Amotolongbo: NCAN will all rush in to see which “Amaka” he is!
But this “Amaka” don disappoint them
we have too much Amaka. So what is special about this. As long as is not Yoruba no problem. Benue amake. Even when you look at him you fine out he have igbo blood in him.
The activities of the Indigenous People of Biafra have generated some controversies in recent times, and this has led to scores of deaths that if care is not taken might escalate into an unimaginable proportion. IPOB, as it is fondly called, is not new to such controversies. As a fact, IPOB has thrived on disputes that often times not leads to the escalation of violence in South-East Nigeria and other parts of the country. And the recent happenings in South-East Nigeria occasioned by the systematic escalation of killings led by IPOB indeed calls for concern.
I have long stated in numerous forums that the activities of IPOB might sooner or later escalate into a monster that would ultimately consume South-East Nigeria if the relevant authorities do not take urgent and proactive steps towards address this challenge. I did specify at the national level for the simple fact that some governors of states in South East seem to be concerned about their political relevance that they have elected to turn a blind eye to the nefarious activities of IPOB.
The reason is simple. They do not want to be seen as anti-Igbo, which by and large, would affect their political fortunes. For them, it makes more sense, politically and economically, than protecting the interest of the commoners who would ultimately bear the brunt if things get out of control.
That IPOB is waiting to assume a more dangerous dimension is an understatement. That IPOB would also be the albatross of the Igbos in the buildup to the 2023 general elections is also an understatement. The indices are clear, and the pointers are also indicative that South-East Nigeria would experience a situation that would be worse than the Boko Haram crisis in North-East Nigeria.
I am sad that if not for anything that the activities of IPOB is gathering momentum and the political leaders in South East have not seen the need to make strategic interventions that would protect and preserve the relative peace and tranquillity in the region. Instead, they are playing to the gallery. For example, I find it worrisome that IPOB would issue a sit-at-home order in all parts of South East. Whether it was successful or not, remains another topic for discussion. But the fact that there was a display of such effrontery leaves more to be imagined.
I stand to be corrected. I am not aware if there was a counter-order to that order issued by IPOB whether from the political elites or the traditional institutions in Igbo land. What does this tell us? Your guess is as good as mine.
Those that still think that IPOB does not have ulterior motives in South-East Nigeria ought to have a rethink and come to terms with the starkness of the reality that the activities IPOB has posed to not just the entrenchment of democracy in the region, and also the socio-economic wellbeing of the Igbo people as a whole.
Ironically this is what is playing out in South East, and we have not deemed it necessary to speak in one voice in total condemnation of its nefarious activities. As they say, all politics is local, as well as happiness is also local. The implication of the above is that should the Igbos elect to turn a blind eye to the gradual disintegration of the South East by the activities of IPOB, then we would have ourselves to blame.
This is also instructive when we view critically how the Boko Haram insurgent group evolved and destabilized the North East region in Nigeria in the past ten years. Boko Haram was not imported into the North East, it was a creation of the North East, and it eventually succeeded in causing the destruction of lives and properties in unimaginable quantum. With due respect, the political authorities didn't act when they were supposed to and today what is being experienced in the region is as a result of that inaction.
I am not convinced that the South East region can cope should IPOB translate into a monster like the Boko Haram group. Some would say that there is no basis for comparison, but that in my opinion is a gross and inept thought line which would ultimately consume us as a people. I am not convinced we need a soothsayer to tell us that should IPOB allowed to thrive unabated; the South East region would be doomed.
Today, IPOB is posturing as an organization for the interest of the Igbos. Tomorrow it would turn its fangs to the very people it claims to be protecting their interest when push comes to shove, and the chicken would come home to roost.
The activities of IPOB must be addressed adequately in the interest of peace in the South East region, which is arguably the most peaceful part of the country. It consequently behoves on all well-meaning Igbo sons and daughters to do all within their means to ensure that IPOB does not cause a crisis of unimaginable proportion in South East.
We must also realize that indeed we would bear the brunt and we would all have ourselves to blame. It thus remains my firm conviction that indeed IPOB has something sinister up its sleeves, and it is not in the best interest of the South East region. Indeed the time to speak is now. For if we don’t and allow Nnamdi Kanu to get away with this great disservice to the Igbos, posterity won’t be kind to us. It is hoped that this piece would elicit the much-needed reawakening of the true Igbo spirit in all of us in the preservation of peace in South-East Nigeria. This is my two cents.
Ibekwe is a public affairs analyst and wrote from Enugu.
hypocrisy is when you wrote this your long grama and you didn't condemned Nigerian for their weaknesses toward igbo .by the way who send this animal to talk about igbo.
truthfulparrot: The EndSARS Protests across the country is a clear warning signal to the thieving politicians and the Federal Government
The resent protests against SARS and Police brutality across the country is just a smoke screen to the facts that our youths are frustrated and tired of bad leaderships and inhuman government policies
Nigerians are suffering and our youths have been pushed to the wall.
The FGN needs to act fast.
Revolution is loading in 5G.
nothing will happen . The lazy youths are busy attacking each other. When time comes you will know end SARS and revolution are not the Same.
DeltaFire: AKK GAS PIPELINE TO TAKE GAS FROM NIGER DELTA TO AREWA – LET’S STOP IT!
In 2017 Buhari signed a deal with Chinese to build the Ajaokuta-Abuja-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) gas pipeline.
It takes gas from Niger Delta in raw form all the way to Arewa. Had the gas been processed in Niger Delta we can say Niger Deltans at minimum have jobs. But even the jobs go to Arewa!
The world is moving away from crude oil so gas is a new money maker. The 1999 Constitution that takes away the natural resources of Niger Deltans was NEVER agreed to by the indigenous people of Niger Delta who are the owners of the resources. The 1999 Constitution is a forgery (Google it) so it is a great injustice to Niger Deltans. Now their gas is being taken as well as their crude oil by Arewa. Our forefathers had insisted on Self-Determination before Independence as a condition to be in the Union called Nigeria. But since the January 1966 coup that original Nigeria was taken down and a unitary system to steal and control Niger Deltan resources came into being.
Why are the leaders of PANDEF silent about this AKK gas pipeline that steals from indigenous owners? Have they been compromised?
We of the South will NEVER be free without SELF-DETERMINATION! One Nigeria will keep on stealing from us. This Union would never have happened because our forefathers only came into it with the condition of having self-determination. Self-determination is a UN cardinal point and a human right!
Our generation has been enslaved through lack of self-determination by military decrees and now the 1999 Constitution. Will we allow this slavery to continue upon our children? Are we under a spiritual problem that has made us statues that cannot love our children enough to want them to have a good future?
Read the article (link below) to see that the gas for Miyetti Buhari’s AKK gas pipeline is from Niger Delta! Quoting:
“ONE of the big promises made by President Muhammadu in his campaign for Nigeria’s presidency is the Ajaokuta-Abuja-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) gas pipeline project. The project entails the “engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning” of 614-kilometers gas pipeline and stations, traversing the states of Kogi, Niger, FCT, Kaduna and Kano. IT IS TO TRANSPORT DRY GAS FROM THE NATION’S RICH GAS FIELDS IN THE NIGER DELTA TO THE NORTHERN PARTS OF NIGERIA…”
AKK GAS PIPELINE: PRESIDENT BUHARI’S BIG INFRASTRUCTURE PUSH O & G Links Mar 09, 2020
ONE of the big promises made by President Muhammadu in his campaign for Nigeria’s presidency is the Ajaokuta-Abuja-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) gas pipeline project.
The project entails the “engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning” of 614-kilometers gas pipeline and stations, traversing the states of Kogi, Niger, FCT, Kaduna and Kano. IT IS TO TRANSPORT DRY GAS FROM THE NATION’S RICH GAS FIELDS IN THE NIGER DELTA TO THE NORTHERN PARTS OF NIGERIA.
This pipeline project is itself a section of an ambitious pipeline project to supply gas to Europe through the proposed Trans Sahara Gas Pipeline (TSGO) and Nigeria Morocco Gas Pipelines.
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) under President Buhari last week took the important and decisive step to fast track the closure of all outstanding issues relating to the financing and the issuance of a Sovereign Guarantee (SG) to support debt service and China Export and Credit Insurance Corporation, SINOSURE’s policy to underwrite up to a maximum of 85 per cent of the project cost, which is now reduced to USD 2,591,849,049.19. The earlier contract, approved by this administration for the AKK was USD2,890,522,548.37 based on 100 per cent “Contractor Financing Model.” This changed when SINOSURE offered to underwrite 85 per cent only of the entire contract sum and the basis of the relationship changed to “EPC Lump Sum Contract Award.”
This arose from a rethinking on the part of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) which came up with a new project financing design by with the balance of 15 percent of financing was taken up by them. The Nigerian Gas Company (NGC) a subsidiary of the NNPC quickly intervened to provide the required 15 per cent, the equivalent of US 434 million equity contributions from internal sources and accumulated revenues.
To quicken the speed of the project takeoff, this 15 per cent equity funding has been paid and will be used to proceed with the project to mitigate further delays and ensure that the project is back on track.
The “gas penetration” to these areas of the country will significantly reduce energy cost for industries along the pipeline corridor in addition to the massive generation of employment during and after the construction.
In addition to the creation of employment and serving as a boost to industrialization through gas based industries and power generation sectors as beneficiaries of this project, the AKK will increase government revenues, encourage exports and enhance the nation’s foreign reserves by reducing dependence on imports. It is equally hoped that the project, upon its completion, will ensure that economic challenges being witnessed in the northern region due to shortage of gas supply are addressed.
It will also give the nation energy security and act as a catalyst to propel industrial development and boost agriculture in the country. This project is among the cardinal policy objectives of the Buhari administration and its realization will be a major accomplishment of the government’s efforts in the delivery of democracy dividends.
The project is environmentally friendly as it will contribute to the elimination of gas flaring, improve the health of communities in the oil producing areas, reduce the nation’s carbon footprints and comply with climate control treaties to which the nation is signatory.
The resolution of the outstanding issues around the AKK project at this time should send an important message that the journey to its realization is for real.
The President is determined to accomplish the project in the 24-month period of the signed agreement. The period falls within the balance of period covered by his Second Four Year Term.
We are a country notorious for truncating government projects on account of changes in administrations. Except for the Buhari experiment, marking a break with the past, Presidents, governors and council chairmen don’t come to office with the mind of completing projects they met.
They alone want their signature on the projects they execute. So they stop work on those projects they met and start new ones. In the end, they leave office without finishing what they started, adding thereby to the nation’s mountain of uncompleted projects.
The difference President Buhari makes is that he insists on completion, rather than the commencement of new projects except where it is extremely necessary.
If you take away the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano expressway, all the major projects under the Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund with dedicated funding from the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority, and lately the recovered loot from Abacha are all inherited from past administrations: the Second Niger Bridge, the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and the Mambila Power Project.
All the major spendings in the Ministry of Transportation, specifically the standard gauge railways linking the south to the north and the west to the east are geared towards project completion. Under the Ministry of Water Resources, no new projects have been budgeted in the last five years. All money allocated to the ministry is towards the completion of projects started and abandoned, some of them going back to the President’s years in the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF).
Thankfully, we are seeing a harvest of so many of these projects, due to the President’s insistence and the focus and dedication of the ministers in his cabinet.
The AKK project which will now leave the drawing board towards its execution and completion was agreed to in June, 2009 between Gazprom, the Russian gas monopoly, in a signed deal to invest at least $2.5bn in a new joint venture with Nigeria’s state-owned oil company NNPC to explore and develop the country’s vast gas reserves.
The formation of the 50:50 joint venture, between Gazprom and the NNPC named Nigaz, followed a prolonged courtship by Russia which began under Vladimir Putin by the administration of the late President Umaru Musa Yar’adua. If floundered with his death. This time around, there is no going back on the AKK project because there is a market already waiting. It has off-takers, when completed, with Abuja on cue to having a 1,350MW power plant, Kaduna, 900MW and Kano, 1,350MW.
President Buhari is [b]determined [/b]to take it forward. It’s another signature project on which the name “Buhari” will be written in gold, to be remembered long after he leaves Aso Rock.
Niger Delta should fight for their right not my business.
AuntLaVIV: FG to Matawalle: We own the gold deposits in Zamfara
Olamilekan Adegbite, minister of mines and steel development, who issued the warning on Friday, said mineral products remain exclusively that of the federal government.
Zamfara government on Tuesday said it started its gold reserve to reduce dependence on federal allocations.
Rabiu Garba, the state commissioner for finance, told journalists that, though, there was a federal government ban on mining activities in the country, “the state government was able to purchase the commodity from licensed miners”. “At the moment, we have a pure gold reserve of over 30 kilos and as time goes by, we will continue to invest in this regard so that, like other states and other nations, we will be having our mineral reserves and ours will be in gold,” Garba said.
“When the ban is lifted and mining activities resume fully, we are hopeful that we will be receiving royalties from miners while the federal government will also be giving us something.”
Joseph Onu Silas, a lawyer, had accused the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) of trading in gold with the state government, seeking the cancellation of the purchase of gold worth N5 billion from Zamfara by the apex bank. But while briefing the press on the forthcoming 5th Nigerian mining week, Adegbite said what the state government is doing is right but the portrayal to the public is wrong.
“I had a meeting with the Zamfara people yesterday or day before yesterday, they need to get their narrative right to the public,” Adegbite said.
“We have what we call private mineral buying centres, we issue licences, in fact, anybody that is interested should come to us and once you meet the criteria, we give you a licence to purchase the mineral and that is the angle the Zamfara Government is exploiting.
“From their own fund, they are buying gold from their people and I spoke with the governor, you need to explain these to the people properly. It’s not as if they are cornering the resources that belongs to the federal government.
“All mineral resources in country is vested in the federal government and that is in the exclusive list and that stays. And the right royalty should be paid to the federal government.
“People feel that some parts of the nation are cornering the wealth of the nation to themselves which belongs to all of us and I will always say this, everybody has partake in the lunch of the Niger Delta’s people, we have taken from the oil and gas and it has been used to develop this country and the mineral wealth of this country will also be used collectively to develop this country and not exclusively by one section.”
The state government has denied the allegations against it.
Zailani Baffa, spokesperson to Bello Matawalle, the state governor, said the state government is not directly mining the gold by itself.
“It will rather purchase the gold from the mining companies registered by the Federal Government in the state,” Baffa said in a statement.
He also said the CBN did not enter into any trade agreement with the state government as claimed by the lawyer.
“The fact is that the CBN, just like in agriculture, is willing to invest in mining, as part of its Anchor Borrowers’ Programme whereby the apex bank will invest an amount for the state government to supply it with the gold as proceeds of the investment,” he said.
“This is aimed at boosting the mining sector in the country which is within the provisions of the scheme.”
Abouwaza: Seyi Makinde, Governor of Oyo State, has said the constitution backs Nigerians protesting against the alleged brutality of the police Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS. Makinde made the remark in a response to the killing of a protester and the injuring of others allegedly by police officers in Ogbomosho area of the state.
The governor said the End SARS protest was an indication of systemic failure in the country.
Makinde, in a series of tweets on Saturday, said the protest exposed the fact that governors lacked the power to control the police in their states.
He wrote:
“I have received with deep sadness the news of the passing of one of our children, Jimoh Isiaka, who was shot during the End SARS protest in Ogbomoso.
“Also, at this same protest, Abdulrasaq Olawale, Oluwadamilare Gbolohunmi, and five other persons sustained injuries and were taken to hospital for treatment.
“The End SARS protests are a strong indicator of a systemic failure. It is a failure on the part of those who have been constitutionally empowered to protect the citizens.
“It again calls into question why State Governors are called Chief Security Officers of their state whereas, they do not have the necessary powers to control the police force.
“Peaceful protests are a big part of our democratic process. The right to freedom of speech and assembly are guaranteed by our Constitution, and I will never support any attempt to rob citizens of their fundamental human rights.”
Aggrieved youths have been protesting over the brutality of SARS operatives of the Nigeria Police Force, NPF.
Following the protest, President Muhammadu Buhari has assured irate Nigerians that his administration would reform SARS.
Buhari has assured that the reform would ensure that SARS unit is accountable to Nigerians.
However, the Arewa Youths Consultative Forum had claimed that Yahoo Yahoo boys and other criminal elements are behind the protest.
cc Mynd44, lalasticlala
the dead gay will be regretting why he vote for buhari if he do. Rip
valirex: You're right a fool at 40 is a fool forever and that only proves you to be a very very big fool. If you like camouflage as a South South person but we all know that you are a big fool from the East
Obiobidgbo14: A fool at 40 is an irredeemable fool .Other regions have used us and dump us when it matters most.They have accused OUR BROTHER region o f SE of land grabbering, self centered, greedy etc but today we hv known WHO is greedy, land grabbers , oil thieves. I am 42 yrs now, in many occasions whenever a person from SS is being attacked whether in the north,,West even overseas people of SE will stand to defend us. It was Goodluck Jonathan's case that helped many of us to understand the writing on the wall. We will never again hate the people that care for us, people that speak same or similar language with us because people are somewhere parading liars in other to use us to achieve their selfish desire.We now know who is OUR brothers.
adadike: I am going to keep this short and simple. The so called south southerners started it. Why didn't you say something when Nto Akwa ibom and co where terrorising igbos with their tribalistic threads targeted at igbos alone? ' you hate me, I hate you too' no be crime. Back to sender abughi ajo ekpere
ijawcitizen: If the igbos know what is coming at them, they would erect statues of the various Niger Delta ethnicities, go on their knees and start worshipping by now.
Instead they are already spoiling for war when their territory is an INDEFENSIBLE SITTING DUCK with no means of military or food supplies to sustain a war.
I pray the war they are spoiling for with us breaks out so that we can annex all southern igbo territories like what Israel did to Lebanon in Golan heights.
Then, their national anthem will change from Abandoned property to ABANDONED TERRITORY.
Niger Delta is too small for Biafra we could have finished you and Nigerian thanks to criminal Britain .Russian and other wold power. Can you imagine if they will leave us whit you alon we will just send only two battalion to finish Niger Delta for just too weeks. We will give you people Israel treatment to their Arab nebbor. Jus play the world will not abandon you people in messy of Biafra. No body born by a woman can stop Biafra Asses to the sea. Get that into your empty head. If anybody try to try it sorry is the name of that person we wil you brutal force against that person the one the world never see before.
Abasman008: I hate the fact that someone will just use every opportunity to make sure they look for a way to show that you are useless and they are more useful than you are. Somone from SE made a post that they don't need the SS, instead of stopping there after he made his point clear, he still went ahead to pour deterogatory statements on SS and why SE does not need SE who is useless. He went as far as threatening that should the SS not give way to sea that they'll take it by force. Next is when someone posted about the SS not being part of Biafra, people from the SE attacked the person with words of how the SS is useless and polluted, with multiple ethnic confused people. Just because people want to be alone? Why all these words? In between people that will be neighbors one day? Must the SE always make mockery of everyone? That not withstanding, I can say that Oduduwa might be born , Niger Delta Republic born and SE is still part if Nigeria. People who are serious and Knows what they want go undercover and do what they want without announcing it.. no prisoners tries to escape by alerting the prison guards.
nsiba: There are posts you will see and you will easily know that it was written out of FRUSTRATION, what will any state in South South benefit with SE most especially they are mainly driven with IPOB mentality? It is well known that in their IPOB imaginary BIAFRA map so many non-Igbo enclaves are in it, this the South South States have severally warned against such childish nuisance together drawing their attention that the SSouth have no intention for any Union of whatsoever. Feeling pained instead of seeking better alternative, propagandas like " southeast don't need SSouth, Onitsha ports takes delivery of Cargo whatever " and others wet blankets posts seems to be order of the day from this IPOB frustrated lots. Edo + Delta, Rivers + Bayelses, AkwaIbom + CRivers are States bigger in sizes than the entire SEast and fewer in population and heavily richer in resources than the SE so why will any of the state want to join with IPOBs that have nothing reasonable to offer? By force "attaché" and by force consolation posts will not make any SS States to join with SE states, cause there is absolute nothing beneficial. The ego problem among the Five SE states indigenes is legendary yet you lots think you know better for the SSouth states, what a joke!
who want to be in the same country whit militant. Confused people we don't want to be in the same country whit you is that a problem.binin is your brother so stop disturbing us please. Take your wahala to Fulani Na them day drink your oil
Cherez: The minister also gives a reason why the focus is on the South-east ByOge Udegbunam October 7, 2020 2 min read The Nigerian government has approved over N650 million (N653,886,584) for the purchase of hi-tech equipment to monitor frequencies in the country, especially in the Southeastern part.
This was disclosed by the communication minister, Isa Pantami, at the end of Wednesday’s Federal Executive Council meeting presided by President Muhammadu Buhari.
“The Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, sort the approval of council for deploying hybrid spectrum monitoring system, most importantly to focus on the south eastern zone of the country,” he said.
“From January to August 2020, within the period of eight months, we discovered 320 frequencies being used all over the country and of this 320, one hundred and six were illegal.”
Mr Pantami said the need to buy the monitoring equipment was also informed by security considerations.
“This is very worrisome because the usage of this illegal spectrum or frequencies will compromise our security and safety in the country.
“It is because of the agenda of President Muhammadu Buhari, on promoting security that we came up with this initiative of monitoring the usage of frequencies and uncover the legal and the illegal ones.
“For the legal ones, it is to ensure they renew their licenses annually and for the illegal ones, necessary actions are being taken according to the gravity of the offense.”
Mr Pantami said the focus on the Southeast was because it is the least monitored part of the country.
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“We discovered that our monitoring did not cover Southeast part of the country. It covered five zones – Northeast, Northwest, Northcentral, Southwest and Southsouth. However, Southeast has not been covered.
“It is because of this that we presented our memo, seeking for council’s approval of N653,886,584 to procure and deploy hybrid spectrum monitoring system that will cover the southern part of the country, most importantly the south east.
“So council approved for the deployment and this project will go along way in promoting safety and security and secondly, identify the usage of illegal spectrum and thirdly, enhance revenue for the federal government and fourthly, in the long run it will create many jobs for the citizens.”
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The minister also provided more information on institutions allowed to deploy or license spectrum use.
“Like I said it will go along way in promoting safety and security. In the National Frequencies Management Council of which I am the chair, it has been established by law under NCA 2003 Section 31, security institutions are presented in that council in addition to other institutions that deploy spectrum like ministries of transportation and aviation (they use frequency in the aircraft), Office of the National Security Adviser, and Nigeria Broadcasting Commission (NBC), as a regulator of broadcasting are also a member of the council.
“It is in the council that each sector that feels that the council will add value to its activities, they will come up with measures on how to use the council to promote what they need. So, it is because of this that we deploy this and security institutions are represented and whatever we do is in agreement with the law.
“So if there is any question with regards to security, it is important to reach out to the security institutions. For your information, they have never requested anything from us that will promote security through intelligence that we have not provided. But I am not in the position to answer question on security particularly outside the mandate given to me.
ADVERTISEMENT “For those we have investigated so far, there is a process. When we discover the usage of illegal frequency, a letter will be written to that institution to draw their attention to it. When they admit, if it is a government institution, there is a process of investigation, there is also a process if it is a private one. Sometimes it will take up to litigation and we are in the process right now.
“I had a meeting with the attorney general of the federation and minister of justice on how to facilitate the process, so we are in the process of doing that.”
that is only thing they know how to do.why can you cover infrastructure in south east the way you cover to other zone u remember South east when it come for something that will put them down. But God pass you.
Politics › Re: Austin Chenge Contesting For Governor In Michigan, USA (Photo) by Madmohamed419(m): 10:49am On Oct 14, 2020*. Modified: 4:38pm On Oct 14, 2020
