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OPINION: Kanu’s trial is supposed to be opposed, not monitored

By
The Source
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By Aloy Ejimakor

“Apart from answering to its conscience as a nation, Nigeria shall ultimately answer to Britain, to the international community and even to Kenya if Kenya succeeds in denying official complicity in the rendition”

Lately, some individuals and civic groups have, in some show of support for Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, indicated that they will ‘monitor’ his trial. In the same vein, some have also called for a fair trial. Fair trial of what? Illegality in high places?

While it’s commendable that Kanu has attracted such avalanche of support across the spectrum, it’s important to make it clear from the outset that there won’t be any trial to monitor. None. Nnamdi Kanu cannot be tried on the basis of this extraordinary rendition that brought him in Nigeria.

If you truly support Kanu, you don’t need to monitor his trial or ensure he gets a fair trial. What you need to do is to oppose his trial. Saying that you will monitor his trial gives the impression of bestowing legality to the illegality that brought him to Nigeria.

To better understand how Kanu ended up in Nigeria and why he won’t face trial, you need to juxtapose it to what happened to Umaru Dikko in 1984 and it’s aftermaths. Dikko’s kidnapping was, like this one of Kanu, a brazen act of attempted rendition, which is a State crime under international law and it comes with dire consequences – legal, diplomatic and political.

Though the kidnapping of Dikko failed, it brought the following consequences: Britain swiftly arrested seventeen people, four were convicted and they served between six to eight years in prison. Britain expelled the Nigerian High Commissioner and broke diplomatic relations with Nigeria for 2 years. And most tellingly, Nigeria’s subsequent requests to Britain to extradite Dikko and others were summarily denied.

All these were done even as Dikko was not a citizen of Britain but a mere resident. Conversely, Kanu is a bonafide citizen of Britain, traveling on a British passport when he was unlawfully renditioned to Nigeria from Kenya. That should counter for more countervailing measures.

What this means is that, apart from answering to its conscience as a nation, Nigeria shall ultimately answer to Britain, to the international community and even to Kenya if Kenya succeeds in denying official complicity in the rendition.

A nation does not go to jail. So, when I stated that Nigeria will answer for the rendition, it means a mix of consequences, some of which are already unfolding. The easiest one to see is that Nigeria has, by her own hands, lost its jurisdiction to subject Kanu to trial. In sporting terms, you can say that Nigeria scored an own goal.

How that own goal was scored and its fallouts is a complex legal subject that will certainly be ventilated in court and within the diplomatic circles to which Nigeria is subject. But one thing that is clear is this: No valid prosecutorial or judicial action can proceed from such a manifestly criminal conduct by a State.

So, when you say you will be monitoring Kanu’s trial or that you want a fair trial for him, you are unwittingly buying into a grievous crime that should shock your conscience. Put another way, you will be making yourself complicit in what was done to Kanu or as lawyers would say: you’re making yourself an accessory after the fact.

Conversely, it would be a great thing to say that you will monitor the trial if Kanu’s presence in Nigeria was compliant with due process. That due is nothing but what is generally known as extradition.

Extradition is the only valid means of surrendering an international fugitive from one country to the other. That’s why Nigeria was punished for daring to kidnap Dikko. There’s no reason to think that Kanu’s case will be different.

Nigeria has an extradition statute which is known as the Extradition Act. Kenya has a similar law but with slightly different name. Britain has its own. All three are, in substance, very similar and strict to boot.

What I can tell you for now, assuming you don’t know it already is that Kanu’s rendition will live in infamy because it violated the extradition law of Kenya (the country of abduction), Britain (the country of domicile and citizenship) and even Nigeria (the country of destination).

If you add other municipal and international laws, conventions and protocols to which Nigeria is subject but chose to break just to bring Kanu to Nigeria, you begin to see why you must oppose his trial instead of monitoring it.

Ejimakor, is an American trained Lawyer

Covid 19: How Nigeria Shocked The World, Changed Negative Predictions – Aregbesola

By
Ayodele Oni
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By Ayodele Oni

Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has said that it remains unbelievable for advanced countries that Nigeria and other African countries survive the first phase of the dreaded global pandemic, Covid 19 scourge.

The Minister was speaking in Ado Ekiti Monday evening, while delivering a lecture titled Covid 19: The Economy and Security, organized by the Faculty of Arts, Ekiti State University, (EKSU).

According to him, world ‘experts’ had predicted Nigeria and other African countries would collapse under the damaging economic effects of Covid-19 pandemic which crippled world economies and collapsed health systems in  developed countries.

“COVID-19 hit us but the government was able to mitigate the consequences. It also brought out the capacity of the Nigerian people for resilience in the face of adversity, and the milk of human kindness in the way a lot of our compatriots demonstrated generosity and acts of kindness to the less privileged in our midst.

“The Federal Government impaneled the Presidential Task Force which immediately swung into action, coordinating with the NCDC and the Ministry of Health, all of government’s response and holding daily national televised briefing.”

The minister also noted that other measures put in place by the federal government such as the enforcement of non-pharmaceutical policies of lockdown, isolation, stopping interstates movements, maintaining social distance, wearing of face-masks, and aggressive public enlightenment, contributed in no small way to tackle the pandemic.

He admitted that there were still casualties, which could have been avoided, but were minimal to projection by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the World Health Organization, (WHO) that Nigeria, among some other developing countries, would suffer heavy casualties from the disease.

“Bill Gates was later reported to have heaved a sigh of relief that his prediction of mass casualties was falsified.”

Ogbeni Aregbesola gave credit to scientists and others, that worked in the health sector for effectively managing the pandemic and also developing a vaccine in record time to assist humanity.

The Minister also commended efforts of the Private Sector-led Coalition Against Covid-19 (CACOVID) for the efforts to assist the government in militating against the effect of the Pandemic, noting that in April 2020, the Federal Government commenced the transfer of N20,000 to poor and vulnerable households registered in the National Social Register (NSR).

“The NSR was increased from 2.6 million households (about 11 million people) to 3.6 million households during the Covid-19 crisis. In same April, the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs Disaster Management and Social Development began the provision of food rations to vulnerable households in the four states put under lockdown.”

He disclosed that the Central Bank of Nigeria, (CBN) on its part, proactively pledged to pump NGN1.1 trillion into critical sectors of the economy.

“The Federal Government commenced a three-month repayment moratorium on all TraderMoni, MarketMoni, and FarmerMoni loans. This makes eminent sense.

“These beneficiaries could not have been in good positions to repay the interest-free loans they collected when the economy was being shut down and the streets were empty.“

Ogbeni Aregbesola stated that as a result of government’s stimulus package, 1.3 million jobs were saved, while close to one million new jobs were created through the Economic Sustainability Plan anchored by Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo on behalf of the Federal Government.

INEC: Senate Rejects Controversial Presidential Aide Onochie’s Nomination

By
Bayo Bernard
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Laureta Onochie

By James Orji

The Nigerian Senate has rejected the nomination of controversial Presidential aide, Lauretta Onochie by President Muhammadu Buhari as Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC National Commissioner.

Her rejected came on the crest of swirls of opposition by many Nigerians particularly, civil society bodies who said her membership of the ruling APC disqualifies her for the position. Onochie, however, denied being a member of APC when she was grilled by Senate Committee on INEC last week.

But senate, on Tuesday confirmed the appointment of five other nominees as Commissioners of the Independent National Electoral Commission.

According to a statement by Ezrel Tabiowo, Special Assistant (Press) to President of the Senate, the confirmation of the nominees followed the consideration of a report by the Senate Committee on INEC.

Those confirmed include Professor Abdullahi Abdu Zuru (North-West), Prof. Muhammad Sani Kallah (Katsina), Prof. Kunle Cornelius Ajayi (Ekiti), Dr. Baba Bila (North-East), and Saidu Babura Ahmad (Jigawa).

Chairman of the Committee, Senator Kabiru Gaya said the the petitions against Lauretta Onochie were too heavy to be ignored.

He explained that the nomination of Onochie violated the Federal Character Principle as there is already a serving National Electoral Commissioner from Delta State, Barr. Mary Agbamuche-Mbu who was screened and confirmed by the 8th Senate.

He explained that Onochie

He said the Committee is bound by the provisions of Section 14(3) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as Amendment) on Federal Character Principle, refused to recommend Onochie for confirmation.

“Therefore, based on the provisions of Section 14(3) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as Amended) on Federal Character Principle as earlier stated, and in order for the Committee and the Senate to achieve fairness to other states and political zones in the country, the committee is unable to recommend Ms. Lauretta Onochie for confirmation as a National Electoral Commissioner for the Independent National Electoral Commission”, he explained.

The senate also rejected the nomination of Prof. Sani Muhammad Adam, by President Muhammadu Buhari.

FCMB Announces Yemisi Edun As MD, Successor To Adam Nuru

By
Bayo Bernard
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By Fola James

The Board of Directors of FCMB Group Plc have announced the appointment of Yemisi Edun as the Managing Director of First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Limited.

This announcement is subsequent to the end of service of the bank’s former Managing Director, Adam Nuru.

The Board had earlier reviewed media allegations made in late 2020 against the former MD and did not establish any contravention of its policies. The Board of Directors of FCMB thanks Mr Nuru for his years of dedicated service and wishes him all the best in his future endeavours.

The new managing director was the Executive Director/ Chief Financial Officer of the bank and previously served as the Acting Managing Director.

With a work experience spanning nearly 35 years, Yemisi Edun holds a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from the University of Ife, Ile-Ife and a Master’s degree in International Accounting and Finance from the University of Liverpool, United Kingdom.

She is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria and a Certified Financial Analyst, CFA®️ Charter holder. She is also an Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers; an Associate Member of the Institute of Taxation of Nigeria; a Member of Information Systems Audit and Control, U.S.A; and a Certified Information Systems Auditor

Governor Sanwo-Olu Rescues Motorist From Highway Robbers, Reads Riot Act

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Babajide-Sanwo-Olu

By Akinwale Kasali

If not for the swift intervention of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, a motorist would have been dispossessed of his car and other valuables by highway robbers.

The Lagos State Governor was driving alongside his convoy with security operatives, when it apprehended three persons for attempting to rob a motorist on a highway in the state.

The incident reportedly occurred as the governor was passing through the Ojota highway.

The suspects were said to be attempting to dispossess a motorist of his vehicle, when the convoy of the governor arrived the scene.

The robbers were wielding cutlasses and other dangerous weapons, targeted at their victim, but the timely intervention of the Governor saved the day.

In a statement issued by the State Government on the incident, it reads: “The war against criminality in Lagos State has gone a notch higher as the State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, personally arrested a gang of suspected criminals, which specialises in harassing motorists and road users in traffic.

“The gang of suspected criminals met their waterloo on Monday while attempting to unleash terror on a motorist around Ojota in-bound Alausa. Help however came for the motorist as Governor Sanwo-Olu’s convoy approached the scene to rescue him from the three machete-wielding criminals who were at the time, trying to forcefully drag him out of his vehicle.

“The security personnel attached to the Governor swooped on the suspects, retrieved the dangerous weapons from them and arrested the three of them.”

In photos of the incident released by the state, the Governor was seen addressing the robbers, before they were taken away by security operatives.

The State Governor, thereafter read a riot act, stating its determination to quash criminality in the State saying his government has a zero tolerance for robbery.

Access Bank ‘PayDay’ Loan Changing Lives

By
Bayo Bernard
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By Fola James

Access Bank Plc customers who depend on the instant loan service, also known as PayDay provided by the new generation bank are happy that the service has been restored few hours after the Herbert Wigwe-led bank said on Monday that it needed to conduct system upgrade. The instant loan has changed customers’ experience and helped millions of Nigerians to meet their pressing needs since it came upstream in 2017, according to customers who have been using the service.

“Dear Customer, our instant loans will be temporarily unavailable due to important system updates to enable us serve you better. Thanks for choosing Access,” the bank said on Monday.

For the few hours that the upgrade lasted, some customers thought that their lives have been put on hold. Some of them were calling the bank’s Customers Service to inquire when the upgrade will be completed so that they can move on with their lives again.

Hundreds of calls were made to customer service representatives who assured customers that the service will be restored in no time. For customers who could not make calls, they simply stormed the bank’s branches to demand that the service be restored quickly.

Indeed, the way customers responded to the temporary shut-down of the service, according to customers service experts is an indication of how customers now depend on the bank to meet instant and basic needs to make their lives better.

“That you can just, in the confine of your room or office punch a button on your android phone the USSD code, and in few minutes your account is credited without having any contact with anybody, no queue up in the banking hall for hours, have shown how seamless banking has become in Nigeria.  It’s also an indication that the new generation bank understands that customers are the key element in the marketing mix,” said Gani Olasunkanmi, a customer’s relations expert in Lagos.

Also known as “PayDay Loan’ the service is available to customers and non-customers of the bank at a low interest rates, the bank said.

Herbert Wigwe
Herbert Wigwe Access Bank CEO

“Sometimes emergencies arise before payday and you might be low on cash. This is where PayDay Loan comes in and you can get access to an instant loan by dialing *901*11*1# or via Internet Banking, WhatsApp Banking, Access Mobile App and QuickBucks App.

“Payday Loan is an instant loan product for customers (both salary and non-salary earners). With Payday Loan, you can borrow money at low interest rate with no documentation or collateral needed,” the bank said on its website.

The Access Bank’s instant loan, according to industry players is very unique, in the sense that apart from the fact that it is a 24/7 service, it does not require visits to the bank, no documentation required and application is done conveniently via *901*11*1# QuickBucks App, Internet Banking, Mobile App.

With up to 31 days tenor to pay back, the customer is allowed enough time to upset the loan and has already been rid of the unpleasant situations where bank representatives will be bordering him with calls and visit to his home or business location to make demand on him.

Gboyega Oloke, a customs’ agent in Apapa said the service has saved him from many embarrassments particularly regarding his children school fees and house upkeep for his family. “I don’t bother myself again with the children school fees, because all I have to do is to dial the Access USSD, in few minutes the money lands in my account. There has never been anything like this.”

He said the service is a top notch that must be replicated by other commercial banks in the country. “It is a fresh banking experience that many Nigerians could not have imagines was possible few years ago. Apart from the problem of having to queue up for hours in the bank, wasting several man hours, filing all manners of documentation, you are not even assured that the loan with be approved at the end of the day. But Access Bank instant loan is at your finger tips so long you have an account with any bank in the country.”

Customers could access up to N1 million from the service based on the term and conditions set by the bank. But checks by the magazine indicate that traders, artisans and civil servants used the service more. Some of them said they used the service to settle some basic transactions while waiting for their salaries to be paid. Others say they used the loan to stock their shops and expand their business without bordering about collateral.

“Before I received my salary, I would have settled my wife and other small bills which in the past was very difficult because in those days I needed to wait for at least 30 days to be paid my salary. You can imagine the relief many of us now feel knowing that you can spend while waiting for the next salary to come,” said Adebisi Kolawole, an Ibadan, Oyo state based civil servant.

Victor Etuokwu, Executive Director, Retail Banking, Access Bank said the PayDay loan has revolutionized customers experience apart from expanding the net of financial inclusion in the country.

He said the bank is “at the forefront of digital lending across the continent. This is a deliberate choice we made when we introduced the first USSD based digital lending product in Nigeria based on our deep understanding of our operating environment.

Within the first two years that the PayDAY service was introduced, the bank said it disbursed over 3.5 million loans to individuals. In 2019 alone over N45 billion in over 2 million disbursements were made to individuals and the volumes have since hit over N1 billion daily, according to checks by the magazine.

This is a milestone, Etuokwu said because “this achievement and our focus on retail lending reiterate our commitment to democratize access to financial services leveraging digital technology.”

Launched on October 1, 2017, Access Bank Payday Loan or Salary Advance Scheme is a product created in collaboration with Remita to make loans available to salary earners; irrespective of what bank their salary account is domiciled.

Imo: As Peace Returns, Uzodimma thanks Imolites

By
The Source
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Hope Uzodimma

With broad smiles, and a grateful heart, Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State appreciated the peace that has returned to the State.

Imo State, a once peaceful State was suddenly engulfed by violence which included gruesome murders, destruction and torching of Government facilities, including the State Police Command, Owerri, Police Divisions and  Stations, the Federal Correctional Centre Owerri, and  a number of INEC offices.

Speaking, Uzodinma expressed deep gratitude to Imo people, particularly their leaders, across sectors, for their understanding of the efforts of his administration towards the restoration of peace in the State.

He also thanked them specificall for their ceaseless prayers that resulted to the peace we have started to enjoy once more in Imo State after weeks of security breaches.

The Governor spoke at the Government House Chapel on Sunday amid galaxy of Imo leaders from the business, political, religious and traditional institution class, who joined him at the day’s Church Service.

Governor Uzodimma who described the Imo leaders as partners in progress not only told them that peace had returned to the state but thanked them and all Imo people for believing in his leadership.

Governor Uzodimma lauded the leaders and by extension Imo people in general for the recently concluded visitation by all the 27 local government areas in Imo State, noting that government had taken note of their demands, both political and non-political, and “will deal with  them accordingly.”

“I must thank our leaders, captains of industries and all who came in from outside the state, despite their busy schedule, and sacrificed to be part of the local governments’ visitation. I have taken note of the sacrifice and love for our dear state, and promise that we will not disappoint your reasonable expectations.”

However, Governor Uzodimma enjoined the leaders and Imolites to continue to continue  to pray for the peace of the state in the believe that “only God can solve our problems in Imo State.”

Electoral Act: Nigeria’s Democracy Is Yours To Save, Secondus charges NASS; Tambuwal Urges Members To Stand Firm

By
The Source
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Uche Secondus

Prince Uche Secondus,

National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, says the future, the survival or non-survival of Nigeria’s democracy is in the hands of the National Assembly.

For its survival, Secondus charged members of the National Assembly to take a proper look at the Electoral Amendment and ensure that whatever they do with it would  reflect the wishes and desires of Nigerians.

In the same vein, the Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal, who was a former Speaker of the House, ask NASS members to push politics aside, and bequeath on Nigerians an electoral process to be proud of.

In a statement titled Electronic Transmission of Votes: An Appeal To National Assembly Members To Do The Right Thing, Tambuwal said: “It is in the National interest to bequeath to Nigeria an Electoral Act that will contribute to free, fair and credible elections in Nigeria irrespective of party platform”

Secondus said in a statement from his media office on Monday that the legislators should know that the easiest way to engender the eluding peace in the land today is through a free, fair and credible elections which can only be guaranteed by the sincere amendment of the Act.

“Free and fair election is critical to the future of our democracy and it behoves on you parliamentarians to save this democracy by doing the needful

“It’s the electoral reform carried out by PDP administration that prepared the enabling ground that saw an opposition come to power in 2015, to deepen our democracy therefore, we must improve on it and put our nation in positive light in the comity of democratic nations.

The PDP boss said that every true representative of the people in a parliament must ensure that all critical decisions reflect the wishes and desires of their people.

“There is no doubt that every Nigerian desires a free and transparent elections and this can only be gotten if the Electoral Act is adequately amended to meet their aspirations.

Governor Aminu Tambuwal
Governor Aminu Tambuwal

“Laws are made for the interest of the nation not to satisfy any individual, political party or groups”

Prince Secondus charged Nigerians, and civil society bodies desirous of bequeathing true and lasting democracy in this country to rise and pressure their legislators to do the needful.

Finally, the National Chairman urged the lawmakers to appreciate the mood of the nation and endeavor to take actions that will bring down rather than aggravate issues.

In Tambuwal’s statement, he said that the whole political class, the civil society and the international community,  are overwhelmingly in support of Electronic Transmission of Votes.

Following is Tambuwal’s full statement.

“I  am minded and constrained to add my voice in making this appeal to the sitting members of the National Assembly, not as the Vice Chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum, nor as Chairman of the PDP GOVERNORS’ FORUM, not even as the Governor of Sokoto State but as a Nigerian citizen and former Speaker of the House of Representatives.

“2. We believe, that it is in the national interest to bequeath to Nigeria an Electoral Act that will contribute to free, fair and credible elections in Nigeria irrespective of party platform. We have seen many times where a person may be in the ruling party today and in the opposition party tomorrow. We have also experienced a situation where party leaders would want to frustrate the re- election of a sitting member, even in the same political Party. What guarantees the re-election of a member of the National Assembly or indeed any other contestant should be his performance and appeal not the dictates of any godfather either as Governor, President or Party leader or stakeholder.

“3. It is a credible, free, and fair election that will ensure that the voters decide any electoral contest. The Edo and Ondo States elections where electronic transmission of votes cast from the unit level ensured that the voters wishes were respected are good examples. PDP won in Edo and APC won in Ondo as a result.

“4. Some have argued that INTERNET penetration in all parts of Nigeria is not assured. This is exactly why the bill should give INEC the prerogative of introducing ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION OF VOTES in any election. In any case, INEC has demonstrated and assured that it has the technology to transmit votes electronically even WITHOUT THE INTERNET. INEC had also assured that with the  new process and technology, any interested Nigerian could track or monitor the results of the election from his or her house.

“Once results of elections are announced from the collation centres, down to the wards, Local Governments and final collation centres, any person can monitor it without any human error”, INEC announced recently.

“5. The international community, INEC, the entire Civil Society, almost ALL the political parties are in support of ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION OF VOTES.

“6. One must distinguish ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION of votes from ELECTRONIC VOTING, which in my view is a little bit more problematic, though achievable.

“7. My intervention is not a partisan one. It must be seen as a contribution from someone who has had varied experiences as a legislator, a former Speaker, a sitting Governor and one who has been involved in leadership of political Parties.

“8. As you decide this question, please, be guided by the wishes of your constituents who should be ultimate arbiters in a democracy.”

State of The Nation: Angry Anglican Bishop Bans National Anthem, Nigerian Flag, In Churches

By
Adesina Soyooye
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Rt. Rev. Ndubusi Chukwuka Obi

By Adesina Soyooye

A Nigerian Cleric has done the unprecedented. In protest against the state of the Nigerian Nation, His Lordship, the Anglican Bishop of Nnewi Diocese, the Rt. Rev. Ndubusi Chukwuka Obi, has banned the singing of the National Anthem as well as the  hoisting of Nigerian flag in  Churches under his jurisdiction – Nnewi Anglican Diocese.

Usually, during big events in Churches, especially, when a State Governor is present, the National Anthem is played. And the Nigerian flag, as well as other flags, necessary for the event are hoisted.

Many people are wondering, for instance, what the Bishop would do during such occasions. But His Lordship probably does not care. He seems to have had it upto his neck.

Those who know him say he has never hidden his shock at the state of the Nation, or his disappointment in the President Muhammadu Buhari Administration. He has been critical of the Federal Government, and spoken strongly on the need for the restructuring of the country.

The Bishop, according to reports, explained that he took the unusual step of banning both the singing of the National Anthem, and the hoisting of the Nigerian Flag to protest what he described as the President’s maladministration of the country. He says there is no leadership. And there is no direction.

Said the Bishop:“Nigeria has become more divided in President Buhari’s administration. In every part of Nigeria, there is agitation for either secession or injustice. President Buhari has failed woefully, he has redefined the concept of leadership in Nigeria.

“If you look at the pattern of appointment, a part of Nigeria is always favoured in appointments. What our President runs in Nigeria is government of the Fulani by the Fulani and for the Fulanis.

“People are no longer comfortable being in Nigeria, and the worst of it all is that you cannot even protest or talk against the government, everybody is afraid”

The Bishop also abhorred the deployment of the Army  in the South-east, and the manner, he alleged, the troops subject the citizens to inhuman treatment and all sorts of humiliations.

However, opinion in some quarters is that the Bishop, by his action, is disrespecting Nigeria as a country, and could have found another way to express his anger instead of  banning the singing of the National Anthem and the hoisting of the Nigerian Flag  in his Diocese.

By this action, Bishop Obi has gone the way of the detained Muslim Cleric, El-Zakzaky  and his sect, Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN). They nether sing the National Anthem, say the National pledge, nor recognise the Nigerian Flag.

Obaseki Replies Oba Ewuare, Allays Fears of Conflict With Him Over Stolen Artefacts

By
Ayodele Oni
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Godwin Obaseki with Oba of Benin - Ewuare II

By  Ayodele Oni

Edo State Government on Monday explained its role in the planned return of stolen Benin Kingdom artefacts to the Kingdom, with a pledge that, Government will not engage in “disrespectful exchanges” with the Oba of Benin, Ewuare II.

A statement signed by the Secretary to the Edo State Government, Mr Osarodion Ogie, stated that: “The attention of the Edo State Government (EDSG) has been drawn to the widely publicised media statement issued by the Palace of His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II.

“It is concerning that the statement appears to have created the impression that there is a major conflict between the interests of the EDSG and His Royal Majesty with regards to the laudable national milestone of having our highly valued artefacts returned home to Nigeria.

“The Government of Edo State and the Governor have always acted transparently, and in consonance with existing Federal and State laws, in all matters relating to the proposed return of the artefacts and monuments.

“The actions of the Government thus far, on this issue, have been driven by selfless, patriotic considerations and in the best interest of Edo State and Edo people.

“The Governor of Edo State, His Excellency, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has displayed and will continue to display immense respect for our traditional institutions and, therefore, will continue to make effort to secure a private audience with His Royal Majesty to discuss his concerns.

“The Governor has consequently ordered that on no account should anyone, whether in government, or acting independently, engage in disrespectful exchanges and/or altercation with our revered Royal Majesty and the Benin Royal Palace.

“Governor Obaseki, meanwhile, expresses his gratitude to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR) and Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed and other officials of the Federal Government for their patriotic and tireless efforts that have brought us to the verge of this eagerly anticipated achievement which has remained elusive for over a century.

“While thanking and congratulating the Federal Government, the President, the Minister, the Royal Palace of the Oba of Benin and all stakeholders who have contributed to the successes so far recorded in this endeavour, the Governor assures that he will continue to work assiduously with all local and international stakeholders for the eventual and final return of these valued records of our great and glorious heritage back to Benin City for the benefit of Edo people, Nigerians and the black race.”

The Oba of Benin had, last week, requested that the Federal Government should take custody of the artefacts to be returned from Europe temporarily.

Oba Ewuare insisted that the rightful destination of the artefacts should be the Benin Royal Museum, rather than a private hand being sponsored by the State Government.

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