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MONDAY JANUARY 14, 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY
NEWSEXTRA
Kanu: South-east Govs Working for Buhari David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has stated that intelligence reports gathered by the security arm of his organisation shows that all state governors of the South-east zone were working to return
President Muhammadu Buhari in the forthcoming presidential election. Kanu stated this in a broadcast on Radio Biafra network in Israel, and monitored by our correspondent in Awka, Anambra State. According to him, “The fact still remains that what happens
Okowa Challenges Africans on Promotion of History through Books Omon-Julius Onabu in Asaba Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, has challenged Africans, especially Nigerian, leaders and intellectuals to pay greater attention to documentation of the history and culture of their people in the interest of present and future generations. Okowa also commended the giant strides of the Obi of Owa Kingdom and Chairman, Delta State Council of Traditional Rulers, Dr. Emmanuel Efeizomo II, whose peaceful disposition has triggered unprecedented progress in his domain in the last 59 years. Speaking at the recent launch of ‘’The Odyssey of Emmanuel Onyeike Efeizomor II’’, a 262page biography of the Obi of Owa in Ika North-East Local Government Area of Delta State, the governor said his outstanding achievements could not have been possible without the peaceful and purposeful disposition of the monarch. He noted that humility is another virtue of Efeizomor II worthy of emulation, saying he has successfully transformed the Kingdom from a frugal monarchy to a prominent land of progress and prosperity despite ascending the throne at the tender age of 21 years. Recounting his earliest encounter with the monarch as a child growing up in Owa, Okowa thanked the monarch for his rare exhibition of kindness, and for his cooperation on the book project even as he commended the authors for their commitment. The governor also congratulated the people of Owa Kingdom for successfully documenting the history of Owa kingship and that of the people of Owa Kingdom, stressing
that such historical documents would help future generation of Africans to grasp their history. According to the governor, “subjects of different kingdoms should be encouraged to write books about their kingdoms. This book presented today will be read by the people of Owa; other people will also read the book, which will be very useful to them. “Many people want to know about the Owa Kingdom and we thank God that we have a book that will enlighten the people, it will inspire several people to write about their kingdoms.” The chairman of the book launch, Senator Peter Nwaoboshi, described the book as a great legacy to the people of Owa Kingdom and humanity while the book reviewer, Prof. Abednego Ekoko noted that the 10-chapter book could be a source of a potential best selling film. Similarly, the authors of the book, which was conceived and funded by Okowa, said that it was a privilege to have helped put the work together, noting that the contributions of the monarch, the governor and over 600 respondents made the publication a reality. According to Prof. Sam Ukala and Dr. Ben Nwanne, the book is a collation of the life and times of Efeizomor II as well as the history of Owa Kingdom and cultural evolution of the over 727 years old Owa stool. Ukala, on behalf of the authors of the book, disclosed that more than 620 people were interviewed by the team and rigorous research conducted involving various publications and documents about Obi Efeizomor II.
Obaseki Meets Edo Central APC Leaders, Assures of Party’s Victory The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has expressed confidence that the candidates of the All Progressive Congress (APC) contesting for various political offices in Edo Central Senatorial District in the forthcoming general elections will emerge victorious on account of evidence-based developmental projects carried out by his administration in the area. The governor made the submission while addressing journalists in Irrua, Esan Central Local Government Area of the state, after an enlarged meeting with leaders in the senatorial district. He noted that things are now done differently by his administration and Esan people can attest to the developmental projects being carried out by the APC led-government in the senatorial district, to make life better for the people. “We just finished campaigning
in some units and we are making significant progress. I am here to see the progress we have made in this part of the state. We didn’t win and didn’t do well in the last general elections here but with the meeting we just held with leaders in the area, we are convinced that APC will win in Esan Land,” the governor said. The well attended meeting had the Chairman of Edo State chapter of APC, Mr. Anslem Ojezua, the Chief of staff to the governor Taiwo Akerele, Special Adviser to the governor on Budget and Economic Planning, Joseph Eboigbe; Chairman of Esan Central LGA, Mr. Waziri Idemudia and other stalwarts of the party. The governor further noted that people in the area can attest to the developmental projects of the APC-led government in terms of construction of roads, renovation of schools and agricultural support.
in Nigeria is selection not election, if not, why would Dave Umahi in Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) be campaigning for a murderous All Progressives Congress (APC) government that killed his own people. “Why would Willie Obiano of Anambra State, a supposed Igbo man, be campaigning so viciously against Peter Obi his mentor and godfather? We know the all-powerful Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is owned and run by Fulani cabal under the direct supervision of Aso Rock which they also own. “Only INEC announced results are considered valid, so all it takes for a candidate to win is to be in the good books of the Fulani cabal running Nigeria and you are guaranteed success. Those
hoping that Atiku will sweep Biafraland because of the Obi factor are misguided because almost every governor in the Southeast is working for Jubril (Buhari).” IPOB alleged that several other prominent Igbo sons were backing Buhari to win the presidential election, in a contest where their brother, Peter Obi, is a running mate to a major candidate, listing former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Prof Charles Soludo, and Arthur Eze as some of Buhari’s major backers in the zone. ”What should bother everyone more as I study the lives of Igbo elite is the emptiness of their mindless acquisition. After all the contracts Arthur Eze listed, I couldn’t trace any major
industry, successful business, philanthropy among others linked to him. What a shame. Even Soludo of all people is working for Jubril (Buhari).” Kanu said his group would not back down on the earlier declared election boycott, saying: “This current path we have chosen - the path of boycotting the 2019 elections - is a well-considered one geared to leaving no one in doubt that we mean business. We know that some people are wondering what IPOB expects to gain when it refuses to participate in elections. “I am keenly aware that at first, the logic of a boycott makes little sense to many. Some have said by participating in elections, IPOB will have a chance of helping to elect politicians amenable to self-
determination and ultimately a referendum. Well, that’s true but only in theory. In practice, experience has shown that votes hardly count in Nigeria; and where they may count, we have not yet seen any candidate willing to commit to the changes we demand such that the boycott could be reconsidered as a whole or piecemeal for such candidate.” He also berated the Governor of Ebonyi State, Umahi, saying his recent allegation of IPOB threatening to kidnap him and other South-east governors was meant to incite the Nigeria Army against the group. He described the allegation as a very strong one, but stated that it has been proven that IPOB was not a violent organisation, and that it never planned such.
CELEBRATING VICTORY ...
L-R: Pioneer Captain Miccom Golf Club, Mr. Bode Adediji; Deputy Governor of Osun State, Mr. Benedict Alabi; Governor of Osun State, Mr. Gboyega Oyetola; and Founder Miccom Golf and Country Club, Ada, Prince Tunde Ponle, during the inaugural victory golf kitty, organised by committee of friends to mark the inaugural victory kitty for the governor and his deputy, at MicCom Golf and Country Club, Ada…recently
‘How We Spent Funds for Military Operations,’ Buratai Replies SERAP, Others Chief of Army Staff of Nigeria, Lt. General Tukur Yusuf Buratai, has responded to the joint Freedom of Information request by Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), Enough is Enough (EiE), and BudgIT requesting him to use his “good offices and leadership position to provide information on spending on military operations across the country, particularly in the Northeast.” This development was disclosed yesterday in a statement on behalf of the civil society groups by SERAP’s Senior Legal Adviser, Bamisope Adeyanju. According to her, “the
bulky photographic and textual documentation with a cover letter dated December 24, 2018 was delivered to SERAP’s office last Friday by a military officer at around 11.40 a.m.” The letter with reference number AHQDCMA/G4/100/4 and signed on Buratai’s behalf by Brigadier-General S.B. Kumapayi read in part: “The Nigerian Army (NA) has in recent time come under unrelenting public scrutiny by both private individuals and Non-governmental organisations over issues of appropriation of funds. The most recent being a call from your organisation for the Nigerian Army to explain how
funds appropriated for the NA under the administration of the Chief of Army Staff were utilised.” “In view of the above, I am directed to forward the above-mentioned document to your office for your perusal and retention. Please accept the esteemed regards and assurance of the Chief of Army Staff.” Adeyanju, on behalf of the civil society groups, said: “This is a joint FOI request involving EiE and BudgIT and not just SERAP. Therefore, our groups will carefully study the letter and documentation by Buratai to see if details of the information provided meet the requirements
of our request and then promptly respond to him, as appropriate.” “While we ascertain the level of compliance of the information provided, we welcome Buratai’s demonstrated commitment to the Freedom of Information Act by responding to our request, especially at a time when high-ranking government officials including the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr. Audu Ogbeh and Minister of Power, Works and Housing Babatunde Fashola continue to exhibit blatant disregard for FOI requests by refusing to even acknowledge several of such requests.”
FG Has Repositioned NIMASA for Economic Growth, Says SGF The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Boss Mustapha, said the federal government has repositioned the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) for economic growth. As a result, he said the Nigerian maritime industry had become more attractive to foreign investors under
the watch of the current government. Mustapha, according to a statement yesterday by NIMASA’s Head of Corporate Communications, Isichei Osamgbi, said this at the NIMASA Corporate Dinner and Merit Awards held at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island. The SGF was said to have
been represented by the Minister of Budget, Senator Udo Udoma. He said, “The DG and his team and the board are doing well in NIMASA. They have transformed the organisation. I will also like to congratulate the Minister of Transportation because it is through his guidance and supervision that all these transformations have
taken place. He is an action man, somebody that makes things happen.” In his address, the DirectorGeneral of NIMASA, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, said the maritime industry remained the backbone of international trade and that the Nigerian maritime sector had made remarkable achievements in the last two years.