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Ecobank: Awori In, Ayeyemi Out As Group CEO

By
James Orji
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Ecobank Transnational Incorporated, ETI has designated Jeremy Awori to succeed Ade Ayeyemi as the new Group chief executive.

This was disclosed in a corporate filing by the Pan African Bank on Monday. Adeyemi is retiring after attaining the mandatory age of 60, in line with corporate policy, the bank said in the filing signed by the company’s Secretary, Madibinet Cisse.

“Jeremy Awori is joining Ecobank Group following a twenty-five-year long career in the banking industry, with almost a decade leading Absa Bank Kenya Plc as the CEO & Managing Director,” the statement reads.

“Before joining Absa, Jeremy held multiple leadership roles at Standard Chartered Bank across the Middle East and Africa. He brings a wealth of experience, skills, and industry know-how to the Ecobank Group,” the bank said.

“It is a great honour to be appointed Ecobank Group’s Chief Executive Officer. I look forward to consolidating the transformation of Ecobank, a truly pan-African institution full of talented people while innovating to create value for all Ecobank’s stakeholders,” Awori said on his appointment.

Meanwhile, Ecobank Chairman, Alain Nkontchou has described the incoming group CEO as a well-respected banking guru who has contributed immensely to the sector.

“Jeremy Awori is a highly respected leader in the banking industry with significant achievements in his previous capacities. The Board of Directors strongly believes that his drive and strong focus on results will be vital in steering the Group in its next phase,” he said.

On his part, he said Ayeyemi should proud of “his success in leading the implementation of the Roadmap to Leadership strategy, navigating Ecobank through challenges, seizing opportunities, and positioning Ecobank for sustainable long-term growth.

“Ade’s deep knowledge, unrivaled vision, commitment and infinite passion made all the difference. It has been a real pleasure working with him. I count on his continuous support to ensure a smooth transition as we onboard Jeremy Awori as the new Group CEO.”

Senator Ike Ekweremadu, ILL, Diagonised With Acute Kidney Damage – Daughter; Pleads For A Donor

By
Adesina Soyooye
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Ike Ekweremadu and his Daughter Sonia

By Adesina Soyooye

Former Deputy Senate President, Dr Ike Ekweremadu, has been diagnosed with acute kidney damage. This was revealed by his daughter, Sonia, who is, also, suffering from a rare kidney disease.

Sonia, 25, who lives in London, revealed her father’s status in an emotional statement she released on Monday, September 12, where she pleaded that her life be saved by a compassionate donor.

“In the time that my father has been incarcerated, he has been diagnosed with acute kidney damage”, Sonia wrote.

The Senator and his wife had arranged for a donor from Nigeria who they sponsored to the United Kingdom for the purpose of donating one of his kidneys to their daughter, Sonia. But the proposed donor turned rogue when he arrived London. He reported the Ekweremadus – the Senator and his wife, Beatrice – to the London Metropolitan Police,  and alleged that unknown to him, he was brought to London by the Ekweremadus for the sole purpose of harvesting his kidney for the benefit of their daughter.

On 21st June, 2022, the Senator and his wife were arrested at the Heathrow Airport, London, on their arrival from Istanbul, Turkey, and charged to Court on allegation of illegal organ harvesting.

Since then, while the trial is going on, the Senator has remained in Prison custody and denied bail. His wife, after a couple of months in custody, was granted bail.

In an emotional statement she released on Monday, Sonia wrote about her ordeal  and the ordeal her family is going through because of her. She disclosed that she is suffering from a rare kidney disease – FSGS Nephrotic Syndrome – which forced her to drop out of school. Presently, Sonia said, she undergoes a five-hour dialysis three times a week.

She is begging for a kind donor because, she said, the ailment is genetic and the Doctors advised her against a donation from any member of her family, as the ailment is most likely to reoccur.

She said her family had battled to save her life, but that the ailment kept degenerating. “I am alive today by the special grace of God”, she noted.

Sonia lamented her parents present fate in London, but said she wouldn’t go into details since the case is in Court. She is, however, optimistic that the truth would come out.

Sonia: “The last three years have been extremely challenging. The charges being faced by my parents in London, presently, are directly connected to my illness and have complicated matters for me and my family. I do not intend to delve into details of this unfortunate development as the matter is still in Court. I am, however, optimistic that truth will prevail and it will end in praise to God.”

The full text of her statement reads:

“I, Sonia Ekweremadu, hereby appeal to the general public to come to my aid and save my life.

“I am 25 years old and a graduate of Media and Communications, University of Conventry. I dropped out of my post graduate studies  at the University of Newcastle in 2019 when I was diagnosed with a rare kidney disease, FSGS Nephrotic Syndrome.

“My family has battled to save my life, and has taken me to various hospitals, but the illness persisted and kept degenerating. I am alive today by the special grace of God.

“I am presently in London, UK, receiving five hours of dialysis, three to four times a week. This is at the expense of my family as I am not qualified for NHS, due to my immigration status.

“The last three years have been extremely challenging. The charges being faced by my parents in London, presently, are directly connected to my illness, and have complicated matters for me and my family. I do not intend to delve into the details of this unfortunate development as the matter is still in Court. I am, however, optimistic that  the  truth will prevail and it will end in praise of God.

“In the circumstances above,  I am appealing to anybody whom it  may please to assist me, willingly,  with a kidney donation, in the name of God.”

She noted that she didn’t have to resort to a public appeal if the Doctors had not told her that her illness is genetic, making it impossible for a family member to donate to her because the disease would reoccur.

Sonia: Regrettably, comprehensive medical examination showed that my case of Nephrotic Syndrome is a genetic illness, and the Doctors advised against donation from any of my family members, as it would likely reoccur. In the time that my father has been incarcerated, he has been diagnosed with acute kidney damage

“Anybody that is moved by this appeal, and wishes to donate his or her kidney to me, may send an email to: [email protected] and include his or her name, phone number, email address and place of residence.

“Please, note that under the laws of England and Wales, organ donation must be purely driven by compassion and, therefore, no reward is involved.

“Finally, I have decided to commit and dedicate myself to helping people with the challenges of kidney disease, upon my full recovery.

“Thank you and God bless you.”

The case of the Ekweremadus will come up again in October. It is not known if the Judge would be moved to grant bail to Senator Ekweremadu or not. If bail is not granted in October, he is likely to be in prison till the first quarter of 2023, probably, until the end of the sad and unfortunate case.

Gombe: PDP Protests Demolition Of Campaign Office

By
The Source
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0

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has protested, in strong words, the demolition of its Campaign office by the State Government.

The Party described as wicked the Demolition which it said was ordered by the Governor of the State, Inuwa Yahaya.

In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, the Party accused the Governor of being nervous over what it said would be his imminent defeat at the 2023 polls.

The Party said it was the height of irresponsibility and rascality for the Governor to demolish the office for no just cause. The Party has, therefore, asked the Governor to rebuild the demolished Campaign Office.

Following is the full text of the statement.

Demolition of Gombe PDP Campaign Office Invitation to Anarchy- PDP; Insists APC Must Leave in 2023

“The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) condemns in the strongest terms the unprovoked invasion and demolition of PDP’s campaign office in Gombe, Gombe State capital by the jittery and outgoing All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration in the State.

“This cowardly and provocative action by the Governor Mohammad Inuwa Yahaya-led failed APC administration in Gombe State is a call for anarchy and a vicious attack on the generality of the people of the State, whose Will, aspiration and resolve for good governance is symbolized and embodied in the PDP as a Party.

“The PDP, without any equivocation, demands that the Gombe State Government should immediately rebuild the demolished Campaign Office and tender unreserved apology to the people of Gombe State.

“Governor Inuwa Yahaya is in mortal fear of the PDP Gombe State Campaign office which has become the rallying point of the people in the determination to liberate their State from the misrule and stranglehold of the APC administration.

“Nigerians were shocked by the display of hatred, violence and brute force by the Inuwa Yahaya-led APC administration in Gombe State, which also enlisted heavily armed police operatives, who reportedly fired tear gas and live shots at innocent citizens to assist the demolition squad to carry out its dastardly act.   

“This failed governor is discomfited because the APC in Gombe State has fallen apart in the face of mass exodus of prominent APC members arising from his abysmal failure in office for which the people of the State have rejected him and the APC.

“It is inexcusable that being flustered by rejection and inevitable electoral defeat in 2023 given the soaring popularity of PDP’s Governorship Candidate, Jibrin Barde, the failed Gombe State Governor has resorted to inflicting violence on the people of Gombe State.

“Governor Inuwa Yahaya is aware that he is no match to PDP’s Jibrin Barde and as such he is now seeking to foist a fascist regime as a way to forcefully perpetuate himself in office beyond May 29, 2023.

“The PDP alerts that Governor Inuwa Yahaya has become a clear and present danger to national security as well as a huge threat to our democratic process and corporate existence as a nation.  

“This is particularly as there are apprehensions in the public space that the Governor Inuwa Yahaya-led APC is setting up killer squads to unleash terror on the people ahead of the elections.

“Our Party cautions Inuwa Yahaya to note that he has been exposed and would be held responsible for any breakdown of Law and Order as well as any terrorist attack in Gombe State ahead of the elections.

“The PDP therefore invites President Muhammadu Buhari to call Governor Inuwa Yahaya to order before he causes another mayhem in Gombe State.

“We also charge the Inspector General of Police to order an investigation into the use of police operatives to attack the people of Gombe State to facilitate the demolition of the Campaign Office.

“Governor Inuwa Yahaya should accept the reality of his rejection. He must know that he can never intimidate or cow the people of Gombe State to submission with his resort to violence.

“The people have made up their mind that he must leave office in May 29, 2023 and there is no going back on that resolve.”

Lagos: Heavy Rain Wreaks Havoc, As Victims Count Loses

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Lagos Rain

By Akinwale Kasali

Lagos Residents are counting their loses as properties worth Millions of Naira were destroyed owing to the heavy rain that led to  flooding and crippling of commercial activities.

The rain witnessed in many areas of the State caught many residents unawares as it started midnight.

Many houses were flooded as occupiers scampered for their lives to avoid being swept away by the heavy flood.

Roofs of houses were blown away as the effect of the storm which accompanied the rain was terrifying. Cars were submerged in the heavy flood.

Salami Ifedayo, who just moved to Aboru, in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State, could not hold back tears. He watched his properties  destroyed.

His house was flooded and all his properties submerged by the flood. “All I laboured for has been destroyed”, he cried.

So also was the lot of Jacob Semako, who just moved to Oke Ishagun, Command Area of the same LG. He had  all his wares destroyed by the rain. The shop where he sells Elle truck Wares was destroyed as the heavy storm removed the roof of the shop and exposed his wares to destruction.

Semako said he just stocked his shop Friday, but the rain that fell over the night wrecked his life.

Houses and Cars in Lekki, Victoria Island, Ajah, Lagos Island, Satellite Town, Alimosho, Aboru, Surulere and its environs were submerged and all roads  flooded leading to gridlock unbelievable gridlock on major roads.

The flood prompted motorists to ply alternatives routes as commercial vehicles hiked transport  fares.

It would be recalled that the Lagos State Government had earlier alerted of the coming heavy rains, amounting to 1,750 mm in 2022, with attendant socio-economic implications for Residents of the State.

Commenting on the development, an environmental expert, Segun Lawal, made an appeal to the State Government to work on coordinating their drainage channels and linking them to avoid perennial flooding.

Also, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has urged residents of the State to observe safety precautions.

Ibrahim Farinloye, Acting Assistant Zonal Coordinator, South-west Zonal Office, NEMA, said residents should avoid driving when flood covers half of vehicles’ tyres.

“Once the rainwater gets to half of the wheels it sweeps off your vehicle,” he said.

“Kindly park and move on to higher ground for safety.”

Farinloye also advised that trekking should be avoided during downpours.

“The rainwater must have risen above our ankles, once it happens like this, the flood has the capacity to carry us off,” he added.

“Residents of Lagos Island, Eti-Osa, Alimosho, Amuwo Odofin, Ikeja, Ojo, Kosofe, Apapa, Epe, Oshodi-Isolo, Shomolu, Surulere and Ajeromi /Ifelodun LGAs are advised to be more careful when it rains.”

Flooding issues have become more frequent in Nigeria as a result of climate change.

Obi is Hale and Hearty –  Obienyem

By
The Source
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0

By Valentine Obienyem

The Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, and by the grace of God, fueled by his merit, the next President of Nigeria, Mr. Peter Obi,  is back to the country.

In the last three weeks, he  transverse  the world, convincing Nigerians on the need to take back their country and move in sync with the rest of the world.

Kindly ignore the falsehood making the rounds that he was attacked.

May God forbid that even the very thought of such barbarism be visited on him.

Obi has consistently reiterated his belief that politics should always be devoid of violence. This remains his political credo.  

It is pertinent to note that the news, coming shortly after Barr. Festus Keyamo’s press release, alleging plan by Obi to stage manage his own assassination is worrisome. It shows that the devil may be at work in endless and familiar scheming.

We shall continue to entrust Mr. Peter Obi into the protection of the Almighty, while he ensures he is adequately protected to see through the work of re-building Nigeria that providence has entrusted unto him.

Ondo Govt: No Law Backing Traditional Rulers To Extend Authority Beyond Domain

By
Ayodele Oni
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0

By Ayodele Oni

Ondo State Government has declared that no traditional ruler in the State has the right to paramountcy claim, as it is not part of the Chief’s Law of Ondo State.

The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Charles Titiloye, said this at a press conference in Akure on Monday, where he announced the release of the White Paper on the Justice C.E.T. Ajama (rtd) Judicial Commission of Inquiry on Chieftaincy Matters.

Titiloye disclosed that the immediate past administration under Dr. Olusegun Mimiko instituted the commission on January 30, 2015 to attend to recognition, adjustment, upgrading and elevation of chieftaincy stools in the state.

According to him, the Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu-led administration set up a six-man committee at the State Executive Council (SEC) meeting held on January 12, 2022 to review the recommendations made by Justice Ajama Commission.

He noted that the new committee set up by the present administration reviewed it and prepared the Government White Paper on the report, settling 51 disputed chieftaincy stools across the 18 local government areas of the state.

The Attorney General, who disclosed that the new report was received on August 24, 2022, said the SEC directed that its decisions on the recommendation should be published in Government White Paper.

 “Government is in receipt of the recommendation of the commission on paramountcy of some traditional rules in the state.

“Government notes that paramountcy is not part of the Chief’s Law of Ondo State.

“Consequently, government has directed the office of the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice to set machinery in motion for the amendment of the Chiefs’ Law of Ondo State in order to accommodate this recommendation.”

Assassination Attempt: Ubah Confirms Killing Of Two Persnal Aides, A Number Of Police And DSS Operatives

By
The Source
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Ifeanyi Ubah attack

By Charles Igbo

A thoroughly shaken Senator Ifeanyi Uba has, finally, spoken. In his first comment since after he missed death by whiskers in the hands of suspected assassins, Ubah confirmed that there were a number of fatalities.

Among the fatalities, the Senator disclosed when he spoke from Awka on Monday, September 12, 2022, were his two Personal Aides – Obum Ikechukwu and Goodness Mathias.

He, also, admitted the killing  of a number of Police and DSS Operatives, but did not disclose their number. The Police has, also, not disclosed the number of the Security Operatives who died, thus giving room to wild speculations by the Media and members of the public.

Senator Ubah’s convoy was attacked in the evening of Sunday, September 11, 2022 , as the convoy drove past Nkwo market, Enugu Ukwu Anambra State.

His Media Aide had told Reporters on Sunday that the convoy was ambushed and gunmen shot from back, front and everywhere.

The Senator miraculously escaped because he rode in a bullet-proof SUV.

The assassination attempt on Senator Ubah has been strongly condemned by many, including Anambra State Governor, Professor Charles Soludo, the Presidential candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party and Labour Party, Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, respectively, as well as Senator Sani Shehu who represented Kaduna Central in the 8th Assembly.

Ubah, a member of the Young People’s Party, YPP. is the representative of Anambra South in the Senate. A multi millionaire who is into oil and gas business, he was, until he became a Senator, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Capital Oil and Gas Ltd.

Ubah hails from Nnewi, Anambra State.

No arrests have been made by the Police whose job it is now to determine whether Ubah ran into the gunmen, or was targeted. But, most important, to arrest the culprits.

Not a few people believe he was targeted for assassination.

Hard Times: Pastors Quit Jobs

By
James Orji
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0

Bitter divisions over politics and the pandemic have seeped into churches and led to increasing rates of job burnout among pastors, multiple clergy members, and those who counsel them told Fox News Digital.

“Our faith does not exempt us from anxiety, depression, temptation or COVID, so that’s to be expected,” said David Ferguson, executive director of the Great Commandment Network, which provides counseling initiatives to help pastors. “But in addition to that, we obviously are in a real divided, polarized, politicized world, where sadly at times pastors feel the pressure to take positions on every imaginable topic.”

A study of Protestant pastors conducted in March by the faith-based research organization Barna Group suggested that unprecedented numbers are thinking about quitting the ministry. The poll showed that rates of burnout among pastors have risen dramatically during the past year, with a staggering 42% of ministers wondering if they should abandon their vocation altogether.

That number marked an increase of 13 percentage points since Barna’s similar poll in January 2021, when just 29% felt that way. Such pastors named stress (56%), loneliness (43%) and political divisions (38%) as the top reasons they have wearied of the job, as well as the toll it has taken on their families (29%).

US RELIGIOUS LEADERS EXPLAIN WHY FAITH IN GOD HIT LOWEST LEVEL EVER, SAY COVID MADE IT WORSE

Rev. Dr. Gregory G. Groover, Sr., pastor of The Historic Charles Street A.M.E. Church in Roxbury, prays at the church in Boston on April 10, 2020.

Rev. Dr. Gregory G. Groover, Sr., pastor of The Historic Charles Street A.M.E. Church in Roxbury, prays at the church in Boston on April 10, 2020. (Barry Chin/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)

Ferguson, who has served in ministry himself, said “there’s no doubt” rates of clerical burnout are increasing. The pastorate has always presented pressures potentially detrimental to relationships and mental health, he explained, but the cultural rifts that have deepened in recent years over politics and the pandemic “have pressed pastors to not stay in their lane, which is focusing on our faith and spiritual life.”

Richard White, who has served 33 years as a pastor at a Presbyterian church in Montreat, North Carolina, said he and his staff first experienced “a flood of energy” as they scrambled to adjust to COVID-19 protocols they thought would only last for two weeks. They did their best to navigate the pitfalls of livestreams, cameras, uploading to the church website and other technical issues.

When the pandemic began to drag on indefinitely amid the nation’s political firestorm, that energy waned and was replaced by what White described as “a grinding spirit” that settled over him. About eight months in, he began to experience “decision fatigue,” which he defined as fearing that “no matter what decision you make, there’s a group that’s not happy and is vocal.”

TUCKER CARLSON: CHRISTIANITY IS DYING AND BEING REPLACED BY THE CULT OF CORONAVIRUS

“We have had people leave our church because we had to wear masks,” White said. “And I’ve had people leave our church or contemplate leaving our church because we didn’t wear masks, or we were inconsistent with mask-wearing and COVID protocols. And so here I am trying to navigate the course through this, and it’s just wearing on the soul.”

David Rossini with Bostonian Cleaning and Restoration of Braintree cleans the aisle at St. Gregory’s Church in Boston’s Dorchester during the COVID-19 pandemic on May 18, 2020.

David Rossini with Bostonian Cleaning and Restoration of Braintree cleans the aisle at St. Gregory’s Church in Boston’s Dorchester during the COVID-19 pandemic on May 18, 2020. (David L. Ryan/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)

Many of his friends in ministry have expressed similar feelings to him. Of the 20 or so other pastors he has had conversations with, White said, “there isn’t a one of them who hasn’t taken a look at their retirement package and begun wondering, ‘Do I have enough? How long can I last in this?’”

While relieved things have largely settled, White noted lingering anxiety that the pandemic’s chaos could return. “It’s like dry tinder, and it can flare up at any moment,” he said. He credited his survival to God’s presence and the prayerful encouragement of his staff and church elders, who he said were burdened with him beyond their strength and forced to “press into the Lord” to sustain them.

A strong spiritual support network is crucial for clergy struggling with burnout, Monsignor Stephen J. Rossetti, a Roman Catholic priest of the Diocese of Syracuse and a research professor at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., told Fox News Digital.

Rossetti, a licensed psychologist who specializes in the psychological and spiritual wellness of Catholic priests, pointed to his own yet-unpublished research showing that while rates of depression and anxiety rose among priests during the pandemic, they remained lower than the CDC rates among the general population. He attributed this statistic to several factors intrinsic to the priesthood.

Father Michael Amabisco, right, sprinkles ash on a person’s head during Ash Wednesday service at St. Raymond Catholic Church in Menlo Park, California, on Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2021.

Father Michael Amabisco, right, sprinkles ash on a person’s head during Ash Wednesday service at St. Raymond Catholic Church in Menlo Park, California, on Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2021.

“One is a strong personal network of friendships and personal support,” Rossetti explained. “One is a strong community of faith; another is one’s own strong religious beliefs. One also involves having a life that is personally rewarding and fulfilling, and priests as a group have this.”

Even so, Rossetti acknowledged that parishioners can sometimes lay demands on their pastors that prove too burdensome for one person. “Some people are very supportive of their clergy, but people can be very demanding too, and sometimes they can have expectations that can be unrealistic,” he said.

Drake Caudill, senior pastor of a Baptist church in Carmi, Illinois, told Fox News Digital that too often pastors are expected to perform more like the CEO of a church rather than its spiritual leader, which he said: “is not a biblical approach to shepherding a congregation.”

“I think the expectation should start from Scripture and using what Scripture expects from the pastor or pastors,” said Caudill, who was moved to pen an article about pastoral burnout for Baptist Press in April after seeing pastors and their families struggle in his community.

Pastor Chuck Salvo delivers his sermon to the congregation during the drive-in service at On Fire Christian Church on April 5, 2020, in Louisville, Kentucky.

Pastor Chuck Salvo delivers his sermon to the congregation during the drive-in service at On Fire Christian Church on April 5, 2020, in Louisville, Kentucky. (Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

“I would see pastors out in the back of a pickup truck, holding church services or adjusting video cameras and livestreaming their services,” he said. “They were doing all that they could to try to inspire hope and bring about some normalcy. But at the same time, I was seeing them just get tired and exhausted. Their families were getting tired and exhausted.”

Mark Dance, another Baptist, has spent 35 years in the ministry and discerned that many pastors burn out because they also expect too much from themselves.

Now the director of pastoral wellness at the faith-based financial company GuideStone, Dance was serving as an interim pastor when the pandemic hit. He counted himself among the clergy who strained to juggle politics and social issues while performing their other duties.

“The most unrealistic expectations come from us trying to be proficient in someone else’s profession, especially in the last two years,” he told Fox News Digital. “People want us to chime in on politics, on a pandemic and things we’re not qualified to do. We’re not economists. If we focus on what God’s called us to do — pastoring, preaching, serving — we are less likely to face some of the challenges that are making pastors want to quit.”

“We have to wake up every day and remember what John the Baptist said: ‘I am not the Christ.’ That takes a lot of pressure off when we’re not trying to solve every problem,” he added.

Fox News

OPINION: For The Love Of Femi Fani-Kayode

By
The Source
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0
Fani-Kayode and Valentine

By Valentine Obienyem

(First published in 2004)

When Chief Olusegun Obasanjo was said to have won his second term in office, Nigerians expressed their opinions on how they wanted his Cabinet to look like.  Consensus of opinion preferred a Cabinet dominated by young people, who would be willing and able to work towards national transformation.  Thus, when the likes of Femi Fani-Kayode were appointed, joy was universal.

I am one of those who believe that the youth should be empowered to make meaningful contributions to the nation.  When you look at other nations, especially democratic ones, you will notice conscious efforts to enthrone the younger ones in power.  There is nothing wrong with that since the younger ones have more stakes in the progress and future of the country and should be trusted.  I say this because of gerontocratic nature of our society, where old men who should be in retirement are endlessly re-cycled as epitome of wisdom.  I understand that doing critical meetings, rather than contribute, some of them sleep of.

It is against the foregoing that Femi Fani-Kayode’s appointment was welcome by Nigerians.  As John Buchan said, “Public life is regarded as the crown of a career, and to young men it is the worthiest ambition.”  With Femi’s appointment, we expected a worthy performance as a sort of guarantee to whoever becomes the president in 2007 to take the young ones into the reckoning.

Handsome, courteous, intelligent, brave; what more could Nigerians ask of Femi other than for him to translate this good qualities into serving the country.  As the Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, we may now sit back and look into his performances so far and ask: how far has Femi Fani-Kayode gone?  This is a legitimate question that beyond Femi, should be asked of other public office holders.

I like the passion and dedication with which Femi does his job, and I am sure his principal likes it too, otherwise he would have fired him.  Seeking faults in him, I find none but his over zealousness, which has often pushed him to defend his boss even when it means telling cheap lies.  Femi, once again, renews the saying that “It is a lesson of history that men lie most when they govern states.”  Interacting with some Nigerians who had watched and heard him speak, they say that whenever he speaks these days, they will either switch on to another station or put off the medium.

The singular act that brought Femi’s phenomenon to Nigerians was Colonel Abubakar Umar’s (Retd) open letter to Mr. President and Femi’s reply.  In fact, the letter and the reply still vibrate with excitement, and are still hot with the hatred of enemies brought face to face in war.  Both warriors exhibited violent outbursts of hatred, misrepresentation, and controversial ferocity.

Though Umar’s letter was harsh and adjudged extreme, but rather than be circumspect in his reply, Femi was crude.  He spoke of Obasanjo as the common father of the nation, and of Umar as intent a patricide, he charged him not with cogent evidence, but with innuendoes.  In Femi’s reply, he framed barrage of rhetorical questions to make answers difficult or damaging, he heaped charges against Umar in periodic sentences whose clauses were lashes, and whose torrent overwhelmed.  The reply did not pretend to be fair; it was defamatory rather than declamatory.  Femi did not hesitate to apply to his victims, including Umar, terms like “pathological liar,” “treacherous” “ingrate,” “destructive fake,” etc.

Recently, when the controversy surrounding the summons on Chief Emeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu raged on, Femi spoke in his characteristic way.  His latest speech was on the rejection by Professor Chinua Achebe, of the honour bestowed on him by the Federal Government.  Analysing his reply, he tried to be cautious, but his quest to please his master was still detectable.  It has got to a point that people now question the wisdom of attributing his statements to the Federal Government, on the reason that it debases the weight the releases from that office ought to carry.

The young ones who earlier identified with Femi are now disappointed.  Why should they not, when their former idol has made himself a general butt for the mockery of most Nigerians, who now make frequent reference to him when they have in mind to disgrace or calumniate any person in authority who speaks before thinking?  His indiscretion has reached a stage whereby we have to caution him, as Zeno cautioned a youth who spoke likewise in his days.  Femi, “the reason why we have two ears and only one month is that we may hear more and talk less.”  Chief Remi Oyo, even though the President’s spokesperson, talks with a lot of circumspection.  Nigerians listen to the Minister of Information himself, Chief Chikwuemeka Chikelu, because he knows when to talk, what to say and how to say it, without making enemies thereby enhancing the overall image of the government.  Those of them serving Obasanjo should realise that they may still be in politic long after Obasanjo is gone as the President.

The fundamental flaw exhibited by the tribe Femi belongs, if we want to do a philosophical analysis, has to do with human nature.  Human being is naturally selfish, he tends to be attracted to that which benefits him or he feels will further his aims. He does in politics exactly things that are contrary to his beliefs when not in politics. So mingled of angel and brute, man repeats the contradiction of mind and body and reminds us of the Chimera, which in Greek mythology, was a she-goat with a lion’s head and a serpent’s tail. Thus, Blaise Pascal says of man: “What a Chimera is man! What a novelty, a monster, chaos, a contradiction, a prodigy, Judge of all things, and imbecile norm of the earth; depository of truth, a sewer of error and doubt; the refuse of the universe.  Who shall unravel this confusion?”

The contradiction in man, as Femi’s tribe shows us is most manifest when he governs state. Thus, there is nothing human beings have not done, and will not hesitate to do to retain state powers.  When Femi was not in power, he was critical of Obasanjo, now he is in power he is infinitely ready to justify every action of Obasanjo.  Most of us have heard of the renowned John Milton who wrote the equally renowned Paradise Lost.  In another book, Areopatitica, Milton argued against censorship of books.  Milton said, “He who kills a good book, kills reason itself.”  Very soon, when, in 1649, Milton was invited by Crownwell to join the government, Milton joined with other employees of the Council in suppressing books.  The one who had written the most eloquent appeal ever made for freedom of the press was now looking at censorship from the view of the ruling power.  What a Chimera is man!

Yesterday, Femi wrote against Obasanjo and criticised those that jettisoned principle, those who, like the proverbial dog, left off barking in defence of the masses because bones were thrown to them.  Femi and his tribe criticised and pontificated about their superior values.  Today we are criticising Femi and his tribe, while tomorrow others may rise to criticise us because some of us would certainly follow the way of the Femis.

I am not saying that critics should not join the government, they should; what I say, however, is that we should not allow the crumbs we get to blind us from trying to correct those ills we spoke against.  We have to, ab initio, be faithful to the government we serve, and above all to our conscience.  Femi’s volte-face pains me particularly because he gives uninspiring example to the younger ones thereby jeopardising his future that is otherwise bright.  If other Nigerians feel disappointed, as is clearly the case, you are now left to imagine what his immediate constituency – the bar – feels.

Meanwhile, we join all men of goodwill in condemning the shooting of yesterday. May God crown the efforts of Gov. Soludo in security  with success.

Obienyem sent this from Awka, Anambra State

Ijaw Group Denies Plan To Attack IPOB, Ndigbo, Says They Are Partners In Struggle

By
Ayodele Oni
-
0
Benjamin Okaba Prof

By Ayodele Oni

The Ijaw National Congress, (INC), an umbrella body of Ijaw speaking people from the south, has distanced its members from an alleged attack of Ndigbo and members of Independent People of Biafra, (IPOB).

President of INC, Prof Benjamin Okaba in a statement on Monday, explained that the Ijaw Group, as one of those agitating for better living condition for the people of the southern part of the country, will not contemplate or launch attack on any other bodies.

The state by the INC leader states “The use of violence against our neighboring ethnic groups, totally contravenes the ideals of the Ijaw Struggle.

“Therefore, Militia groups brandishing Ijaw symbolism for selfish atrocious economic adventures, particularly against our Igbo neighbors and other ethnic nationalities, are on their own and are acting at their own peril. The Ijaw Nation disassociate itself from such actions and people.

“Due to the very sensitive nature of the issue at stake, the leadership of Ijaw National Congress shall immediately carry out further investigations on the alleged attacks by Izon militia group against Igbos and deploy appropriate measures that would prevent the ensuring misgivings from deteriorating into unwarranted and avoidable crises.

“We wish to strongly appeal to all Ijaw freedom fighters and Youths in general to demonstrate total commitment to the ideals of the Ijaw Agenda for Freedom, as enunciated by the founding fathers of the Struggle and apply due diligence in their individual and collective activities.”

 Spokesman of the IPOB, Emma Powerful had been quoted as alleging that a criminal gang headed by an Izon Warlord, who has continued to show unrepentant hatred for the Ndigbo and Biafra agitation championed by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and IPOB members worldwide is busy recruiting Izon boys and killing innocent Biafrans in Imo, Abia and Eboyin States in the name of chasing IPOB and Nnamdi Kanu.

The IPOB Spokesman is also quoted as inferring that, but for the respect they have for the age-long cordial relationship that have existed between the Izon and the Igbo, they would have retaliated.  That they are almost running out of patience, hence the call for caution.

The INC stated that it “regard these allegations as weighty and call for serious concern because the Ijaw Nation, the Igbo people and several other ethnic nationalities in the South and Middle-belt in Nigeria have on different fronts jointly confronted common issues bordering on criminal neglect, oppression, environmental degradation, exploitation, insecurity, injustice and other forms of deprivation and hardship suffered in the hands of insensitive leadership in the Nigerian hegemonic state.

“The Ijaws and Igbos are all victims of systematic insensitivity to the plight of the minorities.

“It is on record that Ijaw agitators are known for the promotion and defence of the Ijaw cause for self-determination, Resource justice, Equity, fairness to all; and the demand for full implementation of principles of the Federalism and not attack on other ethnic nationalities of Nigeria.

“In fact, one of the salient resolutions of the KAIAMA DECLARATION of Ijaw Youths including the agitators which has guided their struggles over the years is the resolution to extend hands of friendship and support other ethnic nationalities’ peaceful, genuine quest and struggle for freedom and self-actualization.

“The Ijaw National Congress at its All Ijaw Summit held in 2021 did, in unequivocal terms, resolved to pursue the noble cause of Self-determination, through non-violence, civil engagement strategy and solidarize with other entities that share similar aspirations.

“Therefore, it will be preposterous to even imagine that Ijaw people of whatsoever background could align, associate itself, encourage or endorse the attacks on other ethnic nationalities in whatever guise and be for whatever reasons.

“The use of violence against our neighboring ethnic groups, totally contravenes the ideals of the Ijaw Struggle.”

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