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Abuja: Prayers Saved Many Nigerians From Covid, Says Akpabio

December 4, 2023

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has Many Nigerians would have been killed by Covid 19 if not for prayer.

Akpabio made this known in Abuja on Sunday night as the chief host at the Nigerian Television Authority’s, NTA, Carol Night, 2023, which was held at the National Ecumenical Centre, Abuja, the nation’s capital.

The global pandemic which swept the world in 2020 killed close to 15 million people, including in Nigeria where over 3000 died from the strange pandemic.

The Nigerian Senate President, said the situation would have been worse in Nigeria if not for divine intervention as a result of praying Nigerians to God.

Indeed, there was doubts at the time that Nigerians and other African countries will not be able to handle the situation.

According to Akpabio, “I used to ask myself a question, what if we were not praying? In a difficult time such as we faced during COVID-19, a lot of people in the world thought Nigeria was going to go down with every household carrying dead bodies, but God thought otherwise because of the prayers of the Church and prayers of good men who struggled with the belief that God will intervene and God intervened not just for Nigeria but for the rest of the world.

“The administration of President Bola Tinubu believes strongly in renewing the hope of all Nigerians; so it is coming very apt at this time. Our hope is being renewed in the activities going on.

“The joy of this Christmas starting from the 3rd day of December shows us clearly that you have been steadfast for 20 years.”

Speaking on the yearly event, the former Akwa Ibom state governor said he broke the Guiness Book of Records by organizing a concert with the largest choir while in office as governor.

He said while he was governor “I drew the attention on a yearly basis of about 59 countries to know that Jesus has come and therefore we organised the largest choir on earth and we broke the Guinness book of records and it is still there till today. My people named it after me, Godswill Akpabio Choir.

“Just as the star led the way to the humble manager in Bethlehem, Jesus continues to light the path for those who place their trust in Him.

“His birth represents a promise, a divine covenant calling us out of darkness into His marvellous light. His life exemplifies limitless compassion, forgiveness, and unwavering love.

“By embracing Jesus as our hope, we discover strength, redemption, and the promise of eternal life. In Nigeria, the power of hope resonates deeply within us. We have faced our fair share of trials and tribulations, but our faith and the hope found in the message of Jesus have kept us resilient.

“In a world grappling with uncertainty, strife, and challenges, Jesus remains the beacon of hope, offering solace and assurance to all who seek Him.

“Today, as we celebrate Christmas in unity and love, let us rekindle that hope within our hearts, inspiring change, forgiveness, and compassion towards one another.

“This Christmas carol event, graciously organized by the

Nigeria Television Authority serves as a reminder for us all that our hope in Jesus shall never fail because God’s word shall never pass away. His love which was made manifest In Christmas shall never cease and it brings goodwill and peace

to all of mankind.

“In celebration of this, we have come to witness the power of music, transcending barriers, and touching the depths of our souls. We are reminded of the angelic music the shepherds heard when they heralded his birth. As we embrace these harmonious melodies, let us remember that they, too, carry the message of hope through the ages, reminding us of Jesus’ everlasting impact on humanity,” he stated.

Miyetti Allah Too Lawless Under Ex-President Buhari, Tinubu Should Watch – Igboho

Ayodele Oni

December 3, 2023

By Ayodele Oni

Yoruba nation activist, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, has insisted that some alleged killer Fulani herders must be stopped from re-igniting tension and atmosphere of insecurity in any part of Nigeria, most especially in the agrarian communities and settlements in Yorubaland by the security agencies.

Igboho’, in a statement on Sunday, was apparently reacting to National President of Miyetti Allah, Kautal Hore, Abdullahi Bello Bodejo, for dismissing his recent quit notice to Fulani herders to vacate the Southwest.

He said the nation’s constitution does not support mindless killings of farmers, vicious rape of their wives and destruction of farmlands, which were rampant during the immediate past administration of ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, stressing that President Bola Tinubu will not tolerate such unwholesome developments.

He pointed out that though Nigeria’s Constitution allows citizens to reside in any part of the country, “it does not support herders under whatever guise to graze cattle on the farmlands, kill farmers struggling to eke their living and rape their wives and daughters.”

In a personally signed statement, Igboho said: “It is glaring that Bodejo is merely seeking undue recognition through his unjustifiable position on the carnage by his fellow Fulani herders which had caused untold hardship for small and large scale farmers, even in the North and more prominently in the South, where they often move their cattle to graze farms and destroy cash crops.

“It is imperative for the Miyetti Allah group to be conscious of the fact that the acts of lawlessness permeated by former President Muhammadu Buhari will not hold sway under the immediate incumbent President Bola Tinubu.

“It will do them a lot of good to perish the thought of unprovoked attacks on farmers, particularly in the South West, where we have lost many innocent farmers. Relevant security agencies and the people will not allow them to further compound the woes of the common man.”

“We are again charging the heads of security agencies to redouble their efforts and strategies in ensuring that the sustenance of peace and tranquility in all parts of the country, including all the states in the South West so that farmers and agrarian communities will not be subjected to terror and violent attacks by rogue Fulani herders and cattle rustlers.

“While we believe in the efficiency of the Police, the Department of State Security (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and other paramilitary agencies to ensure security of lives and properties, we want to charge our people to be vigilant and quickly report any act capable of breaching the peace in their respective communities and locations.

PDP Faults Election Judgements, Foresees Election Apathy With Increasing Contradictory Judgements

Ayodele Oni

December 3, 2023

By Ayodele Oni

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has bemoaned contradictory court judgements on election petitions, expressing fear that this will increase voter apathy in Nigeria.

PDP Chairman in Plateau, Chris Hassan who spoke to the News Agency on Sunday in Jos was reacting to the recent judgments of the appeal court that nullified the election of Gov. Caleb Mutfwang and some members of the State and National Assembly from Plateau.

The appellate court had cited lack of valid structure in the PDP as grounds for its judgments.

But Hassan faulted the judgments and described them as a ”miscarriage of justice”, insisting that the judges relied on technicalities rather than facts.

According to him, the contradictory judgments would reduce the participation of most Nigerians in the electoral process.

”Everybody knows that some of the recent judgments of the appeal court on elections were not base on facts but technicalities; the case of Plateau, Kano, Nasarawa state, among others are clear examples.

”What this implies is that the judiciary is not only destroying our democracy, but these judgments will increase voter apathy in future.

”In the case of Plateau for instance, Governor Caleb Mutfwang overwhelmingly won his election with 525,299 votes to defeat Dr Nentawe Yilwatda of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who polled 481,370 votes.

”This simply means that majority of Plateau people actually want Mutfwang as their governor.

”So, if our judiciary continue like the it is going, most Nigerians will not be motivated to participate in future elections because they know that their votes will not count.”

The chairman also faulted the claim of the appellate court that PDP lacked valid structure, insisting that his party had complied with the directive of the state High Court in Jos.

He described PDP as an organized party from inception, adding that it promotes internal democracy and abide by the rule of law.

Intels Business Deals: “I Am No Longer One Of Owners” – Atiku

Ayodele Oni

December 3, 2023

By Ayodele Oni

Former Nigerian Vice President and 2023 Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has said it is mischievous to still regard him as a beneficiary of the Federal Government’s recent reinstatement of Integrated Logistic Services Nigeria Limited (Intels), boat pilotage monitoring business.

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), through a letter dated November 30 and addressed to all shipping companies, announced the reinstatement of Intels as the monitoring provider for the Authority’s service boat operations in the pilotage districts.

Clarifying the situation, Atiku Abubakar took to his official Facebook page to set the record straight on Sunday.

He explained that he sold his shares in Intel in January 2021 to Orlean Investment Group, the parent company of Intels.

“The phased sale of those shares that commenced in 2018 peaked in December 2020. Intels also made public my exit from the oil and gas logistics company, meaning that a different entity now owns those shares I sold.

“My divestment from the company that I co-founded has not been reversed. Consequently, I cannot, by any stretch of the imagination, be a beneficiary of the reinstatement of the boat pilotage monitoring business that was previously associated with Intels.”

He further dismissed claims alleging his involvement, terming them as untrue and mischievous.

SERAP Faults Wike’s 2024 Budget Proposal For FCT, Urges Senate Not To Approve It

Akinwale Kasali

December 3, 2023

By Akinwale Kasali

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, has urged the Senate to reject the 2024 Budget proposal of the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike.

The former Rivers State Governor had proposed, in FCT’s Budget, to spend a whopping N15 billion for the construction of ‘a befitting residence’ for the Vice President, Kashim Shettima.

SERAP, however, called on Senate President, Godswill Obot Akpabio to reject the plan.

It also urged the Senate to assert its authority and constitutional oversight roles to reject the N2.8 billion on publicity for the FCTA and other proposed wasteful and unnecessary spending that may be contained in the 2023 supplementary budget and the 2024 budget proposed by President Bola Tinubu.

In the letter dated 2, December, 2023, signed by SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said: “The plan to spend N15 billion on ‘a befitting residence’ for the Vice President is a fundamental breach of the Nigerian Constitution and the country’s international anti-corruption and human rights obligations.”

SERAP reminded in the letter that: “The Senate has the constitutional duties to ensure that Mr Wike’s proposed spending is entirely consistent and compatible with constitutional provisions including his oath of office. All public officials remain subject to the rule of law.

“The National Assembly including the Senate has a constitutional responsibility to address the country’s debt crisis, including by rejecting wasteful and unnecessary spending to satisfy the personal comfort and lifestyles of public officials.”

The group added that, “The National Assembly cannot continue to fail to fulfil its oversight function. The Senate must assert and demonstrate its independence by checking and rejecting all wasteful and unnecessary spending by the executive.

“It would be a grave violation of the public trust and constitutional oath of office for the Senate to approve the plan to spend N15 billion on ‘a befitting residence’ for the vice president at a time when the Federal Government is set to spend 30% (that is, N8.25 trillion) of the country’s 2024 budget of N27.5 trillion on debt service costs.

“The Federal Government also plans to borrow N7.8 trillion to fund the 2024 budget. Nigeria’s public debt stood at 87.4 trillion naira as of June with 38% owed to external creditors including multilateral and commercial lenders.

“Should the Senate and its leadership fail to stop wasteful and unnecessary spending and rein in government’s borrowing, SERAP would consider appropriate legal action to compel the National Assembly including the Senate to discharge its constitutional oversight roles in the public interest.

“SERAP urges you to refer to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) the allegations of corruption in the spending of the previously approved N7 billion for the construction of a new residence for the vice president.

“The ‘construction’ was reportedly abandoned but the whereabouts of the N7 billion remain unknown.

“The Senate has the constitutional competence and legitimacy to compel compliance with the Nigerian Constitution and the country’s international obligations.

“The Senate ought to assert its authority and vigorously exercise its constitutional oversight roles to check the apparently wasteful and unnecessary spending by Mr Wike especially given the growing debt crisis and the indiscriminate borrowing by the government.

“It is a travesty and a fundamental breach of the lawmakers’ fiduciary duties for the National Assembly to allow the executive to use the national budget as a tool to satisfy the comfort and lifestyle of public officials.

“Nigerians have a right to honest and faithful performance by their public officials including lawmakers, as public officials owe a fiduciary duty to the general citizenry.

“Cutting the N15 billion on ‘a befitting residence’ from the FTCA budget would be entirely consistent with your constitutional oath of office, and the letter and spirit of the Nigerian Constitution, as it would promote efficient, honest, and legal spending of public money.

“According to our information, the Minister of the FCT, Nysom Wike and the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) plan to spend N15 billion for the construction of ‘a befitting residence’ for the Vice-President, Mr Kashim Shettima.

“The plan is contained in the N67 billion FCT supplementary budget which President Bola Tinubu had on Tuesday transmitted to the National Assembly for approval.

“SERAP notes that Mr Wike proposed plan to spend N15 billion on a new residence for the vice president despite the recent allocation of N2.5 billion for the renovation of the current residence of the VP in the federal government’s supplementary budget already passed by the National Assembly and signed by President Tinubu.

“The House of Representatives has reportedly approved the plan to spend N15 billion on ‘a befitting residence’ for the vice president.

“The National Assembly has also approved another N3 billion for the renovation of the vice president’s residence in Lagos State. Mr Wike also plans to spend N2.8 billion on publicity for the FCTA.

“The proposed plan to spend 15 billion on ‘a befitting residence’ for the vice president is different from the N100 billion for the FCT contained in the federal government supplementary budget.”

Governor Alia Urges Senate To Rescind Its Decision On Withholding LG Allocation, Says Lawmakers Shouldn’t Be Misled

Akinwale Kasali

December 3, 2023

By Akinwale Kasali

Following the decision of the Senate to withhold the Local Government Allocations of non-Democratically Elected Local Government in Nigeria, Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has asked the Legislative body to rescind its decision.

Senator Abba Moro, the Minority Leader, had during Plenary last Friday called on the Senate to withhold the statutory allocations for non-democratically elected Local Government Councils across the country. This prompted Governor Alia to cautoon Moro, a Senator from his State, not to mislead the Senate on the statusof Local Government in the State.

At a Press Statement addressed by Governor Alia’s Chief Press Secretary, held in Makurdi Saturday night, he said there was no time the Governor dissolved the democratically elected Local Government Leadership in the State.

He stressed that the State House of Assembly, vested with the constitutional powers to legislate over the third tier of Government, dissolved the Council members, citing sections 7 and 8 of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.

The Governor said he only appointed Caretaker Committees to avoid lacuna that would have been created following the recommendations of the Benue State House of Assembly which investigated, indicted, and sacked the 23 elected Chairmen who were found to have perpetrated monumental fraud in their Councils in active connivance with various Councilors.

The Governor said that contrary to the impression given by Moro – the Senate Minority leader – that his administration did not appeal the earlier Court judgment, Benue state Government appealed the judgment of the Industrial Court.

“The appeal was filed on the 24th November 2023, and numbered, Appeal No. CA/MKD/155/2023

“We are calling on the Nigeria senate to always properly scrutinize their motion papers to avoid a repeat of what Senator Moro led them into.

“It will be a gross disservice for our distinguished senators to allow some selfish ones amongst them to drag them to becoming a laughing stock,” he said.

Group Writes Senate, Calls for Forensic Audit of National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies

Akinwale Kasali

December 3, 2023

By Akinwale Kasali

Staff of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies, NILDS, have lamented the alleged double taxation and illicit deductions from their salaries. This has prompted a Civil Society Organization Group, Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre), to formally write to the Senate to wade into the issue.

HEDA submitted a formal request to the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, and urged the Senate to commission a forensic audit of the NILDS with immediate effect.

In a letter signed by HEDA’s Chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju, addressed to the Senate President, the civil society group highlighted the concerns raised by some staff members of NILDS regarding double taxation and deductions from their salaries.

It was alleged that the Director-General of NILDS imposed these deductions to offset the Institutes supposed indebtedness to the Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, for personnel income tax.

“The impact of these double deductions on the financial well-being of the affected staff has been severe, leading to difficulties in meeting their family’s financial needs”, the letter said.

Furthermore, “the letter brings attention to the Director-General’s questionable expenditures, including the purchase of new vehicles, which drew scrutiny from the Auditor-General of the Federation.

In the statement, Suraju said that “as the Chairman of the Governing Council of NILDS, the Senate President is uniquely positioned to address these issues and has the authority to commission a forensic audit of the institute.

“HEDA respectfully requests the constitution of an independent Panel of External Auditors and Lawyers known for their incorruptible reputation to conduct a comprehensive forensic audit of NILDS”.

The letter reads further, “HEDA has received numerous complaints from concerned staff members through its whistleblower toll-free lines. These whistleblowers have expressed their willingness to provide both oral and documentary evidence but emphasize the need for the establishment of an independent and external forensic panel.”

The documentary evidence that the concerned staff intends to submit is expected to shed light on various issues, including the query against NILDS as outlined in the 2019-2022 Reports of the Auditor-General of the Federation. Additionally, the evidence is expected to reveal non-compliance with labour laws, financial regulations, and public service rules, as well as instances of gross mismanagement and diversion of funds within the institute.

HEDA’s request for a forensic audit also extends to the Director-General’s alleged non-compliance with standards set by the National Universities Commission (NUC) for the Masters programs of the University of Benin/NILDS, resulting in a high failure rate among students.

The call for a forensic audit is grounded in the organization’s dedication to upholding principles of transparency, accountability, and good governance. HEDA awaits a prompt response from the Senate President to address these serious allegations and ensure a thorough investigation into the affairs of NILDS.

Obi: “Nigeria Delegation To Dubai wasteful”, Presidency Clarifies Number Of Delegates Under Nigeria

Ayodele Oni

December 3, 2023

By Ayodele Oni

Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) Peter Obi has joined other Nigerians to condemn the large contingent that accompanied President Bola Tinubu to the 2023 UN Climate Conference (COP28 in Dubai, United Arabs Emirate describing it as a waste.

A whopping 1411 people travelled with President Tinubu to the ongoing 2023 UN Climate Change Conference. Nigeria’s delegation was the largest in Africa, and third in the World.

Obi noted that the Nigeria’s huge contingent was out at public expense at a time when most Nigerians can hardly afford food and basic needs as a result of economic hardship. Outrage has since greeted the large delegation.

But in reaction to the outrage, the Presidency explained that the number of people who went on the ticket of the Federal Government is small.

In a statement by Presidential Aide, Dada Olusegun, the Presidency explained that even though the 1411 people are under the collective name of Nigeria, most of that number, including Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Tony Elumelu, and some from NGOs and other bodies, were invited and sponsored by the United Nations, the World Bank, the European Union and Bodies. Their bills were not picked by the Nigerian Government.

The statement reads in part: “The United Nations sent a request to several of these bodies to send a list of their delegates, with most of them to be sponsored by the World Bank, European Union and others.

“The request was, also, extended to several private sector members, including Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Tony Elumelu and many others.

“The list, even before now, has always been made up of a tiny fraction of Nigerian Government officials, as many other interests have to be represented as requested by the organizers.

“Nigeria’s delegation list is unified, including both Government and non- Government representatives. This means every name under Nigeria is categorized as ‘Nigeria’s Delegation’ whether from a Ministry, NGO, Private Sector, Parastatals, or part of the President’s delegation.

“Individuals of the same Nationality (Nigeria), can be sponsored by foreign organizations as NGOs will also take on their expenses.”

But Obi, criticizing the large number of people under Nigeria, pointed out that Nigeria must stop waste as a tradition of our government and nation, stressing that we urgently need to cut the cost of governance and invest in production.

In a post on his official X account, Mr Peter Obi congratulated the President Tinubu-led Nigeria government for competing favourably with China on the number of delegates at Conference.

However, according to him, it was worrisome that Nigeria that which should be competing with China in productivity, chose instead to compete in spending on frivolities.

In his words; “A New Nigeria is possible. We only need to do the reasonable and the necessary.

“In a twist of sad irony, let me congratulate the giant of Africa, Nigeria, for matching the great China, with the same number of contingents at the ongoing COP28 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

“Nigeria’s contingent to COP28 totalled 1411, is the same number as the Chinese contingents.

“While China’s budget for 2024 is about $4 trillion, about $2,860 per head; Nigeria’s budget is about $33 billion, about $165 per head.

“China has a high Human Development Index, HDI, with a ranking of 79 out of 191 countries measured, and Nigeria has a low HDI, with a ranking of 163 out of 191 countries measured.

“Nigeria has more people living in ‘Multi-Dimensional’ poverty than China, despite China having seven times our population.

“Most importantly, the vast majority of those in the Nigerian delegation to COP28 are either non relevant civil servants or relations, friends and hangers-on of high government officials.

“Most of them hardly understand or have anything to do with Climate Change.

“I pray earnestly that a day will come soon enough when we can focus on competing with China on productivity and the miracle of migrating the highest number of its citizens out of poverty over a relatively short time.

“We need to de-emphasize unnecessary ceremony and showmanship as a mode of government behaviour. We need to tie spending to necessity and national Priority.”

COP28: “Compete With China On Production, Stop The Wastes, Obi Urges Nigeria”

The Source

December 3, 2023

The Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 Election, Peter Obi, has admonished Nigeria to strive to compete with China in the area of production and not on the size of delegations to a specialized conference of experts.

Obi in a series of tweets in his X handle on Sunday in reaction to the trending large number of Nigeria delegations to the United Nations, COP28 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates decried the waste and wrong imitation of a country dutifully pulling their people out of poverty.

Reports from Dubai show that Nigeria equals China with 1411 contingents to the conference, the highest in the global event aside from the host UAE.

But in a satirical response to the size of Nigeria’s contingent Obi said “In a twist of sad irony, let me congratulate the giant of Africa, Nigeria, for matching the great China, with the same number of contingents at the ongoing COP28 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Nigeria’s contingent to COP28 totaled 1411, the same number as the Chinese contingents.

The LP standard bearer noted that While China’s budget for 2024 is about $4 trillion, about $2,860 per head; Nigeria’s budget is about $33 billion, about $165 per head. China has a high Human Development Index, HDI, with a ranking of 79 out of 191 countries measured, and Nigeria has a low HDI, with a ranking of 163 out of 191 countries measured. Nigeria has more people living in ‘Multi-Dimensional’ poverty than China, despite China having seven times our population.

“Most importantly, the vast majority of those in the Nigerian delegation to COP28 are either non-relevant civil servants or relations, friends, and hangers-on of high government officials. Most of them hardly understand or have anything to do with Climate Change.

“This huge contingent is at public expense and at a time when most Nigerians can hardly afford food and basic needs as a result of economic hardship. I pray earnestly that a day will come soon enough when we can focus on competing with China on productivity and the miracle of migrating the highest number of its citizens out of poverty over a relatively short time.

“As we have kept emphasizing, we must stop waste as an addition to our government and nation. We urgently need to cut the cost of governance and invest in production.

Obi finally stated that “we need to de-emphasize unnecessary ceremony and showmanship as a mode of government behaviour.We need to tie spending to necessity and national Priority pointing out that a New Nigeria is possible but we only need to do the reasonable and the necessary.”

Imo: Mbaise Cancels Cultural Festival Over Murder Of Traditional Ruler

The Source

December 3, 2023

By Charles Igbo

Communities which make up the Ezinihitte Local Government Area, Mbaise, Imo State, have cancelled all preparations to hold its high profile cultural festival – Oji Ezinihitte.

Preparations had been in top gear for the annual celebration. The people home and abroad were looking forward to it. Then tragedy struck.

One of the Traditional Rulers of one of the Communities which make up Ezinihitte Local Government Area, Mbaise, was murdered in a gruesome manner.

His Royal Highness, Eze Joe-Benz Ochulor, the Olu 1 of Otulu, Amumara, was abducted from his Palace on Saturday, November 25, 2023. Report said he was abducted by gunmen while he was eating.

The shocked family and Community were waiting for a call from his abductors to ask for ransom money. They thought it was the usual kidnap-for-money which has become the norm in the South-east Zone. But that never happened. This abduction was for a more sinister purpose. For, hours later, same day he was abducted, the Traditional Ruler’s body was found, dumped along the Mbutu-Chokoneze Road. He had been murdered in a gruesome manner. One of his legs was severed from his body.

No arrests have been made. When the Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command, CP Aboki Danjuma, and Heads of other Security Agencies went to the area for an on the spot assessment, two Police Officers, a Divisional Police Officer, DPO, and an Inspector, who were among those waiting along the road to escort them to the murdered Eze’s Palace and the spot where his body was found, were mowed down by gunmen when the detachment was attacked. Others were injured.

The Mbaise Nation, the Ezinihitte LGA, and the Amumara Community in particular are mourning. They are in pains.

In the past two weeks, blood has been flowing like a river in Mbaise. At least, five high profile murders have been recorded. The people are worried.

In a statement a couple of days ago, the Ezuruezu Mbaise lamented the tragic situation, and warned of the consequences of reducing Mbaise to a killing field.

It is to honour the memory of the murdered Traditional Ruler, and to allow for a respectable period for mourning, that the Communities which make up Ezinihitte Mbaise LGA, cancelled the 2024 Oji Ezinihitte.

A statement signed by the Chairman, Ezinihitte Mbaise Council of Traditional Rulers, HRH, Eze Ositadinma Nwokocha, Umara 111 of Adakam Amumara, regretted the tragic situation the people have found themselves, and the sudden suspension of all preparations for the 2024 Oji Ezinihitte.

The statement reads in full:

FROM THE PALACE OF HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS, EZE OSITADINMA B. NWOKOCHA, UMARA III OF ADAKAM AMUMARA

“My dear good people of Amumara, it is an understatement that we were shocked not only by the transition of my brother King, but also by the barbaric and heartless manner in which he was murdered. It is difficult to think about any reason why HRH Eze Joe-Benz Ochulor who was one of the most peace-loving Ezes in Imo State should suffer such fate. It is unbelievable and still seems like a dream.

“For Amumara people globally, it is deeply disheartening especially when preparations for Oji Ezinihitte to be hosted by our communities were progressing effectively. We had proposed to take the Oji ceremony to a new height. But who are we to question God.

“Consequently, I have consulted widely with other Ezes in Ezinihithe and the SOLAD and have come to the conclusion that the 2024 Oji Ezinihitte ceremony be suspended. Discussions on the hosting of the Oji are suspended for now and will be revisited at the appropriate time.

“I am aware of the efforts that have already gone into preparations and the financial costs (air fares and others) among individuals and groups by this decision. However, we cannot call the whole world to celebrate our rich culture when we are this devastated.

“Investigations are ongoing and we hope that the perpetrators of this heinous crime against God and humanity will be brought to book soon.

“I commiserate with the Ochulor extended family on the demise of their noble father, the good people of Otulu Amumara on the sudden transition of their great and peaceful king, the entire Amumara communities, Ezinihitte, the Mbaise Nation and Imo State at large.

“I encourage every son and daughter of Amumara to pray for the peaceful repose of the soul of our brother, the king, Olu1 of Otulu Amumara, the wife and children as we continue to mourn his most unexpected transition.

“May the Almighty continue to protect our communities and grant us His peace and guidance now and always.

HRH, Eze Ositadinma B. Nwokocha, Umara III of Adakam Amumara and the Chairman, Ezinihitte Mbaise Council of Traditional Rulers.

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