OBLONG MEDIA GLOBAL INTELLIGENCE is where independent minds meet to dissect politics, society, power, and global affairs without fear or filters. This is not mainstream media.
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Prominent Igbo lawyer and former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Dr. Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), on Tuesday condemned the call for the country’s restructuring, describing it as a political calculation by the elite to grab power in 2019. Rather, Agbakoba justified the demand for self-determination by the Nnamdi Kanu-led Indigenous People of Biafra, which is seeking a referendum to achieve same. Agbakoba, who rejected the declaration by acting President Yemi Osinbajo that Nigeria’s sovereignty was not negotiable, said IPOB’s quest for self-determination was lawful and found justification in Article 1 (2) of the United Nations Charter and Article 20 (1)…
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DATE: WEDNESDAY 5TH JULY, 2017 VENUE: SOKAPU SECRETARIAT No 2B Jega Close, Gwari Avenue, Behind St. Gerard Hospital Barnawa Kaduna. PRESS CONFERENCE It is no longer news that the peace, security, prosperity and unity of our beloved country, Nigeria is now badly threatened. Therefore we the people of the Middle-Belt of Nigeria comprising : Kwara State, Kogi State, Benue State, Plateau State, Nasarawa State, Taraba State, Niger State, The Federal Capital Territory, as well as the southern parts of Adamawa State, Kaduna State, Kebbi State, Bauchi State, Gombe State, Yobe State and Borno State wish to lend our united voice…
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Those from outside Igboland that say that they do not want Biafra have missed the point. It is for the people of the east to make that call and to make that decision and not for you. What you believe is good for the Igbo or what you prefer for them is neither here nor there. Ultimately it is only THEIR choice and THEIR decision, which can only be made and established in a free and fair UN-sponsored and conducted referendum, that matters. And in that referendum every single Igbo person, whether they be a traditional ruler, a chief, a…
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“We know very well that the toad does not run in the daytime for nothing; if it is not after something, then something must be after it. Although Nigeria is not new to agitations of all kinds, the nation has of recent been caught in a cacophony of agitations by different groups and sections of the country. In particular, these agitations have been most pronounced in the South-east, where the activities of various pro-Biafra groups have been most pronounced. There have also been loud and well-meaning voices in the South-east and all over the country strongly canvassing a restructuring of…
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The Senator representing Kaduna Central, Comrade Shehu Sani, has thrown his weight behind those calling for the restructuring of the country. He said that the present situation called for every Nigerian to take the opportunity offered to restructure and redesign Nigeria. “We should come out with a new master plan that will address the social, economic and political crises that gave birth to some of these agitations. “We should also use the opportunity to reach out, to strengthen our unity and form a coalition against separatists, who come from the southeast and ultra-nationalist and anarchist who come from northern part…
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The National Association of the Nigerian Traditional Medicine Practitioners has said its members can cure President Muhammadu Buhari of any ailment he is battling with if consulted. The Patron of the NANTMP, Dr. Adesunmiboye Fawawo, said this in an interview with our correspondent in Osogbo on Tuesday on the sidelines of the inauguration of the new executives of the association. He said many Nigerians died cheaply because the practice of medicinal and therapeutic use of plants was being looked down upon in the country while orthodox medicine was being promoted. Fawawo said, “President Muhammadu Buhari is our national leader and…
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In this season of quit notices to ethnic groups, hate speech, election boycott threats and other high-wire acts of political brinksmanship, we need to keep our eye on the ball. That means reminding Acting President Yemi Osinbanjo of the political responsibility of the Federal Government of Nigeria to keep Nigeria united by going beyond rhetoric and confronting and addressing, concretely, the National Question. While he is to be commended for his efforts at pacifying the protagonists, we must tell truth to power and let our Acting President know that the time for platitudes and pious exhortations is over. It is…
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If you are a newcomer to Nigerian politics, you should be forgiven for thinking Igbo are sworn enemies of northerners (and I mean the “core north” by that, and hereinafter). Since the 2015 presidential electioneering, there has been no love lost between the two big power blocs and erstwhile political allies. Agitations for Biafra, which were dormant under President Goodluck “Azikiwe” Jonathan, have been magnificently revived, and in an unprecedented development, an Arewa youth coalition has issued an October 1 deadline to Igbo to quit the north. Although there are efforts to douse the tension, the rhetoric has only softened.…
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The most discussed subject in Nigeria today is what is called “restructuring” and indeed so popular is this subject that it has attracted the attention of roadside commentators, the bright, the not-so-bright, the mischievous and the outrightly unintelligent all united by the singular claim that Nigeria belongs to all of us and we all have a right to determine its future. The last person who brought up this subject with me is a mechanic in Abeokuta! He had heard about Biafra, the Arewa youths, the President’s absence, Professor Osinbajo, Nnamdi Kanu, what Igbo leaders, Northern leaders and Yoruba leaders have…
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There appears a split in the National Working Committee NWC of the ruling All Progressives Congress APC over the party’s stance on the vexed issue of restructuring as its South-south zonal National Vice Chairman, Hilliard Eta, said the APC promised to restructure the country and it must not wait till the country disintegrates before fulfilling the pledge. National Chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun had last week denied claims that the APC promised restructuring, saying the party only pledged to institute true fiscal federalism and that fulfilling the pledge was not its immediate priority, but growing the economy. However,…
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The President of the Original Inhabitants Development Association of Abuja, Pastor Danladi Jeji, who said this in a statement on Monday in Abuja, however, declared support for Nigeria and the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari. “We urge more peace and unity at the moment but should the Nigerian federation be dissolved, we shall have no choice but to seek an independent status from the northern or southern groups agitating for separate countries at the moment. “Like Kosovo, we shall seek the United Nations’ administrative, civil and military support to declare an autonomous status of self-government,” the statement signed by OIDA…
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One core difference between the Igbo person and the Hausa Fulani is that the former thinks BUSINESS, in terms of profit and loss statement, in everything. While the latter thinks POLITICS and RULERSHIP in everything. (This is a discussion for another day.) Getting our intelligentsia to dialogue with the North or Nigeria is quite ideal. But the questions are: 1. WHERE WERE THESE INTELLIGENTSIAS BEFORE NOW? 2. WHY WEREN’T THESE INTELLIGENTSIAS SENSITIVE ENOUGH TO START THIS MOVE BEFORE THE DAYS OF UWAZURUIKE and KANU? 3. HOW MANY OF THESE INTELLIGENTSIAS HAVE MADE CONCERTED EFFORT TO CALL OUR SELF-STYLED POLITICAL OFFICE…
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Thousands of Imo youths shut down Owerri in solidarity with the government of President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Owelle Rochas Okorocha. According to reports, the people disclosed that they are very happy with Governor Okorocha and his rescue mission government in Imo state. See photos below
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The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Yakubu Dogara, on Monday raised the alarm over the deployment of military personnel in over 28 states in the country Dogara said the development was an indication that Nigeria was already in a state of emergency in peacetime. The Speaker expressed shock over the growing trend of soldiers taking over civil and security duties constitutionally reserved for the Nigeria Police. According to him, in peacetime, soldiers are merely to complement the police and other civil authorities. He expressed surprise that they were visible in almost all parts of the country doing the…
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Let me make this abundantly clear right from the outset. I love and respect Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the supreme leader of the Biafran movement, the founder and convener of the Indigenous People Of Biafra (IPOB) and the man that I have appropiately dubbed as the Lion of the East. I do not however agree with him on EVERYTHING and neither do I share his views about President Goodluck Jonathan. I do not believe that Jonathan was weak or that he was incompetent. As a matter of fact I believe that the contrary is the case. I believe that he exhibited…
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I understand the frustration. I wish things can work that way. But everything that happens in the world has a precedent and there is something called international law. That’s where the elites and intelligentsia are important for the struggle. John Garange was elite of the South Sudan he was instrumental to the peace talks that led to the independence of South Sudan. After he died in a plane crash, Silva Kiir, his lieutenant, who was also another elite, took over and led the country to Independence. Our people should be very careful so that they do not shoot themselves in…
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07-02-17 Anambra State Association World-Wide(ASA World), is the umbrella Association of Ndi Anambra Worldwide. ASA-World is currently made up of original 27 partners in services members of AnambraState Diaspora Association indigenes from across the globe. We were formed in1990 and have since then existed as an “Ombudsman”; meaning a ‘WATCH DOG ‘for Ndi-Anambra from across the globe, for the oppressed, marginalized and underprivileged. As the “Ombudsmen”, our goals are to impartially monitors, investigate, question the actions, and conduct oversights activities on those holding “Public Trusts” and expose the impacts of their actions on the citizenry. From our worldwide Secretariats, we…
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Rochas Okorocha represents a sour and sore chapter in democratic and leadership credentials. The trending press release by Rochas Okorocha where he attacked Governor Fayose for challenging the presidency to provide evidence of the whereabout of President Buhari is ludicrous, an insensitive piece of falsehood and cheap political propaganda. Since Rochas Okorocha has become a paper tiger; has Rochas Okorocha made any strong statement against the armed Fulani herdsmen who have continued to kill Nigerians? The answer is NO! On the 24th of December 2016, when Pastor Enoch Adeboye and the general overseer of RCCG visited Oba Rufus Adejugbe Aladesanmi…
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The Indigenous people of Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, have warned that should the country eventually break up, they will seek an independent status. They said they would ask the United Nations to govern the 8,000sq kilometres territory through a transitional arrangement until it can become an autonomous city-state with socio-political and economic sovereignty. They however, declared their support for a united Nigeria based on proper devolution of governmental powers rather than dismemberment of the nation as canvassed by separatist groups. Their resolution was contained in a statement by the President of the Original Inhabitants Development Association of Abuja, OIDA,…
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It has become necessary for me to issue this public statement by way of Legal Notice and clear the air regarding the “order” issued by Mr Nnamdi Kanu that elections will not hold in the whole Biafraland starting with Anambra State. I make this Statement on behalf of the Supreme Council of Elders. Nnamdi Kanu is not the Founder and Leader of the body known as INDIGENOUS PEOPLE OF BIAFRA which the Nigerian Government has recognised by Judicial Notice in Suit No. FHC/OW/CS/192/2013 in the Federal High Court Owerri. The body known as Indigenous People of Biafra consists of the…
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This completely avoidable feud between IPOB and Ohaneze was what I foresaw when I said that IPOB’S call for the boycott of the Anambra governorship election was a tactical error! You do not put your invincibility to the test so soon after achieving it. The absolute compliance with its Biafra Day sit-at-home order conferred on IPOB an awe inspiring aura which needed to be guarded jealously; it was the aura of a champion, and champions choose their battles with discretion and circumspection! I predicted that the proposed boycott would pit IPOB against a motley of vested and powerful political interests.…
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Thanks for your request to give you a copy of the Federal Ministry of education 9 year basic education curriculum on “Religion and National Values” book. The book was a product of the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council ( NERDC), a parastatal, under the Ministry of Education. The issues with the curriculum. 1. On pages 17 and 46 of the “Religion and National Values” curriculum for Primary one to three (Primary 1-3) are statements that are not only inciting but derogatory to a particular religious belief and faith ( Christianity). Specifically. a) On page 17 under Theme Islamic studies…
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http://leadership.ng/2017/07/03/breaking-news-alhaji-maitama-sule-dead/
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The wife of the President, Aisha Buhari, left for London on Sunday to visit her husband who is on medical vacation. According to a statement by her media aide, Mrs. Buhari “will convey to the President the best wishes of Nigerians and their fervent prayers for his quick recovery.” “She is expected to stop over at Addis Ababa, to make a symbolic appearance at the meeting of the Organisation of African First Ladies against HIV/AIDS (OAFLA) on Monday 3rd July, 2017. “She will join other members to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the organisation, and use the opportunity to reiterate…
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Traditional rulers and Civil Society Organiations in the Niger Delta region have demanded for the immediate restructuring of Nigeria. The people of the reg Source: Restructure or split Nigeria now – Niger Delta tells Federal Government – Daily Post Nigeria
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The Coalition of Arewa youths that issued a quit notice to the Igbo residing in the north will reconsider their stand following the position of Southeast leaders, Alhaji Shettima Yerima said yesterday. Yerima, president of Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF), one of the youth groups that issued the October 1 deadline, told our reporter yesterday that they were pleased that the Igbo leaders strongly condemned the pro-Biafra agitators. He said: “We are happy that the Igbo leaders have taken a step to curtail some people who have been trying to hold the country down through their actions. Yerima said ultimatum…
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Senator Kanti Bello is a former Senate Majority Whip, who represented Katsina North Senatorial District on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) before joining the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), one of the legacies parties that formed the All Progressives Congress (APC). He speaks with Senior Deputy Editor, TAIWO AMODU, on the party’s 2019 presidential ticket, his fears about Buhari and the chances of his party. How will you assess the Buhari administration in the last two years? I will be frank with you. This is the first interview I am giving in the last two years.…
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I have taken time to read through the full text of the speech by Ohaneze President , Chief Nnia Nwodo on the floor of the Anambra house of assembly and found out that it was not as pungent or anti IPOB or Nnamdi Kanu as some people painted it. The Nigeria media can spin things out of proportion. Chief Nnia Nwodo , I must concede has brought some new level of focus to the activities of the Pan Igbo sociocultural group , Ohaneze Ndi Igbo. He is very cerebral and intelligent. He is one of the few past political office…
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When we make calls for for the restructuring of Nigerian’s political space, we do so because we strongly believe that it will enable the expansion and growth of the socio-cultural and economic space. This will in turn help the country to offer maximally, its huge potential for the benefits of its people, to explore without hindrance and exploit productively within the ambit of the rules and regulations of a free market economy. We make such calls, and will continue to insist on restructuring because we are convinced that most of the agitations and crises thawing at the very base of…
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Fellow Nigerians, let me say categorically that I’ve never seen a country where the citizens like to argue over every miniscule issue like Nigeria. We are a country of absolutism. Every now and then we just enjoy coming up with highfalutin theories out of the blues and everyone begins to recycle and regurgitate the mantra. Once upon a time, TRUE FEDERALISM was the swansong. Half, if not most, of those shouting the phrase had little or no idea of what it meant. It seems we just love to hear the cacophony of our own voices and prefer to join whatever…
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Until we have achieved that state of being, the desired geopolitical region remains at risk. So we must pursue both tasks together. And the State of Being is as follows: We have to do as the Catalonians do in Spain. When they realized that the Castelianos (Madrid) will never voluntarily or easily give them Independencia, the Catalonians (Barcelona) decided to turn inwards and develop their region Technologically, Economically and Infrastructurally – and now they are the economic powerhouse of Spain. The same thing is with Bayern in Germany. When Germany was declaring itself as a nation, Bayern (Bavaria) had the…
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At the end of the meeting of the above enumerated categories of Igbo leadership, the following resolutions were adopted: 1. That Ndigbo are in support of a united Nigeria where peace, love, fairness, justice, equity and equality of opportunity are paramount regardless of creed, ethnicity, gender or political affiliation. 2. That we condemn all hate speeches and conducts emanating from any segment of Nigeria. 3. That Igbo leaders lend their full support to the restructuring of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on the basis of fairness and equity. We therefore call on the Federal Government and all Nigerian leaders to…
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The Nigerian government took everything from us (Igbos) to develop other regions, told us it is for all of us to enjoy, for we are “One Nigeria”. When we moved to those regions to access the infrastructures built by the fraudulent Nigerian government with our own resources, they tagged us immigrants, mocked and told us how we left our land undeveloped as if they are the ones that developed their own lands. I don’t know what is wrong with other Nigerians. They call us ingrates because we ask for equity, justice and fair-play. They call us immigrants in our own…
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“But I found Anambra State to be an Oasis. Industry after Industry regaled us with testimony of what Mr Peter Obi did for them when he was governor of Anambra State.” Read the full article” When most Nigerians think about the South East, they think of a people who are mostly traders. Most Nigerian narratives describe the Igbo as traders or at best as business men. They may be right. But that is really not the whole story. The Igbo are more than traders. Those who are old enough and who are familiar with Nigerian history before the Nigeria- Biafra…
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Policing Nigeria seems to be getting harder for the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) due to the misguided agendas of the politicians who seem bent on destroying whatever is left of the operational effectiveness of the police. The NPF has been under attack since the mid-70s when the military administration, removed the Special Branch out of the Force and made it a separate independent organisation. The Special Branch later became the NSO during Shagari administration and then changed its name to the SSS of today. Although its powers and operations are defined by laws, the practical operation of thepolice is affected…
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Every region in Nigeria today is calling for restructuring except the North, there are reasons why the North is against, restructuring of this country. I will list them below. 1 REDUCTION OF POWER AT THE CENTER When Nigeria is restructured, States will no longer look up to federal for survival, but federal to states. The resources spent to maintain the current senate, house of reps at the federal level will be channeled to infrastructure in States. The center will not be as powerful as it is today, because they have little interference over states. The federal and state operate…
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To the people of the south-west, south-south, south-east and the Middle belt I say the following. We must be steadfast and strong. We must look to our God and draw our courage and inspiration from Him. We must take off the gloves and get down to some hard work. We must forge closer ties and remain united. We must stand shoulder to shoulder and resist these hegemonist and born-to-rule devils with every fibre of our being. The Holy Bible says that the blessing of the Lord resides where there is unity. It tells us that the power of God flows…
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29th of June 2017 Your Excellency, RE: LETTER BY A COALITION OF NORTHERN YOUTH GROUPS TO ALLOW IGBOS ACTUALIZE THEIR DREAM OF A SOVEREIGN NATION OF BIAFRA We the Igbo Intelligentsia Forum, a forum with worldwide membership of Igbo professionals, write in response to an open letter, dated 19th June, 2017, addressed to you by a coalition of northern youth groups requesting you to set the machinery in motion to allow Igbos actualize their dream of the sovereign nation of Biafra. Before we make our comments we wish to commend your competent demonstration of effective leadership in dousing the needless…
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A few days ago a friend, patriot a committed Nigerian, Emmanuel Majebi reminded me of the tragedy of looking the other way keeping quiet by men who should know better in times of crisis. He reminded me of the calamity that will befall a society or nation when real men choose to be neutral in times of great moral crisis. He reminded me *that evil triumph in every society when good thinking men do nothing. Hear Emmanuel: “The story is usually told of how years after the devastation of Germany in WW2… There was a meeting of German eggheads… And…
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Joe Igbokwe is an official bullhorn for Mr. Ahmed Bola Tinubu, whom he calls “my leader” and the Lagos APC, which apparently makes him partisan to any discussion concerning the Igbo in Nigeria today. Basically, he has taken his stance, and it is frequently a stance in opposition to a general Igbo position. There is nothing fundamentally wrong with this, because the Igbo, by their republican ethos, accept that all men must exercise their conscience, have their opinions, and be allowed to dissent with the general views. The Igbo have a saying, “let even the mad man have his say…
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The Northern Elders Forum, NEF, has called on former Military Head of State, Ibrahim Babangida, to keep shut, because he lacks the morals to talk about restructuring. The group blamed Babangida and the Military, for allegedly throwing the nation into its current state, which has led to the subsequent rise of agitation for restructuring. Speaking to Leadership Newspaper in an exclusive telephone interview, the Spokesman of NEF, Ango Abudllahi, argued that Babangida and the Military in general, are responsible for factors that gave rise to current agitation for restructuring. The attack came on the heels of Babangida’s Sallah message, in…
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The Ahiajoku intellectual festival remains one of the greatest inspiring Igbo achievement post civil war. However, like most things Igbo that start off well and develop hiccups along the line, Ahiajoku seem to have joined the long line. The reasons for the above are not farfetched. Starting from a pan Igbo affair in real terms, it has been downgraded to almost an Imo affair due to the unnecessary disunity and power play amongst Igbo governors. However, it does not take nuclear science to reinvent this epic festival of culture and intellectualism and use it once more in repositioning the Igbo…
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The Igbo leaders should come out purposeful to stop Nnamdi Kanu in his illusionary and unrealistic agitation for a socalled state of Biafra. Dim Ojukwu himself said the Biafra chapter closed when Biafran soldiers surrendered to Nigerian troops on 15 January 1970. If Ikemba Nnewi makes a prophesy about Biafra, Who else can say otherwise? Why: Because by his current actions regarding Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu is effectively foreclosing any chance of any Igbo man becoming the President of Nigeria. Nnamdi Kanu is making a whole lot of people become really angry with the Igbos and looking at the Igbos as…
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(Being a rejoinder by the Lower Niger Congress to the Statement of the “Progressive Governors Forum”, PGF, on Federalism and Restructuring). We begin with a caveat that the LNC considers ALL the Political Parties in Nigeria guilty in equal measure, of the criminality of holding the fraudulent 1999 Constitution which enslave and impoverish the People, as the basis of Nigeria and its Democracy, and so the calling out of the APC Governors for insulting the collective intelligence of the whole Country in their new postulations on Restructuring and Federalism must be situated appropriately above the partisan fray. The long epistle…
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Nigerians are all talking about restructuring. Now, that is funny. There are two types of Nigerians: those in government and those awaiting their turn in government. Forget all the talk about the size and potential of Nigeria’s economy. Forget all the talk about business, entrepreneurship, innovation, and the rise of a vibrant new demographic of creators defying the odds to crystallise into a 21st-century transnational elite. That is all puff and powder, for there is really only one business in Nigeria and it is called government. Everybody is just really waiting for and on government. Every other sector and…
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I understand the frustration. I wish things can work that way. But everything that happens in the world has a precedent and there is something called international law. That’s where the elites and intelligentsia are important for the struggle. John Garange was elite of the South Sudan he was instrumental to the peace talks that led to the independence of South Sudan. After he died in a plane crash, Silva Kiir, his lieutenant, who was also another elite, took over and led the country to Independence. Our people should be very careful so that they do not shoot themselves in…
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As the debate on national question continues, a coalition of Igbo professionals in Nigeria and the Diaspora under the aegis of Igbo Ekunie Initiative, has called on the Federal Government to organise a referendum to determine the continuity of the country as a united entity. In a letter addressed to the Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, which was also a reaction to the previous letter written by the Arewa youth to the acting president, the Igbo group urged the presidency to, as a matter of urgency, pass a motion that will allow all sections of the nation campaign for, and…
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On June 27th 2017 in Daura, Katsina State one Tanko Abdullahi and one Mohammed Shehu, after a meeting of the Arewa Youth Council, issued the following statement. They said, “We are very much aware that all the attacks against President Muhammadu Buhari were planted in the media by the Yoruba and spread by southerners generally just to discredit the north in order to pave way for their son, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to become President. But their plans will fail insha Allah. We shall resist every of such plans and ensure by all means possible, that the north completes its…
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The President of Ọhaneze ndị Igbo, Dr John Nnia Nwodo, earlier today met with the Honourable Members of Anambra State House of Assembly. Below are his exact words… 1. Mr. Speaker Sir, Honourable Members of Anambra State House of Assembly. 2. I am delighted to be here in this honourable house to share thoughts with you on a number of issues confronting our people in this state and Igbo land as a whole. 3. Anambra State is outstanding amongst the various states in Igboland. 4. I have in facts held in many quarters that Anambra claims more than 50% of…
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Environmental and Human rights activist, Annkio Briggs , has said that it is too late for Nigeria to be restructured, maintaining that what the country needs is total breakup so every emerged country will develop at its own pace. Mrs. Briggs said that the north has more numbers in the National Assembly and hence, can always influence to their interest any bill or action they feel is against their interest, saying such could happen with the restructuring call. Briggs said: “Going by the figures, the North is getting over 60 percent of the total local government allocations and even when…
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Before August 9, 1965, the Singaporeans were seen as an irritation in Malaysia. Then Singapore was one of the 14 states of Malaysia. Singaporeans were viewed as arrogant, stubborn, and domineering. While the United Malays National Organisation wanted affirmative action or “quota system” for the Malays, the People’s Action Party of the Singaporeans insisted that the best thing for the country was a merit-based policy on all issues, so as to bring out the best in the nation and create a spirit of excellence. This constant disagreements and tensions resulted in racial riots. It got to a point, the Malays…
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IPOB press release ; We the members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) under the leadership of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu condemn unequivocally the distasteful statement credited to the acting President of Nigeria Professor Yemi Osibanjo, to the effect that Biafra agitators who through the instrumentality of IPOB are exercising their God given and inalienable right to self determination, is in violation of the provisions of the General Abdulsalami Abubakar 1999 Constitution of Nigeria. For such a statement to escape the lips of a learned fellow like Prof. Osinbajo confirms the widely held view that African leaders lack the mental…
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The Ohanaeze Youth Council, Worldwide, OYC, has petitioned the United Nations, UN, asking that ndi Igbo in the North be granted special protection following the quit notice issued to them by a coalition of northern youths. The council which is the youth wing of Ohaneze ndi Igbo, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization also, demanded that the United Nations begins preparation to conduct a referendum in Igbo land to finally determine the fate of their people. This is following the letter written by the Arewa Youths to the Acting President of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, in which they bashed Ndigbo over…
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National Chairman, Board of Trustees (BOT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Sen. Walid Jibrin has said, on Wednesday, that Biafra would be realized only by referendum and not quit notice. Jibrin stated this while speaking with newsmen in Nasarawa, Nasarawa State. He said that he would not support any group to bring division in the country, adding that peace and unity were the necessary requirements for the development of any nation. According to him, if truly the Igbos want their country, it is only referendum that will grant that independence. Overall Leader of Biafra, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu Jibrin said…
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We can continue to reap profits from the Blacks without the effort of physical slavery Look at the current methods of containment that they use on themselves: IGNORANCE, GREED, and SELFISHNESS. Their IGNORANCE is the primary weapon of containment. A great man once said, “The best way to hide something from Black people is to put it in a book.” We now live in the Information Age. They have gained the opportunity to read any book on any subject through the efforts of their fight for freedom, yet they refuse to read. There are numerous books readily available at Borders,…
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Today, makes it 53 days since our President; Muhammadu Buhari left Nigeria to attend to his health challenges abroad. No official information as to his whereabouts and his state of health have been provided. Like every other Nigerian, I do not wish the president dead, I have therefore maintained dignified silence since we were told that the President embarked on his second medical trip abroad this year. However, the recorded audio message which was released by the Presidency as the President’s Ramadan message to Nigerians necessitated my setting the records straight today. No doubt, the audio message was only a…
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(Being a rejoinder by the Lower Niger Congress to the Statement of the “Progressive Governors Forum”, PGF, on Federalism and Restructuring). We begin with a caveat that the LNC considers ALL the Political Parties in Nigeria guilty in equal measure, of the criminality of holding the fraudulent 1999 Constitution which enslave and impoverish the People, as the basis of Nigeria and its Democracy, and so the calling out of the APC Governors for insulting the collective intelligence of the whole Country in their new postulations on Restructuring and Federalism must be situated appropriately above the partisan fray. The long epistle…
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Election which is a procedure that allows members of an organization or community to choose representatives who will hold positions of authority within it for a specific period of time is an integral part of constitutional democracy. Elections are not only a mechanism to peacefully resolve the transfer of political power but they are also the basis for democratic legitimacy. For election to be credible, it has to be inclusive, transparent, accountable and competitive. Election process is made up of multiple components and public confidence in each step of the components is critical to the integrity of such election. A…
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Alhaji Balarabe Musa noted that Igbos have not had their fair share in Nigeria. The former governor said things could have been better if Gowon and Murtla’s structures were followed. He said majority of Igbo want a better Nigeria. Alhaji Balarabe Musa who is a former governor of Kaduna state has said that the reason some Igbos are calling for an independent Biafra state is because they have not benefitted much from Nigeria. Musa noted that since the Biafra war ended, Igbos have not had their fair share in the country’s establishment. The former governor said things could have turned…
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At a time when many years of painstaking efforts to reestablish the damaged brotherly love and cohesion between the Igbo and the rest of the Niger Delta is beginning to yield very positive outcomes, it is heartrending to read in the media, (Daily Sun of Monday June 26, 2017 precisely), statements credited to our brother and compatriot, Nnamdi Kanu of dismissing Former President Goodluck Jonathan as a “weak and incompetent President who did nothing for the South East, even though even though the Region claimed him as one of their own”, with an insulting suggestion that the Former President’s…
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As usual, Nigerians are doing what they do best: making themselves the laughing stock of the rest of the world, behaving like spoilt brats of a rich but irresponsible father, or like players in a game with no rules and no referee, a game in a field of moral free fall. Perhaps by way of a metaphor, that is really a summary of our condition. Those who have held the nation to ransom, non-state actors constituting themselves into a calumnious conspiratorial tag team of sorcerers’ apprentices believe that what they cannot have, no one can have. They are prepared to…
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This coming from Col Achuzie himself calls for a rethink, deep reflections and a change of tactics to our present approach to the issue of self determination for our people. Col Achuzia recently published that ‘Biafra does not mean secession ‘. According to him ‘WE’ are proud Biafrans living in Nigeria. The Biafran agitation is an expression coming from perceived general frustrations of ‘some’ Igbos as a result of deliberate marginalizations deprivations. However, the approach is wrong. Why? Igbos have more to lose in Biafra than being part of Nigeria. The economic losses from the 30 months civil war have…
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Nigerian government and lies. They have lied again. The way Nigerian government behaves is like a thief who wants to steal a fowl. He approaches the fowl gradually, watching with sides of his eyes if anyone is looking. If eventually someone shouts, “Who is doing that?”, he will stand pretending as if he is just making the fowl give way. If he already has the fowl in his hand, he will tell you that the fowl just flew up and perched on his hand, that he is not trying to steal it. This is exactly what this Nigerian federal government…
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The Office Of The Vice President The Federal Republic Of Nigeria, Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja, Nigeria 24th June 2017 Re: Open Letter To The Acting President In Response To The Position And Fallacies by Arewa Youths Your Excellency Sir, The attention of Igbo Ekunie Initiative, a coalition of professionals in Nigeria and the Diaspora has been drawn to an open letter written by so-called Arewa youths. As is typical of the “Sharia North” and their arrogance, bullying and internal colonialist (born to rule) attitude, the letter was filled with hate, lies, baseless claims, pedestrian propaganda, innuendoes and an unconscionable…
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“To avoid going to war is not cowardice. It is to have the courage to subdue our ego and negotiate. …..” Better still, go get a copy of El Rufai’s book titled “Accidental civil servant” and read the dialogue between the Author and Baba Obasanjo the then President. You will appreciate the value of native intelligence of the Yoruba which some ignoramus called cowardice. Pray, has Yoruba ever lost any war whether of the guns, intellectual, political or spiritual? No. Check the political, Social and religious history of Nigeria. Who checkmated the advancement of the Fulanis to the South in…
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He wrote: How can anyone describe Nigeria as being free when Christian Religious Knowledge (CRK) is removed from the curriculum and Islamic Arabic Studies (IAS) is made compulsory? ”How can anyone describe Nigeria as being free when Christians are banned BY LAW from buying land to build churches in most parts of the core north? ”How can anyone describe Nigeria as being free when every single security and intelligence agency in the nation except for the Navy is headed by a northern Muslim? ”How can anyone describe Nigeria as being free when there are NO Christian commanders (i.e. those that…
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Where are those disparaging Nnamdi Kanu Online? Are you guys gonna disparage Ohanaeze, Afenifere and Niger-Delta for threading the same path with Nnamdi Kanu? Denial is not realizing Nigeria in its present form is not working. In case, you were not aware of it, Afenifere, Ohaneze and the Niger Delta are planning to boycott the 2019 general election if the federal government does not begin the restructuring process. The campaign to boycott the 2019 election will likely begin in early 2018. If you think boycotting of election is a dumb and utopian idea, wait and see the kind of crisis…
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As a prelude to this downbeat essay, I wish to state that I am an unrepentant advocate of election boycott as a passive protest against, a tacit rejection of a vicious State like Nigeria. It is my stance that wherever and whenever a State resorts to intimidation, use of military force, and outright extermination of non-violent agitators, a sublime means of agitating for the extrication of the victims from the thralldom suppression and oppression, two strangleholds of the State, should be adopted. The May 30 sit-at-home exercise was a litmus test for something much more effective. No illogicality is committed…
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“All of us who do not speak the Hausa language in which Buhari allegedly addressed Nigerians are being told one thing: you do not belong here. Can anyone ever come up with a more powerful rationale for secession?”- Kayode Samuel. Can anyone fault Samuel’s thinking and rationale? Two days ago I wrote an essay titled “Is Nigeria A Free Nation Or A Vassal State?” which raised some fundamental questions about the nature and composition of thr contraption called Nigeria. It was a well-researched contribution and I would urge all those that have not read it to google it and do…
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Former military president, General Ibrahim Babangida said on Monday as he launched an appeal to Nigerians to draw back from further campaign of hate the like of which he said led to the 30 month civil war. Former Head of State, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida during prayers to mark his 75th birthday celebration at the Hilltop, Minna, Niger State Noting his own historic linkages across the various divides in the country, the former military president said that there was little discord among Nigerians of different social classes as he urged Nigerians to synergise their different potentials towards building a great nation.…
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Prof. Ango Abdullahi, OUR attention has been drawn to your statements in Vanguard of Saturday, June 10, 2017. You are alleged to be in support of the call on the Igbo to quit. It is unfortunate, grossly unfortunate, that a scholar of your calibre will be so partisan as to be unable to see the wisdom in retaining Nigeria as a corporate entity. I know you have, in the past, been anti-Igbo. One would have thought that our education exposes us to a level where we can live even with our enemies. You said in the alleged publication that, “each…
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Brethren from the North, I bring you greetings from the Southern part of Nigeria. On behalf of the peace-loving people of the south in general and millions of Igbo youths in particular, I start this letter by commending you for your recent open letter to the acting president, professor Yemi Osinbajo, where you called on the pastor-turned politician to organise a Referendum for the Igbos to enable them determine their future in line with international law on self determination. By that letter, you proved to be better versed and more sophisticated in legal matters and ways of international laws…
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All I kept shouting when my cousin sent me a video footage of the triumphant entry of Nnamdi Kanu into Nnewi was “okwu agwuna!” meaning “what else is remaining? It is finished!” The whole markets and shops in the city of Nnewi, Anambra state, closed at noon as both the able-bodied and disabled persons trudged to Dr. Ikedife’s hospital facility on Igwe Orizu road to have a glimpse of the Independent People of Biafra (IPOB) leader. Kanu had come to mend fence with the elderly leader and founder of IPOB who was also the former president of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Dr.…
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You don’t need to wait till you are hit by my case before you identify positively with your root. I was born in Ebute Metta area of Lagos before the war, I started my schooling and life in Lagos and as soon as the war broke out, we were bundled back to the east, then I was about ten years old. My parents feel very much at home in Lagos and were loved so much by the Yaba/Ebute Meta community that as we came back to Lagos by 1970 to start life afresh after the civil war, my father’s hotel,…
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………..Excerpt……….. Again, however, when the 1954 constitution conference started, my good friend, Chief Obafemi Awolowo tabled a motion to the effect that in the new constitution, provision should be made that any state which feels like seceding should do so. I was opposed to it and said ‘no’ and said that once we have a federation, we are indivisible and perpetual. That was when we began to use that expression – ‘The Indivisibility and perpetuity of the federation’ – and that to secede would amount to treason. And so, a debate ensued. The Secretary of State then was Oliver Lyttleton,…
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I’ll attempt a modest effort to respond to Prof. Yusuf Dankofa, a cerebral lawyer and law lecturer, who incidentally taught me Legal Methods in my first year at the Faculty of Law, ABU, Zaria. You see, the learned Professor believes i was unfairly critical of Babangida (IBB) yesterday, when i pointedly accused him in my facebook post of being the grand architect of the rot we see today in Nigeria’s society. My learned Prof told me in clear terms, that all past leaders share, or should share, the blame, equally. I have had time to sleep over this matter, and…
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“The majority of technicians in Kano are from the south while untrained indigenes beg. How does that make sense?” In Kano, the town of Kwankwaso where the former Governor of Kano state, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso is from is believed to have been founded by an Igbo man named Felix Okonkwo, alias Okonkwo Kano who was a member of the Northern Nigeria House of chiefs in 1957. At about 1927 he had founded a trading business at the railway tracks approaching Kano where he bought groundnuts, processed it and transported it to Lagos and named his business Okonkwo and Sons. He…
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The biggest crime committed against the Ogoni people was the killing of Ken Saro Wiwa and his eight colleagues. Their crime was that they mobilized their people against the exploitation of their land. The tribunal was headed by Justice Ibrahim Auta. Other members of the tribunal were Justice Etowa Eyo Arikpo, Lt Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (the incumbent Comptroller General of Customs), while the government prosecutor was Mr Joseph Bodurin Daudu SAN. The Provisional Ruling Council (PRC), the highest decision-making body of the Abacha regime that took the decision to kill Saro Wiwa comprised General Abacha, Maj. General Patrick Aziza…
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In response to the many enquiries coming to the LNC regarding the debate on boycott or no boycott of the Anambra Governorship Election Stated for November, 2017, I will repost below An Open Memorandum by the LNC regarding further National Elections under the obnoxious 1999 Constitution in Eastern Nigeria, particularly the 2019 Electoral Round. In that Open Memorandum issued April 11th, 2017, the LNC, for the Strategic reasons elaborately stated in that Open Memo, expressly and categorically excluded the November 2017 Anambra Governorship Election from its Campaigns towards halting the preparations for any further National Elections under the so-called 1999…
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NORTHERN TRANSPARENCY AND RIGHTS WATCH PRESS STATEMENT ISSUED IN ABUJA ON FRIDAY 23RD JUNE 2017 We have dispassionately observed the situation in the country and the development that followed the incessant agitation for the formation of the Biafran nation and attendant reactions across the country after which we have resolved to come up with the following position. 1. It is no longer in doubt that the manner in which the Biafran agitation is being pursuit has been anything but democratic; it has degenerated from civil agitation to direct threats to national integration and peaceful coexistence. 2. As a consequence of…
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Nwodo laments police’s inability to arrest Arewa youths The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, saturday took an initiative to neutralise last week’s quit notice issued by Arewa youths to Igbo residents in the North by constituting and inaugurating a 100-member Planning and Strategy Committee, headed by former governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Chukwuma Soludo, to design both the economic and political development agenda for Ndigbo. This however came as the Ohanaeze President, Chief Nnia Nwodo, expressed regrets over the inability of the Nigerian police to make needful arrests since the threat was issued, wondering if different…
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Mutual suspicion threatening Nigeria – Ezeife The entire South has resolved to work together – Adebanjo Leave choice of President to politicians – ACF Biafra, Oduduwa alliance mutually beneficial – MASSOB There are strong indications that the leadership of prominent sociocultural groups, Afenifere, Ohanaeze and others in the South are forging a common political alliance to strategise and present a formidable front ahead of the 2019 elections. A pointer in this direction was the strategic meeting, penultimate week, between the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo led by its President- General, Dr. Nnia Nwodo, and its Yoruba counterpart, Afenifere, with Chief Ayo…
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This Narration about first seeking Restructuring before going for Self-Determination if Restructuring fails, looks logical and reasonable on the surface. The big problem is that right now in Eastern Nigeria, there is a huge gap between the People and the Elite that claims to lead them. The People have waited for equity and Restructuring for 50 years since after Aburi 1967 and they now want out of Nigeria, after much visitation in bloodshed, pain, misery, wickedness and utter hopelessness. Whilst not discountenancing the hardworking Igbo lot who have by sheer hard work and ingenuity, triumphed over the many man-made debilitations…
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“I freed a thousand slaves. I could have freed a thousand more if only they knew they were slaves”- Harriet Tubman How can anyone describe Nigeria as a free nation when Sheik Othman Dan Fodio, the hero of the core Muslim north, the father of the Fulani Caliphate and the first Mahdi of Nigeria once said, “Allah has bestowed on me and my people the historic duty to spread the holy faith of the Prophet throughout the Caliphate and convert these pagans. If they refuse to accept Allah and his Prophet we will wash the earth, the forests, the mountains,…
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The Co- Convener of the Coalition of Northern Groups and leader of Arewa Consultative Youth Forum, Shettima Yerima , has accused human rights lawyer , Femi Falana , SAN, of living in the past , following the latter ’s statement implying that the former should not be taken seriously . Falana had on Thursday at a news conference in Abuja described Yerima as a “ Lagos man. ” “ The man who gave quit notice ( to Igbo living in the North ) does not live in the North . He lives in Lagos . I am saying this :…
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Rights activist and constitutional lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) said yesterday that the leader of the northern youth group that issued a three months ultimatum to the Igbo to vacate the North does not live in the North, but in Lagos. Falana however said the restructuring and true federalism must be resolved now for Nigeria to make progress. He spoke at a news conference organised by organised labour in Abuja. To Falana, it is laughable that certain individuals will sit down in the comfort of their homes to issue ultimatum to others to vacate their land. He said: “The founding fathers…
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Australia is 7.692 million km². This means the country is over 8 times bigger than Nigeria which is 923,768 km² big. Australia however is divided into 6 states and 2 tiny territories. Each state in Australia has its own constitution, is equal to other states and equal to the federal government of Australia. Canada with 9.985 million km² land mass is even a bigger federation but is politically divided into 10 provinces and 3 territories. Each province is autonomous and none waits for the central government to send it allocations every month to pay secondary school teachers or build roads.…
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“For as long as the Old Eastern region remain in disarray and not united, self-determination of the region will remain impossible.” ~ An anonymous retired Nigerian Army Chief The word “South-South,” even though it may sound absurd, is a name we have come to accept as a people. We can’t say exactly how we came about to be identified with the name neither can we say exactly when we were given the name, but we just know it is our name. While growing up back in the days, geography taught us about “the North,” “the South,” “The East” and “The…
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When Hon Chudi Offodile, Awolo-Awka, was elected into the Federal House of Representatives in May 1999, as the representative for Awka North and South Federal constituency of Anambra State, he was just 34 years old. He served as the Chairman of the Special Committee on Joint Venture Oil Operations [2001-2003] and Chairman of the Public Petitions Committee [2003-2006]. He is also a businessman, lawyer and notary public. He ran for senate in 2007 and 2011 unsuccessfully and called it quits with “electoral politics”. Then he bounced back with the best seller ‘’The Politics of Biafra and the Future of Nigeria’’…
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“What do the Igbos want?”, Buhari asked during his media chat. Obi Nwakamma answers him. And now, Obi Nwakanma, a Poet, journalist, biographer and literary critic, has written an article in answer to the question, “What do the Igbos want?” Enjoy: In Biafra, under three years, they were making their own rockets and calculating its distances; distilling their own oil and making aviation fuel, creating in their Chemical and Biological laboratories, new cures for diseases like Cholera, shaping their own spare parts, and turning the entire East into a vast workshop, as Ojukwu put it. At the end of the…
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18 Israeli fighter jets along with two Gulfstream aircraft landed in Saudi Arabia on Thursday to prevent any hostile or military moves by former Crown Prince Mohammed bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz who was replaced with Saudi King Salman’s son. Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz announced on Wednesday his decision to replace Crown Prince Mohammed bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz with his own son, Mohammed bin Salman. After the decision was announced, the Israeli air force sent 18 of its fighter jets, including F16I, F15CD and F16CD, along with two Gulfstream aircraft, two tanker airplanes and two C130 planes, special for electronic…
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…We stand against merging of CRK, IRK and Civic Education …Adamu is not saying the whole truth The Christian Association Nigeria (CAN) has called on the Federal Ministry of Education and the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) to publish the full details of the controversial new Curriculum of Education if they have no hidden agenda. The perceived dangers packaged in the new Curriculum of Education has brought the document to the fore since the leadership of CAN raised the issue in a meeting with the Acting President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo and asked the government to ensure there is…
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Tribalism is not our problem. Tribalism and religion are artificial problems created by selfish leaders for their own personal interest. There are only two major tribes in Nigeria. The Elites and the Masses. Once you make lots of money, you belong to the elite tribe. When you are a commoner or suffering, you belong to the tribe of the masses. If you are an elite, and you need more power, or elective position, you sow seeds of tribalism and religion among the masses, so as to sway their emotion for your personal victory. This happens at both the national and…
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In the following address given eleven years before Nigerian independence, Nnamdi Azikiwe calls for self-determination for the Ibo as they along with other ethnic groups march toward an inevitably free Nigeria. This address was delivered at the Ibo State Assembly held at Aba, Nigeria, on Saturday, June 25, 1949. Harbingers of a new day for the Ibo nation, having selected me to preside over the deliberations of this assembly of the Ibo nation, I am conscious of the fact that you have not done so because of any extraordinary attributes in me. I realize that I am not the oldest…
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MINISTER of Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, yesterday, said all was set for the Kaduna Inland Dry Port to commence full operation, even as Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State begged the Federal Government to employ youths from the state. Amaechi spoke while on facility inspection of Kaduna Inland Dry Port in Kaduna, explaining that the facility tour was to ascertain the readiness of the port ahead of the commissioning by the Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo and the commencement of operations. He said the port will stimulate the state and country’s economies, adding “everything is set for commissioning, but we…
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The United Nations consists of the General Assembly and the United Nations Security Council. However, all enforceable resolutions and enforceable decisions are decided in the United Nations Security Council, not in the United Nations General Assembly. The United Nations Security Council is made up of Fifteen (15) Nations. Ten (10) revolving Nations, whose status is for two years only, and five (5) Permanent members, who hold all of the power and who completely control the United Nations Security Council: Those 5 permanent members are The United States, Great Britain, France, Russia, and China. Those 5 permanent members of The United…
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If we were to follow history, it will be easy to dismiss Nnamdi Kanu, Ben Nwabueze, Nwazuruike, as well as the other cohorts of MASSOB and IPOB. The reason is that they often fail. The secessionist ends in a riotous divorce. Free, proud, but broken. Southern Sudan reels in blood and bile. Eritrea stews in want and lies prostrate, often envious of its former cousins. In Europe, the remnants of old Yugoslavia are quiet, but sniff no greatness ahead. The Basque separatists in Spain are a shadow of their historic bluster. Scotland saw their dreams scuttled. It is now more…
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In his quest to fulfill his parents dreams and contributing to the development of hospitality industry and tourism in Nigeria, former Nigerian Ambassador to the Republic of Congo and legal practitioner, Greg Ozumba Mbadiwe MFR, with the support of the Mbadiwes, have launched a luxurious hotel and tourist centre, KingsCelia Hotels and suites, in the heart of Lagos. The 5 star relaxation centre situated at Yaba, was part of Greg Mbadiwe’s desire to accomplish his parents, especially his father’s dream. “My venture into hospitality business is to make the dream of my father a reality. My late father wanted to…
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The East/West/Middle Belt Consensus suggested here as the panacea to the perennial Fulani brigandage is the main thrust of the LNC-inspired MNN which culminated in the Broken Map that Isolated the embattled 12-State Sharia Caliphate contiguity by the rest of Nigeria since 2011. The 2013 US Army War College Report on Nigeria titled “NIGERIAN UNITY: IN THE BALANCE”, crisply articulated and highlighted this dramatic development when it declared that the CENTRIFUGAL forces which sought the dismantling of Nigeria for well founded reasons had triumphed over the CENTRIPETAL forces struggling to keep Nigeria one by force. The Report, which dismissed prevailing…
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