₦airaland Forum

Check the real story. Later

By
EMEKA JEROME

All warfare is based on deception. Hence, when able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must seem inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near –Sun Tzu

In the words of the revered war strategist Sun Tzu, deception is a critical component of war execution. Echoing Sun Tzu’s teachings, the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has refined the craft of deception, using a tapestry of falsehoods to advance and achieve their objectives. This treatise will highlight how the group has continually employed deception as a weapon of war to deceive gullible members, keep the public attracted to them and deepen its presence in the south east. No doubt, IPOB’s ascent to prominence was founded upon a bedrock of deception right from its inception. Spearheaded by Nnamdi Kanu, the emergence of IPOB was an outgrowth of the supposedly reformed Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), a pro-secessionist group that had already seen its power wane and was known for its cunning activities and propensity for violence. Although IPOB came into being in 2012, Kanu had already garnered a significant following due to his inflammatory broadcasts on Radio Biafra, a responsibility he had taken on as a member of MASSOB. Recognising that the decline of MASSOB could spell the end of his influence, Kanu, aiming to secure both relevance and financial gain, intensified his facade of advocating for Biafra’s freedom. He accomplished this by spreading propaganda against the Nigerian Government and fostering optimism among the susceptible members of the public. By rebranding and emerging as a new entity, IPOB projected an image of a fresh movement seeking self-determination while carefully avoiding associations with MASSOB’s past activities. His strategy worked because in no time, Kanu assumed command over the sphere of IPOB’s operations, rapidly ascending to its helm.

When IPOB started its brand of agitation, it was cheered on. Nnamdi Kanu became an overnight messiah. The poor vulnerable uneducated market apprentices became his ardent followers. He exploited them. Kanu adequately deployed his expertise of Radio Biafra to deceive. By broadcasting incendiary messages and misinformation, he manipulated emotions and perceptions of the public to IPOB’s advantage. The false narratives he propagated about the Nigerian Government’s actions and intentions fuelled anger and frustration among his followers. The use of hate speech and derogatory language against Government, portraying them as oppressors and enemies of the people painted a one-sided narrative of victimhood which generated sympathy for their cause, making it difficult for their followers to critically assess the situation. By leveraging international media attention, IPOB amplified their narrative on a global scale. Sensationalized headlines and stories about their activities played into their strategy, allowing them to maintain the façade of a legitimate movement fighting for self-determination while downplaying or omitting their more radical actions. The group while orchestrating actions that provoked responses from the Nigerian Government, created martyrs and gained international sympathy. Most of their tactics aimed to paint IPOB as a peaceful movement unjustly oppressed by a hostile government, thus diverting attention from their own aggressive activities. Ironical!

Unsurprisingly, Igbo diaspora across Europe and America began to join IPOB. Politicians back home were consulting its leader, Kanu. His house became a Mecca of sorts. Kanu got emboldened and then, combative. He became proud and dictatorial. His words were feared. He aspired by every means to be like Ojukwu, famed for his lionic roars. Kanu had disciples. Within this newfound position, Kanu artfully manipulated the collective sentiment, leveraging deception to foment hostility towards the government under the guise of championing the elusive cause of Biafran freedom. His financial resources began to significantly swell in different hard currencies. He skillfully garnered financial support from both the rich and the poor under the ploy of rallying donations to fuel the secessionist agenda. Simultaneously, as his personal coffers grew richer, he persistently peddled false hope to his followers, deceitfully and heartlessly portraying himself as their champion in the struggle. Kanu became bolder and went ahead to establish a military Wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN). Operating ostensibly to counter Fulani herdsmen in the South East or so we were told, the ESN initiated a series of assaults designed to stoke the flames of ethnic conflict and destabilise the nation. Paradoxically, the reported activities of Fulani herdsmen have notably diminished, however IPOB’s actions in the region has remained persistent.

In what initially appeared to be a child’s play in the beginning, soon transformed the South East into a breeding ground for violence, marked by a surge in assassinations, bloodshed, intimidation and various forms of mayhem. Security agencies sent to the zone to restore order became targets for annihilation. The group’s orchestrations have, indeed, in the spirit of Sun Tzu’s teachings, harnessed deception’s formidable power to its advantage. Recognising that Kanu, a Nigerian based in London and his group held the potential to plunge the country into anarchy if left unchecked, the Nigerian government took proactive steps. It proscribed the group and went a step further by extraditing Kanu back to Nigeria. This was to ensure he faced charges for the chaos and destabilization he allegedly caused in the Southeastern region. In response, the group members protested and began issuing out senseless sit-at-home orders every Monday. Doom awaited whoever dared to come out on days meant for the so called sit-at home. Even school children were not spared. The young and old met same fate. For each day sit at home order was enforced, millions of naira was lost. Trading, economic, educational activities were halted. The sick does not dare to go to the hospital. Regardless of the protests voiced by the local inhabitants, IPOB ruthlessly dealt with anyone who dared to defy their directives, ironically targeting the very individuals they professed to champion and liberate. Deception at the highest core! For the people, the snake they nurtured in their bosom has now turned around to bite them.

With Kanu now in custody and facing legal proceedings, his disciple Simon Ekpa, in faraway Finland, capitalized on his mentor’s influence to achieve his own rise to prominence. Recognising the opportune moment for him to also cash out, Ekpa launched a deadlier faction called the Autopilot and afterwards the Biafra Government in Exile. He continues to give false sense of hope to liberate Biafrans while using them to swim in millions. Same as his mentor, it has now become unmistakably clear that IPOB’s motivations are primarily driven by financial gain. Under the pretext of calling for the release of Kanu, he dishes out orders to for sit-at-home, organises fundraising frequently with the false and deceptive narrative of using the money to fund ESN. How laughable. Ekpa became more vicious. The South East is currently in a mess. Sit-at-home orders stretches for weeks with zero considerations of how it negatively affects the poor residents. Meanwhile the person issuing out the directive is doing so from the comfort of his home abroad.

IPOB’s skillful use of deception as a strategic weapon of war becomes even more apparent when considering recent developments. They are now attempting to distance themselves from the autopilot faction of IPOB led by Simon Ekpa. IPOB is doing double speak. At one instance, it wants to distance itself from Sit-at home. At the other, it states that though it started it, Simon Ekpa is not implementing it its own way. But at least, it was Kanu and IPOB that started it. They are in agreement. While they vehemently deny that the Eastern Security Network (ESN) engages in combative and violent activities, this assertion contradicts the evidence provided by the numerous arrests made and the ongoing campaigns carried out by the military and other security agencies. As the number of arrests increases, IPOB intensifies its efforts to disassociate itself from these individuals, seemingly attempting to detach their image from these actions. Yet, in ironic twist, they continue to advocate for the release of these very individuals they claim not to be affiliated with. The contradictory stance of denying membership while concurrently issuing press releases about the detention of their members raises questions about the veracity of their claims. It is as if they are performing a delicate balancing act, trying to maintain an image of innocence while supporting those apprehended.

Furthermore, Simon Ekpa’s frequent calls for a sit-at-home protest have created a conundrum for the group. In light of the public’s skepticism and widespread condemnation, they appear to be shifting blame onto Ekpa’s faction, using this as an opportunity to once again deceive the public into believing that they are the virtuous side. But it is evident as daylight that in a larger context, IPOB’s insistence on non-violence stands in stark contrast to past actions. During the EndSARS protests, Nnamdi Kanu’s directive to his followers to burn down Lagos demonstrated their potential for incitement. The ensuing chaos and destruction following this directive were widely observed. Their claims of nonviolence also clash with their association with the Ambazonian secessionist group in Cameroon, an entity known for its aggressive tactics. The inconsistency is further highlighted by their clashes with the Army and Police in the South East. These confrontations raise questions about their true intentions and undermine their assertions of nonviolence. In the face of these complex and often contradictory actions, IPOB’s manipulation of information and narratives emerges as a deliberate and sophisticated strategy to shape public perception, rally support and maintain a facade of innocence even as evidence points to a different reality.

Another strategy being deployed by IPOB is the sustained misleading narrative that all rival factions other than its own are sponsored by the Federal Government or its agencies. This claim is distorted and contradicts the evident struggle for supremacy between Kanu and Ekpa. It is important to note that Kanu broke away from MASSOB. Ekpa is only traversing a similar path. Why then is Kanu angry and propagating falsehood for the purpose of deception? At the moment, the times are not good for the IPOB. It is in dire straits and fight of its life. It is in a big struggle as its days are numbered. Sooner than later, like its predecessor Biafra-Republic-agitation-associations, will become extinct and go into oblivion. This is not a false prophesy. It is a matter of time. Again, like the South East elite and governments, IPOB has got a wild cat for a pet and it turned to feed on it. All is not well with Kanu and IPOB. They have both crumbled and crawling. There is fire on the mountain and IPOB is in disarray. It is struggling. Kanu is in detention. His IPOB is in shatters. Disorganised. Only vultures have surrounded him. Everything is wrong. There is leadership tussle. IPOB has broken into factions. There is Simon Ekpa autopilot. There is Chika Edozien Directorate of State (DOS). IPOB is in a big fight over its finances. Kanu’ s younger brothers want to control it. In Germany, Italy, London, France among others IPOB huge funds is at the heart of a fight. Some accounts have been blocked. Others are objects of litigation. Kanu is worried. He is losing control. There is a bigger fight among Kanu’s legal team. No cohesion. Some feel entitled. There’s contest over who is the lead counsel. Some lawyers who never had addresses or any profitable ventures have found rest in IPOB. Some who couldn’t have won the simplest civil cases in a customary court are cashing out on IPOB and fleecing Kanu. Poor him.

While IPOB burns, Southeast also burns. Eastern Security Network, unknown gunmen, kidnappers, hostage takers, warlords, combatants, killers, marauders, blood suckers, violent vigilantes have taken over the region. Only a reign of terror is visible. IPOB is helpless. Simon Ekpa, from far away Finland is fueling the crisis. Violently forced sit-at-home order is enforced by those IPOB struggles to deny are not its members. In the absence of Kanu, Ekpa has tried to mimic him in voice, attitude and carriage. The kill-them-order, has accentuated. Ekpa tries to outdo Kanu. Ironically, Kanu is in denial. He and IPOB are desperately denying that Ekpa isn’t their member or working for them.

A time was when Kanu publicly called for attacks on Nigerian Soldiers and other law enforcement agents including the police. Kanu called for violent attack of fulani herdsmen. He called many Igbo politicians names. He called them Efulefu. What has Ekpa done differently? IPOB is just intelligent by half. Now, the organisation and Kanu want Monday sit-at-home cancelled but used for Economic Empowerment Day (EED) and call/march for his unconditional release. Any difference? Whether as sit-at-home or EED or call for Kanu’s release, is it not the same? Double speak! The new plan is even more dangerous. It will bring Kanu’s faction of IPOB into confrontation with Ekpa’s. Then blood will flow. A bird that leaves the ground and perches on the anthill is still on the ground. This is an Igbo adage. Kanu claims IPOB is not responsible for the dastardly acts in the South East. But he has not denied tasking ESN to be bloody. Even now, he tries to deploy the ESN for certain accomplishments. Initially, we were told ESN was fighting Fulani herdsmen. But is that still true? We were told it was about Buhari. Is he still there?

There is another angle we are ignoring. Kanu has never denied not to have committed most of the things he is accused of. His very dull infantile defence is that he did that in the UK, a jurisdiction not covered by Nigeria. Fact is that Kanu and his cohorts have injured the South East, Ndigbo and humanity. History will not judge him right. He may pontificate and grandstand. He may look for scapegoats and point accusing fingers to “innocent” persons and places. He has destroyed his homeland. He has destroyed Igbo culture, value and ethical discipline. Igboland is in ruins, the type never suffered during the civil war. While IPOB thinks or believes that its tactics are superb and impregnable, they are rather self-destructive. The tactics have not only impeded peace in the South East but inhibited the resolution of the crisis and perhaps, encouraged the continued incarceration of Kanu.

At the end, Ndigbo will understand the essence of the current agitation. They will understand that it is a complete ruse. It is a manipulative deception; a heist organised by some negatively ambitious young men who, in their desire to be rich, started a variant of 419/Yahoo Yahoo. It worked for them. They got the money and attention of the vulnerable. They used intimidation, harassment and fear mongering to actualise their aim. The bone of contention among IPOB leaders is about how to keep and share the booty. The one behind the bars wants to maintain a control from detention. The money is so huge to be left in the hands of others. Kanu is voracious for money. IPOB is rich and the funds cannot just be left like that. The agitation is no longer about Biafra or Ndigbo. It is about Money, Women and Power. It is an ego fight among select narcissists. The IPOB leaders do not want the Igbo followers to know this. It will not be good for their narrative and end goal. It will deflate the deceptive tactics. Keeping the propaganda and fake news alive is the best they can do. The deceptions work, at least, for now. But the lies will definitely die someday. There is a short span of life for lies and deceit. Sooner than later, light and knowledge will come upon Ndigbo. May that day come. And quickly too.

Emeka Jerome, writes in from Umuahia, Abia State.

BREAKING: GROUP SET TO PROTEST OVER COMPLICITY OF BELLO KOKO IN CORRUPTION, FINANCIAL FRAUD AND ABUSE OF OFFICE


A group under the aegis of the Coalition of Civil Society for Transparency in Public Offices (CCSTPO) is set to organize a massive protest at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja over allegations of corruption and financial fraud hanging on the neck of the Managing Director/CEO of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Mohammed Bello Koko.


The protest which is slated for Tuesday, 22nd August, 2023 will be used to draw the attention of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and anti-corruption agencies to the rot going on in NPA under the leadership of Bello Koko.


In a statement signed by the Chief Convener of the group, Engr. Yusuf Adekunle and made available to journalists in Abuja on Friday, it was revealed that Bello Koko had earlier been dragged to the Federal High Court Kaduna vide Suit No. FHC/KD/CS/78/2023 concerning the same issues.


Bello Koko is also accused of gross abuse of office, misappropriation of public funds, and money laundering while serving as Executive Director, Finance and Administration as well as MD/CEO of the NPA between January 2015 till date.


In the said suit filed by Comrade Isah Buta, the National Coordinator of Arewa Progressives Forum (APF), through his lawyers, Messrs LAWRENCE IJIMDIYA & ASSOCIATES, the Chairmen of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Code of Conduct Bureau, as well as the Attorney-General of the Federation/ Minister of Justice and CG, Nigeria Immigration Service were named as Defendants.

By

Peter N. Afunanya Ph.D, fsi
Public Relations Officer
Department of State Services (DSS)
National Headquarters
Abuja.

Recently, the media is awash with various commentaries about DSS disobedience to Court Orders. These accusations, as wrong as they are, have peaked in the Emefiele saga. It may interest the public and indeed the avowed critics of the Service to note the following incidents and timelines to show that it has religiously obeyed Court orders in respect of the case and even others.

In 2022, the Service commenced the investigation of Mr Godwin Emefiele on suspicion of Terrorism Financing, Money Laundering among others and subsequently applied to the Federal High Court, Abuja for his arrest and detention. But the Chief Judge objected to the order and clearly stated that the Service did not need an order to investigate or arrest him. Emefiele was to later obtain a restraining order issued by Justice MA Hassan of the FCT High Court against the Service. Instructively, the DSS obeyed this Order and did not arrest or detain Emefiele.

However, on 9th June, 2023, Emefiele was suspended as CBN Governor by the President. Based on new information and suspected criminal infractions, the Service, as expected by law, arrested and detained him using a Magisterial Order. On 10th July, 2023, Justice Hamza Mu’azu of the FCT High Court, while recognising that the DSS had every legal right to arrest, detain and investigate Emefiele, ordered for his release or prosecution within seven days. The Service expeditiously and expressly complied with the order and charged him for illegal possession of firearms and ammunitions being one of the criminal suspicions. The Muazu Order had, by implication, extended Emefiele’s detention by seven days with effect from 10th July, 2023 when the initial detention order had expired.

Within the same period, Justice Bello Kawu of the same FCT High Court, while dismissing reliefs sought by Peter Abang, Counsel to Emefiele on 14th July, 2023 ordered for the release or prosecution of Emefiele within 48 hours. However, the Service had complied with the seven days ultimatum issued by Justice Muazu. In obedience to rule of law, Emefiele was arraigned before Justice Nicholas Oweibo of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, on 25th July, 2023 for illegal possession of arms and ammunition. The Service had long issued a press statement over the incident that happened at the Court between its staff and those of Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) and pledged to investigate it. Though the investigation is ongoing, the preliminary findings are quite shocking considering the ignoble roles played by some public officials.

As normal with criminal investigations, security agencies re-arrest suspects when there is adequate suspicion of commission of a crime or as may be revealed by an ongoing investigation. Emefiele was re-arrested on the basis of this. Even though the re-arrest was tainted by the overzealousness of personnel of the Service and NCoS, it was nonetheless legally procedural.
Later, the Service applied for an Exparte Order at the FCT High Court presided by Justice Edward Okpe (and not Justice Mu’azu as erroneously and massively reported in the media) to detain Emefiele for 14 days. Against the established rules regarding exparte applications, a lawyer suddenly appeared in the Court for Emefiele. While the Judge did not outrightly reject the DSS request, he struck out the motion upon its withdrawal by the Service counsel. But this is not without his guidance. Earlier, the Judge had drawn the attention of the Counsels to Section 293 of Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) which also recognises the Magistrate Court as a competent Court that can first be approached for an order for custody of a suspect under investigation. In other words, the Service, having taken the hint of the Court, took the right steps. What transpired at the Court was, thereafter, variously misrepresented by some mischief makers. Part of the disinformation is to the effect that the Court “struck out the application and stated that it was an abuse of judicial process”. That was not what the Court said. What Justice Okpe said was “the Applicant having withdrawn the application, same is hereby struck out”. That was all. The Court records are there. But purveyors of fake news distorted the message to suit their intent; just to make the Service look bad – a sort of giving the dog a bad name in order to hang it.

Many had gone to town with stories of DSS fragrant disobedience to Court Orders especially in view of the last episodes at the High Courts in Lagos and Abuja. With what played out at the Court on 27th July 2023 under Justice Okpe, the Service immediately applied and obtained a detention Order from a Magistrate Court. So, Emefiele is legally detained. For reasons that the Emefiele case is subjudice, the Service will restrain from making further comments on the subject matter.

For either lack of knowledge or deliberate act to ignore the truth, there has been sustained bashing of the Service and its leadership in the media and public spaces. It is ironical that the same people who condemn media trial are daily taking the Service through the same. The actual points are however, not lost on the Service. It is aware of the depth of the orchestrations and even deeper plot to incite the judiciary against it.

Targeting DSS DG, YM Bichi, for insidious media attacks is needless. Any DGSS, even if brought from heaven among the angels, will discharge the DSS mandate. There isn’t a time in our national sojourn for greatness that key organs of government will cease to exist or not needed. The DSS, like the CIA, FBI among others, is a major and positive instrument of State administration and management. It is essential for statecraft, governance, stability and public order. Scraping it as being canvassed by the uninformed is unreasonable. It is indeed obvious the DSS is misunderstood. It is obvious there is a mob action against the Service. Allow the DSS be. Allow Bichi, a fine gentleman officer, be. Support DSS. Support Nigeria. As in the national anthem, Arise, O Compatriots.

Some critics have made varied insinuations including abusing the Service, its leadership and completely distorting the significant historical role of the Service in nation building. Others have said it is wobbling and of no relevance. Laughable. The DSS is not tottering. It is standing and firmly too. Even the worst of its critics knows that the Service has played (and still plays) stabilising roles for the nation. Its loyalty and patriotism are incomparable. The Service is a stabilising force for the country’s democracy. Same for the indivisibility and indissolubility of Nigeria’s sovereignty. Only a collaborative support from stakeholders will strengthen this. The Service does not claim to know it all; a reason it allows for constructive criticism and makes out time to explain itself in line with transparency and democratic accountability.

Whether on Emefiele, Bawa or Kanu, the Service has obeyed judicial orders and handled the cases procedurally and in accordance with the rule of law. Critics are encouraged to be a bit more discerning and up their research capabilities. Doing so will reveal that the Service obeys orders. The Court of Appeal judgement on Kanu is recommended for detailed study. Maybe, we can decipher the difference between Discharged and Acquitted and what the use of either or both mean in the final order of a Judge. The DSS is an ardent respecter of the law. Anyone may argue this but it is true. It is in this regard that it has applied for either a stay or notice of appeal on some of the matters. One who does not obey the laws will not resort to legal procedures like the DSS has done.

Let those seeking justice not intimidate the Judges or derail law enforcement efforts. Judges deliver justice without fear or favour and should be allowed to discharge their duties honourably. For the umpteenth time, the Service reiterates its unequivocal stance on rule of law and respect for the judiciary. This position remains unchanging despite the futile attempts to paint it otherwise.

For a medium which hurts, destroys people and elicits growling messages, phone calls and libel suits, has little chance of survival. Ethically, objectivity, fairness, sticking to the facts, weighing facts against truths and demanding the other side are hallmarks of good reportage. But when misinformation, propaganda, and lies are shared as core truth, then a research is needed to find a path to viable answers that will establish facts that aligns with figures.

So much attention has been drawn to a malicious report of “146 billion naira fraud, abandoned projects by Nigeria’s North East Commission” published by a known notorious propagandists in-house media known as Sahara reporter.

Reading through the reports, I cannot but show my disgust at the unsubstantiated, fake, and mischievous article that has been pushed to the public space. It is unfortunate that such widely followed news media platform will engage in such smear campaign.

Before I critically analyze Sahara reporters' unprofessionalism, It is imperative to note that The North East Development Commission (NEDC) is the coordinating body for government, organisations, international and civic leaders, to rebuild the North-Eastern states in Nigeria into a safe, economically vibrant, ICT driven 21st Century region.

In the opening body of the article, the statement “The Leadership of NEDC may soon be investigated by EFCC and ICPC” shows how long they’ve been hunting the reputable NEDC for a great fall.

They further wrote that the commission has refused to respond to the earlier petition some people sent. NEDC is a focused body with lots of mandates to be executed, they are not a commission with an ample time for inappropriate chitchats, or shenanigans from anyone or some people. Therefore, it should be noted that if the leadership of NEDC didn’t reply to earlier petitions, it’s because the petitions were not sent through the proper channels. The Leadership of NEDC are highly committed to transparency in every area of their operations.

According to Sahara reporters, NEDC was been petitioned by two transparency groups, PATAI and AITA, who have based their clowning core allegations on corruption, financial misappropriation and abuse of office, led by one Mr Bassey. He claimed that the N146.19 billion was the budgetary allocation to the commission, and also said the money was paid in full for uncompleted or abandoned projects.

They stated with temerity that, “The abandoned projects include the construction of a central workshop in Maiduguri, the construction of Birma Primary School at Kashimbila in Taraba, and the Madagali and Pinlla primary school projects in Adamawa. Others are the equipment supply at the Eye Clinic Centre in Azare, the construction of the ICT training centre, College of Legal and Islamic Studies, Misau, all in Bauchi state.”

From the malicious narrative above, they failed to tell everyone the specified budgetary allocations for all these listed projects, if it’s 50b, 12b, or what? This truly shows they lack the technical know-how of the modus Operandi of projects execution. Since they claimed to know the full allocated fund, their allegations would have been of a good substance if they were able to provide comprehensive breakdown on the amount they believed would have been appropriate for the execution of the projects they were smart to point out, but they blindly went all in for a pull-down syndrome.

Sahara Reporters article rode on a the false narration of 146.19 billion fraud provided to them by the hungry NGO’s without substantiating the amount of budgetary for different listed projects that are needed to be executed, also not giving specificity to the time frame needed for execution, thereby revealing their level of absurdity in the face of professional journalism.
All these, Just to smear the leadership of NEDC, and I asked “For what reason, and to what extent?”

However, it is expected that the media do thorough Investigation bearing in mind the corporate social responsibility of the press to report only accurate and factual News. The press is expected to observe high social standard and responsibilities in performing their professional functions, but Sahara Reporters failed woefully in this quest.

Sahara reporters ought to have known better that the leadership of a sensitive commission like NEDC, that’s fully under the watch of anti-graft agencies and other law enforcement agencies, won’t be that stupid to dive into the ruffles of corruption and mismanagement. But it’s very unfortunate that Sahara reporter has to peddle the paid news for better considerations of upcoming paychecks from their political godfathers that are just after their selfish gains from the ruins of good governance.


Should we say that sahara reporters and these two transparency NGO’s had no clue of the many fully executed projects that could easily be googled by a 7-year old? Projects t like;

The construction of 1,000 housing units as that was part of the Federal Government’s resettlement efforts for millions of inhabitants displaced by the 13-year insurgency in Nigeria’s North-East.

The Education Endowment Fund with a seed capital of N6bn.

Three bridges had been constructed in Kudzum, and Wuro-Ngayandi areas of Adamawa State.

Execution of 647 projects ranging from agriculture, health, education, energy/power across 112 local government areas in the North-East. With each LGA gulping at least N50m, the total costs accrues to N5.6bn. etc

These are just to mention a few of the many achievements by NEDC, “Please, Go and Check”.

Alkali, the MD of NEDC once said, “the commission required at least N31.05tn to execute its mandate according to the North-East Stabilization and development masterplan in the next 30 years.” From this statement, we can easily conclude that a good breakdown shows that the leadership of NEDC has been running a wisdom and requisite compassion to the proper management of available funds.


Further in the article, there were claims that other abandoned projects, included the mass housing project in Dadin Kowa, Gombe, 200 mass housing units in Nguru and a 300 mass housing project in Damaturu, both in Yobe.

For simplicity sake, If they were claims of abandonment and incomplete task, shouldn’t it be a question of asking why, and knowing the factors for suspending for a while? But Sahara in their derogatory personality went on with a falsified conclusive narrative of a Fraud report, when it is a fact that projects are usually implemented over a period of time on account of funds being released over several budget cycles such that projects are implemented in phases.

Unfortunately, this narratives has been further accentuated by the virulent utterances and statements by some rat-house media houses that had relied on their mother-decks like Sahara reporters. It’s so debasing to think that in spite of all the facts they claimed to possess, both groups opted for media show-bashing and name-smearing when they could have simply tendered their grievances and petitions to the EFCC for proper indulgence.

As Abba Musa has rightly said, this regime is well known for transparency and accountability, and it is not possible for anyone to mismanage over N146 billion, and nothing will happen. The process to perpetuate such financial robbery and vandalism in a commission like NEDC is suicidal and never possible.

According to the response given by the NEDC official in Sahara Reporters article, it is obvious that there was no denial of acknowledging the groups grievances. They were also given the relevance they sought for by promising to grace their official invitation.

Unlike a renowned restaurateur with wide ranging traditional clientele who are pernickety, the likes of Sahara Reporters are piffling, pigheaded and higgledy-piggledy. The dysfunctional aspect of their reportage is fast becoming a phenomenon contrived mainly to destroy, damage reputation and integrity built over the years all in a bid to get rich quick Extortionately.

The nontradable products of the medium are fertile grounds for a classical Study of an abuse of the new media and its irresistibility by gullible few who are rather quick in swallowing their false churn-outs hook, line and sinker and disregarding rebuttal or apologies by such errant media.

Owning to these fact that Sahara reporter publication, and the actions of PATAI and AITA has a large political and personal undertone against the leadership of NEDC, Iaw enforcement agencies need to grill the operators and their leadership in a bid to prove their innocence against the disruption of the now existing form of peace in the many Northeastern regions.

However, I believe that we should be consequently alarmed at any spurious allegations without recourse to implicating NEDC, which by all intent we know that the purposes are of poor taste and lacking any form of credibility as there are no such infractions in the operations of the NEDC.

As a matter of fact, the operational manual of the NEDC is such that is tailored to ensure accountability at all times and as such we should wonder how such infractions would have been effected with the multiple layers of checks and balances put in place.

Therefore, the leadership of NEDC is further urged to focus more on its mandate of returning the northeast to the commercial powerhouse it was before terrorism ravaged the community, and disrupted lives there. The leadership of NEDC must not let the strong focus on their mandate be shaken by any media propagandist that only cause mayhem for massive gains.

Charles is a forensic analyst writing from University of Nigeria Nsukka.

The legal team for the Labour Party has arrived at the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in Abuja to look over materials following its dissatisfaction with the results of the recently concluded presidential election.

According to reports, the team is currently having meetings with commission representatives.
https://multiplatform.news/2023/03/13/breaking-over-60-lawyers-from-labour-party-invade-inec-office-to-examine-voting-materials-2/

Five Human Parts Dealers Admit To Digging Up Bodies From Graves In Ogun
https://multiplatform.news/2023/03/13/five-human-parts-dealers-admit-to-digging-up-bodies-from-graves-in-ogun/


Peter Obi: Tinubu’s Victory In Presidential Election Wasn’t God’s Will
https://multiplatform.news/2023/03/13/peter-obi-tinubus-victory-in-presidential-election-wasnt-gods-will/

Tensions Are High As Peter Obi Campaign Insists On Nationwide Protest
https://multiplatform.news/2023/03/13/tensions-are-high-as-peter-obi-campaign-insists-on-nationwide-protest/

PDP Campaign Opens Up On Reps Member Caught With $500,000 On Election Eve
https://multiplatform.news/2023/03/12/pdp-campaign-opens-up-on-reps-member-caught-with-500000-on-election-eve/

INEC Threatened To Take Legal Action Against PDP, Other Parties Over Libelous Attacks On Yakubu
https://multiplatform.news/2023/03/11/inec-threatened-to-take-legal-action-against-pdp-other-parties-over-libelous-attacks-on-yakubu/

Bandits Kill Pastor’s Son, Abduct His Wife, Three Others In Kaduna
https://multiplatform.news/2023/03/10/bandits-kill-pastors-son-abduct-his-wife-three-others-in-kaduna/


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https://www.nairaland.com/6715881/2021-aihs-youth-competition-affordable

A Youth Competition on Affordable Housing Design and Ideas 2021

As Nigeria endeavors to manage it’s public health and rebuild her economy during COVID-19, the need for affordable housing in the country has never been greater and remains a high national priority.

Affordability often eludes many populations including low- and middle-income earners such as teachers, military personnel, health care workers, and most civil servants.

The Affordable Housing Design and Ideas Competition will focus on a new generation of thinkers on the concept of delivering affordable homes. By accepting entries from youths with no more than 10 years post graduation experience /undergraduate students. The competition provides the opportunity to empower the younger generation with real world practice in affordable housing development.

Technical Partners – Professional Bodies in the Housing Industry

Competition begins on AUGUST 6, 2021

Announcement of winners will take place on December 16, 2021

Sponsors
Federal Mortgage Bank Of Nigeria
Family Homes Funds Ltd
Housing Development Advocacy Network ( HDAN ) Copen Group
REDAN
Black Orchad
The Millard Fuller Foundation
Modern Shelter Limited
Shelter Afrique
Brains And Hammers ltd
Africa Housing News

For more details follow this link

https://ihsabuja.com/youth-competition/

We sort for real news, authentic news, latest news, breaking news, current news and verified news. In Nigeria, there are so much fun news and ugly news that pains the heart. Multiplatform reporters prove every news before publishing it on our platform.


Do you know with multiplatform, you will find the true news story happening in Nigeria? Wao, it is amazing to feel relax with our porter.

It is also very important that with us, you may get your desired dream job with national and international as we daily publish news. Most private companies in Nigeria and outside Nigeria still on the goal of offering quality jobs to those who merit it.

Read Morehttps://multiplatforms.net/2021/05/18/nigeria-news/

Catholic Pontiff, Pope Francis, has urged Christians in Nigeria to stop being sectional, and take the moral high ground.

Pope Francis, who took a swipe at churches that had opposed the appointment of Most Revd. Peter Okpalaeke as Bishop on the basis of his dialect, urged Christian communities in the country to act as true followers of Jesus Christ by showing love to all.

The Pontiff said this while delivering the homily at a special mass to celebrate the first anniversary of the creation of the Ekwulobia Catholic diocese, weekend. Read the full story ...https://thenigerian.news/nigeria/stop-being-tribalistic-pope-francis-tells-nigerian-christians/

Source video[url][/url]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hP86BfITsfo

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Video source

_{https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PocXR5LYj-0}

The International Association of World Peace Advocates [IWAPA]; a World-Class organization with United Nations ECOSOC Special Consultative Status under the leadership of Ambassador Per Stafsen the World Peace President from the KingdomOF Denmark, organized a one day workshop on Sustainable Development Goals Human Capacity training a special session with Amb Emmanuel Nkweke the world peace International spokesman to unveil the Hashtag Peace Back Nigeria project 2021 in the FCT, Abuja Nigeria.
The organization featured for special appearance wife of the Nigeria Inspector General of Police Her Excellency Amb Hajiya Aisha Adamu Musa Lafia as special guest.

The workshop was centered on how Nigerians should key into the United Nations strategy on world peace to achieve a robust Socio- Economic development.

Source

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uw0gUeTPaB8

Watch what covid-19 can cause in this Nigeria ...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uw0gUeTPaB8

Videos: https://youtu.be/hP86BfITsfo

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Minister of works and housing Babatunde Fashola has announced the full reopening of the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos.

The bridge has undergone rehabilitation in the past few months. It was recently shut by midnight on Friday to enable contractors move the equipment used during the rehabilitation process off the bridge and allow both the Oworonshoki and Adeniji bound

Source

https://thenigerian.news/metro/third-mainland-bridge-now-fully-open-fashola/

Source: https://thenigerian.news/judiciary-crime/court-dismisses-suit-seeking-arrest-trial-of-ohanaeze-ndigbo-leaders/

Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a suit seeking the arrest, probe and prosecution of the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Prof George Obiozor and other leaders of the group over alleged contempt.

Read More

https://thenigerian.news/judiciary-crime/court-dismisses-suit-seeking-arrest-trial-of-ohanaeze-ndigbo-leaders/