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Cash Withdrawal, Emefiele Acted Out of Revenge, Selfishness – Gov. Fintiri

By
Adesina Soyooye
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By Adesina Soyooye

While questions from many Nigerians, especially the poor, are being asked over the reasons for the policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria which limited cash to be withdrawn from banks, Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri has provided an answer.

He asked Nigerians not to look further than the selfishness of the CBN, Governor, Godwin Emefiele.

Fintiri said that Emefiele is on a revenge mission, with politicians as his target.

Emefiele’s anger, Fintiri pointed out, stems from his unsuccessful run for the office of the President, under the All Progressives Congress, APC. Emefiele, Fintiri submitted, holds the Political class responsible for his failure to secure the ticket.

The CBN Governor had, to the shock of not a few Nigerians, sought to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari in office.

To do that, he had, while still in office as the CBN Governor, purchased the forms for the APC Presidential Primary at the cost of N100m.

Outrage across political parties greeted Emefiele’s move, with quite a number of people asking him to resign from office or get sacked by the President.

The pressure forced him to drop his ambition. Now, Governor Fintiri says Emefiele  is on a revenge mission  against the political class. He said it  is  the reason the reason fir the initiation  of the  cash withdrawal limit.

Governor Fintiri spoke during his governorship campaign at  Kala’a,  Community in Hong Local Government Area.

Fintiri asked why the policy came shortly after Emefiele’s unsuccessful foray into politics, and dismissed it as a product of  retaliation.

Fintiri: “What is breeding poverty? Economic policies. Look at the one that is about to be implemented by the Central Bank which would further throw the country into poverty. Nobody is saying the economy shouldn’t be cashless, but take time and do it systematically.

“We shouldn’t do it as if some people wanted to be politicians and they were denied the opportunity, then they use their office to punish the politicians.”

He asked politicians not to act out of selfishness, but act in the interest of the people.

Fintiri is a PDP Governor.

Qatar 2022: Morocco Breaks 92 Years Jinx, Becomes First African Team To Reach World Cup Semi Finals

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The Source
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Atlas Lions of Morocco

By Akinwale Kasali

No one gave them a chance. They proved bookmakers wrong.

The Atlas Lions of Morocco, against all odds has defeated Cristiano Ronaldo- Captained Portuguese National Team at the ongoing 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

By this defeat, Morocco has become the first African Nation in the history of the FIFA World Cup to reach the Semi Finals of the World Soccer Showpiece.

An El-Neysri 42nd Minute strike was all the Moroccan team needed to break the 92 Year old jinx.

Though the victory was surprising as many had said the victory recorded by the Moroccans against Former World Cup Champions Spain and highly ranked Belgium was a fluke, but the Coach Walid Regragui side proved their mettle as a contender for the world fiesta.

Despite a 90th minutes red card shown to striker Omar Cheddiri, the Moroccans remained unperturbed as they defended their lone goal with their last blood to make history.

Sevilla Football Club of Morocco Goalkeeper, Mohammed Bono showed why he remains the undisputed number one for both Club and Country by denying Ronaldo and Joao Felix from getting an equalizer and stretching the match into extra time.

This is historic for Africa, as the Moroccans who are underrated and were classed as pushovers came top of their Group that had Belgium, Croatia and Canada, before humbling Spain and now Portugal, dashing the hope of Ronaldo who is probably playing his last World Cup, possibly sending him into retirement for the National side.

The Indomitable Lions of Cameroon, the Teranga Lions of Senegal and the Black Stars of Ghana were the only African team to have reached the Quarterfinals of the international showpiece in Italia 1990, Korea/Japan 2002 and South Africa 2010 respectively.

The Atlas Lions of Morocco will face the winner of the match between France and England in the Quarter Finals slated for Wednesday, December 14th 2022.

Imo Attack: “Friday Will Forever Live In Infamy; My people And I Are Very Upset – Nnamdi Kanu’s Lawyer, Ejimakor

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The Source
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Aloy Ejimakor

By Charles Igbo

Alloy Ejimakor, Special Counsel to the Leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, is a very angry man.

Ejimakor’s current anger does not stem from the continued detention and prosecution of his Client by a Federal High Court, even after the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, had discharged and acquitted him. No.

His anger stems from an attack on his Community, Urualla, Ideato Local Government Area, Imo State, by gunmen.

The gunmen had, on  Friday, invaded the Afor Urualla market, and wreaked havoc.

Mindlessly shooting, they set ablaze market stalls, shops and vehicles. People screamed to high heavens and ran for their lives. There was no challenge, no help.

Reacting to the tragedy, Ejimakor lamented the evil that befell his Community, and declared his anger and that of his people. His house, he said, is five minutes away from the center of attack.

Said Ejimakor: “Today, (Friday), 9th December, 2022,  several armed men invaded my hometown, attacked my relatives, vandalised their properties and set fire to our main market, five minutes away from my house.

“It is a day that will forever live in infamy. I am very upset, my people are very upset.”

Ejimakor said he had no clue the group responsible for the attack, but the strong suspicion is that it came from those loyal to Simon Ekpa.

Ekpa, Finland-based, a former IPOB member, and self-proclaimed disciple of Kanu, now estranged from even Kanu, had, in a video, declared a five-day sit-at-home order in South-east States, beginning from 9th December 2022.

IPOB had countered him, and declared  there would be no sit-at-home. In a statement, Emma Powerful, its Spokesperson, asked people to go about their normal businesses, including the collection of their Permanent Voters Card, PVC’s, the reason it is suspected, for which Ekpa ordered sit-at-home, having said there would be no election in the Zone. IPOB promised to provide Security even in markets.

But with the number of attacks and killings in Imo State on Friday, Ekpa seems to have had his way on the first day. The gunmen who ran riot in the State were heard shouting: “Go home, there is sit-at-home.”

Sit-at-home, a baby of IPOB, was introduced by the Organization, to protest the detention and prosecution of Kanu, and pressurize the Federal Government to release him. IPOB, at the time, ordered that everybody must obey sit-at-home  every Monday and anyday Kanu was to appear in Court.

Seeing that it didn’t work, and that the FG couldn’t care, and that it was an added punishment to the Igbo, worsened by the violence and loss of lives which accompanied its implementation, IPOB canceled the exercise, unless when absolutely necessary.

But IPOB seems to have lost control of it, as Ekpa has continued to ignore IPOB’s cancellation and carries on with the sit-at-home order.

His recent five-day  sit-at-home order has been greeted with outrage.

Amotekun Needs Laws To Carry Arms, Prosecute Offenders – NUJ

By
Ayodele Oni
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Amotekun

By Ayodele Oni

The Nigeria Union of Journalists, (NUJ), Zone B has called on the state government to equip officers of the Ekiti State Security Network code named Amotekun with modern facilities and necessary logistics that can enhance their operations.

The Vice President of the union, Ronke Samo gave the advice when she led other leaders of the Zone on a courtesy visit to the leadership of the corps in Ado Ekiti.

She lauded the corps for their consistent fight  against kidnappers and bandits in the state.

Mrs Samo also moved for the enactment of laws that would permit officers of the corps to carry weapon and prosecute criminals.

In his remark, the commander, Amotekun, Rtd Brigadier General Joe Komolafe thanked the NUJ leaders for their support in the promotion of the course of the corps.

He said:”We came in at a time the southwest region was battling with insecurity, but with much efforts and commitment we have been able to bring the situation under control.

“Since I assumed office, we have been able to arrest 79 kidnappers and handed them over to police for prosecution.

“Other arrest made are Robbery incident 29, armed robbery 9, 72 burglars, 8 cultists, 2 ritualists, 17 drug dealers, 4 rape cases, 6 cases of child trafficking and we have successfully settled 63 cases of farmers-herders clash.”

Komolafe, pointed out that the challenges of the corps include additional operational vehicles, offices and personnel, and called on members of the public to give necessary information to the corps to ensure arrest of criminals.

CDS, General Irabor, Denies Saying Military Under Pressure To Compromise 2023 General Elections

By
Adesina Soyooye
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By Adesina Soyooye

The Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor has denied making a sensitive statement attributed to him in both the conventional and social Media.

The CDS was quoted, on Wednesday, to have told State House Correspondents that the Military was under pressure to compromise the 2023 General Elections.

Not a few Nigerians were, at once, both aghast and shocked that such a statement came from Irabor. They wondered if the Military had, in the past, been in the habit of compromising elections.

They asked the CDS to come clean and name those  who  putting the Military under pressure and why the Military should give room for such a situation instead of arresting them.

But in a statement issued on Friday, the Military High Command distanced Irabor from the worrisome statement. The statement, signed by Major General Jimmy Akpor, Director Defence Information, said Irabor’s answer to a question put to him had been twisted and given a sinister interpretation.

The Military High Command said neither the Military nor other Security Agencies was under any pressure to compromise the 2023 General elections.

The Statement reads in part:

“The attention of the Defence Headquarters has been drawn to several headlines and news purporting to suggest that the Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor CFR, had alluded to the military (and other security agencies) being under pressure to compromise the 2023 elections.

“This impression was reportedly made during the 61st Session of the State House Briefing, which featured the Chief of Defence State on 8 December 2022. The Defence Headquarters however, wishes to say categorically that, this impression is not only erroneous, but false and a deliberate or inadvertent attempt to twist what was said, to convey a sinister meaning.

“It is pertinent to mention that the referenced briefing was broadcast live on Nigeria Television Authority – NTA Channel 419 on DSTV and Channel 46 on GOTV. After the briefing by the Chief of Defence Staff, one of the correspondents asked, ‘You have spoken on military neutrality in times of elections. Specifically, based on what the Commander-in-Chief directed. Just this week, the President gave a directive to the Armed Forces to remain neutral during the 2023 elections. But my worry is that, politicians have a way of piling pressure on security forces and we are witnesses to some of the things that occurred in the past exercises. Now, given this kind of scenario, where politicians or political actors try to pile pressure on your men, how far have you prepared to go to ensure that neutrality as directed by the President is protected?’

“In response, the Chief of Defence Staff said, ‘I am glad you reiterated what the Commander-in-Chief said or his directive to the Armed Forces. I am afraid you said you had to worry. Rather than worry, I would think that trust in our cause (is paramount), why? Of course, in our training, there will always be pressure from all quarters, wanting to induce security forces, not just the military, security forces. That is what criminal enterprise is all about, that is what someone that is wrong is all about.

“But, what makes the difference is, the professional approach in dealing with the issues, and that is what the military intents on doing. That is the reason why we have ramped up our training in that regard. Sensitisation, a lot of engagements across formations and units are going on daily. And then, moreso, to articulate the Code of Conduct for all our personnel, which has been done and distributed. So, what, why we should act before, during and after the elections? These have been codified in SOPs (Standing Operating Procedures) issued to them. And so, it remains the duty of commanders to ensure the directive as indicated, that the content of SOPs is adhered to by every personnel of the Armed Forces.

“So, my good friend, please seize from worrying, rather trust and also engage others to trust that we will keep faith with these desires that we have.”

“The Defence Headquarters chose to err on the side of verbosity by transcribing the entire response by the Chief of Defence Staff so that everyone can see the quantum misrepresentation of the Chief of Defence Staff’s comments during the briefing. The Armed Forces of Nigeria however, stands ready to aid civil authority in assuring free and fair 2023 elections.

“Already, ongoing military operations all over the country (in collaboration with the Nigeria Police and other security agencies), are creating enabling environment for electioneering campaigns to hold. These military operations would be escalated or re-calibrated when called upon to do so, to support the successful conduct of the 2023 elections.

“The Defence Headquarters therefore, seriously frowns on misrepresentation of the military leadership at any forum at this critical time of our nationhood.”

Railway To Link State Capitals – Minister Of Transportation

By
Ayodele Oni
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0

By Ayodele Oni

The Federal Government has assured that the ongoing expansion of railway network across the country will cover all the State capitals.

The assurance is part of the resolutions reached at the executive session of the 17th National Council on Transportation (NCT) in Abuja with the theme: “Transportation Technology and Innovation for Socio – Economic Sustainability.”

A statement on Saturday by a Media Aide in the Ministry, Ebenezer Adeniyan, stated that the Minister of Transportation, Engr. Mu’azu Jaji Sambo, who presided over the session, said the target of the rail network expansion is to touch all the 36 State capitals in the country, in no distant time.

The Minister, who acknowledged the efforts of the Minister of State for Transportation, Prince Ademola Adegoroye, in pushing for work on deep sea port for Ondo state,

added that this will become a reality in the life of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Sambo gave assurances that the Ministry will implement workable and practicable policy initiatives that will advance the efficiency of the transport sector to play a critical role in the sustainable development of the economy.

He called for a more serious synergy between the Federal Government and the States, noting that milestones of the Government will come to naught unless the State governments are on board.

The Minister of State for Transportation, Prince Adegoroye, in his welcome remarks said: “this year’s theme is a call for a paradigm shift from the well-known traditional approach to adapting new innovative technologies that will revolutionize the movement of people and goods, transform the design and operation of Transportation systems.”

Adegoroye harped on the need to embrace imminent transition in the transportation sector that will impact positively on the Nigerian transport system, noting that with growth of new technologies such as Big Data, Artificial Intelligence, among others, if properly harnessed will guaranty an all encompassing national development for the country.

He added: “It is imperative that we join the moving train of Technology and Innovation by keying in and supporting initiatives and plans that will evolve new and digital technology.

“To facilitate the attainment of our new resolve, we need to invest in training and re-training of our personnel, acquire state-of-the art technology where necessary, imbibe innovative policies and support collaborations among relevant Agencies/Organisations.

“This will in turn improve the quality of live of Nigerians, provide job opportunities and foster economic development.”

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Marine and Land Transport, Senator Danjuma Goje, in his remarks, assured of the National Assembly’s support, noting that no country can attain development without viable and sustainable transportation system.

The 4-day 17th National Council on Transportation had in attendance State Commissioners for Transportation and their Permanent Secretaries, Heads of Agencies, Captains of industries and other relevant stakeholders.

Uzodimma Flags-off ‘Skill-up Imo Project’, Urges Youths To Tap Into Digital Economy

By
The Source
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Hope Uzodimma

The Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma has flagged-off the ‘Skill-up Imo Project’ organized by the Ministry of Digital Economy and E-Government and targeted at  training more than 100,000 Imo youths in digital skills on entry and advance levels.

The ceremony which took place on Friday at the Ministry of Digital Economy and E-Government office (former ICAPs) on Egbu Road, Owerri was used to enlighten the youths on the need to imbibe digital skills as the future economy goes digital.

Addressing the mammoth audience which comprised mainly Imo youths, the Governor said the future of Imo State depends on the youths who registered for the training.

He highlighted that the “world economy is changing very fast and 95 percent of the world economy is now digital and the only market available today for any business to thrive is digital market.”

He said that his interest as Governor of Imo State and in the future development of the State rests on the youths, asserting that his belief is dependent on the fact that “when you develop and prepare the youths you have developed the State and if you jettison the youths then you have jettisoned the State.”

There is ‘’no government infrastructure that is as important as development of the youths.”

He reiterated that the major ideas that rule the world today are digital economy, climate change, or carbon-credit, hence the “need to re-align ourselves so that we can get to the global destination.”,

Governor Uzodimma told the youths to understand that the digital programme they are getting into is a road to the digital world and a form of finishing school notwithstanding once profession.

He then advised them to choose among the several programmes and master them as an opportunity to key into the digital world economy.

Governor Uzodimma promised the participants that once they graduate they will have equipment from the State Government to start live.

“This is because our government is already working with international companies such as Apple, Zinox Computers and others to partner the State Government in getting the graduate youths engaged on the acquired skills.”

He assured them that there are ready made jobs out there that will promptly engage some of them who learnt technical skills such as: repair of telephones, IPADs and others on graduation.

The Governor further noted that “the primary objective include; reduction in crime, criminality and idleness and making the youths to be more focused.”

He emphasized and also warned that the Skill-up programme is not about politics.

His words:  “It is for the development of the youths, the development of their lives, the lives of their families and that of the State in general. When the State achieves this laudable programme Imo will be peaceful and the youths of Imo State will come up to be role models in Nigeria and Africa in general.”

In his address of welcome, the Commissioner for Digital Economy and E- Government, Dr. Chimezie Amadi explained that ‘Skill-up Imo Project’ is a programne conceived by Governor Uzodimma which is specially designed to provide free training and support to 100,000 Imolites, particularly the youths, in new, innovative, and economically viable skills needed for them to be productively employed or self- employed.

He noted that the first set of 5,000 learners will be engaged for training for 12 weeks in various areas of application which include –  Web Development, Business Innovation, Mobile App Development, Cyber Security and Forensics, Networking and Hardware, and Engineering.  Others include; Robotics and Mechatronics, 3D Technology, Drone Technology, Social Media and Digital Marketing and Animation and Multimedia among others.

He therefore thanked the Governor for thinking it wise to establish the Ministry as the first of its kind in any State of the federation with the objective of reducing crime and criminality, improving economy and connecting Imo State to the outside world.

Imo: Gunmen Kidnap Expatriate Contractor, Kill Two Escort Mobile Police Officers, Two Civilians

By
The Source
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0

By Charles Igbo

It was a bloody day in Umuna, Onuimo Local Government Area, Imo State, when gunmen struck.

In order to kidnap an expatriate contractor, they gunned down the two Mobile Policemen attached to him on escort duties. And kidnapped the expatriate. Then, they killed two other men at the Imo River Bridge axis, headed to Okigwe.

A video in circulation showed the bodies of the two men, soaked in their own blood, and sprawled on the road.

The abducted expatriate, this medium gathered, was  incharge of the construction of the Owerri-Okigwe road project, one of the signature projects of the Governor Hope Uzodinma.

9th December, 2022,  was particularly bad in Imo. Earlier in the day, at Ubomiri in the Mbaitoli LGA,  gunmen had shot and killed an elder brother of renowned Nollywood Actor, Osita Iheme, popular as Paw-paw. The Ihemes are from Ubomiri.

They, also, invaded a market, Afor Uruala, and set ablaze shops and vehicles.

Finland-based Simon Ekpa, self proclaimed disciple of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, Leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB, had  declared a shut-down of the South-east and ordered people to sit-at-home for five days, beginning from Friday, 9th December.

Many people are attributing the attacks to Ekpa’s order.

IPOB distanced the organization from Ekpa’s order, and promised it would  as much as it can, provide security for South-easterners, and markets.

Sir Sam Iheagwam, Bishop Iheagwam’s Elder Brother, Dies, Buried

By
The Source
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Sam Iheagwam

By George Best Okoroh

The late Sir Iheagwam, a Knight of St. Christopher, was elder brother to the Pioneer Bishop of Egbu Diocese, Church of Nigeria,  Anglican Communion, Rt. Rev. Prof. Emmanuel Uchechukwu Iheagwam.

In his speech at the funeral service which took place at Christ Anglican Church, Emeabiam, the Bishop  of Egbu Diocese, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, the Rt. Rev. Geoffrey Enyinnaya Okorafor, recalled that the deceased,  Sir  Iheagwam, accompanied by his wife, Lady Irene, attended the 2022 Synod of the Diocese which was held in the first week of November, 2022.

He noted that in the midst of life, man is a walking corpse, likening Sir Sam Iheagwam’s passage to Simeon in the Bible, who after seeing Christ said: “Now let your servant depart in peace”.

Bishop Okorafor urged Christians to always be prepared for their last days on earth by living a Godly life, as death is inevitable for every mortal. He described the deceased as a man of many parts, being a dedicated knight, layreader and Christian Men’s Fellowship member.

Okorafor charged the deceased’s children to emulate the good legacies left behind by their father.

Earlier in his sermon, the Rev. Ugochukwu Amaefula of St. Michael’s Church, Umuocham, Ntu Parish, Ngor Okpala LGA, Imo State enjoined Nigerians to eschew corruption and live a blameless life. He noted that God created man in His own image and likeness, regretting that the same man opted to disappoint God.

Rev. Amaefula observed that the result of that disappointment was God’s decision to wipe out mankind with the exception of Noah and his family who were obedient to God.

Also in their remarks, the Venerables Taiwo Olupitan and Akin Omoyajowo both from the Anglican Diocese of Lagos West, said they were in Emeabiam to console and sympathise with the Iheagwams, noting that the deceased’s first son, Mr. Ikechukwu Iheagwam and his wife, Tina, are functional members of the Diocese of Lagos West.

Mr. Ikechukwu Iheagwam in his eulogy described his late father as Godfearing, honest and committed to all that he was engaged in.  He, on behalf of his siblings, promised that God being their helper, they would sustain their late father’s attributes.

Late Sir Samuel Nnadiebulam Iheagwam died at the age of 86 years and is survived by his wife Lady Irene Nkechi Iheagwam ,four sons, their wives, grandchildren and other family members including His Lordship, The Rt. Rev. Professor Emmanuel Iheagwam, immediate past Bishop of Egbu Diocese.

Imo: Gunmen Attack Market, Set Shops, Cars Ablaze

By
The Source
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0
Imo Market Fire

By Charles Igbo

Tragedy has hit the Uruala Community, Imo State.

In a tragic incident, said to be attributable to the sit-at-home order clamped on the South-east by Simon Ekpa, the self proclaimed Disciple of Nnamdi Kanu, Leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB, gunmen on Friday, December 9, 2022, invaded the Afor Uruala Market.

During the invasion, they set ablaze vehicles and razed down shops. Goods worth hundreds of thousands of Naira were lost. The loss runs into millions of Naira if vehicles set on fire are added.

Nobody could confirm where the gunmen came from, but Ekpa had, a couple of days earlier, issued a five-day sit-at-home order in the South-east beginning from December 9, 2022.

His order attracted outrage in the Region from individuals and organisations, including IPOB.

In two separate statements signed by IPOB’s Spokesperson, Emma Powerful, the Organisation distanced itself from the order proclaiming any sit-at-home. It said it never gave such order and it was not approved by Kanu.

The order from Finland-based Ekpa is thought to be aimed at stopping people in the region from going to pick their Permanent Voters Card,  PVC.

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, had dedicated the days to those who have not picked their PVC’s to do so.

However, IPOB has directed the people to go and pick their PVC’s, promising to provide adequate security in the Region for the five days Ekpa shut down the South-east.

Sadly, Ekpa’s Group, allegedly, began their operations as earlier scheduled. There was no challenge by anybody at the market. The gunmen had their way in the presence of shocked and helpless citizens.

This Group insists there will be no election in the South-east come 2023. IPOB disagrees.

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