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Nigeria: A Father’s Injustice To Son |The Source

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The Source
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Comfort Obi
Comfort Obi

By Comfort Obi

The people of the Niger Delta and, especially, those from Delta State, are up in arms. They are angry. And are joined in this anger by several Civil Society Organisations, and men and women of good conscience. They should. Their anger is justified.

It stems from a brazen injustice. A brazen cheating. A brazen stealing.

They say Delta State is being robbed not only in broad day light, but in the full view of national and international television. The architect? Their son.

For two consecutive terms in office, spanning 1999 to 2007, a young man, James Ibori,  from Oghara, Delta State, presided over the affairs of the State.

Dashing, well connected, upwardly mobile, ibori was, it is alleged, a creation of the Military. They say it was the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha, who made him. They say he was representing Abacha here and there, doing this and that, and in the process, made some money. That catapulted him to the status of a man of influence. And power. As the late flamboyant politician,  K. O. Mbadiwe, would say, Ibori became  a man of timber and calibre.

With the contacts he made in high places, not just in Government, but with  very wealthy businessmen, industrialists, and power-brokers, it was easy for him to become the Governor of Delta State – one of Nigeria’s oil rich States in Nigeria’s oil rich Niger Delta.

Ibori, as Governor, was like a colossus. He was the lord in the manor, and one of the power brokers in his party, the People’s Democratic Party, PDP. To boot, he had ambition.

Speculations were high, at the time, that he wanted to be Nigeria’s Vice President  to whoever  the then President, Olusegun Obasanjo, would pick as his running mate. In Nigeria, Presidents and Governors, not the people, pick their successors, and force them on the people.

Obasanjo, an old fox, did not have Ibori on the cards. So, Ibori did not  succeed, but he was one of the people instrumental to the denial of another highly regarded Niger Deltan of that position, before Goodluck Jonathan was chosen.

James Onanefe Ibori
James Ibori

In the early stages of the Umaru Yar”Adua, Ibori was still a power broker. A couple of them in that circle, his circle, used to meet at the Aso Villa residence of a very influential Senator, former Senator, where they discussed Nigeria, and made decisions.

But, soon, things started to fall apart. Ibori’s problem began when it alleged that he dipped his hands, very deeply, into the Treasury of the State while he was Governor. Initially, he was not worried about the allegation. The main man who should expose him was one of his circle, one of those with whom he usually met with, at the residence of the influential Senator. He was, also, one of those with whom they blocked the other Niger Deltan from being Yar’Adua’s  running mate. So no wahala?

But there was wahala.

His circle shocked him. His wahala came at a wrong time, a time the Yar’adua Government was anxious to please the international community, which had put it under pressure over corruption. Something had to give. That something was Ibori.

To show its seriousness, Ibori was picked. Ironically, he was, allegedly, picked from the same house where they usually met.

To cut the long story short, Ibori was arraigned in a court in Delta state, a state, where, in  fairness to him he empowered a lot of young men, installed his cousin, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan Governor, and turned his Community, Oghara, into “little London.”

It was a court case programmed to fail. Neither the Federal Government, nor the Delta State Government was anxious to prosecute Ibori, really. Any action against him was to, as they say, fulfil all righteousness. The Delta State Government, governed  by his cousin, told the Court that no money, belonging to the State, was missing under Ibori; that the State was looking for no such money.

With a weak case, no evidence, no serious witness, so to say, the Delta State Court discharged and acquitted Ibori of all charges. So, there were claps.

Abubakar Malami
Abubakar Malami

But it was not the end of the case.

I forget the sequence now, but the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, under the press-shy, hard working, but inexplicably unappreciated AIG Farida Waziri, made another bid to re-arrest Ibori. But his Oghara people blocked the EFCC. Men, women, youths, trooped out for days, and dared the EFCC. The next time anything was heard about Ibori, he was in Dubai, enjoying himself.

When a scandalized British Government and its Police, asked the Nigerian Government to furnish them with documents and files on Ibori so as to prosecute him, Nigeria took offence. The then Attorney General of the Federation and Minister for Justice, Mr Michael  Aondoakaa, SAN, took offence. He said the British Government was poking its nose into what was not its business. He said it was insulting to the sovereignty of Nigeria.

But a seemingly-stabbed-on- the-back EFCC kept at it. One day, it clicked. Ibori was arrested in Dubai, and ferried to the United Kingdom. The  seriousness of the case hit Nigerians the day his mug shot was made public. He looked looked at once, weak, lost,  and depressed. I felt for him.

I hate to see a Nigerian leader, or any Nigerian for that matter, humiliated outside our shores. But it is what it is. Ibori was, successfully, prosecuted, convicted, and jailed in the  UK for money laundering and corrupt enrichment.

But his  humiliation did not wane his political influence in Delta politics. His political structure was in tact. It did not kill his spirit either. If it did, he did not allow it show. He, perhaps, cries in the rain. The day he arrived Delta, after serving his jail term, he was received with pomp and pageantry. Every who is who in the State went to pay him homage.

At the Thanksgiving Service, Ibori told the story he always told. He was a victim  of political persecution, he thundered. He said, before God, in the Church, that he was innocent of the allegations for which he was jailed. True?

This other day, the British Government put a lie to his claims. Ibori milked his state to the tune of millions of Pounds Sterling, it said. Converted, it is billions of Naira. The British Government has recovered the money from him, and ready to repatriate the sum to Nigeria.

For a start, an initial sum of £4.2million Pounds Sterling would be repatriated. At the meet to sign the agreement, or whatever, the British Government representatives and that of Nigeria were excited.  Nigeria was represented by its Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN. They spoke big grammar. But what did the grammar translate into?

To the Niger Delta people, the Delta State Government, a number of Civil Society Organisations, and, a number of individuals, including this writer, it translates to unbelievable injustice.

Malami, quoting whichever law, said the recovered money would go to the Federal Government of Nigeria. He immediately shared the money out to projects, the same projects to which, for years, monies budgeted, and/or recovered from loots,  had always been allocated to –  the never-ending Lagos-Ibadan express way, the Abuja-Kano express way, and the second Niger Bridge, a bridge, every Government from Obasanjo to Buhari, had been promising to finish, year after year, particularly during election years. Mercifully, the Buhari Government is taking the Bridge more seriously than other Governments did.

Malami, at the finalization meeting to repatriate the Ibori loot: “Nigerian Government provided the mutual assistance and back-up to the British authorities while the prosecution of James Ibori lasted in London, and today, we are rightfully taking benefit of that cooperation.

“I cannot but observe that what we are witnessing today is a glaring manifestation of the age-long national ties between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the United Kingdom.”

Then the clincher:   “President Muhammadu Buhari has directed that the instant repatriated funds should be deployed towards the completion of the following projects. Second Niger bridge, Abuja-Kano expressway and the Lagos-Ibadan expressway under the coordination of the Nigeria Social Investment Authority, NSIA.”

Meaning: Not one kobo of the recovered Delta’s money is going back to the State’s people.

My interpretation is: This father, (Nigeria), is robbing his child, (Delta).The question is why? Delta has been a good child, supporting his father, Nigeria, to the hilt, with his God-given natural resources. So, why steal the one left for your son?

Here are the answers I get as to why the FG is denying  Delta of its money.

One: According to Malami, the FG provided the required  mutual assistance and back-up to the British authorities while the prosecution of James Ibori lasted. So?  And why not?

Whatever assistance the FG gave should be taken for granted. It is exactly what a father does for a son – assist when assistance is needed, and at the end, pat your son on the back, and say congratulations.

Two: They say because the State Government, during Uduaghan, had said no money was missing under Ibori, the State does not deserve the money. Now, this is laughable.

Here’s why?

Aondoakaa, as Attorney General, in the same Nigerian Government,  was angry with the British Government for daring to ask it for files on Ibori. Government is a continuum.

If Delta State was, allegedly, denied the fund over the denial of any missing funds under Ibori, what moral justification does the FG have to spend the money as it wishes, on projects, after placing obstacles to stop its recovery?

And, if it is like that, why is the FG spending the Billions of money, looted by former late Head of State, General Sani Abacha, which are periodically repatriated to Nigeria? It was President Muhammadu Buhari who, famously, said Abacha looted no money from Nigeria. What’s the difference?

Three: They say returning the money to Delta State is, almost, like giving the money  back to Ibori; that given the influence Ibori exerts in Delta’s political affairs , the-Governor-Ifeanyi Okowa Government would gradually  give back the money to him. I beg to disagree.

I don’t quite know Okowa, but he seems a strong character to me. I reached this conclusion from the way  he handled the PDP 2019 Presidential Primaries in Port Hacourt, Rivers State.

He withstood pressures, and stuck to the rules. Yet, there is a simple solution to this particular fear.

Don’t give Delta cash. Allocate the money to projects located in Delta, and execute the projects -even if they are FG’s projects. Or are there no Federal roads and bridges in Delta?

It is uncharitable to deny the State of the funds and/or any project. It is a combination of robbery and  injustice. Nothing less. Many are  agreed on this.

Itse Sagay
Itse Sagay

Itse Sagay, SAN, a consistent supporter  of  President Buhari, and Chairman Presidential Advisory Committee on Corruption, describes the exclusion of Delta from the funds as injustice. And, so have PANDEF and SERAP. They are correct.

The Delta State Government, according to the Commissioner for Information, Ehiedu Aniagwu, is heading to a legal action. The State should be encouraged to take that path as soon as possible. Even if nothing comes out of it, let it be on record that it went to Court to protest the injustice.

Keeping quiet is no option.

No father should be encouraged to steal from a productive son. That is not the way to go.

*Obi is the Editor-in-Chief/CEO of The Source (Magazine), https://thesourceng.com.  Email: [email protected], [email protected]

JAMB Ex-Registrar Nabbed By ICPC

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Bayo Bernard
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Dibu-Ojerinde JAMB

By Tosin Olatokunbo

Professor Dibu Ojerinde, a former Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board, JAMB has been arrested by the officials of the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, ICPC for allegedly misappropriating N900 million.

Ojerinde, it was learnt was arrested two days ago, in Abuja, over allegations of multiple frauds while he was chief executive of  JAMB and the National Examination Council, NECO.

The former JAMB boss is now being held for questioning over allegations of multiple identities, abuse of office, money laundering, tax evasion and making false statements to public officials.

The commission said he will also be quizzed for allegedly awarding fraudulent contracts to cronies and firms that cannot be traced, the commission said.

Recall that President Muhammadu Buhari sacked the former JAMB CEO in 2016, replacing him  with Professor Ishaq Oloyede. The ICPC had also, last April secured an interim forfeiture of multi- billion naira properties traced to the former JAMB boss.

Akeredolu Appoints First Female SSG, Advisers |The Source

By
Ayodele Oni
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Princess Catherine Oludunni Odu

By Ayodele Oni

Ondo State Governor, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu, has approved the appointment of Princess Catherine Oludunni Odu, as Secretary to the State Government.

Princess Odu, a legal practitioner, was the Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) during the first term of Governor Akeredolu.

She holds LLM, University of Lagos; Bachelor of Law, University of Lagos; Master of Science, Industrial Sociology; University of Calabar and,  BSc. Sociology, University of Benin.

Princess Odu has served in many capacities at both the State and Federal levels.

She was Federal Commissioner, Public Complaints Commission and at different times, former Commissioner for Women Affairs and Education respectively.

Her appointment is in recognition of her proven integrity and outstanding record of performance in her previous assignments.

Similarly, Governor Akeredolu has approved the appointment of the immediate-past Head of the State Public Service, Mr. Dare Aragbaiye, as Special Adviser on Union Matters and Special Duties.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Richard Olatunde, stated that other appointments approved by the Governor include: Mrs. Olubunmi Adedipe Ademosu – Special Adviser, Public and Intergovernmental Relations.

Others are Babatunde Gabriel Kolawole, Special Adviser, Rural and Community Development; Mr. Summy Smart Francis, Special Adviser on Entrepreneurship Development.

The appointments take immediate effect. The appointees will be sworn in by the Governor on Monday.

Governor Akeredolu congratulates the new appointees while urging them to discharge their duties with utmost responsibilities deserving of the new offices and the accompanying responsibilities.

EFCC: Tension As Anti-graft Agency Goes After Top Bankers

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Bayo Bernard
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Abdulrasheed Bawa

By Fola James

Palpable fear has gripped the banking sector following decision by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC to beam searchlight into the sector. The chairman of the anti-graft agency, Abdulrasheed Bawa had, after meeting with President Buhari on Wednesday, said assets declaration forms will now be demanded from all bankers across the country.

But insiders in the commission told the magazine that there’s the belief among top agents in the agency and the presidency, that the financial sector is one of the most corrupt apart from the public sector, therefore, the reason by the new leadership in the agency “to go after top bankers by making them account for their wealth,” a source said.

The source said ”the new regime led by Bawa will try to clean the Augean stable of the banking and financial sector, after series of complaints from members of the public who are demanding a probe. The agency will be looking into how some wealthy bankers made their money, though the commission is not particularly after any individual.”

It was, however, learnt that some leaders in the sector have started reaching out to the commission to soften the ground on them by the time the probe begins as “some of them cannot explain their stupendous wealth” another source in the commission said, adding that the major concern of the commission is the way some bankers have been helping politicians to launder money out of the country.

The source also stated that funds used in procurement of weapons by terrorists and other criminals are moved through the banking sector, and the president has directed the EFCC chairman to look into the problem. Bawa made the announcement after meeting President Buhari in Aso Rock.

Speaking to State House correspondents in Abuja,  Bawa, disclosed that bankers would be required to present the forms from June 1.

Bawa said “The EFCC, come June 1, 2021, will be demanding these assets forms filled by the bankers and for us to see that the line that we have drawn from June 1 is fully complied with by all, bankers in particular.”

He explained that the commission took the decision as a result of concerns raised on the roles played by bankers in the fight against corruption, noting that the EFCC will ensure bankers comply with the Bank Employees, Etc. (Declaration of Assets) Act.

He stated that bankers would be asked to declare their assets and the commission would ensure that all employees in the nation’s banking industry comply with the directive.

“The assurance that I am going to give Nigerians going forward is that we will do our best to ensure that this country is free of economic and financial crimes.

“We understood that the tail end of every financial crime is for the criminals to have access to the funds that he or she has illegitimately gotten, and we are worried about the roles of financial institutions.God willing, we hope that all financial institutions, particularly the bankers will declare their assets as provided for by the law in accordance with the Bank Employees, Etc. (Declaration of Assets) Act” Bawa said.

Examination Malpractices: WAEC Bars 42 Secondary Schools In Benue |The Source

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Ayodele Oni
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By Ayodele Oni

The West African Examination Council, (WAEC) has barred 42 schools in Benue State from fielding students for its examinations.

The Commissioner for Education, Dennis Ityavyar, who confirmed this on Wednesday in Makurdi, the State capital, explained that the schools were delisted due to examination malpractices.

“Let me inform the public that WAEC has delisted 42 schools in the state, and most of them are private schools . There are two public schools involved.The schools were delisted following large-scale examination malpractices.

“WAEC usually delists, or suspends, centres where examination rules are breached.

“Students who registered for WAEC in those centres will now have to write it in other centres.”

According to the Commissioner, there are existing procedures put in place to punish all teachers involved in examination malpractices in the state.

“All the Principals of the affected 42 schools will be removed, and further investigation carried out on the matter.

“Whenever there is examination malpractice, the first thing we do is to remove the Principals of the schools in question,” he noted.

Speaking further, the Commissioner stated, “Some of them usually blame the invigilators, but there is no way the principals and teachers will not know about it.”

Mr. Ityavyar also explained that the government would do everything possible to discourage students and teachers from further engaging in examination malpractice.

Why Officials Of Ondo Assembly Are Detained By EFCC |The Source

By
Ayodele Oni
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By Ayodele Oni

Ondo State House of Assembly has confirmed the detention of two of its officials by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) but that the money in contention, N2.4 million is intact in the assembly’s bank account.

Mr Bode Adeyelu, the Clerk of the Assembly and Mr Bankole Felemu Gbegudu, representing Akoko South West Constituency two are being detained at the office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over N2.4 million fund meant for a seminar in December 2019.

The House Chairman on Youth, Information and Sports Development,  Mr Gbenga Omole, while reacting to media report on the issue, explained that the money was never misappropriated.

“I want to tell you officially that there is no fund missing. The N2.4 million is in the bank account of the assembly. That is the truth and you can do your investigation,” he said.

He accused the former Deputy Speaker of the Assembly, Mr Ogundeji Iroju, of being behind a petition to EFCC on the alleged missing fund that warranted the EFCC’s invitation of the concerned people.

He added that it was not the first set of people that would be invited by the commission.

”I want to tell you that Mr O.J Afolabi, the former Director of Expenditure, now a Permanent Secretary  was invited and he has come back.

”The Deputy Clerk of this House, Mr Olowogoroye, was invited and he has come back.

”So, it is only now the clerk and Hon. Felemu, the Chairman of the House Committee on Tertiary Education that are there now,” he said.

According to him, the duo honoured the EFCC’s invitation on Thursday last week, saying that their bail conditions could not met over the weekend.

”They were invited and I think interrogation is still going on.

“Though their bail conditions were not met over the weekend but I can assure you that maybe before the end of today’s work, they will be granted bail,” he stated.

The Assembly’s spokesman explained that the money in question could not be made available for the seminar that was ought to have taken place in December 2019, adding that the people involved could not make it for the seminar.

He said that the fund was released in May 2020, which he reiterated was still in the assembly’s bank account.

Opinion: Cattle Ranches: A Warning To Akeredolu, South West Govs

By
Bayo Bernard
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By Bisi Kolawole

Dear Arakunrin,

It is with a heavy heart that I write this letter to you. Ordinarily, I would have used the conventional means of writing to you via your office , but since I know that this would probably not reach your desk, given the system we practice in this clime when you’re in office, I decided to use this public forum.

Thankfully, most of your aides are my friends not only in private but on social media and will surely ensure this gets to you.

I have just read that contrary to the public show of bravura on your part and in spite of the seemingly yeoman’s efforts you’ve displayed publicly on the vexed issue of grazing land for the murderous herdsmen, your government had capitulated and had indeed endorsed land allocation for herders in Ondo State to be used as grazing reserves for herdsmen under the National Livestock Transformation Programme of the Federal Government!
Sir, am sure you are aware that history is the future account of what we do today. Thus, whatever we do today should be deeply reflected upon to ensure that the accounts of such in the future will be favourable or kind to us.

And if you have taken time out to read the history of the Fulani all over Africa and specifically back in the days of Uthman Dan Fodiyo in the area now designated as Northern Nigeria in the 19th Century, you will be aware that the average Fulani would eventually take over and usurp the goodwill of his hosts.

The Habe Dynasty (indigenous Hausa rulers) were supplanted by the Fulani under the leadership of Fodiyo, who had come to the Hausa rulers courts as an itinerant spiritual teacher and cleric, very humble and, in time, cunningly gained the confidence of the Habe rulers. Under the guise of religion, he gathered his bands of fellow Fulani from Futa Toro, Futa Jallon and elsewhere. Pronto, the Hausa rulers were annihilated and the Fulani became the overlords till this day! Fodiyo gave flags to his generals who went on to plant those flags on conquered lands and took the position of Emirs! The Hausa would forever regret their benevolence to Fodiyo and his people.

This is a fact of history. It was a political uprising couched under the guise of religion Puritanism!
To buttress this point, the Shehu of Bormo, the indefatigable Muhammad el Kanemi had a bitter experience with the Jihadists who attacked his Borno Empire which had been under the Fulani (Shehus) in Borno for years before Fodiyo came into the picture in the North. An astute solder, El Kanemi, himself a Fulani stock, had valiantly fought off the Fodiyo hordes with remarkable success and he was said to have bitterly openly queried Fodiyo’s rationale behind the attacks on his domain if indeed, it (the war), was for the Puritanism of Islam and not political since Borno was already an Islamic State before the advent of Fodiyo and under a Muslim too!

Your Excellency, the above is a fact of history which has spurned many doctoral works!

You will also remember the Afonja of Ilorin and his guest, Alimi and what happened to him for allowing Alimi to stay with him as a cleric and spiritual adviser!

While not saying that all Fulani herdsmen are bad but given the strange development of recent, especially with the coming into power of the current federal government and its apparent surreptitious tacit support of the acts of violence as seen by its actions/inactions and its now infamous body language, the Fulani had wreaked havoc and had become not only daring but murderous; killing, maiming, raping, kidnapping for ransom, pillaging and usurping peoples land with impunity. Expectedly, the Federal Government has either looked away or maintained studious silence thus emboldening the marauders to ride roughshod on the people!

The popular boast amongst them now is that the whole land in Nigeria belongs to them and nobody can stop them!
As a Governor and a very senior Lawyer (learned Silk) sir, you’re aware of the Nigerian Land law and how lands are acquired legitimately; it is definitely not by confiscation or by killing its owners!

As stated above, the danger in all of this allocation of land to a business that all have agreed is private one like any other businesses is not right; it will ultimately leads to chaos in the future. Anyone who wants to rear his animal should get his land legitimately like any other business owners and pay the necessary dues and get all documentations from the authorities. Simplicita!

Creating a land for herdsmen, given their tendency for usurpation, is tantamount to creating an additional State within a State for the Fulani in your State and with time, history will point to you as the man who sold your people to another Fodiyo in the 21st Century!

A few examples of recent in the South West will suffice: In Oyo State, the Serikin Shasha. Alhaji Mai Yasin, is now almost as powerful as any of the Obas in the State; he is the only law the Fulani would listen to. Indeed, Governors have to pay him a visit in his domain of recent following the inter tribal clash. Ditto for the Serikin Fulani of Lagos who is now almost revered above the Eleko (Oba) of Lagos even at the international fora!

Indeed, Governor Babajide SanwoOlu had to visit him in his Palace of recent and had suffered the indignity of a supposed Chief Executive of Lagos State standing up to address the nitwit ( who isn’t even a royalty but a self imposed mai ungwuar) who sat resplendent on his throne while the Governor addressed him and even had the effrontery to address the governor seated with one of his minions holding the microphone to his mouth while speaking!

Mr. Governor, in Ondo State, you’re about to make another Serikin Shasha in in the nearest future who will disdain whoever occupy your seat then. How will history paint you then?

Going by their antecedent, as stated above, the Fulani have their own crafty ways of penetrating into their host domains, later becoming arch enemies to their host by forcefully taking over the leadership of those territories; Hausas are regretting their acceptance with Fodiyo till tomorrow.
Arakunrin sir, the nexus of the inherent problem in the creation of grazing land is for tomorrow. Just like it’s happening in some Shashas in the South today, the Fulani would bring in hordes of their kith and kin in truckloads in their million to populate the allocated land.

And, given their proclivity for multiple recreation, the grazing land would, in no time, be bustling with people and, soon, they will install a Seriki who will in turn install his own lesser chiefs. Gradually, the Sharia lifestyle and customs would be forcefully enforced, and eventually, they won’t recognise any authority other than that of their own Seriki! Besides, the initial land to be allocated to them would not contain them and they will spill over all the State!

Sir, kindly borrow a leaf from those State Governors down South and in the Middle Belt who have kicked against the decision and stop this journey into a chilly future for all of our children when our lands are taken over by this action as it surely will. It is better we insist owners of the cows buy or lease land and ranch their cattle according to the laws of our land since it is a private business.

The sad reality, Mr. Governor, is that already, many people have been sent packing from their farmlands by these Fulani herders and if you go ahead and give land to private business people for their ranches or whatever now, it will have a rippling effect later on. Kindly recollect sir the legions of commendations your initial resolve to oppose the ills being foisted on our people by these same Fulani you’re now granting land to had attracted. How do we now take this sudden 360 degree about turn?

A stitch in time saves nine; a retreat now, in the collective interest of the good people of Ondo State will be the best thing to do. No to grazing land for anybody.

Ondo Will Not Concede Land To Fulani Herders, Akeredolu |The Source

By
Ayodele Oni
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Rotimi Akeredolu - Ondo Communal Clash

By Ayodele Oni

Ondo State Government has said that its interest is focussed on the National Livestock Transformation Plan of the Federal Government, and not the establishment of a ranch for Herders.

According to Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, National Livestock agenda is simple and does not include conceding of land to herders.

Speaking while playing host to a delegation of Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) led by its Country Representative, Mr Fred Kafeero in Akure, the Governor explained that the National Livestock Transformation Plan has a lot of public misconceptions.

Apparently reacting to an open letter by an Akure based lawyer, Mr Kolawole Olabisi, advising him against the establishment of cattle ranches, the Governor pointed out that livestock transformation plan only involves having an area owned by the people where services will be provided for livestock owners.

The lawyer again disclosed on Monday on his Facebook page that Governor Akeredolu has already sent to the House of Assembly a bill for the establishment of ranches in the state.

However, Mr Akeredolu stated that ”we will have an area where we can have livestock. It is an area where our people own but only providing services.

“We will ensure that there is grass and other ways of feeding these livestock. What we need to do is to encourage haulage, not by bringing the cows by road.

“You will bring your cows and other livestock to the livestock grazing area and you pay to feed them. FAO can offer advice. Our people give different  interpretations to whatever we say or do.

“The National Livestock Transformation Programme (NLTP), a number of our people don’t even know what it is all about. And people see it as an attempt to give land to herders. Long before now, I have said we are ready in terms of having areas where the animals can graze.

“In the South West, we are going through a lot, especially in terms of insecurity. We do not expect FAO to handle insecurity for us but if there is a Programme or anything you can do to help us in solving this Farmers-Herders conflicts.

“It is becoming too destructive especially when it comes to your major area which is agricultural. In Ondo State, we are into animal husbandry and fish farming because we have the longest coastline in the Country.

“And we do a lot of fishing. We are also into cash crops which we have been known for long before now. Our farmers are now afraid to go to farm because they can be kidnapped”.

He noted that Ondo State, being an agrarian state with enormous potential in food crops, cash crops and aquaculture, would continue to appreciate the technical support of FAO at scaling up the production capacity of farmers in the state.

Akeredolu charged the global body to bring its expertise and technical know-how to bear on the livestock farming by introducing modern techniques of herding cattle so that the livestock value chains would be greatly enhanced.

Earlier, the FAO Country Representative in Nigeria, Mr Fred Kafeero, said the global body has majorly being a technical institution for strengthening the production capacities of farmers through effective collaboration with governments at both National and sub-national levels.

Forty Days after, Grace Of God Mission Pastor Still Missing |The Source

By
Uche Mbah
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Dr. Bishop Paul Nwachukwu

By Uche Mbah

It has been a long torturous wait for the Pastor of Grace of God Mission, Ikenna Nnadi, since his disappearance last February under controversial circumstances.

His disappearance continues to be dogged by intrigues, denials, inactions, and cover-ups by the authorities concerned.

The story began on Wednesday, 3rd February 2021, when his elder brother,  Uchenna Nnadi, received a text message from an unknown number. The text message simply read:  “With heavy hearts, Utchi District Pastor, Ikenna Nnadi’s station found it hard to break this sad news to you that Pastor Ikenna (Nnadi) was involved in a water accident and haven’t been seen till now after much search”.

Not quite clear as to the import of the message, Uchenna waited. The following day, the text message was repeated, apparently re-forwarded to his number. And that began the bizarre journey of unraveling what happened to the Pastor.

A follow-up call to the number was able to provide a sketchy account of what happened. It turned out that the person who sent the text message (names withheld) is only a lay member of the congregation, and was not even officially qualified to speak on the issue. But he recounted the following story.

It was said that Ikenna went to their Church meeting on the 3rd of February at Utchi, Ugboma, in Ndokwa North of Delta State on 3rd of February 2021, with two other pastors. After the meeting, they were on their way back, the speed boat carrying them took  in more passengers.

The boat was carrying the two Pastors and seven others, including three women, apart from Ikenna. It was said to have capsized and the only person that was drowned was allegedly Ikenna.

“The Family made attempts, though unsuccessful, to contact the General Overseer of the Church, Bishop Paul Nwachukwu Jnr, who is the current head of the Church and the son of the Founder of the church”, Nnadi told this Magazine.

All the calls were ignored until he sent text messages.

The following conversations took place.

Uchenna: We are having a great challenge locating my younger brother, Pastor Kevin Nnadi of Okpai Ibusu, Grace of God.

Paul Jr: Is he missing

Uchenna: That appears to be so, we have no clear information from his district/station after they attended church meetings across the river.

Paul Jr: Do you have the no of their leader

Uchenna: Nope, except for a number that sent me a text that my brother is missing:

After these conversations, the family waited for any further information but none was forthcoming. The Church made no efforts to contact the family of the missing Pastor. Not even his wife, who is one of them, was communicated with. The wife has been battling with trauma and has been admitted to a hospital (name withheld) since the news filtered in that has husband was missing. After waiting in silence, the family decided to go to the church station where he pastored. The terrain was riverine, and difficult to navigate. So on 10th February 2021, they filed a missing person’s report at the local police station, which was the divisional Police Post, Ashaka, Ndokwa East Local government area. There, it was found out that the Church has made no entry about the missing Pastor to the Police.

This seemed strange to the family of the missing person, who had to mobilize the police to search for those who were with the pastor in the boat.

Subsequently, the vigilante group in the area was called in to help the Police navigate the terrain, and arrests were made of those that traveled with him to the meeting, including the boat driver and the host pastor for the meeting. The reason given by the police not to have been able to affect the arrests alone was that the riverine place has been a difficult and hostile environment for the police as they are known to violently resist arrests.

Some police officers had lost their lives while trying to effect arrests there.

There appears to be a palpable lack of will to prosecute by the local police.

In fact, there were alleged threats by both the community and Church authorities to the family of the missing persons for daring to report the case to the police. But the local police eventually approved of the transfer of the case to the State Criminal Investigations Department, Asaba. This was on 23rd February 2021.

The suspects were moved to the state headquarters the following day.

It was only after the transfer of the case to Asaba that the Bishop decided to call the family and, in a condescending manner, tried to talk them out of continuing with the case without providing any hope of resolution. He was angrier about the family reporting the case to the police than anxiety over his missing pastor.

This attitude was bizarre, to say the least. And after that, the family started feeling dissatisfied with the way the state police were handling the case that they resolved to petition the Inspector General of Police on the issue.

By then, the suspects have been released from custody.

In a petition dated 15th February 2021, and addressed to the DIG, FIB Abuja, the family Lawyer petitioned the IG on the Issue.  On March 10, 2021, a detachment of police detectives arrived in Asaba to take over the case.

Ikenna had graduated from GGM’s theology school in Ọnịcha, Anambra State, and ordained a pastor in 2012. In November 2014 he was posted to the riverine area of Ọkpai Ibusu, and there he has been till the 3rd of February, 2021.

Due to the terrain he worked in, he moved his family out of the parish but remained there. He was, however, always in contact with the family before the unfortunate incident.

Efforts to reach Nwachukwu Jnr by this Magazine were fruitless as his phone was said not to be reachable.

Gov Wike: What does He Want? |The Source

By
Bayo Bernard
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By Bayo Bernard

Governor Nyesom Wike is one of the most powerful Governors in the country in terms of his far-reaching influence in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and his position as one of the Governors of Nigeria’s oil producing states. The Governor, who is not oblivious of these facts, has ensured that he used his position to influence salient national issues, though some people insist that his outbursts are sometimes misplaced and politically motivated.

In spite of this, the Governor has continued to gain traction for his constant criticisms of President Muhammadu Buhari, his Government and others he perceive as political enemies, particularly former Governor Chibuike Ameachi.

The former Minister of state for Education under the administration of Goddluck Jonathan has not spared his predecessor in his  attacks, a situation that, often overhears the polity. He is blunt. And brash.

Wike’s supporters and indeed his critics are now asking: what does Governor Wike want? While some say the governor is warning up to seek higher political office when his tenure expires in 2023, others who have been closely monitoring his actions since he became the state’s helmsman in 2015, after defeating Dakuku Peterside, a former Director General of NIMASA, said the governor is just naturally a no-nonsense man who does not broach rubbish from any quarters, especially when his state and the Niger Delta is the topic.

Governor Wike’s stubborn stance on these two issues, which many consider to be very close to his heart, according to critics, can be viewed from the manner he takes up those he believe have underdeveloped the oil bearing region, particularly politicians from the area, including the Minister of Transportation, who he accused of not fighting enough for the interests of the region.

Recently, he accused the former governor of mismanaging the resources of the state and hiding under the cover of the Presidency, which he said shields him from prosecution.  The governor, again, opened the old wound with his predecessor recently, after accusing the former governor of failing to account for the proceeds from the sale of some state assets. As if that was not enough, Wike also knocked Amaechi and the Federal Government for inaugurating narrow gauge railway from Port Harcourt to Maiduguri at a time the rest of the world was building standard gauge railway.

Wike stated this during the inauguration of 6.1-kilometre Omuihuechi-Omuoko-Omokiri Link Road in the Aluu Ikwerre Local Government Area, last week, insisting that the Minister does not mean well for the State and people of Niger Delta.

According to a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Kelvin Ebiri, Wike said it was appalling that the APC Federal Government had continued to shield Amaechi from prosecution for his inability to account for $308m from the sales of the state-owned power plant and other critical assets when he was the governor.

President Muhammedu Buhari
President Muhammadu Buhari

The statement said “People gave you opportunity. You sold our properties, everything. And people are talking in this state because of the government that says they are fighting corruption and protecting people. You (Amaechi) sold our property for $308m and kept for us $208,000.

“That is the kind of people parading themselves in government, for a government that says they are fighting corruption, shame,” he added.

The Governor said it was wrong for the Buhari administration to say it is fighting corruption when people like Amaechi are walking free despite corruption allegations against them. He urged the people of the State not to be deceived by the antics of the APC on the narrow gauge rail line from Port Harcourt to Maiduguri, adding that the project is politically motivated.

Wike’s clincher for Amaechi: “Let me warn the man who thinks he has President , he has soldiers, he has police; you should have learnt your lesson by now, that when God has left you there is nothing you can do again.”

The Governor had earlier, in February, slammed Amaechi’s boss, President Buhari accusing him of destroying the country, noting that the President’s successor would face a herculean task repairing the country from the mess that the APC government has created.

Wike said despite the glaring insecurity, religious and ethnic division in the country, the Buhari administration has been living in denial that Nigeria is now more united and secure than ever.

Former governor Godswill Akpabio and minister of Niger Delta Affairs has also come under Wike’s radar of attack after the former was accused of being the sponsor of the Niger Delta Avenger Force, who two weeks ago, called on the Governors from the region to account for over N50 trillion that has accrued to the six oil producing states since 2019.

The militants accused the Governors of mismanaging funds accruals from international oil companies, IOCs internal generated revenue, IGR and federal allocations which should have been used to develop the area.

But while responding to the militants’ threat to shut down oil production, Governor Wike pointed accusing fingers at Akpabio as the one behind the militants.

The six south-south governors had initially set up a confrontation with the Minister after they expressed their dissatisfaction, through Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta state and Chairman of the South south Governors’ Forum, the manner Akpabio is running the NDDC and failure by the President to inaugurate a board for the interventionist Commission.  Akpabio had responded insisting that the Governors cannot dictate to him or the President .

But Wike blasted Akpabio saying that the Governors are only trying to clean the mess left by the former Governor and other leaders who mismanaged their resources.

“We will tell him that when he was the governor he was acting like a king. There was money that time. The exchange rate was N150 per dollar. Today, it is N500 for a dollar. Akpabio had money but he had the temerity to ask South-South governors what they are doing with 13 percent derivation, the governor said, adding that, “Akpabio should not talk to Rivers State at all. He has no such authority. He is not qualified to talk to Rivers State. If he wants to talk he should concentrate on Akwa Ibom State or else we teach him a lesson here. Akpabio should know that enough is enough.

“If he should talk here I will teach him a lesson. I am not a sycophant and I am not an inconsistent person. I don’t give a damn. He cannot say he sees me in the villa. If he does it again, he will regret it. I am not one of those governors he can turn around.

“I will show you a video where the President said they should come and learn from me what we are doing here. He (Akpabio) went and asked so-called South-South militants that we should render an account of N55 Trillion naira. Where did he get the N55 Trillion from? Akpabio be careful. Don’t go and pay money to people to type propaganda against governors. You will suffer for it at the end of the day. We know what Akpabio was doing as a governor.

“Now he has the temerity to insult South-South governors. We will meet one day. If he did well, why did he fail his senatorial election? You will finish from Abuja and you will come here,” Wike stated.

His dispute with Amaechi

Both were once allies after serving in the administration of former Governor Peter Odili. What has now set them apart, analysts say, is not unconnected with the struggle for control of the soul of the state, ahead the 2023 presidential election when the two leaders are expected to play a critical role.

Even though Governor Wike has not made his interest known concerning the presidential election coming up in three years time, there are suggestions that he intends to run a joint ticket with Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto state, who has been widely projected as the PDP trump card for the 2023 presidency. Tambuwal, a former Speaker of the House of Representatives was Governor Wike’s choice as Presidential candidate in the 2015 election, before he lost to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar who later clinched the PDP ticket by consensus.

Wike, many insist has yet to forget that painful loss and from all indications, still trying to re-enact the Tambuwal presidential ticket under which, it is speculated, he intends to run as vice president, according to those monitoring, closely, the recent actions of the rivers governor.

For instance, those in this school of thought cited the donation of a whopping N500 million to Sokoto state after a fire incident that gutted the state’s central market in January.

A statement released by Muhammed Bello, spokesman to GovernorTambuwal, after the donation, said Governor Wike has further strengthened the bond between the two states, adding that the funds will go a long way to support the state’s rebuilding efforts, as well as to assist affected traders.

The statement said “River state government has pledged the sum of half a billion naira to support Sokoto State government in rebuilding the Sokoto central market ravaged by fire on Tuesday morning” adding that “Gov. Wike, who visited Sokoto earlier on Wednesday, barely 24 hours after the disaster, said he was shocked and disturbed when he learnt about it.”

The philanthropic gesture sparked a lot of controversies as many said the Governor’s action did not reflect the mood in the state, while others  criticized him for making the donation at the expense of the needs of his people.

For instance, some pensioners who were yet to receive their entitlements said the N500 million could go a long way to pay what the government owes them and bring respite to their suffering members.

Charles Jaja, a youth leader in the state lampooned Governor Wike for what he called his financial recklessness, blaming the people of the state for keeping quiet on the matter when they were supposed to speak out. He said “I am disappointed because I am simply worried about our elder statesmen and the good number of youths who sing the praises of the Governor in the face of this financial irresponsibility.”

On his part, Chairman of the Rivers Civil Society Organizations Enefaa Georgewill, said the donation was a misplaced priority when the governor has yet to fully develop the state, adding that residents of the state are still battling to survive due to the current economic hardship. He said the fund was not appropriated by the state House of Assembly.

He said “There are flooding issues that need urgent attention that have not been looked into, every year buildings, plants and people’s source of livelihood are being destroyed due to the disaster that can be managed if the government simply pays attention.

” What Governor Wike has simply done with that donation to Sokoto is eye service and dirty politics. The Governor should be concerned about removing the log in his own eyes before removing the spec in another person’s eyes.”

Governor Wike had remained defiant despite the criticisms insisting that what he did was to extend a handshake across the Niger, noting that Nigerians must come together and build bridges across the country, to forestall religious and ethnic division.

“For those that can connect the dots, Governor Wike is gradually preparing the grounds for the 2023 presidential elections. That he did that in Sokoto where the governor and his ally, Tambuwal, is rumoured to have presidential ambition should mean a lot to the opposition as well as those in the PDP, where the Rivers governor is coming from. Apart from the fact that no other state is known to have made such a donation, half a billion is not what you just throw away except you are setting your gaze on something very important,” Sam Adeoye, a political analyst told the magazine.

Rotimi Amaechi
Rotimi Amaechi

According to him “Governor Wike, in his estimation, is also trying to turn the attention of the North to the timeworn affiliation with the South-south ahead the 2023  and the fact that he intends to be a kingmaker in the mould of the role played by former Governor Amaechi in the election of President Buhari.”

Adeoye also mentioned the role recently played by Governor Wike to broker truce between Governors Samuel Otom of Benue state and Bala Mohammed of Bauchi state, after the latter said herdsmen are entitled to carry AK 47 rifles to defend themselves against cattle rustlers, as a pointer that the controversial governor is nursing a very important ambition.

Mohammed’s comments came amidst public anger against gun wielding herdsmen killing and raping women is some parts of the south and Benue state, particularly where the government has recently signed a law against open grazing of cattle. Otom had responded firmly to the comment made by his PDP colleague, describing him as one of the sponsors of terrorism and herdsmen attacks in the country.

The confrontation between the two PDP governors further polarized the PDP with some party members already taking sides, before Governor Wike waded into the matter by bringing Otom and Mohammed to Rivers state, where they eventually settled.

Speaking after the duo had buried the hatchet,  the Governor said he waded into the rift to stop the ruling APC from cashing on it to further decapitate the PDP as the party is preparing to take power come 2023, despite the obvious fact that the Buhari-led administration has failed to provide leadership in the country.

Wike said “We give God the glory today that those differences have been sorted out. We are members of one political party. Like what the Governor of Bauchi and Governor of Benue said, we don’t want the inefficiency, we don’t want the incapacity of the Federal Government in handling the issue of insecurity in the country to rub on us.

“Everybody knows that the Federal Government has failed in providing security for this country. And of course you will not blame them. They (Ortom and Mohammed) are under pressure from their various states. It is not as if they have any personal issues.”

Governor Wike has gone far in his preparation for the next election, according to insiders who said this formed part of the reasons he has been consulting with various political actors across party lines, of the need to form a realignment of forces ahead of the critical presidential election.

Not a few politicians from the PDP and ruling APC have been invited by the Governor to the state, in the last few months to commission some projects. They include, former governors Sule Lamido of Sokoto state and Rochas Okorocha of Imo state, an APC stalwart and senator representing Imo West in the National Assembly.

On January 11, Okorocha, who was speaking in the state to inaugurate the Rumuche/Rumuakunde/Ohna Awuse Link Road in Emohua Local Government Area, shocked not a few Nigerians after he said likeminded politicians from the APC and PDP are already meeting on the future of the country. The Senator who said his visit to the state was part of the realignment of forces among the political parties ahead the 2023 election, said he’s prepared to work with Wike to achieve a better Nigeria.

Okorocha said “in this dispensation, there are many bad people in APC, many bad people in PDP. I think the good people of APC and good people of PDP must come together for the purpose of making Nigeria great.

‘’I can imagine joining forces with Wike to take this country to greater heights. Governor Wike, this is my hand of friendship. Let us bring all like minds, all great people of Nigeria together rather than complaining , let us come together to make this country greater and greater as it should be.”

It remains to be seen whether Wike’s efforts will pay off at the end of the day.

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