Senator Andy Uba, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in the coming Anambra State governorship election, has called for peace, unity and a “collective fight against forces of destruction and bloodletting, previously unknown to our society, but shockingly taking over our dear state, Anambra.”
According to a statement issued by Hon. Victor Afam Ogene, Director, Media and Publicity of his campaign, Senator made the call in his Independence Day message to the people of Anambra State, on October 1, 2021, as Nigeria marks its 61st Independence anniversary.
According to Uba, “What we are witnessing in our state in recent times is strange, an aberration, which is unacceptable. Violence and destruction is not who we are as a people. Killing a fellow human being is a taboo in our culture. Anambra is a peaceful, convivial state. This justifies its nickname ‘The Light of the Nation’. We should not allow our light to lose its rich illuminating presence on account of politics or any other interest.
“We should stand together to denounce, resist and chase this ugly monster away from Anambra. This independence celebration presents us with a unique opportunity to pursue our own independence in Anambra. Independence from violent crimes. Independence from stagnated progress and hopelessness. Independence from poor governance culture and political timidity. And most importantly, independence from leadership failure that has sadly made Anambra a bad example in different fronts.
“I wish to state with pride that Anambra has overtime, made Igboland and Nigeria proud by the uncommon exhibition of excellence in leadership by our forebears. And It is my desire that we do not regress further, but rather retrace our steps to the path of greatness to ensure that Anambra excels and make its hardworking people proud again – just like our great visionary forebears did in the past.
“May I remind you that our dear state, Anambra, ‘The Light of the Nation’, is truly blessed in every sense of the word. Rich in culture, fertile for agriculture and populated with people of great ingenuity in commerce, literature, science, sports, leadership and entrepreneurship. The tonic we need to soar is responsible leadership. And if our forebears lifted this flag of leadership excellence at the national level in the past – even before Nigeria’s independence – we can do the same, with a collective resolve to say no to mediocrity.
“We won’t forget in a hurry the contributions of our great leaders from Anambra in securing Nigeria’s flag independence in 1960.
For instance, the late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Dr. Akwaeke Nwafor-Orizu, both at different times President of the country and Senate President, respectively. I salute also the late M.C.K Ajuluchukwu, Mbazulike Amaechi, Igwe Osita Agwuna and Dr. Okechukwu Ikejiani, among others, who at the time sustained the fire for Nigeria’s nationalism.
“I also salute the people’s General, Ikemba Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, for his leadership and sacrifices for our people. My respect also for the then administrator for the East Central State, late Ukpabi Asika, from Onitsha.
“Also, in the Second Republic, we remember and salute the candour of Vice President Dr. Alex Ekwueme, from our dear state and Chief Edwin Ume-Ezeoke, erstwhile Speaker of the House of Representatives. We will always remember with fondness our own charismatic Oyi, late Dr. Chuba Okadigbo, from Ogbunike, who was also a former Senate President.
“Anambra has always been a state of people of character, ideas and front-row leadership. We are not known for irresponsibility, violence, leadership failure or negative examples. Let us, therefore, extricate our state from these negative tendencies, by declaring our independence from them. Happy Independence and may Anambra progress.
As part of celebrations of Nigeria’s 61st Indpendencene Anniversary Ondo State Governor, Mr Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has granted state pardon to 18 convicted inmates of the Correctional centres in the state.
Twenty six of the inmates had their death sentences commuted to life imprisonment.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Richard Olatunde, said the gesture by the Governor was in commemoration of this year Independence anniversary.
It reads: “In exercise of the powers conferred on him by Paragraph (d) of sub-section (1) of Section 212 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended, Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has granted State pardon to 18 convicted inmates.
“The Governor also commutted to life imprisonment twenty six (26) other inmates who were condemned to death by the various Courts in the state.
“The convicts were released having shown remorse and are of good conduct at the correctional centres.”
While charging them to be of good conduct and live a crime-free life, the Governor urged the public not to discriminate against them as they reintegrate back to the society.
ADDRESS BY HIS EXCELLENCY, MUHAMMADU BUHARI, PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA ON THE OCCASION OF NIGERIA’S SIXTY FIRST INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY, FRIDAY 1ST OCTOBER, 2021
Citizens of Nigeria.
It is with full gratitude to God that today, we celebrate Nigeria’s sixty first Independence Anniversary.
For 1st of October 1960 to happen, all hands were on deck. East, West, North all came together to celebrate freedom. Today should not only serve as a reminder of the day the British handed over the reins of power to Nigerians, but also unified Nigerians from all ethnic groups, religions and regions.
Today, despite the challenges we face, most Nigerians still maintain the spirit of 1st October. That positive outlook and determination to make Nigeria a peaceful and prosperous nation. It is due to this collective attitude that Nigeria doggedly continues to remain a united and indivisible nation.
Fellow Nigerians, the past eighteen months have been some of the most difficult periods in the history of Nigeria. Since the civil war, I doubt whether we have seen a period of more heightened challenges than what we have witnessed in this period.
Our original priorities for 2020 were to continue stabilising our economy following the deep recession while restoring peace in areas confronted with security challenges. But the COVID-19 pandemic and its devastating impact on all nations meant we needed to shift gears and re-strategise.
Nigerians came together as one to fight against COVID-19. It is this attitude and by the special grace of God, we continue to survive the pandemic as a nation and indeed, provide leadership and example at regional and international levels.
The doomsday scenario predicted for our country never came. Even as the Delta variant continues to spread, we have built the capacity we need to respond now and into the future.
I will therefore appeal to Nigerians not to take COVID lightly, adhere to public health and social measures, put your mask on and get vaccinated. We can control this pandemic, but it requires effort on everybody’s part. The investments we made in response to COVID-19 will also serve our country to tackle any future disease outbreaks or pandemics.
Despite the global inequity in access to vaccines, the Government of Nigeria has continued to explore all available options to ensure Nigerians have free access to safe and effective vaccines.
Some five million vaccine doses have been administered to Nigerians through efforts led by the National Primary Health Care Development Agency and we will continue to explore options for purchase or acquisition of vaccines such as through COVAX and the African Vaccine Acquisition Trust.
I will take this opportunity to remind the global community that the current state of access to COVID-19 vaccines is unacceptable. We cannot afford a situation where a handful of countries keep the global vaccine supply to themselves at the expense of other nations.
We must act now to accelerate equitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccines. This is the message I conveyed to the international community in New York last week.
As we push to source vaccines for our immediate needs, we shall invest more to support our pharmaceutical and research agencies to come up with ideas for locally developed vaccines. Should another pandemic arise in the future, Our question is simple; will Nigeria be ready?
Accordingly, I have directed the Ministries of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Health, Education and Science and Technology to work with Nigerian and International pharmaceutical companies and research organisations to enhance Nigeria’s domestic pharmaceutical capacity.
Already, the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority is raising a $200 million fund for this initiative that will complement the Central Bank of Nigeria’s ongoing N85 billion Healthcare Sector Research and Development Intervention Scheme to support local researchers in the development of vaccines and drugs to combat communicable and non-communicable diseases, including COVID-19.
Fellow Nigerians, this is just the beginning.
Similarly, on our approach to food security, I am proud to announce Nigeria has commenced its journey to pharmaceutical independence.
This journey, which will take years to achieve but will ultimately result in Nigerian based companies developing the Active Pharmaceutical substances and competence needed for us to make our own drugs and vaccines.
Fellow Nigerians,
As our economy continues to open after the COVID-19 related lockdowns, we have also seen the resurgence of insecurity in certain parts of the country.
In the last four months, the gallant men and women of the Military and Security Agencies have made tremendous progress in addressing these new security challenges. We are taking the fight to our enemies from all angles and we are winning.
Earlier this year, I launched the Integrated National Security and Waterways Protection Infrastructure, the Deep Blue Project, which is designed to secure Nigerian waters up to the Gulf of Guinea. I am happy to inform Nigerians that we have taken delivery of key assets for this project and very soon, its impact will be felt.
In the North East region alone, over eight thousand Boko Haram terrorists have surrendered.
To support our surge approach to fighting banditry, the Nigerian Armed Forces have recruited over 17,000 personnel across all ranks. Furthermore, I have also approved for the Nigerian Police Force to recruit 10,000 police officers annually over the next six years.
I am also pleased to note that most of the Air Force platforms we acquired over the past three years have started to arrive in Nigeria. These will positively impact our security operations in all parts of the country.
In line with section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the security and welfare of Nigerians continue to be the prime focus on which programmes and projects of our government revolves.
Therefore, as a Government, we are ready to arrest and prosecute all persons inciting violence through words or action. Our resolve for a peaceful, united and one Nigeria remains resolute and unwavering.
That said, our hope is not to fight for peace. We can always settle our grievances peacefully without spilling any blood.
I will therefore take this opportunity, on this special day that symbolises the unity and oneness of our great nation, to ask all Nigerians to embrace peace and dialogue, whatever your grievances.
The seeds of violence are planted in people’s heads through words. Reckless utterances of a few have led to losses of many innocent lives and destruction of properties.
Such unfiltered and unsubstantiated lies and hate speeches by a few evil persons must be stopped. Our media houses and commentators must move away from just reporting irresponsible remarks to investigating the truth behind all statements and presenting the facts to readers.
We must all come out and speak against the lies being peddled. At this point, I would want to sincerely appreciate the large number of our Traditional, Religious and Community leaders as well as other well-meaning Nigerians who, in their various fora are openly spreading the message of peaceful co-existence and conflict settlement through dialogue in their respective communities.
Nigeria is for all of us. Its unity is not negotiable. And its ultimate success can only be achieved if we all come together with a common goal of having peace and prosperity for our nation.
We shall continue to work on dialogue based solutions to address legitimate grievances. But we remain ready to take decisive actions against secessionist agitators and their sponsors who threaten our national security.
The recent arrests of Nnamdi Kanu and Sunday Adeyemo, and the ongoing investigations being conducted have revealed certain high-profile financiers behind these individuals. We are vigorously pursuing these financiers including one identified as a serving member of the national assembly.
Fellow Nigerians,
This is a clear example of how people abandon their national leadership positions for their selfish gains. Instead of preaching unity, they are funding and misleading our youth to conduct criminal acts that sometimes lead to unfortunate and unnecessary loss of lives and property.
As the so-called leaders run abroad to hide, our innocent youths are misled and left in the streets to fight for their senseless and destructive causes.
Government will continue, with greater level of peoples’ participation and in collaboration with our international partners, to improve the security architecture, reduce enabling environment for criminality to thrive and eliminate opportunities for terrorism financing.
Fellow Nigerians, our unrelenting effort at resolving an almost two-decade stalling on the management of our Petroleum resources and ensuring equitable consideration to our host communities has resulted in the enactment of the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021.
This Act not only overhauls the Institutional, regulatory and fiscal framework of the Petroleum Industry but also reduces the previous opacity associated with this sector.
This is the first step to the reforms as the process is a continuous one. Already, to further improve the governance framework, I have sought for an amendment of sections 11(2)(b) and 34(2)(b). We will also continue to review and amend as appropriate.
At this juncture, it is very appropriate that I salute the leadership and members of the Ninth Assembly for their patriotism, dedication to duty, candour and most importantly the dispatch with which they have enacted legacy legislations for this nation. I do not take such level of cooperation for granted and hope it continues for the overall efficiency of the Federal machinery.
Nigeria’s Roadmap on Local Refining is on track with the Commissioning of a Modular refinery in Imo State.
A second is scheduled for commissioning by the end of this year in Edo State and the third one in Bayelsa State by 2022.
In addition to the modular projects, we also have the two mega refinery projects coming up in Lagos and Akwa Ibom States.
As these refineries are commissioned, more employment opportunities are created and there would be increased petroleum products available for local consumption which will significantly reduce our reliance on importation.
In further demonstrating our plan to reduce our dependence on oil and tapping from our enormous gas resources, this administration remains committed to the “Decade of Gas” Initiative, which is aimed at bringing to focus the utilization of our huge gas resources.
Already, we are supporting and promoting various gas-based projects including NLNG Train 7 and the mega urea and ammonia projects in the South-South region.
As we continue to optimise and enhance our oil and gas sector, I am also proud and delighted to state that our economic diversification strategy remains on course with the persistent increase in Non-Oil Sector contribution to GDP.
We recovered from economic recession in quarter four of 2020 with a GDP growth rate of 0.11%, and grew by 0.51% and 5.01% in real terms in the first and second quarters of 2021.
The Agricultural sector remains key to our economic diversification efforts as the sector has been a consistent driver of the non-oil sector contributing 22.35% and 23.78% to the overall GDP in the first and second quarter of 2021.
We have seen significant private sector investments in almost all areas of the agricultural value chain. And these have continued even during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Unfortunately, as our food production capacity has increased, food prices have been going up due to artificial shortages created by middlemen who have been buying and hoarding these essential commodities for profiteering.
To address this, I am hereby directing the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to rehabilitate the National Food Reserve Agency and also work with security agencies, the Nigerian Commodity Exchange, and the National Assembly to find a lasting solution to these disruptive and unpatriotic hoarding activities.
To further enhance food production, we have completed several new dams and are in the process of rehabilitating several River Basin Development Authorities to enhance ground water supply for rainfed agriculture as well as surface water for irrigation agriculture.
The water projects we completed between 2015 to 2020 have improved Nigerian’s access to potable water to 71% between 2015 and 2020. This means 12.5 million additional Nigerians now have direct access to potable water.
Fellow Nigerians,
This Government remains concerned by the significant transportation infrastructure deficit we have. Addressing the challenges our commuters and lorry drivers face on the motorways is still a high priority to us.
To complement our budgetary allocations, the Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund and the Road Infrastructure Development and Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit Scheme, we recently established a N15trillion Infrastructural Corporation of Nigeria Limited (INFRACO), which is expected to begin operation by the fourth quarter of this year.
INFRACO will also focus on leveraging resources on a public-private sector basis for infrastructural development in Nigeria.
We hope through these innovative programs, the additional cost burden on individuals and businesses because of inefficient logistics operations will be reduced and ultimately, eliminated.
We currently have over 13,000 kilometres of roads and bridges under construction all over the country of which a fair percentage have been completed.
As we fix our roads, we also continue to extend and upgrade Nigeria’s railway network with the notable opening of the Warri- Itakpe standard gauge rail line.
To increase capacity, we have introduced more locomotives, coaches and wagons including the establishment of a Wagon Assembly in Kajola, Ogun State.
The sea ports however still remain problematic. The effect of our various interventions to reduce the gridlocks and inefficiencies have been slower than expected.
However, the implementation of the Electronic Call-Up System as well as the conversion of the Lillypond Container Terminal to a Vehicle Transit Area will further enhance the ease of cargo evacuation.
Our prioritisation of developing Nigeria’s Digital Economy has positively impacted the contribution of the ICT sector to our GDP.
We hope our present efforts to ensure all Nigerians use a National Identification Number as well as our planned roll-out of the fifth generation (5G) network technology will ensure we stay in line with the global innovation curve as a Nation.
As we embrace the digital economy in Nigeria, we are fully aware of the prospects and the perils. Our policies have been developed to enable Nigerians to take advantage of the prospects and avoid the perils of digital technologies.
Social media is a very useful platform that has enabled millions of Nigerians to connect with loved ones, promote their businesses, socialise, and access news and other information.
However, recent events have shown that the platform is not just an innocuous platform for information dissemination.
Rather some users have misused the platform to organise, coordinate, and execute criminal activities, propagate fake news, and promote ethnic and religious sentiments.
To address these negative trends, the Federal Government of Nigeria suspended the operations of Twitter in Nigeria on June 5, 2021 to allow the Government put measures in place to address these challenges.
Following the suspension of Twitter operations, Twitter Inc. reached out to the Federal Government of Nigeria to resolve the impasse. Subsequently, I constituted a Presidential Committee to engage Twitter to explore the possibility of resolving the issue.
The Committee, along with its Technical Team, has engaged with Twitter and have addressed a number of key issues. These are:
National Security and Cohesion;
Registration, Physical presence and Representation;
Fair Taxation;
Dispute Resolution; and
Local Content.
Following the extensive engagements, the issues are being addressed and I have directed that the suspension be lifted but only if the conditions are met to allow our citizens continue the use of the platform for business and positive engagements.
As a country, we are committed to ensuring that digital companies use their platform to enhance the lives of our citizens, respect Nigeria’s sovereignty, cultural values and promote online safety.
Nigeria’s progressive diplomacy continues to manifest through growing numbers of highly placed Nigerians in positions of regional and global influences. Very recently, Nigeria won election for the position of Commissioner for the expanded Political, Peace and Security Affairs of the African Union.
Our persistent calls for a reorganized and reformed ECOWAS, to make the organization citizens-sensitive, paid off with the acceptance by the Authority of Heads of State and Governments of ECOWAS to commence the agreed reforms in the organization ahead of the next elections of the organization’s principal officers in December this year.
At the African Development Bank, World Trade Organization and indeed, the United Nations, footprints of Nigeria’s Diplomacy are clearly evident.
We remain confident that our goal of lifting 100million Nigerians out of poverty in 10 years is achievable.
Considering the positive impact of our Social Investment Programs, I recently approved an increase in the number of N-Power program beneficiaries from 500,000 to 1,000,000.
Out of this, 510,000 have started the programme while the competitive selection process for onboarding the outstanding 490,000 beneficiaries is in progress.
The National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme is currently being implemented in 35 States of the Federation and the FCT. Over 103,000 women have been engaged and empowered as cooks under the programme, while about 10 million pupils are being fed across public primary schools in the country.
To grant increased access to credit to the most poor and vulnerable, I have directed an increase in the disbursement of Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme loans to an additional one million beneficiaries laying more emphasis on the smallholding farmers through the farmers Moni program.
Fellow Nigerians,
For far too long we have neglected the centrality of the civil service as the engine of governance and this has manifested in ineffective service delivery.
There is widespread discontent and disillusion about the efficiency and probity of our civil service.
It is for this reason that we are refocusing the Nigerian Civil Service to provide World class service to run our country.
President Muhammadu Buhari, Friday, directed the lifting of the ban placed on Twitter.
However, the lifting of the ban is premised on the condition that it is used positively.
Last June, the President placed a ban on the microblogging site on allegations of anti-government activities.
In his nationwide broadcast to Nigerians to mark the nation’s 61st independence, Buhari said the social media is being used by some people to organize, coordinate, and execute criminal activities, propagate fake news, and promote ethnic and religious sentiments.
“Social media is a very useful platform that has enabled millions of Nigerians to connect with loved ones, promote their businesses, socialize, and access news and other information.
“However, recent events have shown that the platform is not just an innocuous platform for information dissemination.
“Rather some users have misused the platform to organize, coordinate, and execute criminal activities, propagate fake news, and promote ethnic and religious sentiments.
“To address these negative trends, the Federal Government of Nigeria suspended the operations of Twitter in Nigeria on June 5, 2021, to allow the Government to put measures in place to address these challenges.
“Following the suspension of Twitter operations, Twitter Inc. reached out to the Federal Government of Nigeria to resolve the impasse. Subsequently, I constituted a Presidential Committee to engage Twitter to explore the possibility of resolving the issue.
“The Committee, along with its Technical Team, has engaged with Twitter and has addressed several key issues. These are National Security and Cohesion; Registration, Physical presence and Representation; Fair Taxation; Dispute Resolution; and Local Content.
“Following the extensive engagements, the issues are being addressed and I have directed that the suspension be lifted but only if the conditions are met to allow our citizens to continue the use of the platform for business and positive engagements.
“As a country, we are committed to ensuring that digital companies use their platform to enhance the lives of our citizens, respect Nigeria’s sovereignty, cultural values and promote online safety.”
Osun state Governor, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola has felicitated with the people of Osun in particular and Nigerians in general on the country’s 61st Independence Anniversary.
The Governor’s felicitation is coming just as he approved the release of N708 Million to further offset pension arrears of retired officers of the State civil service.
The Governor commended Nigerians for remaining steadfast in the face of challenges confronting the country, saying that “all these years, we have proved to the world that we have all it takes to remain one and indivisible nation under one God.”
The Governor, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Ismail Omipidan, also charged the people of Osun to look forward to a better tomorrow, adding that “as a State, we have focused on the vision of our founding fathers to mould the necessary bricks that will build the Osun of our dream and pride.
“Our resolve, creativity and innovations have never failed us. Despite the conspiracy of the global economic downturn and the Corona virus pandemic, we have kept our eyes on the mechanics of democracy– good governance, inclusive governance, strong institutions and the rule of law – that never fail at good and bad times.
“Our economy remains resilient even in the face of debilitating resources. We have proved that a resilient economy is possible in the face of crass economic doldrums.
“We are gradually moving away from a monolithic economy to diversify the economy of Osun that is hinged on the people, our most precious resource, and on Agriculture, Tourism and Mining, the three critical pillars of our economy. We are positioning these three sectors as our foreign exchange earners and the drivers of our economy.
“Collaborating with security agencies at the State and national levels, we have kept our State relatively safe to build a robust foundation for our economic revolution agenda.
“Lack, want and hunger shall soon be things of the past and we shall steadily entrench our State on the path of prosperity.
Let us collaborate with government to change the narrative of propaganda and bad governance and, together, take Osun to the mountain tops.”
Announcing the release of the amount to pensioners in a press release signed by the Head of Service, Dr Festus Olowogboyega Oyebade indicated that a sum N508 Million of the released sum was approved for the payment of retired civil servants, while an additional sum of N150O Million was approved for the payment of retirees under the contributory pensions scheme.
An additional N50 Million was approved for the payment of gratuities of retired officers under the old pension scheme.
The release further revealed that the list of beneficiaries of the approved sum has been pasted on the notice board of the Ministry of Information and Civic Orientation, the State’s Pension Bureau and the Office of the Head of Service as payment of the released funds kicks off Tuesday, 5th October 2021.
Governor Oyetola assured all workers, both serving and retired that efforts would be mustered to always give their welfare the pride of place it deserves, the statement added.
Former President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, has urged Nigerians to be optimistic about the future of the country, despite the challenges currently being faced by citizens.
Dr. Jonathan who stated this in his goodwill message to Nigerians on the occasion of the nation’s 61st Independence anniversary stressed that the nation holds abundant promises for the citizens, adding that Nigeria has what it takes to overcome today’s threats and trials.
Jonathan encouraged the nation’s leaders and the citizens to rededicate ourselves to the virtues of equity, justice and tolerance and strive to give their best for the good of the nation.
He further described it as a day of freedom which provides an opportunity “to reflect on our progress, celebrate our humble attainments and ponder over those dreams that are yet to be fulfilled.”
In the message, the former President wrote:
“I join all citizens to celebrate the 61st Independence Anniversary of our great nation, Nigeria.
“As we mark this day of freedom, it gives us the opportunity to reflect on our progress, celebrate our humble attainments and ponder over those dreams that are yet to be fulfilled.
“We may have hiccups along the way and challenging times that might be stretching our resolve and determination to forge ahead. But we should not relent nor succumb to fear, discouraging trials and threats of today. We will never lose hope in our country and in our indomitable spirit and capacity to overcome difficult times, seize the moment and conquer.
The Youths Empowerment Strategy and Solution Project (YESS) of the Nekede Empowerment Development Association(NEDA),has ended with a call on Autonomous Communities in Imo State to set up youth empowerment bodies in their communities.
The President-General of Old Nekede Autonomous Community and Chairman of the Seminar, Chief Kennedy Zanders made the call at the Nekede Empowerment Development Association (NEDA) 2021 Youths Seminar held at the Zander Foundation Hall Nekede,Owerri West LGA,Imo State.
The President General noted that organizations like NEDA and similar bodies, when established at various community levels ,can approach funding institutions to assess youths empowerment funds powered by governments at various levels. He stressed that it would be easier for these communities to properly disburse the funds since they know the people who really need the funds,besides he said it would also be convenient for the funding Institution to monitor because they were dealing with communities.
He encouraged funding institutions to bring down all the funding via the communities for a better result.
Chief Zanders a media mogul and Chief Executive officer of Zandars TV and FM Radio pointed out that the crises in the Independent Newspaper Publishers Association,Imo State (INPA) and the Nigerian Union of Jounalist (NUJ) in Imo State would soon be a thing of the past as he was already looking into the issues with a view to resolving them.
Speaking, also, the President of NEDA Engr. Osundu Opara revealed that the various empowerment programmes of NEDA which would benefit the youths of the three autonomous Communities in Nekede, will soon to be unvailed. Engr. Osundu Opara explained that at the moment the Association has planned to engage the youths in all kinds of youth programmes,which he said represented the NEDA vision and mission statement.
He further emphasised as its cardinal objective to empower these youths and ride on youth developmental Programmes in order to improve the youths of the concerned communities. He added that the packages are targeted at Youths in the age brackets of 16-45 years and would cover areas such as offerings scholarships to indigent youths aspiring to further their education, fueling entrepreneurship as well as support youth in wealth creation. Sir Opara also the Chairman of 5Cees Global Services Nigeria Limited Owerri,Imo State operators of 5Cees TV online,in Imo State, encouraged youths of area to cue into NEDA in order to benefit from its numerous programme.Recall that the Federal Government set up a 75b naira Nigerian Youth Investment Fund (NYIF) in 2020 as an initiative of the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development (FMYSD) , funded by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Similarly the Imo State government floated a 4b naira youth empowerment programme which the opposition party in the State, the PDP has described as a hoax.
Highpoints of the event included raffle draws and a drama to lighten up the day on indecent dressing and rape as its consequence.
Dr Chike Akunyili was killed on Tuesday, September 28, 2021. I have a prayer for those who murdered him, and their sponsors.
May they never die. May they roam the streets of Anambra State and the rest of the South-east forever. May they have no place to call home. May violence and brutality follow them all their lives. And may they have nobody to mourn them at the end of their miserable lives.
The news of Dr Akunyili’s brutal end stunned Nigerians. I was frozen. And dazed. For minutes on end, I read and re-read the story. Hardly taking it in. Hardly understanding it. Thinking I was having a nightmare.
It is unbelievable, but that has become our lives in the South-east. A loooooong nightmare. We have seen what we thought was not possible to see in our life time. Or imagine. Life has become short and brutish. Young men suddenly pop out, guns in hand, and without any provocation, or human feelings, start shooting at people, their own people, possibly their own blood.
People have become shock absorbers. Beheaded bodies are flaunted. Cut off heads of human beings are displayed like trophies. In one of the most eerie, blood- cuddling viral videos ever seen, young men were seen, allegedly, in Anambra, playing football with a human head.
Businesses have been destroyed. Properties have been destroyed. Homes have been set ablaze. South-easterners, literally, have no place to call home anymore. They are afraid of home. They live in fear. Nightmare has become the new normal.
In Dr Akunyili’s case, I prayed the nightmare would end. But as has become the new normal, it was a reality. He was killed.
As I watched the video where he lay on the road, struggling, courageously trying to get up, his face shattered, everything in me literally died. And I cursed whoever recorded that scene and posted it. That was inhuman. The video would forever haunt his family. And friends.
But again, that is our new normal. Akunyili was looking for help. He did not get it. Instead, people, those who could have helped, and/or restored his dignity a little, were focussed on taking photographs of him, making videos, posting same, and running commentaries.
Everybody has become a journalist, a reporter. A photographer. A videographer. No video is too gory, too chilling, too eerie to post.
In the South-east, we are living the lives of the degraded Al Queda, ISWAP, ISIS, Boko Haram and the lot. They are the groups which show blood-cuddling videos of people being beheaded. What have we become? Or, what has become of us?
Dr Chike Akunyili
I am proudly Igbo. Will always be. But, South-east people should be ashamed of themselves. A hard working, independent, dogged, intelligent people, but see what we have reduced ourselves to. See what we have reduced our once peaceful zone to. We used to brag, boast about, dream of, and blossom in the thoughts of going home during Easter, New Yam Festivals, Christmas and New Year. We looked forward to it. Those are periods our kindred and community spirit are at their peak. We embark on community projects. We watch our masquerades. We go visiting. We eat and wine. Just enjoying ourselves.
No longer.
Nobody wants to go home. We are frozen with fear in our own zone. Our people prefer other regions to coming home. They are afraid of today, and afraid of tomorrow. They see no future in the Zone. The future they see is bleak.
As tragic as the Nigerian Civil War was, it made the Igbo look homeward. The abandoned property issue taught them a bitter lesson.
They lost their property. Not their dignity. It taught them how to build solid houses at home. Now, they are abandoning their homes again, and running off. And worse, losing their dignity.
And we live in self denial.
The Igbo blame everybody, but themselves, for their fate. They say they are persecuted and marginalized and hated in Nigeria. And yet, they treat themselves worse than Nigeria is treating them.
Tell me, is there any other place in Southern Nigeria where what is happening in Igboland is happening? Are beheadings going on anywhere else in Southern Nigeria except in Igboland? Are they laying ambush for their people and killing them so heartlessly, and without reasons or any provocation?
What is happening in parts of the North is not quite the same. There, they are dealing with terrorists. Are the Igbo also dealing with terrorists?
Check the number of high profile killings, and not so high profile killings, in the South-east. The other day, it was a retired High Court Judge who was dragged out of his car in Enugu, and shot dead in broad day light. The other day, it was the DG of a Federal Government Agency, located in Enugu, that was killed along with his Police Orderly and driver along the road, in broad day light. I understand the problems were the vehicle had an FG number plate, and he had a Policeman in front of his car. If a Fulani man is appointed as his replacement, the Igbo will shout marginalization. But their brother was killed in their territory, along with his driver and Police Orderly both of whom were Igbo.
The other day, it was a brilliant Anglican Cleric who was butchered in Imo because he, allegedly, dared protect students taking their external examination from being chased away by hoodlums.. And there are scores more. Which people survive like this?
We blame unknown gunmen each time. Unknown gunmen? When did this era start? Who are they? Who imported them? Where are they from? Who gives them the room to come in? Who waters the ground for them by words and deeds?
Usually, in some quarters, accusing fingers are pointed at the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB, and its affiliate, the Eastern Security Network, ESN. But the leadership of IPOB/ESN is, also, usually quick to distance itself from the atrocities. They say they are a non-violent group. They say their job is cut out for them – to protect the Igbo and their interests. They say they are focused on achieving freedom for Biafra land. They say they are in the forests chasing Fulani Herdsmen who are destroying farmlands and defiling our girls and women. They insist those that are killing our people and destroying everything “destroyable” are not Igbo. Who are they? Why are our people not arresting them?
The Igbo are warriors and fearless and courageous. So, why are they allowing “strangers” to invade Igboland, wreak blood and tears and sorrow on their people – all the time – and go free, just like that? If they cannot arrest them, what is the use of ESN and Ebubeagu? Are these strangers those killing politicians and telling us there will be no elections?
Why are these happening in Igboland? If the Igbo don’t arrest the situation, who will do that for them? People are laughing and having a good time watching the Igbo destroy Igboland by words and deed.
I knew both Dr Chike Akunyili and his beloved wife, Professor Dora Akunyili, closely. I consciously gave Dr Akunyili space after Professor Akunyili’s death because each time I saw him, I dissolved into tears, just remembering his wife.
Dr Akunyili’s death tugs at my heartstrings. That I am devasted is obvious. That I am diminished as a human being by the manner of his death is putting it mildly.
A great surgeon, he lived his life saving lives. Yet, when it was his turn to be saved, nobody cared. Nobody cared for his dignity. Instead, they were busy videoing him as he lay in pains. So, one is forced to ask: what is the worth of doing good? What is the worth of caring for people? How much are kindness and compassion worth? Where has sympathy gone to?
Dr. Akunyili, wife and children.
Dr Akunyili had his own distinct identity. He was a Medical Doctor, a great Surgeon, worked in the best hospital in the South-east, had his own private hospital, yet, we all knew him as Professor Dora Akunyili’s husband. He did not mind it. He loved it. He was not one of those men whose wives’ high profile intimidated. His wife was his joy. Her numerous successes were his pride.
He flaunted and glowed in them. It is an uncanny coincidence that his last duty on mother-earth was a duty to, and for his wife.
I shared a number of beautiful, and hilarious moments with them. As I write this, I remember a couple of those moments. As high profile, and high flying as Professor Akunyili was, she was a jelly, a baby before her husband. On more than one occasion, I had met her kneeling down and begging him to allow her attend a meeting. Ever protective of his wife, if Dr Akunyili suspected the meeting was going to be controversial, and knowing his wife’s blunt nature, he would put his feet down and stop her from attending. “I know you my wife. Call them and make excuses for your absence. She obeyed.
At the wedding of their daughter, Ijeoma, in Cote d’Ivoire, Dora had dressed up with the assistance of one celebrity lady for one of the functions. We were together. We felt she looked cute. But when Chike entered the room, he thought otherwise. He casually asked her to change the dress. “My wife is prettier than this”, he insisted. Without a word, Dora looked for something else to wear.
Like in most of these high profile murder cases, everybody is distancing themselves from Dr Akunyili’s brutal murder. Accusations and counter accusations are coming down like claps of thunder.
I don’t believe Dr Akunyili was ambushed. I believe he was in the right place at the wrong time. He became a target because of the brand of vehicle he was using, and especially, because he had his Police Orderly in front of the car. In Igboland, that has become a taboo. It is not the best of place to have a Police Orderly, or a good car. You become a suspect – either being a politician or a Government man. Dr Akunyili was neither.
For the records, he and his Police Orderly and driver were not the only fatalities. There were others. The questions are: Which group was on a killing spree at that point in time? Which group did not want to see any congregation anywhere? Which group has been attacking Politicians and just about everybody?
Dr Akunyili’s younger brother, Cyril, had pointedly accused IPOB of killing his brother. On a second thought, he said he was no longer sure of the group that killed him.
IPOB, in a strongly-worded reaction, denied complicity. It put the blame literally on Government and the “Fulani.” And alleged that those who killed Dr Akunyili were same people who poisoned his wife.
Again, for the records, Professor Akunyili was not poisoned to death. She died of a misdiagnosed cancer. It was misdiagnosed outside Nigeria, long before she became the DG of NAFDAC. By the time it was properly diagnosed, it was late. Even then, a great fighter, she beat the dateline given to her to pass on by more than one year.
It is heart-warming that all the alleged “suspects” have sworn to go after the killers – Security Agencies, IPOB, the lot. They should. That is the spirit. That is the only way they can regain our trust, if ever.. Nigerians cannot wait to know the real killers. Perhaps, this would, at the end, give the South-east a breathing space. Let us shame the devils.
Dr Chike and Professor Dora Akunyili will be happy to be together again, wherever. But they could not have planned it that Dr Akunyili would pass on in this brutal manner, and leave their children multiply broken-hearted. It’s such a shame. Such a big shame.
The Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC will soon deploy the 5G network across the country.
This was made known by the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Pantami who says the National Spectrum Management Council, NSMC has agreed to make spectrum available to NCC.
According to him, it has become necessary to deploy a 5G network in Nigeria because of the possibility of increased internet access in both urban and rural areas.
‘‘AT the National Spectrum Management Council, we have discussed the issue extensively and decided t release spectrum that is available for 5G deployment. The Council will release the spectrum to NCC that will administer them to Nigerians on behalf of the federal government and make sure it reaches all the operators so that we will be able to have 5G services”, he said.
‘‘This will increase broadband penetration and also the speed because 5G is at least 20 times faster than 4G when it is available. This will be useful for our education, health, security management and governance, and many more.
‘‘We must ensure that 5G is not used against the nation and its unity. Let us use it for the good of our country and the benefit of all. There is a lot to be done in terms of broadband penetration because as it is today, in rural communities, only 10 percent have access to fixed broadband infrastructure globally.’’
‘‘In addition, we have been addressing the issues which help to increase the cost of broadband in the country. For example, before now, the charges for Right of Way, RoW was 6000 per linear meter but now, it has dropped by more than 98 percent, while some states even charge as low as 145 per linear meter” he concluded.
Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, has reiterated the need for the nation to think in the direction of true federalism, saying it was necessary and would be the solution to the county’s many challenges.
Obasa re-emphasized this at the 13th annual Hijrah Lecture 1443 A.H (2021) organised by the House with the topic: The Role Of The Youths In The Emerging Socio-Economic And Political Realities.
Obasa said it is obvious that citizens and leaders in the country intensify efforts to salvage the economy, especially as it relates to the increasing poverty rate. He also harped on the need to make the country secure and peaceful as well as handle the dwindling fortunes of the Nigerian currency against the dollar.
He stressed that the theme for the event was apt and germane at this critical time in the country’s journey to sustaining democratic rule, urging the Federal Government to see the current situation as an opportunity to address the issue of the collection of Value Added Tax (VAT) in favour of the States.
He said if Nigeria was to make progress, the country should follow the steps of the United States of America and China which relies on the provinces.
“The topic of this event is very important. What is the situation of our country? What is the situation with the youth? How do we live our lives? What is the health and educational situation of the country?
“We talk about youth unemployment, but what is the state of education and qualifications?
“The topic is important, especially with the argument that the economy has become seriously challenged.
“The standard of living and the rate of poverty are biting. Months ago, the dollar rate was still welcoming at a little above N300 but today, it is more than N500.
“This current situation of the country is an opportunity for the federal government to address the issue of VAT.
“China today relies on the provinces of the country. USA practises true federalism. If we are practising federalism, we should be consistent. We should operate in a way that Osun State would explore its resources and Zamfara would do same,” Obasa said while expressing hope in the future of the nation as it marks it 61st Independence Day Celebration.
