Human Rights and Constitutional Lawyer, Mike Ozekhome, SAN, on Sunday said compared to 214 Chibok schoolgirls that were abducted under former President Goodluck Jonathan, 807 students have been kidnapped by criminals under the President Muhammadu Buhari Government.
Ozekhome, in a statement released Sunday,asked when Nigeria would be abducted if Government fails to put security measures in place.
The human rights lawyer arrived at 807 students abducted under Buhari added as follows:
*The Government Science and Technical College abduction in Dapchi, Yobe State, of February 19, 2018, where 110 school girls were abducted.
*The abduction 340 students in the Government School in Kankara, Katsina State.
*In Kagara, Niger State. 42 people, which included 27 students, three staff members of Government Science Secondary School and 12 of their family members were abducted in February and in the same month, about 317 Government Girls Secondary School, Jangebe, Zamfara State, were captured.
Ozekhome said, “What the Government does not still seem to understand is that because it has failed to give security and welfare to the Nigerian people as provided for in Section 14 of the 1999 Constitution, ethnic nationalism is fast rising in a way that ethnic groups and the various nationalities in the Nigerian contraption have begun to feel that they need to go the extra mile to protect themselves from ravaging insecurity. That is why I always ask, who is advising this government?”
“The present ravaging insecurity is what led to the emergence of Amotekun, in the South West and the Eastern Security Network in the South East. There have also mushroomed various local policing militias across the country. It is the failure of the government to provide security that is at the root cause of these defensive measures.”
“Is Nigeria not being abducted by Boko Haram bandits, herders, kidnappers, armed robbers and terrorists? The scenario is frightening and heart-rending. Let us see Buhari’s ugly tale of the tape: Dapchi, Yobe state. 110 school girls abducted on February 19, 2018. 110 have been released on huge ransom.”
“Kankara, Katsina state; 340 school children abducted in December, 2020, by about 100 Boko Haram bandits riding motorcycles; Kagara, Niger state. 42 people, who included 27 students, 3 staff members of Government Science Secondary School and 12 of their family members abducted. Then; Zamfara State Government Girls Secondary School, Jangebe, was their next port of call. About 315 of the 500 boarded students were abducted.”
“This country is in a complete mess; worse than ever before. So, when will Nigeria be finally abducted?”
In the same vein, the Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has taken a swipe on President Buhari, saying he has broken Nigeria’s unity by negotiating with terrorists.
Speaking on the State of the Nation, the Pastor knocked the President of Nigeria over the unsecured state of the country.
Ayodele frowned at the method the Government has chosen to fight banditry; negotiating with bandits in order to stop terrorizing the ordinary citizens.
Ayodele, during a live-broadcast Service in his Church Sunday, made it known that Nigeria has broken already with the means through which the Government is fighting insecurity. He explained that terrorism will continue to grow bigger and tougher in Nigeria because the Government has invited terrorist already by negotiating with bandits.
He said the unity of Nigeria has been broken, and it’s only God that can bring the country back.
“Giving amnesty to Boko Haram and negotiating with Bandits is tantamount to breaking Nigeria, President Buhari and his people have broken Nigeria. In no time, it will come to the realization. But as it is now, the unity of Nigeria has been broken, only God can bring us together”.
Former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose has described the sacked Special Adviser on Media to Governor Umar Ganduje of Kano State, Tanko Salihu Yakasai, as hero of democracy
Fayose in a series of tweets at the weekend also called for immediate release of the Governor’s aide, describing his arrest as “another sad commentary on how low this APC Government of President Muhammadu Buhari has gone.”
Fayose, commended Salihu Yakasai for being courageous enough to speak the truth, saying “This singular action of his has made him the latest hero of our democracy, and in turn confirmed that there is hope for a united Nigeria.”
Fayose pointed out that it was sad that Nigerians can not criticize the same President Buhari, who did not only speak against his predecessors, but also led protests.
Tanko Salihu Yakasai
“I join all well-meaning Nigerians to demand for the immediate release of Salihu Yakasai. He did not commit any offence to warrant being taken into custody.
“That he was arrested like a common criminal by the DSS just because he spoke his mind against a President that is more like the servant of the people is another sad commentary on how low this APC government of Buhari has gone.
“Sad that under this govt, our security men are only efficient in persecuting whoever speaks against the President.
“Sad too that Nigerians can’t criticize the same President who did not only speak against his predecessors, but also led protests.”
Commending Salihu Yakasai, Fayose said; “I commend the courage of Salihu Yakasai, the sacked Gov Ganduje’s Aide for being able to speak truth to power.
“This singular action of his has made him the latest hero of our democracy, and in turn confirmed that there is hope for a united Nigeria.
“Nothing can be more honourable than what he has done by standing tall amidst darkness and selfishness of leadership.
“His sack is the beginning of his rise politically. I sincerely congratulate him and indeed the ordinary Nigerians seeking good governance and leadership.”
Former President Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has called on African leaders to adhere to the rule of law and prioritise equality and justice in order to build a continent of peace, prosperity and development .
Dr Jonathan made the call during the Ninth African Leadership Magazine Person of the year award ceremony organised virtually during the weekend where he was awarded with the African Peace and Security Leader of the Year 2020.
In his acceptance remarks, the former President said: “For peace to reign, those who wield power should respect the rule of law, be fair to all and dispense justice in a manner that promotes equity and boosts the people’s confidence in their nation
“When politicians undermine democratic principles and usurp citizens’ rights, it creates a situation that impacts negatively on peace and development”, he said.
Underscoring the importance of democracy, stable leadership and peace and development, Dr. Jonathan stated: “In Africa, it appears we see the political process as a civil war or a fraudulent enterprise that has no rules. This is unhealthy for our polity as it impedes our development.
“Leadership commands great influence in the affairs of men, such that the fate of a nation is often interconnected with that of the leader.Leaders that promote peace and build institutions always focus on those deliveries that cater to the needs of our citizens and keep them safe.
“More than in any other parts of the world, self-centred and egocentric contests for power by African politicians had, more often than not, unleashed widespread violence and insurgency on the African soil.
The former President further said: “Peace in our continent is mainly threatened by political instability, poor democratic practices, and weak institutions. Many African nations that are today mired in conflicts, or just emerging from one, often have such crises rooted in the struggle for leadership.”
“ I always make the point that there is a clear link between a nation’s social and economic standing and its position in the global conflict index. Nations with fewer conflicts and more stable leadership tend to be richer and better off in the human development profile.
“The nations with the lowest progress on the official United Nations Human Development Index, many of them in Africa, are those that are either poorly governed or embroiled in leadership struggles.”
Jonathan who expressed appreciation to the publisher of African Leadership Magazine and the award committee said:
“I am delighted that my little contributions towards peace and sustainable democracy in our continent is being recognized.
“Awards and recognitions are good because it reassures the recipients that their little contributions to the growth of society have not gone unnoticed. It also comes with a sense of responsibility which jolts the awardees to the fact that they can no longer go below a certain threshold. To all of us receiving the award today, it is, therefore, a nudge to do more, ” he said .
Attaining the golden age is a no mean feat. It’s a biological, natural milestone that calls for deep introspection and celebration.
One, not everyone crosses the 5 and 0 mark. Many died on the cusp of 50, majorly at 48, 49. Secondly, crossing 50 rekindles hope of longevity.
Therefore, His Royal Highness, Eze (Sir) Ikenna C. Okoli (KSC), Okoli V, Agbakwuruibe III, the 11th Obi of Akokwa, has every reason to be grateful to God.
Not only that he has attained the golden age, His Royal Majesty will be clocking 19 years on the throne of his forefathers later this year.
Come February 28, 2021 , all roads will lead to the ancient kingdom of Akokwa. That day is His Royal Majesty’s day. On that date, Nigerians from all walks of life, people of goodwill, friends, associates and well wishers will empty into Akokwa to felicitate with Agbakwuruibe III.
The effervescent Eze ( Sir) Ikenna C. Okoli was born into the Ezesiobuna Royal Family in Obi Uzouhu Village in Akokwa on February 28, 1971.He attended St’ Peter’s Primary School, Akokwa between 1976 and 1982 where he obtained his First School Leaving Certificate the same year. Thereafter, he proceeded to Federal Government College, Azare, Bauchi State and Federal Government College, Sokoto, Sokoto State where he obtained his West African School Certificate in 1987.
In 1990, the young Okoli gained admission into the Abia State University, Uturu in Abia State where he obtained a BSc in Sociology/Anthropology in 1994.
Agbakwuruibe III is imbued with the zeal for entrepreneurship, hence after his graduation, as young as he was then, he decided to be an employer of labour as he incorporated Equipment Alliance Limited of which he is the MD/CEO.
His Royal Highness thus commenced the business of equipment leasing.Till date Equipment Alliance Limited which is also into Earth and marine equipment leasing, is still operational with Head office at the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
Akokwa is noted for peaceful and orderly ascension to the Obi stool. This explained the seamless emergence of Eze Okoli.After the untimely and painful demise of his late father, HRH Eze Osita C. Okoli (KSC) in the 2002, Eze Ikenna Okoli, as the first son of the late monarch and in line with the primogeniture rule of succession of Akokwa people, was chosen by his people to ascend the ancient throne as the 11th Obi of Akokwa.
The Obi of Akokwa is deeply committed to the things of God and a dedicated Christian of the Anglican communion faith. No wonder the Ideato Diocese of the Anglican Communion found him worthy of knighthood and conferred him with one.
The same year he ascended the throne the Church investested him as a Knight of Saint Christopher. This was on December 8, 2002.
More wins were in store for him: On the 15th of March, 2005, the Imo State Government under the leadership of His Excellency Sir Achike Udenwa, the then Executive Governor of Imo State recognized and gazetted the name of Eze Ikenna C. Okoli as the Obi of Akokwa with effect from the 5th day of March, 2005.
HRH Eze Ikenna Okoli descended from a very long and illustrious line of rulers in the following order:
*Eze Okwarauhu Akokwa
*Eze Dimonyegbesu Okwarauhu
*Eze Ezesiobuna Dimonyegbesu
*Eze Dimesoro Ezesiobuna
*Eze Okwaraononihu Dimesoro
*Eze Ukachukwu Okwaraononihu
*Eze Okoli Ukachukwu
*Eze Joseph Okoli
*Eze Patrick Okoli
*Eze Osita Okoli
*Eze Ikenna Okoli (Present Obi of Akokwa)
His Royal Highness, Eze (Sir) Ikenna C. Okoli (KSC), (MSI) Okoli V, Agbakwuruibe III, the 11th Obi of Akokwa is blessed with three wonderful children.
Notedly, the Akokwa ancient kingdom is a border & nodal town in Ideato North LGA of Imo state.
It shares boundaries with Aro-Ndizuogu, Uzii, Osina, Akpulu and also a gateway to Anambra state as it shares border with Uga and Umuchu. Akokwa boasts of many industrialist, academics and technotracts.Some of these notables are: Sir Tony Ezenna, OFR, (Ijele Akokwa) Chairman, Orange Group, Chief Charles Anudu, MD/CEO Swift Networks Limited, Chairman of Envoy Oil ltd, Sir Linus Ojimba, Prof. Kevin Ibeh,Commissioner,Commonwealth Scholarship Commission and Pro Vice Chancellor (International) at Birkbeck, University of London, High Chief Fabian A. Onwuachu(Acharaugo) President Emeritus, Peoples club of Nigeria international and Patron/Trustee Peoples club of Nigeria international, Chairman of Tiger foods ltd, Chief Celestine Ebubeogu(Ide Akokwa),Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria 2017 (MBGN), Miss Ugochi Mitchel Ihezue,Late Professor (Chief) Elechukwu Njaka who founded the famous ERNEST GAMES GRAMMER SCHOOL Akokwa.
Others include Late Dr. Otuokere Njaka, the second Republic deputy minority leader of the old Imo State House of Assembly,Engineer Ezekiel Izuogu, The designer of the first made in Nigeria car, John Munonye Nigerian educator and novelist( The only Son), Renowned banker and Economist, Prof Willie Uzoaga and many others
*Ingram Osigwe( Enyioha) is the MD of Full page international communications Ltd
Human Rights and Civil Society Organisation, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, has joined other Nigerians to demand the immediate release of Salihu Tanko Yakasai, who was allegedly arrested by the Department of State Services.
In a tweet by the Organization on its official Twitter handle, it called for the release of the sacked aide of Governor Abdullah Ganduje of Kano State.
“We condemn the unlawful arrest of journalist Salihu Tanko Yakasai simply for peacefully exercising his right to freedom of expression.
“Nigerian authorities should stop shutting up critics. Authorities must immediately, and unconditionally release Mr Yakasai,” SERAP tweeted.
The group also criticized the Kano State government for sacking the journalist, saying the state authorities “are making a mockery of the Nigerian Constitution”.
“Kano State authorities are making a mockery of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended] and international human rights obligations by sacking journalist Salihu Tanko Yakasai simply for allegedly criticising the government of President Buhari. Peaceful dissent is not a crime”.
Yakasai, Special Adviser on Media to Kano State Governor, Ganduje, was sacked on Saturday for criticising the All Progressives Congress and the regime of the President Muhammadu Buhari over the growing insecurity in the country.
Just like the statement of Former Minister of Education, Obiageli Ezekwesili, that the President Muhammadu Buhari has failed woefully in terms of Governance, Nobel Laureate , Professor Wole Soyinka, joined the fray, criticising the All Progressives Congress, APC, led Government.
Soyinka said the Government of President Buhari has failed Nigeria after terrorists abducted hundreds of school girls in Zamfara State.
Speaking on Saturday in Abeokuta, Ogun State, at the Association of Nigerian Authors, ANA, Ogun award Lecture and Public presentation of ‘Chronicles of the Happiest People on Earth,’ the latest book authored by him, he said it was worrisome and pathetic that insecurity has become the order of the day in Nigeria.
According to Soyinka, it is important for all to know that these were abnormal times, but that it seemed to him (Buhari) as times of shirking of responsibilities in key areas.
“We cannot permit ourselves to accept the child hostage taking as a way of life, we just can not continue in this fashion, some thing drastic and meaningful has to take place and it has to be collective,” he said.
Soyinka emphasised that this was no longer the responsibility of those at the top, in charge of security, in charge of governance as they had clearly failed the populace.
“They have failed us, there is no point trying to reason it up, trying to give an excuse, putting blame or whatever. The important thing is that we are very close to accepting a culture of the unacceptable,” he added.
The Nobel laureate said it had reached a point the states were shutdown when the children were kidnapped to sound the urgency that child hostage-taking would no longer be acceptable.
Soyinka said it might sound extreme, but said “we don’t know what else one can propose at this particular time, yes life must go on but even those activities will generate and enhance our very existence.
“I think we have to take on a tonality of regrets, of the unacceptable, protestation and mobilisation on whatever level it is possible as a community of human beings,” Soyinka stated.
For the period his address lasted, it was a combination of pin-drop silence, and spontaneous applause.
It was Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, addressing Imo Stakeholders – his fourth since he was sworn-in as the Governor in January 2020.
Events in the past few weeks in the State gave him enough reasons to address the Stakeholders. Not a few Imo people looked forward to this.
A lot had happened in the State. There was the crisis in Orlu which, almost went out of hand for which Uzodinma invited the Soldiers. He has been slammed for that invitation, but he had his reasons. He wore the shoes, and knew where he was being pinched. He was not going to allow a torpedo of his Government, or watch as those he called criminal elements reduced Imo to a war zone. He said he knew that strangers had been imported into the State to wreak havoc. He told his audience why.
He told them of his problems with former Governor Rochas Okorocha.How it began. Why it began. How he resisted pressures from Okorocha to not look into the looting of of the State.
He told them the circumstances behind the face off his Government had with Okorocha recently over recovery of properties.
He assured, and reassured them that he would recover every property illegally acquired by Okorocha or anybody. He talked about how Okorocha broke every decent law, and reduced himself to an unbelievable low level.
He asked Imo people to tell him whether to recover their stolen collective patrimony or not. At that point, he received a thunderous “Yes. Recover.”
And, he told them some more, including what he has done so far with their money. It was Governor Uzodinma at his best.
Following, excerpts from his address to Imo Stakeholders.
Why Crime Is On The Rise In Imo
“My esteemed brothers and sisters, it is really regrettable that criminal elements among us are working round the clock to compromise our resolve and hard work in achieving a safe Imo state for all residents. You will recall that we assisted the Police and other security agencies with over 100 well-equipped patrol vehicles as soon as we came on board, in addition to over 20 vehicles for special operations.
This is aside from our regular interventions in logistics support.
“However, due to the activities of some rogue elements and some unrepentant political enemies, coupled with the strategic location of Imo State as the gateway to the South East and South South states, there has been a spike in crime and violence in recent times, thus tasking our security architecture and throwing up new challenges.
“The recent kidnap of the Catholic Auxiliary Bishop of Owerri, Rt. Rev. Moses Chikwe, and the burning of a police station in Aboh Mbaise a few days ago, among other crimes, were part of the challenges we have faced.
How Mercenaries Took Over Orlu
“Even as we were grappling with those issues, some hoodlums and mercenaries went and took over Orlu in the name of “protecting the people from invading herdsmen.” Before we knew what was happening, innocent citizens and even security operatives were killed. Women, among them grandmothers were raped. Indeed anarchy loomed and we had to act fast as a government. We had to secure the area with additional security drawn from the military.
“Sadly some mischief makers and unrepentant political merchants and alarmists twisted the story upside-down. It smacks of sheer mischief for anyone to claim that what happened in Orlu was a military invasion.
“The military is in Orlu to protect our people from blood-thirsty mercenaries who were killing, maiming and raping them.
“It will interest you to know that these militants who terrorized Orlu for weeks and months ago, most of them are not Igbos. The evidence emerged when some of them were arrested. They have made useful confessions and we now know that they were imported from outside the South East to come and turn Imo State into a theatre of war under the guise of IPOB or Eastern Security Network though working with IPOB members.
“The truth is that these are mercenaries imported into Imo state to create the impression that another Biafra war has started from Imo State. The politicians behind this plot know themselves and they will not be hidden for too long.
“I want the good people of Imo State to know that what these politicians are desperate to achieve is to pitch Imo people against the Federal Government. They want the Federal Government to believe that another Biafra war has started from Imo State. Thank God that this callous plot has failed because the federal government knows better.
Senator Rochas Okorocha
No Biafra War Started In Imo
“I know that some desperate politicians who are jealous of the good relationship between the Federal Government and Imo State Government, under my watch, will go to any length to achieve their evil desires. But they will continue to fail. God in his goodness will never allow any evil plot against the peace-loving people of Imo State to see the light of the day.
No Plan To Wage War Against The Igbo
“Let me make this very clear, my administration will use all the powers at our behest to protect our people against any form of violent harassment by any armed group, be it mercenaries, ESN or IPOB. The military in Orlu is strictly keeping to their rules of engagement. No innocent resident or visitor is being molested. It is only the guilty that is afraid. Criminals being sponsored by political enemies of the state will continue to be afraid. Orlu is calm. Take it from me. There is no plan to wage war against Ndigbo.
“The civil war ended many years ago. Igbos are not at war with anyone, and they do not desire another war. What Igbo want is justice, equity and a level playing ground for all. These we can achieve through constructive engagements, not through violence or war.
“Make no mistakes about it, the military is in Orlu to flush out criminals and mercenaries from the area. And that is exactly what they are doing.
Okorocha And I
“This brings me to the events of a few days when on a bright Sunday morning, when most people were busy in Churches in devout supplication to God, a former Governor of the state decided to take the laws into his hands by importing thugs to invade the state. You are aware of the various Judicial Commissions of Inquiry instituted by the defunct Government of Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha. These Commissions were set up to investigate what happened in Government between 2011 and 2019. This was particularly with respect to the award of contracts and land use and related matters.
“It was clear that these Commissions were set up in response to the yearnings of our people. The people saw, in black and white, that in eight years of the administration of Rochas Okorocha, there was no due process in governance. Contracts were awarded whimsically without recourse to due process. Lands belonging to both Government and private citizens were forcefully acquired by the administration for the private use of relations and their cronies.
“The Owerri Master plan, jealousy preserved for years by previous administrations, was recklessly desecrated and flagrantly abused by the Okorocha administration.
Okorocha’s Years Of Darkness And Lawlessness
“In resume, that era was rightly seen by many as the dark years in the history of governance of Imo State, characterized by lawlessness, abuse of office and ill-informed audacious attempt to supplant democracy with aristocracy.
“Against this background, the sentiment then, as it remains now, is that there must be a holistic probe of the administration of Rochas Okorocha. It was only natural therefore that when we came on board, we validated the mandate of the commissions and conferred legitimacy on them in accordance with the law.
I Was Asked To Disband The Commissions; Why Okorocha Attended My Inauguration
“I want to leave it on record that some of the dramatis personae embroiled in the mindless looting of the state approached me to disband the Commissions, arguing that it was set up by PDP to witch- hunt APC. I politely turned down the request, on the grounds that the mood of the people favoured the setting up of the Commissions. It was later that it dawned on me that the earlier show of solidarity I received from these characters, including attending my inauguration and pledging to work with me, was just a smokescreen to persuade me to disband the Commissions.
“I became curious and wondered why Okorocha and his cronies, instead of going to the Commissions to clear their names rushed to the Courts to vainly try to stop the Commissions from doing their jobs. If they were innocent, would they try to get me to stop the commission or would they have gone to court for the same purpose? That reminded me of the title of one of the novels of James Hardley Chase: “The guilty are afraid”.
I Have Dismantled Okorocha’s Empire; He Is Richer Than The State, So, Thinks He Is God
“Today we have the reports of the commissions, The white paper is out also. And it has been gazetted. Our duty remains to ensure faithful implementation of those recommendations. What happened on Sunday February 21st was that a man who thinks he is above the law because he ruled Imo State lawlessly, gathered thugs to break into a property sealed by the government in accord with a government gazette on the matter, which is protected under the law. This is the same man who broke the law in the first place and has refused to be accountable. He rebuffed every invitation from the commissions to come and answer the charges against him because he believes he is above the law.
“Now because he has become richer than the State Government, as he publicly stated recently, he now sees himself as a god who can do and undo at will. And so with every effrontery, he marched majestically on that fateful Sunday morning, with his band of thugs, to go and unseal what a government has sealed.
“Even more disgusting was the fact that he also had the effrontery to tell Imo people that he was unsealing an estate built on a green verge against the Owerri Master Plan and worth over N5B Naira because it belonged to his wife. Quite a pity indeed!
“Of course, that was the height of assault on a people and their constituted authority.
“The security agencies, of course, responded appropriately. It is understandable that some people are angry because we stopped them from foisting a feudal aristocracy in Imo state. But I think it will be a costly mistake for them to allow their frustrations to drive them to lunacy.
“I don’t have anything personal against anybody. I am only here to serve the people of Imo State.
“One thing that is clear from the reports of these commissions are that the suspicion that the patrimony of Imo people was looted by Okorocha and his relations and cronies has been substantiated. The Commission reports and recommendations, which have been accepted and gazetted, in the white paper, provide ample evidence in this regard.
“So what Okorocha and his band of thugs attempted to do last Sunday was to forcefully torpedo the legitimate outcome of the Commissions of inquiry which is that all the Imo property looted or appropriated by him and his cohorts are recovered from them.
I Rebuffed Him
“Recall that he first went to Court to stop the recovery and failed. Then he approached me to stop same and I refused. Now he wants to use brute force to hold on to what belongs to Imo people. Will you let him do that?
“I want to make this very clear: As a government, we will use all legal means to recover every Imo property or wealth wrongly appropriated by anyone, Okorocha inclusive. This is my covenant with Imo people and I intend to keep it to the letter.
“The restoration of Owerri Master Plans means that those who abused the processes would be punished. Those who took land from the government and private individuals would be forced to return them. In short, all looted assets of Imo people must be recovered and Imo State must be for all Imo people.
“However, I do recognise that power belongs to the good people of Imo State. As a government elected by the people, I called for this special stakeholders meeting to recourse to you on this matter. And so, as the stakeholders of Imo State and the voice of the people, I put the question pointedly to you:
“Do you want us to recover all looted Imo property and wealth illegally appropriated by any person or group of persons, whether high or low?. Whatever answer is your give, YES or NO, I want you to put it down in a resolution right here and now, and I assure you that your wish shall be the command of my government.
The Emperor Has Lost His Kingdom
“My beloved Ndimo, we have every reason to celebrate God’s goodness to us as a state and people. We should not be detained by rabble-rousers and self-imposed emperors who had since lost their kingdom.
“Through the mercy of God, we have stopped them from conquering our state and taking the citizens as captives. We have stopped the unholy march to feudalism. We have reversed a budding aristocracy that would have made a few the illegitimate landlords of the land that belonged to all Imo people and left the rest of us their miserable tenants.
We Should Celebrate Our Freedom
“Yes, we have every reason to celebrate because we have recovered our state from feudal interlopers and buccaneers, but above all, we now have a government we can proudly call the government of the people by the people and for the people.
“WE should all now join hands together in one accord and work for the progress and well-being of our people Owerri, Orlu and Okigwe zones inclusive. Once again, our glorious journey is on course”
Very soon, the armed bandits of the north will turn their guns at the northern oligarchs. They will understand that their enemies aren’t the peasant farmers or herdsmen of the northeast, northwest, and north central. The truth shall dawn on them in common hours, that they got it wrong murdering their host communities in the South- west, South-east and South-south.
They shall unlearn the menacing lore of their presumed ‘supremacy’ and ‘right to kill’ other people for grazing land across the country. They shall refute their entitlement to rob, steal and intimidate other Nigerians as maniacally advanced through circuitous hate-speech and tribal warmongering by the northern oligarchs.
As the scales fall from their eyes, they shall attain clarity of purpose and discover that their real enemies are the northern governors, lawmakers, sponsored ethnic cults and the presidency, who have deliberately kept them shackled to poverty and ignorance.
They will understand that the governors urging them to exchange their guns for cows, the clout-chasing clerics visiting them in the forest for photo ops, the lawmakers keeping them on retainer-ship, and politicians justifying the heinous murders they commit across the country are their greatest foes.
We are at the verge of the hour, when clusters of Boko Haram terrorists and armed bandits shall unite in rare enlightenment and rouse to the bitter truth of their reckoning and their lineages’ betrothal to transgenerational doom.
This minute, some Boko Haram commander or bandit leader is awakening to scarce consciousness; he is cautiously but passionately appealing to peers and underlings to stop targeting their guns and explosives at the poor, helpless masses.
At the dawn of their new awareness, they shall turn their guns and machetes against the northern political class. They shall invade the latter’s homes and abduct their trophy wives, daughters, sons, and grandchildren.
The Chilling Story Of Young Maryam
They shall whisk the latter off into the heart of Sambisa and the fringes of Zamfara, Kaduna, Yobe, Adamawa’s forest reserves among others. Just like they abducted little Maryam Alhaji-Wakil at the tender age of nine, from her family home in Bama – after killing her parents in her presence.
In 2014, Boko Haram terrorists invaded Maryam’s village and killed her relatives. They burned her home and decapitated her neighbours. Then they whisked her off to Sambisa Forest.
There, she was forcibly married to Modu, a lustful and violent Boko Haram insurgent. In two days, little Maryam was violently thrust into womanhood. Modu, 35, forced his way into her unripe orifice, robbing her of innocence and the mystic pleasure of first and legitimate adult sexual experience.
Modu was hasty and rough thus making her ‘first time’ bestial and replete with pain. She screamed in agony but Modu didn’t care. “The louder I screamed, the more violently he shoved into me until I passed out,” she revealed to me in a personal encounter.
Thus at the tender age of nine, Maryam was violently used and sexually abused. When she could not withstand the misery of living as a sex slave any longer, she opted to serve as one of the terrorist group’s female suicide bombers. Consequently, she was dispatched with a bomb to neighbouring Cameroon; she was taken on a motorcycle to blow up a soft military target in the country. But Maryam had other plans.
When the rider dropped her, she approached the soldiers and told them, ‘I have this thing on my body. It is a bomb. I was sent to kill you. Please, help me remove it.” Instantly, the soldiers sprung into defensive position but realising that she had come to surrender, they approached her, cautiously, and unstrapped the explosive from her body.
Maryam spent several months in the custody of the Cameroonian gendarmes until she was handed over to the Nigerian military. Hard as it is to picture the extent of bitterness devastating her heart, an intense gape into her eyes reveals a girl utterly torn apart. Beneath her pretty face lurks a battered soul.
Now 16 years of age, Maryam is yet to break out of the jailhouse of her past. She is still the frightened nine-year-old that got whisked off to Sambisa Forest, while her relatives and neighbours fell in a bloody heap, to the bullets of Boko Haram’s terror squads.
Maryam relives the days she endured hunger because her insurgent ‘husband’ was too poor and too lazy to provide her food. She remembers the excruciating nights that she laid captive and helpless under his massive bulk, while he violently plowed into her because she “was an unwilling bride.”
When Maryam eventually discovers that the men and women who were elected to ‘protect and serve her’ as all good leaders should do, were responsible for her misery, should she simply ‘forgive and forget?’
When she discovers that they embezzled the £2.1 billion disbursed to procure weaponry meant to subdue her captors and secure her release and that of the 276 Chibok girls, should she seek them out for a hug and bless their progeny?
Would Maryam be wrong to persistently utter heartfelt prayers that the daughters and granddaughters of the men and women who triggered and accentuated her misery, share similar fate with her?
Would it be humane and politically-correct to do that? Some would claim that it would be wrong to wish such retribution on innocent children of perceived bad leaders. They would counsel forgiveness saying: “Let the actual offenders be punished and not their bloodline.”
In a nation where rich, privileged convicts are given a slap on the hand and pat on the back, would it be wrong to wish that their offspring and wives experience similar tragedies as victims of their inhumanity?
The RUGA Fallacy
The RUGA toxic rhyme
The Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) has perfected its plot to impose the RUGA on “uncooperative” regions through the backdoor. Of course, there is nothing wrong with the initiative as long as it is done in the interest of justice, peace and stability.
Critics argue that by imposing the scheme on southwest communities, for instance, government seeks to compensate killer-herdsmen for the mayhem and murders they continually visit on helpless, indigent farming communities. And what do the latter get in return?
It is extremely devious of any governor of the South-west states, afflicted by killer-herdsmen, to collude with counterparts from the north to impose the RUGA on southwest communities still on the receiving end of wanton killings by killer-herdsmen.
The latest plot involves the deployment of traditional rulers as pawns; the governors seek to bully poor, helpless communities into acceptance of the scheme, using their traditional rulers as muscles.
The latter depend on their individual state governors for their salaries and other luscious forms of patronage – and none of them would dare rebel against their benefactors.
The argument being espoused by the proponents of the scheme is both frantic and whacky; “You better tell your people to accept RUGA now or else herdsmen will kill them all.”
You could be forgiven for likening them to the proverbial huckster, who would market dystopia to seekers of Eden.
The government must adopt just and humane measures at resolving the farmers-killer herdsmen crisis. The situation deserves better handling unsullied by frantic war-mongering, bullying and artifice.
Was the crash of the Nigerian Airforce Plane on Sunday, February 21, destined, or was it out of carelessness and negligence on the part of the Nigerian Airforce?
Could the NAF have saved itself, the Nation and the families of the seven victims the excruciating pains being passed through? Was it avoidable?
The grieving father of one of the victims, Flight Sergeant Olasunkanmi Olawunmi, believes so. Pa Julius Olawunmi, a retired 77 year old teacher said his brief is that the crashed Aircraft was not only old, it was bad. It was a 49 year old plane, he told the Punch in an interview.
The ill-fated aircraft, was on its way to Minna from Abuja when it crashed short of the tarmac of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, while making an air-return.
Shortly after it took off, the Pilot reported an engine problem, and tried a return to the airport, But it burst into flames, shortly before it touched down, killing all the seven Airforce personnel on board. They were buried in Abuja on Thursday, February 25.
The dead were on their way back to Niger State, where they had been on a surveillance mission to locate the Kagara 27 students, three teachers, and 12 family members, who were abducted by Bandits. They were in Abuja to re-fuel the Aircraft when it crashed, killing them all.
Thanksgiving On Day Of Son’s death
Pa Olawunmi said that as a Christian, he has accepted his son’s death, but worried about the state of the Aircraft. He said he was told that the aircraft was old and bad, and stopped short of asking: Why use it? He did not directly put the blame on anybody. He was philosophical.
The irony, he said, is that the day of his son’s death was one of his happiest days, as he held a Thanksgiving in the Church, without knowing his son was dead at the time. He had no inkling of an impending doom, he said. The only thing, he explained, was that he was so happy at the Thanksgiving service, without knowing why.
Describing his son as loving, caring and irreplaceable, Pa Olawunmi, whose three older children are in the Police, asked the Government to look after his son’s wife and three children.
I am still waiting for his phone call – Wife
The late officer’s wife, with whom he had three sons is still dumb-founded and in self denial. On a condolence visit to the family by Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, she told the Governor that she was waiting for her husband’s phone call.
She said she called her husband a few minutes before the flight took off. They spoke briefly, and he told her: “I will call you as soon as we land. We are about to take off. He has not called. I am still waiting for his call.”
Fayemi was among the dignitaries who attended the funeral of the officers in Abuja. They were buried with full Military rights.
The Northern Youths Movement, NYM, has called for the immediate removal, from office, of the National Security Adviser, NSA, to President Muhammadu Buhari, General Babagana Monguno (rtd). The Group, also, alleged the complicity of the military in the abduction of the 317 students of Government Girls Secondary School (GGSS), Jangebe, in Talata Mafara Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
The NYM said it was impossible for bandits to have attacked the school, located less than 100 metres to a military checkpoint and abduct over 300 schoolgirls successfully.
In a press release issued in Abuja, signed by its Chairman, Mallam Ishaya Jato, it said; “It is becoming obvious that the military authority will not want banditry in the North-West and Boko Haram insurgency in the North-East to end because of benefits being derived from it.”
“It is on record that at about 11pm on Thursday, soldiers stormed Jangebe, ordering all the residents to return to their houses immediately. These same soldiers, who stormed the town were nowhere to be found when the bandits invaded the town at about 1am, two hours after the military men came.
“Also, there is a military checkpoint located not more than 100 metres from the school.
“The questions are: Where were the soldiers who stormed Jangede at about 11pm on Thursday when the bandits invaded the town two hours later? Why was it that there was no response from the soldiers stationed less than 100 metres to the school?
“For what reason did the soldiers order residents of Jangede to return to their houses at about 11pm? Were they aware of the bandits’ invasion? Why was it that it was a distance of 400 metres from the school that a Police Officer, Sgt Hamza Sulaiman, was killed?
“We are also aware of the request for the release of $1 billion by the National Security Adviser (NSA), General Babagana Monguno. This is apart from the $1 billion taken from the Excess Crude Account in 2017 and budgetary allocation for the military in the 2021 Budget.
“It is on record that all Governors from the Northwest, apart from Governor Nasir El-Rufai opposed this demand.”
The Group said the latest attack appears to be an orchestrated effort to drive home that demand by the NSA for $1 billion.
“To us, it appears that efforts to end banditry in the North-West through dialogue and engagement are being frustrated by the military authority because of the money being made and it has gotten to a point when well-meaning individuals and groups from the north should speak out and put a permanent end to killings and kidnappings in our land”, the Group stated.
But sources told this magazine that the allegations against Monguno and the Military are uncharitable.
“How can the Military be complicit when the soldiers are the ones being killed? Does that make sense?”
On the abduction of the 317 students, the magazine gathered that gallant soldiers engaged the abductors when they approached their checkpoint, not knowing that it was a decoy. They had divided themselves into two without the knowledge of the soldiers. As the soldiers engaged a group, another group invaded the school, and made away with the children.
Said another source: “The abduction is sad, but people should not ignorantly be making allegations they cannot prove.”
