₦airaland Forum

The umbrella body of all registered political parties and political associations in the county, Conference Of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) has announced the death of its national chairman, Alhaji Balarabe Musa who passed away in the early hours of Wednesday at the age of 85.

A statement signed by its Secretary General, Chief Willy Ezugwu said "the death is highly regrettable at this trying times of our nationhood.

"He will be highly missed by the ordinary citizens of Nigeria whom he had consistently stood with.

"His exit is very painful as he was a father to all irrespective of tribe or religious affiliation.

"He lived and died with his allegiance to the country unquestionable and his integrity intact.

"We enjoin all political leaders to remember that there is an end, power and wealth will pass away but our deeds will continue to speak for us or against us when we are no more.

"His life of contentment should be emulated by all Nigerian leaders", the CNPP said.

By Charly Onah

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https://www.nairaland.com/6223756/ugwuanyi-rev-fr.dennis-attah-open

The same political latitude and advantage was enjoyed by Nnamani's successor Sullivan Chime. This enabled them to empower their people with some juicy federal appointments, contacts and contracts.

These were not the case with Ugwuanyi's administration that came on board with the PDP's loss of power at the centre and economic recession that followed suit. This ugly development affected his government and governance drastically and brought human and financial pressure on Ugwuanyi's administration. The rest is history.

APPOINTMENT AND EMPOWERMENT

Saying that people need empowerment not appointments is sounding hypocritical because appointment is synonymous with government.

Those appointed apart from working with and for the government, invariably work for the people. Saving or managing their finances judiciously will help them to empower others that are not in government. There is no way everyone will be in government at the same time.

There is no way government can empower everyone. Government can only provide enabling environment and atmosphere for people to operate and be empowered. That is what Ugwuanyi's administration is doing by providing critical infrastructure like roads and healthcare centres in rural areas of which Enugu North Senatorial zone is a beneficiary in the state today.

In the construction sites across the state, artisan and engineers working there are mostly from the communities where the projects are sited.

ADVISERS

Describing all the politicians in Southeast as nothing, but mere praise singer is very derogatory and bad of a Rev. Fr. of Attah's status. How can a Reverend who is ordained to serve God speak about his people in such an insultive and scathing manner, deviod of respect and decorum.

Who made him judge unto his people to condemn people with finality? What a bad way to generalise people. There are good and bad people everywhere and in every profession including the Christendom.

Good and evil knows no religion, tribe or status. It is innate in all human beings. Ugwuanyi just like any other governor knows his advisers. He made choice of them and takes responsibility for their actions and inactions.

Mind you that no matter what any leader does in Nigeria, hunger cannot vanish overnight. This is because hunger is part and parcel of human existence. It is even Biblical. After all, it is stated that man shall not live by bread alone. Why is Rev. Fr. Attah talking as if life is all about food and eating food. It goes beyond that.

INVIOLATE TRUTH

It is obvious from Rev. Fr. Attah's tone in the letter that he is a fastidious and arrogant person, who sees his opinion or views as superior and spiritual. If not, how can he describe his personal opinions or views as truth without substantial evidence or subjecting it to scrutiny. That is self-adulation, which is not expected of an ordained priest who has God's fear.

Rev. Fr. Attah is entitled to his view, especially in our society, where talk is too cheap and writing open letter has become a hobby.

FEEDBACK

Ugwuanyi as a grassroots leader does not need his colleagues or advisers alone to get honest feedback from the people. I am quite aware that he reaches out to the less privileged and downtrodden directly.

He is always handy and accessible and often interface with his people. What feedback is worth more than the massive support his administration has enjoyed and still enjoying with the majority of the people. This the people demonstrated clearly by reelecting him with 95. 45 per cent votes in 2019. His administration has continued to embark on people's oriented policies and programmes that are directly benefitting the people.

Ugwuanyi is not a sycophant and does celebrate or indulge in sycophancy. Remember that sycophancy and praise are two different thing.

Ugwuanyi's taciturnity and humility is not a weakness, eventhough some persons wrongly assumed it to be so. He is not a garrulous leader. He is a grounded leader who has his ears on ground and eyes on the ball.

NRASHI

Nrashi is nothing, but a joking slang used by politicians and people to describe enjoyment. It just became prominent in Ugwuanyi's administration. That does not mean that Ugwuanyi is promoting epicurianism and hedonism. That Governor Ugwuanyi intermittently assists people with immediate financial needs with monetary gifts does not make him a spendthrift or profligate.

That does not mean that he distributes public money to the people recklessly. That is very a wrong impression by the Rev. Fr. Attah and his cohorts. Such assistance or interventions which happens from time to time is all about welfarism. It is an open secret that people seek for financial assistance from political leaders from time to time.

While others may not be disposed to assist, Ugwuanyi assists because he is generous naturally.

Recently Ugwuanyi was at UNTH Enugu to see the school children who were victims of ghastly motor accident in Awgu Local Government Area. While going round in the hospital, a woman whose little daughter needs to be operated but has no money, saw him and started weeping for financial assistance. Gov. Ugwuanyi responded swifly by paying N300,000 for the operation immediately. Can this be described as distributing money?

RUMOURS

For Rev.Fr. Attah to pen down an open letter on the rumour he is hearing about Gov. Ugwuanyi that he could easily access and interact with without investigations shows that he has a different agenda and personal grudges against the governor.

If a Catholic priest of Attah's personality can swallow lies and rumours hook, line and sinker, what will he teach his worshippers and what would they be practising or believing?

On the allegations that Ugwuanyi is distributing money among big men in the state and across the country to become a senator or vice president in 2023, this is a lie from the pit of hell.

As of today, Ugwuanyi has not declared interest to contest anything in 2023. Even if Ugwuanyi has such ambition, it is within his constitutional right to do so, provided he is qualified. But for the fact that he has not declared or told anybody such thing, it is too preemptive and condemnable to be spreading spurious rumour against him in that direction by men of God like Rev. Fr. Attah and his likes.

If Gov Ugwuanyi did not distribute money to be in the House of Representatives for 12 years and be governor of Enugu State on second term, why should he distribute public money to become senator or vice president in 2023. If Ugwuanyi is interested in any position in 2023 and it is the wish of God and the people, it will come to manifestation. Unsolicited and malicious letter like this of Rev.Fr. Attah cannot stop it because power belongs to God and not men.

(On self-assessment, Rev. Fr. Attah needs to reexamine his conscience, before asking Gov. Ugwuanyi to assess himself if he has done well for Nsukka people to be supportive of him to go Senate in 2023.

This is where Rev. Fr. Attah exposed his mission, which is political. Is Rev. Attah saying that he is now the political leader of Nsukka people to decide or dictate, who to be supported or not to be supported in 2023 elections by Nsukka people? Why is Rev. Fr Attah delving into politics, a terrain he has earlier denied knowledge of?

Why the inconsistency and partisanship his position and point on this issue? Has Ugwuanyi discussed his senatorial ambition with Rev. Fr. Attah to justify the needless attack on his person by him? Even if he has, is this open letter the best Rev. Fr. Attah can offer as a response? Is Rev.Fr Attah altruistic or executing a hatchet job with the open letter?

CASH DISTRIBUTION

No cash is being distributed in Enugu State by Ugwuanyi's government. Providing immediate financial succour to the needy can not be termed as distributing money.

If the alleged distribution of money by Gov. Ugwuanyi has benefited Rev. Fr. Attah, he should let the world know. Relying on rumourmongering to pass judgment on a person
is the worst thing a right thinking person can do.

BEHIND SCHEDULE

Hmmm, with due respect, Rev. Father Dennis Attah has continued to display ignorance about simple rudiments of constitutional democracy. He is not aware that government is a continuum. It is clear that Rev. Fr. Attah is parochial and a tribal irredentist. He has queer sense of entitlement and have continued to live in delusion that so far Gov. Ugwuanyi is from Enugu North Senatorial zone, he should overlook other parts of the state and concentrate attention in Enugu North zone alone.

What is lacking in Ugwuanyi's government is financial resources, not time or expertise. If his government gets enormous resources today, it will do more than it has done with the meagre resources at his disposal. Ugwuanyi has completed some of the projects he inherited from his predecessors. It is expected and traditional that his successor to continue with some of his projects that will not be completed before he leaves office in 2023. That is how government works and should work.

I don't know when Rev. Fr. Attah went to Orba last. Works are ongoing at the campus of the relocated Enugu State Polytecthnic Iwollo in Ezimo, Specialist Hospital at Igboano and others.

Apart from UNN which was attracted to Nsukka by Zik, what were other industries or federal or state higher institutions that have been attracted and sited in the zone since then until Ugwuanyi became governor? What was the state of Nsukka urban and its environs before Ugwuanyi's emergence as governor?

GOOD WORK

It is good and surprising for Rev. Fr. Attah to acknowledge that there were good works done by Ugwuanyi administration.

That nobody will not like to settle where there is hunger does not erase the fact that hunger is part and parcel of human existence. It has come to stay and has continued from generation to generation. Those before Ugwuanyi were unable to stop it, not because they did not try just the way Ugwuanyi's government is doing, but hunger is unstoppable and natural. Poverty is universal and natural. Living or means of livelihood is not equal or balanced anywhere on earth.

QUALITY OF THE ROADS

I am sure that Rev. Fr. Attah is not an engineer. It is preposterous and foolhardy of him to delve into writing about the quality of roads being constructed by Ugwuanyi's administration, when he is a novice in engineering field.

It is instructive to inform Rev. Fr.Attah that governor don't singlehandedly award contract to companies. The contracts go through rigorous process including bidding before they are awarded.

Ugwuanyi's government use certified contractors and companies to do road contracts.That a portion of road develops potholes does not mean that the road has collapsed. Even in developed countries, section of road collapses from time to time and they will be fixed and maintained regularly.

How will our indigenous contractors survive and prosper if they are not used to do some roads by government. For the mere fact that Rev.Fr. Attah was not specific about roads constructed by Ugwuanyi's administration that collapsed showed that he was on gossip and vendetta mission.

HOUSING ESTATES

The basic needs of man according to pyschologist is food, shelter and water. The housing estates being massively developed across the state by Ugwuanyi's administration has created jobs for both professionals and artisans.

It had brought rapid development in the areas they are located. With Enugu metropolis being congested and overpopulated, the estates which were mostly located at satelite towns will help decongest Enugu urban and reduce rural urban migration.

GOVERNMENT PRESENCE

It is axiomatic that government presence in the area of infrastructural development has never been felt in rural areas across the state the way it had been felt under Ugwuanyi's administration. Before now, rural areas are being remembered only during elections. Ugwuanyi changed the situation by making development of rural areas one of his government's top priorities. His government has so far constructed 275km road which is in the rural areas aside from the roads in the urban and semi-urban areas.

In Uzo-Uwani LGA alone, where Rev.Fr. Attah is serving as a priest, Ugwuanyi administration has asphalted the 26.665km Ukpabi-Nimbo-Ugbene Ajima-Eziani road as well as finished doing earthwork on Edem Ani-Urobo Abbi road.

Massive work is ongoing on the long-neglected 39km Umulokpa-Adaba-Ukpata-Uvuru-Nkpologu road which links many communities of Uzo-Uwani to their headquarters at Umulokpa.

Before the construction, the people of Uzo-Uwani usually crisscross around four local governments namely Igbo-Etiti, Nsukka, Ezeagu and Udi before getting to their council headquarters at Umulokpa. Also being constructed at Nkpologu by Ugwuanyi's administration is one of the seven type 3 healthcare centres in the state. It is on record that Uzo-Uwani LGA is the least developed local government in the state before Ugwuanyi's administration.

The local government which is made up of mostly agrigarian communities needs infrastructure, especially roads that will give farmers access to market to sell their produce. That is why Ugwuanyi's administration is working on roads in the area first before any other thing. That Ugwuanyi has not constructed road leading to Rev. Father. Attah's Parish at Nrobo in Uzo-Uwani is not enough reason for him to maliciously castigate and attack his government in open letter that smacks of rascality and exuberance.

Due to paucity of fund and other challenges, there is no way, any government including that of Ugwuanyi can address all the challenges confronting it. It is not possible unless we are not sincere to ourselves.

Constructive criticism imbued with facts is a tonic for good governance. It is synonymous with democratic governance. But armchair criticism embedded in malice, fallacy and mischief as exhibited by Rev.Fr. Attah in his open letter to Gov Ugwuanyi is the most embarrassing venture an educated and exposed person of Rev. Attah's status can embark on. It exposes one to ridicule and put the person on the spot assessment.

It will be good if Rev. Fr. Attah can also write such open letter to the Senator Chuka Utazi who is representing the Enugu North Senatorial zone in National Assembly and hails from Uzo-Uwani LGA.

Nothing stops the Senator from complementing the efforts of Gov. Ugwuanyi in his local government and across other local governments in the senatorial zone through execution of quality constituency projects.

The responsibility of developing Enugu North Senatorial zone does not only lie on Gov. Ugwuanyi government alone. It requires collective and concerted efforts of all the people of the zone, including Rev. Fr. Attah and his colleagues. Rev.Fr. Attah's watery, emotional and nepotic open letter to Gov. Ugwuanyi will not add any value rather it has just exposed him for whom he is and has potrayed the Enugu North Senatorial zone people in badlight.

It is true that politics is a game of personal interest. Governance and government is about carry everyone along and touching lives of the people irrespective of language, zone and religion. Ugwuanyi has so far used his position as governor to unite Enugu people like never before. He has changed the leadership dynamics in the state for good.

Charly Onah writes from Opi, Nsukka, Enugu State.

By Charly Onah

It appeared that November 1, 2020 ushered in a new dawn of so long a letter and open letter writing to Enugu State Governor, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi by some persons of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo stock from his senatorial zone, Enugu North.

First was from one Rev.Fr. Dennis John Chukwubuzor Attah of Catholic Diocese Nsukka and another from one Celestine Okanya also from Igbo-Eze South Council Area in Enugu North zone, who has been mischievously and fallaciously critical of Ugwuanyi's administration.

The two epistles which were of the same tone and agenda, but fraught with malice, mischief, lies, inconsistencies, missing links, nepotism and unfounded allegations were timely made public on the day Governor Ugwuanyi went on a private visit to senator representing Enugu North Senatorial zone, Senator Chuka Utazi in his home at Nkpologu, Uzo-Uwani Council Area alongside some prominent leaders of Enugu North Senatorial zone. Was this coincidental or conspiratorial? Time will tell,because there is no smoke without fire.

In his narration cum lamentations, Rev.Fr. Attah reminded Gov. Ugwuanyi that from November 1, he has only 2 years, 7 months and 28 days to handover in 2023. By implication, he strongly reminded the governor that what he could not achieve within the remaining 31.7% of his time will remain an illusion to him or anybody.

The Reverend acknowledged that as a matter of fact politics is not his field, but he is not blindfolded in the political sequence. This is a case of aprobating and reprobating at the same time, which is not good for a stable and principled character.

From Rev. Attah's postulations, he is both blinded in the art of governance and politics especially in Enugu State. It is not enough to hide under cassock to tribally pontificate on governance and government in Enugu State without substantial facts and statistics. One Rev. Fr. Kelvin Odigbo had once toed the same infantile path in the past and got his fingers burnt.

Getting directly involved in the politics and governance of the state will be of great advantage to Rev. Fr. Attah and will help him to speak from the point of deep knowledge, instead of pontification and grandstanding through unsolicited and malicious open letter targeted at impugning the character of the governor and his government.

Meanwhile, the last time I read the 1999 constitution as amended, nothing precludes or bars an ordained priest of any denomination from joining or playing partisan politics and having experience of it and governance and its concomitant challenges and benefits.

After all, we have had the likes of late Rev. Moses Adasu, becoming governor of Benue State and Rev. Jolly Nyame serving as two-term governor of Taraba State.

Just last month, October, 2020, an Anglican Priest, Reverend Wavel Ramkalawan was elected and sworn-in as President of Seychelles. His victory came after six attempts to become the President of the country, a dream he started pursuing in 1998.

Before his presidential aspiration, he had joined politics by being a staunch member of Linyon Demokratik Seselwa (LDS) while serving as an ordained priest of Anglican church. He was still in active service when he was elected President and sworn-in. He is now in power and expected to correct those things he has been strongly critical on the pulpit.

Although all of us must or should not be politicians, nothing stops the likes of Rev.Fr Attah and his colleagues from joining politics. It is important and good for them to join. Membership of political parties in Nigeria are open to every Nigerian irrespective of religion or tribe. One does not need any qualification or certificate to be a member. That is by the way.

While it is true that the essence of power rotation in Enugu is to enable people from different parts of the governed area to access power inorder to ensure equitable development of the whole area, it is not presumed or true that an individual who was voted into office by the people to serve as governor should concentrate every development in his area as being espoused by Rev. Fr. Attah. That is totally uncalled for and divisive.

If that has been the practice in Enugu since 1999, it is very wrong and should not be encouraged, promoted or used as a reference point for good governance. In short, a visit to the Council areas, communities and villages of the past governors of Enugu State's senatorial zones, since 1999 shows that none of them completed the needed infrastructural developments in their zones, talk more of other zones. This is because of the age-long infrastructural deficits or gaps that required huge financial resources and time to tackle. Many communities in these zones are still yearning for urgent government intervention in the area of infrastructural development, while many people are still languishing in abject penury and starvation.

A local government like Nkanu East is one of the least developed local governments in Enugu State today, whereas it shares border and cultural affinity with Nkanu West LGA which is Senator Chimaroke Nnamani's council area. The problems and challenges Rev. Fr. Attah emphasised in his letter is not peculiar to Enugu North Senatorial zone. It cut across senatorial zones, local governments, communities, wards, indigenes and residents of Enugu State.

That Gov. Ugwuanyi is not following the same path of skewed infrastructural developments in the state does not make him a failed or weak leader. It should have been nice if Rev. Fr. Attah had factored in or presented statistically the state of the economy now and when Ugwuanyi's predecessors were in office. How much was crude oil which is the country's major source of income sold for then and when Ugwuanyi assumed office? What is the state wage bill now and then? What is the political atmosphere, alignment and realignment then and now?

What was the population growth between then and now? Was there any recession and COVID-19 pandemic then? This is just elementary knowledge expected of anyone who wants to analyse the performance of any government or governor. Providing clear and factual answers to these germane questions raised above will help anybody to easily assess Gov. Ugwuanyi's performance, not only in Enugu North Senatorial zone which Rev. Fr. Attah has become their spokesman, but the entire state.

It is very uncharitable and hypocritical of Rev. Fr. Attah to say that people are yet to see Gov. Ugwuanyi's food yielding trees, because none has manifested and at the same time acknowledged that beautiful secretariat, good road network, housing estates and others done by Gov. Ugwuanyi's administration in Enugu North zone are all good for the people.

If I will not be mistaken, it seems that to Rev. Fr. Attah the only food yielding trees expected of Ugwuanyi is to build or attract or relocate some higher institutions to his zones like his predecessors. This is even when it is obvious that none is available to be attracted from Federal Government now. That is why Ugwuanyi is gradually developing those ones that his administration has relocated to Enugu North Senatorial zone.


Eventhough Gov. Ugwuanyi is not the governor of Enugu North Senatorial zone, Rev.Fr Attah in his letter should have painted a vivid picture of the state of infrastructure and human development in Enugu North Senatorial zone before Gov. Ugwuanyi became governor and now that he has been governor for five years plus. This will help a layman to assess the performance of Gov. Ugwuanyi administration in Enugu North zone and pass an unbiased verdict.

On being remembered for tangible achievements, it will be unfair for any reasonable person from Enugu North Senatorial zone to accuse Ugwuanyi of not doing much for people of Enugu State and Enugu North Senatorial zone in particular in the face of daunting challenges his administration faced from inception in 2015 till date.

Ugwuanyi's numerous and solid achievements litter the nooks and cranny of Enugu North Senatorial zone. Everybody including visitors know the deplorable state of infrastructure in Enugu North Senatorial zone before Gov. Ugwuanyi assumed office as governor. If Ugwuanyi's offence is that he has not built higher institutions or industries in Enugu North Senatorial zone, I cannot remember any of his predecessors that established industries, even with the financial solvency and liquidity they enjoyed while their administrations lasted.

END IN PRAISE

The much I know and have followed, Ugwuanyi government's slogan is not It Will End in Praise, but Enugu State Is In The Hands of God. It Will End In Praise was coined as a campaign slogan of the governor towards his reelection bid. The reelection eventually ended in praise with the governor garnering 94.5 percent votes which is unprecedented in the history of governorship elections in the state since 1999. Then came another slogan: The Goodness of God In Enugu State

How else will someone win election legitimately if not by following all the electoral guidelines, rules and regulations. Elections in Enugu in 2019 were the most peaceful in the country. This was attested to by Barrister Mike Okoye of INEC the day INEC presented Ugwuanyi certificate of return for his reelection in Enugu in 2019.

People, including the downtrodden and the elites have been giving testimonies of Ugwuanyi's exceptional performance in office especially in the area of security, infrastructure development, peace and unity of the people. Is Rev. Fr. Attah saying that these testimonies were induced or manufactured or that those giving it are fools. Even the workers and youths have been testifying and sermonising of Ugwuanyi administration's outstanding and giant strides in office.

On Late Nnamdi Azikiwe's establishment of UNN in Nsukka and the reason Nsukka should not forget him Zik did it then because the opportunity called for it and he has the platform and reach to attract it to his state.

On Governor Chimaroke Nnamani taking UNTH to Ituku Ozalla, it was not Nnamani that took UNTH to Ituku Ozalla. It was not Nnamani that did that. UNTH has been relocated to Ituku Ozalla before Nnamani assumed office as governor. I could remember vividly that Dr. Chris Ngige who is the current minister of Labour as a deputy director in the Ministry of Health was among those that facilitated the relocation before joining politics in 1998. Ngige is still alive today and inquiry could be made.

Nnamani attracted Law School to Agbani because of his close relationship with the then President Olusegun Obasanjo who was in the same party with him.

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Charly Onah writes from Opi, Nsukka, Enugu State.

By Ebere Agozie

In spite of the giant strides Nigerian women have been making in the world of business, a new reality is staring them - along with the rest of humanity – in the face: COVID-19.

The prevalence and astonishingly rapid spread of the virus had the whole world literally hyper-ventilating, wondering what had hit it.

At first, there was fear that, given the predominantly rural setting of Africa, and given also the fact that awareness about the pandemic has been slow in catching on, the worst was about to happen.

The expected annihilation may not have happened on the scale feared in Africa, but the presence of the coronavirus in the continent has remained a huge cause for concern.

This is especially so for women whose case is further exacerbated by the very nature of African culture.

Incidentally, many of the recommendations given by health experts as to the required distance between people have of course to do with what makes life pleasurable.

Going by the above observation, one wonders how women will be able to stick to these recommendations, considering the roles they play in the society.

In Africa where there are basically no institutions that take care of the elderly and children with special needs, the challenge of taking care of them is dumped on the door step of women.

Women as care givers do not only take care of the young children at home, feed and bathe them, but also their husbands and their aged ones.

Even as the typical belief or culture of African women revolve around domestic chores, some of these women are also the breadwinners of their homes and so must go out to work to put food on the table.

African women are very enterprising, and this could primarily be put down to the prevalent poverty in the continent and the need to ensure the welfare of their families.

There are those that are involved in subsistence farming, there are others that engage in petty trade and commerce, there is the working class, and there are those that are the corporate world, albeit not many of them in this last category.

There are equally the full-time, stay-at-home housewives, although this class is shrinking by the day as, increasingly, women in Africa perceive the need to get involved in fending for the family.

In this attempt to examine women entrepreneurship in Africa today, we will look closely at the Nigerian situation.

With regard to enterprise, Nigerian women can be spread into four categories.

The first group is the full-time housewives, the stay-at-home housewives. As the name implies, these women simply stay at home to take care of the family, raise the children and generally run the home, while the husbands go out to earn a living.

Most of them are to be found in the northern parts of the country, mainly due to religious constraints since, by reason of their religion, they are not expected to mix very freely with the public, among whom there usually a lot of males.

This set of women is no longer as large as it was in the recent past as the increasingly dire economic conditions faced by most Nigerians make it necessary for more hands to be on deck in providing for the family.

Simply put, staying at home and waiting for the husbands to, as it were, bring home the bacon, is becoming less attractive by the day. It is a luxury that most families can ill afford today.

A second category is the petty traders and the subsistence farmers. This sub group is the most prevalent in our society. They make up the bulk of women in Nigeria and are found in far flung parts.

Nigerian women are so focused, so family-centric, that even when they go to toil in the farm for the family, they would still come home to cook for everyone.

Women farmers may be the predominant group, but one class that seems to be surging recently is those engaged in petty trading.

There is hardly any part of the Nigeria, especially in the lower geographical half of the country, where you do not find women engaging in some form of trading or another.

In most communities it is common to see women displaying their wares just about everywhere you look.

Usually, you see just a few items – confectionaries, food items, soup condiments, and the like. But they know how far revenue from such efforts go in supplementing what the men bring home at the end of the day.

There are also other market settings which are generally dominated by women. These markets vary in size – from just a cluster of a few roughly constructed huts, to extremely large, well-organised and thriving markets that play host to thousands of traders, the majority of them, women.

Enterprising women range from just petty traders, to big time business women whose businesses run into hundreds of millions of naira.

Let us not forget also the working class women that abound in the civil service and in private concerns.

A lot of women have built very successful careers in the public service and they, too, deserve accolades for contributing in steadying the ship of the Nigerian state.

It has actually been proven, over time, that women have shown a rare dedication and conscientiousness in the discharge of their responsibilities, such that are now much sought-after in many organisations.

They have also, by this dint of hard work, succeeded in climbing to the highest reaches of such outfits.

These women, however, are among the few who were privileged to have been highly educated and exposed to opportunities that got them to where they are today, leaving the majority of the non educated petty entrepreneurs to struggle daily to make ends meet.

Some of such women are Hajiya Bola Shagaya, an oil and real estate magnate, Uju Ifejika, and arguably the most prominent of them all, 65 year old Folorunsho Alakija, who found her fame and fortune in the oil and fashion industries.

Nigeria is truly blessed, not only in terms of her abundant natural resources, but also (with her large population) in terms of her huge human resources.

And a truly heart-warming proportion of this is made up of women.

All told however, the problem of Covid-19 has impacted rather heavily on Nigerian women, especially the rural dwellers, and just made their efforts to make ends meet more onerous.

It is therefore unimaginable that social distancing could be practiced here by majority of Nigerian women entrepreneurs.

Some of the women are stuck with men, some of who actually think that the coronavirus is an excuse by the governments to siphon public funds.

These men will always demand for sex from their women, even when they are sick, and of course there are also the factors of culture and religion, and so to them, #Social Distancing is not applicable.

Sometimes culture and religion give the women no chance of objecting and they are therefore forced to succumb to their husband’s advances, which sometimes come in the form of commands.

While #Social Distancing is part of prescribed ways of curbing the spread of #COVID-19, it is nonetheless going to be very difficult for some women trying to go about their lives to stay healthy while still carrying the burden of the people around them.

Most women interviewed lamented that their religions and culture have put much burden on them as women.

This has caused many of them to cast around for excuses on the back of indoctrination, almost amounting to brainwashing.

Hajia Fatima Muhammad, a Civil Servant jokingly asked, ‘how can I observe social distancing when my husband will not keep away from me?’

Her religious and cultural beliefs made her feel that women are not supposed to have a say in such matters.

“If he gets infected and still wants to sleep with me, what do I do since I cannot say ‘no’ to him”?

When asked why she would not deny her husband sex until after the pandemic is over to focus on her business she said: “My religion and culture forbid that’’.

Mfon Effiong, a business woman angrily responded, I am a nursing mother, how do I breastfeed my baby?

“I heard more men are infected than women, and more women survive than men even though we still sleep with them and exchange bodily fluids.

“Besides God has seen the burden we carry as women and has thus given us strong systems. I will not be infected in Jesus name,’’ she declared.

From the foregoing, it is clear that the incompatibility of social distancing and the desire to drive women entrepreneurship in Nigeria, and indeed other African settings, is a quandary to most African societies.

There is no easy way out of this predicament and the real or perceived inequality in the society does not help matters, either.

It is therefore clear that the government organs responsible for public education, have their work cut out for them.

More than anything else, there is an urgent need for a much more aggressive grassroots education to let them know that it is about their health, and that of everyone around them.

Entrepreneurship in Nigeria, especially among women, will be the better for it.

Ebere Agozie, Head, Fact Check Desk, News Agency of Nigeria.


Source: https://abujabizreports.com/2020/10/29/african-women-entrepreneurs-in-covid-19-era/

By Victor Onwubike

There is no doubt that the first three days of the #ENDSARS Protest in Enugu was peaceful, but not without element of politics and deviation.
Leveraging on this some disgruntled and unscrupulous political elements conspired and directly hijacked the protest, recruited criminals and vandals as protesters to unleash mayhem on the state. This was just in a bid to disrupt the peace in the state for selfish and parochial reasons.

For two days, these hired vandals, criminals and miscreants, who their emotional sympathisers and sponsors intentionally described as hungry and armless youths to delude the gullibles and divert attention, destroyed private and public properties and wasted lives in Enugu with ease.

In their desperation to satisfy their paymasters, they boldly defied the 24 hours curfew imposed by Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi to carryout their dastardly and mindless acts in some parts of the state, leaving the once beautiful and clean state in ruins and tatters.

The finesse and audacity they deployed in planning and executing the mayhem point to the fact that they have collaborators, allies and sponsors within the state, who covertly worked and still working with them. It is a case of the home rats telling the one in the bush that there is fish in the house.

Ordinarily and legally, whenever 24 hours curfew is imposed in a state, nobody needs to be seen moving about, except those on essential duties and security agents.This was not the case in Enugu after the 24 hours curfew was imposed by Gov. Ugwuanyi on Wednesday October 21, 2020.

Even before Police conclude investigations and normalcy restored in the state, some characters have by their actions and inactions showed that they know more than others about the ugly incidents that ravaged Enugu State for two days and left many shocked and wondering if this is the same ever peaceful city for all.

They have hastily and eagerly commenced preemptive actions, playing to the gallery and scoring cheap popularity with the aftermath of the mayhem.

Leading the pack of these sycophants and conspirators is the member representing Ezeagu Constituency in Enugu State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Chima Obieze.

According to a publication in an online medium called Journalist 101 on October 25, 2020, Obieze visited families of the victims of violent protest, condemned killings, found security agents guilty of murder "in his court" and awarded scholarship to the siblings. Hmm, if this is not to encourage other paid miscreants that their families would be supported when they die what else is the motive. IT IS ALSO A PUZZLE THAT THREE VICTIMS ARE FROM EZEAGU LOCAL GOVERNMENT, Hon Chima Obieze's Constituency.

The publication read: "the Member representing Ezeabgu constituency in Enugu State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Chima Obieze on Sunday, October 25, 2020 visited the families of the people killed by the bullets from the guns security operatives when the #EndSARS protest was hijacked by hoodlums in Enugu State.

The three victims were killed on different days as the police attempted to disperse hoodlums that hijacked the #EndSARS protest and were destroying both public and private properties across the state.

Visiting the family of Ejike Okeke in their country home, Amaogbu, Akama Oghe in Ezeagu LGA who was a student of Institute of Management and Technology, IMT, Enugu before his untimely death at Nkpokiti on Saturday, 24th October, Obieze assured them he will be with them in this trying time and will contribute towards the burial of their son.

Obieze also visited the family of late Obi Chinedu Solomon at their Enugu residence at Abakpa. Late Chinedu was a motor mechanic and was shut dead at T-Junction area of Abakpa Nike, Enugu and hails from Okpogho, in Ezeagu local government area.

Obieze promised to take responsibility for the burial of the victim and offered University scholarship to the younger brother of the deceased; Obi Odinaka Joshua as his late brother was the breadwinner of the family.

Lastly, Obieze visited the family of late Onyima Tochukwu at their residence at Ugwunwani, Ugbene I, Abakpa Nike, Enugu. The victim is from Obeleagu Umana, in Ezeagu LGA and was a furniture maker before his death.

Narrating the ugly incident, the younger brother of the deceased, Chukwunonso Onyima said his brother was killed after he finished eating at a restaurant near T-Junction. “When we arrived the scene, some particles of the food he ate was still in his mouth. When we attempted to take him to the hospital, the police blocked us at Penoks and threatened to shot if we don’t go back.

“They even attempted to take his body away from us but we resisted. Our brother took his last breath before we could make it to another hospital,” Tochukwu said in grief.

Similarly, the lawmaker promised to support them for the burial of their son and offered University scholarship to the younger brother of the deceased, Tochukwu Onyima.
Barr. Obieze while visiting the families of the three victims berated the security agents for acting in a very unprofessional manner insisting that “these deaths were avoidable.”

“The action of the security agents are worrisome because there could have been other ways of dispersing the protesters without killing anyone. Our police needs to be reformed and the officers retrained.”

“No one deserved to die in this circumstance. These killings were avoidable if the security agents were professional enough in their conduct. Agreed, some violent and criminal elements joined the protest but most of the dead victims were innocent unarmed protesters who had to pay the ultimate price.

“What happened to dialogue, to hot water spray, to rubber bullets and all other options. What happened to Rules of Engagement. The deed is already done. When these youths took to the streets shouting #EndSARS & #Endpolicebrutality this is a good picture of what they mean.

“I blame whoever ordered the Lekki massacre of peaceful protesters. That action angered youths nationwide and some criminals took advantage of that anger. But enough is enough. When we say #EndSARS we don’t mean change the name of SARS to SWAT, we mean reform the personnel. Our problem is not with the name of the police unit but with the orientation and modus operandi of the unit.

Reform the Nigerian police force. Make them more professional, more proactive, give them more logistics & pay them higher wages to stop extortion and their quest for bribes. Punish erring officers. Set up structures that monitor their activities. This is Internet age, also, mount CCTV in every station or post in the State and have a central Control room for monitoring amongst others,” Obieze advised.

Obieze also called on the leaders in the country to see the protest by the youths as a wake up call for them to do the right thing.

“What has happened in the past few weeks should be an eye opener not only to Security agencies but to every Government/Public servant out there. By now its obvious to us all that THE PEOPLE ARE NOT COMPLETELY HELPLESS.
“So let’s get to work, do the right thing and never forget that truly, power belongs to the people and act in a manner that will make them trust you with it.


Consoling the families, Obieze promised to present their situations to the Governor of the State, Rt. Hon Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi stressing that the peace-loving governor of the state is saddened by the deaths.

He also assured the affected families that he would ensure that any officer complicit in the killings of the youths will be fished out and made to face the law for their unprofessional conduct that led to the deaths.

On different notes, the families expressed their satisfaction for the visit of their representative and thanked him for standing with them in this their moment of grief. They also thanked him for the scholarships and prayed to God to repay him back.

As patriotic, empathic and sympathetic, Obieze's visits and gestures could be or looked on the surface, lies below are some disturbing questions, trends and scenarios. How come that the three victims of the hijacked protest are all from Obieze's local government Ezeagu but died in different locations in Enugu? Is this a coincidence or a conspiracy that backfired?

Are there things these victims and Obieze know that the rest of Nigerians did not know about the destruction and vandalism in Enugu that lasted for two days. Is it not possible that these victims were hired to coordinate the mayhem, but met their waterloo in the proccess? Or is it that they are mere victims of circumstance?

Why was Obieze quick to blame security agents especially the Police when investigations have not been concluded and the vandals carried out their plans with dangerous arms? Is Obieze saying that it was the Police that shot during the protest, whereas many security agents, especially the policemen were seriously maimed and killed in the state and across the country during the hijacked protests.

It is expected of Obieze as a lawmaker and lawyer to know where to draw the line beteween politics, activism, and money making to finance his larger than life lifestyle not minding his background and have a grasp of the law as regards the operations of security agents in a crisis situation.

These puzzles and happenstances need to be looked into and resolved by the security agencies as investigations into the ugly developments in the state continue. Obieze should have known that 2023 is still far for one to be playing its politics with lives of the people, peace and unity of Enugu State.

Also followed the path of Obieze to sought for hasty and cheap popularity in this serious matter is the Student Union Government (SUG) President of Institute of Management and Technology (IMT) Enugu, Mr. Ugochukwu Anichukwu, who hurriedly issued a press statement condemning and blaming security agents for the death of one, Ejike Eze, who he claimed was a student of IMT Enugu from a strayed bullet during the protest at Juhel filling station Nkponkiti.

Assuming without conceding, if Ejike was truly at Juhel filling station Nkponkiti to discharge fuel on that Saturday before he was fell down by strayed bullet, why was he at work or outside when there was 24hours curfew in the state that was only relaxed to 6am to 6pm on Sunday October 25? Again schools are not in session. Why? Why didn't the SUG wait or consult with IMT management to investigate and make a statement on the issue?

Why the hurry to issue a statement and rush to visit the family? This is the responsibility of the IMT management, not SUG if it is confirmed to be true that he was a student of the school. Nobody is celebrating or justifying anybody or Ejike's demise in the protest.

But there is every need to review and investigate circumstances surrounding his demise and his involvement or otherwise in the protest.

It is not wise and legal for anyone to speak with finality on circumstances surrounding Ejike's death without proper investigations. Justice has to be done for the victims of the protest, including security agents that were killed and maimed.

The viral video where some of the hoodlums and vandals, who were brought in to destroy Enugu, were seen with AK47 gun running at Edozie Street, Uwani Enugu on Saturday October 24, is enough evidence that they are armed to the teeth. This is contray to the erroneous and misleading impressions by their sponsors, some people on social media platforms and far away from Enugu that they are armless, hungry and protesting youths.

Meanwhile, as security agents continue to unravel the circumstances that led to the two days mayhem in the state and following the sequence of events, there is need for searchlight to be beamed on some characters, who have shown vested interests in the matter.

They would be of immense help to the security agents, people of the state and government to actually know the origin, immediate and remote causes of the crisis and those behind it. As it is, it is not beyond the case of the owl cried in the night and the child died in the morning.

Victor Onwubike, a US- trained security expert writes from Allen Avenue, Ikeja, Lagos. He could be reached at onwu234@gmail.com.

Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya says his administration will continue to provide friendly atmosphere and enabling environment for all ethnic nationalities residing in Gombe State to attain their aspirations and contribute to the progress of the state.

The Governor was speaking when he played host to the members of Igbo community and other ethnic nationalities residing in Gombe led by the President General of the Igbo Community Development Association, Sir Ben Aruonu at the Government House.

The Governor noted that there have been flourishing trade relations between the people of Gombe state and the Igbos and therefore emphasized the importance of sustaining the unity and mutual understanding for the progress and development of the state and the nation as a whole.

He also stressed that the task of building the nation and Gombe state is a collective responsibility of all regardless of origins, saying the people stand stronger, live better and happier if they remain united.

Governor Inuwa Yahaya said his administration will continue to involve the Igbo and other ethnic nationalities in the issues of Governance in the State.

"Our pledge during the campaign was to create an environment that will make businesses to flourish and to expand the economy of the State to absorb all and sundry for the benefit of the people"

He said in view of the abundant human and natural resources that abound in the country, Nigerians have every reason to be proud of themselves, accommodate one another and create an environment where up coming generations will be proud of.

"Our relationship is supposed to be harmonious, of joy and happiness. Our relationship should be mutually beneficial. God has blessed this country abundantly in human and mineral resources. We have every reason to be proud of ourselves, to accommodate one another and to provide the ground on which our children and grandchildren will enjoy and have harmonious relationships. Our coming together is a source of strength,” he said.

The Governor said the decision to appoint Prince Chidebelu Ewuzie as his Special Adviser on inter- community relations was born out of government's desire to foster unity a harmonious relationship in the state.

"Nobody could have done this better than Prince Ewuzie, knowing fully well that he started his life here and rose to become a successful businessman and an employer upon whom alot of people earn their livelihood especially in the construction industry".

Governor Yahaya also guaranteed the Igbo community a piece of land they requested for to build a secretariat and a cultural centre, pledging same treatment to any other ethnic group residing in the State.

He equally promised the Igbo community and other ethnic groups in the State that his administration will give fair treatment to all in the areas of admission into the state's institutions, job placements and business opportunities.

The President General of the Igbo Community Development Association in Gombe, Sir Ben Aruonu said they were at the Government House to appreciate Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya for deeming it fit to appoint one of them, Prince Chidebelu Ewuzie as Special Adviser on inter community relations.

He described Governor Inuwa Yahaya as a peace maker and detribalized Nigerian calling on other Governors, particularly those in the South East to emulate the Gombe by appointing individuals of northern origin in their respective states so as to diffuse ethno religious lines hunting the country.

He appealed to the Igbo community to continue to support the present administration in Gombe State by paying their taxes to enable Government carry out developmental project.

During the visit, the Governor was formally conferred with the traditional title of Ome Udo Ndigbo 1 of Gombe ( Peace Maker)

Leaders of other ethnic groups, including the Tiv, Idoma, Ebira, Era Edo, Yoruba, Ngas, Margi among others were present during the visit.

Global Integrity Crusade Network (GICN), an Abuja based pro-democracy, anti-corruption and justice sector Civil Society Organization has written to the Honourable Minister of Special Duties and Inter-governmental Affairs, Senator (Dr.) George Akume advocating for the suspension or sack of Mr. Lanre Gbajabiamila as Director-General, Nigerian Lottery Regulatory Commission over his complicity in massive corruption, abuse of office, fraud and unlawful diversion of public funds into private pockets.

In the letter dated 6th July, 2020 signed by Barrister Joseph Chinelo Nwaegbu as Assistant Secretary and made available to newsmen yesterday, GICN stated that it has been pointing torch lights at various Ministries, Departments, Parastatals and Agencies of the Federal Government of Nigeria to assess their level of compliance with extant laws regarding utilization of public funds.

According to the organization, its private investigators had supplied facts and documents which put Mr. Lanre Gbajabiamila on the spot as having turned his office into a conduit pipe since he was appointed in April, 2017 causing Nigeria to lose millions of naira from Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the Commission.

Earlier on 22nd June, 2020 the group through its Director of Research and Evaluation, Comrade Henry Onyilo gave Mr. Lanre Gbajabiamila seven days ultimatum to resign his appointment so that the Federal Government of Nigeria under President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR can replace him with another competent, qualified, fit and proper person who can take the Commission to the enviable height it ought to be as a revenue generating agency.

Part of the letter reads: “A cursory look at the Audit Report for 2018 reveals chains of unapproved expenditures and spending sprees calculated to milk the NLRC dry. As a gross abuse of office, you authorized that your Personal Assistant (Bomodeoku Oyebode Olatunde) and Special Adviser (Akeju Olafadeke Iyabode) be paid the monthly emoluments of N65,41.75 (Sixty Five Thousand, Forty One Naira, Seventy Five Kobo) as well as N450,000 (Four Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira), respectively from the IGR having listed them in the Main Payroll of the Commission.

"This is notwithstanding the fact that the employment of those staffers are predicated upon your own appointment as Director-General and their fringe benefits have been monetized according to the Federal Circular with Reference Number SGF.19/S.47/C.I/III/143 dated 13th July, 2007”.

”Furthermore, the Commission has in 2017 lost revenue amounting to N39,000,000 (Thirty Nine Million Naira) through arranged waiver in favour of Mobicards International Limited.

"The records would show that the Company in a letter addressed to you dated 10th October, 2017 paid N50,000,000 (Fifty Million Naira) out of its total indebtedness to National Lottery Trust Fund being N89,000,000 (Eighty Nine Million Naira). In what looks like a pre-arranged situation, you did not hesitate to minute an approval on the letter same day that waiver of the aforesaid N39,000,000 (Thirty Nine Million Naira) be granted.

"This is strange as the Company was not qualified for a waiver in the first place.

"Also, you have no authority whatsoever under the law to grant waivers without recourse to the Board, Secretary to the Government of the Federation or the Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs which presently oversees the Commission, as the case may be”.

The group also noted that “No doubt, lottery all over the world is a goldmine with enormous income potentials and means through which job opportunities are created. Our research has shown that small countries in West Africa like Senegal and Ghana generate not less than 100 Million Dollars per annum from lottery (an equivalent of about 40 Billion Naira) despite their low populations.

"Nigeria with our population of over 200 Million people and high participation in lottery activities, if properly exploited, could generate over 300 Billion Naira per annum.

"However, this proper exploitation has been impossible over the years largely due to the ongoing corruption, fraud and leakages under your leadership of the NLRC. We recall that during the 2019 Big Brother Show, there were over 240 Million Votes at N30 (Thirty Naira) each which amounted to 7.2 Billion Naira. The Commission was supposed to get 20% of this sum which equals a whooping sum of 1.4 Billion Naira..

"Unfortunately, what came to coffers of the Commission in the end was less than 5 Million Naira because for personal gains you put aside the electronic surveillance scheme meant to monitor data transfers on all SMS sent during the Big Brother Show”.

In a swift reaction, the Director-General through his lawyers I.F. Chude & Associates wrote on 30th June, 2020 threatening GICN and demanding for immediate retraction of its “grave, malicious, mischievous and unfounded” allegations against him coupled with a well worded “apology” to be published in certain media outfits.

On its part, GICN was quick to fire back through letter dated 4th July, 2020 maintaining that as a law oriented organization, litigation has never been a threat to it.

It went on to state that the bogus assertion made by the lawyers to Mr. Lanre Gbajabiamila that the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) and the Governing Board of the Commission had all investigated the present allegations and cleared him of any malfeasance is laughable.

As a matter of fact, the group made up of “dogged advocates of integrity” claimed that its enquiry at the aforesaid offices point to the indisputable fact that Mr. Lanre Gbajabiamila was never cleared of any malfeasance but his lawyers lied, adding that “we will sustain our advocacy for your client’s suspension and or removal using every legal tool at our disposal”.

On the issue of tendering apology to Mr. Lanre Gbajabiamila as well as paying him compensation in the sum of Five Billion Naira, the group vowed not heed any of those demands made by the lawyers and dared to meet them in court.

By Charly Onah

I stand to be corrected, one of the greatest undoing of social media evolution in Nigeria is that today every Tom, Dick and Harry is an expert, critic, analyst, public affairs commentator of everything and anything on earth.

Even stark illiterates that can barely write good English or their local dialects are on social media platforms pontificating on issues they lack knowledge or experience about. Individuals with questionable character and track-records, who can hardly manage anything under their watch are all over social media platforms ranting about government and governance in the name of criticism.

They are jack of all trades and masters of none. They cannot differentiate between armchair, malicious criticism and constructive criticism, even-though they have always claimed to know. They are always abusive of freedom of speech, latching on unregulated social media platforms to ply their trades.

Gullible and mischievous people have remained their greatest victims. They help them to recycle and circulate their falsehoods on social media platforms without fact-checking.

Among their victims are the most educated, illiterates, political jobbers, social media urchins and e-rats, who have out of laziness, political reasons, malice, selective and hypocritical amnesia swallowed hook, line and sinker falsehoods being peddled on social media by the likes of one Ovoko, Igbo Eze South LGA, Enugu State born sacked personnel, Celestine Okanya, whose rating in his village is to say the least encouraging.

Okanya was once a military officer of Nigerian Army Corps, but was unceremoniously eased out of service for engaging in illicit activities, insurbordination and unprofessional activism before 2015 general elections.

After his ouster from the Army as a young man, he became frustrated because what he fraudulently cornered while in service couldn't sustain his ostentatious life.

In 2015, he alongside some people hurriedly went and registered a non- governmental organisation known as Nigerian National Accreditation Service with Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and made himself the Chief Executive Officer.

From there, Okanya quickly wangled his way and made himself President of ECOWAS Regional Accreditation System. Even with all these, which is more of a General without troops, Okanya is still living from hand to mouth in Abuja. He has been struggling to make both ends meet. He repeatedly lobbied Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for appointment to no avail.

Okanya's organisation is not being patronised, because, apart from not putting it and its activities in the frontburner, no organisation or individual knows much about it and those behind it. Besides, Nigerians have since developed cold feet against Nigeria non-governmental organisations.

In his usual belligerence, Okanya angrily contested the PDP primary of Igbo Eze South State Constituency and lost woefully in 2019. Since then, Okanya has been bitter with Gov. Ugwuanyi for having not offered him appointment since 2015 and not supporting his political ambition in 2019.

Since then, Okanya has taken on social media platforms on daily basis to blackmail Gov. Ugwuanyi's government with fabricated lies laced with malice and bitterness.

Going through his facebook timeline and other social media accounts, no day passes without Okanya writing imaginary and negative write-ups against Ugwuanyi and his government in the name of criticism. To him, it is a routine. He sees nothing good about the government.

Reading through his malicious, petty, conjured and concocted write-ups, one will begin to wonder if Okanya has any other job, apart from maligning and impugning Gov. Ugwuanyi's impeccable character and his giant strides in office on social media platforms for selfish reasons. Even perceived opposition in the state is not engaging in such wild goose chase against Ugwuanyi's government in the name of strictures.

On daily basis, if Okanya is not attacking Ugwuanyi, his government or insulting the sensibilities of the good people of Enugu on social media, he is bragging about his truncated career in Army and how comfortable he is. One may ask, comfortable doing what when Okanya hardly markets or writes about his non-governmental organisation, its exploits and activities on social media platforms.

Since 2015, Okanya registered the NGO till date, not many Nigerians know about it and its activities. Many people don't even know what they are accrediting or want to accredit for companies or people.

This is because Okanya has completely abandoned the promotion of his obscure NGO on social media platforms to make a living no matter how small, to constantly attack Gov. Ugwuanyi.

What a misplaced priority by a frustrated, demented and confused man. So annoying is Okanya's display of sheer ignorance, lack of tact and poor writing skills on social media platforms, even, when he claimed to have earned an unverified Doctorate Degree.

What Okanya and his sponsors failed to realise is that governance is a serious business, that is and cannot be conducted on social media platforms. It goes beyond social media rantings and pontification by all and sundry as being done by Okanya regularly against the Government since 2019.

If Okanya is truly educated and has a Doctorate Degree as he claimed, he cannot be reasoning through the anus or being puerile in his armchair criticisms against the government on his social media accounts and pages without facts and figures. It is clear that Okanya by his actions must have been suffering from frustration complex.

Yes Okanya may have known the Governor when he was in the House of Representatives, just like most Nsukka people living in Abuja. That does not mean that he must appoint him into his government or support his political ambition in 2019. Okanya and his cohorts such from Nsukka should have known that the governor is not expected to appoint everybody into his government, not even every Nsukka person.

Ugwuanyi's government is not an Nsukka government nor government of Nsukka people. It is the government of Enugu State. How can a governor appoint every person into his government? Is government and governance all about appointments only? The likes of Okanya will be among the first to condemn such action if Ugwuanyi tries it?

Meanwhile, if Okanya is comfortable as he claimed on social media, why not concentrate and consolidate in his job and leave Ugwuanyi and Enugu people alone? Enugu people cannot all be foolish. They are happy with Ugwuanyi's delivery of good governance and peaceful environment. No government including that of Ugwuanyi is averse to constructive criticism, but armchair and malicious criticism typical of Okanya and cohorts is a virus that does no one any good.

Ugwuanyi is a leader with a lof of difference. He is humane and humble. He knows how to hunt for talents that can add value to his government. He is not emotional or sentimental about it. Just take a look at the number and quality of appointments he has made since 2015 and the values they have added and still adding in his government.

The likes of Okanya cannot fit into Ugwuanyi's government because he lacks manners and substance. This is the same reason he was ousted from the Nigerian Military prematurely.

If Okanya feels that he has something good or better to offer in government, he can seek for appointment in his darling All Progressives Congress (APC ) led- government at centre or
be getting ready to test his popularity again in 2023 elections in the state.

Okanya should know that he cannot achieve this by dissipating energies on social media platforms displaying incompetence and bitterness in the name of criticising Ugwuanyi's government.

Ugwuanyi is bigger and better than Okanya, his sponsors and cohorts in Abuja. Every politics is local and grassroot-oriented. The likes of Okanya are visiting indigenes with no political value or humanitarian impact in their communities. They are mere social media tigers with no political base or stronghold.

The people of Nsukka and Enugu in general have grown past Okanya and his allies' distractions and antics. They know that their governor, Ugwuanyi is a workaholic and performing leader, who has always put their interests above any other interest.

That is why they have been highly supportive of him and his government, and overwhelmingly reelected him with 95.5 per cent votes in 2019. What a people's referendum or verdict on their caring and passionate governor.

Gburugburu is a brand in politics and a movement in leadership. Every person is eager to emulate and identify with him, except of course the mindless traducers.

He is very unassuming and accomodating. It is time Okanya, his sponsors and cohorts should stop dissipating energies and wasting their time in trying to pull Ugwuanyi's government down. It is not possible, because it is the government of the people. It is not government of the cabal or few.

It is the government of all Enugu people that are enjoying sense of belonging and equitable distribution of developmental projects and appointments like never before. What else is government and governance all about, if not about the people and their wellbeing.

Charly Onah, wrote from Opi, Nsukka and could be reached on Udehnwamma@yahoo.com

By Simon Ugwuenyi

Saying that the strike action embarked by the Association of Resident Doctors in Parklane Enugu, immediately after being paid April salary and 25 per cent Covid-19 pandemic allowance on April 24 is inhumane, illegal, ill-advised and insensitive is an understatement.


This is considering the fact that this is not the right time for any health worker to embark on strike and that the Parklane Resident Doctors embarked on the strike against a subsisting order of the Enugu Industrial Court which barred them from embarking on such strike without giving the state government 21 days notice and the recent order of the same court for Enugu State Government to commence contempt proceedings against the striking doctors.


But while the State Government has been diplomatic, eclectic and open to negotiations, renegotiations and dialogue to resolve the matter for the betterment and good working conditions for all medical/ health workers in the state and saving of lives, the Parklane striking resident doctors have been confrontational, belligerent and least expected more political and hypocritical than professional in their approach to the impasse.

This calls for serious concern and raises questions on what are these doctors' real motive of embarking on the strike at this critical period of Covid-19 pandemic global health challenge that has destroyed and still recklessly destroying the world economy and human lives.


Even as the Enugu State Government is yet to commence contempt proceedings against the striking resident doctors as ordered by the Enugu Industrial Court, working and hoping for peaceful resolution of the issue, the striking Parklane Hospital resident doctors have in the spirit of espirit de corps recruited the services of the so-called Southeast Caucus of National Association of Nigeria Resident Doctors to blackmail, intimidate and armtwist Enugu State Government to accede to their impossible, greedy and untimely financial demands.


Instead of the Southeast Caucus of the National Association of Nigeria Resident Doctors to seek audience with the Enugu State Government to find out the real issue at stake and seek for its amicable resolution in tandem with realities on ground, the circumstances the world is in now with the ravaging covid-19 pandemic, the caucus quickly took side with their colleagues, resorted to doing a yeoman job for them by writing an open letter to Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi levelling unfounded allegations, threatening fire and brimstones against his government and the entire governments in the southeast region.


Their threats include ordering their members across the southeast region to down tools for 72hours as warning strike from May 4 and to ask their members in Southeast region to embark on total and indefinite strike from May 11, 2020 and others.


With these callous and inconsiderate positions and threats at this trying time by the Southeast Caucus of the National Association Of Resident Doctors (NARD) in solidarity with their striking colleagues in Parklane Hospital Enugu, one needs no soothsayer to know that these set of doctors are not trained to save lives in line with the Hippocratic Oath they took, but to amass wealth, play politics with human lives and engage in childish activism to please their paymasters.


There is no doubt that these set of doctors are being led and controlled by a strong cartel outside their profession that are determined to put the lives of the entire Southeast people in jeopardy in the name of the 2023 politics in Enugu State. If not, why should the Southeast Caucus toe this hardline without being considerate of its dire consequences on the health of the people of the region, especially with the spikes in the rate of covid-19 cases in the region.


In case the Southeast Caucus of the National Association Of Resident Doctors are not being fed with the truth about the Enugu case.


These striking Parklane Hospital resident doctors they are solidarising with were in the meeting where a committee was set up by the Enugu State Government to look into and harmonise a sustainable working conditions and pay packages for all health and medical workers in the state to achieve professional harmony in the health sector in line with the present economic situation occasioned by the covid-19 pandemic.


The representatives of the Parklane Hospital resident doctors are members of the committee, so also the representatives of the Nurses and other health workers in the state.

The Trade Union Congress and Nigeria Labour Congress State Chairmen were involved. The legislative arm of Enugu State was represented by four members led by the Speaker of the House, Rt Hon Edward Ubosi. They all had meeting.


The main problem is that the Parklane Hospital resident doctors are insisting that other health workers are not as important and as educated as they are. Haba, who is talking about importance at this trying period that all hands are on deck to combat the ravaging covid-19 pandemic? The question is whether one hand can tie a parcel. The answer is a definite NO.

The resident doctors need the senior consultants, nurses and cleaners, who are also on the frontline with them at this critical period of Covid-19 pandemic. What is good for the goose is delightful to the ganders.


The main question is whether this is the right time to declare a labour dispute when the world is being rattled by COVID-19 pandemic. The developed countries with their medical sophistication and enough funds to fight the pandemic is being overwhelmed by the problem.


Globally, efforts are being made by all and sundry to save human lives from the Covid-19 virus, people are selflessly donating their hard-earned money to save lives, but Parklane Enugu Hospital resident doctors are here asking for increase in their 70 per cent CONMESS to 100 per cent.

How many state tertiary health institution is paying 100 per cent CONMESS before now, apart from few states that are financially bouyant with huge Internally Generated Revenues and monthly Federation allocation. Even state and federal governments are not paying the same minimum wage. Minimum wage across the states differs also. It depends on what was arrived at after the consequential adjustment was carried out between the state government and the labour union.


Many state governments unilaterally did the consequential adjustment and fixed what they will pay as minimum wage without consulting the labour union and the workers accepted it in good faith without embarking on strike.

Enugu State Government consulted widely with labour union on minimum wage and agreed on something meaningful which they have commenced implementation in February.


Parklane Hospital resident doctors are employees of Enugu State Government. They are not employers of themselves. They are not independent of the Enugu State Government and the challenges the state government, governments all over the world and companies are facing now financially.

Many state governments are not paying their resident doctors 100 per cent CONMESS and their doctors have not embarked on strike.

Why is that Parklane Enugu resident doctors are adamant at this trying period and have rebuffed all pleas to return to work? This is a wrong time for any worker no matter his or her work to be asking for increased pay package. It is impossible.


Across the world now, workers are massively losing jobs, companies are closing offices and salaries are being slashed by 50 per cent in line with the global economic challenges triggered by Covid-19 pandemic. Nigeria is not exempted as one of the commercial banks has closed 450 branches, sacked workers and slashed salaries by 40 per cent. Others may follow suit soon.


Some state governments like Ekiti, Oyo and Kaduna have slashed salary of political appointments and workers. Nothing says that Enugu State may not toe the line in the days ahead, because it is not insulated from prevailing global financial challenges.

With the realities on ground, these resident doctors especially in those in state tertiary health institutions will soon beg for the retention and sustenance of their present working conditions. It is just a matter of weeks. The economic is shrinking. The government revenue is dwindling as crude oil is not selling and lockdown is seriously affecting government (IGR )


The Parklane Hospital resident doctors have embarked in a war at a wrong time. They should expect nothing than vilifications, condemnations and regrets. No sane, patriotic or altruistic person is and will be sympathetic to their cause of strike action which had been hijacked and politicised already.


Hope they are aware that in Lagos at least 100 doctors and other health workers have volunteered their services in order to save humanity.

Whatever agreement the state government have with the resident doctors of ESUTH parklane before now is not important now with the way things are in the world and Nigeria in particular today.


After all, the law of contract can be easily altered with the emergence and effects of natural disasters.

The striking Parklane Hospital resident doctors should approach the issue professionally, conscientiously and ethically and stop making mockery of themselves and at the same time dragging their profession to the mud.


The questions they should ponder on include; are they fighting and punishing the governor and members of his cabinet?

Are they fighting and punishing the Speaker of the State House of Assembly and the members of the House? Are they fighting and punishing the Chief Judge and the judges ? Are they fighting and punishing the ALGON Chairman and other Local government Chairmen in the State?

Are they fighting and punishing the unborn babies and their mothers? Are they fighting and punishing the innocent new born babies, the children and their mothers? Are they fighting and punishing the elderly and pensioners who contributed directly and indirectly in bringing them to the stage to practice as doctors?

God having created us in His image, are they fighting and punishing God indirectly. Can they fight and punish God ?
I just remembered Liberia in the course of this article. Diamond every where, blood diamond they called it then. In the world today there is death every where. COVID-19 every where.

Are the Parklane resident doctors armtwisting the state government after suddenly reading about Liberia and the blood Diamond. Are they preparing their vaults for BLOOD money. Questions and more questions for the striking Parklane Hospital resident doctors as food-for- thoughts.

Simon Ugwuenyi, a laboratory scientist, wrote from Uwani, Enugu State and could be reach via email: smugwu2@yahoo.co.uk

The Honourable Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu has laughed off speculatations and insinuating reports of his appointment as replacement for late Mallam Abba Kyari, the former Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, describing the trending report on social media as mere imagination of idle minds.

His longstanding confidant from Bauchi State, who did not want to be named, spoke while responding to enquiries by newsmen on the matter.

The source, who has been in close contact with the Minister in the last few weeks, stated categorically that he (Adamu Adamu) was not desperate for any appointment as he is currently preoccupied with his efforts to reform the education sector in the country.

"Unknown to many, education is very dear to the heart of Mr. President and the Honourable Minister of Education is aware of that and has been fully preoccupied with the task of restoring the lost glory of the sector.

"So, the story making the rounds, insinuating that the Honourable Minister has been appointed as the new Chief of Staff to the President, is obviously the handiwork of mischief makers and idle minds who seem to have nothing serious they are doing", he said.

The source added that power comes from God and He alone decides the fate of every of His creation.

"Therefore, as someone very close to the Honourable Minister, I know that the Minister is not desperate for any position.

"For now, God has placed Mallam Adamu Adamu in a position to execute the lofty vision of Mr. President in the education sector.

"He is supervising, on behalf of Mr. President, an all-important ministry in terms of human capital development and has not shown any desperation for any other office", the Minister's ally disclosed.

[b]Source: [/b]StreetReporters.ng

Source:
https://streetreporters.ng/2020/04/07/clo-evacuation-300-nigerians-china

Some of of us comment without reading. Makes no sense.

The Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to order immediate evacuation of over 300 Nigerian Business men and women with valid returning tickets to Nigeria but were locked down in China as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.

The trapped Nigerians had travelled to China for business activities before the coronavirus pandemic caused a global shut down national borders globally and are currently restrained to the city of Guangzhou.

In a statement issued by the Executive Director of the CLO, Comrade Ibuchukwu Ohabuenyi Ezike and made available to The Street Reporters Newspaper, the CLO explained that the stranded Nigerian nationals sent a save our soul (SoS) request to the human rights body from China to help them appeal to President Buhari "to use his offices to send urgent diplomatic request to the Chinese Government urging it to allow them to return to Nigeria immediately".

"In several distress phone communications to the CLO on Monday night, the Nigerians said that they have been disallowed to return back to Nigeria after they had completed their business activities in China" the international human rights body noted.

The CLO added that they "have been subjected to various inhuman and degrading treatments including repeated tests, being quarantined in hotels, denial of access to Nigerian foods and serial taking away of their colleagues from their hotel rooms to unknown places.

"The Nigerians prayed the CLO to appeal to President Muhammad Buhari and the United Nations to come to their aid and save them from avoidable hardship and death.

"They said that the Nigerian Embassy in China had failed woefully to intervene in their interest.

"However, CLO findings indicate that other countries of the world are sending chartered flights to evacuate their nationals from China.

"The countries include but not limited to Canada which has evacuated 137 citizens and the United States of America which had evacuated 392 of their people in that country.

"Similarly, smaller African countries like Ghana, Benin Republic and Togo have sent aircraft to take away their citizens from China to their respective countries", the statement read.

The stranded Nigerians also complain that the worst scenario is that while other countries of the world have not closed their Borders against their returning citizens, Nigeria has blocked her borders against Nigerian returnees to their country.

They insisted that they have been tested severally and their results prove that they were negative to the dreaded disease.

The CLO added that "In view of the foregoing, CLO appeals to the Nigerian Authorities to, as soon as practicable, take very emergency steps to ensure that these Nigerians who are trapped in China and any other part of the world are peacefully evacuated from those countries to Nigeria.

"While we take sides with most of the preventive measures being taken by our government to secure our country and her citizens from contacting the disease, we frown at the act of locking out our citizens who are returning from other countries of the World.

"Rather, we request that these nationals be flown from China, etc, to Abuja or Lagos where necessary medical examinations would be made on them before they are allowed to mix with their families", the statement added.

Signed:
Comrade Ibuchukwu Ohabuenyi Ezike,
Executive Director of the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO)
08037875414

Source: https://streetreporters.ng/2020/04/07/clo-evacuation-300-nigerians-china

By Celestine Nwakoro

Enugu is the capital old Eastern Region and still capital of the present Southeast region. Virtually everyone from Southeast has a home, relation or link with and in Enugu.

With this, one can confidently say that Enugu is home for all Igbos and Nigerians at large. It remains the biggest city in the Southeast region both in development and size.


When the menace of Covid-19 pandemic hit Nigeria, my greatest worry was how would Enugu be safeguarded. This is because of its prime place in the affairs of the Southeast region and the country at large. It has always been a destination point for the majority Igbos. 


A friend of mine was quick to remind me that Akanu Ibiam International Airport Enugu has not been reopened, having been shut down for resconstruction since last year. 

But I replied him that even at that, the coal city state will always witness influx of people by roads and through the Owerri and Asaba airports. 

So unless the Enugu State Government put proactive and preventive measures in place and in time, the State is vulnerable to Covid-19 pandemic, just like Lagos that has become the centre of it.


Thus, I kept tab on Enugu State Government's preventive measures against covid-19 in the state. So far, Enugu state government has demonstrated readiness and commitment to combating the scourge with its series of laudable and commendable proactive measures and pragmatic steps that can only be compared with that of Lagos State Government.

If not better than that of Lagos Government, if one considers the fact that Lagos received N10b from Federal Government as support in time.


Even before the two confirmed cases in Enugu, Enugu State Government has apart from approving and releasing N330m to procure neccessary medical logistics needed to augment the available ones to be used in curbing the spread and handle the treatment of victims of the virus, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi approved the provision of Group Life/ Group Personal Accident Assurance Policy for all medical doctors of the Enugu State Teaching Hospital, Parklane Enugu, doctors in the Health Ministry and other health workers.

Other beneficiaries of the insurance cover include fire fighters, staff of Enugu State Emergency Management Agency and all those involved in essential services.


The State Government subsequently approved the use of the ultra-modern Enugu State Medical Diagnostic Centre as additional Covid-19 Isolation and Treatment Centre alongside the newly-built one in Nsukka, ESUT Hospital Parklane Enugu and the Colliery Hospital Enugu that is presently undergoing reconstruction.


Unfortunately and typical of their professional antics, some nurses of the ESUT Hospital Parklane Enugu, chose to protest recently against Enugu State Government, using lack of protective materials as an excuse for their action.

But if one may ask, how can a government that has put all these proactive measures in place even ahead of the two confirmed covid-19 cases in the state fail to provide ordinary protective materials like face masks, hand gloves sanitizers and others for her medical personnel to work?
This is unbelievable and tales by the moonlight. 

The disclosure that the nurses' grievances was because the Enugu State Government approved 100% Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CNMESS) for the doctors at the ESUT Hospital Parklane Enugu to get them suspend their strike in the midst of the threat being posed by covid-19 pandemic globally is not far from the truth.

Why such protest in time of this covid-19 pandemic crisis? Is medical practice all about making money or saving lives first?

What happened to Hippocrates oath taken by medical doctors upon graduation from school?

This is same medical personnel who are warning and threatening Federal Government against inviting Chinese medical experts to assist in handling the Covid-19 pandemic in the country. 

The layman arguement that medical personnel should be paid well like politicians is not tenable. This is because everyone cannot be a politician or political office holder.


The right thing is for medical personnel who are tired of practising to call it a quit and join politics or at worst migrate to overseas for greener pastures as once canvassed by the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Dr. Chris Ngige, who happens to be a medical doctor too.


It is hoped that these ESUTH Nurses who mischievously protested to blackmail the state government, knew that their counterparts in other states were not provided with any Group Life/ Group Personal Accident Assurance Policy, which Enugu State Government has provided for them at this critical period?

Not even Lagos State Government with all the billions of Naira at her disposal did so for their medical personnel.

But since the outbreak of the pandemic and increasing confirmed cases in Lagos almost on daily basis, their health personnel have niether protested nor embarked on any strike for anything.

This is because they know the implications and consequences on the pandemic fight and health of the citizens. It was just recently that consortium of Insurance companies in solidarity and support of the Lagos State Government's effort in the fight against the pandemic arranged N5b insurance cover for the health workers in the state. 


Meanwhile, apart from the Isolation and Treatment Centres in Yaba and Onikan Staduim, the Federal Government-owned University of Lagos Teaching Hospital (LUTH) Idi Araba, Mushin has been of immense assistance in the battle against the deadly virus in Lagos.

This is unlike the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH) Ituku Ozalla, Enugu that one cannot fathom or understand their readiness and contributions to the treatment and prevention of the scourge and its spread in Enugu.


Why is it that all attentions, talks and issues about the fight against the pandemic in Enugu are centred on Enugu State Government and its health institutions alone?

Some may argue that the pandemic is not prevalent in Enugu like Lagos to warrant Federal Government's intervention, by getting UNTH battle ready to assist the state government.

But must Federal Government wait for more cases to be confirmed in Enugu and others states, apart from Lagos before intervening? If that is the case, where is the proactiveness in the fight against the pandemic?


It is quite instructive for one to know that the fight against the global pandemic is money spinning and that the Federal Government corners 52 percent share of the country's total revenue, leaving states and local governments with 48% to manage with.


Meanwhile the same Federal Government that has not deemed it fit to activate UNTH Enugu for any role in the Covid-19 pandemic fight has through the National Centre For Disease and Control (NCDC) gone to Alex Ekwueme University Teaching Hospital, Abakalki, Ebonyi State and established a virology laboratory for Covid-19 diagnosis, instead of the UNTH Enugu that is at the centre of the Southeast region and more equipped medically and otherwise.


One cannot reason what informed such decision by the Federal Government, but it obvious that whatever informed it is more political than reasonable, conducive and suitable.

Well, there is no cause for alarm. What is of utmost importance now is that there is a virology laboratory in Southeast region for diagnosis of Covid-19 cases.

Not minding, there is need for UNTH to be equipped and activated by the Federal Government to enable it play complementary role to Enugu State Government's efforts in the battle against the spread of virus and its treatment in the state. 


Everything about the proactive measures to contain and control the spread of the disease should not be left completely for the state governments to cater for alongside the local governments. This is because of the greater effects such will have on them in terms of meeting up with their financial obligations. 


There is urgent need for the Federal Government to lend financial support to state governments at this critical period of global pandemic crisis. If possible, state governments should be refunded their expenses so far and be given additional financial support to continue with measures to tackle the scourge.

If the sit-at-home or lockdown continues after two weeks without headway, many state and local governments may not meet up with their financial obligations and this might lead to collapse of governance in the country.

Even developed countries with strong and sound economy are facing economic and financial crises over the ravaging global pandemic, let alone developing economy like that of Nigeria with weak footing.

Celestine Nwakoro writes from Opebi, Ikeja Lagos. I can be reached on celenwa@gmail.com

Worried by the increasing cases of the dreaded Coronavirus disease ravaging nations of the world and in efforts to contain the pandemic, the Council of Ohafia Monarchs (Onoko Nde Ezieogo Ohafia) in Abia State of Nigeria has ordered their sons and daughters residing outside their communities to remain abroad and should not return until the end of April 2020. By implication, they have been retrained from returning home for Easter celebration.

The Ohafia monarchs who commended the efforts of both the federal and state governments aimed at containing the spread of Coronavirus, urged governments at all levels "to quickly put in place further mechanisms and enforceable laws that will secure and keep the rural communities (our food baskets) safe from the virus."

The directive and commendation were contained in a communiqué issued by the monarchs after their monthly meeting, which was held at the Palace of His Royal Paramountcy, Ezieogo Prof. EUL Imaga.

The communiqué, which was signed by His Royal Majesty, Ezieogo Mba Odo Okereke, the Secretary General of the council, equally advised the people to keep safe and free from COVID-19.

To contain and stop the spread of the deadly virus, the council banned all social gathering in their respective domain in line with the standard protocol for prevention of Coronavirus disease.

Parts of the communique reads: "The Council have carefully studied the press releases, activities and plans of the Abia State Government aimed at achieving a secure, safe and virus free environment in the State and commends the State Governor, urging him and the task force set up to be more proactive.

"The Council in pursuit of this onerous goal, hereby bans with immediate effect all social activities, burials, send off, traditional marriages, weddings etc involving more than 50 persons in Ohafia until further notice.

"Also suspended until further notice with immediate effect are all meetings, including the Council of Monarchs, Community/Town Development Union , Age Grades, etc, involving more than 30 persons.

"All Churches in Ohafia are to hold services in streams of not more than 50 members observing the recommended social distancing of 1.5m in seating arrangement.

"All burials, traditional marriages and other ceremonies already scheduled for and up to Sunday 29th March are to be drastically scaled down or reduced to in-house family affair, observing all the recommended safe practices.

"Where such an event cannot be cancelled outright, the use of Sanitizers, hand washing and social distancing must be strictly observed", the monarchs stated.

The Council urged governments to followed procure and immediately distribute to the rural communities "agricultural and farm inputs/incentives to avert a famine arising from sustained shutdown globally."

The monarchs vowed to "use "Akpan" authority, Town Criers to begin the Publicity of this directives/orders", "teaching and demonstrating self hygiene, constant hand washing, clean environment, etc to keep the virus out of the community."




The Council then mandated the Ohafia Improvement Union (OIU inc) and Town Unions to equally "issue complimentary directives to all our sons and daughters living in the Cities outside Ohafia and in the Diaspora to keep safe, self-isolate where necessary and applicable.
"No one will hold it against anyone for not coming home until further notice as all compulsory activities have been put on hold.
"Where anyone must come home he/she should ascertain his status and be subjected to the State's and local laws in place."

The Council also urged the Chairman, Transition Committee of Ohafia Local Government Area, Chief Fred Eke "to swing into immediate action and implement the directives of the state government in Ohafia."

Thanking everyone, indigenes and residents alike, the monarchs request for full compliance and urged everyone to As play his or her role, praying for God's mercies and quick intervention.

The Council suspended the Ohafia Monarchs meetings temporarily and appointed a committee to "meet with The Udumeze, Prof EUL Imaga to take immediate and necessary action as the need arises".

By Comrade Mathew Nwaiyike

Since our civil society group, Anti-Corruption Champions of Nigeria (ACON) blew whistle and petitioned the anti-graft agency, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Enugu State Government on the fraudulent and corrupt activities of the outgoing Vice Chancellor of Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT ) Prof. Luke Anike and its management team, Anike has continued with impudence, impunity and audacity to plunge the university into mess as clock ticks for his exit.

Our investigations revealed that from the recent happenings in the university point to the fact that there is a deliberate and calculated attempt by Prof. Anike and his management team to run the university aground and thus make it ungovernable, not only to the newly inaugurated Governing Council, but also to the soon to be constituted management.

To achieve this, Prof. Anike has been massively recruiting his cronies and allies as staff. At the last count, more than 250 academic and non-academic staff have been recruited in the last six months without any recourse to due process. None of the recruitments was authorised by the outgone Governing Council of the university.

In carrying out the massive recruitments, Prof. Anike is not unaware of the fact that he has always found it very difficult paying staff salaries towards the end of every academic session, when students have all paid their school fees. Now that Prof. Anike has almost doubled the university workforce at the twilight of his administration, one wonders how the university will survive up to third quarter of this year, when its Internally Generated Revenues (IGR) would have been depleted totally as a result of increased wage bill.

It is obvious that Prof. Anike, behaving like a loose canon is not bothered about the impending or looming financial crisis and the concomitant labour unrest that may result from irregular and non-payment of worker's emoluments, since he would have served out his tenure as VC then. Also in an attempt to lend credence and legitimacy to the illegal, fraudulent and tainted recruitments he did, Prof. Anike is presently conducting regularisation interviews for all the newly recruited staff including those he employed in March 2020.

Ideally, legally and procedurally, regularisation for staff offered temporary appointments should be carried out when such staff have worked for at least 12 months. Prof. Anike and his management team are aware of this policy, but blatantly and criminally they don't want to observe, adhere or abide by it.

It is unfortunate that Prof. Anike has been allowed by the Council to entrench the most morbid cronyism in ESUT through the retention of incompetent hands in various post in the past five years. These same set of people have remained in their positions as Deans, Directors and Heads of Departments for the past four and half years under Anike's watch, protection and cover. Statutorily, Deanship election should be conducted every two years, Heads of Departments should be changed every two years, while those in acting capacity (Acting HODs) should serve one year, and renewable not more than a year. That is the standard practice in universities including Nnamdi Azikiwe University, where Prof. Anike came from. Why won't Prof. Anike do the right thing or the needful for once, knowing the adverse and negative effects of concentrating power in the hands of a few academics at the detriment and expense of other competent academics and personnel in the faculties and departments.

The worst and most disturbing is the fact that Prof. Anike has fraudulently introduced new and illegal dimension to the practice of conversion of non-academic staff to academic staff, simply asking such persons to voluntarily resign their appointments and be immediately offered new appointments as academic staff.

A case in point is that of his Personal Assistant, Mr. Chibuike Nwatu, who recently resigned his appointment as Administrative Officer and was immediately employed by Prof. Anike as lecturer 2 in the Department of Marketing when he does not possess a Ph.D or any tertiary teaching experience. There are several other cases. This practice is as crude as it is fraudulent, strange and unorthodox.

Prof.Anike's rush to regularise these fraudulent and illegal appointments since the reconstitution of the new Governing Council clearly showed that he has sinister and ulterior motive, which if the members of the new Governing Council are genuine and sincere should not allow to stand without investigating and reviewing it. This is considering that these were recruitments Prof. Anike could not do in the last five years of his tenure as VC, ESUT. Why is he hurriedly recruiting now that his tenure is about to end?

The newly constituted Governing Council should not pretend to be passive or be overtaken by inertia, which had previously resulted in the near collapse of ESUT under Prof. Anike's watch. To say the least, it is a public knowledge that most members of the last Governing Council were compromised, having benefitted immensely from Prof. Anike's corrupt activities and ineptitude.

This is time for the Governing Council, Enugu State Government and EFCC to move in take urgent action. Prof. Anike should be probed and made to account for his stewardship in ESUT. This should not be politicised or swept under the carpet by relevant authorities and agencies.

Evidences are abound to easily bring Prof. Anike to book. The dossiers on Prof. Anike, which our group have made available to the anti-graft agencies and Enugu State Government is enough to compel him to account for his stewardship in ESUT. Failure to do so under any guise will simply means that the State Government and anti-graft agencies have been compromised by Prof. Anike and his benefactors. This might be what has emboldened him to carry on as if nothing has, will and is happening. His last minute impunity and temerity is frightening and suspicious. Enough is enough.

Comrade Mathew Nwaiyike, National Coordinator, Anti-Corruption Champions of Nigeria (ACON) wrote from Abuja[i][/i]

By Samson Ezea

Call him a man of peace or peacemaker, describe him as humility personified. Call him voice of the voiceless, address him as the father of the oppressed and downtrodden, call him a man of many parts; prudent and astute leader. Call him water because he has no enemy.

You are absolutely correct and right, because by his antecedents and trackrecord, he perfectly fits into these names and attributes.

He is indeed an enigma of sort; grassroots leader and a selfless politician with a difference. A bridge builder and humanist, who never looked back catering for the people, especially the needy.


Born fifty-six years ago, precisely March 20, 1965, into the modest and cultured family of Mr David and Mrs Veronica Ugwuanyi, of Ohom Orba in the present Udenu Local Council Area of Enugu State during the lenten period.


He was christened Lawrence and was also given Igbo name-Ifeanyichukwu, meaning that nothing is impossible with God.

A name that is meaningful, philosophical and symbolic and spiritual in all ramifications. A name that has lived with him and has continued to manifest in all his endeavours till date.


Who is this unique personality? He is no other person than Rt. Hon. Ifeanyichukwu Lawrence Ugwuanyi, the workaholic, accessible, pacific and people's governor of Enugu State who clocked 56 years today.

Ugwuanyi just like his siblings, was brought up in a God fearing way. He is clothed with humility, taciturnity, intelligence, honesty and diligence.These virtues remain his greatest assets and strengths. Growing among his peers, he shone like a star both in academic and extra-curricular activities during his primary, secondary and tertiary education pursuit. 

His exemplary leadership quality began to manifest early in his life as a secondary school student at the prestigious St. Theresa College, Nsukka, where he was outstanding in character and learning.

After his secondary education, he secured admission into the Nigeria’s foremost university, University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) where he obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Finance and M.Sc. degree in Marketing majoring in Public Relations. In his quest for deep and wider knowledge, he moved further to acquire MBA degree in Finance and Accountancy from Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT). 

While his colleagues scrambled for white collar jobs, within and outside the country upon graduation, Ugwuanyi, who had always believed and preferred working for and with his people for the common good of all, picked a job at Premier Brokers Limited, a prime insurance broking firm in the Southeast zone owned by the five states of the zone and African Continental Bank (ACB) now defunct.

After many years of excellent performance, he rose to become the Chief Executive Officer of the Premier Broking Firm.

In 2002, he became the 16th president of the Rotary Club of Emene, Enugu. It was at this point that his leadership qualities and exceptional philanthropy, especially to the downtrodden and the less privileged in the society came to public fore.

Without hesitation and in appreciation of his rare philanthropy, the people of his town, Orba, in an elaborate traditional ceremony conferred on him the title of Dunu Gburugburu 1 of Orba, meaning the man of the people.

Satisfied with his exploits and track record in public and community service, Ugwuanyi’s people beckoned on him to offer himself for political office. His foray into the murky water of Nigerian politics commenced with his quest to serve as chairman of his local council area, Udenu.

Despite losing the opportunity to political intrigues and backbitting, Ugwuanyi remained undaunted and focused in his political pursuits, banking on God and his people’s support and prayers.

In 2003, true to Ugwuanyi’s belief, expectation and hope, the political opportunity came calling.

He won the ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to contest for Igbo-Eze North/ Udenu Federal Constituency seat. He overwhelmingly won the election and his constituents enjoyed his quality representation.

He was rewarded and appreciated by his people with reelection in 2007 and 2011, making him the longest serving House of Representatives member in Enugu State before 2015 general elections.

While in the House of Representatives, he moved so many motions and initiated some people-oriented bills. He also chaired and co-chaired some many committees, including Marine Transport committee which he chaired for eight consecutive years. 

Following his philanthropy, performance and antecedent, while in the House of Representatives for more than a decade, Ugwuanyi’s desire to contest for Enugu State governorship seat on PDP platform in 2015 received massive support and accolades across the state.

He won the PDP governorship ticket, contested and won the governorship election in Enugu State in 2015.

Unfortunately and for the first time since 1999, his party PDP lost the presidency to the All Progressives Congress APC in the same election.

On assumption of office, Ugwuanyi was not perturbed by the change in the political equation at the centre.

In the face of the obvious daunting financial challenges occasioned by the country's recessed economy in 2015, Ugwuanyi first sought the face of God and handed over the affairs of the state to Him. He faced his job with utmost diligence, equanimity and fear of God.

Knowing that nothing could be achieved in an atmosphere of crisis and insecurity, Ugwuanyi's administration aggressively embarked on peace and security initiatives.

First, he reached out to Enugu people, which include the opposition members, youths, elders, religious leaders, women and politicians, asking them to join hands with him in moving the state forward.

He reminded them that elections were over and the wellbeing and peace of Ndi Enugu remains paramount.

Initially, not many believed and took him serious until he convinced by his actions and inactions that is sincere and genuine in his approach.

With this, people's support for his administration increased tremendously because they saw in him a man who can sacrifice anything for peace to reign. Ndi Enugu, irrespective of status, tribe, religious or party affiliation, had wholeheartedly joined hands with his government to move the state forward.

That was how and why Ugwuanyi was able to reconcile the political heavyweights in the state, who have been at each other's throats over age-long political differences. That is why once estranged political allies, enemies and friends are talking to each other in Enugu today.

This was not possible before Ugwuanyi assumed office in 2015. Ugwuanyi is an apostle of peace and peace has continued to reign in Enugu under his watch like never before.

In the area of infrastructural development and appointments, Ugwuanyi's administration has equitably and sincerely distributed and allocated them without minding whose ox is gored or compromising quality, competence or standard.

His penchant for youth inclusion in governance is unparalleled. This, he has demonstrated by the number and quality of youths he has appointed into his government.

Many youths were also elected chairmen and councillors in the recently concluded local government election in the state.

Across the 450 autonomous communities, three senatorial zones, 17 local government areas and 260 electoral wards in the state have felt the impact of Ugwuanyi's administration one way or the other. If it is not by appointment, it is by development project and others.

No group or individual or community is excluded in the business of governance in the state especially at the grassroots level.

Even with the heightened insecurity across the country, Enugu has remained one of the most peaceful states in the country. This is because of the people's support and Ugwuanyi government's massive investments in the area of security.

Apart from rejigging and repositioning the state security apparatus for optimal performance, it was Ugwuanyi's government that first introduced and commenced the Forest Guard model in the country with the recruitment and equipping of 1700 personnel to work as Forest Guards in the sttate.

Other states across the country are implementing the same model today.

The state, despite not being an oil producing state or ranks high in the monthly federation allocation has become a reference point in financial and human resources management, courtesy of Ugwuanyi’s prudence, fiscal discipline and transparency. 

Massive infrastructural development have been taken to the rural areas where people have been neglected and abandoned for years. 

That was how people of Amuri, a sleepy town close to Agbani in Nkanu West Council Area saw and are enjoying for the first time an asphalt road in more than100 years of their existence. Also ongoing now is 26.6 km Ukpabi-Nimbo-Ugbene Ajima- Eziani road in Uzo-Uwani Council Area. 

The road is the second asphalt road in the entire council area since its creation. Today, the list of rural and urban roads constructed and being constructed by Ugwuanyi's administration is endless. 

Ugwuanyi administration has continued to maintain the basic infrastructure it met on ground and has at the same time built so many new ones to complement them. His government employed more street sweepers which has helped Enugu to remain the cleanest state in the country. 

Under Ugwuanyi's government, Enugu
State's Internally Generated Revenues has improved significantly and the state has performed creditably well in the Ease of Doing Business. 

While some of Ugwuanyi's colleagues often globetrot in search of foreign investors that never come, Ugwuanyi has only travelled to overseas twice since he became governor in 2015. 

He is always around in the state, doing his work diligently. Despite this, investors have been coming to invest in the state because of its peacefulness, Ugwuanyi's remarkable achievements and good economic policies. 

Ugwuanyi by his leadership style which is result-driven has proven that leading a state without much resources is not a rocket science as some of his colleagues have always made Nigerians to believe. 

He is a governor of many feats and firsts. His popularity has soared and still soaring high within and outside the state, testimonies of his goodness and startling performance abound. 

Among the workers, pensioners, security agents, religious leaders, artisans, downtrodden, majority residents, visitors and others, Ugwuanyi’s government is popular and acceptable, because of its good governance and people-oriented programmes. 

Apart from paying workers salary every 23rd of the month and 13 month in December, his government has promoted workers as at when due. 

His government has rebuilt, built and equipped more 500 schools, recruited more than 4000 teachers and provided conducive environment for teaching and learning especially in rural areas that have been abandoned for too long. 

It was for this reason and others that four national dailies-The Sun, Independent, Vanguard and Leadership, independently found Ugwuanyi worthy of honour in 2018 with different and unprecedented awards at the same time, after painstaking assessments of his steady and sterling performance. 

These awards were first of its kind to any governor in the southeast region, if not the entire country since 1999.

Even in the face of his remarkable performance in office and the myriad of accolades that have continued to pour in and trail it, Ugwuanyi is not resting on his oars or being carried away. 

He has remained humble and focused on his job.

In his humble nature, Ugwuanyi at the peak of his reelection campaign in 2019, he personally went to the grassroots to solicit for votes from traders in markets, artisans on the streets, and residents at their homes. 

He was massively and overwhelmingly reelected with 95 plus votes which many saw as a referendum on his first term performance. After his reelection for second term on March 9, many had thought that he will change his style or slow down his performance rate, but reverse is the case. 

Just few months to his one year in office in his second term, it is the same Ugwuanyi of 2015, the same work rate, commitment and sincerity. Nothing has changed. 

The ease, peacefulness and massive votes of which Ugwuanyi was reelected for second term speak volume of his performance, popularity and acceptance by the people in the state. It is a clear indicator of the renewed confidence and trust the people had in him to steer the ship of the state in next four years. 

It has also shown that Ugwuanyi is not only at home with his people, he is accessible by them and of assistance to them in time of needs and wants. 

The coincidence of Ugwuanyi’s reelection last year with that of his birthday and the Lenten period was an eloquent testimony of God’s presence in his life and plans for higher leadership responsibility in the years ahead. It is divine and a continuous fulfilment of God’s agenda in a good man’s life which no man or evil can stop.

While it is expected that his family members, friends and well-wishers will roll out drums today to celebrate him amidst fanfare and razzmatazz, Ugwuanyi will in his usual manner, philanthropy and religious belief celebrate his birthday in a low key at the orphanage homes and homes of the elderly and the less privileged. 

Adding value to this year celebration, the pet project of Ugwuanyi's amiable wife, Mrs Monica Ugwuanyi, Ugo's Touch of Life Foundation has collaborated with Dr. Chukwudi Abraham Nneji Hospital Organisation, Germany to offer one week free medical outreach across the 17 council areas in the state. 

The free medical mission which commenced on March 16 lasted between 8am- 4pm daily.

His Excellency, birthday is a new start, a fresh beginning and a time to pursue new endeavours with new goals. Trudge on with confidence and confidence, you are a very special person to your people. 

May today and all your days be amazing, prosperous and fulfilling as you sincerely and selflessly serve humanity.

True to your name Ifeanyichukwu, Nothing Will Pass God in your life.

Hurray and many more rewarding years ahead, the indefatigable leader at 56.

Ezea, writes from Independence Layout Enugu

By AGBA JALINGO


Till today, married women in Nigeria are indigenes of their husband's homeplace. Even if you are a couple from the same village, the clan the woman marries into automatically becomes her indigeneship. If you marry from a nearby or far flung village, the woman becomes an indigene of the husband's village. Same for LGA and even States.


The House of Representatives expanded this right by passing a bill in January 2018 enabling married Nigerian women to choose their state of origin.


The “Bill for an act to amend the Federal Character Commission (Establishment, etc) Act, 2010, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, Cap F7 to give married women the option of indigeneship and for related matters” was passed at plenary session.


It was a bold attempt at giving married women the option of choosing the indigeneship of either their father or husband. Prior to the amendment, married women have always been considered indigenes of their husband’s place.


Therefore, I am wondering where this silly argument about the indigeneship of Justice Akon Ikpeme is gathering storm from.


Justice Akon Ikpeme is from Cross River state. She is the most senior after Justice Michael Edem who has retired and following the judicial tradition, she is the most deserving to be elevated to the position of Chief Judge of Cross River state. Every other attempt to twist this long established succession plan is a deliberate effort to create unwarranted confusion.


Obudu born writer and columnist, Elias Ozikpu in one of his recent articles, referred to the 25 members of the State House of Assembly as "25 Rubber Stamps." That apt capturation of the spineless assembly is exactly manifested in their perpetual olive branch to truancy and executive recklessness.


What does the Cross River House of Assembly mean exactly when they say Justice Akon Ikpeme is not from Cross River?


Someone married to a man from Cross River and a mother from Cross River?


What do they mean when they call her a security threat?


The most senior judge in Cross River a security threat? How did she rise to that point without constituting a threat? At what point did she become a threat?


So once Governor Ayade doesn't like anyone, he or she becomes a security threat?


What dangerous precedence is this that the House of Assembly is setting?


Why is the Assembly lending a hand to spitting the judiciary to satiate the dictatorial yearnings of one man?


What is the social implication of the message that this ethnic coloured decision of the Assembly is sending to young ones who are building relationships?


Are the 25 rubber stamps in the Cross River House of Assembly striving to strengthen and harmonize our social fabric or are they crafting a future that is hiding with a knife?


Even if Justice Akon Ikpeme were to be disqualified, there should have been better reasons to adduce by the Assembly other than that insult that she is not from Cross River state.


Instead of working to curb executive high handedness, the Cross River House of Assembly has remained nestled under the whims of a domineering governor who relishes his control over them.


But this shameless collaboration between the Governor and the Assembly to foul the air in the Judiciary must be resisted by peace loving Cross Riverians, the NBA and the NJC.


Yours sincerely,
Citizen Agba Jalingo.


#1181DaysToGo
#HoldYourLeadersAccountable
#FollowOurMoney
#LeadersAreServantsNotMasters
#NoToUncompletedProjects
#AyadeMustWork
#AyadeMustSucceed
#AyadeLegacy

Source: www.AbujaBizReports.com

By James Ezema

The Society for West African Internal Audit Practitioners (SWAIAP) is set to hold its first Annual General Meeting (AGM) ahead of the society’s 2020 inaugural induction and investiture. The investiture tagged “Operation 1,000 inductees” and other internal audit matters, including the Society’s 2020 budget are expected to top the agenda at the AGM.

President/CEO of SWAIAP, Patrick O. Nzechukwu, in a statement issued on Friday noted that the AGM holds in Lagos on Saturday, February 29, 2020.

The statement noted that “SWAIAP was incorporated to arouse the consciousness and relevance of internal auditing in West African States, principally to institutionalize internal auditing as a foremost tool for anti-corruption, anti-wastes, inefficiencies, ineffectiveness and other forms of financial and non-financial risks through evidential assurance of effective corporate governance, risk management and internal control processes.”

According to him, the society was born to train and equip internal auditors, encourage the publishing of internal audit textbooks, both study and practice manuals, to encourage tertiary institutions and professional training institutions, including practitioners in West Africa to incorporate internal auditing in their syllabuses as it is done in other developed economies, among others.

Meanwhile, the first Executive President and pioneer of the society has drafted a bill titled: Nigerian Internal Audit Practice, Regulation and Administration Agency and Other Related Matters Bill 2013.

The bill, if promulgated into law, will empower the internal auditors to perform their watchdog and assurance services with greater independence and has great potential to enhance the knowledge and practice of internal auditing in Nigeria and enthrone sanity and stewardship decorum in our systems.

The Chief Executive of SWAIAP hopes that the bill becomes a prototype to be adopted across West African sub-region.

Culled from AbujaBizReports.com

Your Excellency, Your Government Should Start Filling Potholes

By Agba Jalingo

In a recent interview with NTA International which I watched, Governor Ayade said his government is not to fill potholes. He said his tenure was focused on turning Cross River state into a mega economy through industrialization.


In the governor's words: 'If the Cross River people need a governor that wants to do potholes and those small things, they should wait till that governor comes.'


The interesting thing is that this was a response to public outcry over the preponderance of craters on roads across the State including the State capital.


Apart from the fact that the response is typical of governor Ayade, it is also worrisome because the incessant refusal of our governor to pay attention to the small things, those potholes in his government, is what has messed his tenure.


His failure to make tangible progress with his signature projects is tied to his refusal to pay attention to the potholes that needed to be filled. Even little things like Environmental Impact Assessment EIA, became contentious. Rather more attention was given to the intention to grab land via 10km on both sides as set back for the road, which was resisted to a stand still.


Very little potholes that require only the attention of other competent professionals in the government were all muddled up by a man who is doing everything to prove he is the only one that knows how to run the State.


These potholes are in the management of our finances in the State. They are staring at us in the budgeting process in the State. The potholes permeate the effort to industrialize the State. They are obvious in the endless list of appointments. The potholes are plain white in the run up to the LG elections. These potholes have emerged on the new road in Obudu which is still under construction. In fact, they are everywhere and it is time for Your Excellency to start fixing potholes.


In 1186 days, Your Excellency will go and I won't fail to continue to remind us. Those grandiose "wannado" projects may only end up standing as bizarre as the memories of Tinapa, Songhai, and their kindred after these remaining days are waited out, because there is no sustainable management plan.


I spent days in Calabar after my release from incarceration and moving around the capital is becoming increasingly difficult. Apart from the swirling potholes gaping at the vehicles, the palpable state of fear occasioned by gang violence and kidnapping in a place that is purportedly the most peaceful capital in the country, remains a sharp contrast.


I thought the Yuletide and the Carnival Calabar, both of which I celebrated behind the walls of Afokang prison, would as usual, avail the governor a great opportunity to hurriedly fill the potholes around Calabar and also change roofs along the carnival route but even that my expectation turned out an illusion.


Little potholes like background security checks on the names going around as appointees of government have been ignored and known gangsters are being called SPECIAL ASSISTANTS AND ADVISERS to Your Excellency.


Even that little pothole called self restraint is often neglected by this governor to occasions that once he opens his mouth, he forgets that he is a governor and just keeps talking until...


Now, some of these issues are not the actual potholes that the people complained about. They want their government to fill those potholes on Calabar roads. I thought that democracy is about what the people want. Not what you want to force on them. Give to the people what they want. What you want can wait until the people get what they want Sir.


And as you begin to fix the potholes on the roads, kindly pay attention to other potholes in your government for the good of our State. Take every department piece by piece and begin to pay attention to the potholes. Stop trying to impress us. Nobody will remember your sleepless nights after 1186 days from today. Give voters what they want.


And as we move forward Your Excellency, it is these potholes that I will continue to draw your attention to without equivocation. You have more than enough hands that can deal with the smooth patches. Your appointees are the highest in the history of the country. So you have a full basket.

I have chosen to continually draw your attention to the potholes so you can fill them. I refuse to wait for a governor that will come and fill the potholes like you suggested in that NTA interview. You are our governor now. Fix the potholes now. You did not meet those potholes. They met you in power. Fix them sir. When you are done with them, we can then hopefully get good roads to drive to those industries that you are building, we can then have new paths to accountability and openness in your government etc.


I am not oblivious that my continuous calling of your attention to these potholes will also continue to irk you, Your Excellency. I sympathise with you but I'm not about to change my mind. The six months course you sent me to has been taken with gratitude and if need be, I can return for a post graduate.


But the goal of calling your attention to the myriad of holes remains on course until you are able to take care of these potholes.


Citizen Agba Jalingo, recently released journalist on orders of the court, writes from Lagos.

Culled from AbujaBizReports.com

By Comrade Mathew Nwaiyike

I have observed with dismay that since our anti-graft group, Anti-Corruption Champions of Nigeria (ACON) exposed the ongoing rot and corruption in Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) Enugu under the watch and involvement of the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Luke Anike, Anike, instead of responding to the verifiable allegations against him, has embarked on cheap image laundering and face-saving moves.

Our investigations revealed that Prof. Anike, apart from engaging hatchet writers and his kindred groups to defend him emotionally, primordially and sentimentally, he has also compromised financially some members of Enugu State House of Assembly especially members of Education Committee to protect him.

This is like building castle in the air because as we promised in our earlier press conference, we have more dossiers on Anike's fraudulent activities that we will unveil to the anti-graft agencies and the publics with incontrovertible evidences in the days ahead.


Corruption knows no race, tribe or status. Our main objective is to investigate and expose corruption in public offices, especially in higher institutions. This is because of the fast decline in the quality of education in Nigeria, due to poor management of public schools.

As Anike and his cohorts battle hard to sweep under the carpet, deceive people and divert attention from the damning allegations against him, there are pertinent questions we will like him to answer.

Is not true that Prof. Anike and his management team forcefully withdrew over N500M from staff contributions to ESUT co-operative with no concrete plan to pay?

Is it not that Prof. Anike's Personal Assistant, Chibuike Nwatu collects N180,000 weekly to supply gas to hostels and yet there is never light and water in the hostels. These hostels have remained the worst hostels among university hostels in the country today. This fact is known to Bishop Igwebuike Onah-led Governing Council, who querried why Nwatu should run the hostel. We have the query which Prof. Anike out of obstinacy and arrogance has not answered till date.

Again is it not true that Anike's PA, Chibuike Nwatu spends one million Naira monthly on purchase of drums of diesel for running generating plants in ESUT, instead of spending less than N500, 000 monthly on payment of electricity bills? By the way, is it within his purview as PA to discharge such a function when the Director of Works is there and ready to work?

Is it not true that the Governing Council had for long directed Prof. Anike to conduct interview for promotion of Principal Assistant Registrars (PAR) to Deputy Registrars but for reasons best known to him, the Council's directive is yet to be carried. Is it not true and a public knowledge that Prof. Anike does selective promotion of senior academics to the ranks of Associate Professors and Professors.

Out of a total of not less than 25 senior academics that have been favourably assessed for promotion to the ranks of associate and full Professors, Prof. Anike was only able to send out the papers of 3 of them for assessment, leaving the rest in his office. Presently only the three candidates have been promoted to the rank of Professors. The concerned academics whose promotion have been stalled and withheld are alive gnashing thier teeth and working with low morale in the ESUT.

Is it not true that Deans of Faculties have long overstayed their statutory two years tenure, with some in their fourth year, yet Prof. Anike has not conducted or has plan to conduct elections for new Deans to emerge, instead the VC recently created some new and strange directorates and appointed some Professors into it as if it is a political outfit. Some of such directorates include directorate of urban transportation, Gender Affairs and Centre for Special Education, even when ESUT has no plan to start a programme in special education in the nearest future. Why is Luke Anike hell bent on over bloating the wage bill of ESUT with less than 2 months to go?

It is quite disheartening to note that inspite of the fact that Enugu State Government has doubled the monthly subvention to ESUT from N100m to over N200m over the last two years, there is nothing on ground to reflect the quantum leap in the financial standing of the university.
Rather since then, Prof. Anike had borrowed over N500m from ESUT cooperative society in order to pay salaries. He has failed to remit already deducted check-off dues belonging to the labour unions in the university (ASUU, NASU, SSA, NAT) running into millions of Naira. He has also failed to remit as and when due to the Government, the various taxes already deducted from sundry transactions and staff incomes.

Prof. Anike has failed to offset any part of the over N5b owed to ESUT staff from arrears of allowances (CONTIS, CONMAS and Earned Allowances. The Last VC reduced the the initial outstanding by over 40% and still left over N500M with which Luke commenced his administration. What is Prof. Anike leaving for the incoming VC? Delude of liabilities?

These are posers Prof. Anike and his allies who have ran ESUT aground for selfish and materialistic reasons should provide answers to, instead of spending the little resources in the already looted and depleted ESUT treasury to embark on a vainglory image laundering that will not help him. More details will be provided on the conduit pipes Prof. Anike and his partners in crime are using in laundering ESUT fund since he took over as vice chancellor. Prof. Anike must be made to account for his stewardship as his remains the worst in the history of ESUT.

Comrade Mathew Nwaiyike, National Coordinator, Anti-Corruption Champions of Nigeria (ACON) writes from FCT, Abuja.

By James Ezema

In a bid to reduce unemployment to the bearest minimum in the country, a recruitment firm, Shalom Recruitment Services(SRS) has been launched.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SRS, Ahmed Amoto, while speaking to newsmen in Abuja yesterday being Thursday, January 23, 2020 said many people are unemployed because they lack access to information about available job opportunities hence most job seekers do not even know what they want or where they could appropriately fit in. According to Amoto, many school leavers are unemployable, not because they are not vast in their chosen fields, but simply because of their inability to develop skills after graduation.

He said applicants drop off CVs in companies or government institutions left, right and centre without proper guidance, adding that this scenario brought about the establishment of the recruitment agency.

Amoto further noted that SRS is a leading recruitment agency that is poised to redefine excellence in the manner professional Human Resource (HR) services are provided to different companies in Nigeria.

SRS works extensively with different companies and organisations in the following sectors: Finance, Oil and Gas, Maritime, ICT, NGO, Real Estate, Entertainment, Manufacturing, Education, Tourism and so on.

"This gives us an excellent understanding of their systems, culture and specific requirements that allow us to source the most skilled, qualified and suitable staff available that match both the needs of our clients and the candidates," Amoto said

On the part of clients, the CEO said the need for background checks on prospective employees has become paramount in view of rampant cases of staff kidnapping, murdering and even stealing from their bosses.

"The employers want to know how to track employees in the event of any crimes committed. SRS comes in useful in this area because the firm parades retinue of Private Investigators and Recruitment Officers who go all out to check and document guarantors," he added.

He maintained that with the entry of the agency into the market, clients and applicants in the country can heave a sigh of relief, noting that the agency is not only out to be the best recruitment firm in this country within the next five years but to build careers in a unique and excellent manner.

By GF Majekodunmi

Is he a legend or not? In retrospect of the article written by one Mr. Charles Ogbu,
which to my understanding, he did not only dispute the Legendary status of General Burati but disparage the prevailing circumstances on the ground, the time and the space the author is using to present it particularly to the school children in the form poem/folklore, he deemed improper and a sham.

Nigeria being a Democratic State with freedom of speech, expression and association as entrenched in the constitution afforded Mr. Charles and many of ilks to state their views about the Author Dr. Abubakar Mohd Sanni.

However, having digested Mr Charles write-up, there is a biblical injunction which says that “Only the living can praise God” and it is better to appreciate someone who has done exceedingly well for his country while alive than when in green land and not when such Icon is gone. Of a truth Buratai has performed excellently well in the Nigerian Army and Conquering the insurgency in the Nigeria land territory.

I will like to refresh Mr. Charles Memory that insurgency did not just start up in Nigeria, before the appointment of Buratai, the Boko Haram Insurgency has conquered parts of the North-East, North-West, infiltrating Abuja, Some Military locations, Kano and Jos, even in Lagos thereby causing collateral damages in all these aforementioned locations. Since the appointment of Lt-General Buratai (COAS), we are now witnessing peace in all these locations that have been reclaimed apart from being a soft target that are
being attacked by the insurgents.

Also, it was under the auspices of COAS, that the Nigeria Army witnessed massive renovations and constructions, permit me to mention a few; Creating an overhead corridor connecting Army Head-Quarters to officers and main canteen and other adjoining departments which are annexed to the main Army Head-Quarters. Renovating and Constructions of modern facilities in military hospitals and equipping
them with modern facilities and power generating sets.

It was under COAS watch, modern constructions are being undertaken in Army training schools and establishments, renovation of military cantonments, Barracks and gymnastics for physical exercise, likewise tailoring factories in Nigeria Army division are being established. Officers and soldiers training are being done locally and internationally thereby making them professional and at the same time enhancing professionalism.

The Niger/Delta region of this country before the accession of Buratai, was witnessing murdering, kidnapping, pipeline Vandalism and various militant groups were being formed with a very high level of rapaciousness, so much so that the unity of this country is threatened.

Also, I’d like to digress a little by asking Mr. Charles, what was the intent of the IPOB movement if not to cause disunity in the Country Nigeria, which constitutionally, is a highly treasonous offence, ergo, I will still like to address Mr.Charles Ogbu about what
the constitution says about treason. ''Any person conspiring with any person, either within or without Nigeria, to levy war against the State with the intent to cause such levying of war as would be treason if committed by a citizen of Nigeria, is guilty of treason and is liable to punishment of death”. And hence tell me, which other way are the Military supposed to go about combating War without weapons. Mr.Charles, you may be a learned fellow but when it comes to war strategies and tactics it is best to leave it to the Military who are seasoned in the act.

Moving Forward, COAS has also launched various operations across Niger/Delta area and South-East which degraded all those recalcitrant and belligerents stratum fermenting Anarchy bellicosely in those areas and thereby destroying our economic facilities which affected our economy.

Thank God, Agriculture is now yielding good dividends in Nigeria considering the security apparatus Buratai put in place with regards to Nigeria in Niger/ Delta and parts of South-East, the people of that area are going about their normal duties without fear of harassment and Molestations. Buratai also respected all the traditional institutions across the geopolitical zones especially where we have military establishments by
visiting them when check on military information in their domain.

The peace and tranquility that we have enjoyed during the elections was made possible
with the support of the Nigerian Army under the watch of Buratai. He placed the military on red-Alert before the election with proper deployments of troops and issued stern
warnings to officers who wants to be political, such officers are advised to resign from the army, otherwise , comply with rules and regulations governing the army.

Never the less, it is when you thank and praise the appropriate level that the outpouring of blessing rains down as the proverbial windows of heaven open ("gbalaja"
which simply means very wide open) going by the meaning of a legend which states that someone who has been superb or extraordinary. It is when you realize that the
achievements of Buratai , that you can appreciate the Nigerian Army, the consequence of which can bring spontaneous performance of the Nigerian Army as this will improve their morals because the pat on the back shall be extended to the least rank in the Army
by COAS.

What the present COAS whom I will call EAGLES with vision, courage, boldness and
'‘GENERAL MARSHAL’’ of his own generation did regarding the peace being enjoyed in
Niger/Delta and the South-east likewise North-East and North-West areas affected by
the insurgency apart from Zamfara and Kaduna states which are witnessing prolific murdering activities, kidnapping and likely because of mining activities; Considering
the above background Buratai has performed extraordinarily well and curiously more
than any COAS, since the inception of the Nigeria Army by transforming the Nigerian Army professionally, improving infrastructures and maintaining peace and security in the country through execution of many internal security operations.

Howbeit, in a country where hooligans and political thugs are celebrated on a daily
basis, I think, it will behoove us as individuals, as a community, and as a nation if we failed
to recognize the present achievement of General Buratai COAS as a legend that he is,
we fail to celebrate Justice Oputa, Justice Nasar, Justice Elias, FRA Williams when they
were alive and we witnessed what the negligence has caused, as we are privy to the rot
inherent in the judicial systems in present day. There is a cliché that says” the result of hard work is more work” which invariably points out that when you are recognized for
your and celebrated hard-work the populace, the community receives the impact of
more of your work.

Also, coming from a person of Mr.Charles educational background, I believe it is suffice
to say, ‘ it is advisable for Mr. Charles to stick to the lecture room on studies pertaining
to his discipline as he has no iota of warfare strategies and tactics employed in keeping the peace and security of a nation together.

Ergo, the opprobrious content of his write-up, not only shows how intemperate his choice
of words are , coming from a supposedly learned person is indeed a hurricane of
unchecked obduracy and I can only conclude that like many of his ilk, he can only be
said to be plainly seeking Cheap attention.

Regarding the confrontation with the EL-zakzaky group in Kaduna; Mr. Charles Ogbu, assuming you are a COAS and you are passing a Location designated cleared route
and surprisingly you are ambushed by bandits, please tell me what would you do as a COAS? What will you do to become a Legend? Have you ever done anything remotely
noteworthy aside from disparaging other people’s legacy? And who even informed you that the book has been authorized to become literature books for school pupils?

Majekodunmi is a retired Col and served in the Nigerian Army.

Protesters on Tuesday stormed the United Nations office in Abuja in protest against the alleged alliance between Iranian government and the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, INM.

Report had it during the weekend that the El-Zakzaky-led group was getting support from Islamic Republic of Iran to carryout terrorism across Nigeria.

The protest, organised by members of the Agenda for Terrorism-Free Nigeria (ATFN) called on UN to sanction Iran and El-Zakzaky for terrorism.

Danesi Momoh Prince, Convener, while speaking during the protest, urged the United Nations to call the Islamic Republic of Iran to order to desist from sponsoring instability against Nigeria.

His speech below:


The Agenda for Terrorism Free Nigeria (ATFN) found it pertinent to lead this protest march here, to the United Nations (UN) Offices in Nigeria today because of our firm belief that somewhere in the in the chaos that some state sponsors of terrorism are attempting to impose on the world there is order. That order is embodied by the UN, which through its organs is able to prevail on erring country to show respect, not just for the future and safety of the human race but also for the sovereignty of other nations, which is the recipe for peace and the assurance that nations do not embark on mutually guaranteed self-destruction.

From the demographics of those taking part in this march against importation of terrorism and extremism into Nigeria, it is apparent that we comprise of various groups. Many of us had in the past raised alarms about the activities of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Nigeria as manifested by its puppet group, the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN). This is a group that has become the new face of Iranian sponsorship of terrorism abroad.

A further disclaimer we will make from the onset is that our organizations acknowledge and fully commit to Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, adopted by the UN in 1966. Article 18 clearly states that:

1. Everyone shall have the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. This right shall include freedom to have or to adopt a religion or belief of his choice, and freedom, either individually or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in worship, observance, practice and teaching. 2. No one shall be subject to coercion which would impair his freedom to have or to adopt a religion or belief of his choice. 3. Freedom to manifest one’s religion or beliefs may be subject only to such limitations as are prescribed by law and are necessary to protect public safety, order, health, or morals or the fundamental rights and freedoms of others. 4. The States Parties to the present Covenant undertake to have respect for the liberty of parents and, when applicable, legal guardians to ensure the religious and moral education of their children in conformity with their own convictions.

We therefore affirm that our protest today is not in any way construed to deny Iran and IMN members the right to subscribe to the Shia brand of Islam. We state this clearly because of the misconception that they have come to make the world believe that they are victims of persecution because of their faith, which is not the truth. The reality is that IMN as Iran’s proxy in Nigeria is denying others not just the rights guaranteed in Article 18 but other liberties that the world had agreed to accord humans across the planet. They deprive others of their lives.

Whatever crimes IMN had committed on behalf of Iran in the past have now paled in comparison to the latest coup they plotted against Nigeria. Trying to re-enact the Iranian Revolution of 1979, which transited that country into an Islamic Republic, IMN members on April 24, 2019 forcefully invaded the National Assembly of Nigeria with a view to overthrowing the parliament. It is no coincidence that this happened 40 years from the Iranian Revolution and about in as many years since the IMN leader, Mr. Ibrahim el-Zakyzaky, was first indoctrinated by that country.

This invasion is an affront on the rights of other Nigerians who have no desire to see their parliament overthrown by fanatics and replaced with a sectarian conclave because this was exactly what the IMN members reportedly have in mind even though they hid their attack behind claims that they were agitating for the release of their leader.

It is well known that Nigeria is presently battling Boko Haram terrorists, who sadly have foreign components that are yet to be diffused till date. It is unacceptable for Iran to add another terrorist organization to the list of foreign sponsored criminality that citizens now have to endure.

Concerns had been expressed in the past about how IMN is the Iranian vehicle for radicalizing youths to rise against and undermine the Nigerian state. The radicalized extremists seems to have now received their marching order to openly attack the state in an attempt to cause mayhem in the country. We consequently hold Iran accountable for any breach in security caused by its IMN extremists.

We wish to put the UN on notice that we shall be prevailing on the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to activate Article 18 with particular emphasis on the provision that states that “3. Freedom to manifest one’s religion or beliefs may be subject only to such limitations as are prescribed by law and are necessary to protect public safety, order, health, or morals or the fundamental rights and freedoms of others.”

Nigeria faces critical life threatening security breaches from IMN and Iran. It is necessary to protect other citizens from the dangerous activities of the group in order to ensure that Iran does not get away with replacing Nigeria’s secularism with its own brand of theocracy, which is unacceptable in a pluralistic society that our own country is.

We are therefore calling on the United Nations to call the Islamic Republic of Iran to order, it should be given a clear directive to desist from sponsoring instability against Nigeria. The United Nations should also explain to members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria that rights come with responsibility and the freedom of religious belief must not be confused with freedom to engage in lawless acts. They must both stop indoctrinating, radicalizing and inciting youths to become terrorists.

We conclude by telling the world that Nigeria is not helpless in dealing with the menace of IMN even when backed by Iran. There are laws and international instruments that clearly criminalize the extremist and fanaticism that they are propagating. We will demand that the government act in this wise.

The Concerned Christian Forum of Nigeria has faulted the recent call by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) for the release of Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria and Sambo Dasuki, embattled former National Security Adviser to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan from detention.

CCFN described the statement attributed to the CAN President as “inhuman and most uncharitable.”

Recall that CAN President, Rev. Ayokunle Samson had during the weekend called on the Federal Government to release El-Zakzaky and Dasuki from detention.

“Of course, El-Zakzaky, and the former presidential security adviser, Sambo Dasuki, who are in the hands of the federal government are also due for release,” Ayokunle was quoted as saying while addressing a press conference in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, at the weekend.

Reacting to Ayokune’s request, the Concerned Christian Forum of Nigeria through its president, James Amedu in a statement, called on the CAN president to tender an unreserved apology to members of the Christian faith in Nigeria, as well as the generality of the people who have in one way or the other suffered directly or indirectly from the actions of these two individuals.

The statement read.

The Concerned Christian Forum of Nigeria notes with disappointment; the statement credited to Rev. (Dr.) Samson Olasupo Ayokunle, President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), where he called for the release of the leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, Ibrahim Elzakzaky and the former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki by the federal government.

While it is no doubt that the CAN as the umbrella body of Christians in Nigeria represents the interest of Christians in Nigeria, it is, however, inexcusable to delve into partisan politics in exchange for monetary gains as exemplified by Rev. Dr. Samson Olasupo Ayokunle, the president of CAN.

The Concerned Christian Forum of Nigeria, would wish to educate the CAN president on the need to always protect the integrity of the Christian Association of Nigeria by putting the interest of the millions of Christians in Nigeria above personal interest.

It is also worrisome to add that the two individuals in question are standing trial for acts of terrorism and a financial heist that led to the loss of lives of innocent Nigerians, which has been widely condemned by all and sundry in Nigeria. And for the CAN president to call for their release without recourse to the gravity of the crimes they have committed is an indication that either Rev. Dr. Samson Olasupo Ayokunle was a beneficiary of the Dasuki loot or he has been co-opted into the plot by Iran to release El-Zakzaky from detention forcefully.

The Concerned Christian Forum of Nigeria wishes to state that unless Rev. Dr. Samson Olasupo Ayokunle wants to feign ignorance when Boko Haram bombed the St. Theresa Catholic Church Suleja on Christmas day. Is Rev Dr. Samson Olasupo Ayokunle also aware that the Islamic Movement in Nigeria has committed various crimes against the state and the people? Is he also aware that members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria have on numerous occasions killed innocent civilians as well as military and police officers going about their legitimate duties?

The Concerned Christian Forum of Nigeria is also concerned about the involvement of CAN president in corruption and terrorism-related offenses, so much so that he openly canvassed for their release on the pages of newspapers.

The Concerned Christian Forum of Nigeria views such call and the action of the CAN President as inhuman and most uncharitable and an indication that monies must have exchanged hands hence the selfish and inglorious request for the release of Sambo Dasuki and Ibrahim El-Zakzaky regardless of the crimes they have committed against humanity.

The Concerned Christian Forum of Nigerian consequently calls on the CAN president to tender an unreserved apology to members of the Christian faith in Nigeria, as well as the generality of the people who have in one way or the other suffered directly or indirectly from the actions of these two individuals, and for the despicable act of insulting our sensibilities on the pages of newspapers.

The Concerned Christian Forum of Nigeria is very much concerned about how the once-revered Christian body has been politicized and bought over with an enormous sum of monies by some very powerful elements within the society.

The Concerned Christian Forum of Nigeria consequently advises Rev Dr. Samson Olasupo Ayokunle to desist from his evil ways and retrace his steps back to God, and also to stop using the Christian Association of Nigeria for money making the purpose and at the detriment of the interest of the Christian faith in Nigeria.

The Registrar, Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN), Professor Segun Ajiboye Ajiboye has disclosed that some of the school teachers who were sacked by terrorists in the north-eastern part of the country are back to classroom.

He said that the Council had commenced the process of bringing back to the classrooms, teachers who have deserted the northeast zone due to terrorism attacks.

Speaking with newsmen in Ibadan, he said that the plan was to re-motivate and change the psyche of the traumatised teachers to return to school.

According to him, some of the teachers lost their certificates to terrorism but have been restored by the intervention of the Council.

The TRCN boss disclosed that bringing back the teachers would improve knowledge impartation on students in North-eastern part of the country.

"Actually it is disheartening we are affected we can't pretend. We have lost so many teachers to insecurity especially in the northeast. It created trauma. Pupils left the schools. They don’t want to come.

"The teachers themselves left because of what has happened to their colleagues. What we are doing is to bring back our teachers especially in the northeast. A lot of interventions are going on to re-motivate the teachers and change their psyche.

"So many of them left the teaching profession they don’t want to come back but now sanity is returning and our teachers are coming back. Some of them lost their certificates to insurgency", he said.

On the deadline to register as professional teacher, Ajiboye disclosed that full enforcement against unregistered and unlicensed teachers would begin in January 2020, adding that any teacher not registered by the Council by December 31, 2019 will not be allowed to practice anymore in Nigeria.

He said letter of reminder was being written to Commissioners of Education and the Education Secretary in Federal Capital Territory on the need to ensure that practising teachers in their states get valid license before the deadline.

"That deadline stands. In fact the Minister of Education has directed that TRCN should do a letter to Commissioners of Education and Education secretary in the FCT to remind them about the deadline. By December 2019 anyone not registered and licensed by TRCN may not allowed in our classrooms. by January 2020 enforcement will begin", he declared.

The National Inter-Faith and Religious Organizations for Peace (NIFROP) in Nigeria has called on religious leaders in the country to be united in prayers to complement the efforts of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government in taming ethno-political killings and kidnapping in the country.

The interfaith group said fervent prayer and fasting remain the role of religious leaders to the nagging menace in Nigeria.

The group also called on clergymen and women for concerted spiritual efforts towards rendering the evil of kidnapping, ethnic killings and banditry null and void whilst supporting security agencies to carry out their duties towards defeating them.

Addressing a press conference on Sunday, the group, through its leader, Bishop Prince Madaki , also warned cmessengers of God who covertly or overtly promote ethnic rife and propagate hate sermons to bolster the activities of killers in the name of politics or religion to desist as it would do the nation no good.

Full text of his speech at the conference below.

Shalom to all brethren in the Name of our Gracious Lord! We have just finished the festivities and celebration of Easter, a prime season in the lives of Christendom all over the world. It reminds us of the death and resurrection of our Lord and personal savior, Jesus Christ, who suffered and was crucified for our sinful souls in order to bestow on us eternal life.

Similarly, we extend the same heart-felt greetings to our Muslim brethren all over Nigeria and indeed, to even traditional or African religion worshippers. We are the same and created in the image of ONE GOD Almighty, whom we worship through different modes, but hope for His salvation on the last day by His mercies. At the National Inter- Faith, there is neither Muslim nor Christians in our midst; but proud citizens of a great nation in search of peace for all of God’s creatures in Nigeria and beyond.

We have summoned our respected congregation of members of the pen profession to this hall for a very special reason. But before we bare out our minds to the Nigerian public, permit us to formally welcome you in our midst. May the peace of our Heavenly Father, the Almighty God be with you all.


4. Let us begin straightaway that by all ramifications, we are the least qualified to invite you to listen to us; but we intend to speak to Nigerians and you are the best instruments of conveying this message to our people.

We understand right from creation that all of us are members of the same family. Though, we may differ in religious sects or worship faiths, creeds or doctrines, but we remain the same brethren.

So, this message is very important and we believe you may understand with us and forgive us for any lapse observed in the course of this presentation or interaction.

Without mincing words, our dear country has been blessed by the Almighty God with abundant natural and Human Resources today. Today we have one of the best Presidents in the world and it is clear that those who fear the prosperity of our nation will never go to bed to sleep.
But today, we are being tormented by evil men and the country is in severe violent conflicts and killings being instigated by some demonic and selfish Nigerians. This is a painful fact known to all of us seated here and the generality of Nigerians in states, communities and homesteads. We cannot pretend about this frustrating reality.

Whether in Southern or Northern Nigeria, there are choking and consuming crises everywhere in the land, as if we are competing in bloodbath and arson against ourselves. These are avoidable crisis but for politics and tribal differences, many have refused to say the truth and by that the blood-flow has continued.

Our country’s map is today redesigned and coloured with blood, anguish, pains and awful destructions. Most touchy is the realization that as Nigerians, we are collectively responsible for the widespread and condemnable bloodshed on the land which have clearly reduced our worth before the Creator. Yesterday, it was Boko Haram and all thanks to our military and the President, that has faded from our country’s history and just a little to totally extinguish them. Though we haven’t given our military all it takes but they have continued to do their best.


God Almighty has reminded us in several Scriptural verses that He shall visit us with pestilence if one hair on the head of any of His beloved son or daughter is removed without His knowledge. But it’s clear we have not heeded to this counsel. And God says, “Peace be unto those who make peace.” Unfortunately, it has never appealed to us, as a people and a nation to be our brothers’ keepers as the Holy Scriptures enjoin us.

We don’t necessarily need to replay to you or Nigerians, the gory images or scenes of violence and deaths to have our point sink. But suffice it to assert again that our country has become one hellish place to dwell. Have we truly lost our sense of godliness and humanity to very dumbfounding levels of killing and kidnapping ourselves like wild animals in the jungle over minor provocations or disagreements?

The soul of mother Nigeria is not at peace; it is in ruins! We have compromised our security everywhere. Hundreds of thousands of us have become refugees in our own country. Meanwhile, Nigeria is not at war with any external aggressor. Evil political lords are at war with the wishes of the masses of our country who expressed same in February and returned President Buhari in a landslide victory.



So, the inspiration and vision we have gotten from God tells us the time has come for all of us to see something greater in the life God has given us freely than the vanities of the earth, we fight and kill ourselves daily to possess or protect. It was through prayers that we first defeated the evil of Boko Haram and God heard our prayers by giving to us President Buhari to donour battle. The Service Chiefs and particularly the Chief of Army Staff who led the war is still around and are working day and night. But they need our prayers and total cooperation to put these evil men to shame.

How can we explain to God Almighty that we have so devalued the gift of the life in us to the point we have raised and sustained armed banditry, killings by ethnic militias, religious zealots, tribal warlords without defined missions, terrorists or insurgents? How do we feel when we take up arms against ourselves in killings and destructions? Why are the clergy promoting violence on the pulpit, worship or in secret places? North or South, it is the same sad tales that have engulfed Nigeria. The war being instigated by men on the pulpit is worse than what armed men are doing. Evil must not be found amongst us.

There are a thousand questions we cannot find earthly answers, outside the explanation that the grace of God has deserted us so shamefully, in spite of our profession of religiosity.

Time has come and is precisely ripe for us to prove to God that His grace has not abandoned us. We do not intend to insult the sensibilities of the followers of any faith; but we have every reason now to believe God’s grace and His special blessings have departed from us. That’s why the land is in turmoil.

And the cankerworm of crises has more gravely affected us because our political leaders at the state or local government levels through actions or inactions have emboldened it. We sympathize with our brethren in most of the federating states, the deliberate refusal of leaders to carter for our welfare, spurring hunger and or, even the failure to erect alternative disputes resolution mechanisms to curtail the activities of crisis entrepreneurs when they come visiting us at the odd hour in evil designs against ourselves.


This is unhealthy for the peace, security, development and progress of any country. We cannot triumph even in the sight of God by creating or promoting violence through inter-faith conflicts, ethnic supremacy and such other motivations for killings of ourselves.

May we seize this opportunity to warn the clergy or messengers of God who covertly or overtly promote ethnic rife or propagate hate sermons to bolster the activities of killers in the name of politics or religion. These acts are not of God and failure to desist, means, they will be randomly exposed and disgraced by Almighty God in no distant time.

Finally, we appeal to all Nigerians to go down on their kneels in ceaseless fasting and prayers for God to rescue Nigeria from bloodsucking vermins. And it is a clarion call to every genuine religious leader irrespective of denomination or creed to pray for Nigeria and also, urge their congregation to do so. It is their responsibility to give the government a guide to lead the nation to peace and prosperity, not violence, killings and destructions or hate sermons on the pulpit, laced in outward piousness.

Please assist us convey this message, loud and clear for the Holy Scriptures admonishes in Gen. 6: 11-13 that “the earth was corrupt in God’s sight, and the earth was filled with violence. And God saw the earth, and behold, it was corrupt, for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth. And God said to Noah, “I have determined to make an end of all flesh, for the earth is filled with violence through them. Behold, I will destroy them with the earth”.

Something profound happened in Nigeria in the month of April but it was lost in the hubbub of the socio-political grind of Nigeria. It was the sentencing of IG Wala, a self-style activist to 12 years jail term for criminal defamation. He is meant to spend at least seven years in the slammer.

What is noteworthy is not that Wala got canned. The profound aspect is that he was convicted and sentenced for what he posted on Facebook. The post that sent him to jail claimed that he had documents with which he was blackmailing the Chairman of the National Hajj Commission. Even when faced with the prospect of jail he was never able to tender the said documents because he never had them to start with.

A few of those that have reacted to Wala’s conviction and stiff jail term missed the point though. They failed to see that the courts have transcended the limitations that once made it difficult for electronic evidence to be admitted in the prosecution of cases. What has happened to this pseudo activist is a wake-up call that his co-travellers will ignore at their own peril. The era of unbridled flippancy on social media is over for good.

But it appears one Jackson Ude, an online militant of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), appears to be blissfully unaware of the much that has changed in what is acceptable and what is not when people interact with the rest of the world online. Ude, who continues to throw caution to the wind, is targeting Lt. General Tukur Buratai, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), for blackmail by claiming about phantom contracts and ghost bureau de change in Abuja. He is also running a campaign of calumny against the wife of the president, Mrs. Aisha Buhari and just anyone that is connected to President Muhammadu Buhari in any way.

One amazing thing is that even in the aftermath of IG Wala getting his just dessert, Ude went on a Twitter rant making spurious accusations that are weighty but without proof. While his co-traveller had claimed to have document (that he was later unable to produce), Ude did not as much as mention that he has proof or that his allegations can be substantiated.

This is a long established pattern of Ude, who publishes Pointblank News, which is best known as a platform for publishing tarnishing lies against those that refuse to pay for the owner’s silence. His exploits are well documented when his attempts at blackmailing several politicians of Igbo extraction spectacularly landed him and his “boys” in trouble in 2014. It must be mentioned that even fellow publishers of online news are not safe from Ude’s activities.

Ude is also complicit of deceiving the reading public by failing to disclose that his so called exclusive revelation about General Buratai is in fact part of his brief to demonize the administration of President Buhari for the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). He was after all an aide of former President Goodluck Jonathan, he was responsible for pushing online propaganda to obscure the corruption that went on in that government. Additionally, he is among the online warriors paid to launder the election loss of PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

What is interesting is that Ude is trying to hide behind one finger believing that he can defame others, conceal his sins and shield him from consequences. He is further complicating things for himself by antagonizing those that are enlightened enough to point him to the errors of his way. The comical height of this is Ude blocking those that are critical of his follies from interacting with his social media post. This posture in itself smacks of ignorance of how the law works. Blocking others from viewing his libellous posts will not shield him from legal consequences when his IG Wala moment comes.

Interestingly, the social media posts that will nail Jackson Ude are already written. All that is left is for the subjects of his serial failed blackmail attempts to approach the law courts. Should those targeted by Ude for blackmail decide to take their matters to the court, the hapless fellow will first be tortured by the sheer impracticality of hoping from one courtroom to the other across the country because he has, by virtue of his engagement, written enough defamatory pieces to spend the remainder of his natural life in jail and possible reincarnate to complete the outstanding custodial commitment in his next life.

One must however appeal to General Buratai to put any judicial response to Ude’s puerile behaviour in abeyance. This is because, with the benefit of judicial precedence, Buratai heading to court will earn Ude a one way ticket to jail and swiftly too. While this will serve the interest of justice and deterrence to other blackmailers, the urchin’s impish followers will not be able to distinguish between a conviction for criminal defamation and the suppression of free speech. They will take to town to allege that their warlord is being hounded for being outspoken and sadly there is a way that idiocy appeals to people with limited reasoning faculties.

So, in the interest of the institution of the Nigerian Army, which needs all the focus at the moment because of its responsibility to the nation, General Buratai should allow Ude’s reckoning to come from other quarters, and this is guaranteed to happen being the train wreck that he is. He continues to be an irritant, a minor one. The COAS must also avoid ever responding to Ude, who already has too many people after him, because accusing fingers will point the Army boss’ way if any of those he had scammed or blackmailed decide to take matters into their own hands, like some them tried to do in 2014 when the scammer alleged threats to his life.

However, Ude should not be deluded that the appeal to General Buratai not to waste time on his pettiness means that his day of reckoning is far away. It is here already. Plus, he should be afraid. Very afraid. Unlike his co-traveller, IG Wala, who is wearing prison issued uniform as a consequence of his defamatory shot at blackmail, Ude has strayed sufficiently into judicial perdition. Blackmail and defamation are the least things he has to worry about when he is dragged before the court since some of his posts and publications are directly promoting the ideologies of a terrorist organization, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

Murphy wrote this piece from Calabar

The National Inter- Faith and Religious Organizations for Peace ( NIFROP) has rallied together civil society organizations, NGOs, FBOs etc to sign a pact for national cohesion, unity, peace and stability tagged: 'Abuja Accord' to win the war against religious and ethnic bigotry in our national life .

The peace treaty was signed on Thursday after a two-day International Conference held at Abua .

The groups in a communique issued at the end of the programme, urged Nigerians to eschew ethno-religious sentiments and resolve to embrace national cohesion, stability, peace and unity as articulated by the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

The combined groups mutually reached and endorsed the following resolutions:

It congratulated the President Muhammadu Buhari for supervising the conduct of a successful, free, fair and credible 2019 general elections. He was applauded for disabling the plots and exiting the fears of Nigerians over a possible disruption of 2019 general elections and, seamlessly dislodging the potent phobia of electoral violence during and after the ballots.

We also commend and congratulate the masses of Nigeria for their steadfastness in Nigeria’s democracy and peaceful conduct throughout the duration and segments of the 2019 general elections.

The parley noted with great delight the slight improvement in voter-turnout, expressed in the enthusiasm of Nigerians to vote leaders of their choice at various levels. It is surely, a step towards dismantling the leech of voter-apathy in the democratic process and urged all Nigerians to intensify efforts to finally bury the ghost of electoral apathy.

The meeting resolved that the President Buhari-led Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) today has demonstrated a clear direction and focus on national re-engineering and recovery of Nigeria in the spheres of social revival, economic prosperity, security and anti-corruption sub-sectors. This deserves encouragement and espousal by all compatriots for him to go the proverbial extra mile.

The Group noted the abundant evidences in the determination and commitment of the present government in its drive for peace, unity, the indissolubility and indivisibility of Nigeria, by fostering dialogue for national cohesion on thorny issues like ethno-religious tolerance and peaceful co-existence among Nigerians of different ethno-religious and political persuasions.

The parley noted with excitement the indelible imprints of the Buhari Presidency in hitherto neglected areas such as his ardent pursuit of food security and diversification of the economy through the promotion of mechanized agriculture and the soft loans to Nigerian farmers to boost robust agricultural engagements all over the county.

The Groups pinpointed to Nigeria’s enlivened redemption journey with the revival of the railways transport; upgrade of national power generation and distribution from 2,300 megawatts of national grid in May 2015 to over 7,100 megawatts by end of 2018. We implored Mr. President to sustain these remedial actions.

The increment in workers’ salaries with the President signing a New Minimum Wage Bill a fortnight ago and the expanding windows of the Social Investment Program (SIP) and the popular N-Power Jobs among many other similar schemes for the poorest of poor Nigerians are silent strategies of the administration in redistributing the country’s commonwealth, to majority of less privileged Nigerians, hitherto hijacked and concentrated in the hands of a few ruling elites.

The Abuja Accord also resolved that for Nigeria as a nation, it is incumbent on her citizens to necessarily embrace the new breeze of “Change,” as spearheaded by President Buhari. Nigerians are invited to boldly make a statement to the entire world by supporting initiatives, policies and programmes which lubricate this “Change,” as it is clear the FGN alone cannot make the desired impact. The cooperation and support of the citizenry is indispensable.

Therefore, Nigerians are challenged to imbibe new thoughts, values, perceptions and interpretations of national issues detached from personal proclivities or mundane contemplations. National interest should henceforth, be elevated above clannish or sectional interests.

To this end, all Nigerians, old or young are prodded to consciously work in the direction of assisting the central and various state governments in implanting a boisterous agenda of national cohesion, stability, peace and unity in all nooks and crannies of Nigeria.

These are only the firm pillars of a prosperous and burgeoning Nigeria. We cannot wish otherwise because these are the tripods that will foster rapid growth and development; whilst we de-emphasize pushy ethnic and religious sentiments, with the personal idiosyncratic approach to national issues. We are first of all, Nigerians before members of any community in the country.

Consequently, the Abuja Accord intensely and strongly condemned the resurgence of violence and killings in some parts of the country for whatever reasons. No nation attains its height of progress through such beastly manifestations.

It appreciated the inevitability of disputes or disagreements among people and communities. But it advocated for dialogue and amicable settlement as better, decent and more respectful weapon to adopt when such disagreements erupts or in conflict situations. It confers dignity on the feuding parties and the image of the country.


We pray for the souls of our brothers and sisters who have lost their lives in these unfortunate and senseless crises to rest in the bosom of Almighty God. We also wish the wounded quick recovery from their injuries, as we collectively pray for a cessation of the crises and against its resurgence anywhere in the country.

The Abuja Accord found it expedient to call on leaders of Nigeria at the lower rung; whether political, traditional or religious to be more circumspect in their utterances and actions on potentially explosive national issues. They have a moral obligation to support the Buhari Presidency on its path of Nigerian redemption.

Abuja parley extremely frowned at recent comments from religious and traditional leaders which infused ethno-religious sentiments in the lobbying for the constitution of President Buhari’s next cabinet and the emergence of the leadership of the 9th National Assembly (NASS).

The unhealthy informal debate between the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA). The two apex religious bodies in Nigeria seem at daggers drawn on a Christian or Muslim Senate President or Speaker of the House of Representatives, much against the trumpeted dictum of the new order of #NextLevel in Nigeria.

The Abuja Conference expressed extreme displeasure at voicing such sentiments on a Christian or Muslim President of the Senate or Speaker of the House of Representatives as a descent into the retrogressive past, which Nigerians are unwilling to romance or accommodate today in any nuance.

It was resolved that all religious leaders in the country should humbly and respectfully abstain from public partisan comments or leadership recommendations on the basis of religion.

Also, the Abuja Accord endorsed the resolution to humbly inform these religious leaders that it is against the spirit of inter-faith and religious harmony and national cohesion among Nigerians to display such abhorrent postures.

More so, as such recommendations are not the direct business of religious leaders, whose recognizable and godly duty is to pray fervently for the emergence of good leaders in the country. They should be concerned more about good leaders who would promote the idea of one Nigeria, as against the subsisting irrational segregation on religious fault lines.

Furthermore, the Abuja Accord also reached a resolution that all ethnic warlords and bigots who have identified the consistent castigation of security agencies as failing in taming insecurity in the country as their only noble duty to give peace a chance. They are counseled to allow security agents do their jobs undistracted by the often influenced dishonest views they propagate to the disservice of Nigeria.

It was acknowledged that traditional rulers and ethnic champions have greater roles to play in quelling crises in their respective domains than mere open rebuke of heads of security agencies over perceived wrongs. The penchant of traditional/ethnic leaders in constant interference with the governance process is also detestable and should be discarded.

And where there are genuine concerns about lapses in the operation of security agencies, these traditional leaders have the onerous responsibility to approach the heads of the security agency concerned to raise his observations and recommendations in a manner that confers dignity on all parties.

Such platforms will not erode the confidence of Nigerians in the job of these security agencies and oddly, ennoble the ethnic warmongers with a false sense of triumph over the Nigerian state as currently obtained. When leaders are disposed to national issues, especially on security in this porous manner, it does not lay the template for building the virile and great nation of our dreams.

Going forward, the Abuja Accord has resolved that President Buhari must necessarily serve Nigerians an all-round hard working cabinet as he takes the oath of office for his second term on May 29, 2019.

Mr. President is encouraged to search deeply and far to engage members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) who are competent, resourceful and committed to his “Change” and #NextLevel” mantra to assist him accomplish his wonderful dreams for Nigeria in the remaining four years.

Therefore, the Groups resolved to impress it on President Buhari to constitute his 2019 cabinet that will only work for Nigeria and not for an ethnic group or religion or section of the country.

The President should disregard ethnicity or religion in the consideration of the formation of his 2019 cabinet. He should shut his doors and ears to all ethnic and religious lobbyists and appoint competent Nigerian men and women, on merit to help him pilot the affairs of the nation.

The President was also advised to apply the same yardstick in the constitution of chairmen and members of boards of federal agencies and parastaltals, which are the major support pillars to ministries in execution of government policies, programmes and projects. This Group is insistent that Nigeria should come first, as against any ethnicity or religion.

Abuja Accord observed with dismay the shameful outings of some MDAs in the preceding years who returned unspent budgetary votes amounting to hundreds of billions of naira to government coffers at the end of fiscal years. This ugly scenario occurred even in MDAs covering sectors with severe developmental challenges; but whose heads were barren of initiatives to utilize the funds released to them to better the wellbeing of Nigerians.

The President must be aware that the years 2019-2023 are the periods of fresh renewed hope as argued by Nigerians with his second mandate. And it behooves on him to shake-off all ungodly and distracting influences to redeem Nigeria from the clutches of people and sentiments which have tethered the country to the strings of servitude for decades.

Third Republic Senate President, Sen. Ameh Ebute, has cautioned the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to forthwith depart the political arena for the main gladiators.

The country's Christian leaders recently delved into partisan politics, abandoning their primary assignment of soul-winning.

After pressure from all and sundry, the religious group sluggishly congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari, having previously taking side with the opposition.

Senator Ebute, however, advised CAN to de-robe itself from the garments of partisanship or political parties.

He gave this charge at the opening forum of a two-day international conference on politics, religion and ethnicity in Nigeria organized by the National Inter-Faith and Religious Organizations for Peace (NIFROP).

Senator Ebute was also very critical of Chairman of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) Prof. Ango Abdullahi, urging him to desist from reducing Nigeria or the geographical North to an ethnic or religious fiefdom.

“ Why do we draw the swords against ourselves for political, ethnic or religious reasons? Where and when did we abandon our cherished traditional norms of hospitality and brotherhood? Why the so much hate and animosities between brothers/sisters and among communities, over such molten factors, which ought to unite, rather than divide us?,” he queried.

“ I regret to say, we have deviated so extraneously from the solid foundations our founding fathers and world-recognized nationalists laid for the future of this great nation, Nigeria.

“ These great Nigerians did great things for Nigeria. Nobody actually heard about their religion, ethnicity or region in the country to the level of interfering with the delicate cords, which bind Nigeria together as one strong and indivisible entity in the resoluteness of unity.

“ In post- independence Nigeria, the Zik of Africa as he was popularly called told us that ‘Each of our three regions is vastly different in many respects, but each has this in common: that, despite variety of languages and custom or difference in climate, all forms part of one country which has existed as a political and social entity for fifty years. That is why we believe that the political union of Nigeria is destined to be perpetual and indestructible.’

“ We must also ponder on the wisdom of Sir Ahmadu Bello on unity and peace of Nigeria. He canvassed a proper understanding of ourselves for the unity of Nigeria in his reply to Zik of Africa thus; ‘… let us understand our differences. I am a Muslim and a Northerner. You are a Christian, an Easterner. By understanding our differences, we can build unity in our country.’

“ And the legendary Chief Obafemi Awolowo reminded us that; ‘Violence never settles anything right: apart from injuring your own soul, it injures the best cause. It lingers on long after the object of hate has disappeared from the scene to plague the lives of those who have employed it against their foes.’

“ This generation of Nigerians today are obliged to listen and reflect on these great wisdom the founding fathers as constant reminders to us about the desirability of peace. I shall indulge in futile deception, if I tell you these men never had disagreements or bruised one another in the course of their sojourn for Nigeria. They had aplenty!

“ But they considered the interest of Nigeria and Nigerians greater and paramount than personal feuds and never spilled blood over disputes. It’s a lesson for us to go back to our homes and reflect. It is the reason I am glad to be part of this momentous ceremony, which is time and essences is very useful to Nigeria.

“If you permit me, I will appeal to this congregation to take the message out loudly and indeed, to all Nigerians to follow your footsteps. I am excited at the fact that you have found in President Buhari a reincarnation of the souls and spirits of our founding fathers.

“ Whatever Nigeria’s forbearers’ wished for our nation, Nigeria, is embodied by President Buhari. He is now the trusted anchorman because we have seen in him the traits of a genuine leader, who does not only regret our shameful departure from the standpoint of this nation, but is also prepared to lead the path for our glorious recovery.

“ President Buhari is a rare leader, gifted to us at this of our political or existence history. And we are elected to rally around him to reclaim Nigeria from all the destructive forces of darkness.

“ May l also seize, this opportunity to appeal to some Northern leaders like Chairman of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) Prof. Ango Abdullahi to desist from reducing Nigeria or the geographical North to an ethnic or religious fiefdom in the larger equation of Nigeria.

“ Our dear country is home to all Nigerians. It’s pointless talking tough always on our ethnic or religious fault lines, instead of striving to reunify ourselves and a traumatized nation.

“ Similarly, I caution all religious leaders in Nigeria, especially those of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), my primary constituency, as a Christian, to de-robe themselves from the garments of partisanship or political parties. There is no need to heat the polity with inflammable comments at his delicate period of our history.

“ Religious leaders must necessarily leave politics for politicians, if we want this nation to progress in peace and unity. All of you must agree with me that our people have been wrongly indoctrinated to believe religion is something so sensitive enough to spark violence and killings.”

He sauntered on the pulpit with an over bloated ego and image of an emancipator or messiah. He wrapped himself in the toga of the revered Ikemba of Nnewi, Chief Odemegwu Ojukwu (of blessed memory) and solicited for red carpet treatments at traditional ceremonies of his kinsmen on the plank of championing the cause of an independent Republic of Biafra from Nigeria. But only outlaws were his companions and adherents.



Controversial leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) Mazi Nnamdi Kanu cleverly drugged this clan of minions with the infectious pill of marginalization of his people. They accepted it hook and sinker, unknowingly clapping at the face of a new “liberator” of Igbo nation. It was all fake and artificial!



Kanu had ulterior motives and later on, it manifested in his stealthy antics of extorting his people through a canny gimmicks he coated, as donations to the Biafran cause. The IPOB leader dispossessed both the poor and rich in Igboland, at home and in the diaspora.



What he could not extort from them through donations for a phony secessionists struggle, he raised a gang of armed criminals who lay siege on the Southeast, as armed robbers, killers, assassins, kidnappers for ransom and looters of raided shops/homes of their own people. Thus, he is nothing admirable beyond a conman of the finest breed, gatherer of armed criminals and an alarmist. But his palace jesters hailed him; those whose knowledge of freedom and liberation is only defined by a Republic of Biafra, ignored his antics and donated money to him.



Worthlessly, Kanu, within a short time displayed his true colours to Nigerians and his kinsmen. From a presumed separatist fighter, to a political activist to a conman and now a sex maniac and activist. No man worth his esteem, prides in violating the privacy and romantic fortress of his own wife- Uchechi Okwu Kanu in an embarrassing video that has gone viral.



But who has bewitched Kanu or his blind followers? To get a glimpse that Kanu has nothing upstairs, he stood up defending this disgraceful public immorality.



And perhaps, to cover his shame, Kanu tweeted that; “When I repeatedly announced on radio that you are intoxicatingly beautiful, most didn’t quite understand. Now millions can bear me witness. Even after childbirth, as adorably divine as ever. In the end we always win. #Biafra rocks!” It smacks more like yahoo boys hangout chats.



Nothing can demean a people and ridicule a cause like this latest outing of Kanu. It beats the imagination that some of his cultic followers have seen no wrong with it and in fact, are defending this sacrilege. They have narrowed it down to a personalized Kanu and his lifestyle, instead of looking at the broader picture of the damage to the cause he symbolizes.



IPOB chieftain, Uche Okafor-Mefor so brainlessly argued that “The video making rounds about the leader of IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is not new, it has been in circulation since 2013/2014 and as such nothing to be surprised about.”



But Kanu himself has not claimed it’s an old sex video. This was after Okafor-Mefor fruitlessly attempted to blame the current occupants of Aso Rock for sponsoring hackers to invade Kanu and Wife’s romantic session. If this account has any substance, was President Muhammadu Buhari in Aso Rock by 2013/2014 when Okafor-Mefor claimed the video was in circulation?



And anyone who stands logic on its head spews jaundiced thoughts like; “We note that employing of this cowardly conduct remains in the circumstances the only response-and-panic-control strategy from the already destabilized, panicky Aso Rock cabals and their e-rats to try to regain their battered and tattered image.”



Another IPOB fanatic also defended it by insisting there is nothing wrong with Kanu having sex with wife, which is very agreeable. However, to blind himself to the consciousness of personally or consenting to recording of MouthAction session of Kanu with his wife is the height of hypocrisy and downright carelessness by the IPOB leader. Cellphones could be misplaced, stolen or get into wrong hands for whatever reason and the videos could leak.



And insulting the sensibilities of Nigerians, this IPOB enthusiast attempted to liken Kanu to great warlords and averred so ghoulishly that “And one of the trademarks of this class of people from Hannibal, Caesar, Che, Ojukwu, Musaveni et al, is beautiful women. So, it even falls in on a good ground to depict Kanu as a woman's man, except that in this case, the said tape involves him and his wife.”



There is scant evidence that that Nnamdi Kanu’s personality is anywhere near any famed warlord, anywhere in the world. He came on stage when he formed IPOB and flaunted himself pretentiously as leader of a separatist movement. Initially, some gullible and unsuspecting Southeasterners believed his sermons. They thought a support to the cause was necessary and they did.



Shockingly, Kanu squandered this goodwill in a short time. What sold him out as a merchant of violence and extortion was the quality of those he assembled as foot soldiers. They were crooks, killers, assassins, criminals and the likes. That’s why it was easy for IPOB to callously execute extra-judicially those who opposed his brand of secession agitations.

Kanu’s close adherents were on a familiar terrain and an imposed sit-home order by IPOB on the Southeast was enough excuse for his armies to invade, kill and loot the people of their properties. No secession agitation anywhere in the world is anchored on such template or convention.



Armed robberies and kidnappings in the region exacerbated because of the armed miscreants in IPOB’s Biafra Secret Service (BSS) and the Biafra National Guard (BNG) who stepped up such criminal activities. It was the intervention of the Presidency through the Nigerian Army with the launch of “Operation Python Dance I, which flushed out the armed gangs that saved the entrapped people in the Southeast.





Sensing the realization of his dubiousness, Kanu and IPOB dabbled into political affairs by issuing reckless orders for Ndi’gbo to boycott governorship elections in Anambra and threatened to visit violence on those who would violate the order. IPOB initially adopted same posture on the 2019 general elections, but was only forced to backpedal when it became apparent, the federal government was not ready to tolerate any act that would lead to disruption of elections or prevent people from exercising their civic franchise.



The “Operation Python Dance II episode in 2017 at Kanu’s country home, Afaraukwu, Umuahia Abia state demonstrated the extent enemies of Nigeria hired and backed Kanu to destabilized Nigeria. His armed criminals went on the offensive against patrolling soldiers, in unprovoked attacks with dangerous weapons and some soldiers were wounded.



The alarmist Kanu disappeared and went underground, possibly outside the country. His supporters who sought to twist the narrative claimed he was murdered by state forces. Sensational tales were contrived about his alleged assassination by Nigerian troops to attract sympathy.



Months later, the IPOB leader ‘reincarnated” and was first spotted in public praying at City of David in Jerusalem, Israel. Thereafter, Kanu went into prolonged hiding, only for him to now appear in a scandalous MouthAction video with his wife.



Leaders of liberation movements do not play the game by tricks; they do not abandon supporters and the cause in the heat of tribulations. So, Nnamdi Kanu is undeserving of the veneration of warlord by every gage. He is just a gold digger, exploiting the wealth and passion of his people for a Biafran state in the guise of separatism struggles.



At least, the FGN has established that IPOB’s leader Nnamdi Kanu is funded from home, by diasporaens and some foreign countries through donations in an account domiciled in France. He’s being feeding fat on it.

But those who are paying Kanu and funding the aberrational activities of IPOB to discredit the Buhari Presidency have been shamed. The IPOB leader has fallen from grace to grass and Buhari, the leader Kanu was paid to hate so much is having the last laugh.



First, Nigeria has remained one indivisible and united entity in the comity of nations. And the IPOB leader has ended up publicizing himself as a debauch, conman and spineless porn star, who has no value even for the unclothedness of his own wife.


Ugo is a development expert and wrote this piece from London, United Kingdom.

The Coalition of Minority Tribes in Nigeria has called on the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the last election, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, to apologise to Nigerians and return to Cameroon or seek naturalization.

The group made this demand following the recent revelation by the All Progressives Congress that Atiku is a nationality of Cameroon and not a Nigerian.

The group said what Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has done by concealing his identity is tantamount to crimes against humanity and must tender an unreserved apology to Nigerians.

Addressing a news conference on Monday, Abdulmuminu Hassan, Secretary-General of the group said former head of state, General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida must have realized the true nationality of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, hence, the reason why he refused to appoint him as the Comptroller General of the Nigerian Customs Service.


It further gave him a 21-day ultimatum to return to Cameroon to reunite with his family members.

Full text of his speech below.

This same scenario could also be the reason why former President Olusegun Obasanjo refused to allow him to succeed him as President of Nigeria in 2007. This much was stated by former president Olusegun Obasanjo in his autobiography “My Watch” where he stated in unequivocal terms that the paternity of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar was “shadowy.”

We are therefore constrained to state that it is such a shame that the Nigerian authorities have allowed such a sham fester for decades without detecting, and thereby causing Nigeria and Nigerians the opportunity to develop her country the way Nigerians would do.

The Conference of Minority Tribes in Nigeria is indeed alarmed that the paternity of Alhaji Atiku was unlet undetected and he aspired and held the number two position of Vice President in Nigeria.

His consequent actions while he was Vice President of Nigeria tells of a man who was hell-bent on destroying the country.

His relationship with Simon Ateba, a Nigerian based Cameroonian journalist that was arrested in Cameroon for being a spy is also suspect and leaves more to be imagined.

Consequently, the Conference of Minority Tribes in Nigeria wishes to use this medium to issue a 21-day ultimatum to Alhaji Atiku Abubakar return to Cameroon to reunite with his family members. This is important to save Nigerians the trauma of having to deal with his nationality.

The Conference of Minority also wishes to advise Alhaji Atiku Abubakar to in an alternative solution seek naturalization as a Nigerian by applying to the Federal Ministry of Interior in Nigeria. This way Nigerians would forgive him for his sins and show him understanding since he has lived the better part of his life in Nigeria. Though at great disservice to Nigeria.

The Conference of Minority Tribes in Nigeria shall not hesitate to mobilize its members across the nook and crannies in Nigeria to a street protest should Alhaji Atiku Abubakar fail to tender unreserved apologies to Nigerians, and also return to Cameroon or seek naturalisation in Nigeria.

Source: http://www.streetreporters.ng/atiku-gets-21-day-ultimatum-to-return-to-cameroon-apologise-to-nigerians/