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State Governors Wives Flay Insecurity, Call For Urgent Solution

By
Ayodele Oni
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Olabisi Fayemi - Wife of Governor Fayemi

By Ayodele Oni

Nigeria Governors wives have pledged renewed efforts at ensuring adequate facilities and resources exit for survivors of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in the country.

The First Ladies of the 36 States made the pledge in a communique issued Thursday to mark the first anniversary of the declaration of State of Emergency against GBV in Nigeria.

The Communique was signed by the Chairperson of the Nigeria Governors Wives Forum, Mrs. Olabisi Fayemi, the First Lady of Ekiti.

The first ladies expressed satisfaction that the expedited action promised by the Governors and the advocacy efforts of Governors’ Wives, yielded significant results.

“In June 2020, only fourteen States had domesticated the VAPP Act. As of June 2021, 27 States (including the FCT) have passed the law. There are several other States where their legislation is at advanced stages and we are assured that more States will join before the end of 2021.

Other areas of achievements, according to the communique are

“As governors’ Wives, we have also been able to achieve the following over the past one year:

“The number of Sexual Assault Referral Centers (SARCs) as well as shelters for women and their children have increased across the country, mostly due to the efforts of Governors’ Wives.

“Provision of economic empowerment opportunities for women in grassroots communities to reduce their vulnerability, and advocacy for Girl-Child education.

“Collaboration and partnerships with women’s rights and civil society organisations. Production and dissemination of advocacy videos and radio programs in various languages.

“Capacity building and learning Webinars for Governors’ Wives and their Staff teams, and the production of a GBV Resource Manual.

“While we are thankful that we have been able to work successfully to bring about the above results, we are mindful that the crisis of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence continues to ravage our communities and country as a whole. We all need to do more.

“As mothers, we are also deeply concerned about rising tensions and insecurity in the country. We therefore commit to the following:

“Ceaseless prayers for our husbands, political leaders and security chiefs, as we urge them to find a lasting solution to the current security challenges in the country.

“We thank HE Dr Aisha Buhari, First Lady of Nigeria for her encouragement and support at all times.

“During a recent visit to her, she charged us to stay focused and determined in our efforts to mitigate GBV and provide succour to women and children. We accept this charge and we will not relent in our endeavours.”

June 12 Protest: NANS Backs Out Of Nationwide Protest

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Sunday Asefon - NANS President

By Akinwale Kasali

The wind seem to have been taken out of the proposed  nationwide protest on Saturday, June 12, 2021.

Less than 24-hours to the protest by the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, the association has backed out, and suspended it.

NANS President, Sunday Asefon, in Statement today, Friday June 11, 2021, said the Association decided to suspend the protest because of the fear of a possible hijacking of the protest by Politicians.

In a statement titled, ‘NANS Suspends June 12 Protest Over Concerns About Safety Of Protesters And Fear Of Possible Hijack By Politicians, Asefon said the planned protest was aimed at decrying the insecurity in the country, especially the serial abductions of students.

However, Asefon said some politicians with “different agenda” have perfected plans to hijack the protest to “ventilate their political opinions and sentiments”.

He also added that the Students’ body was not associated with the secessionist campaign or the ‘Buhari-must-go’ slated to hold on Saturday by some politicians and activists.

“Having considered the current security realities and the danger to the lives of our members in case of possible hijack of the planned protest, I, in consultation with all the structures of NANS, therefore, announce the suspension of our proposed protest for June 12.

“The suspension of the protest is necessary to avoid a clash of interest and clash with security agencies that are on red alert to protect the nation’s infrastructure from security breaches on the proposed date as a result of many other protests slated for the date.

“We intend to protest for better security and improved welfare for our students. We must, therefore, not put the life of any of our students at risk to ventilate our grievances.”

Asefon further noted that the protest was not cancelled but postponed, adding that a new date would be announced for the demonstration.

The cancellation must come as a relief to parents and guardians who had feared for the lives of their children and wards, given that a hijack of the protest by politicians, civil rights activists and hoodlums could lead to a breakdown of the law and a clash with Security Agents.

The #EndSARS protest, meant to protest Police brutalities, which was hijacked led to the loss of many lives and the destruction of properties and businesses worth trillions of Naira.

In President Muhammadu Buhari’s interview with Arise Tv, on Thursday, he said the #EndSARS protest was aimed at overthrowing him from office.

Presidency Clarifies Buhari’s Mention Of Lagos In TV Interview, Says No Love Lost With Tinubu

By
Ayodele Oni
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0

By Ayodele Oni

President Muhammadu Buhari’s reference to Lagos while speaking on the future of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has nothing to do with party stalwart, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the Presidency said last night.

During his interview with Arise TV, when the President was asked on his desire for the APC after his tenure, he said:

“The hope of this administration is to see APC last beyond it. Therefore, we should allow the party to decide.

“You cannot sit there in Lagos, for instance, and decide on the fate of APC on zoning. The restructuring of the party has begun from the bottom to the top with the membership card registration. Every member of the party must be involved.

“We will soon conduct our convention. No single member of the party will be allowed to go against the wish of the party. We should allow the party to decide.”

Clarifying the comment last night in a statement, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, said:

“The Presidency wishes to distance President Buhari from a malicious campaign aiming to drive a wedge between him and a staunch ally, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“This is nothing short of a mischievous attempt to drag the President into controversies. Our citizens and especially the members of the APC should not fall for this.

“The ruling party, the APC, unlike others before it is a popular political party owned by its entire membership, hence Mr. President was making the point during the 45-minutes interview that neither he nor anyone in the leadership could impose their wishes on the party.

“This is a basic consensus that binds the entire party leadership. The party leaders remain firmly committed to the principles that succession must be through the democratic norms and processes.

“The mention he made of Lagos was not a reference to the respected party leader, Senator Bola Tinubu, as the opposition party’s predatory designs would put it in order to damage the excellent relationship between the two of them.

“The President, the Asiwaju and the rapidly growing members of the party, want a dynastic succession of elected leaders.

“The APC should not be distracted from its progress as a democratic party.”

2023: Tinubu Insists On Presidency Despite Buhari’s Comment

By
Bayo Bernard
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Bola Tinubu
Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu

By James Orji

The falcon no longer listens to the falconer. The message has been sent clearly to Asiwaju Bola Tinubu that his ambition, to become president does not enjoy the support of the man he helped to attain power, President Muhammadu Buhari, according to the critics of the former Lagos state governor and chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

This, however, has not dampened the spirit of the APC strongman, as those close to him told the magazine that their leader believes in the power of the people to achieve his ambition of leading the country at the highest level. He’s working tirelessly for this purpose, sources close to him said as high wire politics, over who succeeds Buhari unsettles the party.

President Buhari had in an interview with Arise Television said the choice of the APC presidential candidate will be determined by the party and not a single individual, the comment believe by many to be referencing Bola Tinubu, a former Lagos state governor and chieftain of the party.

Buhari said “The hope of this administration is to see APC last beyond it. Therefore, we should allow the party to decide. You cannot sit there in Lagos, for instance, and decide on the fate of APC on zoning.”

Though the presidency has denied that the comment was referring to the former governor, but keen watchers of the party said the president may have made the comment based on the feelings among top echelon of APC against Tinubu succeeding him.

“The Presidency wishes to distance President Buhari from a malicious campaign aiming to drive a wedge between him and a staunch ally, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

A statement by Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant of the President on Media and Publicity said on Thursday that “This is nothing short of a mischievous attempt to drag the President into controversies. Our citizens and especially the members of the APC should not fall for this.

“The ruling party, the APC, unlike others before it is a popular political party owned by its entire membership, hence Mr. President was making the point during the 45-minutes interview that neither he nor anyone in the leadership could impose their wishes on the party.

“This is a basic consensus that binds the entire party leadership. The party leaders remain firmly committed to the principles that succession must be through the democratic norms and processes.

“The mention he made of Lagos was not a reference to the respected party leader, Senator Bola Tinubu, as the opposition party’s predatory designs would put it in order to damage the excellent relationship between the two of them.

“The President, the Asiwaju and the rapidly growing members of the party, want a dynastic succession of elected leaders. The APC should not be distracted from its progress as a democratic party,” Shehu said.

In spite of this, many allude to plans to stop Tinubu from achieving his lifelong ambition of becoming president. This schoolof thought cited the removal of his supporters from sensitive positions in the ruling party and government.

For instance, Adams Oshiomhole, the immediate National Chairman of the party and close ally of Tinubu was removed in controversial circumstances. The ruling party is now led by Mai Mala Buni, the Governor of Yobe state, as the Caretaker Chairman.

Also, Dr Babatunde Fowler, a former Chairman of the FIRS was removed from office and is currently under probe by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. The former revenue boss served under Tinubu as governor and both are very close allies.

Tinubu who holds the unceremonious title of APC National Leader is speculated to be nursing the ambition to succeed Buhari when his tenure expired in 2023, though he has yet to declare his interest in the nation’s top job.

But the supporters of the former Lagos helmsman have been campaigning for him to be the next occupier of Aso Rock, the nation’s seat of power, based on what they described as a gentleman agreement in APC that power should shift to the south after Buhari’s maximum eight years as president.

Former Governor of Ogun state, Olusegun Osoba recently disclosed that the agreement was reached during the merger talks that brought the legacy political parties together in 2014. The parties are the ACN, ANPP, CPC and a faction of APGA led by Rochas Okorocha, a former governor of Imo state and now Senator.

Osoba said: “My honest opinion is this: I was the chairman of the constitutional drafting committee of the APC merger. We of ACN, we were the dominant group from the South, and the South-west is the home and the root of progressive politicking.

“Part of the understanding in the case of rotation is a conventional understanding that the presidency will move between the North and the South. That was the reason why we now allowed the chairman (of the party to come from the South). I don’t want to use the word zoning because we definitely did not put zoning. We know it may go in conflict with the Nigerian constitution, which says anyone who is a Nigerian, who has read up to school certificate, can contest and at the age of 35, I think can contest for the presidency of the country.

“But there was a clear gentlemanly understanding that the northern part of the country will produce the president when we did the merger in 2013 and the chairman of the party will then come from the South.”

Osoba stated that the understanding informed why the chairmanship of APC has remained in the South; moving from Chief Bisi Akande in the South-west to John Oyegun from South-south and also Adams Oshiomhole from South-south.

“Of course, at the end of the tenure of President Muhammadu Buhari, the gentlemanly agreement is that the presidency will come to the South,” he added.

According to him, going by the agreement, presidential candidate of the party in 2023 should come from any of the three zones in the South: the South-east, South-south and the South-west, adding that “that is the gentlemanly agreement that we reached when we are doing the merger.”

Meanwhile, sources in Tinubu’s Bourdillon, Lagos home told the magazine on Friday that the APC strongman did not take the president comment with a pinch of salt. “Asiwaju Tinubu has never believed that wining any election in Nigeria is a tea party. Like any other serious politician, he knows what role that people play in democracy. And that is his staying power, said one of his close aides, who does not want his name to be mentioned because of the sensitive nature of the issue.

Invitational Tourney: Super Falcons Loses To Jamaica, Promises Victory Against Portugal

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Super Falcons arrive USA

By Akinwale Kasali

The Reggae Girls of Jamaica surprisingly defeated the reigning African Women’s Champions, Super Falcons of Nigeria, 1-0.

Against all odds, and proving bookmakers wrong, the Jamaican Female Football team were coordinated, resilient and absorbed the pressure coming from their African opponent.

The Coach Randy Waldrum Super Falcons team came flying in the first half of the encounter, missing series of chances, before the Reggae Girls came out of their shell to score the lone goal Victory against their African opponents.

Deneisha Blackwood scored the only goal as Jamaica defeated Nigeria 1-0 in the opening match of the Summer Series that kicked off in Texas in the early hours of , Friday June 11, 2021.

The Super Falcons started the encounter on a promising note but they failed to convert their chances in the opening 45 minutes as both teams went into the break levelled.

Just before the half-hour mark, Jamaica had an opportunity to go ahead through a penalty, but goalkeeper Tochukwu Oluehi was composed in between the sticks to parry Blackwood’s strike.

The Super Falcons eventually paid for their lacklustre attacking play after Blackwood made up for her missed penalty and broke the deadlock at the BBVA Stadium in the 51st minute, courtesy of an assist from Jody Brown.

After finding themselves behind, Waldrum instantly made some changes with Ifeoma Onumonu, Nicole Payne and Amarachi Okoronkwo thrown into the fray but they failed to beat the Reggae Girlz’ defence.

The Jamaicans were solid in defence with crucial blocks to stop the Super Falcons from grabbing an equaliser.

Nigeria’s brightest chance in the second-half came when Vivian Ikechukwu powered in a left-footed shot from outside the penalty area but she was denied by the bar.

Barcelona’s Asisat Oshoala, centre-back Onome Ebi goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie while five players including Halimatu Ayinde, Ngozi Okobi, Osinachi Ohale and Uchenna Kanu withdrew earlier this week all missed the encounter.

In the absence of Oshoala, Levante forward Francisca Ordega wore the captain’s armband while Switzerland-based defender Onyinyechi Zogg, Rivers Angels winger Vivian Ikechukwu, Finland-born striker Roosa Ariyo and Sunshine FC defender Oluwatosin Dimehin made their starting debuts for the Super Falcons.

The Super Falcons next opponent is Portugal in three days time, with present team Captain, Ordega, promising Victory.

She said the team will redeem its image against the European team by getting the deserved victory.

Corroborating Ordega, Waldrum said the team would pull up the pieces and get the deserved result in their next match.

CBN Debunks Plan To Nationalise Unity Bank

By
Bayo Bernard
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By Fola James

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has denied planning to nationalise Unity Bank Plc as alleged by an online news medium.

The report claimed that the apex bank was at the verge of nationalizing the commercial bank, citing some teething problems facing the Tomi Somefun-led bank.

Reacting to the report, the Acting Director, Corporate Communications Department, CBN, Osita Nwanisobi, described it as, “fake news” and should be discarded in its entirety

He said: “The report is fake news. There is no iota of truth in it.” He added that the public should disregard such news.

The report had claimed that the apex bank’s target examination of Unity Bank showed that the Tier 2 lender is in ”grave financial condition”, with Capital Adequacy Ratio, CAR and Non- Performing Loans (NPL) ratio that breached prudential standards.

However, analysts note that just last month, the CBN’s Monetary Policy Committee, MPC noted  in the communiqué it issued at the end  of its meeting that the banking industry is in good health.

According to the communique: “the Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) and the Liquidity Ratio (LR) both remained above their prudential limits at 15.8 and 38.9 per cent, respectively. The Non-Performing Loans (NPLs) at 5.89 per cent in April 2021, showed progressive improvement compared with 6.6 per cent in April 2020.”

Unity Bank’s audited FY’ 2020 results showed improved performance in key parameters. For instance, the Bank’s gross loans portfolio increased by 92.9 per cent to N206.2 billion in 2020 from N106.9 billion in 2019. The bank’s total assets rose by 67.90 per cent when compared with N293.05 billion achieved in the comparative period of 2019. Also, the lender posted gross earnings of N42.71 billion compared with N44.59 billion recorded in the comparative period of 2019, reflective of its business and economic realities of the time.

Its customer deposit portfolio grew by 34.4 per cent to N356.62 billion in 2020, up from N257.69 billion posted in the corresponding period of 2019. Profit after tax stood at N2.09 billion, while profit before tax was N2.22 billion during the year under review amidst the tough macroeconomic environment where it operated. Its net operating income rose to N25.46 billion from N23.21 billion in the corresponding period of 2019, representing a 9.71 per cent increase.

This is even as the net interest income recorded a significant jump, as it rose by 7.60 per cent to N17.75 billion from N16.49 billion in the corresponding period of 2019.

Furthermore, the bank sustained the growth momentum demonstrated in its 2020 full year earnings as it recorded an impressive performance of 43 per cent in both profit before and after tax in Q1 2021.

The Bank’s unaudited Q1 results show that m the retail lender profit before tax (PBT) grew by 43 per cent to N784.3million from N550.1 million recorded in the corresponding period of 2020.

The profit after tax ,PAT for the period, which also grew by 43 per cent stood at N721.5million compared to the N506.1million recorded in Q1 2020.

As an outcome of increased focus on supporting local enterprises and industry, the asset portfolio also showed significant growth in loan book of 76 per cent as net loans and advances to customers increased to N223.2 billion, from N126.6 billion recorded in the corresponding period.

The total assets of the bank for the period showed an appreciable growth of 42 per cent to close at N521.5 billion, from N366.8 billion in the corresponding period of 2020.

The balance sheet of the bank had been considerably de-risked with the non-performing loan (NPL) ratio of near-zero per cent, which it has consistently maintained over time. With this, the bank ranks topmost in risk management assessment.

The bank recorded gross earnings of N11.5 billion, representing a marginal decline of three per cent when compared to N11.9billion posted in the corresponding period of 2020. The bank has assuredly intensified its recapitalization efforts by the recent updates the lender provided to the supervisory authority and significant mileage is currently being recorded as part of its corporate transformation and renewal programmes

Imo: Convoke A Pro-friendly Security Summit, Elders Tell Uzodimma

By
The Source
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Hope Uzodimma

To deal with the insecurity in the State Elders from Ohaji/Egbema, Oguta and Oru East, have urged Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma  to convoke a pro-friendly security summit. They also urged him to create an Information Centre as an avenue for sharing information with the people

The Elders made these suggestions when they rose from a critical meeting in Owerri where they passed a vote of confidence on the Governor whose efforts, at bringing lasting peace to Imo State, they commended.

Operating under a Socio-Cultural Organization tagged ‘Council of Ohaji/Egbema, Oguta, Oru East Supreme Elders Council, the Elders who described Governor Uzodimma as their son,  also lauded his achievements at ensuring there is lasting peace in their Federal Constituency devoid of youths restiveness.

The group in a communique signed by Hon. Uzoka Chukwuemeka and Hon. Justus Ojika, National Secretary and National Organising Secretary respectively, thanked the Governor for his support to ISOPADEC headed by another of their sons as Managing Director, Chief Charles Orie, who they said has built a synergy between the State Government, the Commission and the Oil Bearing Communities.

The group outrightly condemned the level of insecurity in Imo State in particular, and  Nigeria in general. They requested that urgent solution be proffered to tackle the situation.

They called on all,  especially those who claim to have been offended, to sheath their swords and embrace peace in the interest of Imo State in particular and the Nation at large.

They appealed to Governor Uzodimma  to create a Public Information Centre as a way of sharing information with the people of the State, “whereby he can be easily reached.”

The Elders, also, appealed to the Governor to “convoke a pro-friendly security summit as a measure towards creating bridges between the security agencies, government and the people as a way of tackling insecurity.”

On the Imo State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (ISOPADEC), the elders appealed to the Governor to continue in his funding of the Commission through the creation of more people-oriented projects that can engage the youths meaningfully.

They seized the opportunity of their meeting to request Governor Uzodimma to draw the attention of the Minister for Niger Delta Affairs,  Senator Godswill Akpabio, to the “visible marginalization of Imo State in the mainstream of empowerment, employment and projects allocation programmes in NDDC.”

Regardless, the Elders appealed to the youths to embrace peace and shun violence by allowing dialogue and non-violent approaches in resolving issues.

“Imo is not known for killing, shedding of human blood or destruction of lives and properties but are rather known for hard work, industrialization and hospitality,” they recalled about Imo.

They, therefore, further called on all Imolites to let peace reign by working with the administration of Governor Uzodimma in his efforts to return peace to our dear State as well as to also support the Federal Government’s laudable programmes under President Mohammadu Buhari.

 

2023: Group Urges INEC Not To Disenfranchise Diasporans

By
Akinwale Kasali
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INEC Logo
INEC Logo

By Akinwale Kasali

As the 2023 General Elections draw near, an advocacy and support group, One Nation, One Destiny Advocacy and Awareness Initiative has called on the Prof. Mahmood Yakubu led Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to give Nigerians in the Diaspora equal opportunity of voting come 2023.

The Group said this will support relevant Government agencies saddled with the responsibility of sensitising Nigerian citizens towards a national rebirth.

At its inaugural meeting via zoom, the Group issued a statement duly signed and made available to the media by the National Coordinator, Hajia Khalima Kabir Lamisila.

Lasmisila said that:

“Technology has made things simpler and there is no excuse not to enfranchise Nigerians in Diaspora in the coming general elections”.

The statement further reads,

“Since 2012, six Members of Nigeria’s Federal House of Representatives led by Abike Dabiri-Erewa, House Committee Chair on Nigerians in the Diaspora sponsored a Legislative Bill that sought to amend Nigeria’s Electoral Act 2010 in order to grant Nigerians in the Diaspora the right to vote during general elections in Nigeria.

It, however, called on relevant stakeholders in Government and private organisations as well as development partners at home and abroad to join hands with the group in expediting action in good time to factor Nigerians in Diaspora in Nigeria’s electoral system.

The Group with the focus of building a new nation equally advocates for a change of attitude by its citizens, calling on well-meaning Nigerians to join in the task of using the instruments of love and unity as yardsticks for establishing oneness and togetherness in Nigeria.

The highlights of the meeting include: having royal fathers as peace ambassadors as  a way to reach their subjects.

The group also resolved in supporting relevant government agencies saddled with the responsibility of sensitising the people towards national rebirth.

The need to use electronic, print media and social media to reach larger percentage of the Nigerian populace as a way of proffering solutions to the Nation’s problems  by making the people aware of the government’s efforts in attending to their needs.

The meeting was attended by the other national officers of the group namely Engr. Jeleel Haleem Project Coordinator, Mr. Abdulrahman Aliagan, Director Media ICT & Research and Mr. Olatunbosun Awe Director Policy, Strategy, Advocacy & Networking.

One Nation, One Destiny Movement is a socio-political Movement that is out to project and promote democracy and credible leaders that will serve as a lasting solution and answer to leadership question in Nigeria. The Movement is a borrowed leaf from a Philosophy that changed the narrative in the United States of America till date for the better, “The Manifest Destiny”, though with a sharp difference in approach and ideology.

It identifies the roles of leaders in any given organized society as vital for the development and sustenance. The group is also aware that corruptions, self-serving policies, nepotism, weak institutions, constitutional abuse among others are the major problems affecting leadership in Nigeria.

The movement identifies the wide gap in the issue of leadership Thrust; it sees the need and is taking the lead at ensuring that Nationalist and Patriotic leaders are taking charge of the see country’s affairs through awareness, education and advocacy programme.

Insecurity: Don’t Profile Us And Kidnap Political Positions – Ekweremadu

By
Ayodele Oni
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0

By Ayodele Oni

Leader, South-east caucus in the National Assembly, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, has again called on Ohanaeze and the South-east Governors Forum to immediately convene a meeting of the Zone’s leaders to genuinely dialogue and find solutions to the increasing level of insecurity in the South East and also offer solutions to the security situation nationwide.

He emphasised, in a write-up on the current security situation nationwide, that “it is imperative to underscore the fact that the rising insecurity and agitations in the South East are not peculiar to the region.

“It, sadly, has become a national new normal. From the North West to North Central, North East, South West, South East, and South South, there is a conflagration of insecurity, crises, and all forms of restiveness and separatist agitations.

“Therefore, for emphasis, I reiterate that it is extreme and dangerous to play national or regional politics with serious matters such as we have on our hands today rather than solving the challenges before it is too late.

“Pragmatic leadership and patriotism are needed at this time.  We need to rally Nigerians, and come together as leaders to provide solutions and not trade blames or seek to make political capital out of what is clearly capable of consuming the entire nation, including even any political ambitions by anyone.”

The Former Deputy President of the Senate described as dangerous a situation whereby some people are shifting blame and playing politics with the present insecurity.

“It is unfortunate that some people prefer to blame everyone else, except themselves, believing that their brothers and sisters on opposing political divides will be profiled and taken out for them by federal might ahead of 2023 to make it easier for them to kidnap political positions in the South East. This is extreme and dangerous politics.

“It is on record that the South East leaders have at various times individually and collectively stated their positions on the challenges in the region, the concerns and demands of the South East people of Nigeria.

“They have also reiterated their opposition to the use of violence to resolve problems.

“I believed initially that those were genuine concerns about the security situation in the South East.  However, I have come to the realisation that those making and inducing the statements are only playing politics with a very serious matter.

“The objective is to lay the foundation for the harassment and possible destruction of the opposition in the South East ahead of the 2023 General Elections.

“Importantly, I have consistently advocated that justice, equity, better management of our diversity, and decentralised policing, including state police of which I sponsored a Bill to that effect in the 8th and current Senate, are the sure paths to peace and security in Nigeria. But these have largely been ignored.

“In any case, it is sheer blackmail and out of place to say that South East leaders, myself inclusive, have been quiet on recent events in the region.

“Most recently, on Sunday, May 30, 2021 to be specific, the leaders of the South East Caucus of the National Assembly, of which I am one, as well as a Member of the Senate and House of Representatives from each State of the South East region issued a joint press statement wherein we unequivocally condemned the killings and attacks on public assets in our region and called on the security agencies to immediately unveil persons behind the crisis, especially the so-called unknown gunmen, and bring them to book.

“I have equally been in personal touch with Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide on the issues in the South East region. I have personally spoken with the governors of the South East, impressing on them the need to call meetings of all stakeholders in their states and engage everyone, irrespective of their political persuasions, to find solutions to the security challenges in their respective states in particular and the South East in general.

“I have personally spoken with Governor Hope Uzodinma on the need for a meeting of political stakeholders and leaders in Imo State to collectively proffer solutions to the turbulence in that state.”

If Nigeria Is Divided To Piecemeal, How Do We Share The Things That Unite Us? -Buhari; Commends South-south

By
Adesina Soyooye
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0

By Adesina Soyooye

President Muhammadu Buhari, on Thursday, said Nigeria is better united as one big country than divided  to piecemeal.

A couple of ethnic groups in Nigeria, protesting what they see as marginalisation and ill-treatment, especially, since the Buhari Government, say they want to secede from Nigeria.

Such ethnic groups have organisations, leading from the front, proclaiming freedom now or never.

There is the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB, led by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. The Group wants the South-east out of Nigeria.

There is, also, the Oduduwa Republic Group led by Chief Sunday Igboho which is championing an independent Yoruba Republic – Oduduwa Republic.

While chiding those who want Nigeria balkanised, Buhari singled out the South-south Zone, for thinking straight and keeping their heads high.

Both Governors Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, and  Duoye Diri of Bayelsa State, had warned IPOB that their States were not part of the Biafra Republic, and asked the Group to keep off. Other South-south States seem to be on the same page with them.

Praising them, Buhari said during a live interview on ARISE Television that:

“I am, particularly, impressed with the South-south Leaders regarding their stand about Nigeria. Both their elders and Youths, none told me what they said.  I listened to them myself. And their message was clear. God bless them all”

The President was of the opinion that it is neither tidy, nor a smart idea to divide Nigeria into small-small Republics. Saying it was a wrong signal to investors, the President asked: ” How do we share what united us?”

His words:

“Dividing Nigeria to piecemeal is not any solution. It’s a wrong signal to all investors.

“So each Republic will become a paradise? How do we share what united us? What we have done together within such a record time?”

Rebuking Nigeria’s elite for condoning those who ask for the division of Nigeria the President said:

“I’m surprised Nigerian elites watch these uniformed lots make criminal statements everyday. We are all better off as Nigerians”

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