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PRESS RELEASE


2018 GENERAL ELECTIONS

ICCA/UMUNNA TO ICC, INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY: HOLD MALLAM NASIR el-RUFAI RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY ELECTION VIOLENCE.

- Calls on Ndigbo to participate in election and vote Atiku/Obi ticket.
-Use your vote to change Buhari’s injustice, marginalization and killings of Ndigbo

Toronto: February 15, 2019

The Igbo Canadian Community Association (ICCA/Umunna) calls on the Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) and members of the diplomatic to hold the Executive Governor of Kaduna State and All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai responsible for any act of election violence that may be recorded in Nigeria’s 2018 general elections which starts on Saturday, February 16, 2018.

In a statement issued from Toronto, Canada, by the President of the socio-cultural and political group, Chief Ugochukwu Okoro, through the Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mr Ahaoma Kanu, the call became necessary following the hostile and open threats made by the governor in a televised program on national television.

“The open threat made by Mallam el-Rufai to foreign election observers was done with a calculation to keep them at a distance so that all kinds of illegality can be carried out without the watchdogs around.”

The Kaduna State governor had, in a televised program on national television threatened foreign elections observers saying, “ Those that are calling for anyone to come and intervene in Nigeria, we are waiting for that person that will come and intervene, they will go back in body bags.”

“As we get into the final hours before the elections, we are worried for the safety of our people who are resident in Kaduna and other parts of the northern Nigeria and demand that the Federal Government should protect the lives of every person in those regions. Kaduna State under el-Rufai has witnessed ethnic tension; deaths and bloodshed. This is a governor that did nothing when in 2017 the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum gave a quit notice to Igbos living in the north to leave or face attack. Kaduna State has become a very volatile state where violence and killings occur without warning. There have been various incidences of violence along religious lines lasting days without abating especially in Southern and Northern Kaduna with the State government doing absolutely nothing to stop such incidents neither are any culprits arrested.

As a people who are always targeted especially by the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari who has not only militarized the South East but have ordered a crackdown on innocents sons and daughters of Ndigbo, we are concerned about the safety of our people since it is evident that Igbo leaders have given a directive to our people where to cast our vote.

We call upon the ICC and the international community to place a special focus on the activities of the state governor in order to safeguard the lives of Nigerians during this election period,” Okoro said.

Going further, the Umunna president urged Ndigbo to troop out en masse and participate in the elections and make their votes count.

“Being among the first organization to endorse the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidacy of HE Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Dr. Peter Obi, we urge every Igbo man, woman and youth old enough to participate in the election to cast their vote for the Atiku/Obi come Saturday, an action which will lead to true and enduring freedom and emancipation of Igbo land and people.

It is time for our people to use their PVCs and reject that party that promised to end terrorism in Nigeria but ended up unleashing terror to our young people in the name of Operation Python Dance; it is time that we reject President Buhari who declared a people exercising their freedom of expression as terrorists whereas he kept a blind eyes to the Miyetti Allah controlled Fulani herdsmen who have killed over 3000 Nigerians including the coordinated attack on our people in Nsukka, Enugu State; it is time we use our PVCs to reject Buhari who did not find any of our people capable enough to be in his administration.

The time has come for us to change that government which reduced the budget allocation for the Alkanu Ibaim International Airport Enugu from over N2billion to N500million; let us come together in unity with our votes and kick out the APC who arrested; tortured and killed our brothers and sisters since 2015; it is time to give the boot to a government that has crippled the economy and driven the country into recession with their inadequate economic policies; cluelessness and constant trading of blames; let us through the ballot box remove a President who attacks the judiciary, disrespects the courts and takes unconstitutional means to get his way.

During the first and only Presidential Media chat Buhari held on December 30, 2015, he asked a question, what does the Igbos want? The Ndigbo want an inclusive government who would treat them as equal partners in the union called Nigeria; Igbos want to be recognized and allowed to bring in their wealth of experience in the management of affairs of our country; Ndigbo wants freedom to express themselves without fear of persecution by the military; Ndigbo wants infrastructural developments and not marginalization; restructuring and not isolation; prosperity and not penury. Ndigbo want to be counted as Nigerians and not given the label of being among the Five Percent.

As a progressive people, Ndigbo have found that candidate in Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Dr. Peter Obi and we urge our people to cast their votes for them as we move to close the chapter on President Muhammadu Buhari administration which will forever remain infamous in our memories and open the door to a breath of fresh air; an air of prosperity, peace and progress.

We thank all our leaders especially the President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo and all those who stood firm for what is right, unmoved, undeterred, and not distracted by every wind of doctrine bandied about and propelled by the selfish interests and personal and situational conveniences of their inventors. We stand shoulder to shoulder with you in this particularly important moment in history in this event that will change our lives.


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About ICCA/Umunna
The Igbo Canadian Community Association (ICCA/Umunna) is socio-cultural and political organization committed to the rediscovering and reestablishment of the rich Igbo cultural identity, enhancing and strengthening the cords of unity and bonding among Igbo speaking people in Nigeria and the diaspora, advocating and agitating in a peaceful manner in all causes pertaining to Igbo people. Founded in 1970 at the end of the civil war, the association has firmly resolved that the Igbo Canadian Community Association, otherwise known as ICCA (Umunna), a Non-Profit Ontario Corporation, will be the umbrella body that will re-instill a sense of identity and pride within the Igbo nation by promoting her language, culture, history, traditions and philosophy of Igbo nation; create awareness of political and social condition of Igbo peoples in Nigeria and diaspora and help proffer and articulate solutions to Igbo problems with a view to reawakening the original and quintessential Igbo spirit and psyche as well as pursue cultural and historical education our people with the view to promoting the glorious heritage of the Igbo nation and its people.
Direct Enquiries to
Mr. Ahaoma Kanu,
PRO,
ICCA/Umunna
+1-365-880-7337
(goodname77@gmail.com)
Igbo Canadian Community Association (ICCA/Umunna)
680 Scarlett Road,
Toronto, Ontario
M9P 2T4
Canada

PRESS STATEMENT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE.

NNAMDI KANU IS A FEDERAL GOVERNMENT/APC AGENT-

How Former DSS boss, Daura, recruited him
Parents held hostage to manipulate him
The Orji Uzor Kalu connection

An International Media personality and presenter, George Chukwu, has revealed some sordid details surrounding the deal that led to the release of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mr. Nnamdi Kanu, had with the Nigeria Government.
In a Statement in Toronto, Canada, the renowned presenter with Canada’s Afroglobal Television and Vice-President of the Nigeria Canadian Association (NCA) said he got reliable information from sources in the deep background from Aso Rock how the IPOB leader was arrested during the military exercise on his hometown along with his parents in 2017 and held in Bonny, Rivers State under solitary confinement and released after the former DG of the DSS, Moman Daura, working together with the former Governor of Abia State, Orji Uzor Kalu, convinced President Muhammadu Buhari and Abba Kyari to recruit him to work for the state.
“I gathered from a very senior security official in Abuja that Nnamdi Kanu, his parents and driver were apprehended by the Army DMI operatives and initially taken to Ohafia on September16th of 2017. He was later removed from the military facility and taken to a Naval yard in Rivers State. His parents were held at Ohafia before they were transferred to Abuja and kept in a DSS safe house on Kwameh Nkrumah Street, Asokoro in Abuja.
According to my source, Nnamdi Kanu was wounded when he was arrested; he had a broken rib and was limping. The DMI kept the information about his arrest secret to manage the outcome of the infamous Operation Python Dance the army initiated which culminated to his being arrested. The FG was worried that information leaking about his arrest would trigger off protests and possible riots throughout the South East and South-South. Their fear stems from the fact Asari Dokubo had aligned with Nnamdi Kanu and the FG did not want the Niger Delta militants to start blowing pipelines again. They already had the Avengers that were causing enough trouble for them.
When the case Nnamdi Kanu was answering was called and the court was told he was nowhere to be found and following the Army HQ saying they did not know where Nnamdi Kanu was, it was decided that the information became top secret. It was at this time that the British Government made enquiry about Nnamdi Kanu who holds a British citizenship and the Attorney General and the Foreign Affairs Minister assured them that he was safe. Nnamdi Kanu sneaked into the country in 2015 with both his British passport and his Nigeria passport which enabled the Nigeria government to arrest him as he is also her citizen. Had Nnamdi Kanu had only his British passport he would have been safe. This was the argument the FG through the Attorney General offered to the UK diplomats and they kept cool.
Towards June 2018, Nnamdi Kanu became very ill and at a point took to hunger strike but was well taken care of. The doctor that was seeing him is called Dr. Obegi from Kogi. Nnamdi Kanu was said to have refused being given any injection which worsened his condition. He told his handlers he was afraid he would be killed the way Musa Yar Adua was allegedly killed. In all the months he was incarcerated he did not break. On the day that the World Cup final was played, his parents were brought to visit him. The DSS had been working his parents and they asked Nnamdi to reveal the funding of IPOB and how the money transfers were done. You remember, there was a time the Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed gave a press conference saying that IPOB had foreign sponsors from Spain; that information many others were given to the DSS by Nnamdi Kanu. His parents meeting him was a struck of luck as he became weakened and agreed to reveal all that the authorities wanted from him. But he demanded that his parents be released.
At this point of negotiation, the Federal Government brought in the former Governor of Abia State, Orji Uzor Kalu and he was contacted by Abba Kyari to get into the negotiation since he knew most of the sponsors of IPOB. Kalu went to see Kanu on in early August but the meeting did not yield any dividend as Kanu maintained his demand that his parents be released.
The former Governor was said to have asked the government to use Nnamdi Kanu’s parents as leverage or collateral knowing that his negotiations with Kanu never ever gets through.
It was during this time that the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the Hague delivered its verdict on their investigation into the activities of the Nigeria Army and concluded that they committed grave human rights abuses including killing innocent people. That development cut short the plan to release Nnamdi Kanu’s parents.
It was at this time that it was said the former DSS boss, Daura, came into the picture and told Nnamdi Kanu that he would have a new brief. He made it clear that his parents would be held while he would continue with a message of election boycott as the IPOB were canvassing. Nnamdi Kanu was told in specific words that he was being recruited to propagate the election boycott in the South East and South South knowing that these regions will not vote for President Muhammadu Buhari.
It was Daura that decided to have Nnamdi Kanu released to be flown to Israel after a deal was reached. Nnamdi Kanu was removed from Bonny and taken to Enugu airport from where he was transported to Abuja and connected to Israel.
This is why Nnamdi Kanu has been pushing for election boycott because he knows that this will affect Atiku Abubakar and Pater Obi so that Buhari will win. He has kept quiet about how he left the country only saying that Biafra Intelligence took him away. He has not mentioned where his parents are and has been doing everything to make sure he keeps his own part of the deal which was to be on till after the elections. My source said that Nnamdi Kanu was told to act like he used to but when he did the Jibril taunt and it went viral he was reminded of the pact he had with the government that is why he lately took to Atiku.
My fellow Igbo brothers and sisters go and cast your vote on February 16th for Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Dr. Peter Ob. VOTE FOR PDP.
Do not avail the APC this orchestrated manipulative hold they have on Nnamdi Kanu.

Thank you

George Chukwu
Afroglobal Television
Toronto, Canada.

PRESS RELEASE

SUSPENSION OF CJN:
YOUR ACTION A THREAT TO DEMOCRACY AND 2019 ELECTIONS.

Toronto January 26, 2019

The Executive and Board of the Igbo Canadian Community Association (ICCA/Umunna) has described the suspension of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter S.C Onnoghen (GCON) by President Muhammadu Buhari as an ill-conceived and provocative attempt at usurping the constitution to give way to dictatorial hormones intoxicating his DNA.

In a statement issued in Toronto, Canada by the President, Chief Ugochukwu Okoro, through the Public Relations Officer, Ahaoma Kanu, the socio-cultural and pressure group said that President Buhari has brazenly unveiled his plans to rig the 2019 elections by suspending the constitution in order to pave way for his handlers to teleguide and corrupt the election tribunals having seen the evidence that Nigerians have rejected his incompetent government.

"We stand with Nigerians and lovers of democracy across the globe in condemning the selfish, unconscionable, undemocratic and unconstitutional action of President Muhammadu Buhari in suspending the Chief Justice of the Federal Republic without recourse to constitutional procedures requiring such action. The action of Mr. President is dangerous to our democracy and should be fought against through all constitutional means.

The Nigeria constitution Section 292 (1) and paragraph 20 and 21 of the Third Schedule to the Constitution stipulates that the CJN enjoys security of tenure and is not removable except within the strict procedure and for the specific reasons enshrined therein. The CJN can only be removed from office by the President acting on an address supported by two thirds majority of the senate for his inability to discharge the functions of his office or appointment.

It is not surprising that President Buhari, in all his attempts to overthrow democracy which have all been met with strong opposition, has unleashed a mutiny on the judiciary in a manner which illuminates his preference for overtaking power.


President Buhari's action only exposes the desperate measures he and his handlers are now employing having gone across the country and seen how unpopular his government is hence his resort to unconstitutional means to remove the CJN. Also sad and diminishing is the reasons Mr. President premised his actions on.

This is a President that has constantly disobeyed court orders; shielded indicted criminals and turned a blind eye to hard evidences exposing his loyalists in corrupt practices. Listening to President Buhari give such fragile statements as his basis for taking on an unconstitutional path to usurp democracy does him no good but adds further assault to his already tattered reputation in respecting the rule of law.

We call on President Buhari to, with immediate effect, reinstate Justice Onnoghen as the constitutionally appointed Chief Justice of Nigeria failure of which we urge both chambers of the National Assembly to confront this ugly and detestable development with the full wrath of its authority, invoking impeachment proceedings if need be.”


God Bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria

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About ICCA/Umunna
The Igbo Canadian Community Association (ICCA/Umunna) is socio-cultural and political organization committed to the rediscovering and reestablishment of the rich Igbo cultural identity, enhancing and strengthening the cords of unity and bonding among Igbo speaking people in Nigeria and the diaspora, advocating and agitating in a peaceful manner in all causes pertaining to Igbo people. Founded in 1970 at the end of the civil war, the association has firmly resolved that the Igbo Canadian Community Association, otherwise known as ICCA (Umunna), a Non-Profit Ontario Corporation, will be the umbrella body that will re-instill a sense of identity and pride within the Igbo nation by promoting her language, culture, history, traditions and philosophy of Igbo nation; create awareness of political and social condition of Igbo peoples in Nigeria and diaspora and help proffer and articulate solutions to Igbo problems with a view to reawakening the original and quintessential Igbo spirit and psyche as well as pursue cultural and historical education our people with the view to promoting the glorious heritage of the Igbo nation and its people.
Direct Enquiries to
Mr. Ahaoma Kanu,
PRO,
ICCA/Umunna
+1-365-880-7337
(goodname77@gmail.com)
Igbo Canadian Community Association (ICCA/Umunna)
680 Scarlett Road,
Toronto, Ontario
M9P 2T4
Canada

PRESS RELEASE

MALETE MASSACRE:
ICCA/UMUNNA TO BUHARI: SACK DEFENSE CHIEFS WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT.

-Service Chiefs have outlived their usefulness, have questions to answer.
-shun nepotism and appoint capable officers.

Toronto November 29, 2018

The Igbo Canadian Community Association (ICCA/Umunna) have called on President Muhamadu Buhari to with immediate effect sack the defense chiefs for their failure to adequately protect the lives of combatant soldiers deployed to fight the war against Boko Haram insurgents in the North-East of the country, describing their performance in the war on terror as dismally embarrassing; abjectly incompetent and invariably discouraging to officers and soldiers of the Nigeria Army who are involved in the defense of the country.

The President of the socio-cultural and political group, Chief Ugochukwu Okoro, in a statement
issued in Toronto, Canada by the Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mr. Ahaoma Kanu, said “the recent attack on soldiers and officers of 157 Task Force Battalion, Metele, Borno State on November 18, this year by the Al Barnawi faction of Boko Haram of which videos were circulated online is gravely unfortunate, irreprehensible and totally embarrassing of the armed forces of a country like Nigeria.”

The ICCA/Umunna said that though they share in the pain and anguish that befell our heroic and gallant soldiers who paid the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty and also mourn with the families of the victims of the attack while respecting loved ones during this period of mourning, it is also expedient and necessary that questions need to be asked of how such horrendous calamity occurred and have been happening, stating that the service chiefs should be held responsible for the failures leading to such tragedy so disastrous for our soldiers.

“We boldly say that the Minister of Defence Dan Ali Monsur, Chief of Defense Staff General Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin, Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen. T.Y. Buratai, Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral IE Ibas and Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar as well as the Director General of the Directorate for State Security, Yusuf Magaji Bichi, should be held responsible for such wanton failures recorded in our armed forced recently.”

“We have seen videos of the attack purported recorded and being circulated by the insurgents and it is disheartening to see the superiority of the weaponry on display used by the terrorist group as compared to those available to our soldiers. Also, we have also gone through videos made by our soldiers in the theatre of war complaining of inadequate arms and ammunition to carry out the ongoing war. They complain of obsolete armoury and weapons, lack of supplies, non-payment of allowances and even unsteady food supply for soldiers in the line of defense which is totally unacceptable and deserving of an investigation.

It is rather worrisome that despite reports that the Nigeria Army received advance notice from the insurgents, inadequate preparation, reconnaissance, intelligence and tactics were not deployed to wade off and prevent the eventuality from occurring leading us to wonder what the Directorate for Military Intelligence (DMI) and DSS are doing.”

The Melete attack left hundreds of soldiers and officer killed with a reported 150 soldiers still missing in action and unaccounted for.

The ICCA/Umunna also questioned how the insurgents were able to have moved unhindered into the military formation without being detected nor intercepted.

“Also, we have learned from reports that Boko Haram fighters disguised in military fatigues of the Nigeria Army and gained entrance and access to the office of the Commanding Officer and this begs us to ask:

1. How does Boko Haram get their supplies?
2. Doesn’t the NA have channels in communication of movement of troops to its bases?
3. How come despite alleged warnings by Boko Haram nothing was done to consolidate the defense of the base?
4. What response and support did the Nigeria Air force give during the period the attack lasted?”

“It is sad to note that the service chiefs are incompetently handling this war on terror that, according to media reports, officers and soldiers are being killed in the most gruesome of manner with records of soldiers and officers now showing symptoms of Post traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) with some committing suicide. This is a development that is very regrettable,” Okoro said.

ICCA/Umunna frowned at the attitude of the service chiefs who have lately become so visibly involved in partisan politics and alleged production of election campaign materials.

“It is unfortunate that rather than be involved in prosecuting the ongoing war on terror and gainfully deploy tactics and strategies to prevent needless slaughter of our soldiers, the service chiefs are shamelessly attending political rallies and hobnobbing with politicians and only come for photo-ops when tragedy occurs.”

“It is tragic and condemnable that the present crop of service chiefs who are supposed to have been retired and made space for more capable officers to take over are only known for giving orders for the army to unleash mayhem on innocent and armless Nigerian protesters who are killed and fired at with live bullets when they are peacefully exercising their constitutional rights of expression as was seen recently when the army killed several Shiite members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) in Abuja as well as harassing and killing members of the Indigenous people of Biafra (IPOB), the most recent happening at Nnewi, Anambra State.”

Finally, ICCA/Umunna called on Buhari to shun nepotism and his tendency to always give appointment to a section of the country but look inwards to select competent men and officers in the armed forces to get a final solution to the war on terror in Nigeria.

“President Buhari should for once look at competence in appointing capable officers that will turn around the narrative in this war and bring the pride of the Nigeria Armed Forces back. We also want the military authorities to know that threatening to deal with Nigerians who are criticizing the killing of Nigeria soldiers is very unnecessary as Nigerians are patriotic and supportive of their soldiers despite acts of oppression and suppression they unleash on them on orders from above. They should rather do what they are supposed to do and they will see the accolades Nigerians both at home and in Diaspora will pour on them.”



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About ICCA/Umunna
The Igbo Canadian Community Association (ICCA/Umunna) is socio-cultural and political organization committed to the rediscovering and reestablishment of the rich Igbo cultural identity, enhancing and strengthening the cords of unity and bonding among Igbo speaking people in Nigeria and the diaspora, advocating and agitating in a peaceful manner in all causes pertaining to Igbo people. Founded in 1970 at the end of the civil war, the association has firmly resolved that the Igbo Canadian Community Association, otherwise known as ICCA (Umunna), a Non-Profit Ontario Corporation, will be the umbrella body that will re-instill a sense of identity and pride within the Igbo nation by promoting her language, culture, history, traditions and philosophy of Igbo nation; create awareness of political and social condition of Igbo peoples in Nigeria and diaspora and help proffer and articulate solutions to Igbo problems with a view to reawakening the original and quintessential Igbo spirit and psyche as well as pursue cultural and historical education our people with the view to promoting the glorious heritage of the Igbo nation and its people.
Direct Enquiries to
Mr. Ahaoma Kanu,
PRO,
ICCA/Umunna
+1-365-880-7337
(goodname77@gmail.com)
Igbo Canadian Community Association (ICCA/Umunna)
680 Scarlett Road,
Toronto, Ontario
M9P 2T4
Canada

PRESS RELEASE

ICCA/Umunna to South-East governors opposed to Peter Obi should help Ndigbo find Nnamdi Kanu

• ICCA/Umunna supports Atiku-Obi Ticket for 2019 elections.
• Having Peter Obi as Vice-Presidential candidate a step in right direction.
• The Buhari administrations undermined Ndigbo, doesn’t deserve second tenure.
• South-East governors opposed to Obi should put efforts in finding Nnamdi Kanu
• Urge Ndigbo to participate in coming elections

Toronto October 15, 2018

The Igbo Canadian Community Association (ICCA/Umunna) has declared total support and solidarity for the former Governor of Anambra State, Dr. Peter Obi as the Vice-Presidential Candidate and running mate to the former Vice President and presidential flag bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, in the forthcoming general elections in 2019 describing the combination of the two former leaders as a good recipe for reconciliation, restructuring and restoration of the country to the deserved economic height as well as positioning Ndigbo towards a promising realization in the structure of leadership in Nigeria.

In a statement issued in Toronto, Canada by the President, Chief Ugochukwu Okoro, through the Public Relations Officer, Ahaoma Kanu, the socio-cultural and pressure group said “the selection of Dr. Peter Obi as the Vice-Presidential candidate is a commendable recognition and an attempt at balancing the obvious disregard of Ndigbo in contributing to nation building and leadership affairs in Nigeria which the present administration took to an unprecedented nepotic level.

“Since 2015 when Nigerians made a decision to elect the present government, the administration of President Muhamadu Buhari not only bred nepotism to a whole new level ever witnessed in a democracy, he used the instrument of government and security agencies to murders thousands of citizens in the country especially people from the South-East through the now infamous Operation Python dance, drove the economy of the country downhill while undermining Ndigbo in positions of leadership and provision of infrastructure. Buhari and the All Progressive Congress (APC) undermined Ndigbo with military occupation, government ordered executions and open discrimination against the South-East section of the country in his proclamations even on foreign soil. As if that is not enough, the government of Muhammadu Buhari and the APC has no regard for the judiciary and its proclamations and turned court orders to null while ensuring the disappearance of her citizens among them one of our sons and leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and his aged father.Our mothers, daughters and wives were equally not spared as this present government suppressed freedom of expression and association of our women who were arrested, manhandled, sexually assaulted and imprisoned. This is some of the reasons ICCA/Umunna is throwing its weight behind the candidacy of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi as they seek to return Nigeria to the right pauth and restore the dignity of Ndigbo,” Okoro said.

Going further, the Umunna President urged Ndigbo across the South-East and the Diaspora to ensure a complete participation in the upcoming elections to realize an inclusive change.

“The present administration of Buhari and the APC promised a change which excluded us, we urge every Igbo person across all Igboland to participate in ensuring a change in government that includes us.”

In reaction to the development of some governors of the South-East grievance of not being consulted by the PDP presidential candidate on his choice of running mate, Umunna said it is unfortunate that after 37 years of exclusion in the leadership of Nigeria some governors of South-East states would come out brazenly to point at non consultation as an excuse in opposing the choice of Dr. Peter Obi as running mate.

“Inasmuch as we have the utmost respect for our leaders and hold them in high esteem, it is indeed worrisome that they have chosen to bring an issue that could have been discussed as Umunne inside our Obi to the market place. Since they decided to show their resentment openly instead of choosing other subtle avenues to have this consultation, Umunna, in telling truth to power, is pleading that they reconsider their stance as it will neither do them nor Ndigbo any good,” Okoro said.

He described the development as unfortunate and exposes the self-seeking attitude of some of the Igbo leaders.

“It is very unfortunate that our governors are standing shoulder to shoulder to cry in public in this issue, we would have expected them to have also come out publicly in demanding from President Muhammadu Buhari the whereabouts of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and the hundreds of young Ibo men, women and children that were massacred during the operation Python Dance exercise in September 2018. We would have expected them to have set up Panels of Enquiry into what really happened during this state –sponsored exercises in their states as done by the Kaduna State government after the Shitte Muslims were killed in December 2015.”

“We want to remind them that Ndigbo is still waiting for them as Chief-Security-Officers of the South-East states to inform us where Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and his aged father are being kept. The ICCA/Umunna will, through our outreaches in Igboland, make this part of the mandatory questions these our leaders seeking reelection have to answer for us to give them our support. We are certain as Igbo leaders that they must have felt the yearnings of the people and should, as Ndigbo, resolve this issue within the shortest time possible.’



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About ICCA/Umunna
The Igbo Canadian Community Association (ICCA/Umunna) is socio-cultural and political organization committed to the rediscovering and reestablishment of the rich Igbo cultural identity, enhancing and strengthening the cords of unity and bonding among Igbo speaking people in Nigeria and the diaspora, advocating and agitating in a peaceful manner in all causes pertaining to Igbo people. Founded in 1970 at the end of the civil war, the association has firmly resolved that the Igbo Canadian Community Association, otherwise known as ICCA (Umunna), a Non-Profit Ontario Corporation, will be the umbrella body that will reinstill a sense of identity and pride within the Igbo nation by promoting her language, culture, history, traditions and philosophy of Igbo nation; create awareness of political and social condition of Igbo peoples in Nigeria and diaspora and help proffer and articulate solutions to Igbo problems with a view to reawakening the original and quintessential Igbo spirit and psyche as well as pursue cultural and historical education our people with the view to promoting the glorious heritage of the Igbo nation and its people.

Direct Enquiries to Mr. Ahaoma Kanu, PRO, ICCA/Umunna
+1-365-880-7337 (goodname77@gmail.com)
Igbo Canadian Community Association (ICCA/Umunna)
680 Scarlett Road,
Toronto, Ontario
M9P 2T4
Canada

PRESS RELEASE

ICCA/UMUNNA congratulates Regina Pacis Model School on winning 2018 Technovation World Pitch competition

- ICCA/UMUNNA to partner with school to sustain standard.


Toronto August 27, 2018

The Igbo Canadian Community Association (ICCA/Umunna) have congratulated the Regina Pacis Model School in Onitsha, Anambra State for winning the 2018 Technovation World Pitch competition in Silicon Valley, USA, describing the feat not only puts the institution on a global stage but shows that Nigerian students can stand shoulder to shoulder with their contemporaries among nations and surpass them.

In a Congratulatory Letter written to the proprietor of the school, Most Rev. Val Okeke, by the President of ICCA/Umunna, Chief Ugochukwu Okoro, ICCA/UMUNNA said the accomplishment coming at this time is well deserved and will go a long way in inspiring many students from across the world especially in the South East region to make resounding exploits in various fields in science, technology, medicine, agriculture and so on.

Okoro said that ICCA/UMUNNA, “ Like all Nigerians, Africans and Igbos, we are highly proud of this achievement recorded by the team comprising of our shining stars namely; Promise Nnalue, Jessica Osita, Nwabuaku Ossai, Adaeze Onuigbo, Vivian Okoye and led by Uchenna Onwuamaegbu Ugwu, to become the winners over participants from 112 countries that took part in the challenge along with the12 that were invited to the Silicon Valley.”

“This accomplishment coming at this time is well deserved and will go a long way in inspiring many students from across the world especially in the South East region to make resounding exploits in various fields in science, technology, medicine, agriculture and so on.”

Okoro went on to emphasis that the achievement recorded especially in the technological field shows the huge potentials in the younger Igbo generation.

“In a fast changing technologically driven world, the FD Detector App designed by this wonderful team to tackle the recurring problem of unwholesome pharmaceutical products in Nigeria by leveraging on a drug’s barcode to verify its authenticity and expiry date is commendable and worthy of celebrating as it showcases the intellectual ingenuity, dexterity and profound hope in our younger Igbo generation.

“This feat not only puts Regina Pacis Secondary School on a global stage but shows that Nigerian students can stand shoulder to shoulder with their contemporaries among nations and surpass them.”

While expressing gratitude to the staff and management of the school for what they were doing at the school, Okoro assured the ICCA/UMUNNA will be looking forward to partnership with the institution to sustain the educational standard reached.

“We will like to offer our warm salute and special gratitude to the staff and management of Regina Pacis for a job well done and believe that witnessing your institution being the best at such a grand competition in the world will give you an assurance that you are doing a good job and serve as an enigma for you to do more.

As an organization that has the interest of Ndigbo all over the world, we will be communicating with your institution to know areas where the ICCA/UMUNNA and Regina Pacis can develop a partnership to support this good work you are doing in the area of education”


- End -
About ICCA/Umunna
The Igbo Canadian Community Association (ICCA/Umunna) is socio-cultural and political organization committed to the rediscovering and reestablishment of the rich Igbo cultural identity, enhancing and strengthening the cords of unity and bonding among Igbo speaking people in Nigeria and the diaspora, advocating and agitating in a peaceful manner in all causes pertaining to Igbo people. Founded in 1970 at the end of the civil war, the association has firmly resolved that the Igbo Canadian Community Association, otherwise known as ICCA (Umunna), a Non-Profit Ontario Corporation, will be the umbrella body that will re-instill a sense of identity and pride within the Igbo nation by promoting her language, culture, history, traditions and philosophy of Igbo nation; create awareness of political and social condition of Igbo peoples in Nigeria and diaspora and help proffer and articulate solutions to Igbo problems with a view to reawakening the original and quintessential Igbo spirit and psyche as well as pursue cultural and historical education our people with the view to promoting the glorious heritage of the Igbo nation and its people.

Direct Enquiries to Mr. Ahaoma Kanu, PRO, ICCA/Umunna
+1-365-880-7337 (goodname77@gmail.com)
Igbo Canadian Community Association (ICCA/Umunna)
680 Scarlett Road,
Toronto, Ontario
M9P 2T4
Canada

PRESS RELEASE

114 IPOB WOMEN REMANDED IN PRISON.

Buhari led FG pushing Ndigbo to the wall.

-Your selective law enforcement smells of Apartheid against Ndigbo
-Onslaught on our women is one brutality too many
-Your continued harassment will open door to uprising

Toronto August 23, 2018

The Igbo Canadian Community Association (ICCA/Umunna) have described the action of the Federal Government in arresting, detaining, torturing, arraignment and incarceration of 114 Igbo women members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in Imo State as a deliberate affront on Ndigbo and a recipe for anarchy.

In a statement issued in Toronto, Canada, the President of the socio-cultural and political group, Chief Ugochukwu Okoro, through the Public Relations Officer (PRO) Mr. Ahaoma Kanu, said said “ICCA/Umunna wants to sound a warning that with the gross show of abhorrent and execrate behavior in which President Muhammadu Buhari’s led Federal Government responds to issues involving Ndigbo is becoming too brutal for our endurance and if not stemmed at this moment, may pave the way for anarchy.

The latest onslaught on Ndigbo by the FG on our grandmothers, mothers, wives and daughters, 114 of who were serially tortured with chemical agents and remanded in prison for exercising their constitutional rights to exercise their freedom of expression is one brutality too many.

Ndigbo have always engaged in dialogue and advised our young people to respect the rule of law but when there is an obvious selective law enforcement clothed in discrimination with an objective to bear down on a people by pushing them to the wall, the reaction, which history bears witness to, is always a situation that does nobody any good.

We condemn in the strongest of words the dehumanizing treatment meted out to our women whose ages ranged from 72 to 18 years by members of the Nigeria Police Force who used over 100 tear gas canisters on a group of women going on a peaceful protest that in no way caused any breach of peace or break down of law and order.

The Police forcefully arrested them, tore their clothes and shot tear gas canisters directly on the faces of aged women who were asking for the whereabouts of their leader and our son, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

On April 18, 2018, armed men accompanied by a member of the legislature alleged to be in the camp of President Buhari stormed the Senate and stole the mace and also, early this month, members of the Directorate for State Security (DSS) laid siege at the National Assembly in a clear attempted hijack of the democratic process in the country. These actions, said to be perpetuated with the knowledge of the presidency and his party, were not met with the ferocity with which Igbo women on a peaceful protest was tackled which is evident of President Buhari running an apartheid system of governance in issues concerning people of the South East.

People from other parts of the country are allowed to exercise their right to protest and peaceful assembly but when any person from the South East gathers to ask for legitimate issues of concern, the government unleashes law enforcement on them. This has made bare the agenda President Buhari had in orchestrating the proscription of IPOB to serve as a cover with which to continuously degrade, dehumanize and imprison the Igbo nation.

Lest the FG forget, on December 17, 2010, the action of a police officer who slapped a young food vendor in Tunisia led the victim to undertake an action that became a catalyst for what later became known as the Arab Spring. President Buhari should know that actions such as using chemical agents on defenseless women, initiating torture and abusing their human rights can equally lead to the Bouazizi-effect in the South East.

Let this hostility towards Ndigbo by this government STOP.

The ICCA/Umunna hereby demand the immediate and unconditional release of the 114 IPOB women members remanded in prison custody on the orders of Magistrate S.K. Kadurumba.

Names & Ages of tortured and criminally incarcerated Mothers of the Nation:
1. Afoma Umoh Wisdom (64yrs)
2. Virginia Akwufube (62yrs)
3. Ezike Emmanuela (62yrs)
4. Uzoma Oraka (62yrs)
5. Charity Obioha (60yrs)
6. Chinyere Nwachukwu (55yrs)
7. Udeogu Margret (58yrs)
8. Rachel Okengwu (58yrs)
9. Angelina Felix (55yrs)
10. Monica Anaelechi (54yrs)
11. Esther Osuji (52yrs)
12. Florence Olewembu (52yrs)
13. Nkechi Ekwedisika (52yrs)
14. Kosarachukwu Udegbunam (51yrs)
15. Josephine Ogolo (51yrs) Monica Nwaeleke (50yrs)
16. Mabel Okoire (50yrs)
17. Chika Njoku (50yrs)
18. Grace Nkemakolam (50yrs)
19. Paulina Awunezi (50yrs)
20. Christiana Muonwuba (50yrs)
21. Margret Eze (50yrs)
22. Florence Egede (50yrs)
23. Rose Osuchukwu (50yrs)
24. Comfort Uti (50yrs)
25. Nnedinma Onuoha (49yrs)
26. Agatha Nwachukwu (49yrs)
27. Ijeoma Okorie (30yrs)
28. Uloma Ejiogu (30yrs)
29. Victoria Jacob (45yrs)
30. Vivian Ozuruigbo (30yrs)
31. Chinenye Imo (40yrs)
32. Chinyere Egbulom (38yrs)
33. Cynthia Onyebuchi (31yrs),
34. Chigbata Chinyere (38yrs)
35. Egesi Josephine (41yrs)
36. Hope Eze (45yrs)
37. Ikejiofor Amechi (44yrs)
38. Nkeiru Ajagba (45yrs)
39. Ngozi James (46yrs)
40. Nnene Nweke (46yrs)
41. Lucy Mary Kanu (21yrs)
42. Irole Goodness (30yrs)
43. Ogechi Okechukwu (30yrs)
44. Tochukwu Eze (38yrs)
45. Onyemaechi Ijezie (38yrs)
46. Ginika Awuzie (39yrs)
47. Vero Nnamani (30yrs)
48. Nkwoagu Chinenye (22)
49. Ijeoma Victoria Nnadozie (43yrs)
50. Blessing Udeme (25yrs)
51. Nnewuchi Obiageli (31yrs)
52. Ngozi Onyenwugo (22yrs)
53. Ruth Onwumere (45yrs)
54. Nkeiruka Ohanebo (45yrs)
55. Nzube Uwaigwe (22yrs)
56. Eberechi Iheanacho (39yrs)
57. Ego Nwafor (40yrs)
58. Chinyere Eze (32yrs)
59. Adaku Inyama (45yrs)
60. Ndidi Uchenna (45yrs)
61. Nneka Kingsley (38yrs)
62. Nkeiru Nwankwo (37yrs)
63. Chinwendu David (38yrs)
64. Juliet Nwaiwu (42yrs)
65. Juliet Innocent Onwuka (40yrs)
66. Chinyere Nwankwo (25yrs)
67. Nkeiru Orji (34yrs)
68. Joy Uwabunike (47yrs)
69. Nnene Ibeneli (38yrs)
70. Jane Isaac (25yrs)
71. Kelechi Emmanuel (40yrs)
72. Ngozi Nwajiaku (34yrs)
73. Ugochi Okwum (32yrs)
74. Ifeoma Emmanuel (42yrs)
75. Nkeiru Onyegbari (35yrs)
76. Eucharia Eke (42yrs)
77. Ijeoma Onyedinefu (33yrs)
78. Blessing Nnedede (26yrs)
79. Iheanyichukwu Ogueri (35yrs)
80. Ogochukwu Alaribe (35yrs)
81. Uchechukwu Okoro (48yrs)
82. Iheomachi Ejiaku (40yrs)
83. Uchchukwu Ahamuefula (32yrs)
84. Evelyn Usulo (38yrs)
85. Joy Chimezie (45yrs)
86. Precious Ogbonna (40yrs)
87. Obiageli Nwite (48yrs)
88. Ginika Ndibe (20yrs)
89. Chinelo Ugwueze (38yrs)
90. Nwachukwu Blessing (22yrs)
91. Rita Edet (29yrs)
92. Nnenna Okorie (36yrs)
93. Chinyere Eze (43yrs)
94. Iwuneme Bibian (45yrs),
95. Onuoha Ogechi (Age not stated)
96. Peculiar Nwachukwu (28yrs)
97. Felicia Ike (42yrs)
98. Obiageli Obumsolu (39yrs)
99. Ugonne Godwin (45yrs)
100. Kalunwoke Ekemiri (28yrs)
101. Nwauwa Cecelia (44yrs)

102. Igboka Ngozi, Angela Okeke, Blessing Aguama, Oguchim Chinedu and Mary Okorie(classified in their charge sheet as “adults” but possibly in their 70s).

Names of three young women including a sick patient and a pregnant woman who collapsed in the presence of Magistrate S.K. Kadurumba during their arraignment are not included in the above list.

- End -
About ICCA/Umunna
The Igbo Canadian Community Association (ICCA/Umunna) is socio-cultural and political organization committed to the rediscovering and reestablishment of the rich Igbo cultural identity, enhancing and strengthening the cords of unity and bonding among Igbo speaking people in Nigeria and the diaspora, advocating and agitating in a peaceful manner in all causes pertaining to Igbo people. Founded in 1970 at the end of the civil war, the association has firmly resolved that the Igbo Canadian Community Association, otherwise known as ICCA (Umunna), a Non-Profit Ontario Corporation, will be the umbrella body that will re-instill a sense of identity and pride within the Igbo nation by promoting her language, culture, history, traditions and philosophy of Igbo nation; create awareness of political and social condition of Igbo peoples in Nigeria and diaspora and help proffer and articulate solutions to Igbo problems with a view to reawakening the original and quintessential Igbo spirit and psyche as well as pursue cultural and historical education our people with the view to promoting the glorious heritage of the Igbo nation and its people.
Direct Enquiries to
Mr. Ahaoma Kanu,
PRO,
ICCA/Umunna
+1-365-880-7337
(goodname77@gmail.com)
Igbo Canadian Community Association (ICCA/Umunna)
680 Scarlett Road,
Toronto, Ontario
M9P 2T4
Canada

Nigeria LGBT community excited as Charly Boy declares support.

By Funso Kairah

There has been excitement among the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community in Nigeria following the declaration by popular singer and social activist, Charles Oputa popularly known as Charly Boy, to fight for the rights of people involved in same-sex relationships.

The development came recently following his daughter’s coming out of the closet to declare her sexual orientation.
Dewy Oputa, the United States based daughter of Charly Boy recently came out as a Lesbian and also showed off her lesbian partner.
Charly Boy stated his support in a social media post in which he says he has in time past fought for Okada riders, Musicians and many others and that now is the time for him to fight for the LGBT community in Nigeria.

In an Instagram post Charly Boy wrote, “All that I have done for over 50yrs of my life is to root for the underdogs. I turned my back on my gold-plated pedigree and wondered into the unknown. I discovered that victory is a million times sweeter as an underdog. Oh!!!!! Yes,” he said.
He continued, “My life has been one big fight, against bad habits, poverty, hopelessness and principalities. But I never backed down. I battled for the rights of the Okada’s to make a living. I battled for the rights, respect and the big money for the Nigerian Musician, spent weeks in the police cell, as a PMAN President. Today, thank God they have a better life. Now I am the President of Frustrated Nigerians.

“I am battling with my comrades to stop the senseless killings of Nigerians. The oppression of innocent Nigerians and the weaponization of hunger. Many battles too many to mention. I have been beaten black and blue by the military, police, security agents, been teargased, shot at, stoned and most time misunderstood even by the people I fight for. No big deal because I never back down. Now I reactivate my fight in defence of the LGBT community. You know something? Openness may not completely disarm prejudice but is a good place to start. I am hoping that my support will be a show of strength to the Nigerian LGBT community. ”

Nigeria has a law against same sex relationship which stipulates penalties of up to 14 years in prison and bans gay marriages which it describes as amorous relationships as well as categorizing it as illegal any membership of gay rights groups or any kind of support that will promote LGBT activities in the country forcing so many gay people who have been living in underground existence to either leave the country or remain in the closet.

Many members of the Nigeria LGBT community welcomed the development saying the entrance of the famed activist will help the process of acceptance for the sexual orientations of people.

Osemwengie Pedro, a Nigerian gay, who had to leave the country after the Nigeria government passed a law outlawing same sex relationships in 2014 said that Charly Boy should be commended for coming out to stand for the gay community who face persecution, imprisonment and death in the country.

“I ran away from my country because of my orientation I'm one of the numerous person persecuted for being gay and being gay was never my making I was born and this is who am,” the 34 year old Edo State indigene said.

He urged other activist to emulate Charly Boy and fight for the rights of people who are looked at indifferently due to their sexual orientation.
Another Nigeria gay man, Tochukwu Iroekwe, described the decision made by Charly boy to be one step in the long race to achieving a Nigeria free of persecution of people of different sexual orientation.

Speaking from Germany, Iroekwe said “Nigerians need to understand that focusing on people with a different sexual orientation with a mind-set to kill them isn’t the best approach. They should try and advocate for them and understand that this is how we are,” he said.
He recalled how he escaped death by the whiskers in Kano State where he was almost killed through a mob action when he was discovered with his partner.

“It was like a movie, I was with my friend when they barged in and started beating us with all manner of weapons. I had to run for my life when I saw that the people were ready to kill us. I later heard my partner, Chidiebere Kenechukwu lost his life. I had to hide and when the Sharia police started looking for me, my brother helped me with securing a visa to flee from the country,” he said, “I am happy Charly Boy had decided to stand up for us.”

Kingsley Odumene, a gay activist said due to what he described as the harsh legislatures against same-sex relationships in Nigeria, he had to flee for his life and as well as discontinue his education due to the stigmatization he was getting from both his family and society.
“I left Nigeria due to my homosexual tendencies, which, as is well known, cannot be publicly manifested in Nigeria,” he said as he urged more activists to emulate Charly Boy and stand up for the LGBT community.

“I don’t know how the sexual orientation of people should be a big issue on a country where corruption, crime, kidnapping and terrorism are high. They government should pay more attention to issues that matter and not who people choose to love,” said the 31-year old Odumene who is a native of Isselu Uku in Delta State as he called on the federal government to revisit and reverse their policy on Lesbians, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) people in the country.

PRESS RELEASE

ICCA/Umunna commends South-East governors for rejecting ranching.

• FG not serious with stopping the killing.
• Fulani herdsmen have spilled over 36,000 liters of Nigerian blood.
• Miyetti Allah should respect the decision of Ndigbo.
• Governors to consolidate on security.

Toronto July 12, 2018

The Igbo Canadian Community Association (ICCA/Umunna) have described as courageous and an act of exemplary leadership worthy of commendation the decision by the South East governors to reject the proposed establishment of cattle ranches within the region by the Federal Government.

In a statement issued in Toronto, Canada by the President, Chief Ugochukwu Okoro, through the Public Relations Officer, Ahaoma Kanu, the socio-cultural and pressure group said “the unanimous action and consolidated decision taken by the leaders of Ndigbo to stand shoulder to shoulder in one voice to reject the unconstitutional, insensitive and chronically ill-intended desire of the Federal Government to establish cattle ranches for the sole purpose of cattle grazing for the Fulani herdsmen is a stitch in time that will save thousands of lives from imminent deaths, catastrophic pain and bloodshed which has become the trademark of the bandits the government is giving such underserved preference.”

The statement was in reaction to the announcement by governors of the South-eastern states earlier in the week that no state in the region will donate any land for the federal government’s proposed establishment of cattle ranches in the zone.

The decision was announced after a meeting held by governors Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), David Umahib (Ebonyi), with Willie Obiano (Anambra) and Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia) represented by their deputy governors in Enugu.

Governor Rochas Okorocha (Imo) was absent and was not represented.

“ICCA/Umunna is declaring our unflinching support for this decision which is coming at a time it is becoming obvious that the Presidency is not handling this burning issue the way it ought to be handled. We have seen from the body language, action and utterances from the Presidency that the Federal Government is not bothered about the thousands of lives that have been gruesomely lost to this group of militants which is known to be the fourth deadliest terrorist group in the Global Terrorism Index,” Okoro said.

“It is absurd and unimaginable that the Federal Government will be thinking of acquiring thousands of acres of land from people in all states and regions within Nigeria to build ranches for the exclusive use of Fulani herdsmen who have continuously wreaked havoc, killed and maimed thousands of men, women and children as well as burnt down properties and places of worship at will without any of them being brought to book. It is troubling that a group that is well known to the security agencies are still walking about freely and allegedly threatening more attacks with no law and order enforced or any investigation carried out.”

The ICCA/Umunna stated that they stand with their leaders in rejecting ranching in any shape or form and want to make it clear that the decision of their leaders is the collective decision of Ndigbo on this issue while admonishing the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria to respect the decision.

“We would want to take this opportunity to advise the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria who described as shocking and lacking discretion the rejection of ranches by our governors to respect the decision taken by Ndigbo. It is true when we hear them say that Igbos are the major bonding elements among the people of Nigeria but we also will like them to know that nobody would want to entertain a people who slaughter and kill the way the Fulani herdsmen have exhibited within the last three years.”

“Instead of Miyetti Allah to be expressing shock and hope that ranching issues be considered dispassionately in the interest of Nigeria and the generality of its citizens, we would ask them how would they want Nigerians to agree to co-exist with a group that has spilled over 36,000 litres of blood within three years?”

“With the invasion of Nimbo village in Enugu, Abbi, Uzo-Uwani, Ndiagu, Attakwu communities in Enugu State and Abala community in Obingwa as well as the experience our people at Umuguma and Irete communities in Imo State have gone through coupled with the never ending attacks in Benue and plateau States, Ndigbo will not want to host any cattle ranches for anybody as our people need our farmlands for agriculture,” Okoro said.

ICCA/Umunna also advised the South-East governors to go a step further to consolidate on security in the states to protect the lives and properties of Ndigbo within the region by establishing vigilante groups to effect community policing within and around the South East States.

- End –
About ICCA/Umunna
The Igbo Canadian Community Association (ICCA/Umunna) is socio-cultural and political organization committed to the rediscovering and reestablishment of the rich Igbo cultural identity, enhancing and strengthening the cords of unity and bonding among Igbo speaking people in Nigeria and the diaspora, advocating and agitating in a peaceful manner in all causes pertaining to Igbo people. Founded in 1970 at the end of the civil war, the association has firmly resolved that the Igbo Canadian Community Association, otherwise known as ICCA (Umunna), a Non-Profit Ontario Corporation, will be the umbrella body that will reinstill a sense of identity and pride within the Igbo nation by promoting her language, culture, history, traditions and philosophy of Igbo nation; create awareness of political and social condition of Igbo peoples in Nigeria and diaspora and help proffer and articulate solutions to Igbo problems with a view to reawakening the original and quintessential Igbo spirit and psyche as well as pursue cultural and historical education our people with the view to promoting the glorious heritage of the Igbo nation and its people.

Direct Enquiries to Mr. Ahaoma Kanu, PRO, ICCA/Umunna
+1-365-880-7337 (goodname77@gmail.com)
Igbo Canadian Community Association (ICCA/Umunna)
680 Scarlett Road,
Toronto, Ontario
M9P 2T4
Canada

PRESS RELEASE


ICCA/UMUNNA DEMANDS IMMEDIATE RELEASE SEN. ENYINNAYA ABARIBE.

-Let no harm befall our son.
-Enough of your intimidation towards Ndigbo.

Toronto: June 23, 2018

The Igbo Canadian Community Association (ICCA/Umunna) condemns in the strongest of terms the recent arrest of the senator representing Abia South Senatorial District and Chairman, Senate Committee on Power, Steel Development and Metallurgy, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, by agents of the Directorate for State Services (DSS)

In a statement issued from Toronto, Canada, the President of the socio-cultural and political group, Chief Ugochukwu Okoro, said the arrest of Senator Abaribe was questionable and very likely a calculated attempt to silence him from exposing illegal insertions, fraudulent and corrupt acts the Presidency may have perpetuated in the 2018 Budget which was passed into law this week.

“We find the arrest of our senator few hours after he exposed an insertion of an illegal addition if N30billion into the budget of the power sector questionable, undemocratic and a criminal attempt to cover up the monumental corrupt acts perpetuated by the Presidency in the 2018 budget appropriations.”

The DSS had on Friday arrested Sen. Abaribe in of Abuja without disclosing the reason for his arrest. They also have sealed his home.

Okoro further stated that “it is not a hidden fact that Sen. Abaribe has constantly been making earth quaking revelations on the magnitude of corruption going on within the Presidency especially on budget padding, so using the DSS to silence him was activated obviously. It is very worrisome that President Buhari who came into power on a message of fighting corruptions will be condoling unwarranted attacks of persons who try as much to expose corrupt practices. This tendency, which has been the modus operandi of the Buhari government, to use state agencies to intimidate persons he feels are being critical of his government makes a charade of the Whistleblowing Policy of the government. The President ought to look deep within his kitchen cabinet, identify and adequately prosecute those within his ranks found culpable.”

“It is also disheartening and immoral that the DSS has not given reasons why Sen. Abaribe was arrested. We raise this concern because we are aware of the order by Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court Abuja that Sen. Abaribe should produce our son and leader of the (Indigenous People of Biafra), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, in court on June 26, 2018 as one of his sureties, why then will the Federal Government arrest him before the court date?” Okoro asked.

The ICCA/Umunna therefore is demanding the immediate release of Sen. Abaribe unconditionally.

“We are demanding the immediate and unconditional release of Sen. Abaribe with no harm whatsoever befalling him. We want to use this medium to sound this warning to President Muhammadu Buhari; ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. We will not keep tolerating your continuous unwarranted and provocative intimidation of Ndigbo using various security agencies.” Okoro said.

ICCA/Umunna stated that in the coming days they will unveil the plans the association has on demanding from the Federal Government the whereabouts of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

“This week we received the report from the International Society for Civil Liberties (Intersociety) on the list of names of Igbo sons and daughters massacred by the Nigerian Army during the infamous Operation Python Dance exercise in 2017 and we will be starting processes to make sure that the FG and all the state governments in the South-East will open up a Panel of Enquiry on the issue. We will be communicating with the governors of the five Igbo states on this and also amplify pressure both within and outside the country on our demand for the Federal Government to produce Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.”


- End -
About ICCA/Umunna
The Igbo Canadian Community Association (ICCA/Umunna) is socio-cultural and political organization committed to the rediscovering and reestablishment of the rich Igbo cultural identity, enhancing and strengthening the cords of unity and bonding among Igbo speaking people in Nigeria and the diaspora, advocating and agitating in a peaceful manner in all causes pertaining to Igbo people. Founded in 1970 at the end of the civil war, the association has firmly resolved that the Igbo Canadian Community Association, otherwise known as ICCA (Umunna), a Non-Profit Ontario Corporation, will be the umbrella body that will re-instill a sense of identity and pride within the Igbo nation by promoting her language, culture, history, traditions and philosophy of Igbo nation; create awareness of political and social condition of Igbo peoples in Nigeria and diaspora and help proffer and articulate solutions to Igbo problems with a view to reawakening the original and quintessential Igbo spirit and psyche as well as pursue cultural and historical education our people with the view to promoting the glorious heritage of the Igbo nation and its people.
Direct Enquiries to
Mr. Ahaoma Kanu,
PRO,
ICCA/Umunna
+1-365-880-7337
(goodname77@gmail.com)
Igbo Canadian Community Association (ICCA/Umunna)
680 Scarlett Road,
Toronto, Ontario
M9P 2T4
Canada

PRESS RELEASE

ENUGU INT’L AIRPORT BUGDET ALLOCATION CUT:
ICCA/Umunna blasts South-East Senators and House members.
-Your representation disgraceful
-Incompetency on performance will disqualify you in 2019.
-We will follow constituency projects and demand accountability.

Toronto June 22, 2018

The Igbo Canadian Community Association (ICCA/Umunna) have described as appalling, inadequate and quite disgraceful the representation Ndigbo got from her elected legislators in the National Assembly as regards the 2018 Budget which was signed into law this week.

In a statement issued in Toronto, Canada, the President of the socio-cultural and political group, Chief Ugochukwu Okoro, said “it is either the representatives of Ndigbo have forgotten the reasons they were given their various mandates or that they are inadvertently telling the people of the South-East region that they are incompetent as they cannot provide quality representation to the people and therefore should to be relieved of the responsibility they were shouldered with.”

“It is quite unfortunate that our elected officials are exhibiting this gross neglect of their primary duties of governance and legislature that will be of benefit to the South East region and this conduct is unconscionable, selfish, crudely depressing and revealing of their incapacity to be leaders that our people put their trust in,” Okoro said.

The statement was in reaction to the details made after President Muhammadu Buhari signed the 2018 Budget into law on Wednesday, June 20, 2018 which revealed a cut in the budget allocation for the Enugu International Airport Terminal was cut from N2 billion to N500million, a startling departure from the allocation to the project maintained by the last two administrations.

Okoro said the development is very embarrassing and annoyingly provoking to hear South-East senators and House members in the National Assembly trading blames on the issue after the budget had been signed into law.

“Now they are apportioning blame and pointing fingers making us to ask what they had been doing all the while that the budget appropriation was going on; did we not have representation from the senate and house on committees that were responsible for overseeing the budget? What was the South-East caucus in the National Assembly doing? It is further incomprehensible and totally selfish if not criminal to hear the presidency allege that the National Assembly made cuts amounting to N347 billion for 4,700 projects submitted for consideration and introduced 6,403 projects of their own amounting to N578 billion. This shows that they were more interested in introducing constituency projects from which they may benefit than pushing a collective agenda to sustain the allocation to the Akanu Ibiam International Airport.”

He continued, “It is totally unimaginable that our elected representatives will allow this painful development bearing in mind that president Buhari never hid his disdain and distorted agenda towards Ndigbo in his statement to a global audience on July 22, 2015 while addressing the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) when he said that constituents that gave him 97 per cent vote cannot be treated on some issues with constituencies that gave him 5 %. It is totally repulsive, indignant and shameful that Ndigbo, even with one of their son occupying the position of Deputy Senate President in the Senate, could allow this indignity happen to the people of the South East.”

The ICCA/Umunna stated that as an organization established in 1969, it will, going forward, work with their members, NGOS and law enforcement agencies both in Nigeria and in Diaspora to follow the constituency projects with a view to ensure accountability and prevent “White Elephants” in the name of constituency projects.

“We want to use this medium to let our elected representatives to sit up and give Ndigbo quality representation or risk their mandate not being renewed because come 2019 performance reports of each and every Member of Parliament will be disclosed and used to create awareness to the South East electorate. Let them know that incompetence, nepotism, favoritism or Godfatherism will be annihilated in Igbo land. This particular incident will be among the query we will issue on them when they come seeking for votes and we will name and shame any of our elected official that engages in constituency project fraud because it is time Ndigbo benefits as a people and not the individual tendencies we have observed in the past. Let our elected Senators and House of Representatives members consider this as a wake-up call.

- End -
About ICCA/Umunna
The Igbo Canadian Community Association (ICCA/Umunna) is socio-cultural and political organization committed to the rediscovering and reestablishment of the rich Igbo cultural identity, enhancing and strengthening the cords of unity and bonding among Igbo speaking people in Nigeria and the diaspora, advocating and agitating in a peaceful manner in all causes pertaining to Igbo people. Founded in 1970 at the end of the civil war, the association has firmly resolved that the Igbo Canadian Community Association, otherwise known as ICCA (Umunna), a Non-Profit Ontario Corporation, will be the umbrella body that will re-instill a sense of identity and pride within the Igbo nation by promoting her language, culture, history, traditions and philosophy of Igbo nation; create awareness of political and social condition of Igbo peoples in Nigeria and diaspora and help proffer and articulate solutions to Igbo problems with a view to reawakening the original and quintessential Igbo spirit and psyche as well as pursue cultural and historical education our people with the view to promoting the glorious heritage of the Igbo nation and its people.
Direct Enquiries to
Mr. Ahaoma Kanu,
PRO,
ICCA/Umunna
+1-365-880-7337
(goodname77@gmail.com)
Igbo Canadian Community Association (ICCA/Umunna)
680 Scarlett Road,
Toronto, Ontario
M9P 2T4
Canada

-Your comments insensitive and callous


Toronto June 5, 2018

The Igbo Canadian Community Association (ICCA/Umunna) have described as insensitive and callous the insinuations made by President Muhammadu Buhari that the Nigeria Army showed a lot of restraints on Biafrans during the civil war.

In a statement issued from Toronto, Canada, the President of ICCA/Umunna, Chief Ugochukwu Okoro, said Buhari making such comments at a time when Igbos all over the world were observing a remembrance of their loved ones who died during the war is unfortunate and does not reflect the qualities of a democratic leader that should be liberal and inclusive.

President Buhari had during his investiture as Grand Patron of the Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS) at the presidential villa in Abuja, said that the Nigeria Army were issued strict instructions by the then head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, that Biafrans were not enemies, but “brothers and sisters of the rest of Nigerians.”

Okoro said “It is appalling that President Buhari, being the Commander-in-Chief and an active participant during the civil war meant to exterminate people of Igbo origin across the country could make such statements credited to him. We find his remarks misguided and calculated to assault the emotions of Ndigbo in a manner designed to re-open the wounds of pogrom, holocaust and attempted annihilation meted against the Igbo people in the 30 months civil war waged on the people of the South East region leading to the deaths of over three million Igbo sons, daughters and children.”

“Choosing to use such tragic event such as the civil war, which left three million innocent and defenseless men, women and children dead, to commend the activities of the Red Cross leave more to be desired from the leader of a country. One would have thought that President Buhari ought to have made reference to recent incidents that occurred under his watch to encourage the Red Cross. In March this year, 11 people including three aid workers were killed when suspected Boko Haram militants attacked a barracks in Rann, Borno State leading the United Nations (UN) to evacuate aid workers in the region. It would have been honourable and compassionate if President Buhari showed some humanity by using the event of his investiture as a patron of the Red Cross to reach out to the families of the aid workers and hundreds of Nigerians that have lost their lives to attacks under his leadership,” Okoro said.

The ICCA/ Umunna demanded to know from the President Buhari what manner of restraint would leave three million persons dead.

“When President Buhari said the Nigeria Army troops showed a lot of restraints we beg to ask in what ways were these shown; was restraint used in the pogrom carried out in the Northern region during the months of February- July 1967 in which over 500,000 Igbos were continuously being killed in the Araba riots? Was the indiscriminate bombing of hospitals, schools and market places with innocent men, women and children targeted and killed part of the restraint? Was the massacre that occurred in Asaba which left every living male shot to death also a form of restraint by the Federal troops? Was the blockage of food and relief materials from entering Biafra also regarded as the orders of restraint Federal commanders were given? Even with the No Victor No Vanquished Declaration by the Gowon government, was the Abandoned Property Decree and Twenty pounds payment policy of the Federal Government among the restraints President Buhari was referring to?”

The ICCA/Umunna urged President Buhari to, rather than open fresh wounds of what Ndigbo went through the war, restrain himself and his loathing for Ndigbo by telling the world where the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and his aged father are being kept; Buhari should show some restraints towards Ndigbo by stopping the deployment of soldiers to South East region in whatever disguise to kill young Igbo youths indiscriminately.

“This is a President that will blame the late Libyan leader, Col. Muammar Gaddafi, for his inability to check the incessant killing of Nigerians by the Fulani herdsmen of which he is a patron with no arrests made but will order the Nigeria Army to kill Ndigbo and citizens of Nigeria as witnessed in the so called the Operation Python Dance in September last year.”

Okoro went on to say that in the spirit of unity among Ndigbo, ICCA/Umunna will host a special event in remembrance of Igbo sons and daughters who lost their lives during the war.

“On June 16, the ICCA will host the 2018 Biafra Memorial Event where we will be showing what Ndigbo went through and have been able to achieve despite the setback of the war. This will also afford us an opportunity to remember our loved and lost ones. And we will use the event to educate President Buhari that the ingenuity and brilliance of Ndigbo were what sustained the civil war to last the length it did and that same ingenuity will drive Ndigbo towards emancipation from the marginalization and cruelty the Buhari administration has shown to the people of the South-East.”


About ICCA/Umunna

The Igbo Canadian Community Association (ICCA/Umunna) is socio-cultural and political organization committed to the rediscovering and reestablishment of the rich Igbo cultural identity, enhancing and strengthening the cords of unity and bonding among Igbo speaking people in Nigeria and the diaspora, advocating and agitating in a peaceful manner in all causes pertaining to Igbo people. Founded in 1970 at the end of the civil war, the association has firmly resolved that the Igbo Canadian Community Association, otherwise known as ICCA (Umunna), a Non-Profit Ontario Corporation, is the umbrella body that will re-instill a sense of identity and pride within the Igbo nation by promoting her language, culture, history, traditions and philosophy of Igbo nation; create awareness of political and social conditions of Igbo the people in Nigeria and the Diaspora by proffering and articulating solutions to Igbo problems with a view to reawakening the original and quintessential Igbo spirit and psyche as well as pursue cultural and historical education our people with the view to promoting the glorious heritage of the Igbo nation and its people.

Even if you see how it relates to tribalism will you believe

Ehiscotch:
I just wonder why on earth we must "tribalize" everything in Nigeria.

Innoson was accused of fraud and EFCC arrested him, although the manner in which he was arrested leaves much to be desired, I still see no reason why many are saying it is because of his tribe.

I am very sure Innoson himself wouldn't even come out to say this has anything to do with his tribe.

velai:
OP, are you a member?

Yes the De Norsemen Kclub International is registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission and have legal status as an NGO. They are very legal just like NAS, NBM, etc

lovelylad:
During his recent show in Uganda, Nigerian singer Wizkid halted his performance to stop an assault on one of the female fans in the audience.

The singer instructed his band to stop the music, as he addressed what seems to be an incident in which a male fan was hitting a female fan.

Wizzy seems to have caught sight of the incident and he addressed it without hesitation.

He said;

“Don’t touch that girl. Hey Mr. man listen to me, one love. Wizkid shows is all about love. We preach love. Don’t you ever touch a woman again in your life.”



An online user, Adimchi took to Twitter to share the video.

He further asked his guards to bring the giri on stage.

See the videos below;

https://twitter.com/Jarpson/status/939014741132849153?s=01

More on stage performance

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwX63z7aRdw

Very nice one Wizzy

Nigeria dancehall artiste, Chris Nikes, has dropped a fresh video of the latest hit single, Super Woman. The video shot in New York is classic and shows the new vigour with which Chris Nikes is hitting 2018. Super Woman is another monster hit coming from Chris Nikes after the viral Oh My God was released some years back. This is the artiste that is gonna dominate 2018 music scene in Naija and Africa.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LvzTiCdyUI4

A Nigerian journalist has written a petition to the International Criminal Court (ICC) over human rights abuses, torture and extra-judicial killing perpetrated by members of the Nigeria Army during the recent invasion of a community in the South-East region.

In a letter dated September 24, 2017 addressed to the Chief Prosecutor of the court in the Hagues, Fatou Bensouda and addressed to the Information and Evidence Unit, Mr. Ahaoma Kanu, a multiple award winning journalist, called on the court to intervene and stop the unlawful deployment of soldiers by the Federal Government of Nigeria led by President Muhammadu Buhari to civilian communities in Abia State and other South-East region of Nigeria which has led to the torture, molestation, killings and severe abuse of the human rights of these civilians by officers of the Nigeria Army.”Image result for International Criminal Court shared by medianet.info

The petition, made available to media, with the subject “PETITION AGAINST THE DEPLOYMENT OF MILITARY PERSONNEL TO THE SOUTH-EAST OF NIGERIA, TORTURE, KILLINGS, HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES PERPETRATED BY THE NIGERIA ARMY, THE CHIEF OF ARMY STAFF, MAJOR-GENERAL TUKUR BURATAI AND THE QUIT NOTICE GIVEN TO IGBOS IN THE NORTHERN STATES BY THE AREWA YOUTH CONSULTATIVE FORUM BACKED BY THE SPOKESPERSON OF THE NORTHERN ELDERS FORUM, PROF. ANGO ABDULLAHI,’ condemned the recent decision by the army to Initiate ‘Operation Python Dance’ in the South-East region which led to invasion of the home of the leader of the civil rights group, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, leading to the killing of some members of the group as well as other members of his community.

Kanu decried the decision by the Federal Government to initiate an attack on a civilian community in a manner that may have opened the door to genocide as has been exhibited by soldiers of the Nigeria Army in times past.

http://medianet.info/2017/09/27/journalist-petitions-icc-over-nigeria-army-invasion-of-south-east/

@Lala's push this to FP

The entire Oji family of Amaoba, Oboro in Ikwuano LGA of Abia State announces the death of High Chief, Elder, Col. Ogbonnaya Oji aged 80yrs and Mrs Christiana Oji  (Nee Isika) age 76 years. The sad events occurred on the 20th of June and the 28th of May respectively.

Ogbo Oji attended KNC (Kalabari National College) Buguma from 1953 to 1958 and was the Senior Prefect in his final year. He worked with the UAC from 1958 to 1960 when he joined the Nigerian Army as an Officer Cadet. He trained as an officer cadet at the Nigerian Military Training College (NMTC) Kaduna and completed his cadet training in MONS Officer Cadet School, Aldershot in the United Kingdom where he was commissioned 2nd Lt in July 1961. He was a combatant infantry officer and his service record include Military Attachment with the Royal Sussex Regiment Belfast, Northern Ireland, Platoon Commander 4th Battalion Ibadan, Nigerian Contingent in the United Nations Peace Keeping Operations in the Congo in 1962, Battalion Intelligence Officer 4th Battalion Ibadan, General Staff Officer (GSO III) 2 Brigade Nigerian Army Apapa Lagos. He also attended and successfully completed the Infantry Officers Staff Course at the United States School of Infantry Fort Benin, Georgia. He was also among the 1st three (3) Nigerian Army Officers to successfully pass the Parachute and Air-borne course at the United States Air Borne College at Fort Bening, Georgia in 1964/1965.

He got married in July 1964 to Mrs. Christiana Iheoma Oji (Nee Isika) and their marriage was blessed with 3 male Children and 13 grand children.

During the Nigerian Civil war he served in the Biafran Army as Commanding Officer 9th Battalion in 1967, Commander 62 Brigade in 1968, Principal Staff Officer (PSO I) 12 Division in charge of Operations and Training in 1969 and in September 1969 was Principal Staff Officer (PSO-G) at the 4th Commando Division in charge operations.

At the end of his military career he served as a member of the interim board of Anambra Aluminum Products Ltd in 1987, Chairman of the Board of Anambra Vegetable Oil Products (AVOP) in 1988 and on the creation of Abia State in 1991 was the pioneer General Manager of Abia State Transport Company until November 1994. 

He was a respected community leader and until his death held the titles of Ugwumba 1 of Amaoba, Dike Oha 1 of Oboro and the Traditional Prime Minister of Oboro Clan.

He would be interred on the same day with his wife at their country home in Amaoba-Ime, Oboro in Ikwuano LGA of Abia State on Saturday 19th of August 2017. 

Picture captions.
1. Col. Oji and wife, Chistiana.
2.Picture taken on July 1968 showing the lieutenant colonel Ogbonnaya Oji during a battle of Nigerian Civil War.
Source: http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/picture-taken-on-july-1968-showing-the-lieutenant-colonel-news-photo/503594408

Let them allow the suit to go on and if the claims are lies, the court will find out.

Trut:
Source: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/news/general/csos-storm-us-embassy-over-ipob-suit-against-army/202802.html

Gullible Nairalanders are already saying good one. What I see is murder. When did Civillian task force hve power to kill? They exchanged gunfire and only handsets are displayed, where are the guns since obviously three of the armed robbers wEre killed and their guns disappeared?

Amoyinoluwa24:
Three young men caught in the act of robbery by Civilian Joint Task Force in Jato Aka, Benue state were killed around 2am today.

According to reports, the robbers, one of them being an indigene of the locality identified by the nickname of 'Anini', alongside his two collaborators from Vandeikya local government area were shot dead after exchanging bullets with the Joint Task Force.

The gang robbed many residents of cash and handsets which were recovered from them, however, the gang leader escaped to an unknown destination.

Pics credit: Apiah Ephraims

Source: http://www.cambellsblog.com/2017/07/three-armed-robbers-shot-dead-by-task.html

Mr. President, Oyekan Ibukun Edward
President, OAU_SU. From all you have submitted it is evident you are corrupt and failing to disclose how much you bought the bus gotten with students money is very criminal. Just know that you may be arested by the EFCC for this act and the labour market is watching you very keenly. The internet will document your name and pictures and there will be no hiding place. If you can't do the time don't do the crime. Maybe you may want to join APC to be cleansed.

Fynestboi:
ON THE FIRST TRANSPORTATION SCHEME BUS OF THE UNION...



Aluta Continua! 
‎
Oyekan Ibukun Edward
President, OAU_SU

Who are you people deceiving? This story is fake and the affidavit was done in order for the young man in Europe to claim asylum. That is just what this is all about. You need an affidavit and a publication to present in order for the court to grant you refugee status.

dainformant:
for those doubting.. see the sworn affidavit below

The admin will not see this story and push to frontpage. If it were breasts now they will get there

hazan041:
Badt

UBTH doctors to patients: We cannot guarantee your treatment due to UBTH management incompetence.

The showdown between the management of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) led by the Chief Medical Director (CMD), prof. Michael Ibadin, and doctors in the hospital has taken a turn for the worse as resident doctors in the hospital has written a passionate appeal to patients in the hospital informing them that the management of the hospital is making it nearly impossible for them to get productive health care services they may require.

The latest development was revealed by several patients who got a letter from the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) UBTH chapter seeking for their understanding for the almost non-existent services going on in the hospital.

A patient, Mrs. Odion Osayande, who came from Kwale in Delta State, told newsmen that she got to the hospital on Wednesday, April 12, for her consultation with a doctor in the Gynaecology department only to be served a letter informing her of the circumstances prevailing in the hospital.

“I came from Kwale to see my doctor in the Gynaecology department and noticed that patients were not being attended to. I had to make inquiries from the nurses and staff present only to be told that doctors in the hospital have not being paid and the equipment in the hospital are not working. On the last two occasions I visited for my sessions, I have always been asked to go and do my ultrasound in a facility near Ugbowo which is a distance from the hospital because the Ultrasound machine at UBTH is not working. I also found out to my surprise that I am always charged for ultrasound services which UBTH did not provide for me,” she said.

The massive infrastructural decay in the once highly esteemed University of Benin Teaching Hospital Benin city Edo state which was hitherto regarded as the citadel of health care, training and research is now a shadow of itself.

Not only is the Ultrasound machine at the hospital not working, the Stem cell transplant centre in the hospital which was established with the intention of bringing smiles to the families with sickle cell patients as patients with sickle cell has dilapidated to rots and rust.

The situation is not different in the department of Radiotherapy as the radiotherapy machine which the government of Nigeria spent fortune to alleviate the conditions of many patients from several states no longer functions leading to patients to referred far and wide for such care.
The Accident and Emergency department of the hospital which was initially world class to carter for Nigerians especially travelling ones Benin where it is located been a transit town is currently operating below a standard primary health care centre.

For specialists in emergency care they are available in the A and E though poorly catered for by the hospital management but they hardly have what to work with, glucometers are not present to check sugar level, instruments to measure blood pressure are faulty and the pharmacy lacks drugs and intravenous fluids. Patients and their relatives have to cross the road to get drugs and hospital consumables. Materials for advanced care is a no go area leading to the loss of several lives lost on a daily basis.

A copy of the letter dated April 10, 2017 with reference ARD/UBTH/SEC/017/027, with the title, Passionate plea for understanding and signed by the association’s president, Dr. Eustace Oseghale and the Secretary General, Dr. Osagie Emeke, read in part:

“We write to bring to your notice the 21-day Ultimatum served on the hospital management which elapses on Tuesday April18, 2017,” listed the demands of the doctors from management as ,” improvement in facilities available for patient care; provision of drugs, consumables and materials for patient care; employment of more doctors as the current number cannot provide adequate care and ensuring the adequate welfare of staff of the hospital.”

The doctors indicated in the letter that they have given management a 21-day Ultimatum following which they can no longer guarantee industrial harmony, appealed to patients and the public to prevail on the management to do the needful and prevent a full blown industrial action.

The ARD president, Dr. Oseghale said that it was, “It is a high time the general public and well-meaning Nigerians help the doctors in stopping the rot and decay in UBTH, the management should be called to order so the families with sicklers can smile, so the cancer patient does not die, so the accident victims will survive and the radiotherapy, X-ray machines and ultrasound equipment work in order for Nigerians will reduce the cost it spends on medical tourism.” He said.

This is coming following the declaration of a state of emergency UBTH by resident doctors and an ultimatum given to the hospital management by the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) at the hospital last week.

I don't think the Buhari government is truly listening and watching the news. Donald Trump just okayed the sale of fighter jets worth $600m to Nigeria to fight Boko Haram; a deal the Obama administration put on hold and refused to allow due to alleged human rights violations of the Nigeria army.

This morning the US Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson, said that the US government will hold rogue leaders to account. He elaborated by saying that any government that abuses the rights of its citizens will be held to account.
He may be referring to Bashir Assad of Syria as the rogue government but is what the police doing here necessary and called for? This is a group exercising their constitutional rights to freedom of expression and they are being treated this way. They were not violent neither have they caused disturbance to peace but some overzealous government is already attacking them because they may not like the group they represent?

I hope Femi Adesina and his colleagues are reading between the lines. Trump's offer of this arms deal will come with extreme scrutiny on the Buhari government that have shot and killed Shia members and hurriedly buried over 300 of them in a mass grave; Washington will be watching over the shoulders of a government that has deployed bombs on an IDP camp without any explanation till date; Trump will be monitoring this government that disobeys court judgements and procedures repeatedly. They will also be watching how the Amnesty International agency that has been asked to leave the country. They should not just think they are in the good books of Donald Trump with this deal, they have been handed a candy that will soon turn red hot on their hands should they continue in this manner.

stephanie11:
Photos reaching the Politics Nigeria newsdesk this afternoon reveal that the Nigerian police used teargas to disperse peaceful Shiite protesters at the Unity fountain in Abuja.

The protest called "FreeZakzaky" was against the government's continued detention of Shiekh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, leader of the Islamic movement of Nigeria (IMN).

http://politicsngr.com/2017/04/11/breaking-police-uses-teargas-freezakzaky-protesters-abuja/

This is a very serious issue, I have been following the imbroglio going on at UBTH and I am shocked that in all these the Ministry of Health has been silent. Is it until more patients die that they will wake up. Both the Senate and House chair persons on Health Committee have not deemed it necessary to ask questions. Maybe when the doctors embark on a full strike and patients die in their hundreds they will then wake up. Why can't the NASS go on a fact finding mission to ascertain if what the doctors are saying on equipment decay is true.

UBTH Doctors-Management showdown
Doctors invade UBTH accounts department to enforce their salary payment.
· Demands explanation for salary deductions, no payslips.

· CMD, Prof Ibadin, shuts CHANNELS TELEVISION, others out of his office.

Wearing their white ward coats adorned with black arm bands to register their frustration and protest against the Prof. Micheal Ibadin led administration at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), residents doctors of UBTH stormed the accounts department of the hospital to demand from the department why they have been experiencing anomalies on their salaries as well as some flagrant discrepancies in their allowances coupled with the new development of not receiving pay slips; a strategy they suspect was being employed to cover the enormous corrupt practices going on in the hospital.

The latest drama which occurred Friday morning, April 7, comes less than two weeks after resident doctors declared a state of emergency in the hospital due to what they called a total decay and dearth of infrastructure and equipment at the hospital, a situation which also saw senior doctors and consultants of the same hospital issuing a 21 day ultimatum to the Chief Medical Director (CMD) Prof. Ibadin, on the same issues last week.

The decision to storm the accounts department was made by the doctors after getting reports that there were some shady dealings going on at the department as employees of the department were allegedly given s instruction by the CMD to deduct over 23 per cent from the salaries of all the resident doctors, medical officers while house officers who had just finished their house jobs were not to be paid.

“Since we have been having a running battle with Prof Ibadin, he has taken to unwholesome and fraudulent practices to deny us our pay by deducting sums from our monies without explanation and also refusing to give us pay slips which will enable us ascertain what the deductions are all about,” one of the doctors who did not want his name mentioned said.

According to the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) UBTH chapter, Dr. Eustace Oseghale, resident doctors in UBTH have declared a state of emergency because of the decaying infrastructure, unavailability of materials to work and poor staff welfare which explained why the health care givers were wearing black arm bands.

At the accounts department, the doctors numbering over 30 trooped to the chief accountants office where they met with the officer in charge and barraged him with inquiries bordering on why their salaries were being held on to; deductions made without explanation and payslips not issued any longer.

“We have information from the Ministry of Finance that our salaries have been sent to and have been with you for about two weeks, a particularly angry female doctor asked, “What are they keeping our money for? And at the end of the day you will pay us percentage when we know the complete money came and they will refuse to provide pay slips to leave us confused”.

The head of accounts who appeared confused at every question responded that all enquiries should be made to the hospital management.

An account staff who pleaded anonymity for fear of his job told the doctors with members of the press around that they were acting under instruction from the management.

“Maybe after the drama they (management) may ask us to start paying that this is what we understand. You will see in another 10 minutes instruction will come that we should pay,” he said.

Oseghale while speaking to newsmen said the association has issued the hospital management a 21 day ultimatum which lapses on April 18th 2017 failure of which will lead to a total shutdown of the hospital.

“What we are demanding from management includes a responsive action on the shortage of resident doctors to provide services, poor working environment and inadequate welfare for staff.

“UBTH remains among the few centres where doctors are yet to get full salaries and this even goes against the agreement reached by NMA, NARD and the Federal Ministry of Health. And to worsen the situation management informed the association of its intention to implement point skipping which will place Registrars on CONMESS 3 step 2, Senior Registrars II on CONMESS3 step 6, Senior Registrars I on CONMESS 4 step 1, with new Consultants on CONMESS 5 step1. This is the height of deprivation because in neighbouring centres, Registrars are on CONMESS 3 step 3, Senior Registrars II are on 4 step 4, Senior Registrars I are on 5 step 6, with new Consultants on CONMESS 5 step 1,” he said.

He went on to reveal that resident doctors in UBTH and some of their teachers are yet to get their 2013 salaries as well as some of their 2016 salaries.

“Our members had to take loan to pay school fees and rent in January and when the January salary came we got a shock shortfall of 28 per cent as we were paid only 72 per cent of our salaries. When we asked about the deduction the management said they remaining balance will be paid along with the February salary without offering an explanation why the deduction was made. They have since 2015 been starving the ARD of her dues which they deduct from source and up till now have refused to pay due ARD dues deducted from our members’ salaries into the ARD account so as to weaken us from speaking truth to power but that has not deterred us,” the president said.

“We wrote to our consultants to intervene in the situation and they (MDCAN) also issued a notice of industrial action to the CMD and enumerated all that we complained about that is wrong with the centre and these include surgeons in UBTH have to struggle with the operating tables during surgery and the equipment in the sterilizing department are often broken down leaving patients, patient relatives and doctors stranded. The accident and emergency is not left out as doctors nurses and patients are often found searching for materials to provide care with the patients having to go out to source materials most times,” he said.

He enumerated some of the problems associated with the hospital since the administration of the present Chief Medical Director (CMD), Prof Michael Ibadin, took over the management of the hospital as being very inimical of the oath of service taken by doctors in the profession.

“The call rooms and post graduate library in the hospital are often in darkness and resident doctors on call have to grapple with insects and reptiles in the dark call rooms. Patient care is not the only suffering sector as staff welfare is so bad. The house officers who just completed their house job are been owed several months of salaries despite been over worked as they were grossly short staffed.

When newsmen attempted to get a response from the CMD, Prof. Ibadin, he shut out the media including the crew of Channels Television, accusing them of having been bribed by the protesting doctors.

Oseghale told newsmen that the action of the CMD to the media was just a tip of the iceberg of the kind of management they are contending with.

If anybody knows the lady (maid) they should advise her to go and report to security authorities and sue her employers. If she was caught then they should hand her over to the police. What I see here is molestation, sexual harassment and infringement of her human rights. For all I know this confession was obtained under duress and should she go to court, her so called manhandlers will pay dearly.

Abdulazeez007:
ehn, and you call dis mama maid?
Over to DSS investigate where they got such amount of cash!
Taink Yu