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Train Girl-Child In Technological Advancement – Ondo Gov’s Wife

By
Ayodele Oni
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Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu

By Ayodele Oni

As Nigeria joined the rest of the World to celebrate this year’s International Day of the Girl Child, the Wife of Ondo State Governor, Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, has stressed the need to develop the girl-child technologically.

In her message, the Founder of the Bemore Empowered Initiative, the largest girls-only ICT and solar boot camp in Nigeria, said she would continue to build female technology leaders that would serve Nigeria and help with solving its problems.

“I am committed to continue to build female technology leaders who will serve Nigeria and solve its problems and not to become professionals for export who are suitable for sending back dollars homeward.”

She urged leaders at all levels not to deny the girl-child equal access to quality education, noting that  it is counter productive to national development.

“Our greatest error as a nation has been and continues to be; denying the girl child equal access to quality education by upholding cultural norms and traditions that discriminate against them.”

Speaking on this year’s theme, “Digital Generation: Our Generation”, Arabinrin aligned with the position of the United Nations in building up women and girl-child technologically.

The Governor’s wife pointed out that the BEMORE Empowered Initiative for girl-child, her pet project,  is a testimony to the need to ensure women and girls have unlimited access to the internet and digital devices.

“If indeed we are concerned about the prosperity and security of this country called Nigeria, we must begin to invest in our girls.”

She disclosed that during this year’s BEMORE Summer Boot camp in Ondo State, over 360 girls were trained, reshaped, reformed and polished to bridge gender technological gap in the country.

She expressed the hope that  they would grow to become beautiful and strong-willed breed of women.

Chief Anyanwu-Akeredolu also called on African leaders to join the league of world powers like the United States of America where every girl can live free from violence, discrimination and bias.

“Where girls can dream boldly and lead ambitiously as heads of families, communities, corporations, and governments; where their voices are not only heard, but amplified; and where they can lead the charge against 21st century challenges, drive innovations, compete and succeed in the workforce of the future.

“Insecurity, socio-economic and political instability are becoming more popular in Nigeria, because the people allow proliferation of sexist family laws, unequal property rights, early marriage for girls, patrilocal marriage, polygamy, son preference, violence against women and legal indulgence.

“It would have been drastically mitigated if government, civil societies, private sector, parents, philanthropists, youth movements and other stakeholders can protect, support and invest more in the girl-child.”

Mrs Akeredoku charged women and girls in the State not to jettison their interest, but keep overcoming obstacles placed by society on women advancement.

Kwara Islamic School Flogging: MURIC Demands Investigation

By
Bayo Bernard
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By James Orji

Ishaq Oloyede, the Director and Founder of the Muslim Rights Concern, MRC has condemned the brutal flogging of some students at an Islamic school in Ilorin, Kwara state, urging the state government to investigate the matter. Oloyede, however, urged Nigerians not to jump into hasty decisions to condemn the Islamic teachers in the school.

The MRC leader described the flogging too harsh, even as Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq, on Sunday, launched an investigation into the issue. The governor had earlier suspended those involved in the act that has drawn public outrage from human rights bodies across the country.

According to a statement on Monday MURIC said “While we regard the punishment meted out to the students as too harsh, we maintain that the action of the school authorities should not be judged in isolation. The fact that the parents requested the school to discipline their children must not be ignored.

“MURIC is also in possession of another video in which the students confessed that they engaged in shameful and unIslamic actions, namely; visiting a club, drinking alcohol, bathing themselves with alcohol, etc. These are horrible acts in which ordinary Muslims must not be involved.”

MURIC said the students must be condemned for committing an immoral act against Islamic tenets, adding that moral decadence is responsible for many problems facing the country.

“Arabic schools are the repository of morality and the vault of uprightness. They are the conscience of the Ummah. The offence committed by those students becomes more unacceptable when the actors are students of an Arabic school who are expected to be the epitome of morality and religiosity.

“The abyss of moral decadence into which the Nigerian society has fallen is responsible for most of the woes facing us in this country today. Nigerians now indulge their children. Family values and norms have been thrown to the winds. Parents allow their children to dictate to them. Instead of parents condemning waywardness in their children and punishing them for it, they now condone and collaborate.”

Akintola further explained that Nigeria should not replicate Western countries where children are allowed to do what they like.

He said, “This is not London where a five-year-old child can call the police to arrest his mum for spanking him and all London police units will come racing to the house, blaring siren. This is not New York where a mother must seek permission from her three-year-old baby before the latter’s nappy can be changed. This is Nigeria, the heartbeat of Africa.

“We commend the parents of those children who instructed the school authorities to punish their children. Posterity will count them among Nigeria’s puritans and disciplinarians. Those who are condemning the parents and the teachers today are those who will gladly encourage their own children and wards to participate in BBNaija’s shameful sex in public.”

“In the light of the above, we urge Muslims in Kwara State and the general public to allow the Kwara State Government to investigate the incident.

“The government itself must adopt a middle road. We invite parents and guardians to discipline their children and wards promptly and proportionately.”

Governor Abdulrasaq had on Sunday visited the school after a viral video showing some students being severely flogged by other students, where they consumed alcoholic drinks.

NUPENG Bows To Pressure, Suspends Planned Strike By Tanker Drivers

By
Ayodele Oni
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By Ayodele Oni

The National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has directed Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) to commence an indefinite strike on Monday.

South West Chairman of the Union, Mr Tayo Aboyeji, who gave the notice, explained that it was over the deplorable state of the nation’s highways which has resulted into loss of many lives and properties.

“This is not the first time that we will signify our intention to go on strike, but we have to call it off because it will generally affect majority of Nigerians but now our hands are tied.

“We are going on nationwide strike because of the deplorable and shameful state of our highways.

“When a truck loads petrol in Lagos, the drivers spend five to six days to get to Abuja because of the shameful state of the roads.

“All calls by the Executive of Petroleum Unions have fallen on the deaf ears of the government as the highways continue to deteriorate nationwide.

“The list of the highway is endless and the tanker drivers have been going through harrowing situation while rendering selfless national service.

“The increase rate of fire incidence involving petroleum tankers with accompanying massive destruction of lives and properties of our members and general public is enough.

“This is because of Government’s failure to enforce installation of safety gadget on tankers to protect the inflammation contents of their trucks from spilling over in a situation of road accident.

“We see the failure of the government in this regards as height of insensitivity to lives of innocent Nigerians and union cannot continue to hold its hands while our members are getting burnt everywhere and everyday.

“There are some trucks that carry 60,000 litres to 100,000 litres on the highway.

“This load has a negative effect and impact on the safety and control of drivers on the wheel as well as durability and sustainability of the highway.

“The Union do not want any truck to carry more than the approved capacity.”

Why FG Should Negotiate With IPOB – Gov. Ikpeazu

By
The Source
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Okezie Victor Ikpeazu, Governor, Abia state

By Gideon Njoku

In what could be termed a surprise submission by a Governor from the South-east, Abia State Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu,  said the Federal Government needs go to the negotiating table with the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB.

This is a deviation from the stand of the South-east Governors who, in 2017, backed the Federal Government when it proscribed IPOB, and termed it a terrorist organization.

Ikpeazu was one of the Governors who endorsed the prescription.

But speaking to Vanguard Newspapers in Abuja on Sunday, Ikpeazu said there is some sense in what IPOB has been saying. He, also, submitted that IPOB was not as bad as it is being termed, and definitely not anywhere as bad horrible as the  Bandits which have been operating in the North-east and the North-west.

The Governor said going to the negotiating table with IPOB has become imperative for peace and justice to reign.

Ikpeazu: “We must engage with IPOB. Yes, we must find a way to talk about the issues at stake. These people are not as bad as the ones in the North-east or North-west who go to schools  and seize the whole population of teachers and students or invade the Mosques and Churches and kidnap all the worshippers and nobody can find them until ransom is paid.”

Continuing, the Governor said: “I believe that there is some ideological sense in what these people are saying. There is something to listen to even though it is criminal to take up arms against the State. There is a message they are trying to pass in the process.

“We need confidence building among ourselves rather than use words that we should not use even as leaders. Nigeria is sitting on a keg of gunpowder, but the solution is not too difficult to find.”

IPOB is a separatist group in the South-east seeking for independence from Nigeria for its own country to be called the Republic of Biafra.

Its leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, is in the custody of the Federal Government being prosecuted for issues relating to alleged terrorism and treasonable felony.

Since his arrest, the agitation has taken a violent bend with his followers declaring a weekly (Mondays) sit-at-home order  which has cost the Zone lives, destruction of businesses and billions of Naira.

And even though it has officially restricted the order to only the days Kanu would appear in Court, the order is still being enforced by those the leadership of IPOB dismisses as a rogue group.

But IPOB has declared it would shut-down the South-east for one month if Kanu is not brought to Court on October 21, the day the case was adjourned to. The last date it was adjourned to, he was not brought to Court due to what the FG said was logistic reasons.

IPOB’s efforts to lobby groups in other Zones to join it in the one month strike was rebuffed by both the Afenifere and the Arewa Youths Forum which wished the South-east 10 more years of sit-at-home.

Kanu, the leader of IPOB is from Ikpeazu’s State, Abia.

Imo and Anambra, and to an extent, Ebonyi, have, instructively, remained the main centres of its recent activities.

How Former Enugu Commissioner, Ogazimora, Escaped Being Killed

By
The Source
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Ogazimora Igbonekwu

By Charles Igbo

Ogazimora Igbonekwu, a veteran Journalist and former Media Aide to former two-time Enugu State Governor, Senator Chimaroke Nnamani,  is giving thanks to God for miraculously escaping a near-death incident.

And in doing that, he is warning people to be careful, don’t stay out late and, as much as possible, avoid security check points, especially, those mounted by Soldiers.

Not that he was out late.

He had his experience at about 8.37pm, at the Park Avenue, Enugu, on his way home.

In a gripping, heart- thumping  narration titled Please Beware,  Igbonekwu, who was also a former Commissioner for Information said a young soldier of about 24 years old, almost ended his eventful life.

His offence?

As he drove home, he made the mistake of driving to a barricade  mounted by Soldiers at the gate of the Directorate of Security Services, DSS, headquaters, Enugu. As he did that, a young soldier, who he says is below 25 years, accosted him in a very rough manner, and was ready to blow off his head, but for the grace of God, and well, the intervention of his superior.

He didn’t know, like many others,  that at that time of the night, that road remains closed.

But following is Igbonkwu’s story as posted on his Facebook page.

“A young, lanky soldier, apparently below 25, almost killed me about 8.37pm at Park Avenue, GRA, Enugu.

“My offence was that i drove up to their barricade at the DSS State Headquarters, along Park Aveneue, and immediately I saw soldiers standing, civil men and women kneeling on the tarmac – likely  earlier victims – i stopped and contemplated my further moves.

“He ran up to me and started raining abuses. I was surprised. I calmly asked him whether i should turn back. That now enraged him more. I quickly switched to silence, which now enraged him more.

‘You no dey talk, banza,’ he shouted.

“Gun corked, as he called another soldier, likely superior, and demanded, ‘make i waste this banza.’

“The noise made as the gun was being corked? Nerve shattering.

“Likely it had not been serviced for sometime. But i did not need to be told it was, nevertheless, lethal.

“Even it was not, it was not for me to ask or test the youthful enraged soldier.

“The superior came, looked me over and scolded me for trying to use the road.

‘Idiot, you never hear say we dey close this road by 8pm? Turn and find another road,’ he cursed, imperiously.

“He turned on his heels, and as I made to reverse, the younger chap who had strode off ran up again, and tried to yank my door open.

“He couldn’t contain his rage when he discovered that the doors were locked.

His hands were flaring. I was surprised, and quickly wound down.

‘Come down, idiot.’ He yelled.

I complied on the instant.

He peered into my car and snorted, ‘idiot, because you dey drive jeep na him go make you come here this time.’

“I said i was sorry. Perhaps, it escaped me that i had almost successfully managed them with silence.

‘If you talk that sorry again i go just waste you here and nothing go happen,’ he said with every severity he could muster.

“I reverted to my silence strategy.

“Soon, he noticed that other vehicles behind me were quickly reversing and heading back.

“He chased one yellow bus with so much force and fury that i concluded he must be on some substance.

“Any way, that presented me an opportunity to slip into my car and slip away.

“I have no doubt that what fires him is likely more of hate than duty, because i was completely compliant to his orders and unreasonable reasonings, so there was no reason for his rage.

“I spoke to SOMEBODY shortly afterwards and he said: “…please, in the coming days, find a way to keep clear of those boys.

“Their briefing is an indoctrination of hatred by those who believe that the Igbo played a major role in profiling the Fulani and the relentless protestations leading to herder discomfiture so far. Don’t even rule out vengeance. So, keep clear of them for now…”

“Another SOMEBODY said, “let us all work hard to outlive this junta.”

I hung up.”

The Nigerian Army has just started its yearly show of power all over the country.

That of the South-east is termed operation Golden Dawn.

It’s meant, the Army said, to take care of violent crimes in the weeks leading to the Yuletide and New Year.

Religious Group Cautions MURIC, Alleges Plot To Divide Nigeria

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0

By Akinwale Kasali

The Director of Muslims Rights Concern, MURIC, Prof. Ishaq Akintoye, has been warned to desist from dividing the country along religious lines and sentiments based on his statements.

Pastor Tareri Avwomakpa, the National Coordinator, Christians Rights Group, Nigeria CRGN, lamented that MURIC has made it a duty and habit to continually harass  Christians lawfully propagating their faith.

The lawyer turned Pastor condemned, in strong terms, and in its entirety, the recent comment by Prof Akintoye urging authorities of the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, to stop members of Christ Embassy Church from turning its premises to Christian camps.

He said the allegation by Akintoye and his Organization that distributing Christian handbills and leaflets at the premises of NPA and train stations are plots to christianize the country are false, a witch hunt and plot to divide Nigeria across religious lines.

A statement by CRGN, signed by its coordinator, Pastor Avwomakpa, warned the MURIC boss to exercise restraint and conduct himself and his organisation within the rule of law in his desire to advance the cause of Islam in Nigeria.

The Group maintained that the action of those being accused by the Muslims activist was lawful under section 38 of the Nigeria Constitution which guarantees freedom to propagate one’s religion.

“Mr. Ishaq Akintoye should desist from further insulting the sensibilities of Christians and other well-meaning Nigerians.

“From the inception of the President Muhamadu Buhari’s administration in 2015, Mr Ishaq Akintoye has made several publications that have deepened the religious divides between Christians and Muslims in Nigeria.

“He has by his comments advocated the advancement of jihad in the form of appointing only Muslims as heads of government agencies as well as violent killings of occupants of Christian communities and taking over their lands in several villages in the North East, North Central, and other hitherto peaceful parts of Nigerian which the jihadists could not conquer before independence”, the statement read.

Avwomakpa, Senior Clergyman with Christ Missionaries Crusaders Church in Delta State, called on the Federal Government to interrogate the Muslim cleric in line with President Muhammadu Buhari’s

61st Independence Day speech that his administration would go after all leaders who instigate violence by their utterances.

“If the president and his handlers were sincere to the Nigerian people, the MURIC Director and the likes of Sheik Gumi, the Islamic cleric should have been cautioned and dealt with by today.

“Unfortunately the government has continued to maintain double standards in addressing these issues. The practice today is that when Muslim leaders make inflammatory statements or issue direct threats leading to the death of christians the government and its security agencies keep mute.

“However when Christians rise up to condemn the killings and venture to retaliate such cruel killings, the government springs up to condemn us counter-attack and deployed the military who have often been accused of religious biases.

“Then the DSS suddenly rises up to invite and interrogate Christian leaders for speaking up against such killings. You cannot run a divisive government in a multi ethno-religious nation like Nigeria and expect the people to live in peace and harmony. Nobody has a monopoly on violence.

“This accounts for the different uprisings in nigeria today. The likes of Mr Ishaq Akintoye should have long been arrested and prosecuted for making decisive and inflammatory remarks which have caused setback to the unity of Nigeria.

“Noticeably, political leaders and military dictators of the Muslim faith who have had opportunity to lead Nigeria have continually acted in contravention of the terms agreed upon by the founding fathers and the colonial masters as bases for a United Nigeria in the process leading to the attainment of Independence on 1st October, 1960.

“Assuming that the MURIC Director be taken seriously in his outbursts that sharing Christians handbills in public transport facilities is an agenda to christianize Nigeria, may I remind him that it is unconstitutional to print Islamic Arabic inscription in the Nigerian currency.

“He should be reminded that it is also unconstitutional to have Islamic Arabic inscriptions in the logo of the Nigerian Army. It is unconstitutional to register Nigeria as a member of the Organization of Islamic Conference using state funds.

“It is unlawful for a Governor to deploy state funds to build mosques and to finance the breaking of fast during Ramadan. It is unconstitutional and a threat to the unity of Nigeria to implement Sharia law beside Sharia personal law in any part of Nigeria.

“It is unlawful for Muslims to vacate their offices and shot government’s institutions during working hours to attend prayers. Nigerian Christians have suffered enough of the harassment and killings. The MURIC Director and his sponsors should put a end to their actions and let sleeping dog lie”, Avwomakpa said.

We Must Shape Our Opinions Towards Peace, Says Fmr. COAS, Ihejirika

By
Uche Mbah
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Azubuike Ihejirika

By Uche Mbah

Former Chief of Army Staff, General Azubuike Ihejirika, has sounded an alarm that insecurity and the quest for self-determination in some parts of Nigeria could destabilize the country, describing it as “not the best” and insisting we must shape our opinions towards peace.

Speaking at the Interfaith Roundtable on Building a Culture of Peace and Unity in Nigeria organized by the Methodist Church in Abuja weekend, Ihejirika said distrust coupled with the collapse of the value system is to blame for the collapsing structures of governance and threat to Nigeria’s corporate existence.

“The security situation and spate of security challenges in the country should give any reasonable and patriotic Nigerian a sense of worry and concern. More worrisome is the occasional clamor for self-determination by a few individuals within some ethnic groups in the country. There is no doubt that the current situation is not the best. It poses a serious threat to our unity and corporate existence as a nation”, he said.

“As elders, community, and religious leaders, we can contribute to the efforts of government by helping to shape the opinion and reasoning of the people, especially our youths towards peace and unity in the country. We must, through our words and actions, preach peace, love compassion, and unity.

“Our differences should not be a source of division and distrust, but a source of unity, strength, and tolerance to engender national building. I wish to call on all patriotic and peace-loving Nigerians to raise their voices and show concern in the various communities to support any initiative that could foster peace and stability in our nation.”

Ihejirika was the Chief of Army Staff during the Goodluck Jonathan Government. He gave the Boko Haram insurgents a tough battle, and was accused by the then Northern Governors of committing genocide for giving Boko Haram a fight.

Qatar 2022: Super Eagles Redeem Image, Defeat CAR In Reverse Fixture

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Super Eagles - Qatar 2022 Qualifiers

By Akinwale Kasali

First half goals from Rangers Football Club of Scotland defender, Leon Balogun, and Napoli Football Club of Italy striker, Victor Osimhen, gave the Super Eagles of Nigeria a 2-0 Victory over Central African Republic in the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers at Omnisport International Stadium in Limbe, Cameroon.

The victory salvaged three points for the National team to grab nine points from four matches to remain top of the Group C table.

Coach Gernot Rohr had come under strong criticism for the shambolic display against Central African Republic at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos, Nigeria, where the 2013 African Cup of Nations champion lost 1-0 to the lowly rated CAR team, leading to calls for his sack from a large section of ex-internationals, soccer enthusiasts, fans and soccer analysts.

Rohr made some changes in the team that played the first leg in Lagos, with Maduka Okoye returning to the goal post, with Leon Balogun, William Troost Ekong, Chidozie Awaziem and Jamilu Collins in the heart of the defense.

Chidera Ejuke, Joe Aribo, Moses Simeon and Ahmed Musa were paraded in midfield, with Victor Osimhen and Kelechi Iheanacho leading the attack.

Knowing that a win is the only option to redeem itself among its teeming fans back home, the Super Eagles started the match like a house on fire, firing from all cylinders before recording its first goal in the 36th minute courtesy of Balogun, before Osimhen added a second late to stoppage time of the first half.

Going into the final round of matches for the first phase of the qualification series, Nigeria will, on November 11th and 14th, play the Blue Sharks of Cape Verde in Lagos, Nigeria and Liberia in Accra, Ghana. The Super Eagles lead the table with nine points.

Regardless of the outcome of the match between Cape Verde and Liberia in Mindelo, the Super Eagles has Nine Points and needs just a win against Cape Verde in the reverse fixture to move to the next round.

Nigeria Boxer, Efe Ajagba, Records First Professional Loss To Cuban, Frank Sanchez

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Efe Ajagba

By Akinwale Kasali

Just like Anthony Joshua, his fellow country man, who lost to Ukrainian, Oleksandr Usyk in London, United Kingdom, Nigeria’s Pugilist, Efe Ajagba, has recorded his first professional loss in the Heavyweight category.

The 27-year old Olympian lost to Cuban boxer, Frank Sanchez, early Sunday morning at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, USA.

Ajagba lost by unanimous decision of 98-91, 98-91 and 97-92 in an undercard bout with Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder fight as the Main Event. Wilder lost to Fury in an 11th round technical knockout.

Sanchez ran riot of Ajagba, landing series of punches on him, pummeling him to the canvas, as the Nigerian could not land a clean right hand punch which he is known for, as against steady stiff jabs.

Sanchez retained the WBC Continental Americas Heavyweight Title holder and the WBO NABO titles, with 20 professional wins, 13 coming by Knock Out.

Ajagba tried to get back in the fight in the seventh round by aiming for Sanchez’s body but the Cuban threw a right hand that grazed Ajagba, who slipped to the mat late in the round. While he had his knee down, Sanchez caught him with a left, however, referee Mike Ortega called time to allow Ajagba time to recover but did not dock a point from Sanchez for the accidental foul.

Despite not landing any impactful jabs, Ajagba got through with a right hand late in the ninth round that bounced Sanchez into the ropes in the final seconds.

The scorecard saw Sanchez recording a 3-0 win over Ajagba as the referees unanimously gave Sanchez victory.

Imo: Council Of Traditional Rulers Denies Ararume

By
The Source
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Ifeanyi Araraume

By Charles Igbo

The Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers is angry. It is angry over a congratulatory message placed on its behalf for Senator Ifeanyi Ararume.

The Council says the message is  fake. And that it  placed no congratulatory message for the Senator.

Trouble started when a local newspaper in Owerri, Frontline Express Newspaper, carried a full back page congratulatory message purportedly placed for Ararume by the Council on his appointment as the Chairman of the newly incorporated Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, (NNPC) Ltd, by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Ordinarily, it would have been overlooked, even as it is a criminal offence. But the appointment of Ararume as the Chairman has been so politicised, especially, by the opposition that one would think the President deliberately set him up against Governor Hope Uzodimma. Or that he was appointed to spite the Governor.

Both men are in opposing camps of their party, the All Progressives Congress, APC. Ararume and former Governor Rochas Okorocha are in same camp. Till date, none of them, as well as their followers, revalidated their membership of the Party.

In fact, those in Ararume and Okorocha’s camp, and the opposition parties,  gave the impression that Buhari had dumped Uzodimma for Ararume, especially, as the appointment came some days after Buhari’s visit to Imo State which they tried to discredit and rubbish.

It is based on this politicisation that the Council of Traditional Rulers was outraged that it was being drawn into it by a forged Congratulatory message to Ararume where it also thanked Mr President for appointing a worthy son of the State to the position.

In a strongly-worded statement signed by Chief Greg Obioha on behalf of the Chairman of the Council, the Council said that in as much as it was happy over Ararume’s appointment, it never placed any congratulatory message in the Frontline Express Newspaper, or any other newspaper for that matter.

 

Based on this, the Council says it demands a full apology for, and a retraction of, the offensive publication.

Following is the full text of the statement.

RE -IMO STATE COUNCIL OF TRADITIONAL RULERS, THANK YOU MR  PRESIDENT —A REJOINDER

“The attention of Imo State  Council of Traditional Rulers has been drawn to an advertorial placed on the back page of Friday, 8th October 2021edition of Frontline Express Newspaper with the above caption and   name of the Traditional Institution  purportedly conveying  a Congratulatory message to Senator Ifeanyi Ararume on his new appointment as  Chairman of the Board of newly constituted Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd and as well thanking the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for according such  honour to the people of Imo State cum Southeast through the appointment.It is pertinent to state that inasmuch as the  leadership and the entire traditional Rulers in the state are not against the appointment of Senator Ifeanyi Ararume  as the Board Chairman of the federal government Agency.

“However, we wish  to make it absolutely clear that the said advertorial/Congratulatory message did not emanate from us and neither did we at anytime authorize the publisher or anyone to place such publication on our behalf.

“The Imo  State Council of Traditional Rulers is totally embarrassed with the publication, and views it as an act of callousness and outright display of disrespect to the Royal Fathers who are not politicians and would not like to be dragged into politics by mischief makers.

“The Council, therefore, wishes to use this medium to condemn the act and further demand a retraction and unreserved apology  from the Frontline Newspaper which must be published in two editions of their newspaper between Monday 11th October,2021  and Friday  15th October, 2021, and failure  to comply as stated  would attract appropriate/ necessary legal action.

“We further warn that this should not repeat itself.”

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