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UNIBEN: Vice Chancellor Asked To Resign, As Students Protest Imposition Of Fine On School Fees

By
Ayodele Oni
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UNIBEN Students Protests

By Ayodele Oni

There was disruption of commercial activities at the ever busy Lagos – Benin highway in Edo state as Students of the University Of Benin (UNIBEN) took to the streets of Benin metropolis to protest against some decisions of the University’s Management.

It was gathered that the students were protesting what they described as the incessant increment imposed on late payment of school fees.

Authority of the school had imposed an extra N6,000 on students that refused to pay their school fees before the stipulated time.

The official school fees payable is N14,000 and those that could not meet the deadline for payment will have to pay N20,000, which the students described as arbitrary.

The protesting students claimed that it was quite difficult to cough out the required N14, 000, but the University’s Management went ahead to add an extra N6, 000 to it.

The Management of UNIBEN had earlier announced that students who did not pay school fees within the stipulated time will have to pay extra charges and may likely have their studentship withdrawn.

The increment is for late payment only, it said, but according to the students late payment is supposed to commence during the second semester and not the first semester.

According to the students, some of them have issues which caused delayed payment like some 100 level students who are yet to be cleared and wouldn’t be able to pay their school fees until they are cleared.

Part of the UNIBEN Main Gate which is at the busy Benin/Lagos highway, was blocked, causing  traffic gridlock for vehicles traveling along the route.

Reacting to the students protest, a religious leader in Benin city, President of One Love Foundation, Patrick Eholor asked the  Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof Lillian Salami, to resign.

“The Vice Chancellor of UNIBEN, Prof Salami is one lady whom we all had high hopes in. As a woman and mother, we expected a lot from her. Where men failed, its the woman that rights the wrongs and restores hope and confidence in the people.

But she has ended up being a bundle of disappointment to us all. How do you explain the increment of late payment of school fees against the students, which is against their parents?

“You already imposed a whopping N6, 000 fine on them for not paying on time. And now, in the middle of a recession, a period that has almost matured into a full blown depression, you are increasing the fine.

“If they had the money, will they delay in paying it in the first place? We at One Love Foundation are calling on the Management of UNIBEN to retrace steps now, and take the right step for the sake of humanity.

“As a matter of fact, the Vice Chancellor as a matter of principle, should apologise to the students for putting them through unnecessary stress and anxiety. She should also do the honourable thing by resigning her appointment or she should sit up and do a better job than what she is currently doing.”

Governors Against Anti- Open Grazing, Plotting a Coup Against The South, says Ezeife

By
Uche Mbah
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Chukwuemeka Ezeife

By Uche Mbah

The Igbo Elders Consultative Forum, a group consisting of elder statesmen and leaders of thought in the Southeast geopolitical zone,  on Monday declared that any State that does not comply with the resolution of the Southern Governors Forum concerning their position on anti-open grazing is simply insensitive, unpatriotic, and  plotting a coup against the masses of Southern Nigeria.

The Chairman of the Forum, Chief Chukwuemeka Ezeife, stated this during a press conference organized by the Group in Abuja, Nigeria.

The Group insisted that the Presidency must be zoned to the South, and specifically the Southeast, and that any political party that ignores this appeal “should be prepared to struggle without the votes of our people”.

Part of their demands was the restructuring of the country.

While their western counterparts struggled to beat the September deadline for States to pass the Bill, some South-east Governors appear to be foot- dragging on the issue.

Enugu State House of Assembly has passed the bill, but the Governor is yet to sign it into law.

They, however, pleaded that the 2023 Presidency should be micro-zoned to the South East.

They insisted that in any Southeast state that suffers bandits, terrorists, or herdsmen attack, the responsibility should be squarely placed on the shoulders of the respective Governor.

The Group lamented the foot-dragging by Southeastern Governors over the anti-grazing laws.

“Our attention has been drawn to the tactical delay or even outright reluctance of some states in the Southeast to pass anti-open grazing law as resolved by the recent meeting of the Southern Governors’ Forum that each state in the South should enact an anti-open grazing law by September 1, 2021″, he said.

“It is expected that every state in the South-east should not only pass the anti-open grazing law within this period but also put in place appropriate mechanisms for immediate implementation of the law in the state, otherwise the laudable objective of enacting the law to minimize conflicts between farmers and herders, as well as promote ranching and other modern pastoral methods, will be defeated.

“Any State that has failed to comply with the resolution of the Southern Governors’ is insensitive, unpatriotic, and anti-people as the reluctance or arrogant refusal to comply with that decision is considered a coup against the masses of Southern Nigeria.

“While we commend Enugu and Abia States for their efforts to impanel legislation on anti-open grazing, we urge the other states in the South, especially in the South East and other Igbo-speaking states of the South-South to put in place necessary machinery to comply with the Southern Governors’ resolution or be liable for aborting the popular will and desire of our people.

“The Governors and the State Assemblies of delinquent states, especially in the South-East should be held responsible for non-compliance.”

According to him, “We also view with grave concern the concerted efforts of some unpatriotic Nigerians, in concert with some of our sons and political leaders, to scuttle the resolution of Southern Governors that the 2023 presidency of Nigerian is zoned to the South for the sake of peace, justice, equity, and fairness.

“The Presidency has to be zoned to the South, and we believe that our brothers of the South-South and South-west shall be considerate enough to micro-zone it to the South-east.

“We also hasten to warn that any political party that tinkers with this laudable demand that the 2023 Presidency be zoned to the South, and do otherwise by zoning elsewhere, should be prepared to struggle without the votes of our people.”

He further said,

“Restructuring includes resource control, but it is not limited to control of resources. There is this feeling and it is wrong to think that if we restructure the country, no oil money will go to the North again. That is not true.

“It is not political to, one day, cut off the supply of money to any State or Local Government in the name of restructuring. We can nationalize the major mineral resources and then give a higher percentage of revenue to the region where it is coming from.

“But every Nigerian must gain from what is in Nigeria. Without restructuring, we are not going to make progress as a nation. The country will disintegrate.”

Anambra: APC Holds Government Responsible for Traditional Ruler’s Murder; Says It’s Political

By
The Source
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Igwe Edozieuno

By Charles Igbo

Anger and shock still reign over the horrendous murder of a politically deposed Traditional Ruler. The humiliation of the former Traditional Ruler, of Nkpunado Community, Anambra East LGA, Alex Edozieuno, turned full circle a couple of days ago when he was murdered on the streets, along with his driver, Chukwuemeka.

Both were fatally shot on the head by gunmen who apparently laid ambush for them, by 10.00am, along Ezu River Bridge, Otuocha.

While his driver was left in his pool of blood, doubled over on his seat,  Edozieuno was dragged out, and kept by the  road side.

The responsibility was immediately put on the table  of “unknown gunmen” who have been wreaking havoc across the South-east for months. But not a few people insisted there was more to the murder of the former traditional ruler than meets the eye. They say it was a political assassination. They have their reasons.

Edozieuno was once the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. But that was before he became a Traditional Ruler. Until he was dethroned, he was, also,  the Traditional Ruler of Governor Willie Obiano’s clan.

Trouble started between both men when Edozieuno joined eleven other Traditional Rulers, on the bill of money man, Chief Arthur Eze, to travel to Abuja, on an alleged thank you visit to President Muhammadu Buhari.  But they embarked on the journey without clearance from the State Government. The State Government promptly suspended them. A couple of months later, a few of them were reinstated after apologies were tendered to the Governor and Government of Anambra State. Edozieuno was not one of them. Another has since been crowned the Traditional Ruler in his stead.

A few weeks ago, he decided to take the bull by the horn. He declared support for the All Progressives Cogress, APC.

His murder happened thereafter.

The leadership of the APC in the State is crying foul. They are laying the blame on  the  Anambra State Government.They say he was killed over politics, apparently, they allege, because he declared support for the APC. It is however, an allegation the State Government has denied. But APC insists on its claims, and has called on Security Agencies to embark on a thorough investigation to unmask those behind the murder of the deposed Traditional Ruler.

The Party said Edozieuno and a number of Party members had been facing threats to their lives because of their political beliefs. The threats they allege, come from the State Government and its cronies.

Addressing a press conference, the state Chairman of APC and the Director General of Andy Uba Campaign Organisation, Basil Ejidike and Paul Chukwuma said the  ex -Monarch’s killing  was political.

They submitted: ”We are here with a heavy heart. We are here to address the press on a very sad event that took place in our dear state on Friday morning.

“We woke up to the devastating news of the assassination of Chief Alex Edozieuno who, until his death was the traditional ruler of one of the communities in Aguleri before he was dethroned by the State Government sometime last year.

“Why this death is of major concern to us is because we consider it a politically motivated killing and we wonder why any citizen of this country, no matter how highly placed could indulge in such act.

“Recall that a few weeks ago, the late traditional ruler joined our political party, the APC in a public function.His reception into the party took place in his hometown and was attended by many Anambrarians.

“We now wonder why, especially against the backdrop of the incessant threats the members of the APC are receiving from the sitting APGA government. We have been receiving death threats; threats to our families from highly placed individuals in APGA including a close female relation to the Governor and a member of the House of Representatives.

“We are calling on the law enforcement agencies – the police, the DSS to quickly move into action and conduct a proper investigation since the threats have now started translating to deaths.

“Our resolve to salvage Anambra State as stakeholders in the state remains unshaken. Recently, it might interest you to note that some members of APGA, six state Assembly members joined our party.

“And each and every one of them has been receiving threats from the wife of the governor and Hon. Chinedu Obidigwe. And we wonder whether these individuals are above the law.

“We could have swept these threats under the carpet but with the way and manner Chief Alex was killed, a few kilometres away from his home, we wonder why we should be in this situation in Anambra State.”

But the Anambra State Government has dismissed the allegation as rubbish.

The State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment,

C-Don Adinuba, accused the APC of being “a group of politicians allergic to peace.”

Adinuba: “Rather than politicise the ex-monarch’s death, the APC should provide whatever it has about the crime to the Nigeria Police Force. After all, the APC is the Federal Government party which controls not just the police force but also the Department of State security.

”It would seem, however, that the APC in Anambra is unable to reconcile itself to the new order in the state. It is guilty of what psychologists call projection. Because its prominent members have a well-established record of violence, they assume that the leaders of other parties have the same proclivity towards violence and murder.”

It is not known if any progress has been made in the investigation of the mindless murder,  but a release by the Anambra Police Command, a few hours after the murder said:

“Preliminary investigation reveals that the victims, one Mr Alex Edozieuno, 62yrs old, a former traditional ruler of Nkpunado Community Anambra East LGA and his driver Chukwuemeka( other names yet to be identified) were attacked and killed by suspected gunmen by 10am ( on Friday) along Ezu bridge, Otuocha.” Nothing has been heard again from the Police.

Edozieuno’s vehicle, an SUV, was not tampered with, nor was anything removed. Not his traditional beads, which he still wore as he lay in the pool of his blood by the roadside, or his crown which was left on his vehicle’s dash board.

Kogi Jail Break Update: 108 Inmates Rearrested

By
Ayodele Oni
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0

By Ayodele Oni

Not less than 108 inmates of the Correctional Centre at Kabba, Kogi state, who fled following the invasion of the centre have been rearrested.

Gunmen had, early on Monday, invaded the centre and used explosives to break the door during which the inmates escaped.

The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) however disclosed on Tuesday that majority of the fleeing inmates of the Maximum Security Custodial Centre (MSCC) have been recaptured.

Over 240  inmates were reported to have fled during the melee which followed the riotous situation.

Spokesman for the Service, Francis Enobore, confirmed that, at least, 108 of the fleeing inmates have been recaptured.

“We have a total of 108 inmates rearrested. But as the day progresses, the figure will definitely increase.

“Several processes have been activated to ensure all inmates are rearrested.”

The Minister for  Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, had assured that security agents, including INTERPOL, have been put on alert to ensure that the fleeing inmates were recaptured.

Mr Enobore appealed to the general public to provide useful intelligence to security operatives to recapture the escapees.

The Kabba MSCC, which was established in 2008, has a capacity for 200 inmates, but at the time of the invasion, 294 inmates were in custody.

Out of the inmates, 224 are awaiting trial, while 70 had already been convicted.

2023: Senator Adamu Sympathizes With The Igbo; Says Zoning Unconstitutional

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Senator Abdullahi Adamu

By Akinwale Kasali

The Igbo who have been clamouring to occupy the seat of Nigeria’s President  come 2023, for equity and justice are in for another disappointment. None of the big parties is likely to zone the plum office to them, this, according to a former Nasarawa State Governor, Senator Abdullahi Adamu representing Nasarawa West Senatorial District. Adamu says  zoning the presidency to any ethnic group is unconstitutional.

Though he said he sympathizes with the Igbo, but going by the law, he insists it is  unconstitutionally. No sentiments.

Speaking at a media briefing in Abuja, Adamu said there is no constitutional provision for zoning and anyone seeking to be President can only achieve that by being voted into office.

His words: “Nowhere in the Nigerian Constitution does it say we should zone any public office. There is federal character, but not that parties must zone positions for Presidency during election.

“Yes, somebody is saying the East has not had a President. I agree and I sympathise. But the Constitution says you can only become President through the ballot box.

“We have been saying it during elections that every vote must count. So, why do you want to zone? Let us just go by merit. Let every party find a way of selling itself in a manner that will garner the kind of votes that will win the election. It is as simple as that.

“Do we have anything like that in the American Constitution? It is democracy. Why do you want to change it? Wishful thinking only. How do you zone it?

South Korea Pastor, Yonggi Cho, With World Largest Congregation, Is Dead

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Pastor David Yonggi Cho

By Akinwale Kasali

David Yonggi Cho, Pastor of the world’s largest mega-Church,  died in the early hours of today, Tuesday, September 14, 2021,  according to a Press Release by the Church.

The 85-year old founder of Yoido Full Gospel Church in Seoul, South Korean Capital, spent decades spreading the Gospel in that country.

According to information from his Church, Pastor Cho, before his death, was receiving medical treatment for a brain hemorrhage he suffered in 2020.

Cho was born in 1936 to a Buddhist family and lived during the Korean War. He converted to Christianity at 17 when doctors told him he would die from a serious case of tuberculosis. Cho credits God for his “miraculous” recovery from the disease.

According to him; “I will never forget God’s blessing and grace over my life, through which He chose me to be His Servant when I was just an insignificant child with lung disease, and He saved me by His grace through the atonement of the Cross of Jesus Christ, so that through prayer I might receive wisdom and preach by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit wherever He placed me,” Cho wrote in a statement on his church’s website.”

Pastor Cho graduated from Full Gospel College in 1956. Just two years later, he opened a tent church in Seoul, which later turned into Yoido Full Gospel Church.

The Church grew into one of the most popular mega-Churches in the world and boasts of more than 750,000 members.

Yoido has more than 500 Church locations across South Korea and has sent thousands of Missionaries to countries around the globe, according to the Church’s press release.

Pastor Cho became one of the most influential Christian leaders in his country. He wrote several books, founded a Christian daily newspaper, and established a humanitarian organization.

Pastor Cho’s wife died in February, 2021.The couple had  three sons.

UBA, First Bank Take Back Seat Among Top 5

By
Bayo Bernard
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UBA

Access, Zenith, GT Bank Stay On Top

By Fola James

Guaranty Trust Bank has not left anyone in doubt of its readiness to consolidate its position among Nigeria’s top three commercial banks, following the release of the 2021 Half Year Result.

According to the audited results submitted to the Nigerian Stock Exchange, the commercial bank which recently transformed to a holding company, alongside Zenith and Access Bank declared a cumulative profit of more than N270 billion within the half year, thereby retaining their top three positions.

The Herbert Wigwe-led Access Bank Plc had earlier declared a mid-year profit after Tax, PAT of N86.9 billion while Zenith Bank Plc declared N106 billion PAT.

Other tier 1 banks such as the UBA and First Bank trailed behind their competitors, as commercial banks in the country struggled for recovery following the COVID 19 headwinds.

Experts insist that many banks are not doing badly in terms of profitability considering the economic situation in the country, particularly as the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN tightens belts to maintain sound monetary policy.

In the face of the COVID 19 pandemic which has greatly impacted the operations of the banks, CBN measures such as raising the Cash Reserve Ratio, CRR to 27.5 per cent- necessary measure to combat rising inflation, experts say- has hindered commercial banks’ ability to maximise profit, according to financial experts who said the banks will get better as the country gradually recovers from economic recession.

They, however, insist that some banks have shown through their results that they are more resilient in surviving the challenging business environment compared to their competitors.

Segun Agbaje, the chief executive officer of GTCO agrees that commercial banks will need to do more to show strong performance in key indices as the year winds down.

The 2021 Half Year results indicate that the Group recorded profit before tax of ₦93.1billion, representing a dip of 15.2 per cent compared to ₦109.7billion recorded in the corresponding period of June 2020.

Speaking on his company’s Half Year result, the former Managing Director of Guaranty Trust Bank Plc said it took serious innovation, in terms of customer service and employee dedication for the bank to survive under the current hostile economic conditions.

According to him “the results reflect our commitment to building on our track record of solid financial performance, and our capability to constantly innovate will ensure we stay ahead of the curve at all times.

“We are counting on the enduring support of our loyal customers and the hard work of our dedicated staff to continually make end-to-end financial services easily accessible to everyone and to create the best outcomes for all our customers and the communities in which we operate.”

On the future of GTCO Agbaje said “we are focused on bringing to bear the full benefits of our new corporate structure by consolidating our leading position in all the economies where our franchise operates.

“We will also diversify our earnings from core banking, continue to empower businesses across Africa and beyond, and generate long-term returns for our shareholders.”

On his part, Access Bank Managing Director Herbert Wigwe said the bank’s dynamism in expanding to key markets in the continent has enabled it to stay ahead of others in terms of performance.

He said “Over the last few months, we have successfully completed acquisitions in South Africa, Mozambique, and Zambia, emphasising our footprint in key markets around the globe.

“To further enhance our operating efficiency and ensure strong returns on invested capital, we will bring the best of our group assets, specifically our digital banking capabilities that support individuals and businesses, enhance financial inclusion, and deliver the benefits of a strong network effect across our enlarged Group”.

Wigwe explained further that customer satisfaction and strong community relations are the driving force behind the bank’s performance.

“Throughout the pandemic, we have been able to demonstrate our ability and willingness to support our customers, our communities, and our colleagues.

“As the outlook improves, and as business returns to a new normal, we will continue to support our communities in order to stimulate growth and create new opportunities.

“To accomplish our vision to be the World’s Most Respected African Bank, we are working together across the Group on the back of our robust balance sheet, increased retail momentum and efficiency”, the bank’s chief executive said.

According to the H1 2021 results released by UBA Plc, last month, the lender declared profit after tax of N60 billion while First Bank Ltd declared N30 billion profit in the report submitted to the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

Anambra: PDP Says INEC Plans To Conduct Governorship Election From Imo State

By
Ayodele Oni
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By Ayodele Oni

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has opposed an alleged move by the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) to use Imo state as situation office for the November Governorship election in Anambra state.

The PDP challenged the Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, to clarify the allegation, which it said may lead to massive rigging of the poll.

The party, in a statement by its spokesman, Mr Kola Ologbodiyan also asked the INEC Chairman to speak to further allegations, especially from the Governor of Anambra state, Governor Willie Obiano, that INEC is planning to recruit returning officers from Imo state, as well as to allow the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Government of Imo state to write the original results sheet in Imo state.

“The PDP describes the alleged compromises by INEC as vexatious, provocative, completely intolerable and a direct recipe for a serious crisis in Anambra state, the southeast region and by extension derail our nation’s democratic order.

“Our party firmly rejects the reported move by INEC to use its facility in Owerri, Imo state capital, for the storage of electoral materials for the Anambra governorship election, rather than in Anambra state.

“The PDP holds this stance given the well-known electoral character of Governor Hope Uzodinma and the APC.

“Our party insists that any attempt to hand over the materials to Governor Uzodinma by storing them in Imo state amounts to rigging the election before its conduct, adding that such could lead to a breakdown of law and order in the zone and scuttle the November 6 election.

“Moreover, if INEC, for any reason desires to keep the materials in another state order than Anambra, the best choice ought to be Enugu state, given the availability of a functional airport, a more secure environment with regional security formations as well as better storage facility at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in Enugu.

“The PDP calls on the INEC Chairman to save the situation by speaking out as well as taking steps to reverse the reported plan, should there be any of such.

“The PDP, however, called on the people of Anambra to remain calm, law-abiding but very vigilant as they rally behind our party and candidate, Valentine Ozigbo, for victory on November 6.”

Nigerian State is Sponsoring Terrorism, Akintoye Tells UN

By
Uche Mbah
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Professor Banji Akintoye

By Uche Mbah

The quest for self-determination by Nigerian Indigenous Nationalities seems to have been given a boost when Banji Akintoye, the Chairman of the Nigerian Indigenous Nationalities Alliance for Self Determination, NINAS, Monday said terrorism in Nigeria is State sponsored.

He also put the United Nation on notice that he intends to organize a Million Man March for freedom at the UN headquarters in New York for eleven days.

NINAS is the umbrella body for groups seeking self-determination in Nigeria. This consists of IPOB, Oduduwa group, and the Middle Belt group.

Akintoye used the opportunity to urge the United Nations to declare the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, MACBAN, a terrorist Organisation.

Nigeria has declared the Indigenous People of Biafra a terrorist organization, but the United Nations has not recognized it as such. Conversely, the United Nations have designated Boko Haram as a terrorist Organisation, but the Nigerian government has not recognized them as such.

According to him, the protest will expose the alleged genocide being carried out by herdsmen.

Herdsmen have been carrying out a murderous mission in the name of cattle grazing in the South and Middle-Belt of Nigeria.

In a release by his Communications Manager, Mr. Maxwell Adeleye, Akintoye said the land belongs to the people of South and Middle Belt, who will be showing to the world the crimes against humanity, attacks on press freedom and free speech in Nigeria.

“The land belongs to the people through the grace of Almighty God. We, the Indigenous people of the South and Middle-Belt, reject the illegitimate and imposed 1999 Nigerian Constitution that hijacks our Self-Determination and Assets.

“We want an end to the ethno-religious killings in Nigeria. We want the Government of Nigeria to stop funding terrorism against us. What is happening today in Nigeria is State-sponsored terrorism.

“The herdsmen you see in the South and Middle-Belt today are different from the nomadic herdsmen we grew up to know. The current ones are imported members of ISIS, AL-QUAEDA, ISWAP, and Boko Haram Terrorists being masqueraded as Bandits.

“By the grace of God, we shall be demanding from the world leaders to declare Miyetti Allah a terrorist group. It is dangerous to the safety and peace of the South and Middle-Belt people to call Miyetti Allah a trade Union, it is a Terrorist group being supported by the current Fulanized Government of Nigeria with a mission to overrun the indigenous people.

“The agenda of these government-backed terrorists killing and maiming our people in the South and Middle-Belt is to take over our ancestral lands for their Fulani people. You see that it is either Buhari is talking about Cattle Colony today or RUGA tomorrow or Grazing Reserves next tomorrow. He appreciates the Fulani Cows than human dignity.

“The Fulani people have even said it openly on Television that the land in Nigeria, up to the Atlantic Ocean, belongs to their great-great-grandfathers. They said the oil in the South belongs to them because the majority of the landmass in Nigeria is in the North.

“We the Indigenous people now say enough is enough. Therefore, as the World Leaders are meeting for the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly, we want to use the opportunity to demand a United Nations Supervised Referendums in our regions so that the indigenous people can decide on what they want for their nationhood.

“First, the fraudulent 1999 Constitution must go down. And this should happen before the 2023 General Elections.”

“The herdsmen you see in the South and Middle-Belt today are different from the nomadic herdsmen we grew up to know. The current ones are imported members of ISIS, AL-QUAEDA, ISWAP, and Boko Haram Terrorists being masqueraded as Bandits.

“By the grace of God, we shall be demanding from the world leaders to declare Miyetti Allah a terrorist group. It is dangerous to the safety and peace of the South and Middle-Belt people to call Miyetti Allah a trade Union, it is a Terrorist group being supported by the current Fulanized Government of Nigeria with a mission to overrun the indigenous people.

“The agenda of these government-backed terrorists killing and maiming our people in the South and Middle-Belt is to take over our ancestral lands for their Fulani people. You see that it is either Buhari is talking about Cattle Colony today or RUGA tomorrow or Grazing Reserves next tomorrow. He appreciates the Fulani Cows than human dignity.

“The Fulani people have even said it openly on Television that the land in Nigeria, up to the Atlantic Ocean, belongs to their great-great-grandfathers. They said the oil in the South belongs to them because the majority of the landmass in Nigeria is in the North.

“We the Indigenous people now say enough is enough. Therefore, as the World Leaders are meeting for the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly, we want to use the opportunity to demand a United Nations Supervised Referendums in our regions so that the indigenous people can decide on what they want for their nationhood.

“First, the fraudulent 1999 Constitution must go down. And this should happen before the 2023 General Elections”, it concluded.

Minister Blasts CBN As Bitter Rivalry Among Buhari’s Appointees Continues

By
Bayo Bernard
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0
Uche Ogah

By Fola James

Dr Uche Ogah, Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, has one message for the Godwin Emefiele-led Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN; you are not assisting me to succeed in my job as a minister after abandoning the steel and mining sector. The minister’s attack came amidst suggestion that the Abia state born politician is one of the President Muhammadu Buhari’s appointees struggling hard to find their feet in the administration.

The attack, some also say, is one of such under the Buhari administration as his appointees try to outdo each other in the game of power. Until he died of COVID last year, Abba Kyari, then Chief of Staff to the President, was known to have engaged in a bitter rivalry with Maj. Gen. Babagana Mungonu (rtd), the National Security Adviser, NSA over who the Service Chiefs should report to.

Also, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo is also said to have been repeatedly undermined by a cabal in the government led by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami. In the Ministry of Transportation, the rivalry between Rotimi Amaechi and Senator Gbemi Saraki is very open to stakeholders in the sector.

Abba Kyari
Kyari: Late Chief of Staff to the President

Ogah, the businessman turned politician who spoke at a two-day public hearing organised by the Senate Committee on Solid Minerals, Mines, Steel Development and Metallurgy, said nothing is being done by the apex bank to develop the sector.

The public hearing was designed to get inputs of stakeholders on the preparations of four bills and for an investigative motion for the solid minerals sector.

The bills are the Nigerian Minerals Development Corporation Establishment Bill 2021 and Solid Minerals Producing Areas Development Commission Establishment Bill 2021.

The others are the Institute of Bitumen Management Establishment Bill 2021, Explosive Act 1964 Repeal and Re-enactment Bill 2021 and the urgent need to investigate the loss of 9 billion dollars annually, due to illegal mining and smuggling of gold.

Ogah, while making his presentation said: “It is unfortunate that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) did not believe in us. If they believe in us, if they support us the way they are supporting agriculture, we will do wonders for this country. This is one ministry that is untapped, that is unknown but that can change the landscape of our revenue.”

He explained that more investment is required in the area of research to develop the sector.

“Equally, we need to ask the Ministry of Finance to speed up the export policy on solid minerals because that is the only way to have operators into the sector.”

On the bill for the establishment of Nigerian Mineral Development Commission, NMDC, Ogah said he would want an enlargement of the minerals listed there.

According to him, “let us not limit ourselves to only seven minerals because we have other minerals that are needed for industrial revolution.

“We must look at how to fast track development of these mineral resources, and so we must look at the relationship between the ministry and the state governments.

“Sates must be ready to be involved in driving the production of mineral resources, not just talking about the resources been cited in the states. States should work toward getting institution to help drive development of solid minerals resources in their states.

“We need to harmonise all the issues, so we could have clear direction for the growth of the sector”, he said.

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