, APC bigwigs, party members and political groups like the South West Agenda for Asiwaju (SWAGA) and Tinubu Support Group (TSO).

He noted that if Nigeria could generate stable electricity, it would be able to compete optimally with other developed nations in manufacturing.

Tinubu, who informed he was in the state to seek the blessings of the royal fathers over his presidential ambition, said he knew the problems of the country, noting that if given the opportunity, Nigeria would be ranked among the best countries in the world.

The former Lagos State governor noted that religious and ethnic divisions were part of the problems confronting the country, adding that Lagos State has been thriving because there was no division.

“Lagos State was the worst state in Africa when I became governor. We generated meagre revenue then, but we did our best then. But look at Lagos now, it generates over N40 billion in revenue.

“Division is one of the problems in Nigeria too but there is no division in Lagos because any tribe or religion is welcome, as they can contest and win elections, and that is why Lagos is thriving.

“Nigeria has the potential to compete with Russia in oil and gas exploration, if we harness our resources properly; and if there is stable electricity, Nigeria will also compete with other nations in manufacturing.

“I am here to seek the blessing of our royal fathers for my presidential ambition, because I know where the problems are and if given the opportunity in 2023, Nigeria will be ranked among the best nations in the world.

“I am imploring all eligible voters to get their Permanent Voters Card (PVC) revalidated for them to exercise their civic responsibilities,” Tinubu said.

While addressing the monarchs at the palace of Deji of Akure, Oba Aladelusi Aladetoyinbo, Tinubu said that President Muhammadu Buhari gave him his consent to contest the 2023 presidential election.

“Truly, I want to take the Presidency; it is not a boast. It is true that I want to take it home for the development of the people. I have gone to inform Buhari that I want to contest, particularly that it is remaining few months for him. Buhari told me to go ahead and declare.

“I informed Buhari so that people would not say who did I inform before taking the decision. I’m the most qualified to become the president. I will ensure that our children get employed; there will be industries and all round development across the country,” he added.

Contrary to insinuations from some quarters that he was not medically fit to be President, Tinubu noted: “I went for knee surgery and people were saying I was sick. I didn’t say I want to become a bricklayer or gravedigger. If it is to run, I can try my best. Inform everyone that I want to contest. I will make Nigeria to be more developed than I did in Lagos.

“It is a pity that ordinary brake pad Nigeria cannot produce. I will turn Nigeria around for good. All I seek are your prayers and support for me to become the president. It is your son that wants to contest and I’m that your son.”

The Olugbo of Ugboland, Oba Dr. Fredrick Obateru Akinruntan, who spoke on behalf of other traditional rulers in the area, lauded the courage of the former Lagos State governor for declaring his ambition to succeed President Buhari in office.

Akinruntan also said Tinubu has the charisma and ability to turn the country to a better place, adding that all the traditional rulers in Ondo South has blessed and endorsed him for the number one job.

Freestainworld:
Adesina is a nonentity, am not surprised

Easy bro!

rolams:
Thank God, he is not my father!

Hahaha......

Chinonso Alozie, Owerri

The detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, on Friday, revealed that enemies against the struggle for Biafra republic, were already coming together to stop it and advised his legal team to be strong, not to be distracted.

Kanu made this statement to newsmen in Owerri, through the IPOB’s lead counsel Ifeanyi Ejiofor, after the legal team visited Kanu at the detention facility of the Department of State Services, DSS, last Thursday in Abuja.

The IPOB leader said the enemies were not happy because they saw at the end of the battle would become victory for the IPOB.

According to the IPOB, lawyer, “The court-ordered routine visit to our indefatigable Client – Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu was observed yesterday, 3rd March 2022. Afterdays, which turned into weeks of grandstanding, we were able to meet with our Client- Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. In his unshaken/undeterred resolve, Onyendu was in high spirits yesterday.

Onyendu took time to explain why he protested against the denial of access to his lawyers during the last three successive visits. He was deeply troubled with those incidents, particularly when it was done in flagrant disregard and violation of extant Orders of Court.

“We understood Onyendu’s grouse and seized the opportunity to intimate him of the measures we have taken so far to ensure that such ugly incident does not reoccur. Onyendu used the opportunity to offer advice and words of encouragement particularly to myself. He took his time to urge me to remain resolute and focused, and never to be distracted by the deliberate evil ploys of the enemies to break me.

"Indeed, Onyendu saw tomorrow! Unknown to him that at the time he was handing down these words of encouragement and encomium, the slander mongers were hurriedly putting together another stunt which, was however, dead on arrival.”

“Onyendu particularly encouraged me to be strong and even more stronger in the coming days. He said that I should expect more and more slander, but I should be assured that himself and UmuChineke will always be there for me.

“We all agreed that this is a very critical period as victory is staring on our faces and, any opportunity offered to be distracted will take us back because the enemies are united in their resolve but their evil plots are all surmountable,” IPOB lawyer said.

By Fikayo Olowolagba

President Muhammadu Buhari’s Spokesman, Femi Adesina, has been criticised for his statement on the lingering fuel scarcity across Nigeria.

Adesina in his latest weekly article titled ‘Knock Knock. Who’s there? “said heavens would not fall over the current fuel scarcity and Nigerians will survive like always.

The presidential aide recalled that Nigerians had experienced a similar situation in the past and they survived.

His statement has since been condemned by Nigerians who took to social media calling him out for being heartless to the pains of those who voted his government into power.

They chastised him for being insensitive to the plight of Nigerians queueing at fuel stations since February.

Here are some comments gathered by DAILY POST from Twitter:

@DejiAdeyanju “Femi Adesina is why nobody trust government critics. 95% of critics and activists turn out to be more heartless and hopeless than the people they criticize once they get into the government.”

@Unekue “ Femi Adesina said the heavens would not fall over the current fuel scarcity and Nigerians will survive like always. Which “see finish” pass the one?

@Bukar_Hamman “ Yes, so we should continue to be with our economic hardship due to the failure of our leaders to address challenges. Oil-producing nations for over 55 yrs cannot have a single refinery.”

@ToheebAlim “ This is how these people think of Nigerians. Is Femi Adesina aware of promising youth that lost their lives indirectly due to fuel scarcity in Ilorin? How do you think their parents will feel seeing this your view? This administration is no doubt the worst. No human feeling at all.”

@AbeyBlack “ Femi Adeshina, One thing I want you to remember is that you’re not going to be in that office forever. In fact your days are numbered, is that what you wish for your entire family, to adjust to poverty? God will judge you accordingly.”

@Kene “This Femi Adesina is a disgrace to journalism and seeing someone who attacked Jonathan’s government badly is talking from another side of his mouth, PDP 16 years we have never witnessed one fuel scarcity, never terrible power supply as we have now. APC is a curse.”

@ExclusiveKing “ Sleeping in filling stations and buying for 65 naira is better than sleeping in Aso rock and paying 300 Naira.”

@TemitopeOjt “ When PDP was in power and we had fuel scarcity, these people protested. See what he is saying now. Since PDP is not protesting, doesn’t that mean they are in cahoots with APC?

@Ceewhy “ The disrespect! These guys take us for granted too much, sadly though a lot of people don’t even know they’re being taken for granted .”

@Toneroforeal “ No be your fault oga. Do remember the power is transient you hear. You will come and join us soon when your time expires next year.”

@Onyiforlife “ Femi Adesina continues to talk down on Nigerians, knowing our weaknesses and taking advantage of it. This man disrespects Nigerians. Do I blame him?

@Edirined “ With full chest, Femi Adesina said the heavens would not fall over the current fuel scarcity and Nigerians will survive it like always.

“Did he lie? NO. We are indeed suffering and smiling people.”

By Fikayo Olowolagba


Former Bayelsa Senator, Ben Murray-Bruce has asked wealthy Nigerians to use their private jets to evacuate stranded Nigerians in Ukraine.


Bruce urged Nigerian billionaires, alongside those contesting for election in 2023, to search their conscience and use their jets to rescue Nigerians rather than carry their girlfriends to vacations.

“This crisis in Ukraine has lingered with Nigerian citizens unable to find a solution,” the ‘common sense Senator’ wrote on social media, on Wednesday.

“I have a question for our billionaires and those aspiring for elective office. How many of you have fueled your private jets and sent them to neighbouring countries around Ukraine to help evacuate Nigerians home? None!

But how many of you have fueled the same to carry your girlfriends to Harrods and fancy unnecessary races in Monaco? A number of you.

“Search your conscience and be a useful and genuinely charitable Nigerian for once,” he wrote.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian government has said that stranded citizens will be evacuated as from Wednesday from Poland, Hungary, Romania and even Russia airports.

The foreign minister, Geoffrey Onyeama, however, said that some Nigerians are not willing to return to the country from Ukraine.

By Don Silas

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has published the notice of election for the 2023 general elections, in compliance with extant provisions of the law.


INEC disclosed this in its daily bulletin issued by Victor Aluko, the Director of Voter Education, on Monday in Abuja.

It stated that the official notice on Monday, published in INEC offices in the 36 States of the Federation and the FCT, contains the date for the election and the place where the nomination papers are to be delivered.

“As contained in the Notice, the date for the Presidential and National Assembly elections will hold on February 25, 2023, while the election for Governorship and State Houses of Assembly will hold on Saturday, March 11, 2023,” INEC said.

INEC also urged political parties to take note that the place for delivery of nomination papers for the elective offices would be at the INEC Headquarters Maitama, Abuja, through the online portal established for the purpose.

The Commission had unveiled the timetable and schedule of activities for the 2023 general election in Abuja last week.

This was sequel to the signing into law the Amendment to the Electoral Bill by President Muhammadu Buhari last Friday.

By Seun Opejobi


Ifeanyi Ejiofor, counsel to Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has reacted to death rumours concerning the Biafra agitator.

Ejiofor assured that Kanu is “very much alive” in the custody of the Department of State Services, DSS.

He disclosed this while giving an update after a routine visit to Kanu in the DSS detention facility in Abuja.

The counsel, however, disclosed that the legal team could not see the IPOB leader during the visit.

In a statement he issued on Monday, Ejiofor said the DSS top operatives informed the legal team that Kanu was protesting against his previous inability to meet with his legal representative.

He assured that efforts were on to resolve the impasse.

Ejiofor disclosed that he visited the DSS detention in the company of the lead Counsel, Mike Ozekhome, and Special Counsel, Aloy Ejimakor.

He said upon arrival at the facility, they were made to wait for over an hour without any assurance of seeing Kanu, despite meeting all protocols.
“Following the stout protest by the erudite Silk, we were consequently brought in, to meet with some superior officers at a meeting where all superior personnel connected with the matter were invited. Far-reaching contacts were made to establish the fact that our Client- Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu was presumably protesting the previous three visits which were aborted by the DSS.

“All efforts made to move the visit to his very location of detention were not granted by the DSS, as they insisted that our request ran contrary to their procedure and guidelines.

“Effort is presently being intensified to pacify Onyendu to have one-on-one discussion with his legal team, to enable us brief him on legal steps we may be compelled to take and measures to be adopted to assure him that there are legal consequences for flagrant violations of court orders by the DSS.
https://dailypost.ng/2022/03/01/ipob-lawyer-addresses-nnamdi-kanus-death-rumour/

as FG plans evacuation from Wednesday

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyema, has disclosed that some Nigerians caught in the Russia-Ukraine war do not want to return to the country.

Onyema disclosed this in a meeting with the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, on Monday.

The Minister also stated that the Federal Government could start evacuation of Nigerian citizens, who have been able to find refuge in neighbouring countries, from Wednesday.

He said, “We hope to start evacuation hopefully Wednesday although some do not want to come back. We are doing everything possible to ensure that come Wednesday we will dispatch planes for evaluation.”

Since the beginning of Russia’s invasion, Nigerians, especially students have travelled many kilometres across Ukraine to find refuge in neighbouring countries like Poland, Hungary, and Romania.

The Nigerian Embassy in Ukraine had told its citizens to take responsibility for their safety and remain security conscious, only to reverse its stand by providing a safe corridor for Nigerians who could escape.

According to a statement signed by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Ambassador Gabriel Aduda, on Monday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the embassy in Romania had received 130 Nigerians, adding that it had also provided accommodation for them while arrangements are being made for their safe return back home.

"Also, officials at Budapest, Hungary have received and accommodated 74 Nigerians safely, where they are being documented for subsequent travel arrangements back to Nigeria,” the statement read.

During the meeting, Onyema told the Speaker that Nigerians who were taking refuge in the neighbouring countries were being taken care of with feeding and accommodation pending their evacuation.

However, Gbajabiamila called for the immediate evacuation of Nigerians trapped in Ukraine, stating that a day was long enough for “our brothers and sisters who are caught up in this crisis.”

By John Owen Nwachukwu

Former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (Retd), has revealed one of the reasons Nigeria is still underdeveloped.

The retired military boss regretted that successive governments have failed to continue with the National Development Plan of 1975–1980.

General Yakubu Gowon spoke at the public presentation of a book entitled: “General Domkat Yah Bali (GCON) As Ponzhi Tarok Designate, a Contextual Analysis of The Imbroglio.”

The book, presented by a 2023 presidential aspirant, Prince Adewole Adebayo at the Sheraton Hotel, Abuja, was co-wrtten by the wife of Domkat Yah Bali, Esther Bali.

Gowon lamented that successive governments have failed to adhere to the beautiful work of the dedicated Nigerian military officers such as Bali which has denied the country the benefits of coordinated development for a great nation.

The former military head of state insisted that the country would have been a leading light to other nations in terms of development had leaders maintained the prescription of the development plan and stuck to it.

“If only the development plan that we had at that time, 1975 – 1980. If it had continued, if they had carried it through, it would have made all the difference,” he said.

Gowon attributed all the major breakthroughs he had during his administration as the military head of state to General Domkat Yah Bali.

"All these achievements, we can say, I really owe it to General Bali and all those young officers in those days though, young as they were, they shouldered those responsibilities far, far above their age and experience.”

Presenter of the Book and Presidential aspirant, Prince Adewole Adebayo, said the book dwelt on the principles of truth and justice.

His words: “My job, which is to present this book to the public, but just note that the book we are presenting is not just the print and the paper, it is the principle behind the book that we are presenting. It is not a rock story.

“It’s the human story, about the need for society to have honor and integrity. Sacrifice of personal interest for the good of the wider society,” he said.

Pep Guardiola says Ukraine defender Oleksandr Zinchenko will play in Manchester City’s FA Cup fifth-round tie at Peterborough on Tuesday.

In the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Zinchenko was an unused substitute for City’s victory against Everton on Saturday.

The 25-year-old attended an anti-war vigil in Manchester city centre following the invasion and sent a since-deleted social media message that was fiercely critical of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Zinchenko was moved to tears by the display of support for Ukraine from Everton fans during City’s Premier League game at Goodison Park on Saturday.

Although the left-back didn’t play on that occasion, Guardiola on Monday revealed he is in the right frame of mind to return when City visit Championship strugglers Peterborough.

“I think it will be good for him to play and show the reason why he is here. He is a magnificent player and needs to play football,” Guardiola said.

Zinchenko has added his voice to calls for Russia to be excluded from international sport.


He shared a statement on Instagram calling on governing bodies to ban Russia and its athletes from international competitions and impose restrictions on the country concerning media and sponsorship.

City head to Peterborough after moving six points clear at the top of the Premier League with the controversial 1-0 win at Everton.

Phil Foden’s 82nd-minute goal proved decisive, but Everton felt they should have been given a late penalty for handball against Rodri.

The incident was reviewed by VAR, but referee Paul Tierney’s original decision stood.

Even Guardiola now accepts City got lucky and he said: “The pass of Dele Alli looks offside but, Richarlison, if he is not offside it’s a penalty.”

Guardiola, whose side were beaten in their previous outing by Tottenham, urged his players to rebuild their momentum with another victory against Peterborough.

“It’s one game. If we lose the next game the momentum is over,” he said.

“All the time Goodison Park was difficult for us. The celebrations were exceptional because we knew how difficult it was, a good example of what we will face in the last 11 games of the Premier League.

“Every game will be quite similar. We will have to suffer and struggle and we are able to face it.”

There was also a managerial departure in the top flight at the weekend with Marcelo Bielsa, a long-time role model for Guardiola, sacked by Leeds.

“I’m so sorry for him. His legacy is there, in the Leeds city and club, and I’m pretty sure with the players. His influence is massive,” Guardiola said.

“Unfortunately all managers are subject to results, and maybe they were not good, but the games played in three or four seasons at Leeds were spectacular to watch and I wish him all the best in future.”

Gbenga Odogun, Lokoja

The Rector, Federal Polytechnic, Idah, Dr Danjuma Baba, has warned newly matriculated students that any student who failed to record 75 per cent contact hour with lectures in a semester would be expelled from the school.

Baba disclosed this during the 35th matriculation of the institution held on Saturday at the convocation pavilion when over 2,500 students were admitted into both National Diploma and Higher National Diploma programmes.

He stressed that over 2,000 candidates had been offered provisional admission to study various courses at the HND level.

Out of over 2,000 candidates that applied for the ND programme, only about 1,500 have been offered provisional admission while another over 1,000 candidates have been offered provisional admission to study various courses at the HND level.

“There shall be no absenteeism from lectures, tests and assignments. The minimum class attendance required of full-time students in a semester for each course is 75 per cent of the total contact hours for the semester.

“All academic departments shall keep an attendance register for this purpose. Only students who meet this requirement will graduate. Study the Student Handbook religiously as ignorance is no excuse in law,” the Rector warned.

He further added, “Recently we expelled a student for refusal to fill the misconduct form despite her claim of ignorance because it is clearly stated in the Student Handbook.”

"Let me warn at this point that the Polytechnic will not tolerate neither will it condone any act of indiscipline on the part of any student. You are to qualify for graduation only when you have been certified both in character and in learning.”

He disclosed that the present school administration had, more than any previous one, attracted more TETFund interventions in infrastructure, office furniture, equipment for laboratories and workshops. In addition, the Capital Projects funded by the Federal Government under this administration had been overwhelming and unprecedented.

“Over fifteen TETfund structures, road networks and other facilities by the Federal Government are now ready for commissioning. This has greatly enhanced our capacity to admit more students for various courses in the Polytechnic,” he said.

Thousands of youths from across the six states of the South-West, on Saturday, converged in Lagos State to draw Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi out to contest the 2023 presidential election.

The youths, who insisted that it was Bello or no other person for President in 2023, vowed to rewrite what they described as “Nigeria’s political history” of “recycling politicians”, saying that they were ready to also disgrace money bags in 2023.

The youths, who disclosed this under the umbrella of Rescue Nigeria Mission, said, like their counterparts in the Northern states, they were ready to mobilise heavily for the Kogi governor, no matter what happened within his party, the All Progressives Congress.

The Coordinator of the youths in the South-West, Mr Shola Saheed said: “We are excited today that all our youths are keying in. As we speak today, over 20 million Nigerian youths (PVC holders), at home and abroad, are already actively involved in the struggle to install our own, Bello, as President. Others are already trooping in.

“We are set to rewrite political history of Nigeria. We will collect their billions if they bring it, but we assure you, we will put Yahaya Bello there with our numbers. Don’t ask me how we will do it. Just watch and see how we will rescue this nation resolutely and peacefully.”

The youths said their involvement in politics was not tied to any political party, noting that with the capacity Bello had displayed in Kogi and within his party, they would queue behind him to rescue Nigeria.

“Mark today’s date. This is the Lagos declaration of Nigerian youths for Yahaya Bello. We will say we said so after his inauguration in 2023,” he noted.

The Chief of Staff to the governor, Alhaji Abdulkareem Jamiu Asuku, who was invited to witness the South-West declaration, thanked the youths for their unflinching support for his principal and promised that he would not let them down on the call on him to contest.

”Bello is the face of the youths in the Nigerian government system. Kogi is the centre of Nigeria, being the only state bordering 10 states, including the FCT. The governor came on board as governor and governed Kogi without a porous border.

The economy and IGR of Kogi tripled within the short period. Such a man who has been able to transform the economy of Kogi, unite the people and fix security issues in record time is the man Nigeria needs.

“The South-West youths of Nigeria are here in Lagos to call for a replication of what is happening in Kogi in the larger Nigeria. Thank you for standing by the truth. Only the truth can address the challenges of Nigeria,” he noted.

(NAN)

Activist and Convener of the civil society organisation, Concerned Nigerians, Deji Adeyanju, has called for the persecution of the younger brother of embattled Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari, to prevent him from fleeing the country.

The call came after police investigations revealed that members of a syndicate led by international scammer, Ramon Abass, popularly known as Hushpuppi, paid N235,120,000 into his brother’s account.

Investigations further revealed that the former commander Intelligence Response Team transferred N44 million to his brother’s bank account in multiple transactions.

Adeyanju said the proper thing was for the police to have arrested Kyari’s brother, to prevent him from tampering with evidence.

He said, “In a sane country, the brother should have been arrested by now. It has been in the public domain for quite some time now. His brother might be taking extra steps to escape justice. He may be taking extra steps to delete and erase traces and evidence.

“This is what the police should have done. Arrest and charge him alongside his elder brother. I am calling on the police to quickly arrest him and prevent him from escaping from the country. This is the ideal thing to do.”

On the legality of denying Kyari bail, Adeyanju said bail is a right enjoyed by an accused or defendant but that it must be at the discretion of the court.

He said, “This is why bail application must be supported by facts and not just opinions. Bail is not an escape from justice if you look at our laws. Bail is something that an accused person or a defendant should naturally enjoy as a matter of right.

“There is nothing absurd about making a bail application. But bail is at the discretion of the court. It gives the accused ample time and facility to defend himself. So far, the federal government has not formally charged Abba Kyari.

Recall that on Monday, lawyer to the IRT Commander, Cynthia Ikena, filed a bail application on health grounds before Justice Inyang Ekwo of a Federal High Court in Abuja.

The lawyer claimed that Kyari is a diabetic and hypertensive patient.

The Judge refused the plea, noting that the suit contained weighty allegations against the Federal Government and that the court must allow the government to hear from it before taking any step.

“Upon studying the process of the Applicant and averments in support thereon, I am of the opinion that the respondent should be put on notice.” Justice Ekwo said.

Kyari was arrested by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency on February 14, 2022, for alleged links in drug-related crimes.

He had earlier dragged the Federal Government to court, seeking his release from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency custody.

In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/182/22, he prayed court to compel the NDLEA to grant him bail on health grounds, pending the hearing and determination of his fundamental right enforcement application.

Meanwhile, a Federal High Court in Abuja has granted an application by the NDLEA to further detain Kyari and six others for 14 days.

The NDLEA told the court that the suspects are currently the subject of a drug trafficking investigation.

.

By Friday Olokor and Solomon Odeniyi

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, on Monday, called on the old generation of Nigerians to give way for the younger generation to build a prosperous nation.

According to him, rather than compete, the old generation should collaborate with younger people and provide them with the requisite knowledge and experience to transform the country.

Obasanjo stated these in his capacity as Chairman while speaking virtually at the 2022 annual lecture of the Murtala Muhammed Foundation with the theme, ‘Beyond Boko Haram: Addressing insurgency, banditry and kidnapping across Nigeria’.

During the event, the guest speaker and Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi, suggested a national response to stem the tide of insecurity in Nigeria.

Also, the Chief Executive Officer, MMF, Aisha Mohammed-Oyebode, said the organisation was committed to improving the socio-economic development of Africa in line with the dreams of her father and late Head of State, General Murtala Mohammed.

She said the MMF, through its programmes, “has made notable impacts in the lives of people, especially the marginalised, disadvantaged and vulnerable, in addition to contributing to promoting good governance and empowerment in line with its vision and mission.”

Obasanjo, in a veiled reference to the old generation of politicians jostling for the Presidency in 2023, was responding to the lecture by Fayemi that he was in primary school when the late Murtala Mohammed directed the affairs of the country.

The former President said, “We need to have an intergenerational collaboration. Fayemi said he was in primary school when Murtala and Obasanjo were there. So, if people of the Murtala/Obasanjo era are competing with you as governor, then, something is wrong.

“The Murtala/Obasanjo group should be stepping aside. Whatever experience and knowledge we have, we should be able to give it to you and you should be able to give it to those coming after you, so that whatever you have, you are passing it down to those who are coming behind and not to start competing with you, but to make you have access to what will make Nigeria better.”

Obasanjo blamed insecurity in the country on access to weapons after the Nigerian civil war.

He stated that beyond the crisis caused by the controversial Sharia law, unemployment was also contributing to insurgency in the country.

The former President also said that his fear about Boko Haram had materialised with the group’s links to international terrorists organisations.

Obasanjo said, “The insecurity in the country was caused by the ease of access to weapons after the civil war, and since then, we have been unable to address the issue; it keeps getting worse.

“In 2011 when Boko Haram was just showing its ugly head, I went to Maiduguri to try and find out a little bit more about Boko Haram and to also find out what their objective was, apart from being interested in Sharia. They also complained that their followers had no jobs and stated their efforts to get something legitimate to help their members.

“In the process, the government started chasing them and gunning them down.

“What I feared at that time seems to have been happening. At that time, Boko Haram had not many external connections; the ones they had were Nigerians who had resources abroad, who were helping them. My fear then was whether we would be able to keep them away from Al-Qaeda and other international terrorist organisations.

“We seem not to have been able to do that which has made the situation worse.”

He advised that more attention should be paid to out-of -school children in the country as they constituted more threat to the country in the future.

Obasanjo said, “The Nigerian population today is about 215 million and 15 million children are not in school; it doesn’t matter how we deal with insecurity, either by stick or carrot approach. Those children are the potential Boko Haram 10 years from now.

“If we don’t do anything about those children, we are already nurturing the Boko Haram of tomorrow. We need to look back and reinvent. When you look at some of the things we are doing, then you wonder why we are not succeeding. This is because we are doing the same thing all the time.

“Things that we did the last time that didn’t pay us are the same we are repeating. The idea of treating symptoms rather than the disease will not get us anywhere.

“The disease of Boko Haram and banditry are those things that people expect; they want a good life; they want to get a job; they want education; and they must be given for as long as they are denied these, they will be right to make a demand on society, which it must give to them willingly or unwillingly.”

Fayemi called for a national response to tame insecurity in the country.

He said, “The leadership in most affected states in the North-East, especially Borno, has been up to the task in terms of its response to forging a new compact between state and society. Yet, it is clear that what is required is a comprehensive national response and not an isolated state strategy.

“I believe this must also include a whole country sensitisation programme that understands and subliminally internalises the problem as one that will consume all if not addressed and not a challenge that is exclusively Borno or Kanuri-centric.”