₦airaland Forum

Mr. Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), has filed a Fundamental Rights Class Action against the Federal Republic of Nigeria for himself and on behalf of the South East Zone on grounds of discrimination pursuant to Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution. This action was by Originating Summons supported by an affidavit of 99 paragraphs and a statement.

The grounds of Mr. Agbakoba’s application are summarized as follows;

(a) Total neglect of the Applicant’s Geopolitical Zone by the 1st Respondent in terms of infrastructure and general federal presence making the Applicant feel not part of the 1st Respondent.

(b) Abandonment of the Niger Bridge to collapse and failure to build the ‘Second Niger Bridge’ making the Applicant feel isolated from other parts of 1stRespondent and causing him apprehension about disaster on crossing the existing bridge.

(c) Abandonment of Federal Roads, which are death traps and robbery baits and occasioning and constraining on the Applicant grueling road journeys within the Geopolitical Zone. Failure to develop strategic new roads especially the Anam-Nzam Federal Road linking the South-East with the North-Central at Idah in Kogi State to give the Applicant easy access to the northern part of Nigeria.

(d) Failure to exploit the Oil/Gas Reserves in the Anambra Basin and stalling the Applicant’s legitimate expectation from employment and derivation funds for development of the Applicant’s South-East Zone.

(e) Abandonment of the Enugu Colliery and depriving the Applicant of his legitimate expectation from employment and derivation funds for the development of the Applicant’s South-East Zone.

(f) Failure to develop trade-friendly ports and customs policies and establish ‘ease-of-business’ platforms to assist the Applicant’s trading brothers and sisters to do better and operate on a higher and modern scale in trading, which makes the Applicant to spend money to support relatives.

(g) Failure to have an operational international cargo airport at Owerri to aid trading, which causes the Applicant to spend huge sums of money to support trading relatives to haul airborne goods by road from Lagos, , with the attendant risks.

(h) Failure to dredge the Lower Niger and establish a Port at Onitsha to aid trading which causes the Applicant to spend huge sums of money to support trading relatives to haul seaborne goods by road from Port Harcourt or Lagos, with the attendant risks.

(i) Disparity in States structure which puts the Applicant’s South-East Zone behind every other Geopolitical Zone in political and judicial appointments and representation at the National Assembly, as well as in revenue allocation.

(j) Foisting low revenue allocation status on the Applicant’s South-East Zone as a result of failure to exploit Oil/Gas and Coal and as a result of the said structural imbalance.

(k) Over-policing and police menacing of the South-East with alarming number of police ‘check-points’ at which massive extortion of billions of naira annually go on, even while violent crimes continue as if there were no police operatives.

(L) Abandoning the South-East to be swallowed up by erosion; failing to respond to calls to check widening gullies in the South-East, especially in Agulu, Nanka and Obosi all in Anambra State, which have claimed expansive farmlands and homelands and leveled homes, displacing people.

The reliefs sought are:

1. A DECLARATION that the Structural Composition of the States in the 1stRespondent in this distribution: North-West, Seven States; North-Central, Six States; North-East, Six States; South-West, Six States; South-South, Six States; and South-East, Five States; creates a structural imbalance against the Applicant and the Group/Class he represents to their political and economic disadvantage in federal legislative representation, ministerial/political and judicial appointments, and revenue allocation contrary to Section 14(3) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, which requires reflection of federal character in conduct of public affairs, and accordingly a violation of Section 42 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, which prohibits discrimination against the Applicant and the Group/Class represented based on Ethnic Grouping and place of origin.

2. A DECLARATION that in view of the provisions of Section 162(2) Constitution of the Federal Republic Nigeria 1999, which prescribes not less than 13% of federal allocation accruing directly from natural resources to be paid to the area from where such is derived, the neglect by the 1stRespondent of the huge Coal reserves under the rocky hills of Enugu and the environs in relation to the Applicant and the Group/Class he represents, of its exclusive responsibility by Item 39 in the Exclusive Legislative List, Part I Second Schedule of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, to extract the said coal deposits in commercial quantity in accordance with Section 16(2)(b)of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, while extracting solid minerals in other Geopolitical Zones, is discriminatory and a violation of Section 42 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999.

3. A DECLARATION that in view of the provisions of Section 162(2) Constitution of the Federal Republic Nigeria 1999, which prescribes not less than 13% of federal allocation accruing directly from natural resources to be paid to the area from where same is derived, the neglect by the 1stRespondent of the huge Oil/Gas reserves in the Anambra Basin in relation to the Applicant and the Group/Class he represents, of its exclusive responsibility under Item 39 in the Exclusive Legislative List, Part I Second Schedule of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, to extract the same Oil/Gas for commercial purpose in accordance with Section 16(2)(b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, while extracting and exploring same in other Geopolitical Zones, is discriminatory and a violation of Section 42 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999.

4. A DECLARATION that the neglect by the 1st Respondent of the Federal Roads in the South-East Geopolitical Zone, the neglect of the Niger Bridge which is nearing collapse and failure to put in place a Second Niger Bridge to connect the South-East with other parts of the 1st Respondent, in accordance with Section 15(3)(a) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, when the 1stRespondent does so in other Geopolitical Zones, is contrary to Section 42 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999.

5. A DECLARATION that the over-policing of the South-East highways with numerous check-points by operatives of the 1stRespondent’s Nigeria Police Force (NPF) at every stretch of road wherein sums in excess of N9 Billion annually are extorted from the South-East people, while kidnapping and other crimes still go on unchecked in violation of Section 14(2)(b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999; when such extortion and high level of crime are not obtainable in any other Geopolitical Zone, is discriminatory and a violation of the provisions of Section 42 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999.

6. A DECLARATION that the 1st Respondent’s failure to develop friendly ports and customs policies to assist traders from the South-East Geopolitical Zone to do better in trading and on higher scale; failure to have an operational international cargo airport at Owerri to aid trading and failure to dredge the Lower Niger and establish a Port at Onitsha to aid trading, in accordance with its constitutional obligations under Section 15(4), 16(1)(a) and (2)(a) and 17(3) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, when it responds to the people of other Geopolitical Zones in respect of their areas of strength in the economic map of the 1st Respondent, are discriminatory acts which violate Section 42 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999.

7. A DECLARATION that the poor revenue allocation rate foisted on the South-East Geopolitical Zone by the 1st Respondent as a result of failure to exploit Oil/Gas and Coal in the Zone and as a result of the structural imbalance of the States in the South-East vis-à-vis other Geopolitical Zones where the 1stRespondent is mandated under Section 16(2)(a) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 to promote “a planned and balanced economic development”, is discriminatory and contrary to the fundamental right of the Applicant guaranteed by Section 42(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999.

8. A DECLARATION that the worsening menace of Erosion in the South-East Zone generally and in particular in Agulu, Nanka and Obosi in Anambra State, under the watch and neglect of the 1st Respondent, who responds to similar or less-threatening ecological problems in other Zones with dispatch and commitment, is discriminatory and a violation of the fundamental right of the Applicant and the Group/Class represented guaranteed under Section 42 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999.

9. AN ORDER directing the 1st Respondent to forthwith prepare and release for immediate execution a comprehensive South-East Development Master Plan (SEDM) forurgent turn-around of the infrastructure in the South-East Geopolitical Zone, and the phased execution of such Master plan to be pursued with dispatch and vigour; which Master Plan must include immediate relief in the following identified areas of neglect:

(a) Complete overhauling of all Federal Highways in the Zone and designing and construction of new ones, including the Anam-Nzam Federal Roadlinking the South-East with the North-Central at Idah in Kogi State

(b) Exploration of Oil/Gas Reserves in the Anambra Basin

(c) Reinvigoration of modernized mining activities in Enugu

(d) Re-engineering of Niger Bridge at Onitsha and construction of a Second Niger Bridge at Onitsha

(e) Dredging of the Lower Niger and construction of a Lighter Berth at Onitsha, and

(f) Developing a modern international cargo airport in the Eastern Heartland at Owerri

10. AN ORDER directing the 1st Respondent to forthwith prepare and send to the National Assembly for enactment, a bill to establish the South-East Development Commission (SEDC) and for ancillary matters, which body shall be charged with the execution of the said Master plan and the general development of the South-East Geopolitical Zone.

11. AN ORDER directing the 1st Respondent to forthwith put all its machinery, including but not limited to legal and political apparatus, in motion, with a view to urgently creating TWO ADDITIONAL STATES in the South-East Geopolitical Zone to balance with the Seven States in the North-West, and thereby bring to an end the discriminatory practices against the South-East Geopolitical Zone in terms of legislative representation, political and judicial appointments and net federal allocation accruing to the Geopolitical Zone.

12. AN ORDER directing the 1st Respondent to take immediate steps to check the excessively aggressive and nefarious, yet ineffective policing of the South-East Geopolitical Zone and putting an end to the extortion going on at the ubiquitous police check-points on the highways in the South-East Geopolitical Zone.

READ MORE: http://www.abacityblog.com/2017/04/olisa-agbakoba-files-suit-against.html

Former governor of Abia State Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu yesterday visited the national headquarters of the Assemblies of God Nigeria where he reassured the people of the South East that the All Progressives Congress is not an Islamic party.

Kalu, who was received by the General Superintendent of the church, Rev. Dr Chidi Okorafor in Enugu, said since he joined the APC, he had been visiting bishops and other church leaders explaining to them why he joined the party “because our people have been deceived that APC is an Islamic party.”

“I want to say that APC does not belong to President Buhari, the chairman of the party is Chief John Oyegun, a Knight of the Catholic Church; so I have continued to explain to church leaders that APC is one big family.

“That we are not what people think; we are a political party that will continue to strive to make Nigeria a better country. Rome was not built in a day, the economy is very difficult today, people are suffering, Nigerians are seeing the worst economic situation, but I know it will soon be over,” he said.

Source: http://www.abacityblog.com/2017/04/our-people-have-been-deceived-says-orji.html

A Multitude of Biafra agitators was pictured dressed in Jewish attire during 2017 Passover night - in Nnobi Town in Anambra State.

Miss Prisca Chiamaka Abel, a Biafran activist who shared the photos and the video, said...

These are our Jewish Biafran Brothers gathered from different places in Bịafra land at the 2017 Passover night in Nnobi Town in Anambra State, to ask God for forgiveness and the redemption of their land.... May Chukwu Okike hear their cry...

Watch Video: http://www.abacityblog.com/2017/04/photosvideo-biafrans-dressed-in-jewish.html

The people of Nkpor, Idemili North Local Government Area, Anambra State, yesterday cried out that the spirits of IPOB members massacred on May 30, 2016 in the town by soldiers and the police during a protest for the sovereign state of Biafra, were still tormenting them.


Addressing newsmen, the spokesman of the community and a community leader, Chief Chibuzor Okeke, said the people of Nkpor are not happy that the killing took place in their land, adding that “since the senseless and unprovoked killing of suspected IPOB members and non members in the town, we have never known peace and a lot of strange things have been happening.

“I am aware that some Igbo men and women were massacred here in Nkpor, in the name of fighting IPOB members, and since then, it has not been well with the community.”

Source: http://www.abacityblog.com/2017/04/biafra-spirit-of-slain-ipob-members-is.html

A Made In Nigeria wooden-body car has been officially unveiled at the annual “Technology and Innovation Expo” #Techno2017 which is organised annually by the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology.

The event which kicked off today, 3rd March 2017 at the Eagle Square Abuja - was anchored by the Honorable Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonna Onu.

The manufacturer of the wooden-body car named “Amara,” Ahmed Aliyu drove the car by himself to the arena amidst of admiration of participants.

Speaking after he gave a ride to the Minister around the arena, Aliyu said, “I drove it (Amara) from Bida in Niger state, which is about 250km to Abuja to showcase it to the world.

Amara uses fuel, “it took me about 23 litres of fuel to get to Abuja from Bida” Aliyu said. Amara uses motor-bike engine. “About 70% of the raw materials were locally-sourced, except the engine, wheel and tyre”, Aliyu said. He hopes that he will get support to scale up and mechanise his production.

SEE MORE PHOTOS: http://www.abacityblog.com/2017/04/take-look-at-made-in-nigeria-car.html

By Shirley Ikonne

"Since this brave century opened, and have noted
A certain permanence, a personality,
A liking almost for each opposition,
A willingness to make the best of things."
-- Edmund Blunden (To Our Catchment Board)

There are so many heroes and leaders in our time that we have to learn from. If I am to put into one sentence what makes a powerful leader it would be this ; one who is driven, passionate, and committed to, and do what is right for others.

Since the return of Democracy 2009, Nigerians have seen different personalities cutting across each political zones. They are many politicians who has distinguised themselves either being famous for their attitudes, leadership skills and popularities. Or peharps, know for their antics, and how the play the game of politics.
No doubt, the name Senator Dino Melaye rings a bell to every Nigerian.

A distinguised senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. In the last few days, the media had trended news about Sen. Dino Melaye. So far, his heroic nature had made him so popular, loved, hated, admired and most especially respected.

Here are 50 reasons why Senator Dino Melaye is well loved and respected:

1. He is a magnificient orator

His oratory skills right from his days at Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria made him popular and a force in the student union.

2. His love for his people

Dino as a politician represents a figure. A man who believes he has much to offer his society. He's passionate about his fellow citizens and a philantropist in nature.

3. He doesn't speak much

Many will see this as an irony. But take a careful scruitiny at the senator, he represents a man of action. A man who believes action speaks louder than words.

4. A great lover of democracy

Here is a man who believes in due process in everything he does. His actions irrespective of some selfish interests among colleagues shows him as a man who believes power belongs to the people.

5. A politician without bitterness

One respected fact that stands him out is that he is a man who doesn't have the time to make enemies. His believe in the tenet of democracy and passion as a leader confirms it.

6. A man who when knocked down cannot be knocked out.

For the past few weeks we've been seeing, reading lots of negative views about the senator. However, his ability to prove the mischief makers wrong has been his trademark.

7. A great force to reckon with

For those that believes in democracy and those that does not, senator Dino has shown he is a great force to be reckon with. 80% of social media analysis of Nigeria politics makes reference to Sen. Dino as a fighter and a hero.

8. A man who believes in his principles

Even during the last administration and now, Senator Dino had shown himself as a man of great principle with great ethical beliefs irrespective of his political party.

9. A visionary leader

No doubt, Senator Dino epitomises a great man with good visions.

10. A role model for the youths

Any visionary youth today who listens to Senator Dino Melaye speaking at the upper chamber of the legislature will be amazed by his intelligence and ability to construct his points. His versatile knowledge of the rule of law makes him a man we can be proud of.

11. Dino has a drive for perfection

Even outside the political realm. Friends who are very close to the senator noted he inspires people to be great.

12. A libral who believes the country must move forward

No doubt Senator Melaye is a man who supports political and economic freedom, thus respecting and understanding other people's opinion all for the interest of the nation.

13. Dino has the Tiger by the tail

The tiger is the common working man in this country who is tired of politics and government policies not favourable. Havibg senator Dino as a representative, you are assured of good representation. Like him or hate him, he is a leader and he has the Tiger by the tail.

14. Dino's integrity is not rehearsed

Mr Dino is truthful. Good or bad, he points things clearly the way it is. Lies are out, unrehearsed truth is in. What you see is what you see, all the cards are on the table, the words are non-rehearsed, flowing forth and engendering a sense of trust.

15. Dino has consistently championed protectionism

His recent opinions and views on why the custom leader should be duly invited. His views on national security all points to the fact that the distinguished senator is a man who has the people's interests at heart.

16. He is a fearless leader

A major trait that stands him out is his ability to withstand pressure and not intimidated by unnecessary attacks from different quaters. As a youth, senator Dino Melaye epitomises this great leadership trait.

17. A great motivator

He has a proven record of being resourceful, innovative, and creative in achieving his objectives and goals.

18. The best among his peers

His real world accomplishments can be directly transferred to leading our country back to greatness as a lawmaker.

19. Dino is a man of humility.

Aside his courage and integrity, the Kogi born senator is a very friendly fellow who interacts and mixes with different categories of people irrespective of tribe, religion and language.

20. A great team player

Here is a man who has focus along with the ability to plan strategically and catalyse cooperation amongst his colleagues.

21. Emotional Intelligence

This is one major trait of leadership, which has been exhibited several times by the senator in the House of Representatives.

22. Toughness

99% honest political analyst in Nigeria will be honest enough to latest to this fact about Senator Dino Melaye

23. His Charisma Speaks

Yes, this is a very pervasive trait of the Kogi politician. His charismatic nature makes him well loved and very much admired.

24. Dino translate vision into reality

Senator Dino Melaye being a man of vision has shown overtime his ability to translate them all into reality. No wonder he has been an activist right from secondary school, through the years he stayed at ABU and now as a lawmaker.

25. Confidence in his views

Senator Dino being a man of integrity has always been confident when expressing his views.

26. Commitment to the masses

Without sentiments, the Kogi Senator has hitherto shown in his pertinacious approach that he is 100% committed to the yearning of the masses. He has so far shown commitment to the masses in his various initiative programmes.

27. Always Positive

Here is a man who is always optimistic in everything he embarks on and it has shown so far in his jene sais quoi.

28. Ability to inspire

Dino Melaye no doubt has got great skills that has definitely been an inspiration to many of his admirers, especially the youths and his colleagues in the legislative arm.

29. A man with an excellent intuative ability

A close encounter with the senator, one will be very quick to realise he is a man with an excellent intuative ability. His good judgements and approach to issues confirms to this fact.

30. Perspicacious Approach

The Kogi state politician has shown he is a man who is able to understand someone and something quickly. He has shown this accurately in the upper legislative chamber.

31. A great commander

To many youths in Nigeria, the great charismatic nature of Sen Dino Melaye has shown and has depicted as a great commander. As a youth leader in his time, he has shown himself to be a great commander.

32. His fight to end corruption in Nigeria

A man at 47, irrespective of his political affiliation have proven to be the most consistent whistle blower and anti-corruption campaigner in National Assembly since the advent of Democracy.
His revelation of the Nnamdi Azikiwe airport Runaway contract awarded at the sum of N64 billion. His reveltion to Nigerians how Dimeji Bankole embezzled and misappropriated over $59 million between 2008 and 2009. Through him Nigerians became aware about the "grasscutters" awarding contracts to themselves.

33. The Most Influential

History will record him as the most influential lawmaker and personality in Nigeria legislature. His ability to read out and scruitinize bills, motions and most of his colleagues seek his opinion.

34. A great philantropist.

Here is a man who has touched the life of many. A leader who has sponsored children to acquire education. A man who has spread love to the disenfranchised in the society.

35. A man with great vision for his people

Here is a man who is passionate and committed to his people. He is a man of great vision for his people.

36. A servant leader (voice of the voiceless)

Read more:http://www.abacityblog.com/2017/04/50-reasons-why-youths-loves-dino-melaye.html

Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has been urged to stop calling Nigeria a zoo, where animals and baboons are living.

The pleading came on a heel following Kanu's alleged hate speech on Radio Biafra London, which led to his arrest in Nigeria on October 2015 while coming in from United Kingdom where he based.

Kanu has been arraigned on different court charges and has been granted bail by the Abuja high court under rulings of Justice Adeniyi Ademola, but was later arrested and detained by the order of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Following his detention since October 2015, there has been an uneasy calm in the southeast geopolitical zone of the country as main region agitating for a Biafra Nation.

Various efforts have been made to ensure Kanu's release, but it seems President Buhari is not ready to let him go.

While canvassing for Kanu's release, The Director General of the Voice of Nigeria (VON), Mr Osita Okechukwu has called on anyone who have access to Nnamdi Kanu to please, tell him to stop calling Nigeria a zoo.

Mr Okechukwu, while speaking with newsmen after attending a popular radio programme, Freedom Square Enugu state, he revealed that he has been pleading with President Buhari to release Nnamdi Kanu and other pro-Biafrans held in detention.

According to him; Mr President is just back. We will continue to plead on his (Kanu) behalf because we told Mr President that, this is a young man from England. That, actually we don’t know his stand in Nigeria. Give him pardon.

Mr President asked me, Osita, have you talked with him?

Continuing, he said; I will find time to talk with him. But anybody that has access to talk with him should tell him that Nigeria is not a zoo where you want to bring Igbo out.

Source: http://www.abacityblog.com/2017/03/someone-should-tell-nnamdi-kanu-nigeria.html

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo was in Umuahia, the Abia State capital yesterday, to meet with elites from Niger Delta/Oil Producing States.

The meeting was to dialogue the way forward to the indigent of the Oil producing communities as they have suffered despite their God given resources.

It will be recalled that Osinbajo was yesterday conferred with a Chieftaincy title of "Enyioha 1 of Ndi-Igbo" ( which means "The Friend of All".

Presenting their cases to the Vice President, the leaders present at the conference are:

Sen. Enyinnaya Abaribe
Eze Young Ogbonna
Chief Sam Nwogu,
Chief Don Ubani,

And other representatives of youths, Women and other interest groups, made strong cases for the people of Ukwa.

Below is the summary of their request:

(1). That the Federal Government establishes a federal University in Ukwa.
(2). That the Federal Government should appoint an Indigene of Asa to the membership of Board of NDDC.
(3). That NDDC finishes all abandoned capital projects in Ukwa and the State in general.
(4). That NDDC establishes a skill acquisition centre in Abia State, as has been done in other States.
(5). That FG finds a way of rewarding the youths of Abia that did not deem it fit to carry arms against the country even when others that took up arms benefited from amnesty programme of the Federal Government.

Source: http://www.abacityblog.com/2017/03/5-things-niger-deltaoil-producing.html

A popular Nigerian stand-up comedian, Bright Okpocha, A.K.A Basketmouth, on Friday in Lagos promised never to make negative jokes about the Nigeria Police and their performance.

Basketmouth made the promise while receiving his stolen handset recovered by the police from the Lagos police commissioner, Mr Fatai Owoseni.

He said that he made those negative jokes about the police due to public perception about the performances of the officers and men.

“I want to thank the Nigeria Police for a job well-done. I thought I will never see again the items stolen from my house.

“It is amazing that with two weeks of the robbery attack, the suspects were arrested, my handset recovered.

“I usually make negative jokes about our police, but with this performance, I will never use them for negative jokes. I advise members of the public to always support the police.

“In western nations, it is the public that assist the police for information against criminals,” he noted.

Owoseni, while presenting the handset, said that basketmouth’s visit was symbolic, stressing that his appreciation will boost the moral of the officers and men.

He said that the police was committed to the safety of live and property, urging the public to always say something, whenever they see something .

Some robbery suspects, on Sept. 7, 2016 invaded the home of Basketmouth at Lekki area of Lagos State.

Two of the suspects had since been charged to court over the attack.(NAN)

Source: http://www.abacityblog.com/2017/03/why-ill-never-make-negative-jokes-about-nigerian-police-basketmouth.html

The CEO of Stercoll Energy Services, USA. Chief Dr Emeka Charles Kalu heartily welcomes the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari back into the country after a well-deserved medical rest and vacation in the United Kingdom.

In a statement through Comrade Sunny Idika, Chief Kalu remarked that he is full of gratitude to the Almighty God for upholding and preserving the life of our President, further affording him the opportunity to work and serve the good people of Nigeria and continue in the delivery of the good dividends of democracy to all Nigerians.

The Business mogul stated that Nigerians are indeed grateful to welcome back Mr President and are hopeful that his return will continue to usher in pleasant surprises, security of lives and properties , infrastructural development, economic progress, peace and unity, and a better standard of living for all Nigerians.

"You're welcome home, Mr. President. Keep the fire of hard work, dedication and development burning. We are solidly behind you" he stated.

He therefore wished Mr President continued strength, good and better health as he continues in his giant strides geared towards repositioning our dear country, and enthused that it was really good to have him back to steer the ship of the state to the shores of socio-economic progress and Prosperity.

Source: http://www.abacityblog.com/2017/03/sustain-delivery-of-good-governance-in.html

Yesterday was Aba trade fair held in Abuja, Nigeria's federal capital territory, and this is not the first time Aba Made Products have gone national/diaspora, but one thing got our attention, and that is Aba Made Bullet Proof vest!

Yes! you read it! Aba artisans are beyond your imagination when it comes to product making, no wonder Acting President Osinbajo recently said that "Had Aba developed, Nigeria has nothing to do with China".

The bullet proof vest was produced by one of the Aba artisans, it's proudly Made In Aba.

SOURCE: http://www.abacityblog.com/2017/03/take-look-at-aba-made-bullet-proof-vest.html

A life threatening video has emerged online, the footage showed a man threatening to kill all the foreigners in South Africa through the xenophobic attack, if they don't leave South Africa within after 14-days ultimatum.


The frustrated young man excluded Uganda, says they respect Ugandans more than any other Africans.

The young man who identified himself as, Don Sage Mabudubudu- Sage Kozuma vowed to kill all the blacks in South Africa, stressing that other countries does not care how they, the South Africans survived the rate of unemployment, as other Black Africans

According to him; "we give every black Africans living South Africa 14 days ultimatum to leave South Africa, else, they will be killed. Every Africans living in our country will be killed, excluding Ugandans, he thundered.

Watch the Video: http://www.abacityblog.com/2017/03/video-xenophobia-man-vows-to-kll-all.html

Today, Aba experienced shocking news, when unknown gunmen shot dead three Bakassi (Vigilante) boys in a broad daylight along Aba Owerri road, Aba.

The incident which took place before MCC Junction, opposite Seven Day Adventist Church (Sabbath), by Toonak claimed the life of three vigilante men.

According to reports, the vigilante group disrupted the gunmen operation, where they attempted to kidnapped a wealthy businessman by Tonimas, opposite Bicoz Filling Station, along Enugu/Port Hacourt express way.

Irked by the action of the Vigilante group, the hoodlum went on a rampage by tracing the Hilux of the vigilante men, double-crossed them while reaching at the spot where the incident happened, they took the vigilante men unaware, open fire on them, killed three, while two of the vigilante officers survived, but currently admitted to the Teaching Hospital in Aba.

Source: http://www.abacityblog.com/2017/02/photos-three-died-as-gunmen-shoots.html

The Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed is currently in Abia State to launch the 'Change Begins With Me' program.

The event which is an ongoing program of the Federal Government through the Ministry of Information, has held in some states of the federation before coming to Abia today.

While receiving the Ministers at the Government house, Umuahia, Governor Ikpeazu thanked the delegation for coming to Abia and therefore stated that the visit is apt, as it bothers on change of attitude.

The Ministers who are in Abia today are:

Alhaji Lai Mohammed, H.E Dr. Chris Ngige, Dr Okechukwu Emelama, Chief Audu Ogbe and Alhaji Abubakar Bawa Buhari.

Meanwhile, the program is currently going on at 5000 capacity International Conference Center, Ogurube Layout, Umuahia

Source: http://www.abacityblog.com/2017/02/photos-lai-mohammed-currently-in-abia.html

The Vice President of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo has recalled back through his days when he started the journey of Life, his school days, when he became a Lecturer/Professor and recently, when he emerged as the Vice President of the republic of Nigeria.

According to Osinbajo, who is currently the Acting President of Nigeria; He never used a Brand New Car during his school days, even when he was a lecturer, he only used fairly used car, (known as tokumbo)

The Pastor turned politician stated this at a convention held by the Redeem Christian Church Of God, RCCG, International Conference, Lagos.

According to him, Christians should wait for God's time, narrating how his life was turn-around for good, as he was gifted about 3 brand new cars in one year.

Watch the video: http://www.abacityblog.com/2017/02/video-vp-osinbajo-says-he-never-used.html

Justice M. Wilkins Wright, A judge handling the case of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mr. Nnamdi Kanu, has been suspended for 12 months by the Supreme Court of Liberia over alleged fraud.

Wright was found liable of breaching Rule 8 and 9 of the Moral and Ethical Conduct of Lawyers by obscuring his lawyer-client relationship with a former client of his while representing the government against the client in his capacity as Solicitor General of Liberia.

According to FrontPageAfrica, He was found liable of ethical breach by the court while pleading on behalf of the government of Liberia as Solicitor General, by concealing his relationship with his former client, FIDC/Sochor, when at the time, he conceded to a US$15.9 million fraudulent judgment against the government of Liberia.

The judge was found liable of the act last Friday when the Supreme Court delivered its opinion and final judgment in the case: Messrs Liberia Mining Corporation (LIMINCO) represented by and through its President, S. Ciapha Gbollie, and Mr. Jonathan Mason, (the Government of Liberia) versus His Honour Emery Paye, Assigned Circuit Judge, Sixth Judicial Circuit, Montserrado County and Messrs.

While reacting to the suspension of the judge, Media and Publicity Secretary of IPOB, Mr. Emma Powerful commended the Supreme Court of Liberia for the decision, alleging that the judge had been delaying and postponing judgment in the case between Kanu and Federal Government at the ECOWAS court.

According to Powerful, “nemesis has struck again as the top judge handling the case of Nnamdi Kanu at ECOWAS court has been removed from judicial service by a court ruling in his country Liberia. He was accused of fraud.”

“This man, Justice Wright, has been delaying and postponing the judgment on Kanu’s case because he wants to please powers that be by ensuring Kanu’s indefinite illegal detention. All those against Kanu and IPOB will continue to fall from grace into the grave,” he warned.

Source: http://www.abacityblog.com/2017/02/ecowas-handling-Nnamdi-Kanus-case-has-sacked-by-Liberia-supreme-court.html

Princeton N. Lyman, the former U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria and South Africa, delivered a very poignant speech on the panel titled "The Nigerian State and U.S. Strategic Interests" at the Achebe Colloquium at Brown University.

Lyman suggests that rather than continually emphasize Nigeria's strategic importance, it would behoove us to consider elements that might eventually lead to Nigeria's irrelevance on the international
stage.

TRANSCRIPT OF SPEECH (TAKEN DIRECTLY FROM THE VIDEO SPEECH)
Thank you very much Prof. Keller and thanks to the organizers of this conference. It is such a privilege to be here in a conference in honor of Prof. Achebe, an inspiration and teacher to all of us.

I have a long connection to Nigeria. Not only was I Ambassador there, I have travelled to and from Nigeria for a number of years and have a deep and abiding vital emotional attachment to the Nigerian people, their
magnificence, their courage, artistic brilliance, their irony, sense of
humor in the face of challenges etc.

And I hope that we keep that in mind when I say some things that I think are counter to what we normally say about Nigeria. And I say that with all due respect to Eric Silla who is doing a magnificent work at State Department and to our good friend from the legislature, because I have a feeling that we both Nigerians and Americans may be doing Nigeria and Nigerians no favor by stressing Nigeria's strategic importance.

I know all the arguments: it is a major oil producer, it is the most populous country in Africa, it has made major contributions to Africa in peacekeeping, and of course negatively if Nigeria were to fall apart the
ripple effects would be tremendous, etc.. But I wonder if all this emphasis on Nigeria's importance creates a tendency of inflate Nigeria's opinion of its own invulnerability.

Among much of the elite today, I have the feeling that there is a belief that Nigeria is too big to fail, too important to be ignored, and that Nigerians can go on ignoring some of the most fundamental challenges they
have many of which we have talked about: disgraceful lack of infrastructure, the growing problems of unemployment, the failure to deal with the underlying problems in the Niger-Delta, the failure to consolidate
democracy and somehow feel will remain important to everybody because of all
those reasons that are strategically important.

And I am not sure that that is helpful.

Let me sort of deconstruct those elements of Nigeria's importance, and ask whether they are as relevant as they have been.

We often hear that one in five Africans is a Nigerian. What does it mean? Do we ever say one in five Asians is a Chinese? Chinese power comes not just for the fact that it has a lot of people but it has harnessed the
entrepreneurial talent and economic capacity and all the other talents of
China to make her a major economic force and political force.

What does it mean that one in five Africans is Nigeria? It does not mean anything to a Namibian or a South African. It is a kind of conceit. What makes it important is what is happening to the people of Nigerian. Are their talents being tapped? Are they becoming an economic force? Is all that
potential being used?

And the answer is "Not really."

And oil, yes, Nigeria is a major oil producer, but Brazil is now launching a 10-year program that is going to make it one of the major oil producers in the world. And every other country in Africa is now beginning to
produce oil.

And Angola is rivalling Nigeria in oil production, and the United States has just discovered a huge gas reserve which is going to replace some of our dependence on imported energy.

So if you look ahead ten years, is Nigeria really going to be that relevant as a major oil producer, or just another of another of the many oil producers while the world moves on to alternative sources of energy and other sources of supply.

And what about its influence, its contributions to the continent? As our
representative from the parliament talked about, there is a great history of those contributions. But that is history.

Is Nigeria really playing a major role today in the crisis in Niger on its border, or in Guinea, or in Darfur, or after many many promises making any contributions to Somalia?

The answer is no, Nigeria is today NOT making a major impact, on its region, or on the African Union or on the big problems of Africa that it was making before.

What about its economic influence?

Well, as we have talked about earlier, there is a de-industrialization going on in Nigeria a lack of infrastructure, a lack of power means that with imported goods under globalization, Nigerian factories are closing, more and more people are becoming unemployed. and Nigeria is becoming a kind of society that imports and exports and lives off the oil, which does not make it a significant economic entity.

Now, of course, on the negative side, the collapse of Nigeria would be enormous, but is that a point to make Nigeria strategically important?

Years ago, I worked for an Assistant Secretary of State who had the longest tenure in that job in the 1980s and I remember in one meeting a minister from a country not very friendly to the United States came in and was berating the Assistant Secretary on all the evils of the United States and all its dire plots and in things in Africa and was going on and on and finally the Assistant Secretary cut him off and said: "You know, the biggest
danger for your relationship with the United States is not our opposition but that we will find you irrelevant."

The point is that Nigeria can become much less relevant to the United States. We have already seen evidence of it. When President Obama went to Ghana and not to Nigeria, he was sending a message, that Ghana symbolized more of the significant trends, issues and importance that one wants to put
on Africa than Nigeria.

And when I was asked by journalists why President Obama did not go to Nigeria, I said "what would he gain from going? Would Nigeria be a good model for democracy, would it be a model for good governance, would he obtain new commitments on Darfur or Somalia or strengthen the African Union
or in Niger or elsewhere?"

No he would not, so he did not go.

And when Secretary Clinton did go, indeed but she also went to Angola and who would have thought years ago that Angola would be the most stable country in the Gulf of Guinea and establish a binational commission in
Angola.

So the handwriting may already be on the wall, and that is a sad commentary.

Because what it means is that Nigeria's most important strategic importance in the end could be that it has failed.

READ MORE: http://www.nigeriavoice.com/nigeria-may-become-failed-state-princeton-n-lyman-fmr-u-s-ambassador-nigeria/

aloziedaya:
Don't mind bubu, he will soon regret his actions. Disobeying court orders and imposing hardship on Nigeria.
I expect him to disobey nature and return to Nigeria by force.
Nnamdi Kanu is in prison while he bubu is tactically in exile.

They are both not enjoying freedom.

FTC dedicated to Osinbajo.

Lol You just said it all; They are both not enjoying freedom

Nnamdi Kanu is in prison while he bubu is tactically in exile.

Dr. Emeka Kalu, a former gubernatorial candidate in the 2015 elections in Abia State, has lent out his voice in the continued detention of Nnamdi Kanu leader of Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB by the federal government.

Chief Kalu who spoke from USA in a telephone interview with Authority Newspaper, also throw more light on how he will make Abia State to become envious of it's contemporaries if he is the man piloting the state affair.

According to him; “So far, the gover­nor is governing to the best of his ability but I believe that if he would continue to improve in his governance, he would do better.”

Kalu however, suggested that as one who has a passion for transforming Abia, his mani­festo could go a long way in making Abia the envy of its contemporaries, if adopted by the Ikpeazu government

“There are six key things that any governor must work on - provide roads and accessible in­frastructures which will lead to free flow of commerce and ease security monitoring. He should also invest in agriculture and agro-biotech industries to in­crease youth employment, self reliance and job security. He should equally provide stable power supply to encourage increase in small scale industries and transfer of technology.

“In the area of education, the government can invest to provide quality primary and secondary education and make it affordable and free to every child in the state.

“Health care system must be fixed for better affordability of care. Another major focus should be massive rural and urban development. This can be used to reduce migration of youths and increase of self reli­ance within the rural popula­tions.

“A government that works must reflect on the quality of the people’s everyday life. We should have a safe and secure environment to live in peace and get back and forth to our daily cares affordably. Aba, our ancient commercial breadbas­ket city must be brought back to its old glory at least with all the previously thriving industries brought online to provide em­ployment and economic boost to the state.”

Speaking on the issues regarding the continued detention of Nnamdi Kanu, the IPOB and Buhari’s role in the whole mat­ter:

He said; “I wouldn’t speak for the Ohaneze Ndigbo or any other responsible organization in this regard. As a Nigerian, I would advise that the Igbo nation take a stand on this struggle. I would also advise the IPOB to heed to the decision of Igbo nation. Both should sync in ideology and mission.

There is a legal involvement on the mat­ter and I would advise that both the presidency and the IPOB should respect the outcome of the matter in court. President Buhari should lead by example of a true patriot and a president under the rule of law regarding the judicial pronouncement to release Nnamdi Kanu”.

Source: http://www.abacityblog.com/2017/02/chief-emeka-kalu-why-buhari-should-obey.html

[REVEALED] As S'West detached, Buhari trying to make peace with S'East ahead of 2019 Election

Seems like the South East is the best bet for Mr. Muhammadu Buhari's 2019 second term Presidential ambition as the crises rocking the All Progressive Congress (APC) has deepened.

Many reports emerged that the former Lagos State Governor, Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his allies are set to dump the APC ruling party, to form their own political party ahead of the 2019 general elections.

Contrary to that, Mr. Buhari seems to have no other option than to make peace with the South East region, the people whom he sidelined during his political appointments as the region voted against him during the 2015 presidential election.

Reports from Punch Newspaper have it that President Buhari, is now reviving his old alliances in the south east, and, also have ordered contractors handling various infrastructural projects in the zone to return to site.

This is aimed at ensuring the speedy completion of the rehabilitation of some federal roads in the region. Punch added.

Findings showed that emphasis would be placed on the following projects: Port Harcourt-Aba Road, Abriba-Arochukwu-Ohafia Road (Abia State,; Oji-Achi-Obeagu-Mmaku-Awgu-Ndeaboh-Mpu-Okpanku Road (Enugu State), Second Niger Bridge and the Ikot Ekpene Border-Aba-Owerri Road (Akwa Ibom/Abia and Imo States).

Buhari is also said to be eager to erase the impression that he would punish the zone for voting against him during the 2015 election.

This is coming on the heels of subtle threats by some members of the ruling All Progressives Congress, especially from the South-West, to reassess their membership.

A prominent member of the party, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said, “Of course, a lot of realignment is going on.

“Even the media war between former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai, should tell you something.”

He added, “The 2015 elections taught us that no part of this country can be ignored. The PDP took the North-Central for granted and they paid for it. The news from the South-West is giving us concerns but we are addressing the issues. We don’t want to leave anything to chance.

“The president is a better politician than many are willing to give him credit for. He listens, he has instructed that infrastructure, especially roads in the zone, be revisited. He knows such projects have a direct impact on the lives of ordinary people.”

More at: http://www.abacityblog.com/2016/11/revealed-as-swest-detached-buhari.html

This is indeed a good move to unify Africans, as one of the largest continent in the world, with the launch of African Union (AU) passport, every African can travel around the continent without visa, which means Africa is now borderless.

According to Ventures Africa, During the 27th African Union (AU) summit in Kigali, Rwanda, the AU passport was launched. The idea of a visa-free passport for members of the AU was first established in 2013, as a part of the 2063 agenda, which incorporates 7 major goals to help promote a self-reliant continent. One of the primary goals of the agenda is to guarantee integration and political unity in Africa and this passport will aid the body achieve that goal.

More at: http://www.abacityblog.com/2016/07/goodnews-with-au-passport-launched.html

The Eye sore of ABA/IKOT EKPENE Federal road (PHOTOS)

http://www.abacityblog.com/2016/06/the-eye-sore-of-abaikot-ekpene-federal.html

meezynetwork:
The worst road in the country. I don't know why aba is synonymous with bad roads be it state or federal road.

That's because of bad governance

fineland202:
Too bad gov should interven with imidiate efect

This road has been like this for years now, even the past administration of Goodluck Jonathan did nothing about it

amaechi1:
Nwanne, Iziokwu ka ikuru. Onye we nti ya nuru.
You are not only on this course. I have received rains of insult because, I have argued that our leaders are not telling the truth. Simply put, they are angry because they have lost from the political equation. Like you rightly put what have done for the Igbo nation when there are within the political space. Nothing except enriching their pockets.
I have argued what we need is for our political class to scale down their greedy and have passion for the common Igbo man not Biafra.

Onye Okwu iziokwu si jaya ike. Azuka nari ito.

Onye Igbo Khaki

The state of ABA/IKOT EKPENE road is indeed an eye sore. This is the only commercial road linking Abia and Akwa Ibom state, in total abandonment of the past administration.

It will be recalled that the people of these states are purely dependent upon each other for survival as there are no federal presence around them.

Following the bad state of the road, all the business activities/ ventures on this road are completely shut down for many years, thereby making life extremely difficult for the people of these states.

Despite their resources are being controlled by the Nigeria federal government because of constitution, The present administration of the President Muhammadu Buhari led APC government did not include the rehabilitation of this life saving road into this year budget.

Meanwhile, rehabilitating this very road will calm a lot of nerves in the south- East by letting the good people of these states have a taste of federal government road rehabilitation project.

Source - http://www.abacityblog.com/2016/06/the-eye-sore-of-abaikot-ekpene-federal.html

The Abia State governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu has bared his mind towards the controversial National Grazing Reserves Bill which is currently undergoing debate at the Nigerian National Assembly.

Speaking on Friday, May 6, 2016, the governor said that any plan to create a grazing reserves for the Fulani herdsmen will be frustrated in the entire South East because there is not sufficient land space in the zone for such projects.

Ikpeazu stated this, when he appeared on the Magic 102.9FM Aba flagship programme “People and Politics”. He stressed that there is enough land space in Northern Nigeria for grazing reserves and they should be located in the North.

“We don’t need grazing reserves in the South-East, because we don’t have land space for it. There are enough land in the north, so let have grazing reserves there,” Ikpeazu said.

Fulani militia, the armed wing of the herdsmen, have been the hot topic for the past two weeks after carrying out acts of genocide against Nimbo community in Enugu State last week. Communities in the South East, South South, and South West have ordered Fulani herdsmen to leave their territories.

Meanwhile, the Northern senators in the Nigerian senate threatened a break up of the Nigeria if the terrorist Fulani herdsmen are evicted from the Southern states.

Source - http://www.abacityblog.com/2016/05/abia-no-land-for-grazing-reserves.html

Here is the full story = http://www.abacityblog.com/2016/05/breaking-tension-in-ogborhill-aba-as.html


http://www.abacityblog.com/2016/05/tension-in-aba-as-police-and-army-force.html

LIKE SERIOUSLY, RIP MEANS, "REMAIN IN POWER!! LOL

SHARP GUY!!!

AS SEEN ON LINDAIKEJI BLOG

Abia state governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, made a visit to the Internally Displaced People's camp, in Malkohi, Adamawa state, over the weekend as he attended the marriage ceremony of, son of his colleague, Governor Bindo Jibrilla.

Ikpeazu stated that he was used to Yola, during his days as an undergraduate at the University of Maiduguri, Borno State. He also promised to contribute to the upkeep of the IDPs, some of whom are of South East origin.

Speaking with newsmen after the visit, the Governor of Abia State recounted his undergraduate days memories of the North East region.

"I am in Adamawa State to felicitate with my colleague, Governor Bindo whose son is getting married.

"As someone who went to Borno State at the age of 16 as an undergraduate, I understand what Maiduguri and Borno State used to be and what it has become now, owing to the terrorist activities of Boko Haram.

"When I was told that some displaced persons from Borno State are kept here in Malkohi IDP Centre, I decided to come to see them."

Dr Ikpeazu lamented the suffering of innocent Nigerians as a result of the "needless insurgency and acts of terrorism that have rendered Nigerians homeless in their own country". He expressed confidence that Nigerian security forces will fully restore peace and stability to the affected areas.

SOURCE - http://www.abacityblog.com/2016/04/abia-governor-visit-malkohi-idps-camp.html

Few months ago, AbaCityBlog reported of this act, a pastor who buried humans beneath his church foundation in Enugu state, though many believe it, while some doubted it, but here is the story....

A Pastor in Enugu State used live human bodies to line up on his church foundation, and nemesis caught up with the him, as he has been apprehended by the police.

It was gathered that the corpses were buried inside the foundation of a church building under construction and totally covered with concrete in Enugu State Nigeria.

According to the police,the workers might have been bribed to do this evil act and now that the master minder has been apprehended, hopefully through his confession all other culprits will be apprehended.

Source = http://www.abacityblog.com/2016/03/pastor-who-buried-humans-in-his-church.html