Home Blog Page 1962

National Honour For Journalists: NAWOJ Appreciates President Buhari, Congratulates Recipients

By
Ayodele Oni
-
0
National Honour For Journalists

By Ayodele Oni

The National Association of Women Journalists, (NAWOJ) has described this year’s National Honours Award as unique and a plus for Democracy.

NAWOJ, in a statement by its National President, Ladi Bala, appreciated President Mohammadu Buhari for considering Journalists for the Honour.

National President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, (NUJ) Chris Isiguzo, Special Adviser to the President on media, Femi Adesina and former Director General of the Nigerian Television Authority, (NTA), Yakubi Ibn Mohammed are members of the pen profession who received award.

Bala, in a statement, said “A new dawn for Nigeria’s democracy is in the horizon following the recognition of the contributions of  distinguished, prominent Nigeria’s finest journalists who have contributed in moving the country forward in no small way.

“The conferment of National Award by the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria on the immediate past Director General of the Nigerian Television Authority, NTA and seasoned administrator, Mr. Yakubu Ibn Mohammed and the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President and former President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, Mr. Femi Adesina with the Award of the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON), and the Award of the Member of the Federal Republic (MFR), on the National President, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mr. Chris Isiguzo and the Award of Member of the Order of Niger (MON) on the former President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, a communication strategist, Mr. Halilu Ibrahim Dantiye deserve commendation and praises.

“The deserving Awards on these distinguished journalists is a clear testament of the fact that the role of journalists and the media at large in the development of the country is accorded genuine recognition and appreciated by the federal government.

“It is equally worthy of note that this is the first time in the history of Journalism in Nigeria that such quality numbers are being recognized and so honoured by the federal government.

“The honours will certainly serve as a moral booster and lubricant to inspire other journalists to continue to provide quality information dissemination as well as generate better media contents and serve as the needed oxygen that will strengthen the ideals and principle of democracy for the overall good of  the society.

“The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, (NAWOJ), wishes to congratulate the four Distinguished journalists on the conferment of the National Awards and wish them higher and greater heights in their future endeavours.

“The Awards and recognition, speak volumes and indeed, a thing of pride to all journalists.

“Accordingly, NAWOJ commends President Muhammadu Buhari for the kind gesture accorded the 437 Nigerians who have rendered meritorious services towards the growth and development of the country.

“The 2022 National Honour Awards of the Federal Republic of Nigeria will surely be remembered for its unique choices of the  Awardees.”

It is not, however, the first time for Journalists. Both late Mrs  Remy Oyo and Dame Comfort Obi, were honoured with OON during the Governments of former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan respectively.

APC Campaign Council Says Nigeria Is Doomed With Atiku As President

By
Ayodele Oni
-
0

By Ayodele Oni

The Tinubu/Shetima Presidential Campaign  Council, (PCC) of the All Progressive Congress, (APC) has said that an Atiku Abubakar Presidency in Nigeria will be a disaster, going by the outcome of the flag off of his ambition on Monday in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

Chief spokesman of PCC, Festus Keyamo, in a statement, stated that

“The launch of PDP’s Presidential campaign in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, was, as expected, a disaster waiting to happen.

“Once again, the delinquent PDP continued to treat the now discerning Nigerian public with disdain and disrespect.

“Aside from the obscenity of a poorly-scripted farce misnamed a flag-off, Nigerians suffered additional trauma of having to witness a show of shame, listening to a litany of falsehoods spewed out at the gathering by failed, expired and rejected politicians.

“Speaker after speaker kept echoing a farrago of incomprehensible political jargons that left most Nigerians wondering whether it was a circus.

“For example, if not the loss of the sense of shame, what else could have goaded PDP’s now discredited “sit tight” National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, to be audacious enough to stand on a podium in Uyo and make any promise to Nigerians?

“Has he been able to fulfill the promise he made to himself and his party members to step down from office should a Northerner  emerge as  the Presidential candidate at their party primaries?

“How can a Party that cannot unite itself promise to unite Nigeria? How can a Party that brazenly violates its own constitution on zoning be trusted to obey the Constitution of Nigeria if again trusted with power?

“When you have a flag-off campaign that is shunned by the National Vice-Chairmen of the South-South, South-West, and five sitting Governors out of thirteen,  that is a definitive and resounding red-flag that Nigerians should not vote the Presidential candidate of the PDP in this coming election.

“If the people’s representatives at the state levels are so unanimously against their Party’s candidate that they would shun his campaign launch, then indeed, we would say to Nigerians, “A word is enough for the wise”.

“Fortunately, to the benefit of Nigerians, there remains a few good men within PDP. These honourable men belonging to the party’s NWC, deemed it right to return hundreds of millions of Naira allegedly transferred into their individual bank accounts as “hush money” to suppress the investigation of the scandal of humongous financial misappropriation levelled against their National Chairman.

“It is quite obvious to Nigerians that the PDP is a house that is divided against itself and it sure won’t stand.

“At their Presidential campaign flag-off in Uyo, the absence of many of the PDP State Governors tells a story to Nigerians that no amount of political jamboree can whitewash PDP’s cracked walls.

“It tells a story of a budding autocratic leadership, nourished by impunity, which now fans the flame of divisions and absolute disrespect for laid down rules and regulation.

“Not much should, therefore, be expected from such a gathering. With the obvious inability of its Presidential Candidate to assuage frayed nerves of disaffected persons within their ranks, how will it be possible for such a person to unite people within such a diverse landscape as Nigeria? You definitely cannot give what you don’t have.

“After being voted out of power in 2015 ignominiously, Nigerians had hoped that the PDP would, by now, be contrite as a party.

“Just as many had expected it would be able to muster the organisational acumen to play a formidable opposition Party, having been at the helm of running the affairs of our dear nation for 16 years prior to its disgraceful fall in 2015.

“Alas, such expectations now seem far-fetched. Rather than seize every opportunity to redeemed its battered image, PDP has continued on its free fall, much the same way it bungled the running of the affairs of our country for 16 good years in an orgy of incompetence, unabated corruption and impunity.

“The PDP and its self-conceited leadership failed woefully to put its house in order before hitting the streets to ask for the votes of Nigerians and, ironically, telling Nigerians they are on a rescue mission.

“Till date, their National Secretariat remains uncompleted, whilst the APC, in its relatively shorter existence, now has a permanent headquarters.

“Our democracy is young. This Fourth Republic is barely 24 years old. But then, a 24 years old man would be said to be coming of age.

“At this time, Nigerians are no longer interested in a trial-and-error leadership. Those who have not been proven to be “good enough” leaders should have no access to our highest office.

“If nothing else speaks to the disaster an Abubakar Atiku presidency will be, this crisis within the PDP does so eloquently.

“It is high time Nigerians called out the PDP for their spurious promises and the obnoxious behaviour of their helmsmen.

“It is highly unfortunate that some of the most honorable of their leaders are being sacrificed on the altar of the greed of a few persons and their inordinate ambition.”

Tension As Gov Fayemi Creates New Town In Ekiti Few Days To Exit

By
Ayodele Oni
-
0

By Ayodele Oni

Less than six days to his exit as Governor of Ekiti state, Dr Kayode Fayemi may hand over a state engulf in crisis occasioned by hurried decision of the outgoing administration to give recognition to a quarter chief becoming a monarch.

Governor Fayemi, in a letter, dated October, 4, 2022,  from the Bureau of Chieftaincy, had upgraded a quarter within Efon Alaaye community and promoted the quarter chief to a grade C Oba.

The new town identified as Ahun Ekiti from Efon Alaaye community has been part of the autonomous community with the people co habiting peacefully.

The letter indicates that a new King  should ascend the throne of newly created Ahon Ekiti, which formerly was part of the ancient Efon Alaaye Kingdom which has from its inception, known as an indivisible entity.

Governor Fayemi, through the Bureau of Chieftaincy Affairs wrote a letter dated October 4, 2022, to Prince Jacob Adelowo and appointed him as a Monarch of Ahun Ekiti.

In a swift reaction to the development, the traditional ruler of Efon Kingdom, Oba Emmanuel Aladejare described the development as an affront to the community and Nigeria’s Judicial system.

Oba Aladejare kicked against the recognition of Ahun Ekiti as an autonomous town in the Efon Alaaye community and the appointment of Prince Jacob Adelowo as king of Ahun Ekiti saying the matter is subject to litigation before the Supreme Court in Suit No SC/CV/1063/2021.

The Alaaye who stated this in Ado Ekiti while briefing journalists on the development, said Efon is one entity, adding that a Government white paper on the report of Aladejana Chieftaincy Review Commission, 2019 frowned at granting Ahun autonomy because the matter is a subject of litigation.

Oba Aladejare wondered why the state government has to hurriedly give Ahun recognition and appointed a monarch, even though the matter was still pending at the Supreme Court describing the state government’s action as an affront to the judiciary.

The government through the Bureau of Chieftancy Affairs wrote a letter dated October 4, 2022, to Prince Jacob Adelowo stating that “Consequent upon the recognition of Ahun Ekiti by the Ekiti State Government as an autonomous community, the state government has approved your appointment as the Alahun of Ahun Ekiti and a recognized traditional ruler (Grade C) under the provisions of Ekiti State High Chief Law, 2012″.

The letter was signed by the Bureau’s executive secretary, Morakinyo Adegboyega.

The Alaaye stated that the suit in which he clearly stated his objection to granting autonomy to Ahun filed at the State High Court, was yet to be heard to date.

Ova Aladejare is one of the 16 royal fathers in Ekiti that took Governor Fayemi to Court to challenge his decision to appoint Oba of Ilawe Ekiti as chairman state Council of Obas, before some prominent indigenes waded in and the case was withdrawn.

Opinion: Dangote ‘Under The Table’ Purchase Of Obajana Cement

By
James Orji
-
0

BY Duro Meseko

I am an indigene of Kogi state. I have the interest of the state at heart. But I must confess, an issue has been bothering me so much that sometimes I lose sleep for days — the issue of Dangote Cement and how Kogi practically lost out in the company!

I was tormented by this sad reality almost on daily basis until last week when the state government took the bull by the horn and sealed the cement factory, citing irregularities in the processes leading to the so-called 100% acquisition of the shares or stakes of the initial Obajana Cement owned by Kogi state government. I have not stopped dancing till this moment.

The Obajana debacle did not start today. I was a secretariat staff of the blueprint committee set up during the early days of former Governor Idris Wada’s administration in 2011. And part of the committee’s brief then was to look into how Obajana Cement was acquired by Dangote, what percentage of shares accrued to the state, how much had been paid to the state and so on and so forth.

Officials of the ministry of justice that appeared before the committee to brief it on these details shocked members when they confessed they could not lay their hands on a single document linking the state with Dangote Cement as necessary documents, according to these officials, had mysteriously disappeared! I was astounded by the revelation.
It was therefore a jackpot of some sort for me when I learnt that Governor Yahaya Bello had decided to fight back to get what rightly belongs to the Kogi people.

For daring to thread this noble path, the White Lion as the governor is fondly called has scored a bullseye. And this may perhaps stand as one of his administration’s most profound achievements at the end of the day. I have heard the hues and cries from the side of Dangote Group especially the highly provocative, “we own Dangote Cement 100%” submission and could not but ask the million-dollar question — “What has Kogi gained from the acquisition of Obajana Cement to date? Is it procedurally feasible for a whole cement factory belonging to the state to be sold under the table without any official document?”

Let us even agree without conceding that Dangote bought Obajana Cement from the Kogi state government, how much did he pay? And into which of the state’s accounts? What percentage of taxes has Dangote Cement been paying to the state? I can go on and on.

Truth is, the earlier Dangote comes clean on this matter, the better for all the parties concerned. How on earth could a company as massive as Dangote Cement Factory operate in Kogi and for the state not have anything to show for it?

It has simply been a case of tears and sorrow for the citizenry daily traumatised by Dangote Cement trailers driven by drivers who would block the highways at will, kill/maim innocent souls at will with their recklessness on the wheels among others.

In the coming days, I would be examining and providing more details on the sad story of the acquisition of Obajana Cement for Nigerians and the world at large to know the naked truth, including the collusion of some government functionaries in the show of shame!

Meseko is a former member of the Nigerian House of Representatives

NIMASA DG Fetes Stakeholders

By
James Orji
-
0

The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, has stated that stakeholders would continue to occupy a premium position in the life of NIMASA, noting that it is the stakeholders who keep the Agency and maritime business afloat.

Speaking during this year’s celebration of Customer Service Week at the Agency’s Headquarters in Lagos, the DG averred his belief that investment in material assets by NIMASA would be meaningless without the staff and other external stakeholders. He added that for every investment in material assets, there was a need for a corresponding availability of stakeholders to make such an investment significant.

“Today, we at NIMASA are celebrating our existence. We are celebrating our existence because without you, our stakeholders, there will be no NIMASA. Yes, we must invest in maritime asset acquisition. But then, we know that in spite of the level of investment in both tangible and intangible assets by NIMASA, without the stakeholders, such investments will be meaningless”, the DG said.

Jamoh used the event to welcome the National Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer of SERVICOM, Mrs. Nnenna Akajemeli, who was at the Agency to celebrate with the staff, noting that adherence to NIMASA’s core values was necessary to guarantee mutual satisfaction of both internal and external stakeholders of the Agency,

Jamoh stressed his belief in the founding principles of SERVICOM, reiterating that Public Offices were the shopping floors for government businesses and that there was a need to always leave whoever goes to the floor for shopping with a high level of satisfaction.

On her part, the National Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer of SERVICOM commended NIMASA for all the achievements of the Agency, particularly in the areas of stakeholder support and complaint handling system. She applauded the NIMASA’s Maritime Stakeholders’ Experience Contact Centre (MSECC), noting that it is a world-class facility.

“We at SERVICOM are thrilled by what we are seeing in NIMASA today. The environment, level of professionalism exhibited by staff, customer-centric orientation and attitude, as well as the energies we have noticed and experienced are all worthy of emulation.

“We, therefore, urge other government parastatals to visit NIMASA leadership and learn from them. Your operations and individualized attention to some of my colleagues, who acted as mystery shoppers were amazing. We must confess our happiness and we are proud we are part of the celebration. We are part of this history”, Akajemeli said.

Highlights of the celebration were surprise rewards for some support staff and staff of the Agency with different gift items.

Customer Service Week is an international celebration that calls attention to the importance of customer service and the people who provide it. Celebrated in the first week of October of every year, and with the theme of this year’s celebration as “Celebrate Service”, the goals of Customer Service Week are: to elicit team bonding, boost morale, reward employees for the significant work they do, and raise awareness of the value of customer to organization’s successes.

Wike Gets Rare Recognition From Buhari  

By
James Orji
-
0
Nyesom Wike

President Muhammadu Buhari will confer on Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers state the “Distinguish Award in Infrastructure Delivery” the presidency has said.

The award is considered by not a few Nigerians as a reward for the giant stride the Rivers governor has recorded since he came into office over seven years ago.

He has also commissioned many life-touching projects than his counterparts in other states, those watching his government said.

According to a letter signed by Dr. Nnamdi Mbaeri, the Permanent Secretary (General Services) in the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF’s Office, and addressed to Governor Wike, the president will on October 21 present the award to the governor at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja.

The ceremony is part of the forthcoming Nigeria Excellence in Public Service Award by the Federal Government, the SGF office said.

“Tinubu Is Healthy, Ready To Rumble” – PDP Senator, Dr Chimaroke Nnamani

By
Adesina Soyooye
-
0
Chimaroke Nnamani

By Adesina Soyooye

A Peoples Democratic Party’s Senator, Chimaroke Nnamani, has certified Bola  Tinubu, the Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, fit, healthy and ready to rumble.

There have been concerns, for months, over the health status of Tinubu. Many insist his health is fragile, and that he suffers from alleged Parkinson disease.

They insist that the alleged disease is responsible for Tinubu’s, atimes, unsteady steps, shaky hands and not too good manner of speaking.

Recently when he went to London, the Social Media was awash with reports that he traveled on medical grounds. His Campaign Office tried to debunk the narrative. Director of Publicity and Communications, Bayo Onanuga, invoked the wrath of God on those carrying the rumour of Tinubu’s ill health.  He said Tinubu went to London, not on medical grounds, but for a short rest in preparation for the grueling Presidential campaign.

Then, as proof, a photograph of Tinubu riding an exercise bicycle was released. This was followed by a dapper looking Tinubu, wearing a suit, posing with two of his grandchildren in London. Then followed a tweet by Tinubu denying his alleged withdrawal from the race, and his rumoured death. “I am not dead, and I have not withdrawn from the Presidential race”, he said.

Now enters PDP Senator Chimaroke Nnamani. A two-time  Governor of Enugu State, Nnamani is a medical doctor, a specialist in the most intricate form of surgery and a great surgeon.

On Monday, Nnamani told Nigerians that from a professional point, Tinubu is in top shape, health-wise, and ready to rumble.

The PDD Senator, whose Party’s Presidential candidate is Atiku Abubakar, assured Nigerians that Tinubu is okay and has the capacity to lead Nigeria.

Chimaroke: “I join millions of Nigerians in welcoming Tinubu home. It is to God’s glory that he returned in superb health.

“I strongly continue to condemn those who wallow in ignorance in celebration of real and phantom infirmities.

“I lend my voice in celebration of his giant strides in governance, reforms and locality administration in all its spheres. I salute his political deftness and sagacity.

“As a medical professional with honour, I attest to Tinubu’s good health and capacity.

“Tinubu has a robust general system, acute awareness of his holistic environment, political and in all ramifications. A bubbling and vivacious personality, his confidence is easily apparent, sharing and transferable. Engaging him clearly demonstrates good health, energy and readiness to rumble.”

Nnamani and Tinubu were colleague-Governors. He has continued to promote Tinubu’s positive credentials even though they belong to different political parties. He says Tinubu is his friend.

He broke the record when his name appeared as a member of the APC Presidential Campaign Council. He was number 350 in the 422  member-team. Onanuga first justified it, but later said it was a mistake as they meant to write Senator Ken Nnamani not Senator Chimaroke Nnamani.

The former Governor did not, immediately, distance himself from the APC list. But days later, one of his Aides asked that his principal’s name on the list be ignored as he is running for a third term to the Senate on the ticket of the PDP. This has, however, not changed his absolute belief in Tinubu.

Ogun 2023: Again, Amosun Goes Against His Party; Backs ADC Candidate, Otegbeye, Dumps APC’s  Abiodun

By
Akinwale Kasali
-
0

By Akinwale Kasali

Former Governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun has never hidden his dislike for his successor, Governor Dapo Abiodun, even though they are in the  same Political Party, the All Progressives Congress, APC.

During the 2019 Governorship Poll, Amosun backed the Candidacy of Allied Peoples Movement, APM, Adekunle Akinlade at the expense of Abiodun.

Now, he has repeated it as the election towards the 2023 Ogun State Governorship seat draws near.

Amosun has backed the Candidature of African Democratic Congress, ADC,  Biyi Otegbeye, in the 2023 elections, thus abandoning Abiodun who is seeking a second term in office.

Amosun, while he made his choice   known, emphasised he will be backing Otegbeye  against Abiodun, but pledged his support to the APC presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu.

He declared his stance during an exclusive interview with BBC Yoruba on Monday.

Amosun said, “For the Presidential poll, I can assure you, both right, left and centre, we are supporting one person (Tinubu). I believe we are supporting one person. On the Governorship poll, that’s a different ball game. I don’t belong there.

“For the Governorship, that is different. I don’t hide behind one finger to fight. That’s why people say to me ‘don’t say that.’ On governorship, my supporters and I, we don’t belong to that side. I do not support APC on that side, Biyi Otegbeye is the person I am supporting, and ADC is the party.”

Amosun’s anointed candidate, Otegbeye, is from Ogun West Senatorial district and is the Managing Director of Regency Alliance Insurance PLC.

Afenifere To Akeredolu: Our Support For Peter Obi Is To Ensure Equity; Insists Other Ethnic Nationalities Back the Position

By
Ayodele Oni
-
0
Peter Obi

By Ayodele Oni

Pan Yoruba socio cultural organization, Afenifere, has insisted that its preference for Peter Obi, Presidential candidate of Labour Party, (LP) is purely based on equity.

Reacting to remarks by Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, Afenifere said that its support for the LP candidate was purely that of the Group and not Yoruba interest. The Group pointed out that it is a principled stance of the Afenifere that the next President of Nigeria should be from the South and for equity, South-east.

A statement signed by Sola Ebiseni, Secretary General of Afenifere, stated that “The attention of the Afenifere has been drawn to the statement credited to Governor Rotimi Akeredolu on the Afenifere endorsement of Mr. Peter Obi, former Governor of Anambra State, for the 2023 Presidential election.

“On the statement widely reported today in the media, the Governor of Ondo State, who is also the South West Coordinator of the Presidential Campaign of the All Progressives Congress (APC), was quoted to have said “Afenifere doesn’t speak for the Yoruba people on the endorsement of the Labour Party Presidential candidate, Peter Obi and that  Afenifere is divided in respect of the purported endorsement”.

“To start with, we wish to reiterate the principled stance of the Afenifere that the next President of Nigeria should be from the South, and all things equitably considered, from the South East, for which we consider Mr. Peter Obi, by his verifiable records as a two-term Governor of Anambra State, most competent and suitable.

“It is a well considered corporate decision debated for over a year of  regular monthly meetings, validly conveyed in the best tradition of the Organisation.

“While we have our respect for Governor Akeredolu, and his colleagues of the Southern Governors Forum, which he leads, on their stand that it is only equitable that the next President of Nigeria, after the eight years of Buhari of Northern Nigeria extraction, should come from the South.

“We will not lend our support to those who betray that cause for the lucre of Vice Presidential porridge or those who see equity only from the parochial prism of their own ethnic benefits.

“We wish to state for the umpteenth time, that Afenifere is not an apolitical Yoruba sociocultural Organisation but, from its inception, a political machinery as the embodiment of the worldview of the Awolowo School of Thought on how Nigeria, a country of ancient and entrenched nationalities, may best be equitably, inclusively and peacefully governed.

“These thoughts are encapsulated in the theory and practice of True Federalism in its equitable and logical dimensions.

“This philosophy, which has inexorably becomes the Yoruba view, also defines Afenifere’s position, either as the initiator of NADECO, on restructuring and the need not to deny the South East their turn of  Nigeria Presidency.

“Those who strive to abridge or diminish the full effect of this covenant, on the altar of partisan or cheap tribal interests, cannot  claim to speak for the Yoruba and Afenifere is not in competition with them.

“The Yoruba know the Organisation which speaks for them, taking hard decisions which others may initially despise but come round to embrace in the fullness of time.

“Finally, let it be said that Afenifere is not alone in this decision that the next President of Nigeria should be from the South and South East specifically.

“Afenifere conveyed its resolution through a Press Conference on the 26th September 2022, the Middle Belt Forum converged on the Jos Township Stadium on the 28th of September.

“Other ethnic nationality Organisations, particularly of the Southern and Middle Belt Forum of which Afenifere is a member and other well meaning Nigerian leaders are in agreement with this resolution which the nation needs most for an all inclusive sense of belonging and attendant peaceful coexistence.

“Those seek equity that the rulership of Nigeria is not the exclusive preserve of the North must also do equity by not seeking to score the same goal for themselves by foul means.”

Akeredolu had said on Monday, that Afenifere does not speak for the Yoruba.

Why DSS Still Holds IBC Staff In Its Custody – Imo State Govt; Says His Collaborators Are On The Run

By
The Source
-
0
Hope Uzodimma

The Imo State Government has explained why the State Command of the Directorate of State Services, (DSS), is still keeping, in their custody, a staff of the Imo State Broadcasting Corporation, Casmir Chinonye Uzomah.

In the past few days,  the Social Media has been awash with demands for the release of Uzomah who was arrested by the DSS for airing, on the iBC Radio Station, Orient FM, a criminal, libellous and extremely subversive song against His Excellency, Senator Hope Uzodimma, the Governor of Imo State. Uzomah did this while on duty at the radio station on 4th August; 2022.

The Imo State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Declan Emelumba, said the DSS wants to ensure that investigation into the reason Uzomah was detained is not jeopardised.

“Some of those ignorantly calling for his release have gone far enough to baselessly claim that he was detained on the orders of the State Government,” Emelumba said.

The Commissioner, in a statement on Monday said: “For the avoidance of doubt, neither Imo State Government nor Imo Broadcasting Corporation is responsible for the arrest of the said Casmir Chinonye Uzomah. He was arrested by the DSS for airing subversive material capable of threatening national security.

“The  DSS has confirmed that upon his arrest he made a written confession that the said offensive and  damaging song he aired was given to him by some collaborators,  in a flash drive, and he duly smuggled same into IBC studio and willfully caused it to be aired, in violation of the terms of his employment and the ethics of the broadcast industry.

“This seditious and highly subversive song described the Governor of the State, His Excellency, Senator Hope Uzodimma as a murderer, a vampire and  sucker of blood.  It was as bad as that, and indeed worse.  Yet an employee of the Government had the  audacity to air the song in a State-owned Radio Station. If that does not  qualify for the height of impudence and willful subversion, then nothing else can.

“That was a clear case of  criminal libel against a man who has never been accused of a high crime, nor convicted by a Court of law.

“The aim, of course, was not just to disparage the Governor but to maliciously damage his reputation and to incite the public against the Government.

“Those who glibly talk of freedom and  democracy in this matter are either ignorant of the potential crime of treason committed by Casmir Chinonye Uzomah, or they are being hopelessly mischievous.

“Indeed it may not be far from the truth to conclude that those in the forefront of the clamour for his release may indeed know how he came about the offensive song. This may well explain why they want him out of the hook fast enough so that they can obstruct further chances of getting to the root of who did what and why.

“It is instructive to note that apart from sabotaging his employers, Casmir Chinonye Uzomah also incurred the wrath of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC),which queried IBC for breaching its code.

“These are the weighty issues at stake for which the DSS is carefully trying to get to its remote and immediate motives.

“And from the explanation given by the DSS, the co-conspirators,indicated by Mr Uzomah, in his statement, have been on the run. The DSS insists that they have to be apprehended and questioned alongside Casmir Chinonye Uzomah to establish their sinister motive.

“It is, therefore, important that while we exercise the right to call for the release of a detainee, we must not sweep under the carpet the  need to first establish the motive for the suspect’s action, who his hasty released will most likely jeopardise  investigations.

“A man who, acting in collaboration with some unscrupulous elements, could brazenly use a Government   station to incite the public against the Governor of the State, can as well plan  to do something more dangerous using the same gang.

“This is why we think the  DSS is right in insisting that it’s important and urgent that he should help them track down his collaborators so that the motive behind their action can be unravelled and judiciously rested.”

1...1,9611,9621,963...3,040Page 1,962 of 3,040