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IPOB To Lockdown South-east For One Month

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The Source
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By Gideon Njoku

The Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB, has threatened to lock down the South-east for one month, without let.

The Group is not joking.

In a statement dated September 22, 2021, signed by its Publicity Secretary, Comrade Emma Powerful, the Group says it would embark on this action if its leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, is not brought to Court on October 21, 2021, for his trial.

Kanu is facing prosecution at a Federal High Court in the FCT, by the Federal Government over sundry issues, including alleged treason and murder.

After a long lull, occasioned by the invasion of his father’s Palace in his Afara Community, Abia State in 2017 (where he was) which forced him into exile, the trial began again after his rendition to Nigeria from Nairobi, Kenya.

But last month, after much expectation, he was not brought to Court on the adjourned date, due to what was said to be “logistics”. The next trial date is October 21. And IPOB is warning that if he does not appear in Court on that day, the South-east would be locked down for one month.

The Group says not bringing him to Court is a deliberate tactics to keep him under detention forever, thus denying him justice.

Following is the IPOB statement on its next action.

BIAFRA LAND WILL GO ON ONE MONTH LOCKDOWN IF NNAMDI KANU IS NOT BROUGHT TO COURT ON OCTOBER 21 – IPOB

“The attention of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) ably led by our great prophet and liberator of our time, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has been drawn to the plot by Nigeria government and her DSS in Abuja not to produce our leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu to  court on 21st October 2021, the date he is due to appear in court to start his case.  The federal government of Nigeria has again perfected plans not to bring him to court on that day.

“Their wicked plan is to perpetually keep him behind bars without trial to see if they can demoralize him and Biafrans but they are late.

“If the federal government refuses to bring him to court in his next court appearance on October 21, 2021, the entire Biafra land will be on total lock down for one month.  The federal government will know that they cannot take us for granted any more.  Our peaceful disposition as a people should not be misconstructed as weakness.  Nigeria cannot incarcerate our leader illegally and expect things to be normal again.  If by October 21, Kanu is not brought to court, Nigeria will know that Kanu commands the unflinching loyalty of over 60 million Biafrans home and in Diaspora.

“By keeping our leader out of circulation his health will be in jeopardy and we won’t allow this.  The Fulani-controlled Nigeria Government must tell us why it will choose to disobey court orders and expect citizens to watch like conquered slaves.  They are busy granting amnesty to terrorists and bandits killing their soldiers and citizens but keeping peaceful agitators in perpetual detention.

“Their plan is to suppress agitation and force everyone into submission but Biafrans won’t succumb to their intimidation.  We are a different people.  Their plan is to silence agitations for freedom as championed by Nnamdi Kanu and Sunday Ighoho so that the Fulani from across Africa will overrun Nigeria.  They can’t conquer Biafra land as they have conquered Hausa and other indigenous tribes in Nigeria.”

Already, there are fears in the region over this threat.

The region has been under tension, economic lockdown, and violence for months.

IPOB had, earlier, declared a weekly sit-at-home order on Mondays to pressurise the FG into releasing Kanu.

The FG did nothing of the sort, and seemed not to have noticed the effect of the order on the people.

Instead, it brought untold hardship, destruction, blood and death to the region.

IPOB has just cancelled the weekly order and restricted it to only the days Kanu would appear in Court.

The region is yet to recover from it, especially, as some people have cashed in on it to inflict maximum destruction of the zone, with  loss of lives.

Emir Of Gaya, Abdulkadir Dies At 91

By
Akinwale Kasali
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By Akinwale Kasali

Governor Abdullahi Ganduje led Kano State Government and the Entire Kano Emirates have been thrown into mourning following the death of the Emir of Gaya, Alhaji Ibrahim Abdulkadir.

The Emir, who has been bedridden for some time joined his forebears in the early hours of Wednesday in Kano.

He was 91-years-old.

Media Aide to Governor Ganduje, Abubakar Ibrahim, confirmed the development in a Facebook post  Wednesday morning.

The official, however, did not give detail.

However, sources said the Emir died in his Palace Wednesday morning, following a brief illness.

His death followed that of the Emir of Rano, Abubakar Illa Tafida, who died on May 2, 2020.

The two were among the Emirs installed by the Governor, Mr Ganduje, in 2019, after he split the Kano Emirate into five. The new emirates are Gaya, Rano, Bichi and Karaye.

Until the creation of the four new emirates, Kano, like Sokoto, had one Emir.

The passage of the Emir has been confirmed by a Government House source who said that a Government delegation was making arrangements to depart to the Emirate to attend the funeral later today said the  incident occurred this morning at the Emir’s palace following a protracted illness that had kept the Monarch away from public view.

Funeral arrangements for the deceased are to be announced by the Palace in due course, but he would be buried today according to Islamic Rites.

The deceased will become the second of the four newly appointed Emirs to die His colleague, the then Emir of Rano had died last year during the pandemic lockdown period.

2023: Igbo Group Says Two Presidents Would Emerge; Frowns At Northern Presidency

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Coalition of South East Youth Leaders

By Akinwale Kasali

The statement made by Hakeem Baba Ahmed, Spokesperson for the Northern Elders Forum, NEF, has generated controversy and condemnation, especially in Southern Nigeria.

Igbo youths under the aegis of the Coalition of South East Youth Leaders, COSEYL, has slammed NEF Spokesperson.

The Youth Group said the South East will produce its own President if the North is bent on retaining power in 2023 as said by Baba Ahmed.

It would be recalled that Baba Ahmed had made the comment while speaking at the Maiden Maitama Sule Leadership Lecture Series organized by the students wing of Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) at the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria.

He stated that anyone who doesn’t want a Northerner as President in 2023 can leave the country when it happens.

A statement by the President General of COSEYL, Goodluck Ibem,  described the utterance by the Northern statesman as unfortunate and disapointing.

“It is unfortunate that a man of his standing who the youths look up to for better direction and guidance will hold such view on such important and sensitive issue. We are totally disappointed that he will make such statement.

“It is a well known fact that the North cannot produce Nigerian President without the support of the Southern Nigerians. President Buhari had the full support of the North and he contested in 2003 and he lost.

He contested again in 2007 and 2011 and lost. He won the election in 2015 when he aligned with the Southern part of the country who voted for him and he emerged as president. It is wrong for the hen to forget the one  that assists her in drying up her wet feathers during the rainy season, as the saying goes. It was the support of the South that made President Buhari to win his elections in 2015 and 2019.

“We are very surprised that Hakeem has suddenly forgotten so soon how President Buhari emerged as president. History doesn’t lie, he should go back to history to refresh his memory.

“We, as the Youth Leaders of South East geopolitical zone stand by the decision of the Southern Governors that the office of the Nigerian President be zoned to the South for equity and justice. Enough said.” Ibem stated.

Ekiti APC Crisis: Group Slams Ojudu, Warn Him Against Throwing Stones At House He Belongs

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0

By Akinwale Kasali

The crisis rocking the Ekiti State All Progressives Congress, APC, is yet to abate.

Former Senator Babafemi Ojudu has been at loggerheads with Governor Kayode Fayemi over the structure of the Party in the State and other issues.

This had led to the suspension of Ojudu by the leadership of the APC months back, but, the crisis between the duo has escalate.

A political Group, JKF Forward Champion, has frowned at the alleged politics of calumny and hatred being played by Ojudu, cautioning the Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammudu Buhari, to stop attacking Governor Fayemi with derogatory and unfounded statements.

The Group said the criticism of the Fayemi administration by Ojudu was uncalled for, saying it further shows the unpopularity of Ojudu among Ekiti People.

The National Coordinator of the Group,  Honourable Olu Okeya explained that Governor  Fayemi should be appreciated and applauded by politicians and residents of Ekiti State for bringing tremendous growth to the state.

Honourable Okeya noted that the first and second term of the Governor brought unprecedented development to Ekiti State in terms of infrastructure and other social amenities.

According to him, “during the first term of the Governor, five kilometers road were constructed in all the sixteen local governments, prompt payment of workers salaries, stipends to the aged and other vulnerable persons in the Society.”

His word “The second term has also given another look to the state by turning it from Civil Servants state to industrial hub through the resuscitating of Ikun Dairy Farm for large production of milk, rehabilitation of Ire Burnt  Brick, completion of Civic Centre in Ado Ekiti, ongoing construction of  new Ado-Iyin road as well investing in the Technical Education.”

He pointed out that the present administration led by Governor Fayemi was committed to prompt payment of workers salaries and releasing of one hundred million naira monthly to offset the outstanding gratuities of pensioners in the state, compared to his predecessor.

“I’m not expecting any right thinking person because of selfish interest to attack this present administration that has performed excellently and brilliantly virtually in all sectors.

“Governor Fayemi is a blessing to Ekiti people and deserves to be commended by his political associates rather than attacking him with unfounded and derogatory Statement.He that  comes to equity must come with clean hands”.

He called on  Ojudu to point to his achievements when he served  as a Senator and now a Senior Special Assistant to the President.

The Group added that Senator Ojudu only used all his political opportunities to enrich himself asking him to stop throwing stone into the house he belongs to.

He said if Senator Ojudu is not busy, he should engage himself in something meaningful, rather than attacking the present administration in Ekiti State.

Honourable Okeya said that Governor Fayemi is well accepted within and outside Ekiti hence, the need for all political gladiators in Southwest to support his next political ambition in the interest of all Nigerians.

Ekiti Varsity ASUU Invades Council Meeting As Concerned Parents Flay Underfunding

By
Ayodele Oni
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ASUU

By Ayodele Oni

An Attempt by members of the Academic Staff Union, (ASUU) Ekiti State University chapter to storm the meeting of the Governing Council, to table their demands was stopped by security agents.

The Council was having its meeting when the ASUU members mobilized and invaded the venue.

This is coming just as some aggrieved parents of students at the university rose and condemned the failure of the State Government to adequately fund the institution, which has led to incessant strike by Unions.

Among demands by ASUU are restoration of monthly subvention of the university to its initial rate of N260 million naira by the state government, and Governing Council failure to take necessary action on the issue of alleged portal fraud perpetrated by some staff.

ASUU representatives told Journalists that the State  Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi has been given two weeks ultimatum to restore the full subvention or they would shut down the campus.

Chairman of ASUU, EKSU chapter, Dr Kayode Arogundade, said Government was yet to fulfil its promise after the expiration of three months, saying the refusal has subjected workers to hardship as Management could no longer meet up with payment of salaries and deductions.

He said the Institution was owing about 14 months cooperative deductions, 26 months pension deductions, arrears of salaries and bonuses.

He pointed out that Ekiti State Government has been receiving its monthly Subventions as at when due with a significant increase since April this year, but failed to meet demands of the university.

The Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Edward Olanipekun during a news conference, said ASUU members were prevented from entering venue of the meeting of the Council because their action did not follow due process.

Prof Olanipekun condemned the action of the ASUU members, saying the Council had actually deliberated over their petition and would do everything possible to ensure that their agitations were attended to.

The concerned parents in a statement in Ado Ekiti stated that “The attention of concerned parents of EKSU- students have been drawn to various agitations, worries fear and state of hopelessness of lecturers and entire workers in the University over inability of the Management and Governing Council to meet their financial obligations to workers and other statutory commitments.

“It is very disappointing that the very first conventional Ekiti state owned University had been bedeviled with financial inadequacies, very unfortunate and saddening.

“We parents , who are not only stakeholders but majority of us who are members of the Alumni Association of the university for the fact that we finished our academic programme in the University are not happy with bad image the university is attracting in recent time.

“It is high time the Governing Council seek honest audience with the visitor to the university-Dr kayode  Fayemi to address and increase the issue of finances ( subversion) to EKSU.

“We concerned parents want to say it loud and clear that it will be a great disservice to humanity and future generations of Ekiti State for anybody to play politics with the future of Ekiti Youths. The Spirit of these students will not forgive the exploiters and the wicked.

“We are aware that majority of those in the saddle of governance in Ekiti State today enjoyed scholarship and grants of various types for their tertiary education . Why are they now heartless?”

Deficit Financing: Nigeria Raises $4 Billion Through Eurobonds

By
Uche Mbah
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0

By Uche Mbah

The Debt Management Office Tuesday said the Federal government has successfully raised over $4 billion to help finance the N5.6 trillion deficit budgeting accumulated over time through Eurobond.

Surprisingly, the bond was oversubscribed as investors were angling to pump in $12.2 billion as against the $3 billion offer.

The Government had to increase the offer by an extra $1 billion.

“This exceptional performance has been described as ‘one of the biggest financial trades to come out of Africa in 2021 and an excellent outcome,” the DMO said, equating the size of the order and quality of investors to the level of confidence in the Nigerian economy.

But analysts believe it may rather be a factor of shrewd investment resulting from panic as the global financial system wobbles, and commodities gradually replace fiat currency.

The bonds were in seven-year, 12-, year and 30-year tenor.

The debt management office raised $1.25 billion for seven years at a yield of 6.125%; $1.5 billion from the 12-year bond at 7.375% and $1.25 billion was sold or the 30-year tenor at 8.25%.

The bond will be listed on the Nigerian Stock Market.

The settlement would take place on September 28 for the bond which would be listed on the London and Nigerian Stock Exchanges.

North Can Survive Without VAT From Lagos and Rivers

By
Bayo Bernard
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0
Northern Elders Forum

By James Orji

The Northern Elders Forum, NEF has declared that the North is boyant economically and does not need the Value Added Tax, VAT from other regions to survive.

The northern elders said this in response to suggestions that VAT from the south is used to develop the region.

Some state governments in the southern part of the country have recently enacted laws that gives them powers to collect VAT in their jurisdiction.

Apart from that, Rivers and Lagos states are currently in court with the federal government as to who has the power to collect VAT.

Speaking on the issue, the NEF spokesman, Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed said the VAT controversy has the potential to reset problems arising from the country’s federation, and that the court should be allowed to settle the matter.

Baba-Ahmed said when the matter is finally settled it will address all issues relating to the restructuring of the country, adding that the President Muhammadu Buhari administration has refused to address the issue.

Baba-Ahmed who spoke on Arise Television said he “ will advise that we wait to hear what the court says. However, even the fact that it has become an issue suggests that we really do need to address the fundamentals and the manner in which the federation works.

“We have always supported restructuring. We have always asked that a major and genuine shift initiative either by groups or the National Assembly so that matters like this be addressed properly.

“If we don’t do that now, then we should get a leader that would do that in 2023. This administration appears not to understand the importance of restructuring; we do in the north, we recognise the fact that we need to change the manner in which we generate wealth and allocate (it).”

He said the north wants the country to restructure as soon as possible, noting that the region does not depend on other regions to survive economically.

According to him “The thing about is: the north wants restructuring; the north wants fiscal federalism. We are a rich region and we can live on what we have, even if we don’t have the billions that accrue to others states. Our poverty is not a kind of problem that we would break this country over.”

He said the VAT debacle is a wake-up call to northern governors who need to recognise the fact that VAT or no VAT, they need to develop their resources and develop the human capital of the north.

“North, you said you have many people but you are under-developing your own people – the biggest liability of the north is that we have a huge population that is under-developed. You need to develop the human capital that you have.

“We need leaders, the current governors don’t recognise this. Otherwise, they won’t be involved in this argument; allow the court to decide.

“But for goodness sake, (they should) begin to think — what else can we do if the court decides now that Rivers State is right, Lagos State is right, and they won’t be getting all these billions coming in from VAT? What happens?”

Baba-Ahmed urged northern leaders to develop the area using enormous agricultural  and other resources available in the region. He said “sitting on wealth, we have massive resources in this country, we have to fight insecurity first, and the Federal Government has to help us, we need to clear the bushes, the forests and all the criminals that are there and we need to go back to farming.

“Agriculture is a major asset; we have land, we have water, we have livestock, we have minerals that are literally begging to be picked from the ground but our governors are too focused on the pittance that they are getting. This is wrong.”

Why My Father Died of COVID-19 – General Ukpo’s Son; Mailafia, Too

By
The Source
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1
General Anthony Ukpo’s son

By Gideon Njoku

The University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, UATH, has hinted that former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Dr Obadiah Mailafia died of the  COVID-19 pandemic.

This was as a son of former Military Governor of Rivers State, Brigadier-General Anthony Ukpo revealed that his father, the General, died of COVID-19.

Ukpo, also, a former Minister for Information. died two weeks ago.

The young man, in an emotional but courageous video recording said his father’s death was unnecessary, as it was avoidable.

He lamented that his father fell victim to false conspiracy theories, like the 5G signal, surrounding the COVID-19 Vaccine,  propounded by Pastors, friends and family.

But for that, he bemoaned, his father, who he described  as  a brilliant giant of a man could have been alive today.

The younger Ukpo said watching his father battle  for a month with the disease, was the most painful experience he has had to endure.

His words:

“My dad died from COVID two weeks ago today. And  watching his month-long battle with the disease was the most painful thing I have ever had to endure.

“And the most upsetting thing about it is that it was totally unnecessary. It was the fake conspiracies and lies from the very beginning of the pandemic. Stuff about 5G signals and plandemics and   a lot of those conspiracies carried over once the Vaccine became available.

“If people are given bad information from trusted sources like your Pastor your friends and your  family, those people will make bad decision just based on false information,  and the consequences are immense.

“My dad was a beautiful brilliant giant of a man who should still  be here today.

“But he believed the people he trusted. Those people turned out to be bad teachers, and he paid the price for his life.”

In Mailafia’s case,  UATH said it tried everything to keep him alive, but at the time he was brought in at about 3.00pm on Saturday, his condition was already bad, and his oxygen saturation was 60 percent.

The Hospital, speaking through its Ag. Public Relations Officer, Michael Atiga, said contrary to the claims of shabby treatment made against its personnel, Mailafia was given a VIP treatment, as he was being expected, and kept at the VIP Isolation wing.

He vehemently denied that anybody asked him for a kobo before treatment, and that the question of money came after his death. He said that once told that the CBN would settle the bill, no other question was asked.

It is not known, yet, if Mailafia took the COVID-19 Vaccine or not before he contracted the disease.

Buhari Makes More (New) Appointments

By
The Source
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Muhammadu Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has written the Senate to confirm appointments of the Secretary and Board members of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC); Chairman, Chief Executive and Executive Commissioners for the Upstream Regulatory Commission; and Chairman, Chief Executive and Executive Directors for the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority.

He has written to the Senate  asking for the confirmation of the nominees.

Femi Adesina, Media and Publicity Adviser to the President, in a statement dated September 21, confirmed the Appointments.

Part of the statement reads:

“In letters to President of the Senate, Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan, the President said he was acting in accordance with the provisions of the different laws governing the establishments.

Nominees for the EFCC Board are; George Abang Ekpungu, Secretary of the Commission (Cross River); Lukman Muhammed, (Edo), Anumba Adaeze (Enugu), Alhaji Kola Raheem Adesina (Kwara), and Alhaji Yahaya Muhammad (Yobe).

“For the upstream Regulatory Commission, Isa Ibrahim Modibbo is nominated as Chairman; Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, Chief Executive; Hassan Gambo, Executive Commissioner, Finance and Accounts; and Ms Rose C. Ndong, Executive Commissioner, Exploration and Acreage Management.

“Chairman nominee of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority is Idaere Gogo Ogan; Engr. Sarki Auwalu, Chief Executive; Abiodun A. Adeniji, Executive Director, Finance and Accounts; and Ogbugo Ukoha, Executive Director, Distributions Systems, Storage and Retail Infrastructure.

“President Buhari urged the Senate to consider and confirm the nominees in an expeditious manner.”

Airport: Governor Umahi Stuck, Begs Buhari for N10b

By
The Source
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0

By Charles Igbo

Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi, is in pains. His plans to bequeath the State with an Airport is being frustrated. He had planned to be through with its building before leaving office in May 2023. His plan, really, was to finish it by May 2022.

But it is being frustrated over funds. Desperate, he is begging Buhari for money. A whopping N10 billion. And not sure what Buhari’s response will be, he is forced to write a letter to the Minister for Aviation, Hadi Sirika, appealing to him to help convince Mr President to help him with the money.

In the letter dated 7th September 2021, and titled Re-Notification of my letter to Mr. President seeking his financial assistance  to purchase  our airport equipment”,  Governor Umahi describes the project as huge, but bemoans that the State had no money to buy the required equipment to make the Airport functional.

The airport will not belong to the State, as Umahi has promised to hand it over to the Federal Government.

Part of the letter to the Minister reads:

“We are building one of the largest airport (sic) in Nigeria using concrete to build our runway.

“We intend to complete this project by May 2022 but we do not have money to buy the airport equipment hence our appeal to Mr President for Ten Billion Naira (10,000,000,000,00) to purchase the equipment.

“We shall handover the airport to the Federal Government on completion to concession and supervise.”

Many have criticised Umahi for committing huge sums of money to the airport in the face of the State’s dwindling finances. They insist it is not a priority, decrying the seeming competition between some States to waste money on building airports which are not viable.

One of them asked: “Why do you start an airport when you cannot equip it? Why waste money? How viable will the airport be when the Enugu International Airport is just a stone throw away?”

Only the Governor can answer the questions.

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