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ONAC Urge FG To Caution Governor Oborevwori Over Alleged Plot To Take Over Its Territories

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By Akinwale Kasali

Delta State Governor,  Sheriff Oborevwori has been indicted by Pan Yoruba Group, O’odua Nationalist Coalition, ONAC, for allegedly plotting to take over Itsekiri territories in the State.

The Group alerted the Federal Government

to address the grievances of Itsekiri people over plots by Governor Oborevwori in collaboration with some ethnic groups to take, by force, territories belonging to the Itsekiris.

ONAC alleged that the Governor of Delta State appears to be on a vengeance-seeking mission with the sole aim of rewriting the almost 1000-year old history of the Itsekiri people that is well documented and preserved by local and international authorities.

The Pan Yoruba group said on Friday said that Governor, in collaboration with some unscrupulous officials in the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, are plotting the delineation of Wards to reduce the Itsekiri voting potentials and to further stunt the future of the ethnic group.

In a statement after its National meeting held at Ibadan, Oyo State Capital, signed by Chief Akinola Adelugba and Usman Oriola,  ONAC said the Yoruba Nation is following with keen interests conscious plans to alienate and subdue the Itsekiri people by all means necessary.

The group said the plan will only fuel a major crisis that may create instability in the Niger-Delta region.

It further accused the State Governor of carrying out policies that overrule various existing Judgements of the Supreme Court on land ownership in Warri Kingdom. ONAC said there can never be two Kings in one Kingdom.

The statement reads in parts: “The Yoruba Nation is blood-bound with the Itsekiri. We stand shoulder-by-shoulder, heart-by-heart and hand-by hand to protect and vehemently defend the interests of each other wherever there is a threat. We warn of dire consequences if the Delta State Governor and his collaborators continue with the grand plot to destroy Itsekiri Nation”.

The group accused the State Governor of creating artificial Kings right on land owned by Itsekiri people.

ONAC said that since 1999, the government had tried to pick people from the streets and declare them Kings in order to polarise the heritage of Itsekiri people and undermine the ancient authority of the Itsekiri.

“Royalty is being created where there were one. Crowns are being purchased from street hawkers to establish fake Kingdoms on Itsekiri land. The Governor should stop his primordial instincts of face serious consequences for his criminal actions”, ONAC said.

Itcalso alleged the ethnic policies of the State Government that risk sending Delta State to an era of atomic society in perpetual conflict with itself.

The Group which is a coalition of several Pan Yoruba groups established in the year 1999.

The coalition said since 1999, successive governments in Delta State with the exception of former Governor, Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan have tried to subdue the Itsekiri through various policies that are calculated to destroy them.

“The Yoruba Nation and Itsekiri will not accept this. We are going to work with our Itsekiri brothers, live together and fight together our common enemies. Any attack on Itsekiri is an attack on the Yoruba Nation”, the group stated.

PDP’s Call For Resignation Of Ondo Attorney General Baseless – APC

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Kayode Ajulo SAN

By Ayodele Oni

The Ondo State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has  condemned the call by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for the resignation of Attorney General & Commissioner for Justice, Olukayode Ajulo SAN.

The PDP, in a statement had accused the Attorney General of misinforming Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa on the setting up of caretaker committees for local governments after Supreme Court judgement which derecognized  the idea.

Reacting to the call for resignation, the APC, in a statement on Thursday described it as baseless and laughable.

The statement, signed by Steve Otaloro, APC spokesman stated that “We, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State, strongly condemn the recent baseless ranting of the Ondo State People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for their demands for the resignation of Dr. Kayode Ajulo, Ondo State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice.

“The demand by the opposition party asking the state Attorney General to resign for simply doing his lawful job is laughable and amounts to taking politics to the extreme.

“The suggestion that Dr. Ajulo be stripped of his Senior Advocate of Nigeria title over his actions in defending the position of the government is absurd and unfounded.

“Dr. Ajulo was not appointed by the PDP, and his title as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria is a result of his decades of contribution to the legal system and his unblemished credentials as a constitutional lawyer.

“The PDP and their co-travelers should understand that the Attorney General’s submissions on the issue are clear and valid.

“The PDP should focus on putting their house in order and preparing for the upcoming election, rather than making baseless accusations and calling for the resignation of a public office holder.

“We urge them to engage in constructive dialogue and respect the diversity of views in our democracy.”

Again, Customs Intercepts 12,000 Pieces Of China Made  Cutlasses, Others Worth N292 Million

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Customs Seized China Made Cutlasses

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The frivolous nature of some of the importations in the country came into focus on Friday, July 19, 2024.

This followed the display of seized  imported 12,000 pieces of machetes and cutlasses, expired pharmaceutical products and frozen chicken by the Apapa Command of the Nigeria Customs Service NCS.

The seized items with a street value of over N292 million, were laden in seven containers.

The interception was done on Thursday July 18, 2024, according to the Comptroller of the Apapa Port Command of the NCS, Babatunde Olomu.

While parading the seized contraband items, Olomu noted that the products imported are clearly against schedule 3 of the revised import prohibition list of the Common External Tariff CET, and equally violets section 233 of the Nigeria Customs Act of 2023.

“On Thursday, July 17, 2024, the Command seized 2x40ft containers carrying 12,000 pieces of cutlasses and machetes ,2x40ft container carrying 4,129 packages of frozen chicken, 1x40ft container carrying 368 jumbo bales of used clothing and 1x40ft container of expired pharmaceutical products “the Comptroller stated.

According to him, the cutlasses and machetes were imported from China, while the expired pharmaceutical drugs and frozen chicken came in from India and Turkey respectively.

The feat was achieved with the assistance of actionable intelligence, as well as the uncompromising posture of Customs operatives towards a one hundred percent examination of consignments before leaving the port and or terminal.

Comptroller Olomu vowed that  the Command will not relent in its resolve to enforce all extant rules governing declaration of consignments, concealment, under declaration and under valuation of goods, while at the same improving its drive for maximum revenue collection and trade facilitation.

The Apapa Port Area Comptroller of NCS warned that the Command will continue to wage a sustained war against smuggling and other unwholesome activities.

In doing this,Olomu said the NCS operatives are also enforcing the rules ,of other security agencies, including NAFDAC.

Only genuine transactions, will be allowed to pass through the Apapa Port, the Comptroller noted.

Secondus Wants Wike Investigated Over Alleged Threats To Lives

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Uche Secondus and Nyesom Wike

The former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Prince Uche Secondus has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to direct a thorough investigation into the series of allegations of threats to lives against the Minister of the FCT Bar Nysom Wike.

Prince Secondus said this has become necessary following a series of allegations against the Minister in the public space.

He warned that bloodshed for the sake of politics in Rivers state must stop and called on all the relevant Security Agencies to do everything to respect the sanctity of life.

The former PDP boss who reacted to the recent threat-to-life allegations made against Barr. Nysom Wike by the National Chairman of Zenith Labour Political Party, Chief Dan Nwanyanwu, plus similar reports in the past on a member of the House of Representatives. Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere and former Minister of Transport Dr Abiye Sekibo urged Security Agencies to carry out a thorough investigation on the matter to nip it in the bud.

“Any action that would lead to the intimidation and cowing of persons with opposing views on issues must be discouraged in a democratic era.”

Chief Nwanyanwu had

raised serious alarm on Tuesday following his press interview on the crisis in Rivers state where he chastised Barr Wike for undue interference, after which he alleged that a man he identified as Moses Emmanuel believed to be the Minister’s hatchet man confronted him at Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja threatening to kill him.

According to Prince Secondus in a statement in Abuja, ‘’A good politician and a democrat should rely on his popularity, not on the use of coercion to achieve his aim.

‘‘If the former Governor now resorts to threats to life on everyone who has an opposing view to his own, it then means he has lost the people’s legitimacy and the earlier he realizes this the better for him’’

Prince Secondus said that the attitude of the former Governor is unflattering and ugly-looking when recalled that he also recently threatened a serving Senator of the Federal Territory, Senator Ireti Kingibe for having an opposing view on the way he was running the affairs of her Senatorial area.

Prince Secondus called on the President to rein in the Minister and put a check on his reckless and impetuous attitude before he brought huge embarrassment to his administration.

“To avoid a decisive action on these critical allegations now amidst the biting economic hardship in the country is to set fears in the society on innocent people.”

Finally, Prince Secondus commended Chief Nwanyanwu and Hon.Ugochinyere who continue to stand for what is true and just on Rivers matter despite coming from another state.

Senate Now Puppet In The Hand Of President – Atiku, On Removal Of Ndume As Chief Whip

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Atiku Abubakar

By Ayodele Oni

Presidential Candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in 2023 election, Atiku Abubakar has accused the national assembly of condoling the recklessness of the executive arm of government.

Reacting to the removal of Ali Ndume as Chief Whip of the senate for criticizing President Bola Tinubu, he stated that it was unfortunate that senators were being sanctioned for performing their statutory duties.

Atiku, who also cited Senator Abdul Ningi’s suspension earlier this year over claims of budget padding, said the health of Nigeria’s democracy is being compromised by the unholy alliance between the executive and the legislature which portends to a dictatorship.

This decision  to remove Ndume and replace him with Mohammed Monguno, was conveyed through a letter addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, signed by the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, and the National Secretary, Ajibola Bashiru.

The letter, titled “Complaints Against the Unbecoming Utterances of Sen. Ali Ndume,” was read by Akpabio during the plenary session.

He pointed out that the Legislative arm of Government was conceived as a means of protecting the people from the authoritarian tendencies of wielders of state powers by ensuring the executive does not go overboard in the application of its powers.

“Regrettably, however, the democracy in Nigeria in the current administration of President Bola Tinubu has become an anathema to that general principle of democracy as providing primary protection for the people against executive excesses

“This ugly tendency is being manifested by the steady posturing of our National Assembly, especially the Senate, of taking a reverse course in its core function and becoming a puppet in the hands of the President.

“It is uncharitable that whenever members of the Senate stand on the floor of the red chamber to perform their statutory duty of calling the executive to order, they are immediately reprimanded for doing so.

“When Senator Abdul Ningi called attention of the country to the incident of budget padding in the 2024 Appropriation bill, rather than calling for a thorough investigation into the observation, the reaction of the Senate was to hand him a suspension.

“Only yesterday, Senator Ali Ndume called for the President to wake up to his responsibilities and provide succour to address the biting hunger and poverty in the country.

“Ironically, the response of the @NGRSenate to his patriotic warning is to relieve him of his principal office as the Chief Whip of the Senate.”

Atiku emphasized that there has been persistent solicitations for Government to put its priorities on canceling the excruciating hardship in the land and suspend plans of spending scarce resources on the purchase of new aircraft for the presidential fleet.

“The Senate took a stand against the people and ignored the voices of altruism by decorating the President with controversial purchases of an aircraft and a yacht amidst the worst material conditions of the average citizen in the history of our country.

“We are, therefore, beginning to see a pattern in which the National Assembly has become an enabler of executive recklessness, and the concerns of the people stand in the nadir of priority list of the legislature.

“This emerging reality must stop. The health of our democracy is being compromised by this unholy alliance between the executive and the legislature and portends a dictatorship that will worsen the lot of the people,”

My Ordeal Took Place In Abuja, Not Kaduna – Kwanmanda, Brutalized Kano APC Chieftain

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By Suleiman Anyalewechi

More questions appear to have been thrown up concerning the brutalization of Danbiliki Kwanmanda, the vocal political actor from Kano state.

The fiery Kano All Progressive Congress, APC, top notch was on Wednesday, July 17, subjected to a despicable torture,whipping and dehumanization by some  unidentified persons over his alleged criticisms of some political forces.

In a viral video, Danbiliki was shown handcuffed, and being made to sock series of flogging by some who repeatedly posed the question- Why are you insulting the Kaduna state Governor.?

Wide spread speculations said the incident took place some where in Kaduna.

But speaking with The Source Thursday night ,July 18, Kwamanda, informed that contrary to popular belief, his ordeal happened in Abuja ,the Federal Capital Territory and not in Kaduna State.

According to him, the ugly incident took place at about 9.30 pm on Wednesday, July 17.

“I was accosted by someone who identified himself as a policeman. He showed me his identity card. There were about five others with him.

“He told me that I was under arrest and thereafter, they handcuffed me, posing all manners questions to me .

“I was severely flogged, tortured and humiliated. Up till now, I cannot fathom what actually is my offence.

“But they kept on asking me why I should be insulting and criticising some people in power and position of authority.” Kwanmanda stated.

In the video clip ,his traducers ,accused him of abusing the Kaduna state Governor, Ubah Sani.

However, the Kaduna State Governor, on Thursday July 18, washed his hands off the unfortunate incident, insisting he had no reason to be associated with such  bestiality.

In a statement issued by his Media Aide, Muhammad Lawal Shehu, the Governor vowed to get to the root of the embarrassing development.

“His Excellency, Governor Uba Sani has, therefore, ordered full investigation into the alleged incident. He is determined to get to the root of the incident and will ensure that the full wrath of the law is brought to bear on anyone found culpable.

“The Governor of Kaduna State is a long standing fighter for  fundamental rights and freedom. He has never wavered in his commitment to the promotion and protection of civil rights ,rule of law and due process.

“He will not, under any circumstances, detail anyone to brutalize a person for holding a contrary opinion.” part of the statement reads .

With the man at the centre of the incident debunking speculations that the incident took place in Kaduna, more questions appear to have arisen as to who are really after the vocal Kano political actor  and why?

If his ordeal never took place in Kaduna, what then is the connection with the Kaduna Governor?  Are some forces trying to play a smart one by selling a decoy in dropping the name and office of the Governor of Kaduna state,?

For one, Kwanmanda’s fearless activities are better recorded and known in Kano, his home state. His criticisms of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP- led Kano State Government, its mentor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and staunch opposition to the reinstatement of Muhammad Sanusi as the Emir of Kano are well documented .

This is even as he had paid some prices for such contrary opinions and stance not in Kaduna ,but Kano, before now

The focal point of his political activities even pre- 1999 has been in the commercial nerve centre of the North ,not Kaduna .

This has raised the question about  where actually between Kaduna and Kano, the travails of Kwanmada are actually coming from .

Dele Momodu To Okupe: Tinubu Can’t Succeed With People Like You Advising Him

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Okupe and Dele Momodu

My dear Egbon, DR DOYIN OKUPE, I’m more amazed at your flip-flops Sir. You’re Reno’s senior in engaging in sophistry since your days as Obasanjo’s Spokesman in 1999, till you fell out. You’ve defended almost all governments since then with your eloquence. What has Nigeria gained!

(I’ve been consistently in opposition in the last 42 years. Even the Buhari that I supported, regrettably, in 2015, I dumped within two months when I saw a total lack of direction, and I’ve apologised profusely and endlessly. I will never defend useless government policies. There’s nothing more we want Nigeria to give us at this age and stage than good Leadership…)

You and I met at the London Hilton Metropole in the dying days of the Jonathan government and you boasted that no Jupiter can defeat Jonathan in an election. We had a bet of 20k USD and you lost. You begged me for debt forgiveness just two years ago at the Transcorp Hilton Abuja…

I’m sure you must have persuaded the gentleman that since the economists rated Nigeria very high, he can never be defeated. But you forgot that a government must never rely solely on theoretical economic indices. It must be balanced with real and practical economy.

(About two months ago, President William Ruto of Kenya was given Royal welcome to the White House in Washington DC. Today, he is being treated like a pariah in his own country. Heaps of praises from Western world cannot guarantee a safe economy…)

You later worked on the Presidential bid of Senate President DR ABUBAKAR BUKOLA SARAKI before ending up with GOVERNOR PETER OBI. I won’t bother about the outcomes. Like Reno, I acknowledge your brilliance, but only both of you know why TINUBU is your sudden IDOL…

The people of Nigeria have never had things so bad and you’re both defending a profligate government with untenable economic hocus pocus…

I will personally carry TINUBU on my head if he’s able to cut the reckless spending of his government, make palpable sacrifices, ignite agricultural revolution, empower our brilliant and energetic youths with vocational grants instead of distributing cash to phantom politicians, etc… But with advisers like you, no government can succeed.”

CBN: Naira Picks After Apex Bank Dollar Sales To BDCs

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Forex in Nigeria - Dollar and Naira Price CBD

The Naira has rebounded in value following the week-long depreciation of the Nigerian currency at both parallel and official markets.

The development followed the resumption of dollars sales to BDCs by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, after months of hiatus.

The last time the apex bank sold dollars to BDC was in April this year, since then the naira has depreciated against the America Green Back, and other foreign currencies consistently.

On Thursday, the apex bank announced the sales of $20,000 to BDCs thereby reversing the sharp depreciation of the currency. The Nigerian currency was exchanged for N1,572 at the parralel market, following what financial experts described as a timely intervention by the Yemi Cardoso-led CBN.

According to the circular issued by A.A Mahdi, the Acting Director, Trade and Exchange Department of the CBN, $20,000 has been sold to registered BDCs across the country.

The bank has also directed the BDCs to sell to end users at not more than !.5 profit margin, which means that the BDCs are expected to sell at not more than N1,4 75.75 after buying for N1,450 from the apex bank.

The CBN stated:   “Following the on-going reforms in the foreign exchange market, with the objective of achieving an appropriate market determined exchange rate for the Naira, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has observed the continued distortions in the retail end of the market, which 1s feeding into the Parallel market and further widen the exchange rate premium.

“To this end, the CBN has approved the sales of FX to eligible Bureau De Change (BDCs) to meet the demand for invisible transactions. The sum of $20,000 is to be sold to each BDC at the rate of N1,450/$ (representing the lower band of the trading rate at Nigeria Foreign Exchange Market, NAFEM in the previous trading day).

“All BDCs are allowed to sell to eligible end-users at a margin NOT MORE THAN one point five percent (1.5 %) above the purchase rate from CBN.

“All eligible BDCs are directed to make the Naira payment to the listed CBN Naira Deposit Account Numbers and submit confirmation of payment with other necessary documentation for disbursement at the appropriate CBN Branches — (ABUJA, AWKA, KANO and LAGOS),’ the apex bank said.

Danbilki, Unrepentant Critic Of Emir Sanusi, Kwankwaso And Gov Yusuf, Brutalized  In Kaduna, Gov Sani Distances  Self From Incident

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By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Kaduna State Government has distanced itself from the manhandling and brutalization of  a top Kano All Progressive Congress, APC, stalwart Alhaji Danbiliki Kwanmanda.

In a viral video currently in circulation, the fiery Kano politician, and a top member of the Tinubu/ Shettima Campaign Organization, was seen being whipped and beating mercilessly, by yet-to-be identified persons in Kaduna.

For one ,down in Kano he has been an unrepentant critic of Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankaso ,Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and the now Kano State reinstated 16th Emir of Kano Muhammad Sanusi.

Only in February, the vocal politician  on a Kano-based Radio programme sounded the  alarm over plans by Governor Yusuf to dethrone existing Emirs and reinstate Sanusi.

He had, during the radio programme, alleged that since coming to power, Governor Yusuf and his godfather Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, had been perfecting plans to bring back deposed Emir Sanusi.

“Commander” as he is popularly known across Kano, threatened that he will mobilize to make the State ungovernable for the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP Government, should they go ahead to disrupt the existing Kano Royal structure.

He was subsequently arrested and arraigned by  security agencies on the orders of the State Government. For several days, he was remanded in  custody by a Kano Magistrate Court.

Coincidentally ,his arrest came a few minutes before a scheduled interview with The Source .

On Thursday, May 23,  2024, his alarm or rather his prediction came to pass ,with the dethronement of Emir Aminu Ado Bayero of Kano and four others to pave way for the reinstatement of Sanusi.

Accusing fingers are being pointed relentless at the Kaduna state Government over his ordeal.

But in a statement issued on Thursday July,18, 2024 by Muhammad Lawal Shehu,  Media Aide to Governor Ubah Sani ,the State Government informed that it has ordered  a full scale investigation into the brutalization of the Kano State APC chieftain.

According to the statement ,Governor Sani is determined to get to the root of the unfortunate incident, and has assured that the  full weight of the law will be visited on the perpetrators.

Below is the full text of the Kaduna state Government statement.

“The attention of the Kaduna State Government has been drawn to a video that has gone viral showing one Dan Balki Commander being whipped by unidentified persons. In the video, accusing fingers were pointed at the Kaduna State Government.

“The Kaduna State Government wishes to strongly disassociate itself from the heinous act. It is not in our character. Such barbaric acts have no place in a decent society.

“We stand for the rule of law and due process. Our administration is anchored on justice, equity, fairness, inclusivity and respect for the dignity of the human person.

“Since assuming office in May 2023, Kaduna State Government under the able leadership of Senator Uba Sani has been working assiduously to rebuild trust and give all citizens of the State a sense of belonging. We accommodate all shades of opinion and have created a conducive atmosphere for all political views to thrive.

“The Governor of Kaduna State is a long standing fighter for fundamental rights and freedoms. He has never wavered in his commitment to the promotion and protection of civil rights, rule of law and due process. He will not, under any circumstances, detail anyone to brutalize a person for holding a contrary opinion.

“His Excellency, Governor Uba Sani has therefore ordered full investigation into the alleged incident. He is determined to get to the root of the incident and will ensure that the full wrath of the law is brought to bear on anyone found culpable.

“Signed
Muhammad Lawal Sheh HBu
Chief Press Secretary
To The Kaduna State Governor
18th July,2024”

Pegging Varsity Admission To 18 Years Policy Designed Against South, Middle Belt – Pan Yoruba Group

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By Akinwale Kasali

Pan Yoruba Group under the aegis of Alliance for Yoruba Democratic Movement, AYDM, has frowned at the decision of the Federal Government to peg University and Polytechnic admission at 18 years. It  stressed that the policy is  driven by ethnic interests.

The Minister for Education, Mamman Tahir, had on Thursday, ordered all Tertiary Institutions to stick to the Federal Government’s Policy of offering admission to only candidates from age 18 and above.

But the AYDM insists it is a deliberate policy against the South and the Middle Belt Regions.

In a statement on Thursday by the Group’s Secretary General, Popoola Ajayi, the AYDM said the idea of having higher education admission pegged at 18 years will affect no fewer than 20 million Nigerian students with 99 percent of them from the South and the Middle Belt.

The group called on Southern and Middle Belt states to resist what it  called the “obnoxious policy”.

AYDM, a coalition of 130 Pan Yoruba and Itsekiri groups said the attempt of the policy was based on the strategic thinking of filling the current education gap skewed against the core North.

The Group said Nigeria is gradually moving towards greater and dangerous unitarianism where fundamental decisions that affect the livelihood of Nigerians will be taken by individuals.

It lamented that instead of the National Assembly presiding over fundamental issues on Education, the Minister has autocratically assigned the role of Alpha and Omega to himself.

AYDM queried the Minister to explain to Nigerians which research study or conference he organised where such a fundamental decision was arrived at.

He said, “The AYDM and the Yoruba Nation rejects this terrible assault on the knowledge industry. In Europe and in the US, the hub of Western education, there are University graduates that came out of school at 10 years.”

He said “the policy destroys creativity, talents and endowment given by God. It is obnoxious and savage to think that a 16 year old person cannot learn when such a child had performed wonderfully throughout his or her educational career in the secondary schools.”

The AYDM added that Children who are 16 Years can be allowed to beg on the streets but they are banned from University or Polytecnic Education.

“Children who are 16 Years can join Boko Haram and terrorists but they are banned from University Education.

“Students who are 16 Years can go into armed robbery but they are banned from University Education. 16 years old can marry and have children but they are banned from University Education” the AYDM said.

The group called on groups across the Middle Belt and the South to unite in the effort to thwart and destroy the primordial agenda of the Minister of Education.

The AYDM said in decent democracies, under aged children with talents are encouraged to actualize their potentials and not to destroy and take away from them the gifts of God.